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Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to
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Commission file number 0-23876
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 43-1531401
(State of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification)
150 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number: (312) 346-6600
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
7% Series A Cumulative Exchangeable Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock,
$.01 par value
Common Stock, $.01 par value
----------------------------
Title of Class
Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of February 28, 2002: approximately $2.8 billion.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of February
28, 2002: 243,930,492
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Part of Form 10-K Into Which
Document Document is Incorporated
-------- ------------------------
Sections of the Registrant's Proxy Statement to be filed on or before
April 8, 2002 for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on
May 9, 2002. III
SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
December 31, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
PART I
Item 1. Business.............................................................................................3
Item 2. Properties...........................................................................................9
Item 3. Legal Proceedings...................................................................................10
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.................................................11
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters...............................12
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.............................................................................13
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations...............15
Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk..........................................26
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.........................................................27
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure................65
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..................................................65
Item 11. Executive Compensation..............................................................................68
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management......................................68
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions......................................................68
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.....................................68
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for the historical information contained in this Annual Report on Form
10-K, certain matters discussed herein, including (without limitation) under
Part I, Item 1, "Business - Environmental Compliance", under Part 1, Item 3,
"Legal Proceedings" and under Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," contain
forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21 E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although we believe that, in making any such
statements, our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such
statement may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and
results to be materially different from those projected. When used in this
document, the words "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," and similar
expressions as they relate to Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation or its
management are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties.
There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in forward-looking statements, certain of which are beyond our
control. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the following:
. the impact of general economic conditions in North America and Europe and
in other locations in which we and our subsidiaries currently do business;
. general industry conditions, including competition and product and raw
material prices;
. fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates and currency values;
. unanticipated capital expenditure requirements;
. legislative or regulatory requirements, particularly concerning
environmental matters;
. access to capital markets;
. fluctuations in energy prices; and
. obtaining required consents or waivers of lenders in the event we are
unable to satisfy covenants in our debt instruments.
Our actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from
those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, and
accordingly, we can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the
forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so,
what impact
1
they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. We expressly
decline any obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements that
have been made to reflect the occurrence of events after the date hereof.
2
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
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Unless the context otherwise requires, "we", "us", "our" or Smurfit-Stone refers
to the business of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation and its subsidiaries.
GENERAL
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Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is the industry's
leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging,
including containerboard, corrugated containers, multiwall bags and clay-coated
recycled boxboard, and is the world's largest paper recycler. In addition, we
are a leading producer of solid bleached sulfate, folding cartons, paper tubes
and cores, and labels. Printing is a core competency for Smurfit-Stone.
Smurfit-Stone has a complete line of graphics capabilities for packaging. For
the year ended December 31, 2001, our net sales were $8,377 million and net
income available to common stockholders was $66 million.
We are a holding company with no business operations of our own. We conduct our
business operations through two wholly-owned subsidiaries: JSCE, Inc. and Stone
Container Corporation, Delaware corporations. JSCE conducts all of its business
operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary Jefferson Smurfit Corporation
(U.S.) (Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) or JSC (U.S.)). We have operations primarily in
North America and Europe.
On May 31, 2000, Smurfit-Stone, through a subsidiary of Stone Container,
acquired St. Laurent Paperboard, Inc. Amounts included in the discussion below
include St. Laurent's operations after May 31, 2000.
PRODUCTS
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We report our results of operations in five industry segments, two of which are
reportable, 1) Containerboard and Corrugated Containers and 2) Consumer
Packaging. For financial information relating to our segments, see the
information set forth in Note 21 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
CONTAINERBOARD AND CORRUGATED CONTAINERS SEGMENT
The Containerboard and Corrugated Containers segment includes 21 paper mills (15
located in the United States and six in Canada), 144 container plants (136
located in the United States, two in Canada, five in Mexico and one in Puerto
Rico) and two wood products plants located in the United States. In addition, we
own approximately 1.1 million acres of timberland and operate wood harvesting
facilities in Canada. Our primary products include:
. corrugated containers
. containerboard
. kraft paper
. solid bleached sulfate
. market pulp.
We produce a full range of high quality corrugated containers designed to
protect, ship, store and display products made to our customers' merchandising
and distribution specifications. Corrugated containers are sold to a broad range
of manufacturers of consumable goods. Corrugated containers are used to ship
such diverse products as home appliances, electric motors, small machinery,
grocery products, produce, computers, books, furniture and many other products.
We provide customers with innovative packaging solutions to advertise and sell
their products. In addition, we manufacture and sell a variety of retail ready,
point of purchase displays and a full line of specialty products, including
pizza boxes, corrugated clamshells for the food industry, Cordeck/R/ recyclable
pallets and custom die-cut boxes to display packaged merchandise on the sales
floor. Our container plants serve local customers and large national accounts.
3
Our containerboard mills produce a full line of containerboard, which is used
primarily in the production of corrugated packaging. We produced 3,733,000 tons
of unbleached kraft linerboard, 989,000 tons of white top linerboard and
1,917,000 tons of recycled medium in 2001. Our containerboard mills and
corrugated container operations are highly integrated, with the majority of our
containerboard used internally by our corrugated container operations. In 2001,
our corrugated container plants consumed 4,879,000 tons of containerboard,
representing an integration level of approximately 74%.
Our paper mills also produce solid bleached sulfate (SBS), kraft paper, market
pulp and other specialty products. We specialize in high-quality grades of SBS,
which are designed to meet the demanding print requirements of folding cartons
and carded packaging customers in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and other
niche markets. A portion of our SBS is consumed internally by our folding carton
plants. Kraft paper is used in numerous products, including consumer and
industrial bags, grocery and shopping bags, counter rolls, handle stock, refuse
bags and circuit board. A significant portion of our kraft paper is consumed by
our specialty packaging operations. In addition, we produce bleached northern
and southern hardwood pulp, which is sold to manufacturers of paper products,
including photographic and other specialty papers, as well as the printing and
writing sectors.
Production for our paper mills and sales volume for our corrugated container
facilities for the last three years, including our proportionate share of
affiliates, were:
2001 2000 1999
----- ----- -----
Tons produced (in thousands)
Containerboard .................................. 6,640 6,505 5,973
Kraft paper ..................................... 287 290 437
Solid bleached sulfate .......................... 306 258 189
Market pulp ..................................... 545 550 572
Uncoated boxboard ............................... 10 43 47
Corrugated containers sold (in billion sq. ft.) ..... 79.1 80.7 80.0
Sales volumes shown above include our proportionate share of the operations of
Smurfit-MBI, a Canadian producer of corrugated containers, and other affiliates
reported on an equity ownership basis. Both we and Jefferson Smurfit Group plc
(JS Group), our largest stockholder, own a 50% interest in Smurfit-MBI.
CONSUMER PACKAGING SEGMENT
The Consumer Packaging segment includes seven paper mills, 17 folding carton
plants and 11 other converting plants located primarily in the United States.
Our primary products include:
. folding cartons
. coated and uncoated recycled boxboard
. laminated products
. paper, foil and heat transfer labels
. rotogravure cylinders
Folding cartons are used primarily to protect customers' products, while
providing point of purchase advertising. We produce a full range of carton
styles, appropriate to nearly all carton end uses. The folding carton plants
offer extensive converting capabilities, including sheet and web lithographic,
rotogravure and flexographic printing and laminating. The folding carton plants
also provide a full line of structural and graphic design services tailored to
specific technical requirements, as well as photography for packaging, sales
promotion concepts and point of purchase displays. Converting capabilities
include gluing, tray forming, windowing, waxing and laminating, plus other
specialties. Our customer base is made up primarily of producers of packaged
foods, beverages, fast food, detergents, paper, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Our customers range from local accounts to large national accounts.
4
Our coated recycled boxboard mills produce the broadest range of recycled grades
in the industry, including clay-coated newsback, kraftback and whiteback, as
well as waxable and laminated grades. Our coated boxboard mills and folding
carton operations are highly integrated, with the majority of our coated
boxboard used internally by our folding carton operations. In 2001, our folding
carton and lamination plants consumed 594,000 tons of recycled boxboard and
solid bleached sulfate, representing an integration level of approximately 67%.
Our uncoated recycled boxboard production is used primarily in the manufacture
of paper tube and core products. Uncoated boxboard products include reclaimed
fiber drum stock, tube stock, bending chip, shoe boxboard, partitions and other
specialty boxboard.
All of our boxboard is made from 100 percent reclaimed fiber. Production for the
coated and uncoated boxboard mills and sales volume for the folding carton
facilities for the last three years were:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Tons produced (in thousands)
Coated boxboard ................................. 569 590 581
Uncoated boxboard ............................... 118 126 118
Folding cartons sold (tons, in thousands) ........... 523 561 550
We produce paper and metallized paper labels and DI-NA-CAL/R/ heat transfer
labels which are used in a wide range of industrial and consumer product
applications. DI-NA-CAL/R/ is a proprietary labeling system that applies
high-speed heat transfer labels to plastic containers. We also produce
specialized laminations of film, foil and paper and high-quality rotogravure
cylinders. We have a full-service organization experienced in the production of
color separations and lithographic film for the commercial printing, advertising
and packaging industries.
OTHER NON-REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
Specialty Packaging
The Specialty Packaging segment operates 39 specialty packaging plants located
in the United States and two in Canada. Our primary products include:
. multiwall bags
. consumer bags
. paper tubes and cores
. solid fiber partitions
. flexible packaging products
Multiwall bags are designed to safely and effectively ship a wide range of
industrial and commercial products, including fertilizers, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, building products, concrete, food, feed, seed and salt. Bags
can be customized with easy-open features, handles and resealable closures, with
a variety of liners, coatings and other treatments. We have developed and
patented many innovative styles, including Cap-Sac/R/, PeelPak/R/, Soni-Loc/R/,
Peel-N-Pour/TM/, SquareStack/TM/ and SquareSak/TM/. We also manufacture small
consumer bags for food and other products sold at retail outlets, including pet
food and litter, cookies, flour, baking mixes and microwave popcorn. In 2001,
our specialty packaging operations consumed approximately 63% of the kraft paper
produced by our kraft paper mills. Multiwall bag shipments for 2001, 2000 and
1999 were 256,000, 247,000 and 249,000 tons, respectively.
Paper tubes and cores are used primarily for paper, film and foil, yarn carriers
and other textile products and furniture components. Solid fiber partitions are
used by customers in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, glass container, automotive
and medical supply industries. Flexible packaging is used in a wide range of
consumer product applications. In addition, our contract packaging plant
provides custom contract packaging services, including cartoning, bagging,
liquid-filling or powder-filling and high-speed overwrapping.
5
Reclamation
Our reclamation operations procure fiber resources for our paper mills as well
as other producers. We operate 23 reclamation facilities in the United States
that collect, sort, grade and bale recovered paper. We also collect aluminum and
glass for resale to manufacturers of these products. In addition, we operate a
nationwide brokerage system whereby we purchase and resell recovered paper to
our recycled paper mills and other producers on a regional and national contract
basis. Brokerage contracts provide bulk purchasing, resulting in lower prices
and cleaner recovered paper. Many of our reclamation facilities are located
close to our recycled paper mills, ensuring availability of supply with minimal
shipping costs. Domestic tons of recovered paper collected for 2001, 2000 and
1999 were 6,714,000, 6,768,000 and 6,560,000, respectively.
International
The International operations are predominantly located in Europe and include
three paper mills (located in Hoya and Viersen, Germany and Cordoba, Spain), 21
corrugated container plants (11 located in Germany, three in Spain, four in
Belgium, two in the Netherlands and one in France) and five reclamation plants
located in Germany. Our primary products include:
. corrugated containers
. containerboard
. coated recycled boxboard
In addition, we operate one corrugated container plant in Indonesia and have a
small affiliate operation in China. Production for our international mills and
sales volume for our international corrugated container facilities for the last
three years were:
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Tons produced (in thousands)
Containerboard ...................................... 411 405 380
Coated boxboard ..................................... 78 85 79
Corrugated containers sold (in billion sq. ft.) ........ 12.3 12.1 11.6
In 2001, our foreign corrugated container plants consumed 735,000 tons of
containerboard.
FIBER RESOURCES
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Wood fiber and reclaimed fiber are the principal raw materials used in the
manufacture of our paper products. We satisfy the majority of our need for wood
fiber through purchases on the open market or under supply agreements. We
satisfy essentially all of our need for reclaimed fiber through our reclamation
facilities and our nationwide brokerage system.
Wood fiber and reclaimed fiber are purchased in highly competitive,
price-sensitive markets, which have historically exhibited price and demand
cyclicality. Conservation regulations have caused, and will likely continue to
cause, a decrease in the supply of wood fiber and higher wood fiber costs in
some of the regions in which we procure wood fiber. Fluctuations in supply and
demand for reclaimed fiber have occasionally caused tight supplies of reclaimed
fiber and, at those times, we have experienced an increase in the cost of such
fiber.
MARKETING
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Our marketing strategy is to sell a broad range of paper-based packaging
products to marketers of industrial and consumer products. In managing the
marketing activities of our paperboard mills, we seek to meet the quality and
service needs of the customers of our converting plants at the most efficient
cost, while balancing those needs against the demands of our open market
customers. Our converting plants focus on supplying both specialized packaging
with high value graphics that enhance a product's market appeal and high-volume
commodity products.
We seek to serve a broad customer base for each of our industry segments and as
a result serve thousands of accounts from our plants. Each plant has its own
sales force and many have product
6
design engineers and other service professionals who are in close contact with
customers to respond to their specific needs. We complement our local plants'
marketing and service capabilities with regional and national design and service
capabilities, as well as national sales offices for customers who purchase
through a centralized purchasing office. National account business may be
allocated to more than one plant due to production capacity, logistics and
equipment requirements.
Our business is not dependent upon a single customer or upon a small number of
major customers. We do not believe the loss of any one customer would have a
material adverse effect on our business.
COMPETITION
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The markets in which we sell our principal products are highly competitive and
comprised of many participants. Although no single company is dominant, we do
face significant competitors in each of our businesses. Our competitors include
large vertically integrated companies as well as numerous smaller companies. The
industries in which we compete have historically been sensitive to price
fluctuations brought about by shifts in industry capacity and other cyclical
industry conditions. Other competitive factors include design, quality and
service, with varying emphasis depending on product line.
BACKLOG
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Demand for our major product lines is relatively constant throughout the year
and seasonal fluctuations in marketing, production, shipments and inventories
are not significant. Backlogs are not a significant factor in the industry. We
do not have a significant backlog of orders as most orders are placed for
delivery within 30 days.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- ------------------------
Our research and development center, located in Carol Stream, Illinois, uses
state-of-the-art technology to assist all levels of the manufacturing and sales
processes from raw material supply through finished packaging performance.
Research programs have provided improvements in coatings and barriers,
stiffeners, inks and printing. Our technical staff conducts basic, applied and
diagnostic research, develops processes and products and provides a wide range
of other technical services. The cost of our research and development activities
for 2001, 2000 and 1999 was approximately $5 million, $6 million and $7 million,
respectively.
We actively pursue applications for patents on new inventions and designs and
attempt to protect our patents against infringement. Nevertheless, we believe
our success and growth are more dependent on the quality of our products and our
relationships with customers than on the extent of our patent protection. We
hold or are licensed to use certain patents, licenses, trademarks and trade
names on products, but do not consider the successful continuation of any
material aspect of our business to be dependent upon such intellectual property.
EMPLOYEES
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We had approximately 38,500 employees at December 31, 2001, of which
approximately 31,800 were employees of U.S. operations. Approximately 19,800
(62%) of our domestic employees are represented by collective bargaining units.
The expiration dates of union contracts for our major paper mill facilities are
as follows:
. Hopewell, Virginia - July 2002
. Fernandina Beach, Florida - June 2003
. Florence, South Carolina - August 2003
. La Tuque, Quebec, Canada - August 2004
. Jacksonville, Florida (Seminole) - June 2005
. Hodge, Louisiana - June 2006
. Missoula, Montana - June 2007
. Brewton, Alabama - October 2007
. Panama City, Florida - March 2008
. West Point, Virginia - September 2008
7
We believe our employee relations are generally good. We are currently in the
process of bargaining with unions representing production employees at a number
of our operations. There were no significant or material work stoppages during
2001. While the terms of our collective bargaining agreements may vary, we
believe the material terms of the agreements are customary for the industry, the
type of facility, the classification of the employees and the geographic
location covered thereby.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
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Our operations are subject to extensive environmental regulation by federal,
state and local authorities. In the past, we have made significant capital
expenditures to comply with water, air, solid and hazardous waste and other
environmental laws and regulations. We expect to make significant expenditures
in the future for environmental compliance. Because various environmental
standards are subject to change, it is difficult to predict with certainty the
amount of capital expenditures that will ultimately be required to comply with
future standards.
In particular, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
finalized significant portions of its comprehensive rule governing the pulp,
paper and paperboard industry, known as the "Cluster Rule". Phase I of the
Cluster Rule required us to convert our bleached linerboard mill at Brewton,
Alabama and our bleached market pulp mill at Panama City, Florida to an
elemental chlorine free bleaching process, to install systems at several of our
mills for the collection and destruction of low volume, high concentration gases
and to implement best management practices, such as spill controls. These
projects have been substantially completed at a cost of approximately $232
million (of which approximately $28 million was spent in 2001). Phase II of the
Cluster Rule will require the implementation of systems to collect high volume,
low concentration gases at various mills and has a compliance date of 2006.
Phase III of the Cluster Rule will require control of particulate from recovery
boilers, smelt tanks and lime kilns and has a compliance date of 2005. We
continue to study possible means of compliance with Phases II and III of the
Cluster Rule. Based on currently available information, we estimate that the
aggregate compliance cost of Phases II and III of the Cluster Rule is likely to
be in the range of $100 million to $125 million and that such cost will be
incurred over the next five years.
In recent years, the EPA has undertaken significant air quality initiatives
associated with nitrogen oxide emissions, regional haze and national ambient air
quality standards. Several of our mills are located in states affected by these
EPA initiatives. When regulatory requirements for new and changing standards are
finalized, we will add any resulting future cost projections to our expenditure
forecast.
In addition to Cluster Rule compliance, we anticipate additional capital
expenditures related to environmental compliance. Excluding the spending on
Cluster Rule projects described above, for the past three years we have spent an
average of approximately $9 million annually on capital expenditures for
environmental purposes. Since our principal competitors are subject to
comparable environmental standards, including the Cluster Rule, it is our
opinion, based on current information, that compliance with environmental
standards should not adversely affect our competitive position. However, we
could incur significant expenditures due to changes in law or the discovery of
new information, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating
results.
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ITEM 2.PROPERTIES
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We maintain manufacturing facilities and sales offices throughout North America
and Europe. We believe that our facilities are adequately insured, properly
maintained and equipped with machinery suitable for their use. Our manufacturing
facilities as of December 31, 2001 are summarized below:
Number of Facilities
------------------------ State
Total Owned Leased Locations(a)
----- ----- ------ ---------
United States
Paper mills ............................ 22 22 15
Corrugated container plants ............ 136 89 47 33
Consumer packaging plants .............. 27 21 6 11
Specialty packaging plants ............. 39 14 25 20
Reclamation plants ..................... 23 16 7 14
Cladwood/R/plants ...................... 2 2 1
Wood products plants ................... 2 2 2
--- --- --
Subtotal ............................... 251 166 85 39
Canada and Other North America
Paper mills ............................ 6 6 N/A
Corrugated container plants ............ 8 6 2 N/A
Consumer packaging plant ............... 1 1 N/A
Specialty packaging plant .............. 2 2 N/A
--- --- --
Subtotal .............................. 17 15 2
Europe and Other
Paper mills ............................ 3 3 N/A
Corrugated container plants ............ 22 20 2 N/A
Reclamation plants ..................... 5 3 2 N/A
--- --- --
Subtotal ............................... 30 26 4
--- --- --
Total ................................ 298 207 91 N/A
(a) Reflects the number of states in which we have at least one manufacturing
facility.
The paper mills represent aproximately 70% of our investment in property, plant
and equipment. In addition to manufacturing facilities, we own approximately 1.1
million acres of timberland and operate wood harvesting facilities in Canada.
The approximate annual tons of productive capacity of our paper mills, including
our proportionate share of affiliates' productive capacity, at December 31, 2001
were:
Annual Capacity
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(in thousands)
United States
Containerboard................................... 6,651
Kraft paper...................................... 296
Solid bleached sulfate........................... 200
Coated and uncoated boxboard..................... 729
Market pulp...................................... 351
------
Subtotal......................................... 8,227
Canada
Containerboard................................... 1,133
Solid bleached sulfate........................... 123
Market pulp...................................... 243
------
Subtotal......................................... 1,499
Europe
Containerboard................................... 447
Coated boxboard.................................. 79
------
Subtotal ........................................ 526
------
Total .......................................... 10,252
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Substantially all of our North American operating facilities have been pledged
as collateral under our various credit agreements. See Part II, Item 7,
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing Activities.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
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LITIGATION
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Smurfit Newsprint Corporation, a subsidiary of JSCE, is a party to a Settlement
Agreement to implement a nationwide class action settlement of claims involving
Cladwood/R/, a composite wood siding product manufactured by Smurfit Newsprint
that has been used primarily in the construction of manufactured or mobile
homes. The class action claimants alleged that Cladwood/R/ siding on their homes
prematurely failed. The settlement was reached in connection with a class action
pending in King County, Washington and also resolved all other pending class
actions. As a result of the settlement in 1998, Smurfit Newsprint paid $20
million into a settlement fund, plus up to approximately $6.5 million of
administrative costs, plaintiffs' attorneys' fees and class representative
payments. Smurfit Newsprint retained a reversionary interest in a portion of the
settlement fund and, based on this interest, obtained a return of $10 million
from the fund in 2000. The claims period was originally scheduled to expire in
February 2002, but will be extended for up to three years in accordance with a
protocol that limits Smurfit Newsprint's liability for future claims to the
amount remaining in the claim fund.
In 1998, seven putative class action complaints were filed in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. These complaints
alleged that Stone Container reached agreements in restraint of trade that
affected the manufacture, sale and pricing of corrugated products in violation
of antitrust laws. The complaints have been amended to name several other
defendants, including Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) and Smurfit-Stone. The suits seek
an unspecified amount of damages arising out of the sale of corrugated products
for the period from October 1, 1993 through March 31, 1995. Under the provisions
of the applicable statutes, any award of actual damages could be trebled. The
complaints have been transferred to and consolidated in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which has certified two
plantiff classes. The defendants' appeal of the class certification rulings is
pending in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. We are vigorously defending these
cases.
We are a defendant in a number of lawsuits and claims arising out of the conduct
of our business, including those related to environmental matters. While the
ultimate results of such suits or other proceedings against us cannot be
predicted with certainty, we believe the resolution of these matters will not
have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or
results of operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
- ---------------------
In September 1997, Stone Container received a Notice of Violation and a
Compliance Order from the EPA alleging non-compliance with air emissions
limitations for the smelt dissolving tank at our Hopewell, Virginia mill and for
failure to comply with New Source Performance Standards applicable to certain
other equipment at the mill. In cooperation with the EPA, Stone Container
responded to information requests, conducted tests and took measures to ensure
continued compliance with applicable emission limits. In December 1997 and
November 1998, Stone Container received additional requests from the EPA for
information about past capital projects at the mill. In April 1999, the EPA
issued a Notice of Violation alleging that Stone Container "modified" the
recovery boiler and increased nitrogen oxide emissions without obtaining a
required construction permit. Stone Container responded to this notice and
indicated the EPA's allegations were without merit. Stone Container entered into
a tolling agreement with the EPA that deferred any further prosecution of this
matter until at least March 31, 2002. Upon expiration of the tolling agreement,
the EPA may bring suit against Stone Container.
In April 1999, the EPA and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
(Virginia DEQ) each issued a Notice of Violation under the Clean Air Act to St.
Laurent's mill located in West Point, Virginia, which St. Laurent acquired from
Chesapeake Corporation in May 1997. In general, the Notices of Violation allege
that, from 1984 to the present, the West Point mill installed certain equipment
and modified certain production processes without obtaining the required
permits. St. Laurent made a claim for indemnification
10
from Chesapeake for its costs relating to these Notices of Violation pursuant to
the purchase agreement between St. Laurent and Chesapeake, and the parties
appointed a third-party arbitrator to resolve the issues relating to the
indemnification claim. The arbitrator has established a binding cost-sharing
formula between the parties as to the cost of any required capital expenditures
that might be required to resolve the Notices of Violation, as well as any fines
and penalties imposed in connection therewith. St. Laurent and Chesapeake are
attempting to reach agreement with the EPA and Virginia DEQ on a capital
expenditure plan to remedy these Notices of Violation, and based on the
information developed to date and discussions with the EPA and Virginia DEQ, we
believe our share of the costs to resolve this matter will not be material and
will not exceed established reserves. We entered into a tolling agreement with
the EPA that defers any further prosecution of this matter until at least June
28, 2002. Upon expiration of the tolling agreement, the EPA may bring suit
against St. Laurent.
In August 1999, we received a Notice of Infraction from the Ministry of
Environment of the Province of Quebec alleging noncompliance with specified
environmental standards at our New Richmond, Quebec mill. The majority of the
citations alleged that we had discharged total suspended solids in the mill's
treated effluent which exceeded the regulatory limitations for the rolling
30-day average. The remainder of the citations were for monitoring, reporting
and administrative deficiencies uncovered during an inspection performed by the
Ministry. In October 2001, we settled this matter by pleading guilty to 23
charges filed by the Government of Quebec under its Regulations respecting pulp
and paper facilities, and paid $571,000 (Canadian), or $360,000 (U.S.), in fines
and costs incurred by the Government in the prosecution of the charges.
Federal, state and local environmental requirements are a significant factor in
our business. We employ processes in the manufacture of pulp, paperboard and
other products which result in various discharges, emissions and wastes. These
processes are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental laws
and regulations, including reporting and disclosure obligations. We operate and
expect to continue operating under permits and similar authorizations from
various governmental authorities that regulate such discharges, emissions and
wastes.
We also face potential liability as a result of releases, or threatened
releases, of hazardous substances into the environment from various sites owned
and operated by third parties at which company-generated wastes have allegedly
been deposited. Generators of hazardous substances sent to off-site disposal
locations at which environmental problems exist, as well as the owners of those
sites and certain other classes of persons (generally referred to as
"potentially responsible parties" or "PRPs"), are, in most instances, subject to
joint and several liability for response costs for the investigation and
remediation of such sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and analogous state laws, regardless of
fault or the lawfulness of the original disposal. We have received notice that
we are or may be a PRP at a number of federal and/or state sites where response
action may be required and as a result may have joint and several liability for
cleanup costs at such sites. However, liability for CERCLA sites is typically
shared with other PRPs and costs are commonly allocated according to relative
amounts of waste deposited. Our relative percentage of waste deposited at these
sites ranges from less than 1% to 6%. In addition to participating in the
remediation of sites owned by third parties, we have entered into consent orders
for the investigation and/or remediation of certain of our owned properties.
Based on current information, we believe the probable costs of the potential
environmental enforcement matters discussed above, response costs under CERCLA
and similar state laws, and the remediation of owned property will not have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. As
of December 31, 2001, we had approximately $45 million reserved for
environmental liabilities. We believe our liability for these matters was
adequately reserved at December 31, 2001.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
---------------------------------------------------
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders, through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter ended December
31, 2001.
11
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET INFORMATION
- ------------------
At December 31, 2001, our common stock was held by approximately 54,000
stockholders. Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the
symbol "SSCC". The high and low trading prices of our stock in 2001 and 2000
were:
2001 2000
------------------------------------
High Low High Low
------ ------ ------ ------
First Quarter .............. $16.69 $12.50 $25.00 $12.50
Second Quarter ............. $17.23 $12.36 $18.63 $11.25
Third Quarter .............. $18.24 $11.70 $14.44 $10.75
Fourth Quarter ............. $17.01 $11.87 $16.25 $ 9.13
DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK
- -------------------------
We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay
dividends in the foreseeable future. Our ability to pay dividends in the future
is restricted by certain provisions contained in various agreements and
indentures relating to Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.)'s and Stone Container's
outstanding indebtedness. See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.
12
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (f)
---------------------------
(In millions, except per share and statistical data)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000(a) 1999 1998(b) 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of Operations(c)
Net sales .......................................... $ 8,377 $ 8,796 $ 7,423 $ 3,612 $ 3,060
Income (loss) from operations (d)(e) ............... 623 939 869 (93) 176
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
accounting change ................................ 83 219 163 (211) (19)
Discontinued operations, net of income tax provision 6 6 27 20
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders . 66 224 157 (200) 1
Basic earnings per share of common stock
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
accounting change ................................ .30 .94 .75 (1.70) (.17)
Net income (loss) ................................. .27 .96 .72 (1.61) .01
Weighted average shares outstanding ................ 244 233 217 124 111
Diluted earnings per share of common stock
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
accounting change .............................. .29 .93 .74 (1.70) (.17)
Net income (loss) ................................ .27 .96 .71 (1.61) .01
Weighted average shares outstanding ................ 245 234 220 124 111
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Financial Data
Net cash provided by operating activities .......... $ 598 $ 807 $ 183 $ 129 $ 88
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities (197) (916) 1,487 (59) (175)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities (420) 131 (1,805) 73 87
Depreciation, depletion and amortization ........... 478 432 430 168 127
Capital investments and acquisitions ............... 232 994 156 287 191
Working capital, net ............................... 242 470 73 635 71
Property, plant, equipment and timberland, net ..... 5,426 5,670 4,419 5,772 1,788
Total assets ....................................... 10,652 11,195 9,859 11,631 2,771
Long-term debt ..................................... 4,966 5,342 4,793 6,633 2,040
Stockholders' equity (deficit) ..................... 2,485 2,528 1,847 1,634 (374)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistical Data (tons in thousands)
Containerboard production (tons) ................... 7,051 6,910 6,353 2,519 2,024
Kraft production (tons) ............................ 287 290 437 63
Market pulp production (tons) ...................... 545 550 572 71
Solid bleached sulfate production (tons) ........... 306 258 189 185 190
Coated boxboard production (tons) .................. 647 675 660 590 585
Uncoated boxboard production (tons) ................ 128 169 165 175 176
Corrugated containers sold (billion sq. ft.) ....... 91.4 92.8 91.6 36.5 31.7
Folding cartons sold (tons) ........................ 523 561 550 507 463
Multiwall bags sold (tons) ......................... 256 247 249 27
Fiber reclaimed and brokered (tons) ................ 6,714 6,768 6,560 5,155 4,832
Number of employees ................................ 38,500 39,700 36,300 38,000 15,800
13
Notes to Selected Financial Data
(a) Results for 2000 include St. Laurent's operations after May 31, 2000, the
date of the St. Laurent acquisition.
(b) Results for 1998 include Stone Container's operations after November 18,
1998, the date of the Stone Container merger.
(c) Smurfit Newsprint, a subsidiary of JSCE, completed its exit from the
newsprint business in May 2000. Accordingly, the newsprint operations are
presented as a discontinued operation.
(d) In 1999, income from operations included a gain of $407 million from the
sale of a majority of JSCE's timberlands and a gain of $39 million from the
sale of our interest in Abitibi-Consolidated, Inc.
(e) We recorded charges of $310 million in the fourth quarter of 1998,
including $257 million of restructuring charges in connection with the
Stone Container merger, $30 million for settlement of Cladwood/R/
litigation and $23 million of merger-related costs. In 1999, 2000 and 2001,
we recorded additional restructuring charges of $10 million, $53 million
and $10 million, respectively.
(f) Certain prior year amounts have been restated to conform to current year
presentation.
14
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OF OPERATIONS
-------------
GENERAL
- -------
Market conditions and demand for containerboard and corrugated containers, our
primary products, have historically been subject to cyclical changes in the
economy and changes in industry capacity, both of which can significantly
impact selling prices and our profitability.
Market conditions were generally strong in 1999 and the first half of 2000.
Linerboard prices increased to $480 per ton during this period and held through
the end of 2000. Corrugated container shipments for the industry in 1999
increased approximately 2% compared to 1998. Domestic economic growth began to
slow in the second half of 2000, however, and corrugated container shipments for
the industry in 2000 declined 1% compared to 1999. Market conditions continued
to deteriorate in 2001 and industry demand for corrugated containers declined 6%
compared to 2000, the worst performance since 1975. This slowdown in the U.S.
economy, in addition to weak export markets, exerted downward pressure on
containerboard demand. In order to maintain a balance between supply and demand,
the containerboard industry took extensive market related downtime in 2000 and
2001. The sluggish corrugated demand in 2001 and the excess supply of
containerboard resulted in an 11% decline in linerboard pricing to $425 per ton
by the end of 2001. Corrugated container prices also declined during this
period. In February 2002, linerboard declined an additional $5 per ton to $420
per ton. We do not expect a recovery in demand for corrugated containers until
the U.S. economy strengthens.
Market pulp is also subject to cyclical changes in the economy and changes in
industry capacity. Market conditions strengthened in 1999 and remained strong in
the first half of 2000. Prices rose during this period, reaching $690 per metric
ton by the end of 2000. Demand for market pulp weakened in the second half of
2000 and pulp producers began taking market related downtime to reduce
inventories. Market conditions were very weak in 2001 and prices declined
rapidly. Prices were down to $440 per metric ton by the end of 2001.
Market conditions in the folding carton and recycled boxboard mill industry were
strong in 1999 and 2000 and sales price increases were implemented in the fourth
quarter of 1999 and the second quarter of 2000. For 2000, coated recycled
boxboard prices were higher than 1999 by $40 per ton. Industry shipments of
folding cartons increased 3% in 2000. Recycled boxboard mill operating rates
were lower, however, and production of recycled folding grades decreased 1%
compared to 1999. Markets were steady in the first half of 2001, but weakened in
the second half. Industry prices for folding cartons were higher in 2001 by 1%.
Industry shipments of folding cartons declined by 1% and recycled boxboard mill
production declined by 5% in 2001.
Wood fiber and reclaimed fiber are the principal raw materials used in the
manufacture of our products. Demand for reclaimed fiber was strong in 1999
primarily as a result of strong export demand. Demand weakened however, in the
second half of 2000 as the containerboard industry took extensive market related
downtime. Prices declined in 2000 and continued to be depressed throughout 2001
as more paper mills took downtime to manage their inventories. The price of old
corrugated containers, commonly known as OCC, the principal grade used in
recycled containerboard mills, was lower in 2001 compared to 2000 by
approximately 40%. Wood fiber prices, in areas where we procure wood, increased
1% in 2001 compared to 2000.
15
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------
Segment Data
(In millions)
2001 2000 1999
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net Profit/ Net Profit/ Net Profit/
Sales (Loss) Sales (Loss) Sales (Loss)
------ ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
Containerboard and corrugated containers.......... $5,744 $ 614 $5,994 $ 958 $4,876 $ 517
Consumer packaging................................ 1,052 95 1,060 98 952 91
Other operations.................................. 1,581 81 1,742 107 1,595 97
----- ----- ------ ------ ------ -----
Total operations................................ $8,377 790 $8,796 1,163 $7,423 705
====== ====== ======
Restructuring .................................... (10) (53) (10)
Gain on sale of assets............................ 10 6 446
Interest expense, net............................. (455) (527) (563)
Corporate expenses and other..................... (144) (155) (239)
----- ------ -----
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes, minority interest
and extraordinary item........................ $ 191 $ 434 $ 339
===== ====== =====
Corporate expenses and other include corporate expenses, intracompany profit
elimination and LIFO expense, goodwill amortization, corporate charges to
segments for working capital interest and other expenses not allocated to
segments. The effects of lower intracompany profit elimination and LIFO expense
favorably impacted corporate expenses and other in 2000 and 2001.
2001 COMPARED TO 2000
- ---------------------
Poor market conditions for our major products led to a 5% decline in our
consolidated net sales in 2001. Lower sales prices for containerboard,
corrugated containers, market pulp and reclamation products and reduced
shipments of containerboard, corrugated containers and folding cartons were the
major reasons for the decline. On the positive side, the inclusion of results
for St. Laurent for a full year and the acquisition of a multiwall bag facility
added $433 million to our net sales compared to 2000. St. Laurent's results of
operations have been included in our consolidated results since May 31, 2000,
the date of acquisition. The closure of a paper machine, a trucking operation
and four other operating facilities and the sale of six operating facilities
negatively impacted net sales by $133 million. The decrease in net sales for
each of our segments is summarized in the chart below.
Containerboard
& Corrugated Consumer Other
(In millions) Containers Packaging Operations Total
-------------- --------- ---------- -----
Sales prices and product mix ........ $(274) $ 20 $(192) $(446)
Sales volume ........................ (263) (58) 48 (273)
Acquisitions ........................ 376 30 27 433
Closed or sold facilities ........... (89) (44) (133)
----- ---- ----- -----
Total .............................. $(250) $ (8) $(161) $(419)
===== ==== ===== =====
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and
extraordinary item was $191 million, a decrease of $243 million compared to
2000. The decrease was due primarily to the decline in earnings of our operating
segments, particularly in the Containerboard and Corrugated Containers segment.
Interest expense and restructuring charges were lower compared to 2000,
partially offsetting the declines in segment earnings. Net income available to
common stockholders was $66 million in 2001 compared to $224 million in 2000.
16
Costs and Expenses
Consolidated cost of goods sold decreased compared to 2000 due primarily to
lower reclaimed fiber cost and lower sales volume. Reclaimed fiber cost was
lower by approximately $245 million. Cost of goods sold was unfavorably impacted
by the inclusion of St. Laurent's cost for a full year and higher energy cost of
$52 million. Cost of goods sold as a percent of net sales increased from 80% in
2000 to 83% in 2001 due primarily to the lower average sales prices.
Selling and administrative expenses for 2001 increased due primarily to the St.
Laurent acquisition. Selling and administrative expense as a percent of net
sales increased from 8% in 2000 to 10% in 2001 due primarily to the lower
average sales prices.
During 2001, we recorded a restructuring charge of $10 million related to the
permanent shutdown of a paper machine and related operations that produced
approximately 50,000 tons of uncoated boxboard annually, a trucking operation,
two converting facilities and two wood products operations.
Interest expense, net for 2001 decreased by $72 million due primarily to lower
average interest rates. Our overall average effective interest rate in 2001 was
lower than 2000 by 1.3%.
Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2001 was comparable
to last year.
The effective income tax rate for 2001 differed from the federal statutory tax
rate due to several factors, the most significant of which were state income
taxes and the effect of permanent differences from applying purchase accounting.
For information concerning income taxes, see Liquidity and Capital Resources and
Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Containerboard and Corrugated Containers Segment
Net sales declined 4% due primarily to lower average sales prices for
containerboard, corrugated containers and market pulp and lower sales volume for
containerboard and corrugated containers. Net sales were favorably impacted by
the St. Laurent acquisition. The weak market conditions during 2001 resulted in
excessive supplies of containerboard and prices declined. We took market related
downtime in order to maintain a lower level of inventory. On average, corrugated
container prices decreased by 3% and linerboard prices were lower by 5%. The
average sales price of kraft paper decreased 2%. Lower demand for market pulp in
the second half of 2000 and throughout 2001 had a significant effect on pricing.
The average price for market pulp dropped $250 per metric ton from January to
December 2001, reducing our average price for the year by 34% compared to 2000.
Production of containerboard increased 2% due to the St. Laurent acquisition. We
took approximately 1,060,000 tons of containerboard market related downtime in
2001 compared to 714,000 tons in 2000. Shipments of corrugated containers were
comparable to last year. Production of kraft paper declined by 1%. Our
production of market pulp declined by 1% compared to last year. Solid bleached
sulfate production increased by 19% due to the St. Laurent acquisition.
Profits decreased by $344 million due primarily to the lower average sales
prices. The higher level of market related downtime taken in 2001 and higher
energy costs also had a negative impact on profits. Profits were favorably
impacted by the St. Laurent acquisition and lower reclaimed fiber cost. Cost of
goods sold as a percent of net sales increased to 82% for 2001 compared to 77%
for 2000 due primarily to the lower average sales prices.
Consumer Packaging Segment
Net sales for 2001 decreased 1% due primarily to lower sales volume for folding
cartons. Sales of laminated products and recycled boxboard were also lower. Net
sales were favorably impacted by the St. Laurent acquisition. For the year, on
average, coated boxboard sales prices were 3% lower than 2000 and uncoated
boxboard prices were 4% lower. Folding carton sales prices were 3% higher than
last year. Sales volume of folding cartons decreased 7% due to overall economic
conditions, an industry-wide decline in soap powder business and the expiration
of certain customer contracts. Production of coated boxboard decreased 4% and
production of uncoated boxboard decreased 6%.
17
Profits declined by $3 million due primarily to lower sales volume and higher
energy and conversion cost. Profits were favorably impacted by lower reclaimed
fiber cost. Cost of goods sold as a percent of net sales was 83% in 2001
compared to 84% in 2000 due primarily to the higher average sales price of
folding cartons.
Other Operations
Net sales for 2001 decreased by 9% compared to last year and profits decreased
by $26 million due primarily to our reclamation and specialty packaging
operations. Reclamation operations experienced lower average sales prices due
primarily to weak demand and the significant amount of market related downtime
taken by domestic containerboard paper mills. Export markets were strong in
2001. Overall, average OCC prices decreased by 40% compared to 2000. We sold
three reclamation facilities in 2001. Specialty packaging sales declined due to
lower sales volume. Results for our International operations were comparable to
last year.
2000 COMPARED TO 1999
- ---------------------
Improvements in containerboard and other markets in 2000 and the St. Laurent
acquisition were the primary reasons for the increase in net sales and operating
profits. Net sales increased 18% compared to 1999 and operating profits
increased 65%. The increase in net sales for each of our segments is summarized
in the chart below.
Containerboard
& Corrugated Consumer Other
(In millions) Containers Packaging Operations Total
-------------- --------- ---------- -------
Sales prices and product mix ....... $ 710 $ 55 $ 117 $ 882
Sales volume ....................... (175) 13 75 (87)
Acquisition and other .............. 771 44 815
Closed or sold facilities .......... (188) (4) (45) (237)
------- ----- ----- -------
Total ............................. $ 1,118 $ 108 $ 147 $ 1,373
======= ===== ===== =======
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and
extraordinary item increased 28% compared to 1999. Net income available to
common stockholders was $224 million in 2000 compared to $157 million in 1999.
Costs and Expenses
Consolidated cost of goods sold increased compared to 1999 due primarily to the
St. Laurent acquisition. In addition, reclaimed fiber cost was higher by $130
million and energy cost was higher by $88 million. Cost of goods sold as a
percent of net sales decreased from 85% in 1999 to 80% in 2000 due primarily to
the higher sales prices.
Selling and administrative expense as a percent of net sales decreased from 9%
in 1999 to 8% in 2000 due primarily to higher sales prices. Selling and
administrative expenses for 2000 increased due primarily to the St. Laurent
acquisition.
Interest expense, net decreased by $36 million due primarily to the favorable
impact of $59 million from lower levels of debt outstanding, which was partially
offset by the unfavorable impact of $23 million from higher overall interest
rates. Our overall average effective interest rate in 2000 was higher than in
1999 by 0.5%.
Gain on sale of assets for 1999 included gains of $407 million on the sale of
JSCE's timberlands and $39 million on the sale of shares of
Abitibi-Consolidated, Inc.
The effective income tax rate for 2000 differed from the federal statutory tax
rate due to several factors, the most significant of which were state income
taxes and the effect of permanent differences from applying purchase accounting.
For information concerning income taxes see Liquidity and Capital Resources and
Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
18
Containerboard and Corrugated Containers Segment
Net sales for 2000 increased by 23% due to higher sales prices and the St.
Laurent acquisition. Profits improved by $441 million to $958 million. Market
conditions were stronger in the first half of the year, enabling us to implement
a linerboard increase on February 1, followed by corresponding price increases
for corrugated containers. Although shipments grew weaker as the year
progressed, we were able to maintain the price increases achieved earlier in the
year. On average, corrugated container prices improved by 15% compared to last
year and linerboard prices were higher by 17%. Strong demand for market pulp
drove prices higher in the first half of 2000. Demand for market pulp weakened
in the second half of 2000 and significant price discounting occurred in certain
markets. The average price of market pulp increased by 31% in 2000 and the
average price of kraft paper increased by 15%. Solid bleached sulfate prices
also increased during the year and, on average, were 6% higher.
Production of containerboard increased 9% due to the St. Laurent acquisition.
Exclusive of St. Laurent, production declined 5%. Shipments of corrugated
containers were unchanged from last year. Exclusive of St. Laurent, shipments of
corrugated containers declined 4% due to container plant closures and weaker
demand in the second half of the year. Production of market pulp declined 4%
primarily due to market related downtime taken in the fourth quarter of 2000 and
kraft paper production declined 34% primarily due to the shifting of available
capacity from kraft paper to containerboard. Solid bleached sulfate production
increased 1%.
Profits increased due to the higher average sales prices and the St. Laurent
acquisition. Profits were negatively impacted by market related downtime, higher
cost of energy and reclaimed fiber and elimination of JSCE's timberland
operations. Cost of goods sold as a percent of net sales decreased to 77% for
2000 compared to 81% for 1999 due primarily to higher average sales prices.
Consumer Packaging Segment
Net sales for 2000 increased by 11% due to higher sales prices, an increase in
shipments and the St. Laurent acquisition. For the year, on average, coated
boxboard sales prices were 8% higher and folding carton sales prices were 6%
higher. Uncoated boxboard sales prices were 10% higher. Sales volume of folding
cartons increased 2%. Production of coated boxboard increased 2% and production
of uncoated boxboard increased 7%.
Profits improved 8% due primarily to the improvement in sales prices. An
increase in reclaimed fiber cost and higher energy cost partially offset the
improvement in pricing. Profits in the label operations declined due to
competitive pricing and raw material cost increases. Cost of goods sold as a
percent of net sales increased from 83% in 1999 to 84% in 2000 due to the higher
cost of energy and reclaimed fiber.
Other Operations
Net sales for 2000 increased by 9% and profits increased by $10 million to $107
million due primarily to the reclamation operations. Reclamation operations
benefited from higher sales prices and volume and lower employee compensation
cost in 2000. Demand for reclaimed fiber was strong in the first half of 2000,
but weakened in the second half as more paper mills took market related downtime
to manage their inventories. International and specialty packaging results were
comparable to last year.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
- -----------------------
In February 1999, we adopted a formal plan to sell the operating assets of our
subsidiary, Smurfit Newsprint. Accordingly, the newsprint operations of Smurfit
Newsprint were accounted for as a discontinued operation. In November 1999, we
sold our Newberg, Oregon newsprint mill for approximately $211 million. In May
2000, we transferred ownership of the Oregon City, Oregon newsprint mill to a
third party, thereby completing our exit from the newsprint business. We
received no proceeds from the transfer. The 1999 results of discontinued
operations included the realized gain on the sale of the Newberg mill, an
expected loss on the transfer of the Oregon City mill, the actual results from
the measurement date through December 31, 1999 and the estimated losses on the
Oregon City mill through the expected disposition date. In 2000, we recorded a
$6 million after-tax gain to reflect adjustments to estimates made in 1999 on
disposition of discontinued operations.
19
ST. LAURENT ACQUISITION, RESTRUCTURINGS AND STONE CONTAINER MERGER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
As previously discussed, Stone Container acquired St. Laurent on May 31, 2000.
The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase business combination and,
accordingly, the cost to acquire St. Laurent was preliminarily allocated to the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed according to estimated fair values. The
purchase price allocation was finalized during the second quarter of 2001,
resulting in acquired goodwill of $222 million. The preliminary allocation was
adjusted primarily for final fixed asset valuations. The allocation of the cost
to acquire St. Laurent included exit liabilities of $12 million for the
termination of certain employees, liabilities for long-term commitments and the
permanent shutdown of a container plant. Approximately $60 million of annualized
synergy savings have been achieved through a combination of procurement savings,
supply chain management, manufacturing efficiencies and administrative
reductions. Cash payments for exit liabilities for 2001 related to the St.
Laurent acquisition were $6 million. Since the date of the acquisition through
December 31, 2001, approximately $9 million (75%) of these cash expenditures
have been incurred. Future cash outlays are expected to be $2 million in 2002
and $1 million thereafter. The remaining cash expenditures for exit liabilities
in connection with the St. Laurent acquisition will continue to be funded
through operations as originally planned.
In 2001, we recorded restructuring charges of $10 million related to the closure
of a paper machine and its related operations, a trucking operation, two
converting facilities and two wood products operations. The assets of the
facilities closed in 2001 were adjusted to their estimated fair values less cost
to sell, resulting in a $6 million non-cash write down. These shutdowns resulted
in approximately 310 employees being terminated.
As explained in our 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we had $65 million of exit
liabilities remaining as of December 31, 2000 related to the Stone Container
merger and from our restructuring activities. During 2001, we incurred,
exclusive of the St. Laurent liabilities, approximately $15 million of cash
expenditures for exit liabilities. The exit liabilities remaining as of December
31, 2001 totaled $54 million. Since the Stone Container merger, through December
31, 2001, we have incurred approximately $251 million (82%) of the planned cash
expenditures to close facilities, pay severance cost and pay other exit
liabilities. Future cash outlays, principally for long-term commitments, are
expected to be $14 million in 2002, $7 million in 2003 and $33 million
thereafter. The remaining cash expenditures in connection with the Stone
Container merger and related restructurings will continue to be funded through
operations as originally planned.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------
General
Cash provided by operating activities in 2001 totaled $598 million, compared to
$807 million in 2000. The largest factor in the 2001 decrease was the decline in
earnings of our Containerboard and Corrugated Containers segment, although the
decline was partially offset by a reduction in net interest expense and lower
restructuring expenditures. In 2001, we had additional cash provided from new
borrowings, which, net of financing fees, call premiums and other refinancing
costs, totaled $1,284 million and asset sales of $35 million. Our primary uses
of cash in 2001 were $1,700 million for debt repayments and $232 million for
property, plant and equipment and acquisitions.
We expect internally generated cash flows, available borrowing capacity under
the Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) and Stone Container credit agreements and future
financing activities will be sufficient for the next several years to meet our
obligations, including debt service, preferred stock dividends, expenditures
relating to environmental compliance and other capital expenditures. Scheduled
debt payments for 2002 and for 2003 total $212 million and $1,217 million,
respectively, with increasing amounts thereafter. We are exploring a number of
options to repay or refinance these debt maturities. Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.)
and Stone Container have historically had good access to capital markets and
expect to be able to repay or refinance these debt maturities before their
maturity dates. Although we believe that we will have access to the capital
markets in the future, these markets are volatile and we cannot predict the
condition of the markets or the timing of any related transactions. Access to
the capital markets may be limited or unavailable due to an unpredictable
material adverse event unrelated to our operational or financial performance.
In such an event, we would explore additional options, including, but not
limited, to the sale or monetization of assets.
20
We intend to hold capital expenditures for 2002 significantly below our
anticipated annual depreciation level of $407 million. As of December 31, 2001,
we had authorized commitments for capital expenditures of $130 million,
including $43 million for environmental projects, $24 million to maintain
competitiveness and $63 million for upgrades, modernization and expansion.
We expect to use any excess cash flows provided by operations to make further
debt reductions. As of December 31, 2001, Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) had $437
million of unused borrowing capacity under its credit agreement and Stone
Container and Smurfit-Stone Container Canada Inc. collectively had $573 million
of unused borrowing capacity under the Stone Container credit agreements.
Financing Activities
In January 2001, Stone Container issued $750 million of 9.75% senior notes due
2011 and $300 million of 9.25% senior notes due 2008 (the New Stone Senior
Notes). The proceeds of this issuance, along with additional borrowings on the
Stone Container revolving credit facility of $32 million, were used to redeem
(i) $200 million aggregate principal amount of 10.75% senior subordinated
debentures due April 1, 2002, (ii) $100 million aggregate principal amount of
10.75% senior subordinated debentures and 1.5% supplemental interest
certificates due April 1, 2002, (iii) $45 million aggregate principal of 6.75%
convertible subordinated debentures due February 15, 2007, (iv) $500 million
aggregate principal of 10.75% first mortgage notes due October 1, 2002, and (v)
$200 million aggregate principal of 11.50% senior notes due October 1, 2004. In
addition, the proceeds were used to pay $37 million in fees, call premiums and
other expenses related to these transactions. Stone Container commenced a
registered exchange offer for the New Stone Senior Notes on June 13, 2001. On
July 13, 2001, Stone Container completed the exchange of substantially all of
the New Stone Senior Notes for a like amount of senior notes which have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Stone Container did not receive any
proceeds from the exchange offer.
In January 2001, Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) prepaid its $65 million Tranche B term
loan balance with borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
In March 2001, the Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) accounts receivable securitization
program was amended to (i) reduce the borrowings available through the issuance
of commercial paper or under the revolving credit facility from $300 million to
$214 million and (ii) extend the final maturity on these borrowings from
February 2002 to February 2004. A $15 million term loan was also outstanding as
of December 31, 2001, bringing the total program size at December 31, 2001 to
$229 million. The $15 million term loan was repaid in February 2002.
In March 2001, Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) amended its existing credit agreement to
(i) permit a $275 million new Tranche B term loan, and (ii) waive the
requirement to make a $59 million term loan prepayment due March 31, 2001,
resulting from excess cash flows generated in 2000.
In April 2001, Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) closed on a new $275 million Tranche B
term loan maturing in March 2007. The interest rate is, at the option of
Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.), either (i) the alternate base rate, as defined, or
(ii) LIBOR, in each case plus an additional margin. The interest rate was LIBOR
plus 2.00% (4.13%) at December 31, 2001. In May 2001, the proceeds of the term
loan, along with additional borrowings of approximately $16 million under the
Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) revolving credit facility, were used to call, at par,
the $287 million 11.25% senior notes due in 2004 and pay related fees and
expenses.
The obligations under the Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) credit agreement are
unconditionally guaranteed by Smurfit-Stone, JSCE, Inc. and certain subsidiaries
of Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.). The obligations under the Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.)
credit agreement are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the
assets of Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) and its subsidiaries. The obligations under
the Stone Container credit agreement, which provide for the Stone Container
revolving credit facility and the Stone Container Tranche C, Tranche D, Tranche
E and Tranche F term loans, are unconditionally guaranteed by certain
subsidiaries of Stone Container, other than subsidiaries acquired or created in
connection with the St. Laurent acquisition. The obligations under the Stone
Container credit agreement are secured by a security interest in substantially
all of the assets of Stone Container and its U.S. subsidiaries, other than the
assets acquired in the St. Laurent transaction, and 65% of the stock of
Smurfit-Stone Container Canada Inc. The security interest under the Stone
Container credit agreement excludes cash, cash
21
equivalents, certain trade receivables, four paper mills and the land and
buildings of the corrugated container facilities. The Tranche G term loan
provided to Stone Container under the Stone Container/Smurfit-Stone Container
Canada Inc. credit agreement is unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S.
subsidiaries acquired or created in connection with the St. Laurent acquisition
and is secured by a security interest in substantially all of the U.S. assets
acquired in the St. Laurent acquisition. The Tranche H term loan and revolving
credit facility provided to Smurfit-Stone Container Canada Inc. under the Stone
Container/Smurfit-Stone Container Canada Inc. credit agreement are
unconditionally guaranteed by Stone Container and the U.S. and Canadian
subsidiaries acquired or created in connection with the St. Laurent acquisition
and are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the U.S. and
Canadian assets acquired in the St. Laurent acquisition.
In January 2002, Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) obtained a waiver and an amendment
from its lender group for relief from certain financial covenant requirements
under the Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) credit agreement as of December 31, 2001. The
amendment eased certain quarterly financial covenant requirements as of December
31, 2001 and for future periods. The credit agreements contain various covenants
and restrictions including, among other things, (i) limitations on dividends,
redemptions and repurchases of capital stock, (ii) limitations on the incurrence
of indebtedness, liens, leases and sale-leaseback transactions, (iii)
limitations on capital expenditures, and (iv) maintenance of certain financial
covenants. The credit agreements also require prepayments of the term loans from
excess cash flow, as defined, and proceeds from certain asset sales, insurance,
and incurrence of certain indebtedness. Stone Container is required to pay $38
million in March 2002 related to its excess cash flows in 2001. The loan
restrictions, together with our highly leveraged position, could restrict
corporate activities, including our ability to respond to market conditions, to
provide for unanticipated capital expenditures or to take advantage of business
opportunities. We believe the likelihood of our breaching the debt covenants in
2002 is remote absent any material adverse event affecting the U.S. economy as a
whole. We also believe that if a material adverse event would affect us, our
lenders would provide us waivers if necessary. However, our expectations of
future operating results and continued compliance with our debt covenants cannot
be assured and we cannot control our lenders' actions. If our debt is placed in
default, we would experience a material adverse impact on our financial
condition.
Loans under Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.)'s revolving credit facility and Tranche A
term loan bear interest at variable rates selected at the option of Jefferson
Smurfit (U.S.) equal to adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 1.5%
or the alternative base rate (ABR) (as defined) plus a margin ranging from 1.5%
to 0.5%. Outstanding loans under Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.)'s Tranche B term loan
bear interest at variable rates equal to adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging
from 2.00% to 3.25%. Loans under Stone Container's Tranche C, Tranche D and
Tranche E term loans bear interest at rates selected at the option of Stone
Container equal to adjusted LIBOR plus 3.5% or ABR plus 2.5%. Loans under Stone
Container's Tranche F, Tranche G and Tranche H term loans bear interest at
variable rates equal to adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 3.5% to 2.75%
or ABR plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 1.75%. Outstanding loans under Stone
Container's revolving credit facilities bear interest at variable rates equal to
adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 3.0% to 2.0% or ABR plus a margin
ranging from 2.0% to 1.0%. The margins are determined by the ratio of total
indebtedness to EBITDA, as defined in the applicable credit agreement.
The indentures governing Stone Container's 11.50% Senior Notes due 2006 and the
12.58% Rating Adjustable Senior Notes due 2016, with an outstanding aggregate
principal amount of $325 million at December 31, 2001, generally provide that in
the event of a "change of control" (as defined in the indentures), Stone
Container must offer to repurchase these senior notes. The Stone Container
merger constituted such a change of control. As a result, Stone Container is
required to make an offer to repurchase these senior notes at a price equal to
101% of the principal amount thereof (together with accrued but unpaid interest
thereon), provided however, if such repurchase would constitute an event of
default under our bank debt, prior to making an offer to repurchase these senior
notes, the indentures require that we either pay our bank debt or obtain the
consent of our bank lenders. A repurchase of senior notes, other then the 12.58%
Rating Adjustable Senior Notes, is currently prohibited by the terms of our bank
debt. Although the terms of these senior notes refer to an obligation to repay
our bank debt or obtain the consent of the bank lenders to such repurchase, the
terms do not expressly specify a deadline following the applicable change of
control for taking such actions. We have sought and intend to actively seek
commercially acceptable sources of financing to repay such bank debt or
alternative financing arrangements which would cause the bank lenders to consent
to the repurchase of these senior notes. There can be no assurance that we will
be successful in obtaining such financing or
22
consents or as to the terms of any such financing or consents. If we are
unsuccessful in repaying our bank debt or obtaining the requisite consents from
the lenders thereunder, holders of these senior notes may assert that we are
obligated to offer to repurchase the notes as a result of the change of control
or may assert other damages.
Based upon covenants in certain of the Stone Container indentures, Stone
Container is required to maintain certain levels of equity. If the minimum
equity levels are not maintained for two consecutive quarters, the applicable
interest rates on the Stone Container indentures are increased by 50 basis
points per semiannual interest period (up to a maximum of 200 basis points)
until the minimum equity level is attained. Stone Container's equity level has
exceeded the minimum since April 1999.
Pension Obligations
As of December 31, 2001, our pension benefit obligations exceeded the fair value
of the pension assets by $634 million, up from $341 million at the end of 2000.
The increase in the under funded status was due primarily to interest cost on
our pension obligations, the actuarial loss resulting primarily from the change
in the discount rate used for plan liabilities and negative returns on plan
assets. As a result, our pension expense and cash contributions to the plans
will likely be higher in future years.
Environmental Matters
Phase I of the Cluster Rule required us to convert our bleached linerboard mill
at Brewton, Alabama and our bleached market pulp mill at Panama City, Florida to
an elemental chlorine free bleaching process, to install systems at several of
our mills for the collection and destruction of low volume, high concentration
gases and to implement best management practices, such as spill controls. These
projects were substantially completed at a cost of approximately $232 million as
of December 31, 2001 (of which approximately $28 million was spent in 2001).
Phase II of the Cluster Rule will require the implementation of systems to
collect high volume, low concentration gases at various mills and has a
compliance date of 2006. Phase III of the Cluster Rule will require control of
particulate from recovery boilers, smelt tanks and lime kilns and has a
compliance date of 2005. We continue to study possible means of compliance with
Phases II and III of the Cluster Rule. Based on currently available information,
we estimate that the aggregate compliance cost of Phases II and III of the
Cluster Rule is likely to be in the range of $100 million to $125 million and
that such cost will be incurred over the next five years.
In recent years, the EPA has undertaken significant air quality initiatives
associated with nitrogen oxide emissions, regional haze and national ambient air
quality standards. Several of our mills are located in states affected by these
EPA initiatives. When regulatory requirements for new and changing standards are
finalized, we will add any resulting future cost projections to our expenditure
forecast.
In addition to Cluster Rule compliance, we anticipate additional capital
expenditures related to environmental compliance. Excluding the spending on
Cluster Rule projects described above, for the past three years, we have spent
an average of approximately $9 million annually on capital expenditures for
environmental purposes. We anticipate that environmental capital expenditures
will be approximately $16 million in 2002.
TRANSFERS OF FINANCIAL ASSETS
- -----------------------------
At December 31, 2001, we have two off-balance sheet financing arrangements with
special purpose entities.
In 1999, Stone Container entered into a six-year $250 million accounts
receivable securitization program whereby it sells, without recourse, on an
ongoing basis, certain of its accounts receivable to Stone Receivables
Corporation (SRC). SRC is a wholly-owned non-consolidated subsidiary of Stone
Container, and a qualified special-purpose entity under the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 140, "Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities."
SRC transfers the receivables to a trust for which it has sold beneficial
interest to third-party investors. At December 31, 2001, $271 million of
accounts receivable had been sold under the program, of which $33 million was
retained by Stone Container as a subordinated interest and recorded in accounts
receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The investors and
securitization trusts have no recourse to Stone Container for the failure of
debtors to pay when due.
23
Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) sold 980,000 acres of owned and leased timberland in
October 1999. The final purchase price, after adjustments, was $710 million.
Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) received $225 million in cash and $485 million in the
form of installment notes. Under Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.)'s program to monetize
the installment notes receivable, the notes were sold, without recourse, to
Timber Notes Holdings LLC (TNH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jefferson Smurfit
(U.S.) and a qualified special purpose entity under the provisions of SFAS No.
140, for $430 million cash proceeds and a residual interest in the notes. The
residual interest included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheet was $40 million at December 31, 2001. TNH and its creditors have
no recourse to Jefferson Smurfit (U.S.) in the event of a default on the
installment note.
EFFECTS OF INFLATION
- --------------------
Although inflation has slowed in recent years, it is still a factor in the
economy and we continue to seek ways to mitigate its impact. In 2000, energy
resources were tight in certain areas of the United States and prices of natural
gas and purchased electricity escalated dramatically. Our paper mills are large
users of energy and we attempt to mitigate cost increases through hedging
programs and supply contracts. Natural gas prices increased significantly in
2000 and held through the second quarter of 2001. Prices began to decrease in
the third quarter and, by the end of 2001, had returned to more traditional
levels. With the exception of energy costs, inflationary increases in operating
costs have been moderate during the past three years and have not had a material
impact on our financial position or operating results.
We use the last-in, first-out method of accounting for approximately 59% of our
inventories. Under this method, the cost of goods sold reported in the financial
statements approximates current cost and thus provides a closer matching of
revenue and expenses in periods of increasing costs.
Property, plant and equipment acquired in the Stone Container merger and the St.
Laurent acquisition were recorded at their estimated fair value. As of December
31, 2001, the property, plant and equipment of these entities represented
approximately 77% of our consolidated property, plant and equipment.
Depreciation charges represent the allocation of historical costs incurred over
past years and are significantly less than if they were based on the current
cost of productive capacity being consumed.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- ----------------------------
Certain accounting issues require management estimates and judgments for the
preparation of financial statements. Our most significant policies requiring the
use of estimates and judgments are listed below.
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts
We evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable on a case-by-case
basis, and make adjustments to the bad debt reserve for expected losses. We
consider such things as ability to pay, bankruptcy, credit ratings and payment
history. For all other accounts, we estimate reserves for bad debts based on
historical experience and past due status of the accounts. Our write-offs in
2001 and 2000 were $3 million and $8 million, respectively.
Pension
Our defined benefit pension plans, which cover substantially all of our
employees, are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 87, "Employers'
Accounting for Pensions". The most significant elements in determining our
pension expense in accordance with SFAS No. 87 are the expected return on plan
assets and the discount rate used to discount plan liabilities. Our expected
return on plan assets is generally 9.5%. We believe that our assumption of
future returns is reasonable. Although the plan assets earned substantially less
over the past two years, our pension plan assets have earned in excess of the
expected rate over the long-term. Our discount rate assumption is developed
using the Moody's Average Aa-Rated Corporate Bonds index as a benchmark. At
December 31, 2001 the discount rate used by us was 7.25% for our U.S. plans and
6.5% for our foreign plans. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
24
Income Tax Matters
At December 31, 2001, we had approximately $1,086 million of net operating loss
carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes that expire from 2011 through
2019, with a tax value of $380 million and $38 million of capital loss
carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes that expire from 2004 to
2005, with a tax value of $13 million. A valuation allowance of $152 million has
been established for a portion of these deferred tax assets. We had net
operating loss carryforwards for state purposes with a tax value of $97 million,
which expire from 2002 to 2020. A valuation allowance of $56 million has been
established for a portion of these deferred assets. Further, we had
approximately $86 million of net operating loss carryforwards for Canadian tax
purposes that expire from 2004 to 2007, with a tax value of $29 million. We had
approximately $74 million of alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, which are available indefinitely. The
realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon future taxable
income. Based upon recent levels of taxable income, we expect that our deferred
tax assets, net of valuation allowances, will be fully realized. Essentially all
of our valuation allowances were recorded in the Stone Container purchase price
allocation. As a result, if the valuation allowance is reduced, goodwill will be
reduced by a corresponding amount. Should additional valuation allowances be
necessary because of changes in economic circumstances, those allowances would
be established through a charge to income tax expense.
We frequently face challenges from domestic and foreign tax authorities
regarding the amount of taxes due. These challenges include questions regarding
the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various
tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with our various filing
positions, we record reserves for probable exposures. Based on our evaluation of
our tax positions, we believe we have appropriately accrued for probable
exposures. To the extent we were to prevail in matters for which accruals have
been established or be required to pay amounts in excess of our reserves, our
effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be materially
impacted.
Environmental Liabilities
We accrue environmental expenditures related to existing conditions, resulting
from past or current operations, when they become probable and estimable. Our
estimates are based on our knowledge of the particular site, environmental
regulations, or the potential enforcement matter. Based on current information,
we believe the probable costs of the potential environmental enforcement
matters, response costs under CERCLA and similar state laws, and the remediation
of owned property discussed in Part 1, Item 3. Legal Proceedings - Environmental
Matters, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or
results of operation. As of December 31, 2001, we had approximately $45 million
reserved for environmental liabilities. We believe our liability for these
matters was adequately reserved at December 31, 2001.
PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
- --------------------------------
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2001. Under the new rules, goodwill and intangible
assets deemed to have indefinite lives will no longer be amortized, but will be
subject to an annual impairment test. Other intangible assets will continue to
be amortized over their useful lives.
We will apply the new rules on accounting for goodwill and other intangible
assets beginning in the first quarter of 2002. Application of the
non-amortization provision of the Statement is expected to result in an increase
in net income of approximately $91 million per year ($.37 per share). During
2002, we will perform the first of the required impairment tests of goodwill as
of January 1, 2002. We have not yet determined what the effect of these tests
will be on our earnings and financial position.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations." SFAS No. 143 establishes accounting standards for the recognition
and measurement of an asset retirement obligation and its associated asset
retirement cost. It also provides accounting guidance for legal obligations
associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. This statement is
effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. We are currently
assessing the impact of this new standard.
25
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144 "Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived
Assets," which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.
The provisions of this statement provide a single accounting model for
impairment of long-lived assets, including discontinued operations. The impact
of this new standard is not expected to be material.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
----------------------------------------------------------
We are exposed to various market risks, including commodity price risk, foreign
currency risk and interest rate risk. To manage the volatility related to these
risks, we enter into various derivative contracts. We do not use derivatives for
speculative or trading purposes.
Commodity Risk
We periodically enter into exchange traded futures contracts to manage
fluctuations in cash flows resulting from commodity price risk in the
procurement of natural gas. As of December 31, 2001, we have futures contracts
to hedge approximately 65% to 80% of our expected natural gas requirements for
the months of January 2002 through March 2002. We have futures contracts to
hedge approximately 35% to 45% of our expected natural gas requirements for the
months of April 2002 through October 2002. Our objective is to fix the price of
a portion of our forecasted purchases of natural gas used in the manufacturing
process. The increase in energy cost discussed in Item 7, Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,
included the impact of the natural gas futures contracts. See Note 8 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign Currency Risk
Our principal foreign exchange exposures are the Canadian dollar and the euro.
Assets and liabilities outside the United States are primarily located in Canada
and Germany. The functional currency for the majority of our foreign operations
is the applicable local currency except for the operations in Canada. The
functional currency for the Canadian operations was changed from the local
currency to the U.S. dollar beginning on June 1, 2000, in conjunction with the
St. Laurent acquisition. Our investments in foreign subsidiaries with a
functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are not hedged.
We periodically enter into foreign exchange forward contracts with financial
institutions to purchase Canadian dollars in order to protect against currency
exchange risk associated with expected future cash flows. Contracts typically
have maturities of approximately one year. As of December 31, 2001, we have
Canadian dollar forward purchase contracts to hedge approximately 20% to 60% of
our Canadian dollar requirements for the months of January 2002 through February
2003.
The potential change in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% change in
the euro exchange rate would be approximately $23 million and in the Canadian
dollar exchange rate would be $13 million at December 31, 2001. Any loss in fair
value, associated with the euro, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets would be
reflected as a currency translation adjustment in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income and would not impact our net income. A gain or loss in fair
value, associated with the Canadian dollar, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
would be recorded as a gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.
In 2001, 2000 and 1999, the average exchange rates for the Canadian dollar and
the euro (weakened) against the U.S. dollar as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Canadian dollar.................... (4.3)% % (0.2)%
euro............................... (3.1) (15.4) (9.4)
Interest Rate Risk
Our earnings and cash flow are significantly affected by the amount of interest
on our indebtedness. Our financing arrangements include both fixed and variable
rate debt in which changes in interest rates will impact the fixed and variable
debt differently. A change in the interest rate of fixed rate debt will impact
the fair value of the debt, whereas a change in the interest rate on the
variable rate debt will impact interest expense and cash flows. Our objective is
to protect Smurfit-Stone from interest rate volatility and reduce or cap
interest expense within acceptable levels of market risk. We may periodically
enter into
26
interest rate swaps, caps or options to hedge interest rate exposure and manage
risk within company policy. We do not utilize derivatives for speculative or
trading purposes. Any derivative would be specific to the debt instrument,
contract or transaction, which would determine the specifics of the hedge. There
were no interest rate derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2001.
The table below presents principal amounts by year of anticipated maturity for
our debt obligations and related average interest rates based on the weighted
average interest rates at the end of the period. Variable interest rates
disclosed do not attempt to project future interest rates. This information
should be read in conjunction with Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Short and Long-Term Debt
Outstanding as of December 31, 2001 There- Fair
(U.S.$, in millions) 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 after Total Value
- ------------------------------------------------ ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ ------ ------ ------
Bank term loans and revolver
5.2% average interest rate (variable) ........ $ 70 $ 501 $ 83 $738 $ 883 $ 134 $2,409 $2,394
U.S. accounts receivable securitization
2.2% average interest rate (variable) ......... 15 186 201 201
U.S. senior notes 10.2% average interest
rate (fixed)................................... 102 503 3 3 203 1,245 2,059 2,160
U.S. industrial revenue bonds
8.8% average interest rate (fixed) ............ 3 18 14 14 24 166 239 239
Other U.S. ..................................... 11 5 2 1 3 9 31 31
German mark bank term loans
4.9% average interest rate (variable) ......... 5 1 1 7 7
Other foreign .................................. 6 3 2 2 1 6 20 20
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt ..................................... $212 $1,217 $105 $758 $1,114 $1,560 $4,966 $5,052
===============================================================
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
-------------------------------------------
Index to Financial Statements: Page No.
--------
Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements................................28
Report of Independent Auditors......................................................29
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2001 and 2000............................30
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999:
Consolidated Statements of Operations..............................................31
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity....................................32
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows..............................................33
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................................34
The following consolidated financial statement schedule is included in Item
14(a):
II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves.................................64
All other schedules specified under Regulation S-X have been omitted because
they are not applicable, because they are not required or because the
information required is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
27
MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The management of Smurfit-Stone is responsible for the information contained in
the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements
have been prepared by us in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States appropriate in the circumstances and necessarily
include certain amounts based on management's best estimate and judgment.
We maintain a system of internal accounting control, which we believe is
sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that in all material respects
transactions are properly authorized and recorded, financial reporting
responsibilities are met and accountability for assets is maintained. In
establishing and maintaining any system of internal control, judgment is
required to assess and balance the relative costs and expected benefits.
Management believes that through the careful selection of employees, the
division of responsibilities and the application of formal policies and
procedures, Smurfit-Stone has an effective and responsive system of internal
accounting controls. The system is monitored by our staff of internal auditors,
who evaluate and report to management on the effectiveness of the system. In
addition, our business ethics policy requires employees to maintain a high level
of ethical standards in the conduct of the company's business.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of three independent
directors who meet with the independent auditors, internal auditors and
management to ensure that each is meeting its responsibilities regarding the
objectivity and integrity of the company's financial statements. Both the
independent auditors and internal auditors have full and free access to the
Audit Committee.
/s/ Patrick J. Moore /s/ Paul K. Kaufmann
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Patrick J. Moore.. Paul K. Kaufmann
President and Chief Executive Officer Vice President and Corporate
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
28
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Smurfit-Stone
Container Corporation as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001. Our audits also
included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a).
These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Smurfit-Stone
Container Corporation at December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the consolidated
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2001 in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States. Also, in our opinion, the related
financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 8 to the financial statements, in 2001 the Company changed
its method of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities.
/s/Ernst & Young LLP
--------------------
Ernst & Young LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
January 29, 2002
29
SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, (In millions, except share data) 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents ................................................ $ 26 $ 45
Receivables, less allowances of $54 in 2001 and $53 in 2000 .............. 564 687
Inventories
Work-in-process and finished goods ...................................... 232 247
Materials and supplies .................................................. 464 509
--------------------
696 756
Refundable income taxes .................................................. 4 8
Deferred income taxes .................................................... 134 164
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ................................ 58 60
--------------------
Total current assets .................................................... 1,482 1,720
Net property, plant and equipment ......................................... 5,379 5,609
Timberland, less timber depletion ......................................... 47 61
Goodwill, less accumulated amortization of $331 in 2001 and $240 in 2000 .. 3,298 3,368
Investment in equity of non-consolidated affiliates ....................... 173 176
Other assets .............................................................. 273 261
--------------------
$ 10,652 $ 11,195
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt ..................................... $ 212 $ 44
Accounts payable ......................................................... 550 694
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes ................................... 202 206
Interest payable ......................................................... 86 98
Other current liabilities ................................................ 190 208
--------------------
Total current liabilities ............................................... 1,240 1,250
Long-term debt, less current maturities .................................. 4,754 5,298
Other long-term liabilities .............................................. 1,012 872
Deferred income taxes .................................................... 1,161 1,247
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference of $116;
25,000,000 shares authorized; 4,599,300 issued and outstanding ......... 76 73
Common stock, par value $ 01 per share; 400,000,000 shares
authorized, 243,902,361 and 243,567,286 issued and
outstanding in 2001 and 2000, respectively ............................. 2 2
Additional paid-in capital .............................................. 3,833 3,828
Retained earnings (deficit) ............................................. (1,296) (1,362)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ........................... (130) (13)
--------------------
Total stockholders' equity ............................................. 2,485 2,528
--------------------
$ 10,652 $ 11,195
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to consolidated financial statements
30
SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, (In millions, except per share data) 2001 2000 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales ......................................................... $ 8,377 $ 8,796 $ 7,423
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold ............................................... 6,955 7,070 6,294
Selling and administrative expenses .............................. 799 740 696
Restructuring charges ............................................ 10 53 10
Gain on sale of assets ........................................... (10) (6) (446)
-----------------------------
Income from operations .......................................... 623 939 869
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net ............................................ (455) (527) (563)
Other, net ....................................................... 23 22 33
-----------------------------
Income from continuing operations before
income taxes, minority interest and extraordinary item ......... 191 434 339
Provision for income taxes ........................................ (107) (206) (168)
Minority interest expense ......................................... (1) (9) (8)
-----------------------------
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item ..... 83 219 163
Discontinued operations
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $1 ... 2
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations,
net of income taxes of $4 in 2000 and $2 in 1999 ................ 6 4
-----------------------------
Income before extraordinary item ................................ 83 225 169
Extraordinary item
Loss from early extinguishment of debt, net of income
tax benefit of $4 in 2001 and $7 in 1999 ........................ (6) (12)
-----------------------------
Net income ...................................................... 77 225 157
Preferred stock dividends and accretion ........................... (11) (1)
-----------------------------
Net income available to common stockholders ..................... $ 66 $ 224 $ 157
-----------------------------
Basic earnings per common share
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item ...... $ .30 $ .94 $ .75
Discontinued operations .......................................... .01
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations ................... .02 .01
Extraordinary item ............................................... (.03) (.05)
-----------------------------
Net income available to common stockholders ..................... $ .27 $ .96 $ .72
-----------------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding ............................... 244 233 217
-----------------------------
Diluted earnings per common share
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item ...... $ .29 $ .93 $ .74
Discontinued operations .......................................... .01
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations ................... .03 .01
Extraordinary item ............................................... (.02) (.05)
-----------------------------
Net income available to common stockholders ..................... $ .27 $ .96 $ .71
-----------------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding ............................... 245 234 220
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to consolidated financial statements
31
SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In millions, except share data)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock Preferred Stock
-------------------- ----------------- Accumulated
Number Par Number Additional Retained Other
of Value, of Paid-In Earnings Comprehensive
Shares $ 01 Shares Amount Capital (Deficit) Income (Loss) Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at January 1, 1999 ................ 214,959,041 $ 2 $ $ 3,376 $ (1,743) $ (1) $ 1,634
Comprehensive income
Net income ............................... 157 157
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Unrealized holding gain on marketable
securities, net of tax of $2 ........... 3 3
Foreign currency translation adjustment,
net of tax of $(7) ..................... (11) (11)
Minimum pension liability adjustment,
net of tax of $2 ....................... 4 4
---------
Comprehensive income .................. 153
Issuance of common stock under stock
option plan ............................. 2,861,721 60 60
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1999 .............. 217,820,762 2 3,436 (1,586) (5) 1,847
Comprehensive income
Net income ............................... 225 225
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustment,
net of tax of $(5) ..................... (8) (8)
---------
Comprehensive income .................. 217
Issuance of common stock for acquisition of
St Laurent Paperboard, net of registration
costs .................................. 25,335,381 392 392
Preferred stock transaction ............... 4,599,300 73 (8) 65
Issuance of common stock under stock
option plan ............................. 411,143 8 8
Preferred stock dividends ................. (1) (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 .............. 243,567,286 2 4,599,300 73 3,828 (1,362) (13) 2,528
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income ............................... 77 77
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
net of tax of $4 ....................... 5 5
Deferred hedge gain (loss), net of tax
of $(11) .............................. (16) (16)
Unrealized holding loss on marketable
securities, net of tax of $(1) ......... (2) (2)
Foreign currency translation adjustment,
net of tax of $(2) ..................... (3) (3)
Minimum pension liability adjustment,
net of tax of $(62) .................... (101) (101)
---------
Comprehensive income (loss) ........... (40)
Issuance of common stock under stock
option plan ............................. 335,075 5 5
Preferred stock dividends and accretion ... 3 (11) (8)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 .............. 243,902,361 $ 2 4,599,300 $ 76 $ 3,833 $ (1,296) $ (130) $ 2,485
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to consolidated financial statements
32
SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31, (In millions) 2001 2000 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income ........................................................................ $ 77 $ 225 $ 157
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations ................................... (10) (2)
Extraordinary loss from early extinguishment of debt ............................. 10 1 19
Depreciation, depletion and amortization ......................................... 478 432 430
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs ..................................... 11 10 14
Deferred income taxes ............................................................ 85 213 137
Gain on sale of assets ........................................................... (10) (6) (446)
Foreign currency transaction gains ............................................... (8) (7)
Non-cash restructuring charge .................................................... 6 32 4
Change in current assets and liabilities,
net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions
Receivables .................................................................... 119 82 (186)
Inventories .................................................................... 61 65 8
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ...................................... 7 31 38
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ....................................... (168) (76) 88
Interest payable ............................................................... (13) (17) (15)
Income taxes ................................................................... (15) (21) (9)
Income tax benefit on exercise of employee stock options ....................... 2 15
Other, net ....................................................................... (42) (156) (62)
-----------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities .......................................... 598 807 183
-----------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment .................................... (189) (363) (156)
Proceeds from property and timberland disposals and sale of businesses ............ 35 78 1,417
Payments on acquisitions, net of cash received .................................... (43) (631)
Net proceeds from sale of receivables ............................................. 226
-----------------------------
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities .............................. (197) (916) 1,487
-----------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt ...................................................... 1,325 1,525
Net repayments of debt ............................................................ (1,674) (1,356) (1,611)
Net borrowings (repayments) under accounts receivable securitization programs ..... (26) 3 (211)
Debt repurchase premiums .......................................................... (14)
Preferred dividends paid .......................................................... (8)
Distributions to minority interests ............................................... (30)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options ........................................... 4 6 17
Deferred debt issuance costs ...................................................... (27) (17)
-----------------------------
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities .............................. (420) 131 (1,805)
-----------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ........................................... (1) 4
-----------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ................................... (19) 21 (131)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year ................................................................. 45 24 155
-----------------------------
End of year ....................................................................... $ 26 $ 45 $ 24
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to consolidated financial statements
33
SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, except share data)
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation: Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation ("SSCC" or the
"Company") owns 100% of the equity interest in JSCE, Inc. and Stone Container
Corporation ("Stone"). On November 18, 1998, Stone merged with a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company (the "Stone Merger"). The Company has no operations
other than its investments in JSCE, Inc. and Stone. JSCE, Inc. owns 100% of the
equity interest in Jefferson Smurfit Corporation (U.S.) ("JSC(U.S.)") and is the
guarantor of the senior unsecured indebtedness of JSC(U.S.). JSCE, Inc. has no
operations other than its investment in JSC(U.S.). JSC(U.S.) has operations
throughout the United States. Stone has domestic and international operations.
On May 31, 2000, the Company, through a subsidiary of Stone, acquired (the "St.
Laurent Acquisition") St. Laurent Paperboard Inc. ("St. Laurent") (See Note 2).
Nature of Operations: The Company's major operations are containerboard and
corrugated containers, consumer packaging, specialty packaging and reclaimed
fiber resources. The Company's paperboard mills procure virgin and reclaimed
fiber and produce paperboard for conversion into corrugated containers, folding
cartons, bags and industrial packaging at Company-owned facilities and
third-party converting operations. Paper product customers represent a diverse
range of industries including paperboard and paperboard packaging, wholesale
trade, retailing and agri-business. Recycling operations collect or broker
wastepaper for sale to Company-owned and third-party paper mills. Customers and
operations are principally located in North America. Credit is extended to
customers based on an evaluation of their financial condition.
Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of the Company and majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries.
Investments in majority-owned affiliates where the Company does not have a
majority voting interest and non-majority owned affiliates are accounted for on
the equity method. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions are
eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments
with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash
and cash equivalents of $9 million and $18 million were pledged at December 31,
2001 and 2000, as collateral for obligations associated with the accounts
receivable securitization program (See Note 7).
Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue at the time persuasive
evidence of an agreement exists, price is fixed and determinable, products are
shipped to external customers and collectibility is reasonably assured. Shipping
and handling costs are included in cost of good sold.
Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market under the
last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method, except for $282 million in 2001 and $294
million in 2000 which are valued at the lower of average cost or market.
First-in, first-out ("FIFO") costs (which approximate replacement costs) exceed
the LIFO value by $62 million and $81 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
Net Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are carried at
cost. The costs of additions, improvements and major replacements are
capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Provisions for depreciation and amortization are made using straight-line rates
over the estimated useful lives of the related assets and the terms of the
applicable leases for leasehold improvements. Paper machines have been assigned
a useful life of 18 to 23 years, while major converting equipment and folding
carton presses have been assigned useful lives ranging from 12 to 20 years.
Property, plant and equipment acquired in the St. Laurent Acquisition were
recorded at fair value.
34
These assets were assigned remaining useful lives of 18 years for paper machines
and 12 years for major converting equipment. (See Note 2).
Timberland, Less Timber Depletion: Timberland is stated at cost less accumulated
cost of timber harvested. The portion of the costs of timberland attributed to
standing timber is charged against income as timber is cut, at rates determined
annually, based on the relationship of unamortized timber costs to the estimated
volume of recoverable timber. The costs of seedlings and reforestation of
timberland are capitalized.
Goodwill: The excess of cost over the fair value assigned to the net assets
acquired is recorded as goodwill and is being amortized using the straight-line
method over 40 years (See Prospective Accounting Pronouncements).
Deferred Debt Issuance Costs: Deferred debt issuance costs included in other
assets are amortized over the terms of the respective debt obligations using the
interest method.
Long-Lived Assets: In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed of," long-lived assets held and used by
the Company and the related goodwill are reviewed for impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may
not be recoverable.
Marketable Securities: The Company includes its available for sale marketable
securities in other assets. The securities consist of equity securities, which
are stated at fair value, with net unrealized gains or losses on the securities
recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders'
equity.
Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the
liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method,
deferred assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax
consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases (See Note 10).
Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency for the majority of the
Company's foreign operations is the applicable local currency except for the
operations in Canada. The functional currency for the Canadian operations was
changed from the local currency to the U.S. dollar beginning on June 1, 2000, in
conjunction with the St. Laurent Acquisition.
Assets and liabilities for foreign operations using the local currency as the
functional currency are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance
sheet date, and income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates
prevailing during the year. Translation gains or losses are included within
stockholders' equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (See Note
14). Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are credited or charged to
income.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: In June 1998, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 133, as amended by SFAS No.
138, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which was
adopted by the Company January 1, 2001. The Company recognizes all derivatives
on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges are adjusted
to fair value through income. If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the
nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives are either offset
against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm
commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until
the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a
derivative's change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings (See
Note 8).
35
Transfers of Financial Assets: The Company accounts for transfers of financial
assets in accordance with SFAS No. 140 "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing
of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities." Accordingly, financial
assets transferred to qualifying special-purpose entities and the liabilities of
such entities are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the
Company. Gain or loss on sale of financial assets depends in part on the
previous carrying amount of the financial assets involved in the transfer,
allocated between the assets sold and the retained interests based on their
relative fair value at the date of the transfer. Quoted market prices are not
available for retained interests, so the Company estimates fair value based on
the present value of expected cash flows estimated by using management's best
estimates of key assumptions (See Note 5).
Stock-Based Compensation: The Company accounts for stock-based plans in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. Under APB No. 25,
because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals the
market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation
expense is recognized for stock options. The Company has adopted the
disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation."
Amounts earned under the Company's annual management incentive plan, which are
deferred and paid in the form of Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs"), immediately
vest and are expensed by the Company in the year earned. RSUs related to the
Company matching program are expensed over the vesting period.
Environmental Matters: The Company expenses environmental expenditures related
to existing conditions resulting from past or current operations from which no
current or future benefit is discernible. Expenditures that extend the life of
the related property or mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination
are capitalized. Reserves for environmental liabilities are established in
accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement
of Position 96-1, "Environmental Remediation Liabilities." The Company records a
liability at the time when it is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such
liabilities are not discounted or reduced for potential recoveries from
insurance carriers.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications of prior year presentations have
been made to conform to the 2001 presentation. Gain on sale of assets, relating
to assets utilized in operations, has been reclassified from other, net to a
separate component of operating income in the consolidated statements of
operations.
Prospective Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No.
142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2001. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have
indefinite lives will no longer be amortized, but will be subject to an annual
impairment test. Other intangible assets will continue to be amortized over
their useful lives.
The Company will apply the new rules on accounting for goodwill and other
intangible assets beginning in the first quarter of 2002. Application of the
non-amortization provision of the statement is expected to result in an increase
in net income of approximately $91 million per year ($0.37 per share). During
2002, the Company will perform the first of the required impairment tests of
goodwill as of January 1, 2002. The Company has not yet determined what the
effect of these tests will be on its earnings and financial position.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations." SFAS No. 143 establishes accounting standards for the recognition
and measurement of an asset retirement obligation and its associated asset
retirement cost. It also provides accounting guidance for legal
36
obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. This
statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The
Company is currently assessing the impact of this new standard.
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144 "Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived
Assets," which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.
The provisions of this statement provide a single accounting model for
impairment of long-lived assets, including discontinued operations. The impact
of this new standard is not expected to be material.
2. St. Laurent Acquisition
The St. Laurent Acquisition was accounted for as a purchase business
combination, and accordingly, the results of operations of St. Laurent have been
included in the consolidated statements of operations of the Company after May
31, 2000. Each outstanding common share and restricted share unit of St. Laurent
was exchanged for 0.5 shares of SSCC common stock and $12.50 in cash. The total
consideration paid by the Company in connection with the St. Laurent Acquisition
was approximately $1.4 billion, consisting of approximately $631 million in
cash, approximately 25.3 million shares of SSCC common stock and the assumption
of $376 million of St. Laurent's debt. The cash portion of the purchase price
was finance through borrowings under certain of the Company's credit
facilities, including a new credit facility entered into by the Company.
The purchase price allocation was completed during the second quarter of 2001.
The final allocation resulted in acquired goodwill of approximately $222
million, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The
preliminary allocation was adjusted primarily for the final fixed asset
valuations.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of operations
of the Company as if the St. Laurent Acquisition had taken place on January 1,
2000:
2000
----
Net sales.................................................... $9,281
Income before extraordinary item............................. 216
Net income .................................................. 216
Net income per common share
Basic....................................................... $ .89
Diluted..................................................... $ .88
The unaudited pro forma results of operations have been prepared for comparative
purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations
which actually would have resulted had the St. Laurent Acquisition occurred as
of January 1, 2000.
The following is a summary of the exit liabilities recorded in the allocation of
the purchase price:
Lease Other
Severance Commitments Commitments Total
-------------------------------------------------------
Opening balance................. $ 4 $ 2 $ 4 $10
Payments....................... (1) (2) (3)
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000.... 3 2 2 7
Payments....................... (3) (1) (2) (6)
Adjustments.................... 1 1 2
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001.... $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 $ 3
-------------------------------------------------------
Future cash outlays under the exit liabilities are anticipated to be $2 million
in 2002 and $1 million thereafter.
37
3. Stone Merger and Restructurings
Merger with Stone Container Corporation In connection with the Stone Merger, the
allocation of the cost to acquire Stone included liabilities associated with the
permanent shutdown of certain containerboard mill and pulp mill facilities of
Stone, the termination of certain Stone employees and long-term commitments.
During 1999, the Company permanently closed five Stone converting facilities.
Included in the purchase price allocation for these facilities are the
adjustment to fair value of property, plant and equipment less the costs to
sell, liabilities for the termination of employees, and liabilities for
long-term commitments, primarily leases. Approximately 500 employees were
terminated in 1999. The amounts associated with these closures are included in
the following table of exit liabilities as part of the 1999 adjustments.
In October 1999, Florida Coast Paper Company L.L.C. ("FCPC") and a committee
representing the holders of the FCPC secured debt filed a bankruptcy
reorganization plan to resolve all matters relating to the bankruptcies of the
FCPC companies. In January 2000, Stone paid approximately $123 million to
satisfy the claims of creditors of FCPC. Stone received title to the FCPC mill,
and all claims under an output purchase agreement, as well as any obligations of
Stone involving FCPC or its affiliates, were released and discharged.
In May 2000, the Company sold the market pulp mill at its closed Port Wentworth,
Florida facility to a third party for approximately $63 million. Net cash
proceeds of $58 million from the sale were used for debt reduction. No gain or
loss was recognized. The $15 million reduction to the exit liabilities in 2000
is due primarily to the assumption of certain lease commitments by the buyer of
the Port Wentworth facility.
The following table is a summary of the exit liabilities recorded as part of the
Stone Merger. The remaining long-term lease commitments include the five
converting facilities and the corporate office.
Settlement Mill
Lease of FCPC Other Closure
Severance Commitments Litigation Commitments Costs Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
January 1, 1999.......... $10 $37 $ 37 $13 $9 $106
Payments............. (13) (6) (1) (2) (7) (29)
Adjustments.......... 8 8 87 4 (1) 106
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December 31, 1999....... 5 39 123 15 1 183
Payments............. (3) (8) (123) (2) (1) (137)
Adjustments.......... (2) (13) (15)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December 31, 2000....... 18 13 31
Payments............. (3) (3) (6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December 31,2001......... $ $15 $ $10 $ $ 25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructurings
During 1998, the Company recorded a restructuring charge related to the
permanent shutdown of certain containerboard mill operations and related
facilities formerly operated by JSC(U.S.), the termination of certain JSC(U.S.)
employees and liabilities for lease commitments at the closed JSC(U.S.)
facilities.
38
During 1999, the Company permanently closed eight facilities, which resulted in
approximately 400 employees being terminated. A $15 million restructuring charge
was recorded related to the facility closures. The sales and operating loss of
these facilities in 1999 prior to closure were $32 million and $7 million,
respectively. The 1999 adjustments below include a reduction to 1998 exit
liabilities of $5 million and a reclassification of pension liabilities of $12
million.
During 2000, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $53 million related
to the permanent shutdown of a containerboard mill, five converting facilities,
a sawmill and a multiwall bag facility. The assets of these facilities were
adjusted to their estimated fair value less costs to sell resulting in a $32
million non-cash write down. The terminated employees included approximately 220
employees at the containerboard mill and sawmill and approximately 680 employees
at the converting facilities, including the multiwall bag facility. The net
sales and operating loss of these shutdown facilities in 2000 prior to closure
were $56 million and $17 million, respectively. The net sales and operating loss
of these facilities in 1999 were $88 million and $1 million, respectively.
During 2001, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $10 million related
to the permanent shutdown of two converting facilities, two sawmills, a boxboard
paper machine and related operation and the shutdown of a trucking operation.
The assets of these closed operations were adjusted to their estimated fair
value less cost to sell resulting in a $6 million non-cash write down. These
shutdowns resulted in approximately 310 employees being terminated. The net
sales and operating loss of these facilities in 2001 prior to closure were $50
million and $12 million, respectively. The net sales and operating loss of these
facilities in 2000 were $46 million and $6 million, respectively.
The following is a summary of the restructuring liabilities recorded:
Write-down of
Property and Lease Pension Facility
Equipment to Commit- Curtail- Closure
Fair Value Severance ments ments Costs Other Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
January 1, 1999.......... $ $ 24 $20 $ 9 $10 $ 8 $ 71
Charge.................. 4 5 3 1 2 15
Payments................ (27) (3) (3) (3) (36)
Adjustments............. (4) (12) (5) (21)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,
1999..................... 2 17 8 2 29
Charge.................. 32 12 4 4 1 53
Payments................ (10) (4) (1) (1) (16)
Adjustments............. (32) (32)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,
2000..................... 4 17 11 2 34
Charge.................. 6 2 1 1 10
Payments................ (4) (2) (2) (1) (9)
Adjustments............. (6) (6)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December 31, 2001........ $ $ 2 $16 $ $10 $ 1 $ 29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
39
Cash Requirements
Future cash outlays under the restructuring of Stone and JSC(U.S.) operations
are anticipated to be $14 million in 2002, $7 million in 2003, $10 million in
2004, and $23 million thereafter.
4. Net Property, Plant and Equipment
Net property, plant and equipment at December 31 consists of:
2001 2000
-------------------------
Land $ 134 $ 132
Buildings and leasehold improvements..................... 613 565
Machinery, fixtures and equipment........................ 6,186 6,033
Construction in progress................................. 87 186
-------------------------
7,020 6,916
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization........... (1,641) (1,307)
-------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment................... $ 5,379 $ 5,609
-------------------------
The total value assigned to the St. Laurent property, plant and equipment was
$1,284 million in St. Laurent's final purchase price allocation (See Note 2).
Depreciation and depletion expense was $387 million, $343 million and $352
million for 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Net property, plant and equipment
include capitalized leases of $65 million and $68 million and related
accumulated amortization of $41 million and $39 million at December 31, 2001 and
2000, respectively.
5. Transfers of Financial Assets
Stone Receivables Securitization Program
On October 15, 1999, the Company entered into a new six-year $250 million
accounts receivable securitization program whereby the Company sells, without
recourse, on an ongoing basis, certain of its accounts receivable to Stone
Receivables Corporation ("SRC"), a wholly owned non-consolidated subsidiary of
the Company. SRC transfers the receivables to a trust for which it has sold
beneficial interest to third-party investors. The Company has retained servicing
responsibilities and a subordinated interest in the trust. The Company receives
annual servicing fees of 1% of the unpaid balances of the receivables and rights
to future cash flows arising after the investors in the securitization trust
have received the return for which they have contracted. The investors and
securitization trusts have no recourse to the Company's other assets for failure
of debtors to pay when due.
SRC is a qualified special-purpose entity under the provisions of SFAS No. 140,
"Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
of Liabilities." Accordingly, accounts receivable sold to SRC, for which the
Company did not retain an interest, are not included in the Company's
consolidated balance sheets.
At December 31, 2001 and 2000, $271 million and $295 million of accounts
receivable had been sold under the program, of which $33 million and $66 million
were retained by the Company as a subordinated interest and recorded in accounts
receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company
recognized a loss on sales of receivables to SRC of $11 million and $16 million
in 2001 and 2000 respectively, which is included in other, net in the
consolidated statements of operations.
40
Key economic assumptions used in measuring the retained interest are as follows:
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2001 2001 2000 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Residual cash flows discounted at .... 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00%
Expected loss and dilution rate....... 2.70%-4.66% 6.22% 3.42%-3.82% 5.45%
Variable return to investors ......... LIBOR plus 50 to 2.68% LIBOR plus 50 to 7.20%
180 basis points 180 basis points
At December 31, 2001, the sensitivity of the current fair value of residual cash
flows to immediate 10% and 20% adverse changes in the expected loss and dilution
rate was $1 million and $2 million, respectively. The effects of the sensitivity
analysis on the residual cash flow discount rate and the variable return to
investors were insignificant.
The table below summarizes certain cash flows received from SRC:
2001 2000
-------------------------------
Cash proceeds from sales of receivables....................... $2,884 $2,748
Servicing fees received....................................... 3 3
Other cash flows received on retained interest................ 1 30
Interest income............................................... 1 1
Timberland Sale and Note Monetization
The Company sold approximately 980,000 acres of owned and leased timberland in
Florida, Georgia and Alabama in October 1999. The final purchase price, after
adjustments, was $710 million. The Company received $225 million in cash, with
the balance of $485 million in the form of installment notes.
The Company entered into a program to monetize the installment notes receivable.
The notes were sold without recourse to Timber Notes Holdings, a qualified
special purpose entity under the provisions of SFAS No. 140, for $430 million
cash proceeds and a residual interest in the notes. The transaction has been
accounted for as a sale under SFAS No. 140. The cash proceeds from the sale and
the monetization transactions were used to prepay borrowings under the JSC(U.S.)
Credit Agreement. The residual interest included in other assets was $40 million
and $37 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The key economic
assumption used in measuring the residual interest at the date of monetization
was the rate at which the residual cash flows were discounted (9%). At December
31, 2001, the sensitivity on the current fair value of the residual cash flows
to immediate 10% and 20% adverse changes in the assumed rate at which the
residual cash flows were discounted (9%) was $2 million and $4 million,
respectively.
The gain of $407 million on the timberland sale and the related note
monetization program is included in gain on sale of assets in the 1999
consolidated statement of operations.
6. Non-Consolidated Affiliates
The Company has several non-consolidated affiliates that are engaged in paper
and packaging operations in North America and Europe. The Company's significant
non-consolidated affiliate at December 31, 2001 is Smurfit-MBI, a Canadian
corrugated container company, in which the Company owns a 50% interest. The
remaining 50% interest is indirectly owned by Jefferson Smurfit Group plc ("JS
Group"), a significant stockholder of the Company. Smurfit-MBI had net sales of
$441 million and $460 million in 2001 and 2000, respectively. The Company has
not guaranteed and is not otherwise contingently liable for any debts or
obligations of Smurfit-MBI.
41
During 1999, the Company sold its interest in Abitibi-Consolidated, Inc.
("Abitibi") and recorded a $39 million gain, which is included in gain on sale
of assets in the consolidated statements of operations.
Combined summarized financial information for all of the Company's
non-consolidated affiliates that are accounted for under the equity method of
accounting is presented as follows:
2001 2000
-------------------------
Results of operations
Net sales.................................................. $683 $746
Cost of sales.............................................. 595 649
Income before income taxes, minority interest and
extraordinary charges...................................... 37 38
Net income ................................................ 37 36
December 31, December 31,
2001 2000
---------------------------
Financial position:
Current assets $143 $158
Non-current assets......................................... 147 161
Current liabilities........................................ 82 99
Non-current liabilities.................................... 127 112
Stockholders' equity....................................... 81 108
42
7. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt, as of December 31 is as follows:
2001 2000
------------------
Bank Credit Facilities
JSC(U.S.)
- ---------
Tranche A Term Loan (3.6% weighted average variable rate), payable in various
installments through March 31, 2005......................................................... $ 250 $ 275
Tranche B Term Loan (4.1% weighted average variable rate), payable in various
installments through March 31, 2007......................................................... 275 65
Revolving Credit Facility (5.3% weighted average variable rate), due March 31,
2005........................................................................................ 48 17
Stone
- -----
Tranche C Term Loan (5.7% weighted average variable rate), payable in various
installments through October 1, 2003........................................................ 146 181
Tranche D Term Loan (5.7% weighted average variable rate), payable in various
installments through October 1, 2003........................................................ 138 173
Tranche E Term Loan (5.7% weighted average variable rate), payable in various
installments through October 1, 2003........................................................ 197 233
Tranche F Term Loan (5.3% weighted average variable rate), payable in various
installments through December 31, 2005...................................................... 563 569
Tranche G Term Loan (5.7% weighted average variable rate), due December 31,
2006........................................................................................ 402 402
Tranche H Term Loan (5.7% weighted average variable rate), due December 31,
2006........................................................................................ 347 348
Revolving Credit Facility (6.8% weighted average variable rate), due December
31, 2005.................................................................................... 43 177
Revolving Credit Facility (Canada) (7.3% weighted average variable rate), due
December 31,2005............................................................................ 3
4.98% to 7.96% term loans, denominated in foreign currencies, payable in
varying amounts through 2004................................................................ 7 12
------------------
2,416 2,455
Accounts Receivable Securitization Program Borrowings
JSC(U.S.) accounts receivable securitization program borrowings (2.2% weighted
average variable rate), $15 million term loan due in February 2002, other due
in February 2004............................................................................ 201 227
Senior Notes
JSC(U.S.)
- ---------
11.25% Series A unsecured senior notes, due May 1, 2004..................................... 287
10.75% Series B unsecured senior notes, due May 1, 2002..................................... 100 100
9.75% unsecured senior notes, due April 1, 2003............................................ 500 500
43
2001 2000
------------------
Stone
- -----
10.75% first mortgage notes, due October 1, 2002 (plus unamortized premium of
$9 in 2000)................................................................................ 509
8.45% mortgage notes, payable in monthly installments through August 1, 2007
and $69 on September 1, 2007............................................................... 78 80
11.5% unsecured senior notes, due October 1, 2004 (plus unamortized premium
of $8 in 2000)............................................................................. 208
11.5% unsecured senior notes, due August 15, 2006 (plus unamortized premium
of $4 and $4).............................................................................. 204 204
12.58% rating adjustable unsecured senior notes, due August 1, 2016 (plus unamortized
premium of $2 and $2)...................................................................... 127 127
9.25% unsecured senior notes, due February 1, 2008.......................................... 300
9.75% unsecured senior notes, due February 1, 2011.......................................... 750
------------------
2,059 2,015
Other Debt
Other (including obligations under capitalized leases of $25 and $34)....................... 290 307
Stone Subordinated Debt
10.75% senior subordinated debentures and 1.5% supplemental interest certificates, due on
April 1, 2002 (less unamortized discount of $1 in 2000).................................... 99
10.75% senior subordinated debentures, due April 1, 2002 .................................. 200
6.75% convertible subordinated debentures (convertible at $34.28 per share), due February
15, 2007 (less unamortized discount of $6 in 2000)......................................... 39
------------------
338
------------------
Total debt ................................................................................. 4,966 5,342
Less current maturities..................................................................... (212) (44)
------------------
Total long-term debt ....................................................................... $4,754 $5,298
------------------
The amounts of total debt outstanding at December 31, 2001 maturing during the
next five years are as follows:
2002..................................................... $ 212
2003..................................................... 1,217
2004..................................................... 105
2005..................................................... 758
2006 .................................................... 1,114
Thereafter............................................... 1,560
Stone Bond Offering
On January 25, 2001, Stone closed on a bond offering ("Stone Bond Offering") to
issue $750 million of 9.75% senior notes due 2011 and $300 million of 9.25%
senior notes due 2008. The proceeds of this issuance along with additional
borrowings on the Stone Revolving Credit Facility of $32 million were used on
February 23, 2001 to redeem (i) $300 million in aggregate principal of senior
subordinated debentures due April 1, 2002, (ii) $45 million in aggregate
principal of convertible subordinated debentures due February 15, 2007, (iii)
$500 million in aggregate principal of first mortgage notes due October 1, 2002,
and (iv) $200 million in aggregate principal of senior notes due October 1,
2004. In addition, the proceeds were used to pay $37 million in fees, call
premiums and other expenses related to these transactions. An extraordinary loss
of $4 million (net of tax of $2 million) was recorded due to the early
extinguishment of debt.
44
Bank Credit Facilities
JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement
- --------- ----------------
JSC(U.S.) has a bank credit facility (the "JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement")
consisting of a $550 million revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit
Facility") of which up to $150 million may consist of letters of credit, and two
senior secured term loans (Tranche A and Tranche B) aggregating $525 million at
December 31, 2001. A commitment fee of 0.375% per annum is assessed on the
unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2001, the
unused portion of this facility, after giving consideration to outstanding
letters of credit, was $437 million.
In January 2002, JSC(U.S.) obtained a waiver and an amendment from its lender
group for relief from certain financial covenant requirements under the
JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2001. The amendment eased certain
quarterly financial covenant requirements as of December 31, 2001 and for future
periods.
On January 5, 2001, JSC(U.S.) prepaid the remaining $65 million Tranche B term
loan. On April 27, 2001, JSC(U.S.) and its bank group amended the JSC(U.S.)
Credit Agreement to allow for a new Tranche B term loan. The proceeds along with
additional borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were used solely to
redeem in full the 11.25% unsecured senior notes, aggregating $287 million, and
to pay any fees and expenses incurred in relation to the repurchase. In the
fourth quarter of 2001, JSC(U.S.) prepaid $25 million of the Tranche A term
loan. An extraordinary loss of $2 million (net of tax of $2 million) was
recorded due to the early extinguishment of debt in 2001.
During 1999, the proceeds from the timberland sale and the Newberg newsprint
mill sale were used to reduce the balance of the Tranche A and Tranche B term
loans. The write-off of related deferred debt issuance costs totaling $10
million (net of income tax benefits of $6 million) is reflected in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations as an extraordinary item.
The JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement contains various covenants and restrictions
including, among other things, (i) limitations on dividends, redemptions and
repurchases of capital stock, (ii) limitations on the incurrence of
indebtedness, liens, leases and sale-leaseback transactions, (iii) limitations
on capital expenditures, and (iv) maintenance of certain financial covenants.
The JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement also requires prepayments if JSC(U.S.) has excess
cash flows, as defined, or receives proceeds from certain asset sales, insurance
or incurrence of certain indebtedness. As a result of excess cash flow in 2000,
JSC(U.S.) was required to make a $59 million prepayment on the Tranche A term
loan prior to March 31, 2001. However, on March 28, 2001, JSC(U.S.) received
approval of an amendment to the JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement which waived the
mandatory excess cash flow payment.
The obligations under the JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement are unconditionally
guaranteed by the Company and JSCE, Inc. and its subsidiaries and are secured by
a security interest in substantially all of the assets of JSC(U.S.) and its
material subsidiaries, with the exception of cash, cash equivalents and trade
receivables. The JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement is also secured by a pledge of all
the capital stock of JSCE, Inc. and each of its material subsidiaries and by
certain intercompany notes.
Stone Credit Agreement
- ----------------------
Stone has a bank credit agreement which provides for four senior secured term
loans (Tranche C, Tranche D, Tranche E and Tranche F term loans), aggregating
$1,044 million at December 31, 2001 with maturities ranging from October 1, 2003
to December 31, 2005, and a $560 million senior secured revolving credit
facility ("Stone Revolving Credit Facility"), up to which $100 million may
consist of letters of credit, maturing December 31, 2005 (collectively the
"Stone Credit Agreement"). Stone pays a 0.5% commitment fee on the unused
portions of the Stone Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2001, the
unused portion of this facility, after giving consideration to outstanding
letters of credit, was $488 million. The Stone Credit Agreement is secured by a
security interest in substantially all of the assets of Stone and 65% of the
stock of its Canadian subsidiary. The security interest excludes cash, cash
equivalents, certain trade receivables, four paper mills and the land and
buildings of the corrugated
45
container plants. In the fourth quarter of 2001, Stone prepaid approximately $33
million on the Tranche C term loan, $33 million on the Tranche D term loan, and
$34 million on the Tranche E term loan.
On May 31, 2000, Stone and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries closed on
new credit facilities (the "Stone Additional Credit Agreement") with a group of
financial institutions consisting of (i) $950 million in the form of Tranche G
and Tranche H term loans maturing on December 31, 2006 and (ii) a $100 million
Canadian revolving credit facility maturing on December 31, 2005. The proceeds
of the Stone Additional Credit Agreement were used to fund the cash component of
the St. Laurent Acquisition, refinance certain existing indebtedness of St.
Laurent, and pay fees and expenses related to the St. Laurent Acquisition. The
Canadian revolving credit facility will be used for general corporate purposes.
At December 31, 2001, the unused portion of this facility, after giving
consideration to outstanding letters of credit, was $85 million. The Stone
Additional Credit Agreement is secured by a security interest in substantially
all of the assets acquired in the St. Laurent Acquisition.
The Stone Credit Agreement and the Stone Additional Credit Agreement contain
various covenants and restrictions including, among other things, (i)
limitations on dividends, redemptions and repurchases of capital stock, (ii)
limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness, liens, leases and sale-leaseback
transactions, (iii) limitations on capital expenditures, and (iv) maintenance of
certain covenants. Both credit agreements also require prepayments of the term
loans if Stone has excess cash flows, as defined, or receives proceeds from
certain asset sales or incurrence of certain indebtedness. As a result of excess
cash flow in 2001, Stone is required to make a $38 million prepayment on the
term loans covered by the Stone Credit Agreement prior to March 31, 2002. The
Company intends to fund the $38 million prepayment with available borrowings
under the Stone Revolving Credit Facility.
On January 23, 2002, Stone and its bank group amended the Stone Credit Agreement
and the Stone Additional Credit Agreement to permit Stone to call for redemption
prior to September 30, 2002 all of its 12.58% rating adjustable unsecured senior
notes due 2016 in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $125 million plus
accrued interest and stated premium with borrowings under the Stone Revolving
Credit Facility.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Program Borrowings
JSC(U.S.) Securitization Program
- --------------------------------
JSC(U.S.) currently has a $229 million accounts receivable securitization
program (the "Securitization Program"). On March 9, 2001, the previous
Securitization Program was amended to (i) reduce the borrowings available
through the issuance of commercial paper or under the Revolving Credit Facility
from $300 million to $214 million and (ii) extend the final maturity on these
borrowings from February 2002 to February 2004. A $15 million term loan was also
outstanding as of December 31, 2001. The $15 million term loan was repaid in
February 2002.
The Securitization Program provides for the sale of certain of the Company's
trade receivables to a wholly owned, bankruptcy remote, limited purpose
subsidiary, Jefferson Smurfit Finance Corporation ("JS Finance"). The accounts
receivable purchases are financed through the issuance of commercial paper or
through borrowings under a revolving credit facility and a $15 million term
loan. Under the Securitization Program, JS Finance has granted a security
interest in all its assets, principally cash and cash equivalents and trade
accounts receivable. The Company has $28 million available for additional
borrowing at December 31, 2001, subject to eligible accounts receivable.
Commercial paper borrowings under the program have been classified as long-term
debt because of the Company's intent to refinance this debt on a long-term basis
and the availability of such financing under the terms of the program.
Senior Notes
JSC(U.S.)
- ---------
The 10.75% Series B unsecured senior notes and the 9.75% unsecured senior notes
are not redeemable prior to maturity. Holders of the JSC(U.S.) senior notes have
the right, subject to certain limitations, to require JSC(U.S.) to repurchase
their securities at 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid
46
interest, upon the occurrence of a change in control or, in certain events, from
proceeds of major asset sales, as defined.
The Senior Notes, which are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by
JSCE, Inc., rank pari passu with the JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement and contain
business and financial covenants which are less restrictive than those contained
in the JSC(U.S.) Credit Agreement.
Stone
- -----
Stone's senior notes aggregating $1,081 million at December 31, 2001, are
redeemable in whole or in part at the option of Stone at various dates, at par
plus a weighted average premium of 4.08%. The 9.25% unsecured senior notes of
$300 million are not redeemable.
The indentures governing Stone's 11.5% senior notes due 2006 and the 12.58%
rating adjustable senior notes due 2016, totaling aggregate principal of $325
million at December 31, 2001, generally provide that in the event of a "change
of control" (as defined in the indentures), Stone must offer to repurchase the
senior notes. The Stone Merger constituted such a change of control. As a
result, Stone is required to make an offer to repurchase the senior notes at a
price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof (together with accrued but
unpaid interest thereon), provided however, if such repurchase would constitute
an event of default under Stone's bank debt, prior to making an offer to
repurchase these senior notes, the indentures require that Stone either pay the
bank debt or obtain the consent of its bank lenders to such repurchase. A
repurchase of senior notes, other than the 12.58% rating adjustable senior
notes, is currently prohibited by the terms of the Stone bank debt. Although the
terms of the senior notes refer to an obligation to repay the Stone bank debt or
obtain the consent of the bank lenders to such repurchase, the terms do not
expressly specify a deadline following the applicable change of control for
taking such actions. Stone has sought and intends to actively seek commercially
acceptable sources of financing to repay such bank debt or alternative financing
arrangements which would cause the bank lenders to consent to the repurchase of
the senior notes.
The 8.45% mortgage notes are secured by the assets at 37 of Stone's corrugated
container plants.
Other
Interest costs capitalized on construction projects in 2001, 2000 and 1999
totaled $4 million, $9 million and $4 million, respectively. Interest payments
on all debt instruments for 2001, 2000 and 1999 were $471 million, $550 million
and $583 million, respectively.
47
8. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", as
amended by SFAS No. 137 and SFAS No. 138 requires that all derivatives be
recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Changes in the fair
value of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are recorded each period in
earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives qualifying as hedges are
either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged item through
earnings or recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") until the hedged
item is recognized in earnings, depending on the nature of the hedge. The
ineffective portion of the change in fair value of all derivatives is recognized
in earnings. Hedges related to anticipated transactions are designated and
documented at hedge inception as cash flow hedges and evaluated for hedge
effectiveness quarterly.
Upon adoption of SFAS No. 133, the Company recorded a cumulative effect of an
accounting change gain of approximately $5 million (net of tax of $4 million) in
OCI.
The Company's derivative instruments and hedging activities relate to minimizing
exposures to fluctuations in the price of commodities used in its operations and
the movement in foreign currency exchange rates and are designated as cash flow
hedges.
Commodity Futures Contracts
The Company uses exchange traded futures contracts to manage fluctuations in
cash flows resulting from commodity price risk in the procurement of natural
gas. The objective is to fix the price of a portion of the Company's forecasted
purchases of natural gas used in the manufacturing process. The changes in the
market value of such contracts have historically been, and are expected to
continue to be, highly effective at offsetting changes in price of the hedged
item. As of December 31, 2001, the maximum length of time over which the Company
is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows associated with
natural gas forecasted transactions is approximately one year. For the year
ended December 31, 2001, the Company reclassified a $6 million loss from OCI to
cost of goods sold when the hedged items were recognized. The fair value of the
Company's futures contracts at December 31, 2001 is a $15 million loss included
in other current liabilities. At December 31, 2001, the Company recorded a $1
million loss in cost of goods sold on commodity futures contracts, related to
the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of certain contracts and
contracts not qualifying as hedges.
For the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company recorded an $8 million loss in
cost of goods sold on settled commodity future contracts, related to the
ineffective portion of hedges and contracts not qualifying as hedges.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts with financial
institutions to purchase Canadian dollars, primarily to protect against currency
exchange risk associated with expected future cash flows. Contracts typically
have maturities of approximately one year. The fair value of the Company's
foreign currency forward contracts at December 31, 2001 is a $4 million loss
included in other current liabilities. The change in fair value of these
contacts is recorded in OCI until the underlying transaction is recorded.
The cumulative deferred hedge loss on all commodity and foreign currency
contracts is $11 million (net of tax of $7 million) at December 31, 2001. The
Company expects to reclassify $11 million into cost of goods sold during 2002.
48
9. Leases
The Company leases certain facilities and equipment for production, selling and
administrative purposes under operating leases. Future minimum rental
commitments (exclusive of real estate taxes and other expenses) under operating
leases having initial or remaining noncancelable terms in excess of one year,
excluding lease commitments on closed facilities, are reflected below:
2002 .................................................................... $116
2003 .................................................................... 95
2004 .................................................................... 75
2005 .................................................................... 62
2006 .................................................................... 46
Thereafter .............................................................. 71
----
Total minimum lease payments ....................................... $465
----
Net rental expense for operating leases, including leases having a duration of
less than one year, was approximately $161 million, $154 million and $156
million for 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
10. Income Taxes
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities at
December 31 are as follows:
2001 2000
-------------------
Deferred tax liabilities
Property, plant and equipment and timberland ............................. $(1,529) $(1,597)
Inventory ................................................................ (47) (47)
Investments in affiliates ................................................ (14) (45)
Timber installment sale .................................................. (134) (129)
Other .................................................................... (114) (128)
------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities ........................................... (1,838) (1,946)
------------------
Deferred tax assets
Employee benefit plans ................................................... 225 165
Net operating loss, alternative minimum tax and tax credit carryforwards.. 593 538
Deferred gain ............................................................ 18 56
Purchase accounting liabilities .......................................... 51 94
Deferred debt issuance cost .............................................. 11 47
Restructuring ............................................................ 12 18
Other .................................................................... 109 153
------------------
Total deferred tax assets ................................................ 1,019 1,071
Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset ............................... (208) (208)
------------------
Net deferred tax assets .................................................. 811 863
------------------
Net deferred tax liabilities ............................................. $(1,027) $(1,083)
------------------
At December 31, 2001, the Company had approximately $1,086 million of net
operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes that expire
from 2011 through 2019, with a tax value of $380 million and $38 million of
capital loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes that expire from
2004 to 2005, with a tax value of $13 million. A valuation allowance of $152
million has been established for a portion of these deferred tax assets. The
Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state purposes with a tax value
of $97 million, which expire from 2002 to 2020. A valuation allowance of $56
million has been established for a portion of these deferred tax assets.
Further, the Company had approximately $86
49
million of net operating loss carryforwards for Canadian tax purposes that
expire from 2004 to 2007, with a tax value of $29 million. The Company had
approximately $74 million of alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, which are available indefinitely.
Provision for income taxes on income from continuing operations before income
taxes, minority interest and extraordinary item is as follows:
2001 2000 1999
------------------------------
Current
Federal ................................... $ (3) $ (6) $ 7
State and Local ........................... (6) (2) 1
Foreign ................................... (10) (6) (19)
-----------------------------
Total current expense ..................... (19) (14) (11)
Deferred
Federal ................................... (59) (144) (123)
State and local ........................... (10) (32) (27
Foreign ................................... (19) (16) (7)
-----------------------------
Total deferred expense .................... (88) (192) (157)
-----------------------------
Total provision for income taxes ......... $(107) $(206) $(168)
-----------------------------
The Company's provision for income taxes differed from the amount computed by
applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income from continuing
operations before income taxes, minority interest and extraordinary item as
follows:
2001 2000 1999
------------------------
U.S. federal income tax provision at federal statutory rate ... $ (67) $(152) $(119)
Permanent differences from applying purchase accounting ....... (32) (31) (29)
Other permanent differences ................................... 2 (1) (3)
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect .......... (10) (22) (17)
------------------------
Total provision for income taxes .............................. $(107) $(206) $(168)
------------------------
The components of the income from continuing operations before income taxes,
minority interest and extraordinary item are as follows:
2001 2000 1999
------------------
United States ................................................................. $103 $389 $282
Foreign ....................................................................... 88 45 57
------------------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and ..
extraordinary item ........................................................... $191 $434 $339
------------------
The Internal Revenue Service has examined the Company's tax returns for all
years through 1994, and the years have been closed through 1988. The years 1995
through 1998 are currently under examination. While the ultimate results cannot
be predicted with certainty, the Company's management believes that the
examination will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated
financial condition or results of operations.
The Company made income tax payments of $37 million, $34 million and $47 million
in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
50
11. Employee Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering
substantially all employees. On December 31, 2000, the domestic defined benefit
plans of St. Laurent were merged with the defined benefit plans of Stone and
JSC(U.S.). The assets of these plans are available to meet the funding
requirements of the combined plans.
Approximately 42% of the Company's domestic pension plan assets at December 31,
2001 are invested in cash equivalents or debt securities, and 58% are invested
in equity securities. Equity securities at December 31, 2001 include 0.7 million
shares of SSCC common stock with a market value of approximately $12 million and
26.0 million shares of JS Group common stock having a market value of
approximately $57 million. Dividends paid on JS Group common stock during 2001
and 2000 were approximately $2 million in each year.
The Company sponsors noncontributory and contributory defined benefit pension
plans for its foreign operations. Approximately 45% of the foreign pension plan
assets at December 31, 2001 are invested in cash equivalents or debt securities
and 55% are invested in equity securities.
Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits
The Company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for all
salaried as well as certain hourly employees. The assumed health care cost trend
rates used in measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
("APBO") were 12.00% for the U.S. plans and 9.40% for the foreign plans at
December 31, 2001, decreasing to the ultimate rate of 5.00% for the U.S. plans
and 4.80% for the foreign plans. The effect of a 1% change in the assumed health
care cost trend rate would increase/(decrease) the APBO as of December 31, 2001
by $13 million and would change the annual net periodic postretirement benefit
cost by $1 million for 2001.
51
The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets, and
funded status of the plans:
Defined Benefit Plans Postretirement Plans
-------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
-------------------------------------------
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at January 1 ................ $ 2,182 $ 1,711 $ 187 $ 168
Service cost ................................... 47 41 4 3
Interest cost .................................. 156 143 15 13
Amendments ..................................... 16 15 (11)
Plan participants' contributions ............... 3 2 9 6
Curtailments ................................... (3) (3)
Actuarial loss ................................. 93 123 55 6
Acquisitions ................................... 7 278 4 22
Foreign currency rate changes .................. (28) (16) (1) (1)
Benefits paid .................................. (128) (112) (31) (27)
------- ------- ----- -----
Benefit obligation at December 31 .............. $ 2,348 $ 2,182 $ 231 $ 187
------- ------- ----- -----
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at January 1 ......... $ 1,841 $ 1,697 $ $
Actual return on plan assets ................... (34)
Employer contributions ......................... 44 20 22 21
Plan participants' contributions ............... 3 2 9 6
Acquisitions ................................... 7 242
Foreign currency rate changes .................. (19) (8)
Benefits paid .................................. (128) (112) (31) (27)
------- ------- ----- -----
Fair value of plan assets at December 31 ....... $ 1,714 $ 1,841 $ $
------- ------- ----- -----
Over (under) funded status: .................... $ (634) $ (341) $(231) $(187)
Unrecognized actuarial loss .................... 316 9 53
Unrecognized prior service cost ................ 65 55 (11) (1)
Net transition obligation ...................... (1)
------- ------- ----- -----
Net amount recognized .......................... $ (253) $ (278) $(189) $(188)
------- ------- ----- -----
Amounts recognized in the balance sheets:
Accrued benefit liability ...................... $ (484) $ (318) $(189) $(188)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss .. 163
Intangible asset ............................... 68 40
------- ------- ----- -----
Net amount recognized .......................... $ (253) $ (278) $(189) $(188)
------- ------- ----- -----
52
The weighted average assumptions used in the accounting for the defined benefit
plans and postretirement plans were:
Defined Benefit Plans Postretirement Plans
--------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
--------------------------------------------------
Weighted average discount rate:
U.S. plans...................................... 7.25% 7.50% 7.25% 7.50%
Foreign plans................................... 6.50% 7.00% 6.50% 7.00%
Rate of compensation............................. 3.25-4.00% 3.50-4.00% N/A N/A
Expected return on assets........................ 9.50-9.75% 7.80-9.50% N/A N/A
Health care cost trend on covered charges........ N/A N/A 9.40-12.00% 5.25-6.00%
The components of net pension expense for the defined benefit plans and the
components of the postretirement benefit costs are as follows:
Defined Benefit Plans Postretirement Plans
------------------------ -------------------
2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
------------------------ -------------------
Service cost .................... $ 47 $ 45 $ 48 $ 4 $ 2 $ 2
Interest cost ................... 156 143 121 15 13 12
Expected return on plan assets .. (176) (160) (138)
Curtailment cost ................ 6
Net amortization and deferral ... 7 (4) (4)
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss (2) (11) 3 (1)
Multi-employer plans ............ 6 4 4 1 1
----- ----- ----- ---- --- ---
Net periodic benefit cost ....... $ 38 $ 17 $ 40 $ 19 $15 $15
----- ----- ----- ---- --- ---
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value
of plan assets for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in
excess of plan assets were $2,348 million, $2,190 million and $1,714 million,
respectively, as of December 31, 2001 and $2,182 million, $1,928 million and
$1,841 million as of December 31, 2000.
Savings Plans
The Company sponsors voluntary savings plans covering substantially all salaried
and certain hourly employees. The Company match is paid in SSCC common stock, up
to an annual maximum. The Company's expense for the savings plans totaled $22
million, $19 million and $17 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
12. SSCC Preferred Stock
On November 15, 2000, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger among SSCC,
SCC Merger Co. and Stone, approximately 4.6 million shares of $1.75 Series E
Preferred Stock of Stone (the "Stone Preferred Stock") were converted into
approximately 4.6 million shares of Series A Cumulative Exchangeable Redeemable
Convertible Preferred Stock of SSCC (the "SSCC Preferred Stock"). In addition, a
cash payment of $6.4425 per share, totaling approximately $30 million, was made
to the holders of the Stone Preferred Stock. The cash payment was equal to the
accrued and unpaid dividends on each share of Stone Preferred Stock, less $0.12
per share to cover certain transaction related expenses.
The SSCC Preferred Stock was recorded at fair value of $73 million. The issuance
of the SSCC Preferred Stock and the $30 million cash payment eliminated the
Company's minority interest in the Stone Preferred Stock of $95 million,
resulting in an $8 million reduction to additional paid-in capital.
53
The holders of the SSCC Preferred Stock are entitled to cumulative dividends of
$0.4375 per quarter, payable in cash except in certain circumstances, with the
first dividend paid on February 15, 2001. SSCC has approximately 4.6 million
shares of the SSCC Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of December 31,
2001. Preferred stock dividends of $8 million were paid during 2001. Preferred
stock accretion of $3 million was charged to retained earnings (deficit) in
2001. The holders of SSCC Preferred Stock are not entitled to voting rights on
matters submitted to the Company's shareholders. The SSCC Preferred Stock is
convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of SSCC common stock at a
conversion price of $34.28 (equivalent to a conversion rate of 0.729 shares of
SSCC common stock for each share of SSCC Preferred Stock), subject to adjustment
based on certain events. The SSCC Preferred Stock may alternatively be
exchanged, at the option of the Company, for new 7% Convertible Subordinated
Exchange Debentures due February 15, 2012. The SSCC Preferred Stock is
redeemable at the Company's option until February 15, 2012, at which time the
SSCC Preferred Stock must be redeemed. The SSCC Preferred Stock may be redeemed,
at the Company's option, with cash or SSCC common stock with an equivalent fair
value. The redemption price is 100.7% of the liquidation preference until
February 15, 2002 and 100% thereafter. It is the Company's intention to redeem
the SSCC Preferred Stock with SSCC common stock, and therefore, the SSCC
Preferred Stock has been classified as equity in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets. The liquidation preference is generally $25 per share plus
dividends accrued and unpaid.
13. Stock Option and Incentive Plans
Prior to the Stone Merger, the Company and Stone each maintained incentive plans
for selected employees. Effective with the Stone Merger, options outstanding
under the Stone plans were converted into options to acquire SSCC common stock,
and all outstanding options under both the Company and the Stone plans became
exercisable and fully vested.
In November 1998, the shareholders approved the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(the "1998 Plan") reserving 8.5 million shares of Company common stock for
non-qualified stock options and performance awards to officers, key employees,
and non-employee directors of the Company. In 2001, an additional 8 million
shares of Company common stock were reserved. The stock options are exercisable
at a price equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the
date of grant. The vesting schedule and other terms and conditions of options
granted under the 1998 Plan are established separately for each grant. The
number of options that become vested and exercisable in any one year may not
exceed one-third of the options granted for certain participants and may not
exceed one-fourth of the options granted for other participants. In general,
these options expire ten years from the date of grant.
Certain grants under the 1998 Plan contain change in control provisions which
provide for immediate vesting and exercisability in the event that specific
ownership conditions are met. These grants also allow for immediate vesting and
exercisability in the event of retirement. These options remain exercisable
until the earlier of five years from retirement or ten years from the initial
grant date. The stock options granted prior to 2001 vest and become exercisable
eight years after the date of grant subject to acceleration based upon the
attainment of pre-established stock price targets. In 2001, the majority of
options granted vest and become exercisable at the rate of 25% each year for
four years.
The performance awards permit the holder to receive amounts, denominated in
shares of Company common stock, based on the Company's performance during the
period between the date of grant and a pre-established future date. Performance
criteria, the length of the performance period and the form and time of payment
of the award are established separately for each grant. There were no
performance awards outstanding under the 1998 Plan at December 31, 2001 and
2000.
During 2001, the Company revised its annual management incentive plan so that a
portion of annual employee bonuses is paid in the form of RSUs under the 1998
Plan. The RSUs are non-transferable and do not have voting rights. These RSUs
vest immediately, but the restrictions do not lapse until the third anniversary
of the award date. The Company pays a premium in the form of RSUs ("Premium
RSUs") to certain employees. Premium RSUs vest at the earlier of a change in
control, retirement or three years after
54
the award date. At December 31, 2001, the Company recorded a liability of $4
million for RSUs to be issued in 2002 for services provided in 2001. The cost of
Premium RSUs ($1 million) will be amortized over the three year vesting period,
beginning in 2002.
During the second quarter of 1999, the Company recorded a $26 million charge in
selling and administrative expenses related to the cashless exercise of SSCC
stock options under the Jefferson Smurfit Corporation stock option plan.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by
SFAS No. 123 and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its
employee stock options issued subsequent to December 31, 1994 under the fair
value method. The pro forma net income information required by SFAS No. 123 is
not likely to be representative of the effects on reported net income for future
years. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using
a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
2001 2000 1999
---------------------------
Expected option life (years) .................. 6 6 6
Risk-free weighted average interest rate ...... 5.08% 6.45% 5.43%
Stock price volatility ........................ 55.00% 53.00% 52.80%
Dividend yield ................................ 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because
the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly
different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options
is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's
unaudited pro forma information is as follows:
As Reported 2001 2000 1999
------------------
Net income available to common stockholders ..... $ 66 $224 $157
Basic earnings per share ....................... .27 .96 .72
Diluted earnings per share ..................... .27 .96 .71
Pro Forma
Net income available to common stockholders ..... $ 55 $215 $156
Basic earnings per share ....................... .23 .92 .72
Diluted earnings per share ..................... .22 .92 .71
The weighted average fair values of options granted during 2001, 2000 and 1999
were $8.23, $7.90 and $9.67 per share, respectively.
55
Additional information relating to the plans is as follows:
Weighted
Average
Shares Under Option Exercise
Option Price Range Price
--------------------------------------
Outstanding at January 1, 1999........................... 18,899,101 $10.00 - 29.59 $12.67
Granted................................................. 636,500 12.81 - 23.38 17.14
Exercised............................................... 4,475,476 10.00 - 22.35 12.37
Cancelled............................................... 99,976 10.00 - 29.59 13.77
----------
Outstanding at December 31, 1999......................... 14,960,149 10.00 - 23.38 12.86
Granted................................................. 2,705,717 10.56 - 16.13 13.65
Exercised............................................... 411,143 10.00 - 22.35 12.54
Cancelled............................................... 1,019,152 10.00 - 22.35 14.23
----------
Outstanding at December 31, 2000......................... 16,235,571 10.00 - 23.38 12.90
Granted................................................. 2,779,650 14.00 - 14.96 14.42
Exercised............................................... 328,325 10.00 - 15.81 12.80
Cancelled............................................... 568,047 10.00 - 22.35 14.21
----------
Outstanding at December 31, 2001......................... 18,118,849 10.00 - 23.38 13.09
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at
December 31, 2001:
Weighted Average Weighted
Range of Average Remaining Average
Exercise Options Exercise Contractual Options Exercise
Prices Outstanding Price Life (Years) Exercisable Price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$10.00 - 12.50 4,913,138 $10.55 4.12 4,584,732 $ 10.55
12.69 - 13.51 6,926,470 13.00 6.47 4,993,364 13.07
14.00 - 16.13 5,393,319 14.44 8.19 1,460,460 14.43
17.19 - 23.38 885,922 19.58 5.51 527,422 19.83
---------- ----------
18,118,849 11,565,978
The number of options exercisable at December 31, 2000 and 1999 was 12,157,304
and 11,105,160, respectively. As of December 31, 2001 approximately 7,048,000
shares were available for grant under the 1998 Plan.
56
14. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax is as follows:
Unrealized
Foreign Gain (Loss) Deferred Accumulated
Currency Minimum on Hedge Other
Translation Pension Marketable Gain Comprehensive
Adjustment Liability Securities (Loss) Income (Loss)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at January 1, 1999 ...................... $ 3 $ (4) $ $ $ (1)
Current period change ...................... (11) 4 3 (4)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1999 ................... (8) 3 (5)
Current period change ...................... (8) (8)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 .................... (16) 3 (13)
Cumulative effect of accounting
change .................................. 5 5
Net changes in fair value of
hedging transactions .................... (22) (22)
Net loss reclassified into earnings ........ 6 6
Current period change ...................... (3) (101) (2) (106)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 .................... $(19) $(101) $ 1 $(11) $(130)
---------------------------------------------------------------
15. Discontinued Operations
During February 1999, the Company adopted a formal plan to sell the operating
assets of its subsidiary, Smurfit Newsprint Corporation ("SNC"). Accordingly,
SNC was accounted for as a discontinued operation. SNC consisted of two
newsprint mills in Oregon. In November 1999, the Company sold its Newberg,
Oregon, newsprint mill for proceeds of approximately $211 million. Net gain on
disposition of discontinued operations of $4 million in 1999 included the
realized gain on the sale of the Newberg, Oregon newsprint mill, an expected
loss on the sale of the Oregon City, Oregon, newsprint mill, actual results from
the measurement date through December 31, 1999 and the estimated losses on the
Oregon City newsprint mill through the expected disposition date.
On May 9, 2000, the Company transferred ownership of the Oregon City, Oregon,
newsprint mill to a third party, thereby completing its exit from the newsprint
business. No proceeds from the transfer were received. During the second quarter
of 2000, the Company recorded a $6 million after tax gain to reflect adjustments
to the previous estimates on disposition of discontinued operations.
SNC revenues were $43 million and $253 million for 2000 and 1999, respectively.
57
16. Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share:
2001 2000 1999
---------------------
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item .............. $ 83 $ 219 $163
Preferred stock dividends and accretion ................................... (11) (1)
---------------------
Income available to common stockholders ................................... $ 72 $ 218 $163
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share -
weighted average shares ................................................ 244 233 217
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options ................................................. 1 1 3
---------------------
Denominator for diluted earnings per share -
adjusted weighted average shares and
assumed conversions ................................................... 245 234 220
---------------------
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations before
extraordinary item .................................................... $.30 $ .94 $.75
---------------------
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before
extraordinary item .................................................... $.29 $ .93 $.74
---------------------
For 2001, convertible SSCC Preferred Stock to acquire three million shares of
common stock with an effect of $11 million on net income available to common
stockholders are excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation
because they are antidilutive.
For 2000, convertible debt to acquire one million shares of common stock with an
earnings effect of $2 million and convertible SSCC Preferred Stock to acquire
three million shares of common stock with an effect of $8 million on net income
available to common stockholders are excluded from the diluted earnings per
share computation because they are antidilutive.
For 1999, convertible debt to acquire one million shares of common stock with an
earnings effect of $2 million and additional minority interest shares of three
million with an effect of $8 million on net income available to common
stockholders are excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation
because they are antidilutive.
58
17. Related Party Transactions
Transactions with JS Group
Transactions with JS Group, a significant shareholder of the Company, its
subsidiaries and affiliated companies were as follows:
2001 2000 1999
-----------------------
Product sales ....................................... $49 $70 $45
Product and raw material purchases .................. 27 32 21
Management services income .......................... 2 2 3
Charges from JS Group for services provided ......... 1 1 1
Receivables at December 31 .......................... 2 6 2
Payables at December 31 ............................. 6 11 14
Note receivable at December 31 ...................... 1
Sale of business .................................... 1 2
Purchase of business ................................ 2
Product sales to and purchases from JS Group, its subsidiaries and affiliates
are consummated on terms generally similar to those prevailing with unrelated
parties.
The Company provides certain subsidiaries and affiliates of JS Group with
general management and elective management services under separate Management
Services Agreements. In consideration for general management services, the
Company is paid a fee up to 2% of the subsidiaries' or affiliates' gross sales.
In consideration for elective services, the Company is reimbursed for its direct
cost of providing such services.
Transactions with Non-consolidated Affiliates
The Company sold paperboard, market pulp and fiber to and purchased
containerboard and kraft paper from various non-consolidated affiliates on terms
generally similar to those prevailing with unrelated parties. The following
table summarizes the Company's related party transactions with its
non-consolidated affiliates for each year presented:
2001 2000 1999
--------------------------
Product sales ................................. $224 $216 $303
Product and raw material purchases ............ 53 68 65
Receivables at December 31 .................... 36 32 43
Payables at December 31 ....................... 2 2 3
18. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments are
as follows:
2001 2000
----------------- -----------------
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Amount Value Amount Value
----------------- -----------------
Cash and cash equivalents .................... $ 26 $ 26 $ 45 $45
Notes receivable and marketable securities ... 26 26 28 28
Residual interest in timber notes ............ 40 40 37 37
Derivative liabilities ....................... 19 19
Long-term debt including current maturities... 4,966 5,052 5,342 5,357
59
The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the
short maturity of those instruments. The fair values of notes receivable and
long-term investments are based on discounted future cash flows or the
applicable quoted market price. The fair value of the residual interest in
timber notes is based on discounted future cash flows. The fair values of the
Company's derivatives are based on prevailing market rates at December 31, 2001.
The fair value of the Company's debt is estimated based on the quoted market
prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the
Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.
19. Other, Net
The significant components of other, net are as follows:
2001 2000 1999
--------------------
Foreign currency transaction gains ..................... $ 8 $ $ 7
Gain on redemption of convertible preferred stock of
Four M Corporation.................................. 13
Loss on sales of receivables to SRC .................... (11) (16)
Income from non-consolidated affiliates ................ 14 13 12
Other .................................................. 12 12 14
--------------------
Total other, net ....................................... $ 23 $ 22 $33
--------------------
20. Contingencies
The Company's past and present operations include activities which are subject
to federal, state and local environmental requirements, particularly relating to
air and water quality. The Company faces potential environmental liability as a
result of violations of permit terms and similar authorizations that have
occurred from time to time at its facilities. In addition, the Company faces
potential liability for response costs at various sites for which it has
received notice as being a potentially responsible party ("PRP") concerning
hazardous substance contamination. In estimating its reserves for environmental
remediation and future costs, the Company's estimated liability reflects only
the Company's expected share after consideration for the number of other PRPs at
each site, the identity and financial condition of such parties and experience
regarding similar matters. As of December 31, 2001, the Company had
approximately $45 million reserved for environmental liabilities.
If all or most of the other PRPs are unable to satisfy their portion of the
clean-up costs at one or more of the significant sites in which the Company is
involved or the Company's expected share increases, the resulting liability
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial
condition or results of operations.
The Company is a defendant in a number of lawsuits and claims arising out of the
conduct of its business, including those related to environmental matters. While
the ultimate results of such suits or other proceedings against the Company
cannot be predicted with certainty, the management of the Company believes that
the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its
consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
60
21. Business Segment Information
The Company has two reportable segments: (1) Containerboard and Corrugated
Containers and (2) Consumer Packaging. The Containerboard and Corrugated
Containers segment is highly integrated. It includes a system of mills and
plants that produces a full line of containerboard that is converted into
corrugated containers. Corrugated containers are used to transport such diverse
products as home appliances, electric motors, small machinery, grocery products,
produce, books, tobacco and furniture. The Consumer Packaging segment is also
highly integrated. It includes a system of mills and plants that produces a
broad range of coated recycled boxboard that is converted into folding cartons
and packaging labels. Folding cartons are used primarily to protect products,
such as food, fast food, detergents, paper products, beverages, health and
beauty aids and other consumer products, while providing point of purchase
advertising. Flexible packaging, paper and metalized paper labels and heat
transfer labels are used in a wide range of consumer applications.
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or
loss from operations before income taxes, interest expense and other
non-operating gains and losses. The accounting policies of the reportable
segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant
accounting policies except that the Company accounts for inventory on a FIFO
basis at the segment level compared to a LIFO basis at the consolidated level.
Intersegment sales and transfers are recorded at market prices. Intercompany
profit is eliminated at the corporate level.
The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer
different products. The reportable segments are each managed separately because
they manufacture distinct products. Other includes corporate related items and
three non-reportable segments, including Specialty Packaging, Reclamation and
International. Corporate related items include goodwill, the elimination of
intercompany assets and intercompany profit and income and expense not allocated
to reportable segments including corporate expenses, restructuring charges,
goodwill amortization, interest expense and the adjustment to record inventory
at LIFO.
In 1999, corporate related items included a $407 million gain on the timberland
sale and related note monetization program and a $39 million gain on the sale of
Abitibi.
61
Container-
board &
Corrugated Consumer
Containers Packaging Other Total
---------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 2001
Revenues from external customers .......... $5,744 $1,052 $ 1,581 $ 8,377
Intersegment revenues ..................... 166 24 180 370
Depreciation, depletion and amortization... 300 30 148 478
Segment profit (loss) ..................... 614 95 (518) 191
Total assets .............................. 5,440 497 4,715 10,652
Capital expenditures ...................... 105 23 61 189
Year ended December 31, 2000
Revenues from external customers .......... $5,994 $1,060 $ 1,742 $ 8,796
Intersegment revenues ..................... 177 26 309 512
Depreciation, depletion and amortization... 266 29 137 432
Segment profit (loss) ..................... 958 98 (622) 434
Total assets .............................. 5,828 527 4,925 11,280
Capital expenditures ...................... 293 17 53 363
Year ended December 31, 1999
Revenues from external customers .......... $4,876 $ 952 $ 1,595 $ 7,423
Intersegment revenues ..................... 193 20 274 487
Depreciation, depletion and amortization... 188 28 203 419
Segment profit (loss) ..................... 517 91 (269) 339
Total assets .............................. 4,451 512 4,896 9,859
Capital expenditures ...................... 84 22 50 156
The following table presents net sales to external customers by country of
origin:
2001 2000 1999
------------------------
United States ............................................ $7,583 $8,057 $6,793
Canada ................................................... 130 89 18
Europe and other ......................................... 664 650 612
------------------------
Total net sales ....................................... $8,377 $8,796 $7,423
------------------------
The following table presents long-lived assets by country:
2001 2000 1999
------------------------
United States ............................................ $4,277 $4,481 $3,715
Canada ................................................... 848 876 347
Europe and other ......................................... 301 313 357
------------------------
5,426 5,670 4,419
Goodwill ................................................. 3,298 3,368 3,328
------------------------
Total long-lived assets ............................... $8,724 $9,038 $7,747
------------------------
The Company's export sales from the United States were approximately $187
million for 2001, $246 million for 2000, and $208 million for 1999.
62
22. Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations:
First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
----------------------------------------
2001
Net sales .................................................... $ 2,183 $ 2,115 $ 2,088 $ 1,991
Gross profit ................................................. 365 359 366 332
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item... 19 17 30 17
Extraordinary item ........................................... (4) (2)
Net income ................................................... 15 15 30 17
Preferred stock dividends and accretion ...................... (3) (3) (2) (3)
Net income available to common stockholders .................. 12 12 28 14
Basic earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations before
extraordinary item .07 .06 .11
Extraordinary item ........................................... (.02) (.01)
----------------------------------------
Net income ................................................... .05 .05 .11 .06
Diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations before
extraordinary item.......................................... .07 .06 .11 .06
Extraordinary item ........................................... (.02) (.01)
----------------------------------------
Net income ................................................... .05 .05 .11 .06
2000
Net sales ................................................... $ 2,035 $ 2,191 $ 2,328 $ 2,242
Gross profit ................................................ 384 418 479 445
Income from continuing operations before
extraordinary item......................................... 40 31 79 69
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations ........... 6
Extraordinary item ....................................... 1 (1)
Net income................................................ 40 38 79 68
Preferred stock dividends ................................ (1)
Net income available to common stockholders ................. 40 38 79 67
Basic earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item.. .18 .14 .32 .28
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations ........... .03
Extraordinary item .......................................... (.01)
----------------------------------------
Net income ................................................ .18 .17 .32 .27
Diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item.. .18 .14 .32 .28
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations ........... .03
Extraordinary item .......................................... (.01)
----------------------------------------
Net income .................................................. .18 .17 .32 .27
63
SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
(In millions)
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions
Balance at Charged to Balance at
Beginning of Costs and Other Deductions End of
Description Period Expenses Describe Describe Period
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales
returns and allowances:
Year ended December 31, 2001 ........ $ 53 $12 $ (8)(a) $ 3 (b) $ 54
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 2000 ........ $ 50 $15 $ (4)(a)(c) $ 8 (b) $ 53
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 1999 ........ $ 70 $ $ (10)(a) $ 10 (b) $ 50
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Stone and St. Laurent exit liabilities:
Year ended December 31, 2001 ........ $ 38 $ $ 2 (d) $ 12 (e) $ 28
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 2000 ........ $183 $ $ (5)(d) $140 (e) $ 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 1999 ........ $106 $ $ 106 (f) $ 29 (e) $183
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring:
Year ended December 31, 2001 ........ $ 34 $10 $ $ 15 (e) $ 29
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 2000 ........ $ 29 $53 $ $ 48 (e) $ 34
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 1999 ........ $ 71 $15 $ (5)(d) $ 52 (e) $ 29
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Includes the effect of the accounts receivable securitization
application of SFAS No. 140.
(b) Uncollectible amounts written off, net of recoveries.
(c) Includes $3 million acquired with the acquisition of St. Laurent.
(d) Charges and adjustments associated with the exit activities included
in the purchase price allocation of St. Laurent and reduction to Stone
exit liabilities.
(e) Charges against the reserves.
(f) Charges associated with exit activities and litigation settlements
included in the purchase price allocation of Stone.
64
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
---------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
--------------------
None
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
--------------------------------------------------
Directors
Set forth below is information concerning Smurfit-Stone's directors.
Leigh J. Abramson, born July 5, 1968, has been a Managing Director of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated since December 2001. He joined Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter in 1990 in the firm's Corporate Finance Division and, since 1992, has
been in the Private Equity group. He is a director of Silgan Holdings, Weblink
Wireless, Inc. and several private companies.
Alan E. Goldberg, born September 1, 1954, has been a Managing Partner with
Goldberg, Lindsay & Co. LLC since March 2001. He served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Private Equity from February
1998 through January 2001. Prior thereto, he was co-head of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Private Equity. He served as Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated from January 1988 through January 2001.
Howard E. Kilroy, born January 30, 1936, was named a director in July 1999. He
joined JS Group in 1973 and was appointed Chief Operations Director in 1978 and
President in 1986. Mr. Kilroy retired from these positions in 1995. Mr. Kilroy
is a director of JS Group, CRH plc and Arnotts plc.
Patrick J. Moore, born September 7, 1954, was elected President and Chief
Executive Officer of Smurfit-Stone in January 2002. He was Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Smurfit-Stone from November 1998 to January 2002 and
held the same position with Jefferson Smurfit since October 1996. He was Vice
President and General Manager - Industrial Packaging Division of Jefferson
Smurfit from December 1994 to October 1996. He served as Vice President and
Treasurer from February 1993 to December 1994. He is a director of Reserve
Capital Partners.
James J. O'Connor, born March 15, 1937, is the former Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Unicom Corporation and its subsidiary, Commonwealth Edison
Company. He is a director of Corning Incorporated, The Tribune Company, UAL
Corporation, and various other Chicago business, cultural and charitable
organizations.
Jerry K. Pearlman, born March 27, 1939, is the retired Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Electronics Corporation. Mr. Pearlman is a
director of Ryerson-Tull Inc., Nanophase Technologies Corporation and Parson
Group L.L.C. and served as director of Stone Container from 1984 to 1998.
Thomas A. Reynolds, III, born May 12, 1952, has been a partner of Winston &
Strawn since 1984, a law firm that regularly represents Smurfit-Stone on
numerous matters. Mr. Reynolds is a member of Winston & Strawn's executive
committee. He also serves as a director of Westell Technologies, Inc.
Anthony P. J. Smurfit, born December 19, 1963, has been Chief Executive of the
Smurfit Europe Division of JS Group since September 1998. He was Chief Executive
of Smurfit France from November 1996 to August 1998 and Deputy Chief Executive
of Smurfit France prior to that. He has served as a member of JS
65
Group's board of directors since 1989. Mr. Smurfit was first elected a director
of Smurfit-Stone in 2000. He is a director of The Irish National Stud Company.
He is the son of Dr. Michael W. J. Smurfit and a nephew of Dr. Dermot F.
Smurfit.
Dermot F. Smurfit, born October 8, 1944, has been Joint Deputy Chairman of JS
Group since January 1984 and World Vice President - Marketing and Sales since
July 1997. He was Chairman and Chief Executive of JS Group's Continental
European operations from 1992 to June 1997. Dr. Dermot Smurfit is Chairman of
the World Containerboard Organization, a member of the Board of the
Confederation of European Paper Industries and a director of JS Group and ACE
Ltd. He is a brother of Dr. Michael W. J. Smurfit and an uncle of Anthony P. J.
Smurfit.
Michael W. J. Smurfit, born August 7, 1936, is Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Smurfit-Stone. He has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
JS Group since 1977. He was Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson Smurfit
Corporation prior to July 1990. He is a brother of Dr. Dermot F. Smurfit and the
father of Anthony P.J. Smurfit.
Executive Officers
Set forth below is information concerning the executive officers of
Smurfit-Stone.
Michael W. J. Smurfit - See Directors.
Robert A. Balke, born April 27, 1962, was appointed Vice President of Marketing
and Sales in August 2001. Prior to joining Smurfit-Stone, Mr. Balke was employed
by General Electric Corporation. From January 2000 to August 2001, Mr. Balke was
General Manager of Marketing for GE Silicones. From July 1999 to January 2000,
he was General Manager of Marketing and e-Business Manager - Pacific Operations
for GE Toshiba Silicones. Prior to that, he was employed at GE Plastics - Lexan
Business in various management positions in business development and product
management since June 1995.
Mathew Blanchard, born September 9, 1959, was appointed Vice President and
General Manager-Board Sales Division in July 2000. Prior to joining
Smurfit-Stone, Mr. Blanchard held various positions with St. Laurent, including
Vice President Supply Chain Management for St. Laurent from 1998 until July
2000, Controller for U.S. Operations from April 1998 to July 1998, Director of
Operations Planning from August 1997 to March 1998, Vice President of Operations
Planning from August 1995 to August 1997 and Vice President of Marketing
Services from December 1994 to August 1995.
James P. Davis, born August 9, 1955, was appointed Vice President and General
Manager - Corrugated Container Division in January 2002. Mr. Davis was Vice
President and Area Manager of the Corrugated Container Division from November
1998 to January 2002. From March 1998 to November 1998, he was Vice President
and General Manager of the Container Division. He was Vice President and General
Manager of the Consumer Packaging Division from November 1995 to March 1998
prior to that. He held various management positions in the Container Division
since joining Smurfit-Stone in 1977.
James D. Duncan, born June 12, 1941, has been Vice President - Corporate Sales
since August 2001, and was Vice President - Corporate Sales and Marketing from
October 2000 to August 2001. Prior to that, he was Vice President and General
Manager - Specialty Packaging Division from November 1998 to October 2000. Mr.
Duncan was Vice President and General Manager - Industrial Packaging Division
from October 1996 to November 1998. He was Vice President and General Manager,
Converting Operations - Industrial Packaging Division from April 1994 to October
1996.
Daniel J. Garand, born December 12, 1950, was appointed Vice President of Supply
Chain Operations in October 1999. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Garand was Vice
President of Supply Chain Management for the Automotive Sector of Allied
Signal's Automotive Group. Prior to that, he was employed by Digital
66
Equipment Company for 26 years in a variety of management positions in
logistics, acquisitions and distribution.
Michael F. Harrington, born August 6, 1940, has been Vice President - Human
Resources since November 1998 and held the same position with Jefferson Smurfit
since January 1992.
Charles A. Hinrichs, born December 3, 1953, was appointed Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer in January 2002. He was Vice President and Treasurer
from November 1998 until January 2002 and held the same position with Jefferson
Smurfit since April 1995.
Craig A. Hunt, born May 31, 1961, has been Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel since November 1998. Prior to that he was Senior Counsel and Assistant
Secretary of Jefferson Smurfit from January 1993 to November 1998.
Paul K. Kaufmann, born May 11, 1954, has been Vice President and Corporate
Controller since November 1998, and held the same position with Jefferson
Smurfit since July 1998. He was Corporate Controller of Jefferson Smurfit from
March 1998 to July 1998. Prior to that he was Division Controller for the
Containerboard Mill Division from November 1993 until March 1998.
Leslie T. Lederer, born July 20, 1948, has been Vice President - Strategic
Investment Dispositions since November 1998. He was Vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel of Stone Container from 1987 to November 1998.
F. Scott Macfarlane, born January 17, 1946, has been Vice President and General
Manager - Consumer Packaging Division since October 2000. Prior to that, he was
Vice President and General Manager - Folding Carton and Boxboard Mill Division
from November 1995 to October 2000.
Timothy McKenna, born March 25, 1948, has been Vice President - Investor
Relations and Communications since November 1998, and held the same position
with Jefferson Smurfit since July 1997. He joined Jefferson Smurfit in October
1995 as Director of Investor Relations and Communications.
Patrick J. Moore - See Directors.
Mark R. O'Bryan, born January 15, 1963, joined Smurfit-Stone in October 1999 as
Vice President - Procurement. Prior to joining Smurfit-Stone, Mr. O'Bryan was
employed for 13 years at General Electric Corporation in global sourcing and
materials management at several of General Electric Corporation's manufacturing
businesses, including the positions of General Manager of Materials & Sourcing
for General Electric Engine Services from May 1998 to September 1999 and Manager
of Sourcing for General Electric Plastics Americas from March 1996 to April
1998.
Thomas A. Pagano, born January 21, 1947, has been Vice President - Planning
since November 1998, and held the same position with Jefferson Smurfit since May
1996. He was Director of Corporate Planning of Jefferson Smurfit from September
1995 to May 1996.
John M. Riconosciuto, born September 4, 1952, was appointed Vice President of
Operations for the Consumer Packaging Division in January 2002. He was Vice
President and General Manager - Specialty Packaging Division from October 2000
to January 2002. Prior to that, he was Vice President and General Manager - Bag
Packaging Division since November 1998. He was Vice President and General
Manager - Industrial Bag and Specialty Packaging Division of Stone Container
from January 1997 to November 1998. From July 1995 to January 1997, he was Vice
President and General Manager of the Multiwall Group of Stone Container.
67
David C. Stevens, born August 11, 1934, has been Vice President and General
Manager - Smurfit Recycling Company since January 1993.
William N. Wandmacher, born September 27, 1942, has been Vice President and
General Manager - Containerboard Mill Division since November 1998, and held the
same position with Jefferson Smurfit since January 1993.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
----------------------
Information required in response to this item is set forth under the captions
"Executive Compensation", "Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive
Compensation" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation"
in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------
Information required in response to this item is set forth under the caption
"Principal Stockholders" in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
----------------------------------------------
Information required in response to this item is set forth under the caption
"Certain Transactions" in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by
reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
---------------------------------------------------------------
(a) (1) and (2) The list of Financial Statements and Financial
Statement Schedules required by this item is included in Item 8.
(3) Exhibits.
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 8, 2000, by and among Smurfit-Stone Container
Corporation ("SSCC"), SCC Merger Co. and Stone Container Corporation ("Stone") (incorporated by
reference to SSCC's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-43656)).
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3(a) to SSCC's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-65431)).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation.
4.1 Certificate for Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's Common Stock (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.3 to SSCC's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-57085)).
4.2 Form of Certificate of Designation establishing the terms of
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's Series A Preferred Stock
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to SSCC's Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-43656)).
4.3 Certificate for Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to SSCC's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-43656)).
68
Indentures and other debt instruments with respect to long-term debt, none of
which exceeds 10 percent of the total assets of SSCC and its subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, are not filed herewith. The Registrant agrees to furnish a
copy of such documents to the Commission upon request.
10.1 Subscription Agreement among SSCC, Jefferson Smurfit Corporation (U.S.) ("JSC(U.S.)"), Container
Corporation of America and Smurfit International B.V. ("SIBV') (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.4 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1994).
10.2* Jefferson Smurfit Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to SSCC's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996).
10.3* Jefferson Smurfit Corporation Management Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to SSCC's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995).
10.4(a)* Jefferson Smurfit Corporation Amended and Restated 1992 Stock
Option Plan, dated as of May 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1997).
10.4(b)* Amendment of the Jefferson Smurfit Corporation Amended and Restated
1992 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3
to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1999).
10.5(a) Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 27,
2001, among SSCC, JSCE, Inc.("JSCE"), JSC(U.S.) and the financial
institutions signatory thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank and
Bankers Trust Company, as Senior Managing Agents and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.2 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2001).
10.5(b) Amendment No. 1 and Waiver, dated as of December 31, 2001, among SSCC, JSCE, JSC(U.S.), the financial
institutions party to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 27, 2001,
JPMorgan Chase Bank and Bankers Trust Company, as Senior Managing Agents, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as
Administrative Agent.
10.6(a) Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 23, 1995, among Jefferson
Smurfit Finance Corporation ("JS Finance") and Bank Brussels
Lambert, New York Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1995).
10.6(b) Depositary and Issuing and Paying Agent Agreement (Series A
Commercial Paper), dated as of February 23, 1995 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1995).
10.6(c) Depositary and Issuing and Paying Agent Agreement (Series B
Commercial Paper), dated as of February 23, 1995 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1995).
10.6(d) Receivables Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 23,
1995, among JSC(U.S.), as the Initial Servicer, and JS Finance, as
the Purchaser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to SSCC's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1995).
69
10.6(e) Liquidity Agreement, dated as of February 23, 1995, among JS
Finance, the financial institutions party thereto, as Banks,
Bankers Trust Company, as Facility Agent, and Bankers Trust
Company, as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.6 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1995).
10.6(f) Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement, dated as of February 23, 1995, among BT Securities Corporation,
Morgan Stanley & Co., JSC(U.S.) and JS Finance (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to SSCC's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995).
10.6(g) Addendum, dated March 6, 1995, to Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to SSCC's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995).
10.6(h) First Omnibus Amendment, dated as of March 31, 1996, to the
Receivables Purchase and Sale Agreement among JSC(U.S.), JS Finance
and the banks party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.3 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 1996).
10.6(i) Affiliate Receivables Sale Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1996,
between Smurfit Newsprint Corporation and SSCC (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 1996).
10.6(j) Amendment No. 2 to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 19, 1997, among JS Finance and Bank
Brussels Lambert, New York Branch and JSC(U.S.), as Servicer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.12(j) to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
10.6(k) Amendment No. 2 to the Receivables Purchase and Sale Agreement,
dated as of August 19, 1997, among JSC(U.S.), as the Seller and
Servicer, and JS Finance, as the Purchaser, Bankers Trust Company,
as Facility Agent, and Bank Brussels Lambert, New York Branch as
the Term Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(k) to
SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997).
10.6(l) Amendment No. 2 to the Liquidity Agreement, dated as of August 19,
1997, among JS Finance, Bankers Trust Company, as Facility Agent,
JSC(U.S.), as Servicer, Bank Brussels Lambert, New York Branch as
Term Bank and the financial institutions party thereto as Banks
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(l) to SSCC's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
10.6(m) Amendment No. 3 to the Liquidity Agreement, dated as of March 9,
2001, among JS Finance, Bankers Trust Company, as Facility Agent,
JSC(U.S.), as Servicer, Bank Brussels Lambert, New York Branch as
Term Bank and the financial institutions party thereto as Banks
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SSCC's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter year ended March 31, 2001).
10.7(a) Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2000,
among Stone, the financial institutions signatory thereto and The
Chase Manhattan Bank and Bankers Trust Company, as Agents, and
Bankers Trust Company as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Stone's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000).
10.7(b) Amendment No. 1, dated as of May 1, 2001, to the Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2000 among Stone,
the financial institutions signatory thereto, The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as Agent and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent,
70
Collateral Agent, Facing Agent and as Swingline Lender
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(b) to Stone's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001).
10.7(c) Amendment No. 2, Consent and Waiver, dated as of January 23, 2002,
among Stone, the financial institutions party to the Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2000, JPMorgan
Chase Bank and Bankers Trust Company, as Agents, and Bankers Trust
Company, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.1(c) to Stone's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001).
10.8(a) Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2000, among Stone, St. Laurent Paperboard, Inc. ("St. Laurent")
the financial institutions signatory thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Agent, Bankers Trust
Company, as Administrative Agent and Deutsche Bank Canada, as Canadian Administrative Agent
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Stone's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2000).
10.8(b) Amendment No. 1, dated as of May 1, 2001 to the Credit Agreement
dated as of May 31, 2000, among Stone, St. Laurent and the
financial institutions party to the Credit Agreement, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Agent, Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative
Agent, Collateral Agent and Facing Agent, and Deutsche Bank Canada,
as Canadian Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2(b) to Stone's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2001).
10.8(c) Amendment No. 2, Consent and Waiver, dated as of January 23, 2002,
among Stone, Smurfit-Stone Container Canada Inc., a corporation
amalgamated under the Canada Business Corporations Act, formerly
known as St. Laurent, the financial institutions party to the
Credit Agreement dated as of May 31, 2000, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as
Agent, Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent and
Collateral Agent, and Deutsche Bank Canada, as Canadian
Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2(c)
to Stone's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2001).
10.9* Consulting Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1996, by and between
James E. Terrill and JSC(U.S.) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.15 to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996).
10.10 Standstill Agreement, dated as of May 10, 1998, as amended, among
Jefferson Smurfit Group, plc, Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund
("MSLEF") and SSCC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to
SSCC's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-65431)).
10.11 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 10, 1998, among
MSLEF, SIBV, SSCC and the other parties identified on the signature
pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to SSCC's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-65431)).
10.12(a)* Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation 1998 Long -Term Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to SSCC's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998).
10.12(b)* First Amendment of the Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation 1998
Long -Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1999).
10.12(c)* Second Amendment of the Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation 1998
Long -Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2001).
71
10.12(d)* Third Amendment of the Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation 1998
Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2001).
10.13* Forms of Employment Security Agreements (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to SSCC's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-65431)).
10.14(a)* Stone Container Corporation 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by
reference to Appendix A to Stone's Proxy Statement dated as of
April 10, 1992).
10.14(b)* Amendment of the Stone Container Corporation 1993 Stock Option Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Stone's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999).
10.15(a)* Stone Container Corporation 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Stone's Proxy Statement
dated as of April 7, 1995).
10.15(b)* Amendment of the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Stone Container
Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Stone's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1999).
10.16* Management Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1993, by and
between SSCC, Smurfit Packaging Corporation and SNC (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998).
10.17* Management Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1993, by and
between SSCC and Smurfit Packaging Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.29 to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998).
10.18* Management Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1993, by and
between SSCC and Sequoia Pacific Voting Equipment, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to SSCC's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998).
10.19* Pension and Insurance Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1997, by
and between SSCC and Smurfit Packaging Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.31 to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998).
10.20* Pension and Insurance Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1997, by
and between SSCC and Smurfit Latin America, a division of Smurfit
Packaging Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32
to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998).
10.21(a) Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated October 1, 1999, by and
among Stone Receivables Corporation, as Transferor, Stone, as
Securer, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to Stone's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999).
10.21(b) Series 1999-1 Supplement, dated as of October 15, 1999, among Stone
Receivables Corporation, as Transferor, Stone, as Servicer, and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, under the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) to Stone's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1999).
72
10.21(c) Series 1999-2 Supplement, dated as of October 15, 1999, among Stone
Receivables Corporation, as Transferor, Stone, as Servicer, and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, under the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) to Stone's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1999).
10.21(d) Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated October 15, 1999, between
Stone, as Seller and Stone Receivables Corporation, as Purchaser
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(d) to Stone's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999).
10.22(a) Purchase and Sale Agreement, effective as of July 28, 1999, between Rayonier, Inc. and JSC(U.S.)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to JSCE's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 25,
1999).
10.22(b) First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 21, 1999, between Rayonier, Inc. and
JSC(U.S.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to JSCE's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
October 25, 1999).
10.23 Pre-Merger Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2000, among SSCC,
Stone, 3038727 Nova Scotia Company and St. Laurent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.2 to SSCC's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated February 23, 2000).
10.24* Employment Agreement for Ray M. Curran (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.27 to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1999).
10.25* Consulting Agreement dated as of January 4, 2002 by and between Ray M. Curran and Smurfit-Stone
Container Corporation.
10.26* Letter Agreement dated January 4, 2002 by and between Ray M. Curran and Smurfit-Stone Container
Corporation.
10.27* Employment Agreement for Patrick J. Moore (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.28 to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999).
10.28* Employment Agreement of Joseph J. Gurandiano (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SSCC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2000).
10.29* Employment Agreement of William N. Wandmacher (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to SSCC's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000).
10.30* Employment Agreement of F. Scott Macfarlane (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.32 to SSCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2000).
10.31 Asset Acquisition and Plan of Reorganization Agreement as of
January 18, 2002, by and between Smurfit Packaging Corporation and
SSCC.
21.1 Subsidiaries of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation.
23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors.
24.1 Powers of Attorney.
*Indicates a management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.
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(b) Report on Form 8-K.
There were no Form 8-K filings during the three months ended December 31, 2001.
Form 8-K dated January 4, 2002 was filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in connection with the announcement that Patrick J. Moore was elected
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Smurfit-Stone Container
Corporation, succeeding Ray M. Curran, who retired from his corporate positions
and the Board of Directors.
Form 8-K dated January 29, 2002 was filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in connection the announcement of earnings for the year ended
December 31, 2001.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
DATE March 6, 2002 SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
------------- -----------------------------------
(Registrant)
BY /s/ Charles A. Hinrichs
-----------------------------------
Charles A. Hinrichs
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in
the capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
* Chairman of the Board
- ---------------------------------- and Director
Michael W. J. Smurfit
* President and Chief Executive Officer
- ---------------------------------- and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Patrick J. Moore
/s/ Charles A. Hinrichs Vice President and Chief Financial.. March 6, 2002
- ---------------------------------- Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Charles A. Hinrichs
/s/ Paul K. Kaufmann Vice President and Corporate Controller March 6, 2002
- --------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer)
Paul K. Kaufmann
* Director
- ----------------------------------
Leigh J. Abramson
* Director
- ----------------------------------
Alan E. Goldberg
* Director
- ----------------------------------
Howard E. Kilroy
* Director
- ----------------------------------
James J. O'Connor
* Director
- ----------------------------------
Jerry K. Pearlman
* Director
- ----------------------------------
Thomas A. Reynolds, III
* Director
- ----------------------------------
Dermot F. Smurfit
* Director
- ----------------------------------
Anthony P. J. Smurfit
*By /s/ Charles A. Hinrichs pursuant to Powers of Attorney filed
- ---------------------------------- as a part of the Form 10-K.
Charles A. Hinrichs
75