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Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number: 333-42201

 


 

BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Virginia   06-0980835

(State or other jurisdiction of

Incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

10026 Old Ridge Road

Ashland, VA

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

23005

(Zip Code)

 

(804) 227-3394

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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 (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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Not Applicable.

 



Table of Contents

BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.

INDEX

 

     Page(s)

Part I.      Financial Information

    

Item 1.      Financial Statements

    

Condensed Balance Sheets

   1

Condensed Statements of Operations

   2

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

   3

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

   4

Item 2.

    

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   6

Item 3.

    

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   8

Item 4.

    

Controls and Procedures

   8

Part II.      Other Information

    

Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   9

Signatures

   10

Certifications

   11


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     September 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (Unaudited)        
ASSETS                 

Current assets:

                

Cash and short-term investments

   $ 3,600,648     $ 2,532,451  

Accounts receivable, net

     13,288,715       10,444,056  

Inventories, net

     11,262,584       10,910,630  

Other current assets

     660,277       942,818  
    


 


Total current assets

     28,812,224       24,829,955  

Property, plant and equipment

     230,250,420       228,745,231  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (76,888,967 )     (67,423,680 )
    


 


Net property, plant and equipment

     153,361,453       161,321,551  
    


 


Deferred financing costs, net

     4,056,773       4,011,061  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 186,230,450     $ 190,162,567  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY                 

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 14,727,242     $ 13,913,297  

Accrued interest payable

     3,961,871       840,718  

Capital lease obligations

     48,636       37,184  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     18,737,749       14,791,199  

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     139,146,892       141,662,187  
    


 


Total liabilities

     157,884,641       156,453,386  
    


 


Member’s equity:

                

Contributed capital

     94,581,074       94,581,074  

Accumulated deficit

     (66,235,265 )     (60,871,893 )
    


 


Total member’s equity

     28,345,809       33,709,181  
    


 


Total liabilities and member’s equity

   $ 186,230,450     $ 190,162,567  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.

 

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BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Three months ended September 30,

    Nine months ended September 30,

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net sales

   $ 29,584,848     $ 22,864,915     $ 89,913,233     $ 74,502,731  

Cost of sales

     27,008,591       25,009,541       84,149,459       78,462,233  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit (loss)

     2,576,257       (2,144,626 )     5,763,774       (3,959,502 )

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

                                

Management fees to Brant-Allen

     (280,077 )     (215,899 )     (850,478 )     (700,715 )

Other

     58,908       (103,999 )     (41,816 )     (171,939 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from operations

     2,355,088       (2,464,524 )     4,871,480       (4,832,156 )

Other income (deductions):

                                

Interest expense

     (3,385,178 )     (3,401,936 )     (10,244,855 )     (10,168,985 )

Other income

     5,527       2,109       10,003       720,530  
    


 


 


 


Net (loss)

   $ (1,024,563 )   $ (5,864,351 )   $ (5,363,372 )   $ (14,280,611 )
    


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.

 

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BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine months ended September 30,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Operating activities:

                

Net (loss)

   $ (5,363,372 )   $ (14,280,611 )

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation and depletion

     9,466,456       9,281,238  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     737,918       533,020  

(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     12,413       (1,600 )

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     (2,844,659 )     2,809,947  

Inventory

     (351,954 )     (1,713,481 )

Other current assets

     282,541       (37,646 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     813,945       2,327,386  

Accrued interest payable

     3,121,153       2,393,603  
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities

     5,874,441       1,311,856  
    


 


Investment activities:

                

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (1,521,940 )     (5,461,465 )

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

     3,169       10,334  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,518,771 )     (5,451,131 )
    


 


Financing activities:

                

Proceeds from issuance of debt

     1,000,000       4,625,000  

Payment of long-term debt

     (3,500,000 )     —    

Payment of deferred financing costs

     (783,630 )     —    

Proceeds from capital lease

     23,317       —    

Payment of capital lease

     (27,160 )     —    
    


 


Net cash (used by) provided by financing activities

     (3,287,473 )     4,625,000  
    


 


Net increase in cash and short term investments

     1,068,197       485,725  

Cash and short-term investments, beginning of period

     2,532,451       562,173  
    


 


Cash and short-term investments, end of period

   $ 3,600,648     $ 1,047,898  
    


 


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                

Non cash investing and financing activities:

                

Accounts payable for purchase of equipment

   $ —       $ 1,145,976  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.

 

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BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

1. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed financial statements of Bear Island Paper Company, L.L.C. (the “Company”) contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 and the Company’s condensed results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 as well as the Company’s condensed cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2003 Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2004, as amended on May 13, 2004 (the “Annual Report”). The December 31, 2003 balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.

 

The results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004 should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

 

2. The Company incurred net losses of $5,363,372 and $17,975,219 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $66,235,265 at September 30, 2004. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis that contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

 

In the past Brant-Allen Industries, Inc. (“Brant-Allen”) made subordinated loans to the Company aggregating $15 million. In December 2003 recognizing the Company’s need for additional equity capital, Brant-Allen converted these loans to equity. Although not legally committed, Brant-Allen has indicated its willingness to continue to support the Company. On January 5, 2004, the Company fully drew down its available borrowings under the Company’s 6-year Senior Secured Reducing Revolving Credit Facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) in connection with the refinancing of the Facility. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had $3.5 million of additional borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company also has the ability to access approximately $6.7 million of additional capital equipment financing through the use of certain leasing options. Based on current market conditions, management anticipates being able to meet liquidity requirements for 2004; however, there exists a range of reasonably possible outcomes which could significantly impact the ability to achieve the aforementioned.

 

3. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brant-Allen Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

A component of selling, general and administrative expenses as shown on the statements of operations includes aggregate management fees charged by Brant-Allen. The management fees payable to Brant-Allen are calculated pursuant to the Management Services Agreement and constitute 1% of the Company’s net sales.

 

There are also certain restrictions on distributions paid to Brant-Allen. Distributions are allowed for a portion of profits in excess of certain amounts.

 

4. No provision for income taxes is required in the financial statements since each member of the parent Company is individually liable for any income tax that may be payable on the Company’s taxable income.

 

5. Finished goods and raw materials inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Stores inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market.

 

Inventories consisted of:

 

     September 30, 2004

   December 31, 2003

Raw materials

   $ 1,820,376    $ 1,859,434

Stores

     6,970,893      6,610,980

Finished goods

     2,471,315      2,440,216
    

  

     $ 11,262,584    $ 10,910,630
    

  

 

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BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

6. Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of:

 

     September 30, 2004

   December 31, 2003

Senior Secured Notes

   $ 100,000,000    $ 100,000,000

Term Loan Facility

     17,444,121      17,444,121

Revolving Credit Facility

     21,500,000      24,000,000

Capital lease obligations

     251,407      255,250
    

  

       139,195,528      141,699,371

Less current portion

     48,636      37,184
    

  

Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations

   $ 139,146,892    $ 141,662,187
    

  

 

On January 5, 2004, the Bank Credit Facility was refinanced with a financial lending institution at a rate of Libor plus a margin of 5.0%. This margin is adjustable downward upon the achievement in the future of certain financial operating results. See Fourth Amendment to the Bank Credit Agreement dated January 5, 2004 (the “Amendment”), filed as Exhibit 10.1d to the Company’s Annual Report. The Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility mature on September 30, 2007.

 

7. The Company’s receivables and payables with their affiliates were as follow:

 

     September 30, 2004

    December 31, 2003

 

Due to Brant-Allen

   $ (2,747,864 )   $ (2,374,742 )

Due from Newsprint Sales

     867,022       75,279  

Due from F.F. Soucy, Inc. and Partners

     36,217       27,914  

Due to F.F. Soucy, Inc.

     (117,867 )     (640,442 )

Due to Timberlands Company, L.L.C.

     (459,135 )     (459,185 )

 

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ITEM 2.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors affecting the results of operations of the Company during the periods included in the accompanying condensed statements of operations and the changes in the Company’s financial condition since December 31, 2003.

 

General:

 

The Company manufactures and is dependent on one product, newsprint, which is used in general printing and the newspaper publishing industry and for advertising circulars. Accordingly, demand for newsprint fluctuates with the economy, newspaper circulation and purchases of advertising lineage which significantly impacts the Company’s selling price of newsprint and, therefore, its revenues and profitability. In addition, variation in the balance between supply and demand as a result of global capacity additions have an increasing impact on both selling prices and inventory levels in the North American markets. Capacity is typically added in large blocks because of the scale of new newsprint machines.

 

As a result, the newsprint market is highly cyclical, depending on changes in global supply, demand and inventory levels. These factors significantly impact the Company’s sales volume and newsprint prices and, therefore, the Company’s revenues and profitability. Given the commodity nature of newsprint, the Company, like other suppliers to this market, has little influence over the timing and extent of price changes. Sales are recognized at the time of shipment from the Company’s mill. However, significant fluctuations in revenue can and do occur as a result of the timing of shipments caused by increases and decreases in mill inventory levels.

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004, COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

Net sales increased by $6.7 million, or 29%, to $29.6 million in the third quarter of 2004, from $22.9 million in the third quarter of 2003. This increase was attributable to a 19% increase in sales volumes and a 9% increase in the average net selling price of the Company’s products. The volume of tonnage sold for the third quarter of 2004 was 56,700 metric tons (“tonnes”) compared to the third quarter of 2003 volume of 47,550 tonnes. The Company’s net selling price for newsprint increased to an average of $522 per tonne in the third quarter of 2004 from an average of $479 per tonne in the third quarter of 2003.

 

Cost of sales increased by $2.0 million, or 8%, to $27.0 million in the third quarter of 2004 from $25.0 million in the third quarter of 2003. Higher production volumes increased total manufacturing costs, however, unit cost of manufacturing in dollars per tonne decreased by 10%. Distributing fixed costs over a greater production volume helped reduce unit cost of production. This was partially offset by a 37% increase in the cost of ONP in the third quarter of 2004. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 91% in the third quarter of 2004, from 110% in the third quarter of 2003, due to the net decrease in unit costs of manufacturing partially offset by the increase in newsprint selling prices as noted above.

 

The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.1 million or 33%, to $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2004 from $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2003. This decrease was attributable to a $0.2 million gain on the sale of previously written off accounts receivable balance, offset by a 30% increase in the management fee paid to Brant-Allen due to the increase in net sales as stated above.

 

As a result of the above factors, income from operations increased by $4.9 million to $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2004 from a loss of $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2003.

 

The Company’s interest expense for the third quarter of 2004 and the third quarter of 2003 was $3.4 million.

 

As a result of the above factors, the Company reported a net loss of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared to net loss of $5.9 million in the third quarter of 2003.

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004, COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

Net sales increased by $15.4 million, or 21%, to $89.9 million in the first nine months of 2004, from $74.5 million in the first nine months of 2003. This increase was attributable to a 9% increase in sales volumes and an 11% increase in the average net selling price of the Company’s products. The volume of tonnage sold for the first nine months of 2004 was 174,000 tonnes compared to the first nine months 2003 volume of 160,150 tonnes. The Company’s net selling price for newsprint increased to an average of $517 per tonne in the first nine months of 2004 from an average of $465 per tonne in the first nine months of 2003.

 

Cost of sales increased by $5.7 million, or 7%, to $84.1 million in the first nine months of 2004 from $78.4 million in the first nine months of 2003. Higher production volumes increased total manufacturing costs, however, unit cost of manufacturing in dollars per tonne decreased by 1%. This was partially offset by a 28% increase in the cost of ONP in the first nine months of 2004. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 94% in the nine months of 2004, from 105% in the nine months of 2003, primarily due to the net decrease in unit costs of manufacturing partially offset by the increase in newsprint selling prices in the nine months of 2004.

 

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The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses for the first nine months of 2004 and the first nine months of 2003 was $0.9 million.

 

As a result of the above factors, income from operations increased by $9.7 million to income of $4.9 million in the first nine months of 2004 from a net loss of $4.8 million in the first nine months of 2003.

 

The Company’s interest expense for the first nine months of 2004 and the first nine months of 2003 was $10.2 million.

 

Other income decreased by $0.7 million to $0.0 million in the first nine months of 2004 from $0.7 million in the first nine months of 2003 as a result of an insurance recovery gain on an involuntary conversion arising from a fire in the Company’s recycling facility in 2003.

 

As a result of the above factors, the Company reported a net loss of $5.4 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared to net loss of $14.3 million in the first nine months of 2003.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources.

 

The Company’s principal liquidity requirements have been for working capital, capital expenditures and debt service under the Company’s Loan Agreements. These requirements have been met through cash flows from operations, loans under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility and/or additional funding from Brant-Allen.

 

The Company’s cash and short-term investments at September 30, 2004 were $3.6 million, representing an increase of $1.1 million from $2.5 million at December 31, 2003. Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Cash used by financing activities was $3.3 million and cash used in investing activities was $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The Company anticipates that cash provided from operations in the future combined with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and, if needed, funding from Brant-Allen will be sufficient to pay its operating expenses, satisfy debt-service obligations and fund capital expenditures.

 

In the nine months of 2004, the Company’s operating cash flow increased by $4.6 million to $5.9 million Provided by Operations in the nine months of 2004 from $1.3 million Provided by Operations in the first nine months of 2003, primarily due to higher selling prices of the Company’s products. As a result, net loss in the first nine months of 2004 decreased to $5.4 million from a net loss of $14.3 million in first nine months of 2003.

 

The Company made capital expenditures of $1.5 million and $5.5 million in the first nine months of 2004 and 2003, respectively, in connection with upgrading and maintaining its manufacturing facility. Management anticipates that the Company’s total capital expenditures for the balance of 2004 and 2005 will primarily relate to existing capital projects in progress and maintenance of its newsprint facilities.

 

At September 30, 2004, the Company had approximately $139.2 million of indebtedness, consisting of borrowings of $21.5 million under the Revolving Credit Facility, $17.4 million under the Term Loan Facility, $100 million under the Notes and $0.3 million under capital lease obligations. At September 30, 2004, there was $3.5 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

There have been no material changes in the information relating to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk that was provided in the Annual Report.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information relating to the Company required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

 

(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Effective April 25, 2004, Michael Conroy resigned from the Board of Directors and was replaced by Thomas M. Geiger.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

a)  

Exhibit 31.1 - Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

   

Exhibit 31.2 - Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

   

Exhibit 32.1 - Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

Exhibit 32.2 - Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)   A Form 8-K was filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2004 in connection with the Company’s announcement of its financial position and results of operations as of and for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004. The press release containing the announcement was attached as an exhibit to the Form 8-K.

 

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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, there unto duly authorized.

 

BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.

By:

 

/s/ Peter M. Brant


   

Peter M. Brant

   

President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

By:

 

/s/ Edward D. Sherrick


   

Edward D. Sherrick

   

Vice President of Finance

   

(Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

 

Dated November 8, 2004

 

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