|
 |

Consolidated Container Company Announces Earnings for 2006 Fiscal Year
ATLANTA, GA - March 5, 2007 - Consolidated Container Company ("CCC") today
announced its full year net income of $13.2 million and net sales of $857.6
million, compared to a net loss of $22.2 million in 2005 on net sales of $844.5
million. Jeffrey M. Greene, President and Chief Executive Officer of CCC,
said, "We are very pleased with our results from 2006. Management continues to
believe that our focus on creating a low cost platform, development of a world
class management team, select growth in mid-market accounts and success in
integrating tuck-in acquisitions has positioned the company for significant long
term growth. We further believe the refinancing we are currently pursuing will
allow us to continue to execute upon our strategy to create long term value for
all of our constituents."
In a separate press release issued on February 23, 2007, CCC announced that it
has commenced tender offers to purchase any and all outstanding $207,000,000
aggregate principal amount at maturity of 10 3/4% Senior Secured Discount Notes
due 2009 (CUSIP Nos. 20902YAF9 and 20902YAD4) of CCC and Consolidated Container
Capital, Inc. ("Capital") and the outstanding $185,000,000 principal amount of
10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 (CUSIP No. 20902YAC6) of CCC and
Capital. In addition, CCC announced its intention to enter into new senior
secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $740.0 million
(consisting of a $100.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility, a $390.0
million first lien term loan facility and a $250.0 million second lien term
loan) or other similar financing.
Following is a discussion of the financial results of CCC for the year ended
December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005.
Net Sales. Net sales increased by approximately $13.1 million, or 1.6%, to
$857.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $844.5 million in the
year 2005. This increase results primarily from the impact of higher average
resin costs during 2006. The Company estimated that sales would have been
approximately $822.4 million, a decrease of $22.1 million or 2.6% from 2005
after adjusting for the change in resin costs. This decline was primarily
attributable to the impact of the sale of the Kansas City, Kansas operation in
June 2005 and the closing of two other plants in 2005, lower volumes from some
of the Company's larger sole-source customers due to weakened demand from their
end customers, and higher water sales in 2005 as a result of hurricanes Katrina
and Rita. Partially offsetting these decreases in year-over-year sales were two
acquisitions that closed in 2006 and new business from first-time and existing
customers.
Gross Profit. Gross profit was $126.1 million for the year 2006, an increase of
$45.3 million or 56.1%, compared to $80.8 million for the 2005 year. The
increase is primarily attributable to a gain of $16.1 million dollars from the
settlement of a previously disclosed contract dispute in which the Company
agreed to pay Dean Foods Company $10.0 million and the receipt of approximately
$7.6 million in business interruption insurance proceeds during 2006 related to
hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005. Excluding these items, and in spite of the
lower sales volumes described above, gross profit increased $21.6 million or
26.7% from the prior year. This increase was driven by a more profitable mix of
products sold, the favorable resin environment, lower lease expenses during 2006
compared to 2005 and the continued improvement of operating trends, including
lower conversion and delivery costs in 2006 as a result of capital programs and
strategic initiatives.
Selling General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expense increased by $3.2 million to $46.1 million, or 7.4%, from
$42.9 million in 2005. This increase is due to higher incentive compensation
expenses of $2.9 million as a result of favorable company performance during
2006 compared to 2005, the 2006 accrual of $2.0 million related to the one-time
advance of a portion of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, and higher legal and
consulting costs of $1.0 million primarily related to the restatement of the
Company's financial statements during the 2006 fiscal year. Partially
offsetting the increase were lower salary and severance expenses during 2006
resulting, in part, from the Company's reorganization in the second quarter of
2005.
Interest expense. Interest expense increased by approximately 11.5%, or $6.4
million, to $61.9 million in 2006 from $55.5 million in 2005. The increase is
primarily due to an increase in the weighted-average interest rates on the
Company's floating-rate debt and higher average revolver borrowings.
Additionally, there was an approximate $2.0 million increase in accretion on the
senior secured discount notes.
About Consolidated Container Company
Consolidated Container Company, which was
formed in 1999, is a leading North American developer, manufacturer and marketer
of rigid plastic containers for many of the largest branded consumer products
and beverage companies in the world. CCC has long-term customer relationships
with many blue-chip companies including Dean Foods, DS Waters of America, The
Kroger Company, Nestle Waters North America, The Procter & Gamble Company, Exxon
Mobil, Scotts and Colgate-Palmolive. CCC serves its customers with a wide range
of manufacturing capabilities and services through a nationwide network of 56
strategically located manufacturing facilities and a research, development and
engineering center located in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, the company has 3
international manufacturing facilities in Canada and Mexico.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain statements that constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of
historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements, particularly those statements regarding the
timing, effects and entry in to new credit facilities, reflect CCC's current
expectations and beliefs, are not guarantees of performance of CCC and are
subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors
including, without limitation, the possibility that (1) CCC is unable to
complete the financing described above on favorable terms; (2) the available
market for capital is negatively altered and (3) overall changes in the general
economy, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Richard Sehring, 678-742-4600
Consolidated Statements of Operations & Balance Sheets
|
|