Mercer International Inc. Reports 2013 Second Quarter Results

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq:MERC) (TSX:MRI.U) today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. Operating EBITDA* in the second quarter of 2013 was €14.0 million ($18.3 million), compared to €32.9 million ($42.2 million) in the second quarter of 2012 and €24.3 million ($32.1 million) in the first quarter of 2013.

For the second quarter of 2013, we had a net loss of €9.9 million ($12.9 million), or €0.18 ($0.24) per share, compared to net income of €1.5 million ($1.9 million), or €0.03 ($0.04) per share, in the second quarter of 2012 and a net loss of €0.4 million ($0.5 million), or €0.01 ($0.01) per share, for the first quarter of 2013.

Summary Financial Highlights

Summary Operating Highlights

* Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. See page 12 of the financial tables included in this press release for a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to Operating EBITDA.

President's Comments

Mr. Jimmy S.H. Lee, President and Chairman, stated: "During the current quarter, we achieved Operating EBITDA of €14.0 million. In the quarter, the Celgar mill took its annual maintenance shutdown. As a result of weather, equipment and execution issues, the shutdown was four days longer and the startup slower than budgeted. The shutdown negatively impacted our operating income by approximately €11.0 million in the current quarter. Our results also reflect generally weak pulp prices and the continuing strength of the Euro versus the U.S. dollar, partially offset by strong sales. Overall, pulp sales volumes increased by approximately 3% to 368,285 ADMTs during the second quarter of 2013 from 356,660 ADMTs in the prior quarter."

Mr. Lee continued: "Pulp production in the current quarter was approximately 12,000 ADMTs lower than the first quarter of 2013, primarily as a result of lost production from the Celgar mill maintenance shutdown. This also resulted in lower energy production as well as energy and chemical revenues decreasing by approximately 9% to €16.5 million in the current quarter compared to the prior quarter. "

Mr. Lee continued: "Pulp list prices increased marginally in the second quarter of 2013. At the end of the second quarter of 2013, list prices in Europe were approximately $860 per ADMT and in North America and China were approximately $950 and $690 per ADMT, respectively. We are currently expecting demand levels and pricing to have an upward trend in the latter part of 2013. We believe supply and demand levels through the summer should benefit from significant producer maintenance downtime during the summer months. In addition, the announced closure of a Norwegian mill (Tofte) and new tissue capacity coming online in China are expected to keep the supply and demand levels in balance."

Mr. Lee continued: "Fiber costs at our German mills were higher during the second quarter of 2013 due to continuing strong demand from European pellet and board producers, which has been compounded by increased demand for fiber from sawmills and an undersupply of sawlogs. Higher fiber costs in Germany were partially offset by modest price decreases in Canada. Going forward this year, we currently expect fiber costs in Germany to marginally increase before stabilizing and in Canada to decrease moderately."

Mr. Lee continued: "The recent floods in Germany, including areas around Stendal, did not affect our German mills directly, though there were some incremental logistics costs as trucks and trains were forced to re-route, as well as some incremental personnel costs due to higher than usual levels of over-time and some related housing expenses."

Mr. Lee added: "In order to improve its competitiveness, our Celgar mill is reducing its workforce by approximately 85 employees, with the majority of employees leaving the mill over the next 12 months. This action is being taken to reduce the mill's fixed costs. We currently estimate incurring pre-tax charges of approximately $6.0 million to $8.0 million for severance and other personnel related expenses in connection with such reduction. Over 85% of these charges are expected to be recognized by the end of 2013. We currently estimate that our Celgar mill will realize approximately $8.0 million to $10.0 million in annual pre-tax cost savings once the workforce restructuring has been fully implemented. Based upon our planned workforce reduction schedule, we currently expect to realize approximately 80% of such annual cost savings in 2014."

Mr. Lee concluded: "Project Blue Mill at our Stendal mill, designed to increase the mill's annual energy production by 109,000 MWh and annual pulp production by 30,000 ADMTs, remains largely on time and budget. We look forward to realizing revenues and benefits from this project in the last quarter of this year."

Three Months Ended June 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2012

Total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2013 increased by approximately 3% to €210.1 million ($274.6 million) from €204.1 million ($261.9 million) in the same period in 2012, due to higher pulp revenues. Pulp revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2013 increased to €193.7 million from €186.0 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to higher pulp sales volumes, partially offset by a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro.

Energy and chemical revenues decreased by approximately 8% in the second quarter to €16.5 million from €18.0 million in the same quarter last year, primarily as a result of lower pulp production.

Pulp production decreased by approximately 4% to 349,502 ADMTs in the current quarter from 365,047 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2012, primarily due to decreased pulp production at our Celgar mill. During the second quarter of 2013, our Celgar mill took its annual scheduled major maintenance shutdown. As a result of a combination of a lightning strike at the mill and equipment and execution issues, the shutdown which was planned for 11 days took 15 days instead. Further, the start-up of the mill was slower than budgeted. The shutdown and slower start-up resulted in a loss of approximately 30,300 ADMTs of NBSK pulp production (of which approximately 14,300 ADMTs was unplanned) and a consequential loss of energy production.

We believe the issues with the Celgar maintenance shutdown were isolated and the mill is performing well and operating at pre-shutdown levels. We believe our inventory levels are adequate and anticipate no material customer issues from this event.

Pulp sales volume increased by approximately 5% to 368,285 ADMTs in the current quarter from 349,177 ADMTs in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to higher sales to Europe and China.

Average pulp sales realizations decreased by approximately 1% to €520 per ADMT in the second quarter of 2013, compared to €526 per ADMT in the same period last year due to a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro, partially offset by higher pulp prices.

Costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2013 increased by approximately 14% to €211.0 million from €185.8 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to higher sales volumes, fiber costs and costs associated with the Celgar mill maintenance shutdown.

On average, our overall per unit fiber costs in the current quarter increased by approximately 6% from the same period in 2012 as higher fiber costs in Germany were only partially offset by lower fiber costs in Canada.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to €9.4 million in the second quarter of 2013 from €8.6 million in the second quarter of 2012.

For the second quarter of 2013, we reported an operating loss of €0.8 million, compared to an operating income of €18.3 million in the comparative quarter of 2012, primarily due to the negative impact of the Celgar mill shutdown, higher fiber costs and a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro.

Interest expense in the second quarter of 2013 decreased to €13.1 million from €13.9 million in the comparative quarter of 2012, primarily due to lower debt levels associated with the Stendal mill in the second quarter of 2013.

We recorded a net derivative gain of €5.3 million, which includes a €0.4 million loss related to fixed price pulp swap contracts entered into in the fourth quarter of 2012 and an unrealized gain of approximately €5.7 million on the mark to market adjustment of our Stendal mill's interest rate derivative, compared to a net derivative gain of €1.3 million in the same quarter of last year. 

The noncontrolling shareholder's interest in the Stendal mill's income in the second quarter of 2013 was €0.6 million, compared to €1.6 million in the same quarter last year.

In the second quarter of 2013, Operating EBITDA decreased to €14.0 million from €32.9 million in the second quarter of 2012. Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our results as reported under GAAP. See page 12 of the financial tables included in the press release for a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to Operating EBITDA.

We reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of €9.9 million, or €0.18 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of 2013, which included a net non-cash unrealized gain of €5.7 million on the fixed price pulp swaps and Stendal interest rate derivative, and the negative impact of approximately €11.0 million related to the Celgar mill's maintenance shutdown. In the second quarter of 2012, we reported net income attributable to common shareholders of €1.5 million, or €0.03 per basic and diluted share, which included a net non-cash unrealized gain of €1.3 million on the Stendal interest rate derivative and fixed price pulp swaps.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2012

Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 decreased to €408.4 million ($536.5 million) from €422.4 million ($548.0 million) in the same period in 2012, due to lower pulp and energy and chemical revenues. Pulp revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 decreased to €373.8 million from €385.5 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower pulp sales volumes and a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro.

Energy and chemical revenues decreased by approximately 6% to €34.6 million in the first half of 2013 from €36.9 million in the same period last year, primarily as a result of lower pulp production.

Pulp production decreased by approximately 5% to 710,666 ADMTs in the first half of 2013 from 745,389 ADMTs in the same period of 2012, primarily due to decreased pulp production at our Celgar mill. We had 15 days of maintenance downtime at our Celgar mill in the first half of 2013, which, together with a slower startup, resulted in a loss of approximately 30,300 ADMTs of NBSK pulp production.

Pulp sales volumes decreased by approximately 1% to 724,945 ADMTs in the first half of 2013 from 734,003 ADMTs in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower sales to the United States.

Costs and expenses in the first half of 2013 increased by approximately 3% to €399.7 million from €387.9 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to higher fiber costs at our German mills and costs associated with the Celgar maintenance shutdown.

On average, our per unit fiber costs in the first half of 2013 increased by approximately 2% from the same period in 2012.

For the first half of 2013, operating income decreased to €8.7 million from €34.5 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to the combined effect of the Celgar mill's maintenance shutdown and lower pulp sales volumes and higher fiber prices.

Interest expense in the first half of 2013 decreased to €26.3 million from €28.0 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower debt levels associated with the Stendal mill.

We recorded a net derivative gain of €10.1 million, which includes a €0.8 million loss related to fixed price pulp swap contracts entered into in the fourth quarter of 2012 and an unrealized gain of approximately €10.9 million on the mark to market adjustment of our Stendal mill's interest rate derivative, compared to a derivative gain of €2.2 million in the same period of last year. 

In the first half of 2013, Operating EBITDA decreased to €38.3 million from €63.5 million in the first half of 2012. ⁽¹⁾

We reported net loss attributable to common shareholders of €10.3 million, or €0.19 per basic and diluted share, for the first half of 2013, which included a net non-cash unrealized gain of €10.4 million on the pulp price and Stendal interest rate derivatives, more than offset by a negative impact of approximately €11.0 million related to the Celgar maintenance shutdown and a non-cash charge for stock compensation of €0.6 million. In the first half of 2012, we reported net income attributable to common shareholders of €2.7 million, or €0.05 per basic and diluted share, which included a non-cash unrealized gain of €2.2 million on the fixed price pulp swaps and Stendal interest rate derivative, partially offset by a non-cash charge for stock compensation of €0.9 million.

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⁽¹⁾ See page 12 of the financial tables included in the press release for limitations on the use of Operating EBITDA as an analytical tool and a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Operating EBITDA.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table is a summary of selected financial information as at the dates indicated:

As at June 30, 2013, we had approximately €17.7 million and C$17.6 million available under our Rosenthal and Celgar revolving credit facilities, respectively.

On July 22, 2013, we completed our registered public offering of $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of additional 9.5% senior notes due 2017 at an issue price of 104.5% plus accrued interest from June 1, 2013. We used the proceeds to repay the revolving credit facilities of our Rosenthal and Celgar mills and for general corporate purposes.

Our Stendal mill has two amortizing term loan facilities with approximately €449.9 million in total principal outstanding at June 30, 2013. Such facilities are without recourse to the Restricted Group (comprised of Mercer, the Rosenthal and Celgar mills and certain holding subsidiaries) and 80% of the principal amount thereunder is severally guaranteed by German federal and state governments. These facilities require the Stendal mill, among other things, to maintain a stipulated semi-annual leverage ratio and a debt coverage ratio (the "Ratios") and previously report on compliance with such Ratios on September 30, 2013 for the trailing 12-month period ended June 30, 2013.   

We have had ongoing discussions with the agent bank under the Stendal loan facilities to obtain a satisfactory amendment and/or waiver of the Ratios to provide greater flexibility for the Stendal mill. On June 26, 2013, Stendal and the agent bank for the lenders agreed upon a non-binding term sheet which will provide the mill with greater covenant flexibility and the mill engaged the agent bank pursuant to a mandate agreement to seek lender approval to implement the same. Pursuant to the term sheet, concurrent with a successful amendment of the facilities thereunder, we have agreed to invest $20.0 million into Stendal as additional capital. The term sheet is subject to customary conditions and approvals, including lender approval, German governmental approval, our board approval, Stendal shareholder approval and entering into satisfactory definitive legal agreements.

Subsequent to entering into the term sheet, the agent has advised that the lenders agreed to have: (i) the Ratios cover the trailing 12-month period ending on September 30, 2013, instead of June 30, 2013; and (ii) the Stendal mill report on its compliance with the Ratios revised as aforesaid on November 15, 2013.

Currently, based upon our discussions with the agent bank to date, the limited nature of the requested amendment, the Stendal mill's current liquidity (cash on hand, as at June 30, 2013 of approximately €65.0 million, of which €33.0 million is in a debt service reserve account) and the governmental guarantees, we believe we will be able to conclude a satisfactory amendment with Stendal's lenders in the third quarter of 2013; however, we cannot assure you of a successful outcome.

If Stendal's lenders did accelerate and cancel such loan facilities, this would have a material adverse effect on the Stendal mill and our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Restricted Group

The following table is a summary of selected financial information for the Restricted Group (which, under the indenture for our 2017 9.5% Senior Notes, is comprised of Mercer International Inc., certain holding subsidiaries and our Rosenthal and Celgar mills) as at the dates indicated:

Earnings Release Call

In conjunction with this release, Mercer International Inc. will host a conference call, which will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet. Management will host the call, which is scheduled for Friday, August 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time). Listeners can access the conference call live and archived through September 1, 2013, over the Internet at http://investor.shareholder.com/media/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=132043&CompanyID=MERC&e=1&mediaKey=1AE35D7DABC3ECD95E2779DA87354812 or through a link on the Company's home page at http://www.mercerint.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to visit the site and download and install any necessary audio software.

Mercer International Inc. is a global pulp manufacturing company. To obtain further information on the company, please visit its web site at http://www.mercerint.com.

The preceding includes forward looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Words such as "expects", "anticipates", "projects", "intends", "designed", "will", "believes", "estimates", "may", "could" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the highly cyclical nature of our business, raw material costs, our level of indebtedness, competition, foreign exchange and interest rate fluctuations, our use of derivatives, expenditures for capital projects, environmental regulation and compliance, disruptions to our production, market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our SEC reports.

-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-