Glatfelter Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results

2023 Second Quarter Overview:

• Net sales of $357 million and a GAAP net loss from continuing operations of $36.6 million
• Volume declined due to industry-wide market weakness and ongoing customer destocking, resulting in ~$7 million loss of earnings when combined with downtime to manage inventory levels
• Turnaround Strategy delivered ~$7 million of earnings from price increases and fixed cost reductions
• Overall Q2 2023 financial performance also negatively impacted by operational issues:
  • ~$3 million from fires in Fort Smith, Arkansas (Airlaid), and Asheville, North Carolina (Spunlace)
  • ~$3 million from foreign exchange effects, customer financing, and other items
  • ~$4 million of operating losses at Ober-Schmitten, Germany - site closure previously announced in May
• Full year Adjusted EBITDA guidance range lowered to $100 million to $110 million, driven by 2023 expected Ober-Schmitten losses through wind-down period ⁽¹⁾

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glatfelter Corporation (NYSE: GLT), a leading global supplier of engineered materials, today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2023 and provided an update on the Company's Turnaround Strategy to improve operational and financial performance and combat the impacts of market weakness and continued customer destocking.

“Our second quarter results fell below expectations as our business faced volume losses due to the ongoing industry-wide weakness in our markets, combined with several impactful operational events. Despite these challenges, we aggressively pursued our Turnaround Strategy by delivering $7 million of benefits, further emphasizing the importance of this work and its earnings potential. Had it not been for the continued macroeconomic and operational challenges impacting our bottom line, our second quarter results would have been in-line with the first quarter of 2023, which reinforces our stable business fundamentals,” said Thomas Fahnemann, President and CEO of Glatfelter.

_{(1) Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted loss from continuing operations and adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Reconciliation of GAAP Financial information to Non-GAAP Financial information” later in this earnings release for further information.}

Mr. Fahnemann continued, “The operational impacts during the second quarter included fires in our Fort Smith and Asheville facilities, along with increased expense from foreign exchange effects, customer financing, and other items. More materially, as we progressed the closure of our Ober-Schmitten site, we incurred losses from further deterioration of the site’s operations due to increased employee absenteeism and turnover, coupled with customers seeking alternative suppliers following the announcement of the closure. As a result of Ober-Schmitten’s performance and market weakness, we are lowering our annual guidance for Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $100 million to $110 million for 2023.”

“While we experienced this second quarter set-back in our overall financial performance, we remain confident in our ability to deliver further benefits from the Turnaround Strategy by adapting actions to address the near-term market realities. The team remains focused on the plan’s six key initiatives including optimizing price-cost gap, reducing unproductive fixed costs, further improving Spunlace results, addressing the product portfolio, managing working capital, and increasing operational productivity. We still have significant work ahead of us, knowing that it will take time to truly achieve sustainable profitability,” concluded Mr. Fahnemann.

Portfolio Optimization – Closure of Ober-Schmitten, German Facility

As part of the detailed portfolio review and as previously announced, Glatfelter is in the process of finalizing plans to close its Ober-Schmitten, Germany, facility due to the ongoing financial underperformance of the electrical and glassine specialty papers manufactured at the site. The Ober-Schmitten facility recorded a ~$4 million operating loss during the second quarter, providing further validation that the closure is in the best long-term interest of the Company. Pending the completion of negotiations with the Ober-Schmitten Economic Committee and Works Council, the Company expects to cease operations at the site during the third quarter with some final finishing, shipping, wind-down and decommissioning to follow.

Second Quarter Results

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of results on a GAAP basis to an adjusted earnings basis, a non-GAAP measure:

A description of each of the adjustments presented above is included later in this release.

Airlaid Materials

Airlaid Materials’ second quarter net sales increased $8.8 million in the year-over-year comparison mainly driven by higher selling prices from cost pass-through arrangements and pricing actions to recover significant inflation in raw materials and energy. Shipments were 3.5% lower mainly due to the feminine hygiene category where customers were destocking and closely managing inventory levels. Currency translation was favorable by $1.6 million.

Airlaid Materials’ second quarter EBITDA of $17.4 million was $2.1 million lower when compared to the second quarter of 2022. Shipments were lower primarily in the feminine hygiene category with some offset in wipes and tabletop categories, lowering results by $1.1 million. Selling price increases and energy surcharges of $11.7 million fully offset the higher raw material and energy costs of $11.5 million. Operations were unfavorable by $2.1 million primarily due to a fire in Fort Smith. The impact of currency and related hedging positively impacted earnings by $0.9 million.

Composite Fibers

Composite Fibers’ revenue was $2.4 million higher in the second quarter of 2023, compared to the year-ago quarter due to higher selling prices of $5.5 million, partly offset by unfavorable mix. Shipments were up 3.0% on strong wallcover sales which was mostly offset by lower food and beverage, composite laminates and metallized products shipments. Currency translation was favorable by $1.4 million.

Composite Fibers had EBITDA for the second quarter of $4.8 million compared with $10.6 million EBITDA in the second quarter of 2022. Higher selling prices and energy surcharges more than offset the continued inflation in energy and raw material and were a net favorable benefit to results of $1.7 million. The strong wallcover shipments were more than offset by lower shipments of higher margin food and beverage and composite laminates categories that negatively impacted income by $1.1 million. Operations were unfavorable by $5.9 million mainly driven by lower production volume to match customer demand and manage inventory levels. Ober-Schmitten site negatively impacted year-over-year results by $4.3 million. The impact of currency and related hedging negatively impacted earnings by $0.5 million.

Spunlace

Spunlace revenue was $17.5 million lower in the second quarter of 2023, compared to the year-ago quarter as lower shipments of 21.5% were partially offset by higher selling prices of $2.1 million and favorable currency translation of $0.5 million.

Spunlace EBITDA almost doubled in the second quarter of this year to $2.2 million. Higher selling prices and energy surcharges were favorable by $2.1 million and raw material and energy costs were slightly favorable compared to last year by $0.4 million. Volume was unfavorable by $1.7 million driven by lower shipments in all categories. Operations were favorable by $0.2 million from headcount actions taken in 2022, improved converting and lower spending, but were mostly offset by the unfavorable impact from lower production to manage inventory and the fire in Asheville. Currency positively impacted earnings by $0.1 million.

Other Financial Information

The amount of operating expense not allocated to a reporting segment in the Segment Financial Information totaled $19.8 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared with $7.0 million in the same period a year ago. Excluding the items identified to present “adjusted earnings,” unallocated expenses for the second quarter of 2023 decreased $0.3 million compared to the second quarter of 2022.

In the second quarter of 2023, our U.S. GAAP pre-tax loss from continuing operations totaled $30.2 million and we recorded an income tax expense of $6.4 million which primarily related to the tax provision for foreign jurisdictions, reserves for uncertain tax positions, and valuation allowances for domestic and foreign jurisdiction losses for which no tax benefit could be recognized. The comparable amounts in the same quarter of 2022 were a pre-tax income of $0.8 million and an income tax provision of $3.3 million.

Balance Sheet and Other Information

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $53.9 million and $110.7 million as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Total debt was $863.2 million and $845.1 million as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Net debt was $809.4 million as of June 30, 2023 compared with $734.4 million at the end of 2022. Leverage as calculated in accordance with the financial covenants of our bank credit agreement was in compliance at 3.4 times at June 30, 2023.

Capital expenditures during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 totaled $17.5 million and $22.7 million, respectively. Operating cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was a use of $53.0 million and $79.5 million, respectively. Adjusted free cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was a use of $58.4 million compared with a use of $95.0 million for the same period in 2022. The negative adjusted free cash flow is primarily driven by negative working capital use which improved during the first six months of 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. (Refer to the calculation of this measure provided in the tables at the end of this release).

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss its second quarter results. The Company will make available on its Investor Relations website this quarter’s earnings release and an accompanying financial presentation that includes additional financial information to be discussed on the conference call including the Company’s outlook pertaining to financial performance. Information related to the conference call is as follows:

Interested persons who wish to hear the live webcast should go to the website prior to the starting time to register and ensure any necessary audio software is installed.

Reconciliation of GAAP Financial Information to Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release includes a measure of earnings before the effects of certain specifically identified items, which is referred to as adjusted earnings and Adjusted EBITDA, both non-GAAP measures. The Company uses non-GAAP adjusted earnings and Adjusted EBITDA to supplement the understanding of its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings is meant to present the financial performance of the Company’s core operations, which consist of the production and sale of engineered materials. EBITDA is a measure used by management to assess our operating performance and is calculated using income (loss) from continuing operations and excludes interest expense, interest income, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated using EBITDA and further excludes certain items management considers to be unrelated to the Company’s core operations. Management and the Company’s Board of Directors use non-GAAP adjusted earnings and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of the Company’s fundamental business in relation to prior periods and established business plans. For purposes of determining adjusted earnings and Adjusted EBITDA, the following items are excluded:

• Goodwill and other asset impairment charges. This adjustment represents non-cash charges recorded to reduce the carrying amount of certain long-lived assets of our Dresden, Germany facility and goodwill of our Composite Fibers reporting segment.
• Turnaround Strategy costs. This adjustment reflects costs incurred in connection with the Company's Turnaround Strategy initiated in 2022 under its new chief executive officer to drive operational and financial improvement. These costs are primarily related to professional services fees and employee separation costs.
• Russia/Ukraine conflict charges. This adjustment represents a non-cash charge recorded to reduce the carrying amount of accounts receivable and inventory directly related to the Russia/Ukraine military conflict.
• Strategic initiatives. These adjustments primarily reflect professional and legal fees incurred directly related to evaluating and executing certain strategic initiatives including costs associated with acquisitions and related integrations.
• Ober-Schmitten closure costs. This adjustment reflects employee separation costs and professional and other costs directly associated with the closure of the Ober-Schmitten, Germany facility.
• Debt refinancing costs. Represents charges to write-off unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with the extinguishment of the Company’s €220.0 million Term Loan and IKB loans, as well as the amendment to the Company's credit facility. These costs also include an early repayment penalty related to the extinguishment of the IKB loans.
• CEO transition costs. This adjustment reflects a non-cash pension settlement charge associated with the separation of our former CEO related to a lump-sum distribution made in Q1 2023 under the terms of his non-qualified pension plan agreement.
• Corporate headquarters relocation. This adjustment reflects costs incurred in connection with the strategic relocation of the Company’s corporate headquarters to Charlotte, NC. The costs are primarily related to employee relocation costs and exit costs at the former corporate headquarters.
• Cost optimization actions. These adjustments reflect charges incurred in connection with initiatives to optimize the cost structure of the Company, improve efficiencies or other objectives. Such actions may include asset rationalization, headcount reductions, or similar actions. These adjustments, which have occurred at various times in the past, are irregular in timing and relate to specific identified programs to reduce or optimize the cost structure of a particular operating segment or the corporate function.
• COVID-19 ERC recovery. This adjustment reflects the benefit recognized from employee retention credits claimed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES”) Act and the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 and professional services fees directly associated with claiming this benefit.
• Timberland sales and related costs. These adjustments exclude gains from the sales of timberlands as these items are not considered to be part of our core business, ongoing results of operations or cash flows. These adjustments are irregular in timing and amount and may benefit our operating results.
  

Unlike net income determined in accordance with GAAP, non-GAAP adjusted earnings and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect all charges and gains recorded by the Company for the applicable period and, therefore, does not present a complete picture of the Company’s results of operations for the respective period. However, non-GAAP adjusted earnings and Adjusted EBITDA provide a measure of how the Company’s core operations are performing, which management believes is useful to investors because it allows comparison of such operations from period to period. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA % is the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.

Although the Company provides guidance for Adjusted EBITDA, it is not able to provide guidance for net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Certain elements of the composition of net income, including income tax expense, are not predictable, making it impractical for us to provide guidance on net income or to reconcile our Adjusted EBITDA guidance to net income without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information regarding net income, which could be material to future results.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements included in this press release that pertain to future financial and business matters are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company uses words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “future”, “intends”, “plans”, “targets”, and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable or uncontrollable factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable or uncontrollable factors are described in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in the Risk Factors section and under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In light of these risks, uncertainties and other factors, the forward-looking matters discussed in this press release may not occur and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

About Glatfelter
Glatfelter is a leading global supplier of engineered materials with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. The Company’s high quality, technology-driven, innovative, and customizable nonwovens solutions can be found in products that are Enhancing Everyday Life^®. These include personal care and hygiene products, food and beverage filtration, critical cleaning products, medical and personal protection, packaging products, as well as home improvement and industrial applications. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, the Company’s 2022 net sales were $1.5 billion. As of December 31, 2022, we employed approximately 3,250 employees worldwide. Glatfelter’s operations utilize a variety of manufacturing technologies including airlaid, wetlaid and spunlace with sixteen manufacturing sites located in the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and the Philippines. The Company has sales offices in all major geographies serving customers under the Glatfelter and Sontara^® brands. Additional information about Glatfelter may be found at www.glatfelter.com.