Graphic Packaging Holding Company Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results; Net Organic Sales Growth Exceeds 4%

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (“Graphic Packaging” or the “Company”), a leading provider of packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies, today reported Net Income for third quarter 2020 of $63.7 million, or $0.23 per share, based on 278.0 million weighted average diluted shares. This compares to third quarter 2019 Net Income of $52.1 million, or $0.18 per share, based on 293.7 million weighted average diluted shares.

Third quarter 2020 Net Income was impacted by a net $8.6 million of special charges that are detailed in the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures table attached. When adjusting for these charges, Adjusted Net Income for the third quarter of 2020 was $72.3 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. This compares to third quarter 2019 Adjusted Net Income of $57.9 million, or $0.20 per diluted share.

Michael Doss, the Company’s President and CEO said, “We continue to deliver excellent results in 2020 consistent with our Vision 2025 goals and we are capturing organic sales growth as we answer the call from consumers for more sustainable packaging solutions. Net organic sales growth accelerated on a sequential basis to over 4% in the third quarter. Our business pipeline remains robust and we are uniquely positioned to capture growth with our innovative fiber-based packaging solutions.”

Doss added, “At Graphic Packaging, we are ensuring continuity of service for our customers, a safe environment for our employees and long-term returns for our stakeholders. Our transformation to a growth culture is a direct result of the compelling value proposition we offer customers and the ongoing investments we are making to ensure we lead the industry in quality, service and innovation. Our teams are executing during a challenging time, and we are committed to leadership in the paperboard packaging industry by providing sustainable and exciting new packaging solutions.”

Operating Results

Net Sales

Net Sales increased 7.3% to $1,697.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared to $1,581.6 million in the prior year period. The $116.1 million increase was driven by $118.8 million of improved volume/mix related to organic growth and acquisitions and $6.9 million in favorable foreign exchange. These benefits were partially offset by $9.6 million in unfavorable pricing.

Attached is supplemental data highlighting Net Tons Sold by quarter for 2020 and 2019.

EBITDA

EBITDA for the third quarter of 2020 was $241.2 million. After adjusting both periods for charges associated with business combinations and other special charges, Adjusted EBITDA increased $5.9 million to $250.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $244.3 million in the third quarter of 2019. When comparing against the prior year quarter, Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of 2020 was positively impacted by $14.8 million of favorable volume/mix, $3.0 million of commodity input cost deflation, $6.7 million of improved net operating performance and $3.4 million of foreign exchange. Net operating performance included a previously announced $12 million expense related to market downtime of the SBS cupstock paper machine executed during the third quarter. These items were partially offset by $9.6 million in unfavorable pricing and $12.4 million of other inflation (primarily labor and benefits).

Other Results

Total Debt (Long-Term, Short-Term and Current Portion) increased $184.6 million during the third quarter of 2020 to $3,713.9 million compared to the second quarter of 2020. Total Net Debt (Total Debt, net of Cash and Cash Equivalents) increased $212.7 million during the third quarter of 2020 to $3,658.4 million compared to the second quarter of 2020. The Company’s third quarter 2020 Net Leverage Ratio was 3.44 times Adjusted EBITDA compared to 3.26 times at the end of the second quarter of 2020.

At September 30, 2020, the Company had available liquidity of $1,557.1 million, including the undrawn availability under its global revolving credit facilities.

Net Interest Expense was $32.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, down compared to the $35.9 million reported in the third quarter of 2019, reflecting lower average borrowing rates.

Capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2020 were $119.1 million, up compared to $71.6 million in the third quarter of 2019, largely due to the strategic investment in a new coated recycled board paper machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Third quarter 2020 Income Tax Expense was $8.3 million, down compared to a $16.9 million expense in the third quarter of 2019, reflecting favorable outcomes from tax planning and credits recognized in the quarter.

Please note that a tabular reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities, Adjusted Cash Flow, Total Net Debt and pro forma Net Leverage Ratio is attached to this release.

For the full third quarter results, click here.

About Graphic Packaging Holding Company

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. The Company operates on a global basis, is one of the largest producers of folding cartons and paper-based foodservice products in the United States, and holds leading market positions in coated recycled paperboard, coated unbleached kraft paperboard and solid bleached sulfate paperboard. The Company’s customers include many of the world’s most widely-recognized companies and brands. Additional information about Graphic Packaging, its business and its products is available on the Company’s web site at www.graphicpkg.com.

Contact:

Melanie Skijus – Vice President Investor Relations – melanie.skijus@graphicpkg.com – (770) 240-8542

Source: Graphic Packaging Holding Company