e40vfza
TABLE OF CONTENTS
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 40-F/A
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
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Commission File Number 9682 |
Domtar Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrants name into English (if applicable)
Canada
(Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
2621
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code-Number (if applicable))
Not applicable
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number (if applicable))
395 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1L6 (514) 848-5400
(Address and telephone number of Registrants principal executive offices)
CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10011, (212) 664-1666
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
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Title of each class |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Shares no par value
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New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Not Applicable
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
8.75% Notes due 2006, 7.875% Notes due 2011, 5.375% Notes due 2013,
7.125% Notes due 2015 and 91/2% Debentures due 2016
(Title of Class)
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:
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þ Annual Information form
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o Audited annual financial statements |
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common
stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Common Shares 230,967,488 shares
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by filing the information contained in this form
is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). If Yes is marked, indicate the file number
assigned to the Registrant in connection with such Rule.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the last 90 days.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 40-F/A may contain forward-looking statements relating to trends in, or
representing managements beliefs about, Domtars future growth, results of operations, performance
and business prospects and opportunities. These forward-looking statements are generally denoted
by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, expect, intend, aim, target, plan,
continue, estimate, may, will, should and similar expressions. These statements reflect
managements current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties such as, but not limited to, general economic and business conditions, product
selling prices, raw material and operating costs, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the
ability to integrate acquired businesses into existing operations, the ability to realize
anticipated cost savings, the performance of manufacturing operations, and other factors referenced
herein and in Domtars continuous disclosure filings. These factors should be considered carefully
and undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements. Although the
forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 40-F/A are based upon what
management believes to be reasonable estimates and assumptions, Domtar cannot ensure that actual
results will not be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. Domtar assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to
reflect new events or circumstances. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among
other things, those discussed under Risk Factors as well as those discussed elsewhere in this
annual report on Form 40-F/A.
Form 40-F/A
Domtar Inc.
March 27, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Annual Information Form
Exhibits
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1.1 |
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CEO 302 Certification |
1.2 |
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CFO 302 Certification |
2.1 |
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CEO 906 Certification |
2.2 |
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CFO 906 Certification |
3.0 |
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Charter Audit Committee |
Annual Information Form
March 27, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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- 1 -
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Incorporation of the Issuer
Our full corporate name is Domtar Inc. The Corporations registered and principal office is
at 395 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1L6.
Formed in 1929 under the laws of Canada, Domtar Inc. was continued under the Canada Business
Corporations Act by a certificate of continuance dated December 30, 1977 and subsequently
amalgamated with certain wholly-owned subsidiaries by certificates of amalgamation dated December
31, 1977, October 31, 1978 and July 31, 1979. The December 31, 1977 and October 31, 1978
certificates of amalgamation were issued in the course of the consolidation of substantially all of
the Corporations Canadian operations into a single corporation. The July 31, 1979 certificate
of amalgamation confirmed the amalgamation of Domtar Inc. and two wholly-owned subsidiaries. On
January 1, 2000, Domtar Inc. amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary, E.B. Eddy Forest
Products Ltd. to continue under the name Domtar Inc.
In this Annual Information Form (AIF), unless otherwise specified, Domtar, we, us and
our refer to Domtar Inc., its subsidiaries, as well as its joint ventures, and the Corporation
refers to Domtar Inc. and its subsidiaries but excludes interests in joint ventures including
Norampac Inc. (Norampac), Gogama Forest Products Inc. and Anthony Domtar Inc., in which we own a
50% investment interest. In accordance with industry practice, in this AIF, the term ton refers
to a short ton, an imperial unit of measurement equal to 0.9072 metric tons, and the term tonne
refers to a metric ton. Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian
dollars as are the term dollars and the symbol $. The term U.S. dollars and the symbol US$
refer to United States dollars.
Intercorporate Relationships
Domtar Industries Inc., Domtar A.W. Corp., Domtar Maine Corp. and Ris Paper Company, Inc.
(Ris Paper) are the only significant direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Corporation as of the
date of this AIF. They are all wholly-owned with the jurisdiction of incorporation of Domtar
Industries Inc., Domtar Maine Corp., and Domtar A.W. Corp. being Delaware and that of Ris Paper
being New York State. There are no non-voting shares held in these subsidiaries by the
Corporation.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This AIF may contain forward-looking statements relating to trends in, or representing
managements beliefs about, Domtars future growth, results of operations, performance and business
prospects and opportunities. These forward-looking statements are generally denoted by the use of
words such as anticipate, believe, expect, intend, aim, target, plan, continue,
estimate, may, will, should and similar expressions. These statements reflect managements
current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking
statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered
reasonable by management, are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties such
as, but not limited to, general economic and business conditions, product selling prices, raw
material and operating costs, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the ability to integrate
acquired businesses into existing operations, the ability to realize anticipated cost savings, the
performance of manufacturing operations, and other factors referenced herein and in Domtars
continuous disclosure filings. These factors should be considered carefully and undue reliance
should not be placed on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements
contained in this AIF are based upon what management believes to be reasonable estimates and
assumptions, Domtar cannot ensure that actual results will not be materially different from those
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Domtar assumes no obligation to update
or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. These risks,
uncertainties and other factors include, among other things, those discussed under Risk Factors
as well as those discussed elsewhere in this AIF.
- 2 -
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
History
Since 1997, under the leadership of our senior management team, we have implemented a series
of strategic initiatives designed to reposition the Corporation in order to enhance shareholder
value and to increase our customers loyalty to us by meeting their quality and service needs.
(1) Norampac Joint Venture. In December 1997, the Corporation combined its containerboard and
corrugated packaging business with the containerboard and corrugated packaging business of Cascades
Inc. by forming Norampac. The Corporation received $300 million in cash from Norampac and retained
a 50% equity interest in Norampac.
(2) Acquisition of E.B. Eddy. In July 1998, the Corporation acquired E.B. Eddy Ltd. and E.B. Eddy
Paper, Inc. (E.B. Eddy), an integrated Canadian producer of specialty paper and wood products,
by paying $440 million in cash, issuing common shares with a market value at the acquisition date
of $368 million and assuming debt of $75 million.
(3) Acquisition of Ris Paper. In July 2000, the Corporation acquired Ris Paper, one of the largest
independent merchants of commercial printing and business papers in the United States, by paying $7
million in cash, issuing common shares with a market value at the acquisition date of $24 million
and assuming debt of $102 million.
(4) Acquisition of Four Paper Mills. On August 7, 2001, the Corporation acquired four integrated
pulp and paper mills in the United States for US$1.65 billion ($2.53 billion) in cash (the 2001
Acquisition). The 2001 Acquisition doubled the size of the Corporations annual paper production
capacity to approximately 2.7 million tons and consolidated its position in the uncoated freesheet
market by giving it critical mass.
(5) Rationalization of Production Facilities. We have made an ongoing commitment to adjust
production to meet our customers needs, as well as maintain operational flexibility and a
competitive manufacturing base. We are continually reviewing our operations to improve flexibility
and our competitive position through an extensive benchmarking of best practices. These efforts
have mainly impacted our Papers and Wood segments and have resulted in workforce reductions and
mill closures.
Papers
In March 2002, we announced the shut down of one paper machine at the Nekoosa, Wisconsin paper
mill and the permanent closure of the St. Catharines, Ontario paper mill. These initiatives
permanently curtailed 80,000 tons of paper production.
In early 2004, we decided to shut down one of two paper machines at our Vancouver mill,
resulting in the permanent curtailment of 45,000 tons of paper manufacturing capacity and the
elimination of approximately 85 permanent positions. We also announced the elimination of
approximately 330 permanent positions over the course of 2004 to 2006 within our Papers operations.
In the fourth quarter of 2004, we announced the shutdown, for an indefinite period, of the
pulp mill, one paper machine and its sheeter at our Cornwall mill as of March 8, 2005.
In November 2005, we announced the permanent shutdown of our Cornwall pulp and paper mill as
well as our Ottawa mill, which will be effective March 31, 2006. We also announced our intention
to seek a buyer for our Vancouver coated paper mill. If unsold by June 30, 2006, it will be
permanently shut down. These closures will result in a reduction of our production capacity of
160,000 tons of pulp and 450,000 tons of paper per annum (including 160,00 tons of pulp and 85,000
tons of paper already affected by the temporary closure of the Cornwall mill announced in the last
quarter of 2004) and will impact approximately 1,380 positions (including 390 positions already
affected by the temporary closure of the Cornwall mill announced in the last quarter of 2004). We
further
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announced that approximately 200 permanent positions, mainly related to our paper operations,
will be eliminated by the end of 2006.
In addition to these measures, we intend to improve profitability by implementing supply chain
initiatives that are expected to reduce operational costs and improve customer satisfaction. These
initiatives are aimed at increasing the efficiency of our converting and distribution centers and
the cost effectiveness of transportation for just-in-time deliveries. Furthermore, we plan to
transfer some of our paper grades to more profitable papermaking facilities and machines within our
network. Above all, we plan to continue providing our customers with products, services and
solutions that meet their needs. We believe that these initiatives will result in increased
productivity and optimized production in our more efficient operations.
Wood
On November 29, 2002, we announced the permanent closure of our wood remanufacturing facility
in Daveluyville, Quebec, and our hardwood lumber operation in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. These
actions resulted from our decision to concentrate our remanufacturing operations at the Sullivan
mill in the Abitibi region of Quebec, to exit the hardwood lumber business and to focus our efforts
on improving the efficiency of our softwood lumber mills.
In January 2005, we announced, in conjunction with Tembec Inc., the restructuring of our
northeastern Ontario sawmill operations, resulting in the permanent closure of our Chapleau sawmill
as of March 6, 2005. This measure impacted 67 permanent positions. This initiative arose from a
review of our northeastern Ontario sawmill operations in light of prevailing challenging
conditions. This initiative allowed us to add a third shift at the jointly-owned Elk Lake sawmill
in April 2005 to process additional fiber from the Chapleau closure and resulting fiber swap with
Tembec Inc.
In November 2005, we announced the permanent closure of our Grand-Remous and Malartic
sawmills, effective in the second quarter of 2006, due to the lower softwood fiber allocations and
higher fiber costs in Quebec. These measures will impact approximately 200 permanent positions.
Subject to the governments approval, the wood fiber allocation for Grand-Remous and Malartic will
be transferred to Domtars other sawmills in Quebec. We expect that this will result in more
efficient operations by going to three shifts, and will offer the possibility for approximately 80
employees from the closed sawmills to transfer to new positions created by the third shift. We are
also working with a partner, and in collaboration with the government, on a value-added project
using the Grand-Remous and Malartic infrastructures.
Other workforce reductions
In the fourth quarter of 2004, we announced the elimination of 400 additional permanent
positions across our operations in Canada and the United States, including 150 management and staff
functions, by the end of 2005.
In November 2005, we announced further measures to reduce our costs, including eliminating 100
additional corporate and divisional permanent positions, eliminating 200 additional operational
positions and consolidating the North American administrative offices in Montreal and Cincinnati.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Industry Segment and Geographic Area Information
Financial information pertaining to Domtars consolidated industry, geographical segments and
export sales is presented in Note 24 of Domtars Consolidated Financial Statements for the year
ended December 31, 2005 (the 2005 Consolidated Financial Statements), which are incorporated
herein by reference.
- 4 -
Description of Our Business
Domtars reporting segments correspond to the following business activities: Papers, Paper
Merchants and Wood. In addition, our 50% investment in Norampac corresponds to the Packaging
segment. For the year ended December 31, 2005, consolidated sales were $5.0 billion.
Segmented sales
For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
Sales by geographical area
For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
Business Strategy
Our overall strategic objective is to be a world leader in the paper industry. We have
developed our business strategies around three pillars: meeting and anticipating the ever-changing
needs of customers, providing our shareholders with attractive returns, and fostering a dynamic and
creative environment for our employees in which shared human values and personal commitment
prevail.
Our business strategies are to continue to:
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- anticipate and meet the needs of our customers in order to enhance customer loyalty; |
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- improve the productivity of our mills and the quality of our products and services; |
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- broaden our distribution capabilities; |
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- grow through acquisitions and alliances within our areas of expertise; |
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- maintain strict financial discipline; |
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- foster the personal growth and participation of employees; |
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- act as a responsible corporate citizen. |
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Papers
We are the third largest integrated manufacturer and marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in
North America. We produce, market and distribute a wide range of fine paper products. These reach
a variety of customers that include paper merchants, business offices, office equipment
manufacturers (OEMs), retail outlets, commercial printers, publishers and converters. We operate
four pulp and paper mills in Canada (reflecting the permanent closure of the Cornwall and Ottawa
mills and the decision to sell the Vancouver mill) and five in the United States, with an annual
production capacity of approximately 2.3 million tons of paper, complemented by strategically
located warehouse and sales offices. In addition, we sell pulp in excess of our own internal
requirements. Our Papers business is our most important segment and represented 55% of
consolidated sales in 2005, or 61% when including sales of Domtar paper through our own Paper
Merchants business, compared to 56% of consolidated sales in 2004, or 62% when including sales of
Domtar paper through our own Paper Merchants business.
The following table sets forth Domtars trade shipments of paper and market pulp for the years
indicated:
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Years ended December 31, |
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2005 |
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2004 |
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2003 |
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2002 |
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2001(1) |
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Paper (thousands of tons) |
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2,510 |
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2,562 |
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2,499 |
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2,613 |
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1,828 |
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Market pulp (thousands of tons) |
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633 |
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808 |
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769 |
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789 |
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505 |
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(1) |
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The shipments statistics for 2001 contain five months of shipments for the integrated pulp and paper mills acquired in
2001 497,000 tons of paper and 194,000 tons of pulp. |
Our principal paper product categories consist of business papers, commercial printing
and publication papers, and technical and specialty papers. The following chart illustrates the
principal paper products we produce and our annual paper production capacity by type, grade and
application.
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The allocation of production capacity may vary from period to period in order to take
advantage of market conditions. On November 30, 2005, we announced our decision to
permanently close the Cornwall and Ottawa paper mills and our decision to sell the Vancouver
paper mill. These permanent closures and sale, impacting 450,000 tons of paper, have been
assumed to be effective as at January 1, 2006 and have been reflected in the above capacity. |
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Our business papers consist mainly of uncoated freesheet papers, such as copy and premium
imaging papers used in photocopy machines, laser and inkjet printers. These products are
principally for home and office use and represent about 40% of our paper production.
Our commercial printing grade papers include uncoated freesheet papers, such as offset papers,
opaques and a variety of coated printing papers. These grades are used in sheet and roll fed offset
presses across the spectrum of commercial printing end-uses, including digital printing. Our
publication papers include tradebook and lightweight uncoated and coated papers used principally in
book publishing applications such as textbooks, dictionaries, catalogs, magazines, hard cover
novels and financial printing. Design papers, a sub-group of commercial printing and publication
papers, have distinct features of color, brightness and texture and are targeted towards graphic
artists in design and advertising agencies, for use primarily in special brochures and annual
reports. Commercial printing and publication papers represent 44% of our paper production.
We also produce paper for several technical and specialty markets. These technical and
specialty papers consist primarily of base stock used by the flexible packaging industry in the
production of food and medical packaging and other specialty papers for various other industrial
applications, including base stock for sandpaper, base stock for medical gowns, drapes and
packaging, as well as transfer paper for printing processes. We also participate in several
converting grades for specialty and security applications. These technical and specialty papers
represent about 16% of our paper production.
Product Development
We pursue product development opportunities in order to provide customers with new or enhanced
products. We annually target specific improvements for profitability and volume of new product
sales. New product ideas are proactively sought and rewarded throughout the organization. Ideas are
screened and products developed using the Stage-Gate process, which ensures a disciplined approach
that prioritizes and plans activities to maximize benefits and minimize development costs and time
to market. Technical and specialty papers are often created in partnership with product
manufacturers and sold to them directly. Our various manufacturing capabilities provide us with
flexibility to develop specialized products at a competitive cost advantage over the life cycle of
the products.
In 2005, an initiative was introduced to raise the current North American brightness standard
from 84 GE brightness (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry TAPPI standard that
measures brightness) to 92 GE brightness for regular uncoated freesheet grades and from 92 GE
brightness to 96 GE brightness for opaque grades. As of year-end, we have completed the transition
to the 92 GE brightness in all of our paper mills.
During 2005, we shipped approximately 550,000 tons of products that were improved/developed
after 2002 (including the products that were transitioned to higher brightness), accounting for
about 22% of our total paper shipments. We also support fundamental research at several
universities and through research institutions such as the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of
Canada.
Customers and Distribution
The following chart illustrates our channels of distribution for our paper products:
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Generally, we sell business papers through paper merchants, OEMs, stationers and retail
outlets. We distribute coated and uncoated commercial printing and publication papers to end-users
and commercial printers, mainly through paper merchants, as well as selling directly to converters.
We sell our technical and specialty products mainly to converters, who apply a further production
process such as coating, laminating or waxing to our papers before selling them to a variety of
specialized end-users.
Our customer service personnel work closely with sales, marketing and production staff to
provide service and support to merchants, converters, end-users, stationers, printers and
retailers. We promote our products directly to end-users and others who influence paper purchasing
decisions in order to enhance brand recognition and increase product demand. In addition, our
sales representatives work closely with mill-based new product development
personnel and undertake joint marketing initiatives with customers in order to better
understand our customers businesses and needs and to support their future requirements.
We distributed about 72% of our paper products in 2005 through a large network of paper sales
merchants operating throughout North America, one of which we own (see Paper Merchants). Paper
merchants, who sell our products to their own customers, represent our largest group of customers.
In 2005, approximately 90% of our paper sales were made to customers in the United States.
Domtar signed a contract with Unisource Worldwide, Inc. back in 2001, to sell them up to
420,000 tons of paper, principally printing and imaging, per year. The performance of this
contract, which expires in August 2006, is guaranteed by Georgia-Pacific Corporation (GP). We
also had additional agreements with GP for the sale of paper, principally printing and imaging,
which expired on January 1, 2006. We do not view the maturity of these agreements as having a
material impact on our future shipments as we believe that we will continue to sell this paper
volume.
We sell market pulp to customers in North America through a centrally located sales force. We
also sell market pulp to overseas customers through commission agents. We maintain pulp supplies
at strategically located warehouses, which allows us to respond to orders on short notice. In 2005,
approximately 10% of our sales of market pulp were made in Canada, 37% were made in the United
States, 6% in Mexico and 47% overseas. We also purchase pulp to optimize paper production and
reduce freight costs. In 2005, our net market pulp position (the amount of pulp produced in excess
of our internal requirements) was approximately 554,000 tons. In 2006, our net pulp position is
expected to be approximately 950,000 tons as a result of the announced paper mill closures.
In order to better respond to customer needs and improve the flexibility of our production
network, we implemented an integrated resource management system. Progressively introduced since
July 2003, this system establishes a common platform and database for customer service, integrates
production-planning processes in the mills and implements common financial processes and standards.
As at December 31, 2005, the roll-out of the integrated system was completed across our operations
and we achieved our goal of having approximately 85% of our transactions being processed by this
system.
Furthermore, in 2005, we introduced Domtar EarthChoice®, a line of socially and
environmentally responsible papers, endorsed by Rainforest Alliance and welcomed by Forest Ethics
and the World Wildlife Fund. The Domtar EarthChoice® line of coated and uncoated Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) certified papers provides customers with a product offering that is
aligned with their growing preference for sustainable development.
Facilities
The following table lists the paper production facilities owned and operated by us. The table
also indicates the number of paper machines at each facility, the principal products manufactured
at each facility, and the approximate annual production capacity of each facility. Approximately
65% of our paper production capacity is located in the United States. All of our pulp and paper
mills are certified ISO 14001 except for our Windsor mill, which is certified under the Responsible
Care program. In addition, all of our mills are FSC chain of custody certified except for our
Ashdown mill, which we aim to certify by the end of 2006, and our Lebel-sur-Quévillon
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pulp mill, which has been idled indefinitely due to adverse market conditions. With the recent FSC
certification of our Val dOr forest operations, the incentive now exists to obtain FSC chain of
custody certification for Lebel-sur-Quévillon when it re-opens following its temporary shutdown in
November 2005 due to unfavorable economic conditions.
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Paper Production |
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Paper |
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Annual |
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Facility |
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Location |
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Machines |
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Principal Paper Type |
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Capacity(1) |
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(millions of tons) |
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Ashdown |
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Arkansas |
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4 |
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Copy, offset and technical and specialty |
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0.9 |
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Windsor |
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Quebec |
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2 |
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Copy and offset |
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0.6 |
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Nekoosa |
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Wisconsin |
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3 |
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Uncoated printing and technical and specialty |
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0.2 |
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Port Edwards |
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Wisconsin |
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4 |
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Uncoated printing and technical and specialty |
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0.2 |
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Hull |
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Quebec |
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1 |
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Coated lightweight |
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0.1 |
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Woodland |
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Maine |
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1 |
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Copy, offset and technical and specialty |
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0.1 |
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Port Huron |
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Michigan |
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4 |
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Technical and specialty |
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0.1 |
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Espanola |
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Ontario |
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2 |
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Technical and specialty |
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0.1 |
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Total |
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21 |
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2.3 |
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(1)
|
The allocation of production capacity may vary from period to period in order
to take advantage of market conditions. On November 30, 2005, we announced our decision
to permanently close our Cornwall and Ottawa paper mills and our decision to sell the
Vancouver paper mill. These permanent closures and sale, impacting 450,000 tons of paper,
have been assumed to be effective as at January 1, 2006 and have been reflected in the above
capacity. |
Our net market pulp position principally results from production at our mills in Ashdown,
Espanola, Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Woodland.
For a discussion on sources of raw material for paper production, see Fiber Supply section.
Power Facilities
We own power generating facilities at nine locations: Ashdown, Espanola, Lebel-sur-Quévillon,
Nekoosa, Ottawa-Hull, Port Edwards, Port Huron, Windsor and Woodland. Approximately 60% of our
electric power requirements are met by our own facilities. We purchase the balance of our power
requirements from local utilities. In addition, we provide about 67% of the energy required to
produce steam internally through our recovery boilers and cogeneration facilities with the
remaining energy purchased in the form of bark, natural gas, oil and coal.
Paper Merchants
Our Paper Merchants business comprises the purchasing, warehousing, sale and distribution of
various products made by us and by other manufacturers. These products include business and
printing papers, graphic arts supplies and certain industrial products. These products are sold to
a wide and diverse customer base, which includes small, medium and large commercial printers,
publishers, business forms manufacturers, quick copy firms and institutional entities.
Domtar-owned paper merchants operate in the United States and Canada under a single banner and
umbrella name, the Domtar Distribution Group, which is the fifth largest paper merchant
organization in North America. Ris Paper, acquired in July 2000, operates throughout the
Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest areas from 20 locations in the United States, including 16
distribution centers. The Canadian business operates as Buntin Reid in three locations in Ontario;
JBR/La Maison du Papier in two locations in Quebec; and The Paper House from two locations in
Atlantic Canada. Our Paper Merchants business represented 21% of consolidated sales in 2005, or 15%
when excluding sales of Domtar paper, compared to 21% of consolidated sales in 2004, or
- 9 -
15% when excluding sales of Domtar paper. In 2005, approximately 31% of Paper Merchants sales were made to
customers in Canada and 69% were made to customers in the United States.
Sales are executed through our sales force based at branches strategically located in served
markets. We distribute about 53% of our paper sales from our own warehouse distribution system and
about 47% of our paper sales through mill-direct deliveries (i.e., deliveries directly from
manufacturers, including Domtar, to our customers). The branch warehousing capability is
configured as a regional hub and spoke operation whereby larger hub branches carry higher and more diverse levels of inventory to support larger local
market needs along with inter-branch shipments to smaller spoke branches.
In April 2003, the Canadian Competition Bureau (the Bureau) began an investigation of
Canadas major Distributors of carbonless paper and other fine paper products, including our Paper
Merchants in Canada. In March 2004, the Bureau expanded its investigation to include dealings
between the Corporation and Xerox Canada Limited. In December 2005, we recorded a $12.5 million
charge relating to a legal settlement with regards to the sales of carbonless sheet paper in
Ontario and Quebec during a one-year period in part of 1999 and 2000. With this settlement, the
Canadian antitrust authorities have concluded their investigations into our business activities.
Wood
Our Wood business comprises the manufacturing and marketing of lumber and wood-based
value-added products from our operating facilities located in Ontario and Quebec, the distribution
of imported lumber, as well as the management of forest resources in Ontario and Quebec. We also
have investments in four businesses that produce wood products. Our Wood business represented 11%
of consolidated sales in 2005 compared to 11% of consolidated sales in 2004.
We produce mainly softwood dimensional lumber used primarily in the construction industry.
Products include studs and random length lumber in dimensions of 2 inches X 3 inches through 2
inches X 10 inches in lengths of 8 feet to 16 feet. We operate four sawmills and one
re-manufacturing facility in Quebec (Matagami, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Val-dOr, Ste-Marie and
Sullivan, reflecting the permanent closure of the Grand-Remous and Malartic sawmills, effective in
the second quarter of 2006) and four sawmills in Ontario (White River, Timmins, Elk Lake
(jointly-owned) and Nairn Center, reflecting the permanent closure of the Chapleau sawmill,
effective March 6, 2005). As at February 22, 2006, these facilities had a total annual capacity of
1.1 billion board feet of lumber. In 2005, approximately 90% of the lumber shipped by us was kiln
dried.
The following table sets forth our trade shipments of lumber for the years indicated:
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2001 |
|
Lumber (millions of board feet) |
|
|
1,107 |
|
|
|
1,009 |
|
|
|
999 |
|
|
|
1,037 |
|
|
|
982 |
|
We sell substantially all of our softwood lumber through our own sales office in Montreal to a
wide range of retailers, distributors, manufacturers and wholesalers in Canada and the United
States who sell to end-users. These wood products are consumed in the home construction,
renovation and industrial markets. Our marketing efforts for lumber products are focused on
providing our customers with efficient value-added supply chain integration, ensuring a high level
of customer satisfaction and achieving a balanced and diversified customer base for our products.
In 2005, approximately 29% of sales of wood products were made in Canada and 71% were made in the
United States.
In addition to producing dimensional lumber and studs, we manufacture lumber that is graded
according to recognized standards, such as Premium, Select, J-Grade and Machine Stress Rated
lumber. Domtar also has a 50% interest in a facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario that began
manufacturing I-joists in 2002 and a 50% interest in a fully-integrated sawmill, kiln and planer
operation in northern Ontario with an annual capacity of approximately
- 10 -
60 million board feet of lumber. In early 2005, we announced, in conjunction with Tembec Inc., the restructuring of our
northeastern Ontario sawmill operations, resulting in the permanent closure of our Chapleau sawmill
as of March 6, 2005 and an investment in a new finger-jointed plant with Tembec Inc. to be located
on the site of Tembecs Kirkland Lake sawmill, which was slated for closure. This initiative
allowed us to add a third shift at the jointly-owned Elk Lake sawmill in April 2005 to process
additional fiber from the Chapleau closure and resulting fiber swap with Tembec Inc.
Fiber Supply
We use hardwood and softwood fiber for the production of paper and softwood for the production
of lumber. Our forestry strategy is to optimize wood flows within our fiber supply area and to
maximize value and minimize cost while securing an adequate wood supply for our operations. We
focus both on the delivery of fresh, high-quality recently harvested wood (which is more resistant
to staining and insect attack and has a higher moisture content, making it easier for sawmills to
maximize the lumber manufactured from each log) and on the sorting of species (which helps maximize
fiber use and ensures better quality downstream products).
We seek to optimize 17 million acres of forestlands for which the Corporation is wholly
responsible through efficient management and the application of certified sustainable forest
management practices such that a continuous supply of wood is available for future needs. Site
preparation, planting and harvesting techniques are continually improved through a variety of
methods, including tree improvement and silvicultural research. All our forestlands in Canada have
received ISO 14001 certification. Such certification requires introducing rigorous documentation,
standardized forest management practices and provisions for continuous improvement. We have also
received FSC certification for our forest management practices on lands in central Ontario (in
2001). The FSC is an independent non-profit organization that sets internationally accepted
standards for environmental sustainability. As a result of this forest certification, we began the
manufacture and sale, during 2003, of paper grades certified by the FSC. Forest products may carry
the FSC logo only when a required minimum of fiber content is traceable to an FSC-certified forest
of origin and is documented by a full chain-of-custody review. In November 2003, the Corporation
undertook to attain FSC certification for all of its 17 million acres of directly licensed and
owned forestlands subject to the successful completion of two boreal forest pilot projects. As of
December 31, 2005, FSC audits have been completed on over 25% of Domtar direct licensed and owned
forestland in addition to the certification of over 5 million acres on two other Domtar co-managed
forests in northern Ontario. Certification is expected on the remaining landbase in 2006 and 2007.
In Quebec and Ontario, our harvesting rights on public lands provide an annual allowable
harvest of approximately 4.7 million cubic meters of wood. Access to harvesting of fiber on public
lands in Quebec and Ontario is subject to review by the respective governmental authorities. Our
freehold land of approximately 900,000 acres in Quebec, Ontario and Maine provide an annual
allowable harvest of approximately 0.5 million cubic meters of wood.
In Quebec, our annual allowable harvest of approximately 2.0 million cubic meters, derived on
a sustained yield basis from public land granted by the Ministry of Natural Resources (Quebec) and
from our own freehold lands can supply almost all the logs needed for two-shift operations of our
northern Quebec sawmills. The chips produced by these sawmills provide approximately 80% of the
fiber requirements of the pulp mill at Lebel-sur-Quévillon. The remaining required fiber is
purchased under various contractual arrangements and on the open market.
The Province of Quebec adopted new legislation, which became effective April 1, 2005, that
reduced allowable wood-harvesting volumes by an average of 20% on public lands and 25% on
territories covered by an agreement between the Government of Quebec and the Cree First Nations.
As a result, the amount of fiber we are permitted to harvest annually, under our existing licenses
from the Quebec government, was reduced by approximately 500,000 cubic meters (to approximately 2.0
million cubic meters), reflecting a 21% reduction. This affects the supply of fiber for our
Northern Quebec softwood sawmill and market pulp operations.
- 11 -
We are currently working on finding solutions such as obtaining alternate sources of fiber.
The reduction in harvest volume increases the unit cost of wood delivered to the sawmills. If we
are unable to maintain an adequate supply of fiber and mitigate the significant cost increase and
wood delivery cost, our Northern Quebec softwood sawmill and market pulp operations would have to
operate significantly below capacity, which would have a material adverse impact on these
operations and may result in closures or impairment of assets.
In Ontario, our annual allowable harvest amounts to approximately 2.7 million cubic meters
pursuant to Sustainable Forest Licenses, or SFLs, that have been granted by the Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources. These SFLs are granted either directly to Domtar, to SFL management companies
in which Domtar is a shareholder or to SFL holders with whom Domtar has no direct association. We
obtain approximately 80% of the wood fiber required for our northern sawmill operations and our
Espanola pulp mill either directly or indirectly from these harvesting rights and from our own
freehold lands. The remaining required fiber is purchased under various contractual arrangements
and on the open market. Most of the by-product volume (sawdust and shaving) is sold to
manufacturers of engineered wood and paperboard.
Our fine paper mill at Windsor, which consumes hardwood fiber, is located in an area where the
fiber supply is adequate to sustain all current fiber requirements. The Windsor mill consumes
hardwood fiber originating from a variety of sources, including purchases on the open market in
Canada and the United States, contracts with Quebec wood producers marketing boards and our own
private lands.
The fiber used by our pulp and paper mills in the United States is primarily hardwood, which
is readily available in the market from multiple third-party sources, and secondarily softwood,
which is also readily available. The Ashdown, Wisconsin and Woodland mills are sourced by a
combination of long-term supply contracts, wood lot management arrangements, advance stumpage
purchases, and spot market purchases. Our Ashdown mill was previously supplied with fiber under a
procurement contract, which expired in late 2004. In the past year, fiber has been more expensive
at our Wisconsin and Ashdown mills due to weather-induced fiber shortages.
Packaging Norampac
Our packaging business comprises our 50% ownership interest in Norampac, a joint venture
between Domtar Inc. and Cascades Inc. We do not manage the day-to-day operations of Norampac. The
Board of Directors of Norampac is composed of four representatives each from Domtar Inc. and
Cascades Inc. The Chairman of the Board is proposed by Domtar Inc. and appointed by the Board,
while the President and Chief Executive Officer is proposed by Cascades Inc. and appointed by the
Board. Norampacs debt is non-recourse to Domtar Inc. As required by Canadian Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP), we account for our 50% interest in Norampac using the proportionate
consolidation method. Our Packaging business represented 13% of consolidated sales in 2005
compared to 12% of consolidated sales in 2004.
Norampac operates eight containerboard mills, five of which are located in Ontario and Quebec,
one in British Columbia, one in New York State and one in northern France. The combined annual
capacity of Norampacs containerboard mills is approximately 1.45 million tons. These mills use a
mix of recycled and virgin fiber to produce both standard and high performance grades of linerboard
and corrugated medium, as well as gypsum board in a wide range of basis weights. Norampac also
produces a wide variety of specialty and value-added products, such as white-top, colored and
coated linerboard and wrapper grades. Through its corrugated packaging plant operations, Norampac
converts approximately 61% of its North American containerboard production, directly or indirectly,
into corrugated containers. The remaining containerboard production is sold to other converters in
North America, Europe and other export markets.
Norampacs network of 26 corrugated packaging plants (reflecting the closure of the Concord
plant in March 2005, the closure of the Buffalo plant in August 2005, the expected closure of the
Montreal plant in the second quarter of 2006 and the acquisition of three corrugated packaging
plants in October 2005), strategically located across Canada and the United States, produces a
broad range of products for sale to both regional and national customers in a variety of
industries, including the food, beverage and consumer products industries. These plants produce a
wide range of products, from corrugated boxes and containers for shipping and packaging, to
- 12 -
specialty products such as intricate die-cut irregular size boxes, moisture resistant wax-coated
and wax impregnated boxes, corrugated pallets, protective packaging products and litho-laminated
point-of-purchase products. Norampac also provides customers with services such as graphic design
and computer-aided sample making. Norampacs containerboard mills supply essentially all of the
containerboard requirements of the corrugated packaging plants directly or indirectly.
In 2005, approximately 61% of Norampacs sales were made to customers in Canada, 31% to
customers in the United States and 8% to customers elsewhere.
During 2005, Norampac permanently closed its Concord corrugated products plant and one paper
machine at its Red Rock linerboard mill, as well as transferred its Buffalo, New York corrugated
products plant to its Lancaster, New York facility. In 2005, Norampac also acquired three
corrugated products converting plants from Standard Paper Box Canada Inc. in Montreal and Le
Gardeur in Quebec and Belleville in Ontario. Finally, Norampac announced, effective the second
quarter of 2006, the closure of its Montreal, Quebec corrugated products plant.
During 2004, Norampac acquired two corrugated products plants in Thompson, Connecticut and
Lancaster, New York. Norampac also announced the closure, slated for the first quarter of 2005, of
its Concord, Ontario corrugated product plant aimed at improving efficiency and profitability.
Competition
Markets for most of our products are also highly competitive, with a number of major companies
competing in each market. We compete with both Canadian and U.S. producers in all of our product
lines and with global producers in certain of our product lines, some of which may have greater
financial resources and lower production costs than Domtar. While the principal basis for
competition is selling price, competition can be based upon quality and customer service,
including, in some cases, providing technical advice to customers. Other factors, such as foreign
exchange rates, cost of fiber and other inputs costs, as well as the ongoing softwood lumber
dispute between the U.S. and Canada, can also impact our competitive position.
In addition, we may compete with product substitutes, which can impact demand for our
products. Our paper products compete with electronic transmission and document storage
alternatives, as well as grades of paper we do not produce. As the use of these alternatives
grows, demand for our paper products may decline or shift to other paper grades. Moreover, demand
for some of our wood products may decline if customers purchase steel alternatives. Demand for
some of our corrugated container products may decline if customers purchase plastic alternatives.
Employee Relations
As at December 31, 2005, we had approximately 6,200 employees in Canada of which approximately
4,200 are unionized, and approximately 3,600 employees in the United States of which approximately
2,500 are unionized, for a total of 9,800 employees, excluding Norampac.
Number of employees per segment as at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
Papers |
|
|
6,890 |
|
Paper Merchants |
|
|
930 |
|
Wood |
|
|
1,690 |
|
Corporate |
|
|
290 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total number of employees |
|
|
9,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
- 13 -
As at December 31, 2005, Norampac had approximately 3,943 employees in Canada of which
approximately 49% are unionized, approximately 849 employees in the United States of which
approximately 45% are unionized and approximately 160 unionized employees in France, for a total of
4,952 employees.
Our business strategies include supporting the personal growth and participation of employees.
We encourage employees to be involved in workshops aimed at producing better performance, greater
operating efficiencies, safer operating procedures and lowering costs.
We continue to put a lot of emphasis on offering a safe working environment to our employees.
We have reduced our Recordable Case Rate by 9% in 2005 vs. the previous year and our goal is to
continue to improve until we are the best company in our industry. Many of activities will be
taking place with respect to safety in 2006 in each of our facilities to help us reach our goal.
Papers
Collective agreements were renewed for the Espanola, Cornwall and Ottawa-Hull mills during
2005. Negotiations are ongoing for the renewal of the collective agreements in Lebel-sur-Quévillon
and in Windsor. The Lebel-sur-Quévillon contract expired in April 2004 and the Windsor contract
expired in April 2005. No other collective agreement is scheduled to expire in 2006.
Paper Merchants
The collective agreements covering four of our Ris Paper locations will expire in 2006.
Wood
Within the Wood segment, collective agreements were concluded (reopener on salary and
benefits) with unions in Matagami, Malartic and Val dOr (CEP) in 2005. A collective agreement was
concluded in January 2006 for the White River Woodlands operation. The Val dOr (CSN) collective
agreement expires in June 2006. Negotiations with unions are also underway at the Nairn Center
sawmill and in the forest operations at the Spanish Forest.
Packaging
Norampacs management is currently undertaking negotiations for the renewal of its Red Rock
and Trenton linerboard mills collective agreements.
Environmental Matters
Environmental expenditures for effluent treatment, air emission, landfill operation and
closure, asbestos containment and removal, bark pile management, silvicultural activities and site
remediation (together referred to as environmental matters) are expensed or capitalized depending
upon their future economic benefit. In the normal course of business, we incur certain operating
costs for environmental matters that are expensed as incurred. Expenditures for property, plant
and equipment that prevent future environmental impacts are capitalized and amortized on a
straight-line basis over ten to 40 years. Provisions for environmental matters are not discounted
and are recorded when remediation efforts are likely and can be reasonably determined.
While we believe that we have determined the costs for environmental matters likely to be
incurred, based on known information, our ongoing efforts to identify potential environmental
concerns that may be associated with our former and present operations may lead to future
environmental investigations. These efforts may result in the determination of additional
environmental costs and liabilities, which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
- 14 -
As at December 31, 2005, we had a provision of $63 million for environmental matters and other
asset retirement obligations, of which $33 million was relating to our Papers segment, $3 million
relating to our Wood segment, $2 million relating to our Packaging segment and $25 million was
taken at the Corporate level. Additional costs, not known or identifiable, could be incurred for
remediation efforts. Based on policies and procedures in place to monitor environmental exposure,
we believe that such additional remediation costs would not have a material adverse effect on our
financial position, earnings or cash flows.
In addition, the pulp and paper industry in the United States is subject to Cluster Rules and
Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Rules that further regulate effluent and air
emissions. We comply with all present regulations and we anticipate spending approximately $17
million over the next two years to meet such requirements.
As at December 31, 2005, anticipated payments in each of the next five years are as follows:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
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2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
Thereafter |
|
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Total |
|
(In millions of Canadian dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental matters |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
Cluster Rules obligation |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
Boiler MACT Rules obligation |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In 2005, our operating expenses for environmental matters totaled $68 million. We capitalized
an additional $17 million for environmental projects mainly related to the improvement of air
emissions, effluent treatment as well as remedial actions taken to address environmental compliance
of which $15 million related to our Papers segment and $2 million related to our Packaging segment.
In 2006, we expect to capitalize approximately $17 million for environmental projects, including
Cluster Rules and Boiler MACT Rules obligations, of which $15 million relates to our Papers
segment, $1 million relates to our Wood segment and $1 million relates to our Packaging segment. We
are not able to estimate the total amount of capital expenditures (other than Cluster Rules and
Boiler MACT Rules obligations) that may be required beyond 2006 for environmental compliance.
However, we do not expect any additional required expenditure to have a material adverse effect on
our financial position, earnings or cash flows.
Social and Environmental Policies
The Corporation has several social and environmental related policies including, among others,
Human Rights, Forest, Environment, and Health and Safety policies. These form an integral part of
our Code of Ethics which may be found on our website at www.domtar.com.
Risk Factors
The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we may face. Additional
risks and uncertainties of which we are unaware, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, may
also become important factors that affect us. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our
business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Product prices and industry conditions
Our financial performance is sensitive to the selling prices of our products that are impacted
by supply and demand.
- 15 -
The markets for most paper, pulp, lumber and packaging products are cyclical and are
influenced by a variety of factors beyond our control. These factors include periods of excess
product supply due to industry capacity additions, periods of decreased demand due to weak general
economic activity in North American or international markets, inventory de-stocking by customers,
and fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Demand for lumber also depends on the level of
housing starts, commercial building activity and the availability and cost of mortgage financing.
Markets for most of our products are also highly competitive, with a number of major companies
competing in each market. We compete with both Canadian and U.S. producers in all of our product
lines and with global producers in certain of our product lines, some of which may have greater
financial resources and lower production costs than Domtar. While the principal basis for
competition is selling price, competition can be based upon quality and customer service,
including, in some cases, providing technical advice to customers. Other factors, such as foreign
exchange rates, cost of fiber and other input costs, as well as the ongoing softwood lumber dispute
between the U.S. and Canada, can also impact our competitive position.
In addition, we may compete with product substitutes, which can impact demand for our
products. Our paper products compete with electronic transmission and document storage
alternatives, as well as grades of paper we do not produce. As the use of these alternatives
grows, demand for our paper products may decline or shift to other paper grades. Moreover, demand
for some of our wood products may decline if customers purchase steel alternatives. Demand for
some of our corrugated container products may decline if customers purchase plastic alternatives.
During periods of low prices, we have experienced in the past, and could experience in the
future, reduced revenues and margins, resulting in substantial declines in profitability and
sometimes net losses.
Any substantial shift in demand for our products or sustained period of low prices could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and financial condition, including,
but not limited to, facility closures or impairment of assets.
Foreign exchange
The revenues for most of our products are affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate
between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar. As a result, any decrease in the value of the U.S.
dollar relative to the Canadian dollar reduces our profitability. Our U.S. dollar sales, net of
U.S. dollar purchases for our operating activities, represent approximately US$1 billion annually
(excluding Norampac). In addition, our sales in Canada are impacted by exchange rate fluctuations,
as the prices for many of our products are generally driven by U.S. prices for similar products.
Our exposure to the U.S. dollar is reduced by the interest on our U.S. dollar denominated debt
(approximately $0.1 billion annually, excluding Norampac). Exchange rate fluctuations are beyond
our control and the U.S. dollar may continue to depreciate against the Canadian dollar in the
future, which would result in lower revenues and margins. Sustained periods of a strong Canadian
dollar could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and financial
condition, including, but not limited to, facility closures or impairment of assets.
Operational risks
The activities conducted by our businesses are subject to a number of operational risks
including competition, performance of key suppliers, distributors and customers, renewal of
collective agreements, regulatory risks, successful integration of new acquisitions, realization of
anticipated cost savings, performance of manufacturing operations, retention of key personnel and
reliability of information systems. In addition, operating costs for our businesses can be
affected by changes in energy prices, fiber and other raw material prices, and freight costs as a
result of changing economic or political conditions or due to particular supply and demand
considerations.
- 16 -
Fiber supply
We use hardwood and softwood fiber for the production of paper and softwood for the production
of lumber. Our forestry strategy is to optimize wood flows within our fiber supply area and to
maximize value and minimize cost while securing an adequate wood supply for our operations. Our hardwood and
softwood fiber resources are obtained from harvesting rights on public lands, purchases from third
parties and from our owned land.
The Province of Quebec adopted new legislation, which became effective April 1, 2005, that
reduced allowable wood-harvesting volumes by an average of 20% on public lands and 25% on
territories covered by an agreement between the Government of Quebec and the Cree First Nations.
As a result, the amount of fiber we are permitted to harvest annually, under our existing licenses
from the Quebec government, were reduced by approximately 500,000 cubic meters, reflecting a 21%
reduction. This affects the supply of fiber for our Northern Quebec softwood sawmill and market
pulp operations.
We are currently working on finding solutions such as obtaining alternate sources of fiber.
The reduction in harvest volume increases the unit cost of wood delivered to the sawmills. If we
are unable to maintain an adequate supply of fiber and mitigate the significant cost increase and
wood delivery cost, our Northern Quebec softwood sawmill and market pulp operations would have to
operate significantly below capacity, which would have a material adverse impact on these
operations and may result in closures or impairment of assets.
There is no assurance that access to fiber will continue at the same levels achieved in the
past. The cost of hardwood and softwood fiber and the availability of wood chips may be affected.
Labor
We are currently in the process of renegotiating certain collective bargaining agreements. As
is the case with any negotiation, we may not be able to negotiate acceptable new collective
bargaining agreements, which could result in strikes or work stoppages by affected workers.
Renewal of collective bargaining agreements could also result in higher wages or benefits paid to
union members. Therefore, we could experience a disruption of our operations or higher ongoing
labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and
financial condition.
Cost savings
The Company has undertaken, and may continue to undertake, productivity initiatives, including
cost reduction programs and organizational restructurings to improve performance and generate cost
savings. There can be no assurance that these will be completed or will be beneficial to the
Company. Also, there can be no assurance that any estimated cost savings from such activities will
be realized.
Significant customers
Although no single customer accounts for more than 10% of our consolidated sales, if any of
our significant customers reduces, delays or cancels substantial orders for any reason, our
business and results of operations could be negatively affected, particularly for the quarter in
which the delay or cancellation occurs.
Environment
We are subject to U.S. and Canadian environmental laws and regulations for effluent and air
emissions, harvesting, silvicultural activities, waste management and groundwater quality, among
others. In addition, the pulp and paper industry in the United States is subject to Cluster Rules
and Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Rules that further regulate effluent and
air emissions. These laws and regulations require us to obtain and comply with the authorization
requirements of the appropriate governmental authorities, who exercise considerable discretion for
permit issuances and their timing. Changes in environmental laws and regulations and/or their
application may require us to make significant expenditures that could negatively impact our
business, financial results and financial condition.
-17 -
Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations and permit requirements may
result in fines, penalties or enforcement actions by the regulators, including regulatory or
judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation
of environmental control equipment or remedial
actions, any of which could entail significant expenditures and negatively impact our
business, financial results and financial condition.
We continue to take remedial action under our Care and Control program at a number of former
operating sites, especially in the wood preserving sector, due to possible soil, sediment or
groundwater contamination. The investigation and remediation process is lengthy and subject to the
uncertainties of changes in legal requirements, technological developments and the allocation of
liability among potentially responsible parties.
Lumber export duties
Since May 22, 2002, based upon a final decision of the United States International Trade
Commission, we have made the required cash deposits on our exports of softwood lumber to the United
States at an aggregate countervailing and antidumping rate of 27.22%, that is, 18.79% for
countervailing and 8.43% for antidumping. The Canadian government has challenged both the
countervailing and antidumping rates with the World Trade Organization and under the North American
Free Trade Agreement. Since January 1, 2005, cash deposits for countervailing and antidumping
duties were being made and expensed by Domtar at new rates decreasing from 21.21% to 20.15%, that
is, from 17.18% to 16.37% for countervailing and from 4.03% to 3.78% for antidumping. In December
2005, the rate was lowered to 10.80%, that is, 8.70% for countervailing and 2.10% for antidumping.
We are currently experiencing, and may continue to experience, reduced revenues and margins in
our Wood business as a result of countervailing and antidumping duty applications or any new
arrangements between the United States and Canada.
Legal proceedings
In the normal course of our operations, we become involved in various legal actions mostly
related to contract disputes, patent infringements, environmental and product warranty claims and
labor issues. While the final outcome with respect to actions outstanding or pending cannot be
predicted with certainty, it is our belief that their resolution will not have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial results and financial condition.
Capital and liquidity
Our operations require substantial capital. If our capital resources are inadequate to provide
for our operating needs, capital expenditures and other cash requirements, this shortfall could
have a material adverse effect on our business and liquidity and impact our ability to service our
debt. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows from
operations, as we are subject to a number of general economic, business, financial, competitive,
legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control, or that, in the event we fail to
comply with our covenants, we will be able to renegotiate credit arrangements or terms which will
be satisfactory.
- 18 -
DIVIDENDS
During each of the years indicated, the Corporation declared the following dividends:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Aggregate dividends (in millions of Canadian dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Preferred Shares |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
Series B Preferred Shares |
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
40.9 |
|
|
|
55.1 |
|
|
|
49.1 |
|
Dividends per share (in Canadian dollars per share) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Preferred Shares |
|
|
2.25 |
|
|
|
2.25 |
|
|
|
2.25 |
|
Series B Preferred Shares |
|
|
0.78 |
|
|
|
0.73 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.24 |
|
|
|
0.22 |
|
Regular quarterly dividends on the outstanding Series A and Series B Preferred Shares were
paid throughout the three-year period ended December 31, 2005. Cash dividends on common shares
have been paid since January 1996. Prior to April 2003, the Corporations dividend policy was to
pay out a dividend of $0.035 per share quarterly ($0.14 per share annually). Thereafter, the
Corporations dividend policy was to pay out a dividend of $0.06 per share quarterly ($0.24 per
share annually). In October 2005, the Corporation announced the suspension of its common share
dividend.
Agreements related to the Corporations 10.85% Debentures due 2017 and 10% Debentures due 2011
contain covenants restricting the payment of dividends on its shares (other than stock dividends)
and the purchase, redemption, reduction or other payment with respect to shares of its capital
stock, none of which restrict the payment of dividends on or the satisfaction of mandatory
retirement provisions with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares and the Series B Preferred
Shares. No dividends may at any time be paid or declared and set apart for payment on the Common
Shares unless all accumulated dividends, where applicable, on the Series A Preferred Shares and the
Series B Preferred Shares have been paid or declared and set apart, including the current quarterly
installment of dividends.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
General Description of Capital Structure
Our authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares, Series A
preferred shares and Series B preferred shares.
Common shares
The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares. Holders of our
common shares are entitled to one vote per share at any meeting of our shareholders. Holders of
our common shares are, subject to the rights of the holders of our preferred shares, entitled to
receive any dividend declared by our Board of Directors. There were 231,027,097 common shares
issued and outstanding as at January 31, 2006.
As at January 31, 2006, there were 4,640,564 common share purchase options issued and
outstanding under the Executive stock option and Share purchase plan.
19
Preferred shares
The authorized preferred shares consist of preferred shares issuable in an unlimited number of
series, ranking equal with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, but
prior to the Common Shares.
The Series A preferred shares are non-voting and redeemable at the Corporations option at
$25.00 per share. These shares carry a cumulative cash dividend per share of $2.25 per annum.
There were 68,176 Series A preferred shares issued and outstanding as at January 31, 2006.
The Series B preferred shares are non-voting and redeemable at the Corporations option at
$25.00 per share. These shares carry a cumulative cash dividend equivalent to 72% of the bank
prime rate. There were 1,350,000 Series B preferred shares issued and outstanding as at January
31, 2006.
The Corporation has undertaken to make all reasonable efforts to purchase quarterly, for
cancellation, 1% of the number of Series A and Series B Preferred shares that were outstanding on
April 2, 1992 at prices not exceeding $25.00 per share.
Ratings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rating Agency |
|
Security |
|
|
Rating |
|
Dominion Bond Rating Service |
|
Unsecured Notes and Debentures |
|
BB (high) |
|
|
Preferred Shares |
|
Pfd-4 |
Moodys |
|
Unsecured Notes and Debentures |
|
B1 |
Standard & Poors |
|
Unsecured Notes and Debentures |
|
B+ |
The above ratings represent a risk assessment of our public unsecured debt securities. The
rating by Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS) is the fifth best rating in terms of quality within
ten rating gradations, with the high indicating a ranking in the higher end of this rating
category. The rating by Moodys Investors Services (Moodys) is the sixth best rating in terms of
quality within nine rating gradations, with the numerical modifier 1 indicating a ranking at the
higher end of this rating category. The rating by Standard & Poors (S&P) is the sixth best rating
in terms of quality within ten rating gradations, with the plus indicating a ranking at the
higher end of this category. DBRS, Moodys and S&P, have a negative outlook with respect to our
credit ratings.
During the past year, our rating with DBRS fell from BBB (low) to BB (high). Our rating with
Moodys fell from Baa3 to B1, and our rating with S&P fell from BBB- to B+. These reductions in
our credit ratings have significantly impacted our access to and cost of capital and financial
flexibility. Further reductions in our credit ratings would have an added negative impact on our
financial flexibility. The above ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities
and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the above rating agencies.
- 20 -
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
Trading Price and Volume
The Corporations Common Shares, Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares are
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The Corporations Common Shares are also listed on
the New York Stock Exchange.
ESCROWED SECURITIES
To our knowledge, the following summarizes the securities of the Corporation held in
escrow as at January 31, 2006:
|
1 |
Pursuant to our Executive Stock Option and Share Purchase Plan, common shares
are held in escrow with the escrow agent (Computershare), for a maximum of ten years, as guarantee until the repayment of loans granted to
the participants upon the exercise of rights, or before if the employee leaves Domtar. |
- 21 -
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Directors
As at March 27, 2006, the names, municipalities of residence, positions with the Corporation
and principal occupations of the directors of the Corporation and the period during which each
director has served as such are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Served as Director of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the Corporation |
|
Name |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
|
since |
|
Jack C. Bingleman |
|
President, Indian River Asset Management Inc. |
|
|
2005 |
|
Vero Beach, Florida, USA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond Chrétien |
|
Strategic Advisor, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP |
|
|
2004 |
|
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul-Henri Couture |
|
Senior Vice-President, Caisse de dépôt et placement du |
|
|
1994 |
|
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
Québec |
|
|
|
|
Louis P. Gignac |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, Cambior Inc. |
|
|
1995 |
|
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Claude R. Lamoureux |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario |
|
|
1992 |
|
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|
Teachers' Pension Plan |
|
|
|
|
Jacques Laurent |
|
Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP |
|
|
1996 |
|
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian M. Levitt |
|
Chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation; |
|
|
1997 |
|
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
Co-Chair and Partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP |
|
|
|
|
Gilles Ouimet |
|
Corporate Director |
|
|
2004 |
|
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Louise Roy |
|
Associate Fellow; Chair, Leadership for Tomorrow Forum |
|
|
1997 |
|
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
- CIRANO |
|
|
|
|
Raymond Royer |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation |
|
|
1996 |
|
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert J. Steacy |
|
Corporate Director |
|
|
2005 |
|
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gene R. Tyndall |
|
Partner and Co-founder, Supply Chain Executive |
|
|
2005 |
|
Miami, Florida, USA |
|
Advisors, LLC. |
|
|
|
|
The above-mentioned directors have held their principal occupation or held executive positions
with the same firm or affiliated firms for the past five years, except as follows: Mr. Jack C.
Bingleman was, prior to 2001, President and Director of Staples International Inc. (Europe); Mr.
Raymond Chrétien was, prior to 2004, Ambassador of Canada to France from 2000 to 2003; Mr. Jacques
Laurent was, prior to November 2003, Chair of
- 22 -
the Board of Hydro-Québec and prior to November 2001, senior partner at Gowling Lafleur
Henderson; Mr. Gilles Ouimet was, prior to May 2004, Chair of the Board of Directors of Pratt &
Whitney Canada, and prior to May 2002, President and CEO of the same company; Ms. Louise Roy was,
prior to December 2002, Vice-President Marketing and Commercial Services and Representative in
Canada of the International Air Transport Association (IATA); Mr. Robert J. Steacy was, prior to
May 2005, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Torstar Corporation, and prior to
May 2002, Vice-President of Finance of Torstar Corporation; Mr. Gene R. Tyndall was, prior to 2003,
Executive Vice-President and Leader of Global Supply Chain Solutions with Ryder System Inc.
The table below indicates the committees of the Board of Directors, with their respective
membership as at March 27, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE
|
|
Louis P. Gignac Chair
|
|
|
Jack C. Bingleman
|
|
|
Jacques Laurent
|
|
|
Robert J. Steacy
|
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
|
|
Brian M. Levitt Chair
|
|
|
Paul-Henri Couture
|
|
|
Claude R. Lamoureux
|
|
|
Gilles Ouimet
|
|
|
Louise Roy
|
|
|
Gene R. Tyndall
|
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE
|
|
Claude R. Lamoureux Chair
|
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
|
|
Raymond Chrétien
|
|
|
Jacques Laurent
|
ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH AND
|
|
Gilles Ouimet Chair
|
SAFETY COMMITTEE
|
|
Jack C. Bingleman
|
|
|
Louis P. Gignac
|
|
|
Louise Roy
|
|
|
Raymond Royer
|
PENSION COMMITTEE
|
|
Jacques Laurent Chair
|
|
|
Louis P. Gignac
|
|
|
Raymond Royer
|
- 23 -
Officers
The following table sets forth information concerning the non-director executive officers of the Corporation
who, together with the President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Raymond Royer, form the Management Committee
as at March 27, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Steven A. Barker, South Lebanon, Ohio, USA |
|
Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Sales and Marketing |
Roger H. Brear, Bradenton, Florida, USA |
|
Senior Vice-President, Paper Manufacturing |
Daniel Buron, St-Lambert, Quebec, Canada |
|
Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer |
Michel Dagenais, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
Vice-President, Human Resources |
Richard Garneau, Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada |
|
Executive Vice-President, Operations |
James F. Lenhoff, Ludlow, Kentucky, USA |
|
Senior Vice-President, Paper Merchants |
Gilles Pharand, Laval, Quebec, Canada |
|
Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel |
The above-mentioned officers have held their principal occupations or held executive positions
with the same firm or affiliated firms for the past five years, except as follows: Mr. Barker was,
prior to January 2004, President of Ris Paper, a subsidiary of the Corporation acquired in July
2000; Mr. Brear was, prior to August 2001, Senior Vice-President, Manufacturing, Paper with
Georgia-Pacific Corporation; Mr. Buron was, prior to May 2004, Vice-President, Finance, Pulp &
Paper Sales Division and, prior to September 2002, he was Vice-President and Controller; Mr.
Dagenais was, prior to October 2005, Director, Human Resources, Forest Products; Mr. Garneau was,
prior to October 2005, Senior Vice-President, Forest Products, and prior to October 2002,
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Norampac Inc.; Mr. Lenhoff was, prior to December
2004, Vice-President General Manager, Cincinnati Branch, of Domtar Distribution Group and, prior to
March 2004, Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Ris Paper where he also held other senior
management positions.
As at February 28, 2006, the directors and officers of the Corporation, as a group,
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over 722,914 Common
Shares, representing approximately 0.003% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRARS
For Common Shares and Series A and B Preferred Shares and Debentures:
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
Shareholder Services
1500 University Street
Suite 700
Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 3S8
Tel.: 1-866-245-4053
Also in Halifax, NS; Toronto, ON; Calgary, AB and Vancouver, BC
For Common Shares only:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 8 West
New York, NY 10286
U.S.A.
Tel: 212-815-2923
- 24 -
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are the external auditors of the Corporation who prepared the
Auditors Report to the shareholders dated February 22, 2006, with respect to the consolidated
annual financial statements of the Corporation for the year-ended December 31, 2005, consisting of
consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of earnings, retained earnings and cash
flows. As at February 22, 2006, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is objective with respect to the
Corporation within the meaning of the Code of Ethics of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information, including directors and officers remuneration and indebtedness,
principal holders of the Corporations securities, options to purchase securities and interests of
insiders in material transactions, where applicable, is contained in Domtars proxy circular for
its most recent annual meeting of shareholders that involved the election of directors.
Additional financial information is available in Domtars audited consolidated financial
statements and Managements Discussion & Analysis for the financial year ended December 31, 2005.
Copies of these documents may be obtained upon request from the Corporate Secretary of the
Corporation, Domtar Inc., 395 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1L6 or on
Domtars Internet site: http://www.domtar.com or at http://www.sedar.com.
In addition, when the Corporations securities are in the course of a distribution pursuant to
a short-form prospectus or when a preliminary short-form prospectus has been filed, the following
documents may be obtained free of charge from the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation:
i) one copy of the Annual Information Form, together with one copy of any documents or portion
thereof incorporated therein by reference;
ii) one copy of Domtars comparative financial statements for its most recently completed
financial year together with the report of the auditors thereon and one copy of any interim
financial statements of Domtar subsequent to the financial statements for its most recently
completed financial year;
iii) one copy of Domtars management proxy circular for its most recent annual meeting of
shareholders which involved the election of directors; and
iv) one copy of any other documents that are incorporated by reference in the preliminary
short form prospectus or the short form prospectus.
At any other time, one copy of the documents referred to in subparagraphs i, ii and iii above
will be provided free of charge upon request to the Corporate Secretary.
AUDIT COMMITTEE INFORMATION
Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 52-110, and Form 52-110F1, the following disclosure is
made:
a) |
|
Audit Committee Charter |
|
|
|
The Audit Committee Charter may be found in Schedule A of this document. |
- 25 -
b) |
|
Composition of the Audit Committee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent |
|
|
Financially Literate |
|
|
Louis P. Gignac, Chair |
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
Jack C. Bingleman |
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
Jacques Laurent |
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
Robert J. Steacy |
Yes |
|
Yes |
c) |
|
Relevant Education and Experience |
|
|
|
|
Louis P. Gignac, Chair
|
Obtained a degree in engineering from Laval
University, a Master of Science (minor in Business)
from the University of Minnesota, as well as a
Doctorate in Mining Engineering from the University
of Missouri-Rolla. As President and CEO of Cambior
Inc. since 1986, Mr. Gignac supervises directly and
indirectly 50 finance employees in the financial
group. He has been a member of the Corporations
Audit Committee, and Chair, since 2002. |
|
Jack C. Bingleman
|
As senior executive of large businesses such as
Beaver Lumber, The Business Depot, and Staples
International Inc. (Europe) for over 30 years, of
which 15 years as President and CEO, Mr. Bingleman
oversaw the preparation of business plans,
long-range plans and budgets, and conducted, as a
senior executive, annual, quarterly, monthly and
weekly financial reviews. Over the years, he had
chief financial officers, vice-presidents of
finance, and controllers and auditors report
directly to him. He has full understanding of
internal controls and procedures for financial
reporting. |
|
Jacques Laurent
|
Studied accounting at the Graduate School of
Business of Columbia University, and has been a
member of audit committees of public corporations
for the last 20 years. As Chairman of the Board of
Hydro-Québec, he had the internal audit function
report directly to him. As a business lawyer, he is
involved in numerous transactions including
financial aspects and internal controls and
procedures. He has been a member of the
Corporations Audit Committee since 2000. He is
also audit committee chairman with one TSX listed
company and audit committee member with another TSX
listed company. |
|
Robert J. Steacy
|
Recently retired from Torstar Corporation (a TSX
listed company) where he held various senior
financial executive positions since 1989, most
recently as Executive Vice-President and Chief
Financial Officer. Previously, Mr. Steacy was
audit manager with Clarkson Gordon (now Ernst &
Young). He obtained a Chartered Accountant Degree
in 1976. He is also audit committee chairman with
two TSX listed companies and audit committee member
with a third company. |
- 26 -
d) |
|
Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures |
|
|
|
The Audit Committee has adopted since 2003 the Audit and Non-Audit Services
Pre-Approval Policy, whereby the Audit Committee must approve audit and non-audit services
provided by the Corporations external auditor, in order to ensure that such services do not
impair the external auditor independence. |
|
|
|
The Policy may be found on our website at: www.domtar.com |
|
e) |
|
External Auditor Service Fees: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) |
|
Years ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
|
1,640 |
|
|
|
1,178 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
|
177 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,900 |
|
|
|
1,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 27 -
UNDERTAKING
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to
respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so
by the Commission staff, information relating to: (i) the securities in relation to which the
obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises; or (ii) transactions in said securities.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registrant:
|
|
Domtar Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Razvan L. Theodoru |
|
|
|
|
|
Razvan L. Theodoru
Corporate Secretary |
|
Date:
|
|
March 27, 2006 |
|
|
|
10733201