KP Tissue Releases First Quarter 2017 Financial Results

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 4, 2017) - KP Tissue Inc. (KPT) (TSX:KPT) reports the Q1 2017 financial and operational results of KPT and Kruger Products L.P. (KPLP). Kruger Products is Canada's leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for the Consumer market (Cashmere, Purex, SpongeTowels, Scotties, and White Swan) and the Away-From-Home market, and continues to grow in the U.S. Consumer tissue business with the White Cloud® brand and premium private label products. KPT currently holds a 16.1% interest in KPLP.

KPLP Q1 2017 Business and Financial Highlights

• Revenue increased by 3.4% to $289.3 million in Q1 2017 compared to Q1 2016
• Adjusted EBITDA was $33.8 million in Q1 2017 compared to $28.1 million in Q1 2016, up 20.3%
• Achieved Adjusted EBITDA from TAD products of $15.7 million
• Expanded distribution of White Cloud^® to select U.S. retailers
• Declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on July 17, 2017

"We are pleased by our Adjusted EBITDA of $33.8 million for the first quarter of 2017, which was mainly driven by the higher contribution from TAD products, despite some headwinds from higher fibre prices," said Mario Gosselin, CEO of KP Tissue and KPLP.

"The commercialization of our TAD products is entering its fifth year and we are extremely pleased by the overall performance. For the first quarter, Adjusted EBITDA related to TAD products reached $15.7 million, representing an annualized run rate in excess of our previously stated expectation of $60 million for the TAD project. We now have TAD fully integrated into our business and are proud of the results we have achieved.

"While we anticipate higher pulp prices to negatively impact results in the near-term, Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2017 is expected to increase slightly over Q2 2016. For the remainder of 2017, we look forward to the start-up of our new paper machine in Crabtree, improved performance from the Away-from-Home business and expanded distribution of the White Cloud^® brand to select U.S. retailers," concluded Mr. Gosselin.

KPLP Q1 2017 Financial Results

Revenue in Q1 2017 was $289.3 million, compared to $279.7 million in Q1 2016, an increase of $9.6 million or 3.4%. The increase in revenue was primarily due to higher sales volume and favourable selling price increase in Canada, partially offset by the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange on U.S. dollar sales.

Cost of sales in Q1 2017 increased to $244.3 million, compared to $240.6 million in Q1 2016, primarily due to higher sales volumes and an increase in USD pulp prices, partially offset by the favourable impact of foreign exchange, cost reduction initiatives and the impact of capital projects. As a percentage of revenue, cost of sales were 84.4% in Q1 2017 compared to 86.0% in Q1 2016.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in Q1 2017 were $23.2 million, compared to $21.7 million in Q1 2016. The increase was primarily due to slightly higher advertising and promotion expenses, and slightly higher selling expenses related to higher sales volume, partially offset by the favourable impact of foreign exchange. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses were 8.0% in Q1 2017, compared to 7.8% in Q1 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA in Q1 2017 was $33.8 million, compared to $28.1 million in Q1 2016, primarily due to higher sales volume, improved selling prices in Canada, the net positive impact of foreign exchange and the impact of cost reduction initiatives and capital projects, partially offset by higher commodity costs and SG&A costs. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the sale of TAD products was $15.7 million in Q1 2017 compared to $10.5 million in Q1 2016.

Net income in Q1 2017 was $6.9 million, compared to $6.4 million in Q1 2016, primarily due to higher Adjusted EBITDA of $5.7 million and a decrease in interest expense of $0.9 million. These increases were partially offset by an increase in tax expense of $2.1 million, higher depreciation expense of $1.6 million, an increase in the change in amortized cost of Partnership units liability of $1.3 million, and a change in the foreign exchange gain of $1.1 million.

Total liquidity, representing cash and cash equivalents and availability under the credit line within covenant limitations, was $88.6 million as of March 26, 2017, compared to $103.5 million as of December 31, 2016.

KPT Q1 2017 Financial Results

KPT incurred a net loss of $0.6 million in Q1 2017. Included in the net loss was $1.1 million representing KPT's share of KPLP's income. The income was reduced by depreciation expense of $1.5 million related to adjustments to carrying amounts on acquisition and income tax expense of $0.2 million.

Dividends on Common Shares

The Board of Directors of KPT declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on July 17, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2017.

Additional Information

For additional information please refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of KPT and KPLP for the first quarter ended March 26, 2017 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or our website at www.kptissueinc.com.

First Quarter Results Conference Call Information

KPT will hold its first quarter conference call on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

Via telephone: 1-877-223-4471 or 647-788-4922

Via the internet at: www.kptissueinc.com

Presentation material referenced during the conference call will be available at www.kptissueinc.com.

A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available until midnight, June 5, 2017 by dialing 800-585-8367 or 416-621-4642 and entering passcode 5982186.

The replay of the webcast will remain available on the website until midnight, June 5, 2017.

About KP Tissue Inc. (KPT)

KPT was created to acquire, and its business is limited to holding, a limited partnership interest in KPLP, which is accounted for as an investment on the equity basis. KPT currently holds a 16.1% interest in KPLP. For more information visit www.kptissueinc.com.

About Kruger Products L.P. (KPLP)

KPLP is Canada's leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for household, industrial and commercial use. KPLP serves the Canadian consumer market with such well-known brands as Cashmere®, Purex®, SpongeTowels®, Scotties® and White Swan®. In the U.S., KPLP manufactures the White Cloud® brand, as well as many private label products. The Away-From-Home division manufactures and distributes high-quality, cost-effective product solutions to a wide range of commercial and public entities. KPLP has approximately 2,500 employees and operates eight FSC® COC-certified (FSC® C-104904) production facilities in North America. For more information visit www.krugerproducts.ca.

Non-IFRS Measures

This press release uses certain non-IFRS financial measures which KPLP believes provide useful information to management of KPLP and the readers of the financial information in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of KPLP. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. An example of such a measure is Adjusted EBITDA. Beginning with Q4 2015 in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), we reference Adjusted EBITDA as a non-IFRS financial measure. This term replaces the previously referenced non-IFRS financial measure EBITDA. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA is unchanged from our former definition of EBITDA. Accordingly, this change in terminology has no impact on our reported financial results for prior periods. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of operating performance computed in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities computed in accordance with IFRS. "Adjusted EBITDA" is calculated by KPLP as net income (loss) before (i) interest expense, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization, (v) impairment (gain on sale) of non-financial assets, (vi) loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment, (vii) foreign exchange loss (gain), (viii) costs related to restructuring activities, (ix) changes in amortized cost of Partnership units liability, and (x) one-time costs due to pension revaluations related to past service. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the relevant reported results can be found in the MD&A of KPT and KPLP for the first quarter ended March 26, 2017 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release about KPT's and KPLP's current and future plans, expectations and intentions, results, levels of activity, performance, goals or achievements or any other future events or developments constitute forward-looking statements. The words "may", "will", "would", "should", "could", "expects", "plans", "intends", "trends", "indications", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "likely" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by KPT, including expectations and assumptions concerning: the impact of the TAD Project on Adjusted EBITDA; the expectation of continued growth in sales of TAD products in the U.S.; a successful start-up of the Crabtree paper machine in Q4 2017; improved performance of the Away-From-Home business; and expanded distribution of White Cloud to select U.S. retailers. Although KPT believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information since no assurance can be given that such expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The outlook provided in respect of Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2017 is forward-looking information and is subject to the risk and uncertainties referred to below. The purpose of the outlook is to provide the reader with an indication of management's expectations, at the date of this press release, regarding KPLP's future financial performance. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Many factors could cause KPLP's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments (which could in turn affect the economic benefits derived from the Corporation's economic interest in KPLP) to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following factors, which are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors - Risks Related to KPLP's Business" section of the KPT Annual Information Form dated March 9, 2017 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com: Kruger Inc.'s influence over KPLP; KPLP's reliance on Kruger Inc.; consequences of an event of insolvency relating to Kruger Inc.; risks associated with the TAD Project; operational risks; Gatineau Plant land lease; significant increases in input costs; reduction in supply of fibre; increased pricing pressure and intense competition; KPLP's inability to innovate effectively; adverse economic conditions; dependence on key retail trade customers; damage to the reputation of KPLP or KPLP's brands; KPLP's sales being less than anticipated; KPLP's failure to implement its business and operating strategies; KPLP's obligation to make regular capital expenditures; KPLP's entering into unsuccessful acquisitions; KPLP's dependence on key personnel; KPLP's inability to retain its existing customers or obtain new customers; KPLP's loss of key suppliers; KPLP's failure to adequately protect its intellectual property rights; KPLP's reliance on third party intellectual property licenses; adverse litigation and other claims affecting KPLP; material expenditures due to comprehensive environmental regulation affecting KPLP's cash flow; KPLP's pension obligations are significant and can be materially higher than predicted if KPLP Management's underlying assumptions are incorrect; labour disputes adversely affecting KPLP's cost structure and KPLP's ability to run its plants; exchange rate and U.S. competitors; KPLP's inability to service all of its indebtedness; exposure to potential consumer product liability, restrictive covenants; interest rate and refinancing risk; information technology; cyber-security; insurance; internal controls; and trade related risk.

Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made herein. The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of press release and KPT undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

Kruger Products L.P.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

(thousands of Canadian dollars)

		March 26, 2017		December 31, 2016
		$		$
Assets
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	34,844		36,511
	Trade and other receivables	113,536		123,095
	Receivables from related parties	518		185
	Current portion of advances to partners	439		5,465
	Inventories	181,572		179,543
	Income tax recoverable	45		423
	Prepaid expenses	12,927		7,286
		343,881		352,508
Non-current assets
	Property, plant & equipment	769,586		762,270
	Other long-term assets	5,945		6,075
	Goodwill	160,939		160,939
	Intangible assets	15,030		15,270
	Deferred income taxes	37,188		39,913
Total assets		1,332,569		1,336,975
Liabilities
Current liabilities
	Bank indebtedness	-		9,007
	Trade and other payables	183,426		201,477
	Payables to related parties	4,578		3,606
	Income tax payable	766		1,779
	Distributions payable	10,203		10,148
	Current portion of provisions	1,604		1,885
	Current portion of long-term debt	8,828		8,859
		209,405		236,761
Non-current liabilities
	Long-term debt	443,471		415,379
	Provisions	6,730		6,487
	Pensions	94,953		92,646
	Post-retirement benefits	58,307		57,162
	Liabilities to non-unitholders	812,866		808,435
	Current portion of Partnership units liability	8,611		8,611
	Long-term portion of Partnership units liability	131,214		137,296
	Total Partnership units liability	139,825		145,907
Total liabilities		952,691		954,342
Equity
	Partnership units	341,406		336,576
	Deficit	(49,612	)	(42,792	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	88,084		88,849
Total equity		379,878		382,633
Total equity and liabilities		1,332,569		1,336,975

Kruger Products L.P.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
		3-month period ended March 26, 2017		3-month period ended March 27, 2016
		$		$
Revenue		289,271		279,690
Expenses
	Cost of sales	244,254		240,647
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,221		21,652
	Loss on sale of non-financial assets	13		-
	Restructuring costs, net	11		-
Operating income		21,772		17,391
	Interest expense	10,264		11,214
	Other (income) expense	1,945		(829	)
Income before income taxes		9,563		7,006
Income taxes		2,614		616
Net income for the period		6,949		6,390
Other comprehensive loss
	Items that will not be reclassified to net income:
	Remeasurements of pensions	(2,567	)	(16,769	)
	Remeasurements of post-retirement benefits	(884	)	121
	Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net income:
	Available-for-sale investment	-		(290	)
	Cumulative translation adjustment	(765	)	(13,981	)
Total other comprehensive loss for the period		(4,216	)	(30,919	)
Comprehensive income (loss) for the period		2,733		(24,529	)

Kruger Products L.P.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
		3-month period ended March 26 2017		3-month period ended March 27, 2016
		$		$
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities
Net income for the period		6,949		6,390
Items not affecting cash
	Depreciation	11,748		10,087
	Amortization	240		284
	Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment	(2	)	1
	Change in amortized cost of Partnership units liability	2,529		1,234
	Gain on sale of investment	-		(324	)
	Foreign exchange gain	(584	)	(1,739	)
	Interest expense	10,264		11,214
	Pension and post retirement benefits	2,513		2,659
	Provisions	244		141
	Income taxes	2,614		616
	Loss on sale of non-financial assets	13		-
	Total items not affecting cash	29,579		24,173
Net change in non-cash working capital		(28,860	)	(16,639	)
Contributions to pension and post-retirement benefit plans		(3,738	)	(5,843	)
Provisions paid		(334	)	(476	)
Income tax payments		(1,507	)	(865	)
Net cash from operating activities		2,089		6,740
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities
Purchases of property, plant & equipment		(12,734	)	(16,189	)
Capitalized interest paid		(222	)	-
Proceeds on sale of investment		-		1,439
Government assistance received		916		1,209
Purchases of software		-		(69	)
Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment		1,043		-
Net cash used in investing activities		(10,997	)	(13,610	)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt		28,015		791
Repayment of long-term debt		(126	)	(7,204	)
Payment of deferred financing fees		(9	)	(330	)
Interest paid on long-term debt		(2,558	)	(1,019	)
Distributions and advances paid, net		(9,018	)	(6,547	)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities		16,304		(14,309	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currency		(56	)	(296	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period		7,340		(21,475	)
Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period		27,504		25,455
Cash and cash equivalents - End of period		34,844		3,980

Kruger Products L.P.
Segment and Geographic Results
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
		3-month period ended March 26, 2017		3-month period ended March 27, 2016
		$		$
Segment Information
Segment Revenue
	Consumer	238,927		228,151
	AFH	48,674		49,052
	Other	1,670		2,487
Total segment revenue		289,271		279,690
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
	Consumer	32,972		27,807
	AFH	655		30
	Other	155		250
Total segment Adjusted EBITDA		33,782		28,087
Reconciliation to Net Income:
Depreciation and amortization		11,988		10,371
Interest expense		10,264		11,214
Change in amortized cost of Partnership units liability		2,529		1,234
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment		(2	)	1
Loss on sale of non-financial assets		13		-
Restructuring costs		11		-
Foreign exchange gain		(584	)	(1,739	)
Income before income taxes		9,563		7,006
Income taxes		2,614		616
Net income		6,949		6,390
Geographic Revenue
Canada		173,877		163,772
U.S.		104,649		103,786
Mexico		10,745		12,132
Total revenue		289,271		279,690

KP Tissue Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Statement of Financial Position
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
		March 26, 2017		December 31, 2016
		$		$
Assets
Current assets
	Distributions receivable	1,642		1,636
	Receivable from Partnership	-		426
	Income tax recoverable	303		-
		1,945		2,062
Non-current assets
	Investment in associate	113,706		117,349
Total Assets		115,651		119,411
Liabilities
Current liabilities
	Dividend payable	1,642		1,636
	Payable to Partnership	271		-
	Current portion of advances from Partnership	71		914
	Income tax payable	-		884
		1,984		3,434
Non-current liabilities
	Deferred income taxes	944		893
Total liabilities		2,928		4,327
Equity
	Common shares	13,647		13,176
	Contributed surplus	144,819		144,819
	Deficit	(61,389	)	(58,729	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	15,646		15,818
Total equity		112,723		115,084
Total liabilities and equity		115,651		119,411

KP Tissue Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Loss
(thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)
		3-month period ended March 26, 2017		3-month period ended March 27, 2016
		$		$
Equity loss		(363	)	(378	)
Dilution gain (loss)		50		(171	)
Loss before income taxes		(313	)	(549	)
Income taxes		248		929
Net loss for the period		(561	)	(1,478	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)net of tax expense (recovery)
	Items that will not be reclassified to net loss:
	Remeasurements of pensions	(359	)	(2,380	)
	Remeasurements of post-retirement benefits	(87	)	12
	Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net loss:
	Available-for-sale investment	-		(41	)
	Cumulative translation adjustment	(172	)	(2,531	)
Total other comprehensive loss for the period		(618	)	(4,940	)
Comprehensive loss for the period		(1,179	)	(6,418	)
Basic loss per share		(0.06	)	(0.16	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding		9,116,437		8,993,554

KP Tissue Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
		3-month period ended March 26, 2017		3-month period ended March 27, 2016
		$		$
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities
Net loss for the period		(561	)	(1,478	)
Items not affecting cash
	Equity loss	363		378
	Dilution (gain) loss	(50	)	171
	Income taxes	248		929
	Total items not affecting cash	561		1,478
Net change in non-cash working capital		697		-
Tax payments		(1,249	)	(205	)
Tax Distribution received		481		-
Advances received		71		205
Net cash from (used in) operating activities		-		-
Cash flows from investing activites
Partnership unit distributions received		1,176		1,613
Net cash from investing activities		1,176		1,613
Cash flows used in financing activities
Dividends paid		(1,176	)	(1,613	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,176	)	(1,613	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period		-		-
Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period		-		-
Cash and cash equivalents - End of period		-		-