Bonnie Lind
Analyst · CJS Securities. Please go ahead
Thanks Julie. Good morning, everyone.I'd also like to add my appreciation for everyone who is fighting the fight during these challenging times, and similarly, recognize the amazing job by our employees responding to these conditions.We had a very good first quarter across all financial metrics, top and bottom line performance was impressive, margins improved significantly, cash flow and liquidity were very good and return on capital increased.Consolidated sales of $234 million were down 3%, but we delivered strong volume driven increases in technical products and solid growth in premium packaging, though not enough to overcome declines in a very challenging paper market and headwinds from currency.GAAP operating income was $24 million and was $27 million on an adjusted basis. This was up from $17 million a year ago. While there were no adjustments in 2019, there were $3.5 million of unusual cost this year.These adjusting items were: a one-time payment of about $1 million to our operations workers to compensate them for hardships related to COVID-19; corporate costs related to the terminated Vectorply acquisition also around $1 million; and then finally, $1.4 million of costs for restructuring following implementation of our new functional organization and for minor other items. As a reminder, details on adjusting items and the breakdown by segment is included in our earnings release.The quarter would have been even more impressive except for two things. Like most companies, we saw orders and shipments start to fall off significantly in the second half of March as the economic outlook worsened. This was especially true in our Fine Paper segment. We therefore made changes to increased reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable in both segments to reflect this worsening outlook. I will start with a review of business results and adjusted income before turning to corporate items, including liquidity and capital allocation priorities.In Technical Products quarterly sales of $142 million grew 2% and were 3% higher on a constant currency basis. The increase was driven by 7% of volume growth with increases in both filtration and performance materials. Filtration grew in the low to mid single-digits, with gains in transportation and other filtration products and an improvement in new business.Performance materials growth was led by double-digit increases in backings as we gained share with the launch of new products in North America and grew volume in Asia and Latin America. Performance materials also increased in key categories like dye sublimation and labels. Partly offsetting the favorable volume were lower net prices mostly in Performance Materials due to selling price adjusters for some customers and a lower-value mix.Adjusted operating income was $17 million, up almost $6 million, while operating margins were an impressive 12% compared to 8% last year. In addition to higher sales, income increased due to improved manufacturing costs, including fixed cost absorption benefits from higher production volume and lower input costs versus a year ago. These positive items were partly offset by $1.3 million of higher SG&A, which I'll talk about a little later.Turning to the Fine Paper and Packaging, quarterly sales of $91 million were down 8%. This was mostly due a 6% decline in volume primarily commercial print where market demand fell by more than 10%.Commercial print is a short lead time category and reflected a more immediate impact from of the COVID crisis. We also had lower sales related to the transition from a major distributor that we began last year.Partly offsetting the commercial print decline was growth in premium packaging, led by a double-digit gain in labels and in our consumer channel where sales of our ASTROBRIGHTS brand grew by double-digits as at home activities increased and online sales grew.Adjusted operating income was $16 million, up almost $4 million and operating margins remained in the upper-teens. The increased cost was due to lower input costs as well as cost improvements, which combined offset the impact of lower volume.Looking next at corporate items. Consolidated SG&A was $26.6 million. This was up $1.3 million from last year as we incurred $1.7 million of increased cost due to our higher reserve for uncollectible accounts receivable and timing of legal expenses. The majority of this increase was in technical products.We expect consolidated SG&A to average a little over $23 million per quarter for the remainder of this year, which is down from our historical run rate of about $25 million per quarter. Unallocated corporate costs on an adjusted basis were just over $6 million and up less than $300,000 from last year.Quarterly interest expense was $2.9 million, down from $3.2 million last year as a result of lower average debt. Our tax rate in the quarter was 21%. This was up from 17% last year when we benefited from a reduction to our reserve for uncertain tax positions following completion of an audit in Germany. We currently believe our full year rate will be no more than our previous guidance of 22%.In late March, as a precaution, we drew down $65 million from our revolving credit facility, and so we ended the quarter with debt of $272 million and cash of $78 million. This net debt of just under $200 million resulted in a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.5 times. Along with other quarterly financial data, EBITDA is reconciled GAAP on schedules posted on our website if you're interested.Most of our debt is comprised of a $175 million senior unsecured note due in May of 2021. While we had plans early in the year to refinance, debt market has tightened as economic projections worsened and we've decided to delay. We continue to actively monitor debt markets and feel comfortable in our ability to refinance this later in the year with terms more favorable than what's available in the market today.I'd also like to comment briefly on our global revolving credit facility where we have long-standing relationships with the high quality banks that comprise this facility. The revolver is asset based and size at a maximum of $225 million. As of March 31, availability was $117 million and with cash on hand at $78 million provided us with a strong liquidity position going into the crisis.Covenants are not expected to be an issue. Under the senior note, covenants generally come into play only if we incur new debt, while revolver covenants are triggered only if availability falls below $28 million.Cash generated from operations was $14 million in the first quarter. This is up significantly from $3 million last year. First quarter operating cash flow is typically lower as accounts receivable and inventories increased from year-end lows. For example, in 2020, our first quarter cash flow included a $14 million negative impact from increases in working capital. Capital spending in the quarter was $5 million, that's similar to last year.Next I'll talk about our liquidity outlook and capital deployment priorities. As mentioned, we headed into second quarter with a strong balance sheet and substantial available liquidity on existing credit lines. Expectations are for global economic activity to decline significantly in the second quarter and we will work to flex our cost as much as possible to match demand.However as a manufacturing company, we have a sizable amount of fixed costs and shedding costs for a short-term decline is often not prudent or even possible. In general, I'd estimate our variable margin to be around 35%.Julie listed actions we've taken to control costs and maximize cash flow. Let me provide some more detail about a few of those. Capital spending this year is expected to be around $15 million, well below our normal expected range. We've minimized maintenance projects and cut non-essential spending, while still proceeding with projects that deliver meaningful cost savings in the short run, or key to long-term growth objectives.Our retirement plans have been well maintained, given us the opportunity to reduce pension contribution. Total cash outlays for all retirement plans are projected be $7 million this year; that's about $6 million less than we contributed in 2019. In US, we're utilizing government plans such as the CARES Act to defer payroll and other tax payments and estimate that will defer about $5 million of cash this year. Operations outside the US will benefit from government subsidies as well and that could be up to an additional $3 million.Finally, working capital can be a significant source of cash in the downturn. Just as the increased $14 million in the first quarter, it can quickly decrease by at least that amount. And as always, we continuously work to minimize our working capital needs.Our culture of capital discipline has served us well in the past and we've learned from the great recession in 2008-2009, our teams know what to do. And our short-term priorities are clear, preserving our capital and our flexibility so that we can move aggressively and opportunistically when things begin to turn.On a personal note, you may have seen our announcement last week that I will be retiring from Neenah. Succession planning has been underway for some time, and my October 1st retirement date will help ensure an orderly transition of duties.At more than 60 earnings calls, I think I've set the company record and hopefully no longer sound like a robot. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the evolution of Neenah over the past 16 years and I've enjoyed the opportunity to get to know many of our stock and bond holders and many of you on this call. I'm looking forward to watching the team here, continue to grow the company in the future.With that, I'd like to turn it back to you, Julie.