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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission file number 0-14450

AEP Industries Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Indicate by check mark whether the 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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No o

        Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Item 1. Financial Statements

AEP INDUSTRIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these consolidated balance sheets.

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except per share data)

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(1)    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

        The consolidated financial information included herein has been prepared by the Company without audit, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission.

        The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AEP Industries Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial position as of January 31, 2003, and the results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2003 and 2002, have been made. The results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2003, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

        Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.

        Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2002.

(2)    Earnings Per Share (EPS)

        Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The number of shares used in such computation for the three months ended January 31, 2003 and 2002, was 7,887,718 and 7,797,980, respectively. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted to reflect potentially dilutive securities (options). The number of shares used in such computation for the three months ended January 31, 2003 and 2002, was 7,887,718 and 7,810,462, respectively. The computation of diluted EPS includes 12,482 incremental shares for options outstanding for the three months ended January 31, 2002. At January 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company had 300,379 and 277,747 of stock options outstanding that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in future periods that were not included in diluted earnings per share because their effect on the period presented was anti-dilutive.

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(3)    Inventories

        Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (last-in, first-out method for domestic operations and first-in, first-out method for foreign operations and for supplies) or market, include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs and are comprised of the following:

        The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method was used for determining the cost of approximately 50% and 52% of total inventories at January 31, 2003 and October 31, 2002, respectively. Inventories would have been increased by $345,000 and $1.9 million at January 31, 2003 and October 31, 2002, respectively, if the FIFO method had been used exclusively. Because of the Company's continuous manufacturing process, there is no significant work in process at any point in time.

(4)    Other Income (Expense)

        For the three months ended January 31, 2003 and 2002, other income (expense) consists of the following:

(5)    Segment Information

        The Company's operations are conducted within one business segment, the production, manufacture and distribution of plastic packaging products, primarily for the food/beverage, industrial and agricultural markets. The Company operates in three geographical regions, North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

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        Information about the Company's operations by geographical area for the three months ended January 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, is as follows:

        Income from operations includes all costs and expenses directly related to the geographical area.

(6)    Derivative Instruments

        The Company operates internationally, giving rise to exposure to market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company to reduce these risks. The Company has established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company primarily enters into forward exchange contracts with terms that mirror the existing intercompany loans, which give rise to the foreign currency risk. These derivatives do not qualify as hedges and gains and losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company hedges third party commitments with cash flow hedges. At the inception of the hedge the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge and appropriate documentation is prepared. On an on going basis the Company assesses hedge effectiveness for all designated hedges in order to determine that each derivative continues to be effective.

        Effective November 1, 2000, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). SFAS 133, as amended by SFAS 138, requires that all derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts, be recognized in the financial statements and measured at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding them. For derivative instruments used as an economic hedge of existing foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities, the gain or loss on these derivatives is recorded immediately in earnings to offset the changes in the fair value of the assets or liabilities being hedged. For derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges of anticipated foreign currency denominated transactions, the effective portion of the gain or loss on these hedges is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity and is

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reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. If the transaction being hedged fails to occur, or if a portion of any derivative is ineffective, the gain or loss on the associated financial instrument is recorded immediately in earnings. At January 31, 2003, derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges by the Company with a notional contract amount of $24.4 million, resulted in a loss of $115,000, which is included in accrued expenses. At January 31, 2002, the net fair value of derivative financial instruments held by the Company was a gain of $1.1 million, which was recognized for the period in other current assets and was also reflected in shareholders' equity as a component of other comprehensive income.

(7)    Acquisition of Businesses

        On November 2, 2001, the Company acquired for approximately $9.3 million U.S. dollars (after working capital adjustments), all the shares of the New Zealand and Australian flexible packaging businesses of Visypak Operations PTY Limited ("Visypak") in order to expand market share in the Asia/Pacific region. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations include the results of these transactions beginning November 2, 2001. Immediately following the transaction, the Company combined its Liquipac (bag-in-box) business with the liquibag systems business, which was part of the businesses it had acquired from Visypak, and sold 49.9% of the new company to DS Smith (UK) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DS Smith, Plc., for approximately $8.9 million, resulting in a net gain of approximately $7 million. The venture is being operated in coordination with DS Smith's worldwide "Rapak" business. The Company does not have an effective controlling voting interest in this venture and as a result accounts for its investment under the equity method at January 31, 2003.

        A summary of the transactions is outlined below:

        The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 141 "Business Combinations" and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition.

(8)    Recently Adopted Statements of Financial Accounting Standards

        In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" ("SFAS No. 143"). SFAS No. 143 requires the Company to record the fair value of an asset retirement

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obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from acquisitions, construction, development and/or normal use of assets. The Company also records a corresponding asset, which is depreciated over the life of the asset. Subsequent to the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the obligation will be adjusted at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time and changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation. The Company adopted SFAS No. 143 on November 1, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

        In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS No. 144"). SFAS No. 144 addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. This Statement requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. SFAS No. 144 requires companies to separately report discontinued operations and extends that reporting to a component of an entity that either has been disposed of (by sale, abandonment, or a distribution to owners) or is classified as held for sale. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company adopted SFAS No. 144 on November 1, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have an effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

        In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS No. 146") and nullifies EITF Issue No. 94-3. SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred, whereas EITF No. 94-3 had recognized the liability at the commitment date to an exit plan. The Company is required to adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 146 effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have an effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

(9)    Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

        In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure" ("SFAS No. 148"), an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. SFAS No. 148 amends FASB No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", to provide alternative methods of transition for any entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures about the effects on reported net income of an entity's accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 also amends APB Opinion No. 28, "Interim Financial Reporting," to require disclosures about those effects in interim financial information beginning with the company's first quarter ended January 31, 2003. The other are effective for the Company's 2004 fiscal year. The Company currently accounts for its stock-based compensation awards to employees and directors under the accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25

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and related interpretations and provides the disclosures required by SFAS No. 123. The Company expects to continue to account for its stock-based compensation awards to employees and directors under the accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and has adopted the additional disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148 effective November 1, 2002.

        The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

        Had compensation expense, net of income taxes, for all stock option grants in fiscal years 2003 and 2002 been determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net loss and loss per share would have been as follows:

(10)    Commitment and Contingencies

        The Company is involved in routine litigation in the normal course of its business. Such proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

        The Company's Holland subsidiary has been served by the European Commission with a notice to produce various documents and other evidence relating to its investigation of a possible violation of European Competition Law by the subsidiary. The Company is cooperating with the European Commission in its investigation. At this time, no litigation is pending against the Company involving this matter and the Company is not in a position to evaluate the outcome of this investigation. However, there can be no assurance that, in the event the European Commission serves a Statement of Objections instituting a proceeding against the Company's Holland subsidiary which results in a fine being assessed, that the amount of the fine would not be material.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

        Our primary business is the manufacturing and marketing of plastic films for use in the packaging, transportation, beverage, food, automotive, pharmaceutical, chemical, electronics, construction, agricultural and textile industries. We currently have manufacturing operations located in nine countries in North America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific region. We manufacture plastic films principally from resins blended with other raw materials. We may either sell the film or further process it by metallizing, printing, laminating, slitting or converting it. Our processing technologies enable us to create a variety of value-added products according to the specifications of our customers.

        Resin costs generally average between 60% and 65% of the cost of goods sold. Since resin costs typically fluctuate, selling prices are generally determined as a "spread" over resin costs, usually expressed as cents per pound. Accordingly, costs and profits are most often expressed in cents per pound, and, with certain exceptions, the historical increases and decreases in resin costs have generally been reflected over a period of time in the sales prices of the products on a penny for penny basis. Assuming a constant volume of sales, an increase in resin costs should, therefore, result in increased sales revenues but lower gross profit as a percentage of sales or gross profit margin, while a decrease in resin costs should result in lower sales revenues with higher gross profit margins. As a result of frequent increases in resin prices during latter part of fiscal 2002, customer resistance and competitive pressure, we were not able to pass all of these increases to our customer during the three months ended January 31, 2003, and this adversely affected our revenue, gross profit and earnings. There can be no assurance that we will be able to pass on resin price increases on a penny for penny basis in the future.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended January 31, 2003, as Compared to Three Months Ended January 31, 2002

Net Sales and Gross Profit

        Net sales for the three months ended January 31, 2003, increased by $21.2 million, or 14.3% to $169.8 million from $148.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2002. Excluding the positive impact of foreign exchange, worldwide net sales increased 8.6% for the 2003 first quarter. Net sales in North America increased to $104.1 million during the 2003 period from $89.5 million during the 2002 period, primarily due to an 11.1% increase in sales volume and a 4.7% increase in per unit average selling prices. This increase in average selling prices can be attributable to higher raw material costs, primarily resin, which were in place at the end of fiscal 2002 and were partially passed through to our customers during the current fiscal quarter because of the competitive market place. Net sales in Europe increased $4.2 million to $39.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $35.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2002, primarily due to positive impact of foreign exchange and an increase of 3.8% in volume sold, partially offset by a slight decrease in local currency average selling prices. Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased $2.4 million to $26.2 million during the 2003 period from $23.7 million for the 2002 period, primarily due to positive impact of foreign exchange, increase in average selling prices which resulted from product mix as well as increased raw material costs. These increases were offset by a decrease of 4.2% in sales volume compared to same period in fiscal 2002.

        Gross profit for the three months ended January 31, 2003, was $28.9 million compared to $31.6 million for the three months ended January 31, 2002. Gross profit in North America decreased 7.3% to $21.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2003, as a result of higher raw material costs, primarily resin, which were not fully passed through to our customers in the highly competitive market place. Gross profit in Europe decreased 32.3% to $3.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2003 from $5.7 million for the three months ended January 31,2002. This decrease can be attributed to the continuing general economic pressures of the region, the competitive marketplace and

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the inability to pass through all resin cost increases from the prior fiscal quarter. Asia/Pacific gross profit for the three months ended January 31, 2003, increased to $3.2 million from $2.4 million from the like period in the prior fiscal year. This increase was a result of change of sales mix to higher gross margin products which was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume.

Operating Expenses

        Operating expenses for the three months ended January 31, 2003, were $25.9 million an increase of $2.6 million, or 11.3% from $23.3 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Delivery expenses increased by $640,000 in the current period to $8.5 million from $7.8 million in the same period in the prior year, primarily due to an overall 8.0% increase in worldwide sales volume, which increased our third party delivery costs. Selling expenses increased by $1.1 million to $10.5 million from $9.4 million in the same period in the prior fiscal year. This increase can be primarily attributed to commissions paid on the increased sales volume on units sold during the period in combination with increases in travel and advertising costs. General and administrative expenses increased by $867,000 to $6.9 million from $6.1 million in the same period in the prior fiscal year. This general increase was not attributable to any item in any one area.

Interest Expense, Net

        Interest expense, net for the three months ended January 31, 2003, was $6.3 million compared to $6.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2002. This decrease in interest expense resulted from lower average interest rates paid during the current period partially offset by higher average debt outstanding for the three months ended January 31, 2003.

Other Income (Expense)

        Other income (expense) for the three months ended January 31, 2003, amounted to a $1.3 million expense for the period, an increase of $1.1 million from $228,000 in the comparable prior year period. This amount included foreign currency transaction losses of $1.1 million realized during the current period versus losses of $172,000 in the prior year. The Company also recorded a loss on its investment in its joint venture of $196,000 for the current period, which was partially offset by gains on sales of equipment of $23,000.

Gain on Sale of Interest in Subsidiary

        On November 2, 2001, we acquired all of the shares of the New Zealand and Australian flexible packaging businesses of Visypak Operations PTY Limited ("Visypak") for approximately $9.3 million U.S. dollars. Immediately following the acquisition, we combined our Liquipac (bag-in-a-box) business with the liquibag systems business we had acquired from Visypak in a new company and sold 49.9% of the new company to DS Smith (UK) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DS Smith, Plc., for $8.9 million, resulting in a gain of approximately $7 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        We have historically financed our operations through cash flow generated from operations and borrowings by us and our subsidiaries under various credit facilities. Our principal uses of cash have been to fund working capital, including operating expenses, debt service and capital expenditures.

        Our working capital amounted to $50.8 million at January 31, 2003, compared to $46.6 million at October 31, 2002. This $4.2 million increase in working capital is primarily the result of the weakening of the United States dollar during the three months ended January 31, 2003, which increased translated working capital balances of our foreign subsidiaries. The remaining increases and decreases in

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components of our net working capital reflect the higher raw material costs associated with the operating activity for the period.

        On November 20, 2001, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with Congress Financial Corporation, as agent, and the financial institutions named in the agreement, as Lenders. Under this new credit facility the Lenders provided a maximum credit facility of $85 million, including a letter of credit facility of up to $20 million. Amounts available for borrowing are based upon the sum of eligible domestic values of buildings and equipment at the closing date and eligible accounts receivable and inventories on a monthly basis. The new credit facility is secured by mortgages and liens on our domestic assets and on 66% of our equity ownership in certain foreign subsidiaries. The agreement contains customary covenants, including limitations on the incurrence of debt, the disposition of assets and the making of restricted payments. If the loan's excess availability is less than $20.0 million, the Company must meet minimum EBITDA requirements. If the loan's excess availability is less than $10.0 million, the Company is subject to further restrictions including limitations on inter-company funding. Interest payable under this facility is based upon LIBOR plus a range of 2.25% to 3.00%. As of January 31, 2003, there was $51.3 million outstanding at 3.84% under this credit facility with additional availability of $22.5 million. This credit facility expires in November 2006 and is expected to be refinanced at that time.

        We maintain various credit facilities at our foreign subsidiaries. At January 31, 2003, the aggregate amount outstanding under such facilities was $26.1 million of which $16.9 million is secured by various assets of the foreign subsidiaries. There was $6.5 million additional availability under these facilities at January 31, 2003. Borrowings under these facilities are used to support operations at such subsidiaries and are generally serviced by local cash flow from operations.

        Our cash and cash equivalents were $1.6 million at January 31, 2003, as compared to $2.7 million at October 31, 2002. Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended January 31, 2003, was $14.3 million, primarily due to a net loss for the period of $4.2 million, increases in accounts receivable and inventories (net of provision for losses) of $7.8 million, in deferred tax assets of $.7 million, increases in other current and long term assets of $3.0 million and reductions in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $7.2 million. These uses were offset by depreciation and amortization of $7.8 million, an increase in long-term liabilities of $0.7 million and a joint venture loss for the period of $0.2 million. In each period, the net decreases in other operating assets and liabilities reflect normal operating activity.

        Net cash used in investing activities during the three months ended January 31, 2003, was $5.3 million, resulting primarily from investment in buildings, machinery and equipment.

        Net cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended January 31, 2003, was $27.3 million, reflecting net borrowings of $24.0 million under available credit facilities, net proceeds from capital leases of 3.1 million and proceeds from stock issuances of $0.2 million.

        The remaining increases and decreases in the components of our financial position reflect normal operating activity.

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        The Company's aggregate commitments under its Loan Agreement, Senior Subordinated Debentures, and foreign borrowings and non-cancelable operating lease agreements as of January 31, 2003 are as follows:

(1)

The Company expects to refinance this debt during fiscal year 2007.

        The Company knows of no current or pending demands or commitments that will materially affect its liquidity.

        We believe that our cash flow from operations, combined with the availability of funds under the new credit facility and credit lines available to our foreign subsidiaries for local currency borrowings will be sufficient to meet our working capital, capital expenditure and debt service requirements for the foreseeable future.

Effects of Inflation

        Inflation is not expected to have significant impact on our business.

Contingencies

        The Company's Holland subsidiary has been served by the European Commission with a notice to produce various documents and other evidence relating to its investigation of a possible violation of European Competition Law by the subsidiary. The Company is cooperating with the European Commission in its investigation. At this time, no litigation is pending against the Company involving this matter and the Company is not in a position to evaluate the outcome of this investigation. However, there can be no assurance that, in the event the European Commission serves a Statement of Objections instituting a proceeding against the Company's Holland subsidiary which results in a fine being assessed, that the amount of the fine would not be material.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Management's discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements 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 amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to customer incentives, product returns, doubtful accounts, inventories, investments, intangible assets, income taxes, financing operations, retirement benefits, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgements on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgements about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or

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conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgements and estimates used in preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

•

Revenue recognition, including customer rebates, promotions and other incentive programs



•

Estimating valuation allowances and accrued liabilities, specifically the allowance for doubtful accounts, reserves for obsolete or potentially obsolete inventories, LIFO valuations and litigation accruals



•

Accounting for income taxes and estimating the realizability of deferred tax assets



•

Derivative instruments—cash flow hedges



•

Purchase accounting and valuation of investment in joint venture



•

Impairment of long-lived assets

        The Company recognizes sales and cost of sales at the time the product is shipped to the customer and records estimated reductions to revenue for customer rebates, promotions or other incentive programs. If market conditions were to decline, the Company may take actions to increase customer incentive programs, thus resulting in a reduction of gross sales and profit at the time the incentive is offered.

        Management estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts by analyzing accounts receivable balances by age, applying historical trend rates to the most recent 60 months' sales, less account write-offs to date. When it is deemed probable that a customer account is uncollectable, that balance is added to the calculated reserve. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions.

        Management reviews its physical inventories at each business unit to determine the obsolescence of the products on hand. When the Company determines it has some obsolete inventory, our North America operations scrap those inventory items and our international operations establish the appropriate reserve for these items. The Company maintains its United States inventory on the LIFO method of inventory valuation, except for supplies. The LIFO valuation is reviewed quarterly for net realizable value and adjusted accordingly.

        Management's current estimated ranges of liabilities related to pending litigation are based on management's best estimate of future costs. Final resolution of the litigation contingencies could result in amounts different from current accruals and, therefore, have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial results in a future reporting period. The Company is involved in routine litigation in the normal course of its business and these proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

        Management accounts for income taxes in accordance SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS No. 109"). Under SFAS No. 109, an asset and liability approach is required. Such approach results in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. As part of the process of preparing the Company's consolidated financial statements, management is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

        The realizability of the Company's deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on the future taxable income of the entity to which the deferred tax asset relates. Management assesses the likelihood that such deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent management

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believes that recovery is not likely, a valuation allowance must be established. Should the future taxable income of such entities be materially different from management's estimates an additional valuation allowance may be necessary in future periods. Such future amounts, if necessary, could be material to our results of operations and financial position.

        The Company operates internationally, giving rise to exposure to market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company to reduce these risks. The Company has established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company primarily enters into forward exchange contracts with terms that mirror the existing intercompany loans, which give rise to the foreign currency risk. These derivatives do not qualify as hedges and gains and losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company hedges third party commitments with cash flow hedges. At the inception of the hedge the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge and appropriate documentation is prepared. On an on going basis the Company assesses hedge effectiveness for all designated hedges in order to determine that each derivative continues to be effective.

        The acquisition of Visypak in November 2001 was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based upon the estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition. We formed a New Zealand company, Rapak Asia Pacific Ltd. ("Rapak") and sold 49.9% of the venture to DS Smith as part of a joint venture agreement for the operation of Rapak. Rapak acquired the "bag-in-box" business conducted by Visy in New Zealand and Australia, and we transferred our New Zealand Liquipac business to Rapak. Since the Company does not have an effective controlling voting interest in this venture, it has accounted for its investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company records its equity in the income or losses of this investee based upon the best information available as of the date of the financial statements. Adjustments, if any, to these amounts are made in the period that such information becomes available.

        On November 1, 2001, the Company elected to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 142. As required by SFAS No. 142, the Company performs an annual assessment as to whether there was an indication that goodwill is impaired. In connection therewith, the Company determined that its operations represented one reporting unit and annually determines, if the reporting unit's fair value exceeds the reporting unit's book value. If the reporting units fair value is less than the carrying value, the Company will be required to perform additional impairment tests. The Company performs its impairment test each September 30 and should the Company's carrying value exceed its fair value, the amount of any resulting in goodwill impairment may be material to the Company's financial position and results of operations. The Company assesses impairment of its other long-lived assets, primarily property, plant and equipment, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144.

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Forward Looking Statements

        Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations and other sections of this report contain "Forward Looking Statements" about prospects for the future, such as our ability to generate sufficient working capital, our ability to continue to maintain sales and profits of our operations and our ability to generate sufficient funds to meet our cash requirements. We wish to caution readers that the assumptions which form the basis for forward-looking statements with respect to, or that may impact earnings for the year ending October 31, 2003, include many factors that are beyond our ability to control or estimate precisely. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, availability of raw materials, ability to pass raw material price increases to customers in a timely fashion, the potential of technological changes which would adversely affect the need for our products, price fluctuations which could adversely impact our inventory, and changes in United States or international economic or political conditions, such as inflation or fluctuations in interest or foreign exchange rates. Parties are cautioned not to rely on any such forward-looking statements or judgments in this section and in other parts of this report.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

        The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition. The Company seeks to minimize these risks through operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company does not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rates

        The Company may use interest rate swaps, collars and options to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. At January 31, 2003, the Company was not a party to any interest rate swaps, collars or options.

        The fair value of the Company's fixed interest rate debt varies with changes in interest rates. Generally, the fair value of fixed rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. At January 31, 2003, the carrying value of the Company's total debt was $279.9 million of which approximately $202.5 million was fixed rate debt.

        As of January 31, 2003, the estimated fair value of the Company's fixed rate debt, which includes the cost of replacing the Company's fixed rate debt with borrowings at current market rates, was approximately $181.8 million.

Foreign Exchange

        The Company enters into derivative financial instruments (principally foreign exchange forward contracts against the Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar) primarily to hedge intercompany transactions and trade sales and purchases. Foreign currency forward contracts reduce the Company's exposure to the risk that the eventual cash inflows and outflows, resulting from these intercompany and third party trade transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.

        As of January 31, 2003, the Company had foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding with a notional contract amount of $136.9 million, all of which have a maturity of less than one year. At January 31, 2003, derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges by the Company with a notional contract amount of $24.4 million, resulted in a loss of $115,000, which is included in accrued expenses. At January 31, 2002, the net fair value of derivative financial instruments held by the Company was a gain of $1.1 million, which was recognized for the period in other current assets and was also reflected in shareholders' equity as a component of other comprehensive income.

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        The Company's foreign subsidiaries had third party outstanding debt of approximately $26.1 million and $15.2 million on January 31, 2003 and October 31, 2002, respectively. Such debt is generally denominated in the functional currency of the borrowing subsidiary. The Company believes that this enables it to better match operating cash flows with debt service requirements and to better match foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities, thereby reducing its need to enter into foreign exchange contracts.

Commodities

        The Company uses commodity raw materials, primarily resin, and energy products in conjunction with its manufacturing process. Generally, the Company acquires such components at market prices and does not use financial instruments to hedge commodity prices. As a result, the Company is exposed to market risks related to changes in commodity prices in connection with these components.

Risk Factors

        You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties we describe both above and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2002, before deciding to invest in, or retain, shares of our common stock. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not currently know about or that we currently believe are immaterial, or that we have not predicted, may also harm our business operations or adversely affect us. If any of these risks or uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

        The Company is involved in routine litigation in the normal course of its business. The proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

Exhibits:

(a)

Exhibit 11—Computation of weighted average number of shares outstanding. Pages 23



(b)

Exhibit 99-1—Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 903 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pages 24-25

Reports on Form 8-K:

        Current Reports on Form 8-K: None

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements 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.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 302 CERTIFICATIONS

I, J. Brendan Barba, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AEP Industries Inc. (the "Company") for the three months ended January 31, 2003;



2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;



3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;



4.

The Company's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:



a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;



b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and



c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;




5.

The Company's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the Company's auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):



a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and



b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls; and




6.

The Company's other Global certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

21

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 302 CERTIFICATIONS

I, Paul M. Feeney, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AEP Industries Inc. (the "Company") for the three months ended January 31, 2003;



2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;



3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;



4.

The Company's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:



a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;



b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and



c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;




5.

The Company's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the Company's auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):



a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and



b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls; and




6.

The Company's other Global certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

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QuickLinks

Item 1. Financial Statements

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K