UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

or

For the transition period from               to             

Commission File Number 001-37484

WestRock Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (770) 448-2193

N/A

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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 past 90 days. Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐   No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

 

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WESTROCK COMPANY

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

WESTROCK COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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WESTROCK COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In Millions)

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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WESTROCK COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)  

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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WESTROCK COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)  

 

 

⁽¹⁾  Includes cash dividends paid, and dividends declared but unpaid, related to the shares reserved but unissued to satisfy Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (“Smurfit-Stone”) bankruptcy claims.

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

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WESTROCK COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In Millions)

 

 

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Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

Liabilities assumed in the six months ended March 31, 2018 primarily relate to the Plymouth Acquisition (as hereinafter defined). Liabilities assumed in the six months ended March 31, 2017 relate to the Star Pizza Acquisition (as hereinafter defined). See “Note 2. Acquisitions and Investment” for more information.

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

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WESTROCK COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three and Six Month Periods Ended March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Unless the context otherwise requires, “we”, “us”, “our”, “WestRock” and “the Company” refer to the business of WestRock Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries.

 

We are a multinational provider of paper and packaging solutions for consumer and corrugated packaging markets. We partner with our customers to provide differentiated paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. Our team members support customers around the world from operating and business locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. We also sell real estate primarily in the Charleston, SC region.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm has not audited our accompanying interim financial statements. We derived the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2017 from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 (the “Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K”). In the opinion of our management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our statements of income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, our comprehensive income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, our financial position at March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017, our cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, and our statement of equity for the six months ended March 31, 2018.

 

We completed the sale of Home, Health and Beauty (“HH&B”), a former division of our Consumer Packaging segment on April 6, 2017 (the “HH&B Sale”). We used the proceeds from the HH&B Sale in connection with completing the acquisition of Multi Packaging Solutions International Limited (“MPS”) on June 6, 2017 (“MPS Acquisition”). MPS is a global provider of print-based specialty packaging solutions and its differentiated product offering includes premium folding cartons, inserts, labels and rigid packaging. We report MPS in our Consumer Packaging segment. See “Note 8. Assets Held For Sale” and “Note 6. Merger, Acquisitions and Investment” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for more information.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we presented our interest expense and interest income in a single line item, “interest expense, net”, in our statements of income. The interest income was previously presented in the line item “interest income and other income (expense), net”, and is now presented as “other income, net”. The presentation of these two line items for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 has been changed to conform to the current year presentation.

 

We have condensed or omitted certain notes and other information from the interim financial statements presented in this report. Therefore, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K. The results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year.

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

See “Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for a summary of our significant accounting policies.

 

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Recent Accounting Developments

 

New Accounting Standards - Recently Adopted

 

See “Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — New Accounting Standards - Recently Adopted” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for information on new accounting standards adopted on October 1, 2017. The adoption of those standards did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

New Accounting Standards - Recently Issued

 

See “Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — New Accounting Standards - Recently Issued” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for information on new accounting standards issued prior to the beginning of fiscal 2018 but not yet adopted and where we do not expect that the adoption will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Refer below for new accounting standards for which (i) we are in the process of evaluating the impact on our financial statements or (ii) we have determined that the new standard could have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02, “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. The amendments in this update provide financial statement preparers with an option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) (the “Tax Act”) (or portion thereof) is recorded. The ASU requires financial statement preparers to disclose (i) a description of the accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income; (ii) whether they elect to reclassify the stranded income tax effects from the Tax Act; and (iii) information about the other income tax effects that are reclassified. The amendments affect any organization that is required to apply the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 220, “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income”, and has items of other comprehensive income for which the related tax effects are presented in other comprehensive income as required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU.

 

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”. The amendments in this ASU better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for such activities. The amendments in this ASU make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance and ease the administrative burden of hedge documentation requirements and assessing hedge effectiveness. In addition, the ASU also expands hedge accounting for certain qualifying financial and nonfinancial risk components. These provisions are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU, but do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”. The guidance in this update requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. Non-service cost components of net periodic pension cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of operating income. The amendments in the update also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization for internally developed capital projects. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance on the presentation of the components of net periodic benefit cost in the income statement will be applied retrospectively. The guidance limiting the capitalization of net periodic benefit cost in assets to the service cost component will be applied prospectively. The guidance includes a practical expedient that permits companies to estimate amounts for comparative periods using the information previously disclosed in their pension and other postretirement plan footnote. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, “Other Income: Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets”. The ASU provides guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets in contracts with noncustomers. Specifically, the ASU clarifies the scope of an “in substance nonfinancial asset”, clarifies the treatment of partial sales of nonfinancial assets and clarifies guidance on accounting for contributions of nonfinancial assets to joint ventures and equity method investees. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. The ASU may be applied by either a full or modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Clarifying the Definition of a Business”, which amends the guidance in ASC 805, “Business Combinations”. The ASU clarifies the definition of a business. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The amendments are intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods, and early adoption is permitted. The ASU will be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. Subject to future events or transactions, we do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Restricted Cash”, which amends the guidance in the FASB’s ASC 230, “Statement of Cash Flows”. The new ASU clarifies how entities should present restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. These provisions are effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, applied retrospectively for each period presented. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, which amends the guidance in ASC 230, “Statement of Cash Flows”. The ASU clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows for the following transactions: debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance, distributions received from equity method investees and beneficial interest in securitization transactions. The ASU also clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The guidance requires retrospective adoption and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted and an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the period of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases”, which is codified in ASC 842 “Leases” and supersedes current lease guidance in ASC 840. These provisions require lessees to put a right-of-use asset and lease liability on their balance sheet for operating and financing leases that have a term of more than one year. Expense will be recognized in the income statement similar to current accounting guidance. For lessors, the ASU modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. Entities will need to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about their leases, including characteristics and amounts recognized in the financial statements. These provisions are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach upon adoption to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. While we have not completed our assessment, we expect that the adoption of ASC 842 as of October 1, 2019 will result in recording additional assets and liabilities not previously reflected on our consolidated balance sheets, but we do not expect the adoption to have a

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

significant impact on the recognition, measurement, or presentation of lease expenses within the consolidated statements of income or the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which is codified in ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and supersedes both the revenue recognition requirement in ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the five steps set forth in ASC 606. An entity must also disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative information about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date,” which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. Therefore, these provisions are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that annual period, and can be applied using a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The FASB has clarified this guidance in various updates (e.g., ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12, ASU 2016-20 and ASU 2017-05) since May 2014, all of which have the same effective date as the original guidance.

 

We will adopt the revenue standard as of October 1, 2018 and expect to use the modified retrospective approach. We have substantially completed the evaluation of the new standard and are in the process of quantifying the impact of adoption on the consolidated financial statements. We manufacture certain products that have no alternative use to us (since such products are made to specific customer orders), and we believe that for certain customers we have a legally enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date on these manufactured products, including a reasonable profit. For those manufactured products that meet these two criteria, we will recognize revenue “over time” upon the adoption of ASC 606. This could result in (a) revenue recognition prior to the date of shipment or title transfer for these products and (b) an increase in unbilled receivables balances and a reduction in finished goods inventory balances on our balance sheet from historic and current levels. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of the provisions on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

We account for acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations”. The estimated fair values of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions are provisional and may be revised as a result of additional information obtained during the measurement period of up to one year from the acquisition date. See “Note 6. Merger, Acquisitions and Investment” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for information about our prior year acquisitions or investment. No changes in the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 to our fiscal 2017 provisional fair value estimates of assets and liabilities assumed in acquisitions have been significant, and we do not anticipate future changes to these acquisitions to be significant.

Planned KapStone Acquisition

 

On January 29, 2018, we announced that a definitive agreement had been signed for us to acquire all of the outstanding shares of KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation (“KapStone”) for $35.00 per share and the assumption of approximately $1.36 billion in net debt, for a total enterprise value of approximately $4.9 billion (the “KapStone Acquisition”). KapStone is a leading North American producer and distributor of containerboard, corrugated products and specialty papers, including liner and medium containerboard, kraft papers and saturating kraft. KapStone also owns Victory Packaging, a packaging solutions distribution company with facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. KapStone stockholders will have the option to receive $35.00 per share in cash, or to elect to receive 0.4981 WestRock shares per KapStone share, with elections of stock consideration capped at 25% of the outstanding KapStone shares but no limit on the number of KapStone shares that can receive cash consideration. KapStone’s chairman, Roger Stone, and president and chief executive officer, Matt Kaplan, have entered into voting agreements, pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their shares in support of the transaction, subject to certain limitations. We expect to finance the cash consideration, including existing

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

KapStone debt to be assumed as part of the transaction upon closing, through our utilization of our Delayed Draw Credit Facilities (as hereinafter defined), as well as our other existing credit facilities.

 

As disclosed in our form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 16, 2018, on April 13, 2018 the Company and KapStone received requests for additional information and documentary materials from the U.S. Department of Justice. The requests were issued under notification requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Completion of the proposed transaction remains subject to KapStone stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the quarter ending September 30, 2018 or during the following quarter.

Plymouth Packaging Acquisition

We completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Plymouth Packaging, Inc. (“Plymouth”) on January 5, 2018 (the “Plymouth Packaging Acquisition”) to further enhance our platform and drive differentiation and innovation.  Plymouth’s “Box on Demand” systems are located on customers’ sites under multiyear exclusive agreements and use fanfold corrugated to produce custom, on-demand corrugated packaging that is accurately sized for any product type according to the customers’ specifications. The estimated purchase price of $201.9 million, net of cash received of $3.1 million, is subject to an estimated payment of $26.3 million consisting of a deferred payment, a tax make-whole payment related to stepping up the assets for tax purposes and an estimated working capital adjustment. We have included the financial results of the acquired assets since the date of the acquisition in our Corrugated Packaging segment.

The preliminary allocation of consideration primarily included $86.4 million of customer relationship intangible assets, $33.1 million of goodwill, $35.2 million of property, plant and equipment, $29.2 million of other long-term assets consisting of assets leased to customers and equity method investments, and $12.6 million of liabilities. We are amortizing the customer relationship intangibles over 12.0 years based on a straight-line basis because the amortization pattern was not reliably determinable. The fair value assigned to goodwill is primarily attributable to buyer-specific synergies expected to arise after the acquisition (e.g., enhanced reach of the combined organization and other synergies), and the assembled work force, as well as due to establishing deferred taxes for the difference between book and tax basis of the assets and liabilities acquired. The goodwill and intangibles are amortizable for income tax purposes. We are in the process of reviewing the estimated fair values of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including, among other things, obtaining final third-party valuations of certain tangible and intangible assets as well as the fair value of certain contracts and the determination of certain tax balances; thus, the allocation of the purchase price is preliminary and subject to revision.

Grupo Gondi Investment

On October 20, 2017, we increased our ownership interest in Gondi, S.A. de C.V. (“Grupo Gondi”), our joint venture in Mexico, from 27.0% to 32.3% through a $108 million capital contribution, which followed the joint venture entity having a stock redemption from a minority partner in April 2017. The capital contribution is being used to support the joint venture’s capital expansion plans, which include a greenfield linerboard and corrugated medium (“containerboard”) mill and several converting plants. The joint venture operates paper machines, corrugated packaging and high graphic folding carton facilities across various production sites. The agreement governing our investment in Grupo Gondi continues to include future put and call rights with respect to the respective parties’ ownership interest in the joint venture.

Summary of Restructuring and Other Initiatives

We recorded pre-tax restructuring and other costs of $31.7 million and $48.0 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 and $18.3 million and $99.3 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively. These amounts are not comparable since the timing and scope of the individual actions associated with a restructuring, acquisition or integration can vary. We present our restructuring and other costs in more detail below.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The following table summarizes our Restructuring and other costs (in millions):

 

 

Restructuring

Our restructuring charges are primarily associated with plant closures and employee costs due to merger and acquisition-related workforce reductions. When we close a facility, if necessary, we recognize an impairment charge primarily to reduce the carrying value of equipment or other property to their estimated fair value less cost to sell, and record charges for severance and other employee-related costs. Any subsequent change in fair value less cost to sell prior to disposition is recognized as identified; however, no gain is recognized in excess of the cumulative loss previously recorded unless the actual selling price exceeds the original carrying value when sold. At the time of each announced closure, we generally expect to record future period costs for equipment relocation, facility carrying costs, costs to terminate a lease or contract before the end of its term and employee-related costs.

Although specific circumstances vary, our strategy has generally been to consolidate our sales and operations into large well-equipped plants that operate at high utilization rates and take advantage of available capacity created by operational excellence initiatives and/or further optimize our system following mergers and acquisitions or a changing business environment. Therefore, we have transferred a substantial portion of each closed plant’s assets and production to our other plants. We believe these actions have allowed us to more effectively manage our business.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

While restructuring costs are not charged to our segments and, therefore, do not reduce segment income, we highlight the segment to which the charges relate. The following table presents a summary of restructuring charges related to active restructuring initiatives that we incurred during the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, the cumulative recorded amount since we started the initiative, and our estimate of the total we expect to incur (in millions):

 

 

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

We have defined “Net property, plant and equipment costs” as used in this Note 3 as property, plant and equipment impairment losses, subsequent adjustments to fair value for assets classified as held for sale, subsequent (gains) or losses on sales of property, plant and equipment and related parts and supplies on such assets, if any.

Other Costs

Our other costs consist of acquisition, divestiture and integration costs. We incur costs when we acquire or divest businesses. Acquisition costs include costs associated with transactions, whether consummated or not, such as advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees, as well as potential litigation costs associated with those activities. Divestiture costs consist primarily of similar professional fees. The divestiture costs in fiscal 2017 are primarily associated with costs incurred during the HH&B Sale process. Post-acquisition, we incur integration costs that reflect work being performed to facilitate merger and acquisition integration, such as work associated with information systems and other projects, and primarily consist of professional services. We consider acquisition, divestiture and integration costs to be Corporate costs regardless of the segment or segments involved in the transaction.

The following table presents our acquisition, divestiture and integration costs (in millions):

 

 

At September 30, 2017, we recategorized our integration costs to exclude severance and other employee costs and lease costs associated with mergers and acquisitions, notably for related workforce reductions. These costs have been presented in severance and other employee costs and other costs, respectively, in the restructuring table above. We recategorized $2.7 million and $13.3 million in the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively, primarily for severance and other employee costs.

The following table summarizes the changes in the restructuring accrual, which are primarily composed of lease commitments, accrued severance and other employee costs, and a reconciliation of the restructuring accrual charges to the line item “Restructuring and other costs” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (in millions):

 

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

 

We have defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for certain U.S. and non-U.S. employees. Certain plans were frozen for salaried and non-union hourly employees at various times in the past, although some employees meeting certain criteria are still accruing benefits. In addition, we participate in several multiemployer pension plans (“MEPP” or “MEPPs”) that provide retirement benefits to certain union employees in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements. We also have supplemental executive retirement plans and other non-qualified defined benefit pension plans that provide unfunded supplemental retirement benefits to certain of our current and former executives. See “Note 15. Retirement Plans” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for more information regarding our involvement with retirement plans.

MEPPs

In the normal course of business, we evaluate our potential exposure to MEPPs, including with respect to potential withdrawal liabilities. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we submitted formal notification to withdraw from the Pace Industry Union-Management Pension Fund (“PIUMPF”) and recorded an estimated withdrawal liability of $180.0 million. The estimated withdrawal liability assumes payment over 20 years, discounted at a credit adjusted risk-free rate of 3.83%. We expect PIUMPF’s demand related to the withdrawal to include both a payment for withdrawal liability and for our proportionate share of PIUMPF’s accumulated funding deficiency. We reserve the right to challenge any portion of the demand, including any portion related to the accumulated funding deficiency. The estimated withdrawal liability noted above excludes the potential impact of a future mass withdrawal of other employers from PIUMPF, which is not considered probable or reasonably estimable at this time. Due to the absence of specific information regarding matters such as PIUMPF’s current financial situation, our estimate is subject to revision. It is reasonably possible that we may incur withdrawal liabilities with respect to certain other MEPPs in connection with such withdrawals. Our estimate of any such withdrawal liability, both individually and in the aggregate, is not material for the remaining plans in which we participate. At March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017, we had withdrawal liabilities recorded of $239.9 million and $60.1 million, respectively.

See “Note 15. Retirement Plans — Multiemployer Plans” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for more information regarding our involvement with multiemployer plans.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The following table represents a summary of the components of net pension (credit) cost (in millions):

 

 

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, we made contributions of $12.2 million and $20.7 million, respectively, to our qualified and supplemental defined benefit pension plans. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, we made contributions of $9.5 million and $19.5 million, respectively, to our qualified and supplemental defined benefit pension plans.

 

In the six-months ended March 31, 2017, our year-to-date lump sum payments to certain beneficiaries of the WestRock Consolidated Company Pension Plan (the “Plan”), together with several one-time severance benefit payments out of the Plan, triggered pension settlement accounting and a remeasurement of the Plan as of February 28, 2017. As a result of settlement accounting, we recognized as an expense a pro-rata portion of the unamortized net actuarial loss, after remeasurement, and recorded a $28.7 million non-cash charge to our earnings in the second quarter of 2017. The lump sum payments were to certain eligible former employees who were not currently receiving a monthly benefit. Eligible former employees whose present value of future pension benefits exceeded a certain minimum threshold had the option to either voluntarily accept lump sum payments or to not accept the offer and continue to be entitled to their monthly benefit upon retirement. Lump sum and one-time severance benefits payments of $203.7 million were made out of existing plan assets of the Plan. The discount rate used in the Plan remeasurement was 4.49%, an increase from 4.04% for the Plan at September 30, 2016. The expected long-term rate of return on Plan assets was unchanged. As a result of the February 28, 2017 remeasurement, the funded status of the Plan increased by $73.2 million as compared to September 30, 2016. The increase in the funded status was primarily due to the actuarial gain from the increase in the discount rate.

The other postretirement benefit plans provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for certain salaried and hourly employees who meet specified age and service requirements as defined by the plans. The following table represents a summary of the components of the net postretirement cost (credit) (in millions):

 

 

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, we funded an aggregate of $2.0 million and $4.8 million, respectively, to our other postretirement benefit plans. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, we funded an aggregate of $2.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, to our other postretirement benefit plans.

 

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 was an expense of 7.7% and a benefit of 347.3%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 was an expense of 30.7% and 21.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was lower than the statutory federal rate primarily due to (i) the provisional amounts related to the enactment of the Tax Act (discussed below), (ii) favorable tax items, such as the domestic production deduction, tax benefit of share-based compensation and cash tax planning that resulted in reduced deferred tax liabilities, partially offset by (iii) the inclusion of state taxes and (iv) the exclusion of tax benefits related to losses recorded by certain foreign operations. The effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2018 was lower than the statutory federal rate primarily due to (i) the provisional amounts related to the enactment of the Tax Act (discussed below), (ii) favorable tax items, such as the domestic production deduction, tax benefit of share-based compensation and cash tax planning that resulted in reduced deferred tax liabilities, partially offset by (iii) the inclusion of state taxes and (iv) the exclusion of tax benefits related to losses recorded by certain foreign operations.

The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 was lower than the statutory federal rate primarily due to (i) a  $23.8 million  tax benefit related to the reduction of a state deferred tax liability as a result of an internal U.S. legal entity restructuring that simplified future operating activities within the U.S., (ii) favorable tax items, such as the domestic production deduction, (iii) lower tax rates applied to foreign earnings, primarily in Canada, offset by (iv) the exclusion of tax benefits related to losses recorded by certain foreign operations, (v) the inclusion of state taxes and (vi) an income tax expense for an adjustment to an uncertain tax position due to a tax authority audit.

Impacts of the Tax Act

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law. The Tax Act contains significant changes to corporate taxation, including (i) the reduction of the corporate income tax rate to 21%, (ii) the acceleration of expensing for certain business assets, (iii) the one-time transition tax related to the transition of U.S. international tax from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system, (iv) the repeal of the domestic production deduction, (v) additional limitations on the deductibility of interest expense and (vi) expanded limitations on executive compensation.

 

The key impacts of the Tax Act on our financial statements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 were the remeasurement of deferred tax balances to the new corporate tax rate and the accrual for the one-time transition tax liability. While we have not yet completed our assessment of the effects of the Tax Act, we are able to determine reasonable estimates for the impacts of the key items specified above; thus, we reported provisional amounts for these items. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), we are providing additional disclosures related to these provisional amounts.

 

In order to calculate the effects of the new corporate tax rate on our deferred tax balances, ASC 740 “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”) required the remeasurement of our deferred tax balances as of the enactment date of the Tax Act, based on the rates at which the balances were expected to reverse in the future. We are still analyzing the impact of the retroactive provisions of the law on our deferred tax balances and refining our calculations, which could potentially affect the measurement of these balances or potentially give rise to new deferred tax amounts. The provisional amount determined, and recorded, for the remeasurement of our deferred tax balances resulted in a net reduction in deferred liabilities of $1,174.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded $31.5 million of an additional reduction in deferred tax liabilities. We will continue to analyze the impacts of the law on our deferred taxes and will refine the estimate of the balances as of the December 22, 2017 remeasurement date.

 

Additionally, in the three months ended December 31, 2017, we determined the provisional amount for the one-time transition tax. The one-time transition tax is based on our total post-1986 foreign earnings and profits (“E&P”) that were previously deferred from U.S. income tax. The applicable tax rate is based on the amount of those post-1986 earnings that is held in cash and other specified assets (the “cash position”). While we have not yet finalized our calculation of the total post-1986 E&P and cash position for our foreign corporations or the impact of foreign tax credits, we have (i) prepared reasonable estimates of the total post-1986 E&P and cash position of our foreign corporations, (ii) determined the applicable tax rates using the estimated cash position amounts and (iii) calculated, and recorded, a provisional amount for our one-time transition tax liability of $95.4 million (net of the release of a previously recorded outside basis difference this amount is $87.1 million). This amount is subject

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

to change upon the completion of our total post-1986 E&P calculation, cash position calculation and foreign tax credit determination. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we have not recorded any additional tax liability to adjust the provisional amount.

 

We were unable to determine a reasonable estimate of the tax liability, if any, under the Tax Act for our remaining outside basis difference or evaluate how the Tax Act will affect our existing accounting position to indefinitely reinvest unremitted foreign earnings. We will continue to apply our existing accounting under ASC 740 for this matter.

 

The aforementioned provisional amounts related to the deferred tax balances and one-time transition tax are based on information available at this time and may change due to a variety of factors, including, among others, (i) anticipated guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury about implementing the Tax Act, (ii) potential additional guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission or the FASB related to the Tax Act, (iii) any impact resulting from our fiscal 2018 financial closing and reporting processes and (iv) management’s further assessment of the Tax Act and related regulatory guidance. We are not complete in our assessment of the impact of the Tax Act on our business and consolidated financial statements. While the effective date of most of the provisions of the Tax Act do not apply until our tax year beginning October 1, 2018, we will continue our assessment of the impact of the Tax Act on our business and consolidated financial statements throughout the one-year measurement period as provided by SAB 118.

 

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Note 6. Segment Information

We report our financial results of operations in the following three reportable segments: Corrugated Packaging, which consists of our containerboard mill and corrugated packaging operations, as well as our recycling operations; Consumer Packaging, which consists of our consumer mills, folding carton, beverage, merchandising displays and partition operations; and Land and Development, which sells real estate primarily in the Charleston, SC region. Prior to the HH&B Sale, our Consumer Packaging segment included HH&B. Certain income and expenses are not allocated to our segments and, thus, the information that management uses to make operating decisions and assess performance does not reflect these amounts. Items not allocated are reported as non-allocated expenses or in other line items in the table below after segment income.

The following table shows selected operating data for our segments (in millions):

 

 

We value substantially all of our U.S. inventories at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined by last-in first-out (“LIFO”). We value all other inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using methods that approximate cost computed on a first-in first-out basis. These other inventories represent primarily foreign inventories and certain inventoried spare parts and supplies inventories.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The components of inventories were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Due to our accelerated monetization strategy, our Land and Development portfolio has met the held for sale criteria and is reflected as assets held for sale. Assets held for sale at March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017 of $154.5 million and $173.6 million, respectively, include $125.8 million and $150.4 million, respectively of Land and Development portfolio assets. The remainder is primarily related to closed facilities.

 

The components of property, plant and equipment were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Note 10. Fair Value

Assets and Liabilities Measured or Disclosed at Fair Value

We estimate fair values in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”. See “Note 12. Fair Value” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for more information. We disclose the fair value of our long-term debt in “Note 11. Debt” and the fair value of our pension and postretirement assets and liabilities in “Note 15. Retirement Plans” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K.

Financial Instruments Not Recognized at Fair Value

Financial instruments not recognized at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, certain other current assets, short-term debt, accounts payable, certain other current liabilities and long-term debt. With the exception of long-term debt, the carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short maturities.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Fair Value of Nonfinancial Assets and Nonfinancial Liabilities

We measure certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets and liabilities include cost and equity method investments when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquisition or in a nonmonetary exchange, and property, plant and equipment and intangible assets that are written down to fair value when they are held for sale or determined to be impaired. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, we did not have any significant nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition other than a $27.6 million pre-tax non-cash impairment of certain mineral rights driven by the non-renewal of a lease and real estate where the projected sales proceeds were less than the carrying value recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2018,  a $17.6 million impairment of a customer relationship intangible related to an exited product line recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and a $42.7 million real estate impairment recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The impairment of mineral rights was associated with declining oil and gas prices, and the impairment of real estate was associated with the write-down of the carrying value on projects where the projected sales proceeds were less than the carrying value.

Accounts Receivable Sales Agreement

We have an agreement (the “A/R Sales Agreement”) to sell to a third-party financial institution all of the short-term receivables generated from certain customer trade accounts, on a revolving basis, until the agreement is terminated by either party. The A/R Sales Agreement has been amended periodically. On September 29, 2017, the A/R Sales Agreement was amended to increase the maximum outstanding balance of receivables available to be sold to $490.0 million, and we added new customer trade accounts as well as increased the limits for other customers. Transfers under the A/R Sales Agreement meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales in accordance with guidance in ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing”.

The following table represents a summary of the activity under the A/R Sales Agreement for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions):

 

 

Cash proceeds related to receivables sold are included in cash from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in the accounts receivable line item. The loss on sale is currently approximately $10 million per fiscal year and is recorded in “other income, net”. Although the sales are made without recourse, we maintain continuing involvement with the sold receivables as we provide collections services related to the transferred assets. The associated servicing liability is not material given the high quality of the customers underlying the receivables and the anticipated short collection period.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

See “Note 11. Debt” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for additional information on our debt and interest rates on that debt.

The following is the carrying value of the individual components of our debt (in millions):

 

 

A portion of the debt classified as long-term, principally our term loan facilities and the Receivables Facility (as defined below), may be paid down earlier than scheduled at our discretion without penalty. Certain customary restrictive covenants govern the maximum availability under our credit facilities. We test and report our compliance with these covenants as required and were in compliance with all of our covenants at March 31, 2018.

The estimated fair value of our debt was approximately $6.8 billion as of March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017. The fair value of our long-term debt is primarily either based on quoted prices for those or similar instruments, or approximate the carrying amount as the variable interest rates reprice frequently at observable current market rates, and are categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Receivables-Backed Financing Facility

On July 22, 2016, we entered into a $700.0 million eighth amended and restated receivables sale agreement with certain originators (the “Receivables Facility”) that matures on July 22, 2019. At March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017, maximum available borrowings, excluding amounts outstanding under the Receivables Facility, were $588.6 million and $577.6 million, respectively. The carrying amount of accounts receivable collateralizing the maximum available borrowings at March 31, 2018 was approximately $822.7 million. We have continuing involvement with the underlying receivables as we provide credit and collections services pursuant to the Receivables Facility agreement.

Commercial Paper Program

On October 31, 2017, we established an unsecured commercial paper program, pursuant to which we may issue short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes in an aggregate principal amount at any time not to exceed $1.0 billion with up to 397-day maturities. The commercial paper program has no expiration date and can be terminated by either the agent or us with not less than 30 day’s notice. Our revolving credit facility is intended to backstop the commercial paper program. Amounts available under the program may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed from time to time. The net proceeds of issuances of the notes under the program have been, and are expected to continue to be, used for general corporate purposes. Our borrowing rate under the commercial paper program facility is based on the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus a market-determined interest rate margin. At March 31, 2018, the average borrowing rate was 2.39% and the commercial paper is classified as current portion of debt.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Revolving Credit Facility

On October 31, 2017, we entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, providing for a 364-day senior unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate committed principal amount of $450.0 million. The proceeds of the credit facility may be used for working capital and for other general corporate purposes. The credit facility is unsecured and is guaranteed by WestRock RKT Company, WestRock MWV, LLC and Whiskey Holdco, Inc. At our option, loans issued under the credit facility will bear interest at either LIBOR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus an applicable interest rate margin. At March 31, 2018, the average borrowing rate under the facility was 3.01%.

Notes Issued

On March 6, 2018, we issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) and $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.0% senior notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes” and together with the 2025 Notes, the “Notes”) in an unregistered offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at a discount of approximately $1.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, and recorded debt issuance costs of $4.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively, which are being amortized over the respective terms of the notes. Giving effect to the amortization of the original issue discount and the debt issuance costs, the effective interest rates of the notes were 3.93% and 4.12%, respectively, at March 31, 2018. WestRock MWV, LLC and WestRock RKT Company, each a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, have guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Notes. The Company may redeem the 2025 Notes and the 2028 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The proceeds from the issuance of the Notes were used primarily to pay down the remaining $540.0 million of our then existing term loan facility, pre-pay $445.0 million of our commercial paper program, pay down $100.0 million of our Receivables Facility and pay down $104.7 million of our Sumitomo Credit Facility (hereafter defined).

Delayed Draw Credit Facilities

On March 7, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement to provide for $3.8 billion of senior unsecured term loans, consisting of a 364-day $300.0 million term loan, a 3-year $1.75 billion term loan and a 5-year $1.75 billion term loan (collectively, the “Delayed Draw Credit Facilities”).  Subject to customary conditions to borrowing, the respective Delayed Draw Credit Facilities may each be drawn in a single borrowing on a delayed draw basis on or prior to the earlier of (i) the “End Date” as defined in the KapStone Acquisition merger agreement (which is currently expected to be October 29, 2018) and (ii) April 29, 2019 (the first such date to occur, the “Delayed Draw Termination Date”). The proceeds of the Delayed Draw Credit Facilities will be used solely to pay the consideration for the transactions contemplated by the KapStone Acquisition merger agreement, to repay certain existing indebtedness of KapStone in connection with the KapStone Acquisition, to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the KapStone Acquisition and, to the extent of any proceeds remaining, to provide for our working capital and general corporate purposes. The Delayed Draw Credit Facilities are senior unsecured obligations of Whiskey Holdco, Inc. (“Holdco”, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company), as borrower, and each of the Company, WestRock RKT Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) and WestRock MWV, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company), respectively, as guarantors.  Prior to drawing on the Delayed Draw Credit Facilities, the Company may elect to designate any of such initial guarantors to be the borrower in lieu of Holdco.

At our option, loans issued under the Delayed Draw Credit Facilities will bear interest at a floating rate based on either LIBOR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus an applicable interest rate margin. The applicable interest rate margin will be 1.125% to 2.000% per annum for LIBOR rate loans and 0.125% to 1.000% per annum for alternate base rate loans, in each case depending on the Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) or Holdco’s corporate credit ratings, whichever yields a lower applicable interest rate margin, at such time. In addition, we will be required to pay a commitment fee of 0.125% per annum to 0.300% per annum (depending on the Leverage Ratio or the Company’s Corporate credit ratings, whichever yields a lower fee) on the unused term loan commitments, accruing from June 5, 2018 until the earlier of the funding of the loans under the Delayed Draw Credit Facilities or the Delayed Draw Termination Date. Loans under the Delayed Draw Credit Facilities may be prepaid at any time without premium. We have recorded debt issuance costs of approximately $4.0 million, which are being amortized over the respective terms of the Delayed Draw Credit Facilities.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The credit agreement contains usual and customary representations and warranties, and usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants, including: financial covenants (including maintenance of a maximum consolidated debt to capitalization ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio) and limitations on liens, additional subsidiary indebtedness and asset sales and mergers. The credit agreement also contains usual and customary events of default, including: non-payment of principal, interest, fees and other amounts; material breach of a representation or warranty; default on other material debt; bankruptcy or insolvency; incurrence of certain material ERISA liabilities; material judgments; impairment of loan documentation; change of control; and material breach of obligations under securitization programs.

Sumitomo Credit Facility

On February 7, 2018, we extended the term of our $200.0 million uncommitted revolving line of credit with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (“Sumitomo Credit Facility”) from February 12, 2018 to February 12, 2019.

European Revolving Credit Facility

On May 15, 2017, we entered into a $600.0 million European revolving credit facility with Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch as the administrative agent for the syndicate of banks. This facility provides for a 364-day unsecured U.S. dollar, Euro and Sterling denominated borrowing of not more than $600.0 million. The facility matures on May 14, 2018. The carrying value of this facility at March 31, 2018 was $502.2 million. In January 2018, we entered into foreign exchange swaps of approximately $348 million as an economic hedge for the U.S dollar denominated borrowing by a non-U.S. dollar functional currency entity. Gains and losses from these foreign currency exchange swaps are immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. On April 27, 2018, we repaid all amounts outstanding and the facility has been closed.

On April 27, 2018, we entered into a 500.0 million Euro revolving credit facility with an incremental 100.0 million Euro accordion feature with Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch as the administrative agent for the syndicate of banks. This facility provides for a 3-year unsecured U.S. dollar, Euro and Sterling denominated borrowing of not more than 500.0 million Euros and matures on April 27, 2021. This facility replaces our $600.0 million European revolving credit facility with Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, as discussed above. We borrowed $525.0 million under this new facility and entered into foreign currency exchange swaps of $525.0 million as an economic hedge for the U.S dollar denominated borrowing by a non-U.S. dollar functional currency entity.

Environmental

We are subject to a broad range of foreign, federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing discharges to air, soil and water, the management, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances, solid waste and hazardous wastes, the investigation and remediation of contamination resulting from historical site operations and releases of hazardous substances, and the health and safety of employees. Our compliance initiatives related to these laws and regulations could result in significant costs, which could negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Any failure to comply with environmental or health and safety laws and regulations, or any permits and authorizations required thereunder, could subject us to fines, corrective action or other sanctions.

We have been named as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) in environmental remediation actions under various federal and state laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). Many of these proceedings involve the cleanup of hazardous substances at large commercial landfills that received waste from many different sources. While joint and several liability is authorized under CERCLA and equivalent state laws, liability for CERCLA cleanups is typically shared with other PRPs, and costs are commonly allocated according to relative amounts of waste deposited and other factors. There are other remediation costs typically associated with the cleanup of hazardous substances at our current, closed or formerly-owned facilities, and recorded as liabilities in our balance sheet. Remediation costs are recorded in our financial statements when they become probable and reasonably estimable.

On January 26, 2009, Smurfit-Stone and certain of its subsidiaries filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Smurfit-Stone’s Canadian subsidiaries also filed to reorganize in Canada. We believe that matters relating to previously identified third-party PRP sites and certain facilities

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

formerly owned or operated by Smurfit-Stone have been or will be satisfied claims in the Smurfit-Stone bankruptcy proceedings. However, we may face additional liability for cleanup activity at sites that are not subject to the bankruptcy discharge, but are not currently identified. Some of these liabilities may be satisfied from existing bankruptcy reserves. See “Note 19. Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for additional information related to environmental matters, CERCLA and other remediation costs and climate change.

As of March 31, 2018, we had $14.2 million reserved for environmental liabilities on an undiscounted basis, of which $9.2 million is included in other long-term liabilities and $5.0 million in other current liabilities, including amounts accrued in connection with environmental obligations relating to the manufacturing facilities that we have closed.

Litigation

A lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois in 2010 alleges that certain named defendants violated the Sherman Act by conspiring to limit the supply and fix the prices of containerboard and products containing containerboard from February 15, 2004 through November 8, 2010 (the “Antitrust Litigation”). WestRock CP, LLC, as the successor to Smurfit-Stone, is a named defendant with respect to the period after Smurfit-Stone’s discharge from bankruptcy on June 30, 2010 through November 8, 2010. The complaint seeks treble damages and costs, including attorney’s fees. In March 2015, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. On January 9, 2017, the defendants filed individual and joint Motions for Summary Judgment in the District Court. On August 3, 2017, the District Court granted our Motion for Summary Judgment with respect to all claims against us. The plaintiffs have since filed a notice of appeal. We do not expect the resolution of the Antitrust Litigation will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

We have been named a defendant in asbestos-related personal injury litigation. To date, the costs resulting from the litigation, including settlement costs, have not been significant. As of March 31, 2018, there were approximately 675 lawsuits. We believe that we have substantial insurance coverage, subject to applicable deductibles and policy limits, with respect to asbestos claims.

We have valid defenses to these asbestos-related personal injury claims and intend to continue to defend them vigorously. Should the volume of litigation grow substantially, it is possible that we could incur significant costs resolving these cases. We do not expect the resolution of pending litigation and proceedings to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or liquidity. In any given period or periods, however, it is possible such proceedings or matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

We are a defendant in a number of other lawsuits and claims arising out of the conduct of our business. While the ultimate results of such suits or other proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the resolution of these other matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Guarantees

We make certain guarantees in the course of conducting our operations, for compliance with certain laws and regulations, or in connection with certain business dispositions. These guarantees include items such as funding of net losses in proportion to our ownership share of certain joint ventures, debt guarantees related to certain unconsolidated entities acquired in acquisitions, indemnifications of lessors in certain facilities and equipment operating leases for items such as additional taxes being assessed due to a change in tax law, and, certain other agreements. We estimate the exposure for these matters could be approximately $50 million. As of March 31, 2018, we have recorded $12.2 million for these guarantees. We are unable to estimate our maximum exposure under operating leases because it is dependent on potential changes in the tax law; however, we believe our exposure related to guarantees would not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Equity

Stock Repurchase Program

In July 2015, our board of directors authorized a repurchase program of up to 40.0 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), representing approximately 15% of our outstanding Common Stock as of July 1, 2015. The shares of Common Stock may be repurchased over an indefinite period of time at the discretion of management. Pursuant to the program, in the six months ended March 31, 2018, we repurchased no shares of Common Stock. In the six months ended March 31, 2017, we repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of Common Stock for an aggregate cost of $93.0 million. As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately 24.7 million shares of Common Stock available for repurchase under the program.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The tables below summarize the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions):

 

 

⁽¹⁾ All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interests.

 

 

⁽¹⁾ All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interests.

The net of tax amounts were determined using the jurisdictional statutory rates, and reflect effective tax rates averaging 27% to 28% for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and 37% to 38% for the six months ended March 31, 2017. Although we are impacted by a number of currencies, foreign currency translation gains recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended March 31, 2018 were primarily due to gains in the Euro, British Pound, Chinese Yuan, Mexican Peso, Czech Koruna and Japanese Yen, partially

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

offset by losses in the Brazilian Real and Canadian dollar, each against the United States (“U.S.”) dollar. Foreign currency translation losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended March 31, 2017 were primarily due to the changes in the Euro, Canadian dollar, and Yen exchange rates, partially offset by changes in the Brazilian Real and Mexican Peso exchange rates, each against the U.S. dollar. For the six months ended March 31, 2017, we recorded defined benefit net actuarial gains of $19.7 million, net of $15.1 million of deferred income tax expense, in other comprehensive (loss) income, primarily due to the remeasurement of the Plan at February 28, 2017. For the six months ended March 31, 2017, amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss totaled $26.2 million, net of deferred income tax of $15.3 million, primarily related to pension settlement accounting in the Plan in February 2017.

The following table summarizes the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in millions):

 

 

⁽¹⁾  Amounts in parentheses indicate charges to earnings. Amounts pertaining to noncontrolling interests are excluded.

⁽²⁾  Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See “Note 4. Retirement Plans” for additional details.

⁽³⁾  Included in other income, net.

⁽⁴⁾  Included in net sales.

 

⁽¹⁾  Amounts in parentheses indicate charges to earnings. Amounts pertaining to noncontrolling interests are excluded.

⁽²⁾  Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See “Note 4. Retirement Plans” for additional details.

⁽³⁾  Included in other income, net.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

⁽⁴⁾  Included in net sales.

 

Note 14. Earnings per Share

The restricted stock awards that we grant to non-employee directors are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to dividends at the same rate as our Common Stock. As participating securities, we include these instruments in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share under the two-class method described in ASC 260 “Earnings per Share.” The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method (in millions, except per share data):

 

 

Weighted average shares include approximately 0.2 million reserved, but unissued, shares at March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively. These reserved shares will be distributed as claims are liquidated or resolved in accordance with the Smurfit-Stone Plan of Reorganization and Confirmation Order.

All shares were included in computing earnings per share in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Approximately 0.7 million of awards in the three months ended March 31, 2017 were not included in computing diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive. Approximately 0.1 million and 0.6 million of awards in the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively, were not included in computing diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive.

 

 

 

 

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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included herein and our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as well as the information under the heading “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” that are part of our Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K. The following discussion includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. See our reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below.

Overview

We are a multinational provider of paper and packaging solutions for consumer and corrugated packaging markets. We partner with our customers to provide differentiated paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. Our team members support customers around the world from our operating and business locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. We also sell real estate primarily in the Charleston, SC region.

Organization

On April 6, 2017, we completed the HH&B Sale. We used the proceeds from the HH&B Sale in connection with the MPS Acquisition, which we completed on June 6, 2017. We report MPS in our Consumer Packaging segment and HH&B is a former division of that segment. See “Note 8. Assets Held For Sale” and “Note 6. Merger, Acquisitions and Investment” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for more information.

Presentation

We report our financial results of operations in three reportable segments: Corrugated Packaging, which consists of our containerboard mill and corrugated packaging operations, as well as our recycling operations; Consumer Packaging, which consists of consumer mills, folding carton, beverage, merchandising displays and partition operations; and Land and Development, which sells real estate primarily in the Charleston, SC region. Prior to the HH&B Sale, our Consumer Packaging segment included HH&B.

Acquisitions

On January 5, 2018, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Plymouth, including its “Box on Demand” systems that enhance our platform and drive differentiation and innovation. Plymouth’s “Box on Demand” systems, are manufactured by Panotec, an Italian manufacturer of packaging machines, are located on customers’ sites under multi-year exclusive agreements and use fanfold corrugated to produce custom, on-demand corrugated packaging that is accurately sized for any product type according to the customer’s specifications. Fanfold corrugated is continuous corrugated board, folded periodically to form an accordion-like stack of corrugated material. As part of the transaction, WestRock acquired Plymouth’s equity interest in Panotec and Plymouth’s exclusive right from Panotec to distribute Panotec’s equipment in the U.S. and Canada. WestRock intends to fully integrate an additional estimated 40,000 tons of containerboard used by Plymouth annually. We have included the financial results of Plymouth since the date of the acquisition in our Corrugated Packaging segment.

On June 6, 2017, we completed the MPS Acquisition in a stock purchase. MPS is a global provider of print-based specialty packaging solutions and its differentiated product offering includes premium folding cartons, inserts, labels and rigid packaging. We believe this acquisition will increase our annual paperboard consumption by approximately 225,000 tons, of which we expect approximately 100,000 tons to be supplied by us. We have included the financial results of MPS since the date of acquisition in our Consumer Packaging segment.

On August 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of Hanna Group Pty Ltd (“Hanna Group”) in a stock purchase (the “Hannapak Acquisition”). Hanna Group is one of Australia’s leading providers of folding cartons to a variety of markets, including beverage, food, confectionery and healthcare. We have included the financial results of the acquired operations since the date of the acquisition in our Consumer Packaging segment.

 

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On June 9, 2017, we completed the acquisition of U.S. Corrugated Holdings, Inc. (“U.S. Corrugated”) in a stock purchase (the “U.S. Corrugated Acquisition”). The acquired business provides a comprehensive suite of products and services to customers in a variety of end markets, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics. The transaction provides the opportunity to increase the vertical integration of our Corrugated Packaging segment by approximately 105,000 tons of containerboard annually through the acquired facilities and another 50,000 tons under a long-term supply contract with another company owned by the seller. We have included the financial results of U.S. Corrugated since the date of the acquisition in our Corrugated Packaging segment.

On July 17, 2017, we completed the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Island Container Corp. and Combined Container Industries LLC (the “Island Container Acquisition”). Assets acquired include a corrugator and corrugated converting operations. We expect this acquisition will enable us to integrate more than 80,000 tons of containerboard annually into our Corrugated Packaging segment. We have included the financial results of the acquired operations since the date of the acquisition in our Corrugated Packaging segment.

On March 13, 2017, we completed the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Star Pizza Box of Arizona, LLC, Star Pizza Box of Florida, Inc., Star Pizza Box of Ohio, LLC, Star Pizza Box of Texas, LLC and Box Logistics LLC (the “Star Pizza Acquisition”). The transaction provided us with a leadership position in the fast growing small-run pizza box market and increased our vertical integration. We have included the financial results of the acquired operations since the date of the acquisition in our Corrugated Packaging segment.

See “Note 6. Merger, Acquisitions and Investment” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K and “Note 2. Acquisitions and Investment” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Business

 

 

Net sales of $4,017.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 increased $360.7 million, or 9.9%, compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily a result of an increase in Corrugated Packaging segment sales, driven by higher selling price/mix, and increased Consumer Packaging segment sales primarily due to the contribution from acquisitions (primarily the MPS Acquisition). Those increases in segment sales were partially offset by the absence of net sales from HH&B in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017 due to the HH&B Sale in April 2017. In addition, Land and Development segment sales were lower compared to the prior year quarter due to the timing of real estate sales. Pulp & Paper Week published North American price increases across all of our major grades during the second quarter. Segment income increased $72.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017, primarily due to increased Corrugated Packaging segment income, which was partially offset by decreased Consumer Packaging segment income, including the absence of income from HH&B (which in the second quarter of 2017 totaled $23.9 million) due its sale in April 2017. We experienced higher levels of inflation during the second quarter of fiscal 2018 that were largely offset by productivity. The primary inflationary items were freight costs, chemical costs and wage and other costs. While it is difficult to predict specific inflationary items, we expect higher freight costs to continue.

Our Corrugated Packaging segment increased its net sales by $179.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 to $2,244.3 million from $2,065.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, primarily due to higher selling price/mix and higher corrugated volumes (including acquisitions), which were partially offset by lower net sales from recycling operations due to lower recycled fiber prices partially offset by higher volumes. North American box shipments increased 6.8% on a per day basis in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Segment income attributable to the Corrugated Packaging segment in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 increased $93.3 million to $252.8 million compared to $159.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to favorable selling price/mix and productivity improvements exceeding the impact of higher inflation, weather and other items.

 

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Our Consumer Packaging segment increased its net sales by $249.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 to $1,804.4 million from $1,554.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, primarily due to an increase in net sales from acquisitions (primarily the MPS Acquisition) and higher selling price/mix, which were partially offset by a decrease in net sales due to the absence of sales from HH&B and lower volumes. Segment income attributable to the Consumer Packaging segment in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 decreased $19.5 million to $99.3 million compared to $118.8 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017, primarily as a result of cost inflation, the impact from the HH&B Sale as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017, lower volumes and weather and other items, which were partially offset by segment income related to MPS, productivity improvements and a favorable acquisition reserve adjustment.

Our Land and Development segment net sales were $26.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $100.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, primarily due to the timing of sales associated with our accelerated monetization strategy. We expect to complete the monetization of our portfolio by the end of calendar 2018. Segment income attributable to the Land and Development segment was $16.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $17.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

A detailed review of our performance appears below under “Results of Operations (Consolidated)” and “Results of Operations (Segment Data)”.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with GAAP However, we have included financial measures that were not prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial measures we present may differ from similarly captioned measures of other companies.

We use the non-GAAP financial measures “Adjusted Net Income” and “Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share”. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide our board of directors, investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others with useful information to evaluate our performance because the measures exclude restructuring and other costs, and other specific items that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operating results. We and our board of directors use this information to evaluate our performance relative to other periods. We believe that the most directly comparable GAAP measures to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share are Net income attributable to common stockholders, represented in the table below as the GAAP Results for Consolidated net income (i.e. Net of Tax) plus Noncontrolling interests, and Earnings per diluted share, respectively. The GAAP results in the tables below for Pre-Tax, Tax and Net of Tax are equivalent to the line items “Income before income taxes”, “Income tax (expense) benefit” and “Consolidated net income”, respectively, as reported on the statements of income.

Diluted earnings per share were $0.86 in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $0.40 in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share were $0.83 and $0.54 in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

 

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Set forth below is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share to Earnings per diluted share, the most directly comparable GAAP measure (in dollars per share) for the periods indicated.

 

 

The GAAP results in the tables below for Pre-Tax, Tax and Net of Tax are equivalent to the line items “Income before income taxes”, “Income tax (expense) benefit” and “Consolidated net income”, respectively, as reported on the statements of income. Set forth below are reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, Net income attributable to common stockholders (represented in the table below as the GAAP Results for Consolidated net income (i.e. Net of Tax) plus Noncontrolling interests), for the periods indicated (in millions):

 

 

 

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We discuss certain of these charges in more detail in “Note 3. Restructuring and Other Costs”, “Note 4. Retirement Plans” and “Note 5. Income Taxes” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Results of Operations (Consolidated)

The following table summarizes our consolidated results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in millions):

 

 

 

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Net Sales (Unaffiliated Customers)

 

 

Net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 increased $360.7 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily a result of an increase in Corrugated Packaging segment sales, driven by higher selling price/mix, and increased Consumer Packaging segment sales primarily due to the contribution from acquisitions (primarily the MPS Acquisition). Those increases in segment sales were partially offset by the absence of net sales from HH&B in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017 due to the HH&B Sale in April 2017. In addition, Land and Development segment sales were lower compared to the prior year quarter due to the timing of real estate sales. Segment income increased $72.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017, primarily due to increased Corrugated Packaging segment income, which was partially offset by decreased Consumer Packaging segment income, including the absence of income from HH&B (which in the second quarter of 2017 totaled $23.9 million) due to the HH&B Sale.

 

Net sales in the six months ended March 31, 2018 increased $807.5 million compared to six months ended March 31, 2017, primarily attributable to increased Corrugated Packaging segment sales driven by higher selling price/mix and increased Consumer Packaging segment sales, primarily due to the contribution from acquisitions (primarily the MPS Acquisition). Those increases in segment sales were partially offset by the absence of net sales from HH&B in the six months ended March 31, 2018 due to the sale of HH&B in April 2017. In addition, Land and Development segment sales were lower compared to the prior year period due to the timing of real estate sales. We discuss our segment sales in greater detail below in “Results of Operations (Segment Data)”.

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

The increase in cost of goods sold in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017 was primarily due to increased net sales associated with the impact of acquisitions (primarily the MPS Acquisition) and inflation. The primary inflationary items were freight costs, chemical costs and wage and other costs. These factors were partially offset by the impact of the HH&B Sale, productivity improvements and lower recycled fiber costs.

 

Similarly, the increase in cost of goods sold in the six months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to increased net sales associated with the impact of acquisitions (primarily the MPS Acquisition) and inflation. The primary inflationary items were freight costs, chemical costs and wage and other cost. These factors were partially offset by the impact of the HH&B Sale, productivity improvements and lower recycled fiber costs. We discuss these items in greater detail below in “Results of Operations (Segment Data)”.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Excluding Intangible Amortization

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) excluding intangible amortization increased $32.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to acquisitions completed in fiscal 2017 and 2018. Similarly, SG&A excluding intangible amortization increased $62.0 million in the six months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period. SG&A as a percentage of sales declined in the six months ended March 31, 2018.

Selling, General and Administrative Intangible Amortization

SG&A intangible amortization was $75.2 million and $49.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase was primarily due to acquisitions completed in fiscal 2017 and 2018; notably, the MPS Acquisition. Similarly, SG&A intangible amortization was $147.7 million and $102.2 million in the six months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Land and Development Impairment

In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we recorded a $27.6 million pre-tax non-cash impairment of certain mineral rights and real estate. The $23.6 million impairment of mineral rights was driven by the non-renewal of a lease, and the other $4.0 million was recorded to write-down the carrying value on real estate projects where the projected sales proceeds were less than the carrying value. The charges are not reflected in segment income. Similarly, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we recorded a pre-tax non-cash real estate impairment of $42.7 million, or $36.3 million net of $6.4 million of noncontrolling interest.

Multiemployer Pension Withdrawal

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we submitted formal notification to withdraw from PIUMPF and recorded an estimated withdrawal liability of $180.0 million, which includes an estimate of our portion of PIUMPF’s accumulated funding deficiency. See “Note 4. Retirement Plans” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Pension Lump Sum Settlement

During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, our year to date lump sum payments to certain beneficiaries of the Plan, together with several one-time severance benefit payments out of the Plan, triggered pension settlement accounting. As a result of the settlement accounting, we recorded a $28.7 million non-cash charge. We discuss these charges in more detail in “Note 4. Retirement Plans” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Restructuring and Other Costs

We recorded aggregate pre-tax restructuring and other costs of $31.7 million and $18.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $48.0 million and $99.3 million in the six months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These amounts are not comparable since the timing and scope of the individual actions associated with a restructuring, acquisition, integration or divestiture can vary. We generally expect the integration of a closed facility’s assets and production with other facilities to enable the receiving facilities to better leverage their fixed costs while eliminating fixed costs from the closed facility. See “Note 3. Restructuring and Other Costs” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was $78.3 million, compared to $52.9 million for the prior year quarter. Interest expense, net for the six months ended March 31, 2018 was $143.1 million, compared to $107.0 million for the prior year period. Interest expense, net in the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 increased primarily due to debt incurred as a result of acquisitions in fiscal 2017 and 2018, bridge and other financing fees of $10.1 million associated with the planned KapStone Acquisition, and an increase in market interest rates.

Provision for Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $18.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to income tax expense of $43.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was an expense of 7.7%, while the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was an expense of 30.7%. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was lower than the statutory federal rate primarily due to a refinement of the estimated impact on deferred tax balances related to the corporate tax rate reduction under the Tax Act. We will continue to analyze the impacts of the Tax Act on us and refine our estimates during fiscal 2018.

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was lower than the statutory federal rate primarily due to a $23.8 million tax benefit related to the reduction of a state deferred tax liability as a result of an internal U.S. legal entity restructuring that simplified future operating activities within the U.S.

We recorded an income tax benefit of $1,054.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2018, compared to an income tax expense of $47.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2017. The effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2018 was a benefit of 347.3%, while the effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2017 was an expense of 21.1%. The effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2018 was lower than the statutory federal rate primarily due to recording an estimated income tax benefit of $1,118.4 million as a result of the enactment of the Tax Act. The $1,118.4 million consisted of the provisional amounts for the remeasurement of our deferred tax balances that resulted in a net reduction in deferred liabilities of $1,205.5 million and a provisional amount for our one-time transition tax liability of $95.4 million (net of the release of a previously recorded outside basis difference this amount is $87.1 million). We will continue to analyze the impacts of the Tax Act on us and refine our estimates during fiscal 2018.

The effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2017 was lower than the statutory federal rate primarily due to a $23.8 million tax benefit related to the reduction of a state deferred tax liability as a result of an internal U.S. legal entity restructuring that simplified future operating activities within the U.S.

See “Note 5. Income Taxes” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information for more information regarding the impact of the Tax Act and our provision for income taxes.

 

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Results of Operations (Segment Data)

North American Corrugated Packaging Shipments

Corrugated Packaging shipments are expressed as a tons equivalent, which includes external and intersegment tons shipped from our Corrugated Packaging mills plus Corrugated Packaging container shipments converted from BSF to tons. We have presented the Corrugated Packaging shipments in two groups: North America and Brazil / India because we believe investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others find this breakout useful when evaluating our operating performance. The table below reflects shipments in thousands of tons, billion square feet (“BSF”) and millions of square feet (“MMSF”).

 

 

Brazil / India Corrugated Packaging Shipments

 

 

 

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Corrugated Packaging Segment

 

 

⁽¹⁾ Net sales before intersegment eliminations.

Net Sales (Corrugated Packaging Segment)

Net sales of the Corrugated Packaging segment increased $179.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to $177.1 million of favorable corrugated selling price/mix and $23.9 million of higher corrugated volumes (including acquisitions), which were partially offset by $19.6 million of lower net sales of our recycling operations.

Net sales of the Corrugated Packaging segment increased $414.3 million in the six months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to $358.8 million of favorable corrugated selling price mix, $65.7 million of higher corrugated volumes (including acquisitions) and $7.0 million of favorable foreign currency impacts, which were partially offset by $11.1 million of lower net sales of our recycling operations.

Segment Income (Corrugated Packaging Segment)

Segment income attributable to the Corrugated Packaging segment in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 increased $93.3 million compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to an estimated $136.2 million of favorable corrugated selling price/mix and an estimated $30.3 million of productivity improvements, which were partially offset by an $26.3 million of increased depreciation and amortization, $22.3 million of cost inflation and $24.6 million other items including $12.7 million of unfavorable weather and $8.7 million of lower contributions from our recycling operations driven by lower recycled fiber costs. The increased depreciation and amortization was primarily a function of our capital investments, $6.5 million of increased SG&A intangible amortization due to acquisitions and included $7.3 million of accelerated depreciation associated with assets being replaced due to projects to install a 330” state-of-the-art kraft linerboard machine in our Florence, South Carolina mill and to build a new corrugated box plant in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo.

Segment income attributable to the Corrugated Packaging segment in the six months ended March 31, 2018 increased $215.9 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to an estimated $282.8 million of favorable corrugated selling price/mix, an estimated $65.7 million of productivity improvements and $5.5 million of higher corrugated volumes, which were partially offset by an estimated $69.8 million of cost inflation, $44.0 million of increased depreciation and amortization and an estimated $24.3 million other items including $12.7 million of unfavorable weather in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and $7.3 million of lower contributions from our recycling operations driven by lower recycled fiber costs. The increased depreciation and amortization was primarily a function of our capital investments, $11.2 million of increased SG&A intangible amortization due to acquisitions and included $12.4 million of accelerated depreciation associated with the aforementioned assets.

 

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Consumer Packaging Shipments

Consumer Packaging shipments are expressed as a tons equivalent, which includes external and intersegment tons shipped from our Consumer Packaging mills plus Consumer Packaging converting shipments converted from BSF to tons. The shipment data table excludes dispensing sales (prior to the April 6, 2017 HH&B Sale) and merchandising displays since there is not a common unit of measure, as well as gypsum paperboard liner tons produced by Seven Hills Paperboard LLC since it is not consolidated.

 

 

Consumer Packaging Segment

 

 

⁽¹⁾ Net sales before intersegment eliminations.

 

Given the size of the transaction, the variances below exclude the impact of MPS, except as noted, and we include the impact of MPS as a single variance for sales and income.

Net Sales (Consumer Packaging Segment)

The $249.8 million increase in net sales for the Consumer Packaging segment for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to the $423.3 million increase in net sales from

 

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acquisitions (primarily the MPS Acquisition) and $4.8 million of favorable price/mix, partially offset by the absence of sales from HH&B (which totaled $146.4 million in the prior year quarter) due to the HH&B Sale and $37.9 million of lower volumes. The volume decline reflects lower merchandising displays volumes that were largely driven by promotional programs in the prior year quarter that did not repeat in the current year period, as well as lower pulp shipments.

The $502.2 million increase in net sales for the Consumer Packaging segment for the six months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the $847.2 million increase in net sales from acquisitions (primarily the MPS Acquisition) and $19.2 million of favorable price/mix, partially offset by the absence of sales from HH&B (which totaled $289.5 million in the prior year period)due to the HH&B Sale and $77.4 million of lower volumes. The volume decline reflects lower merchandising displays volumes that were largely driven by promotional programs in the prior year quarter that did not repeat in the current year period, as well as lower pulp shipments.

Segment Income (Consumer Packaging Segment)

 

Segment income of the Consumer Packaging segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 decreased $19.5 million compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to an estimated $41.7 million of cost inflation, $23.9 million related to the absence of income from HH&B (including lower depreciation due to the business being held for sale) due to the HH&B Sale, $15.6 million of unfavorable weather and $14.4 million for the impact of lower volumes compared to the prior year quarter that were partially offset by an estimated $37.1 million of productivity improvements, segment income related to the MPS Acquisition of $12.9 million, a favorable $10.0 million acquisition reserve adjustment, $9.4 million of lower depreciation and amortization and an estimated $8.7 million of favorable selling price mix.

 

Segment income of the Consumer Packaging segment for the six months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $14.7 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to an estimated $80.8 million of cost inflation, $38.2 million related to the absence of income from HH&B, $15.6 million of unfavorable weather in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and $17.2 million for the impact of lower volumes compared to the prior year period that were partially offset by an estimated $60.1 million of productivity improvements, segment income related to the MPS Acquisition of $33.8 million, $20.9 million of lower depreciation and amortization compared to the prior year quarter, an estimated $14.8 million of favorable selling price mix and a $10.0 million favorable acquisition reserve adjustment.

Land and Development

 

 

⁽¹⁾ Net Sales before intersegment eliminations.

 

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Net Sales (Land and Development Segment)

Land and Development’s net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 were $26.7 million compared to $100.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Land and Development’s net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2018 were $38.1 million compared to $154.0 million in the prior year period. The decreased net sales in both periods were the result of the timing of land sales. We continue to include the remainder of the real estate holdings in assets held for sale because we have met the held for sale criteria. We expect to complete the monetization of our portfolio by the end of calendar 2018.

Segment Income (Land and Development Segment)

Segment income attributable to the Land and Development segment was $16.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $17.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Segment income attributable to the Land and Development segment was $15.4 million in the six months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $19.2 million in the prior year period. The segment’s assets were stepped-up to fair value in fiscal 2015 as a result of purchase accounting, which resulted in substantially lower margins on the properties sold compared to earlier levels. The $27.6 million pre-tax non-cash impairment of certain mineral rights and real estate in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, and the $42.7 million, or $36.3 million net of $6.4 million of noncontrolling interest, recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 are not included in segment income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On January 29, 2018, we announced that a definitive agreement had been signed for us to acquire all of the outstanding shares of KapStone for $35.00 per share and the assumption of approximately $1.36 billion in net debt, for a total enterprise value of approximately $4.9 billion. In contemplation of the transaction, on March 6, 2018, we issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% senior notes due 2025 and $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.0% senior notes due 2028 in an unregistered offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In addition, on March 7, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement to provide for $3.8 billion of senior unsecured term loans. We expect to finance the cash consideration, including existing KapStone debt to be assumed as part of the transaction upon closing, with facilities we currently have in place.

We fund our working capital requirements, capital expenditures, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring activities, dividends and stock repurchases from net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under our credit facilities, proceeds from our A/R Sales Agreement, proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment removed from service and proceeds received in connection with the issuance of debt and equity securities. See “Note 11. Debt” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and “Note 11. Debt” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for more information regarding our debt. Funding for our domestic operations in the foreseeable future is expected to come from sources of liquidity within our domestic operations, including cash and cash equivalents, and available borrowings under our credit facilities. As such, our foreign cash and cash equivalents are not a key source of liquidity to our domestic operations.

At March 31, 2018, excluding the Delayed Draw Credit Facilities, we had approximately $3.1 billion of availability under our committed credit facilities, primarily under our revolving credit facility, the majority of which matures July 1, 2022. This liquidity may be used to provide for ongoing working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, dividends and stock repurchases.

Certain restrictive covenants govern our maximum availability under our credit facilities. We test and report our compliance with these covenants as required by these facilities and were in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2018. At March 31, 2018, we had $117.5 million of outstanding letters of credit not drawn upon.

Cash and cash equivalents were $266.5 million at March 31, 2018 and $298.1 million at September 30, 2017. Approximately 89% of the cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2018 were outside of the U.S. At March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017, total debt was $6,726.5 million and $6,554.8 million, respectively, $1,113.5 million and $608.7 million of which was short-term at March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. The increase in short-term debt was primarily related to our March 2019 public bonds with a face value of $350.0 million moving to short-term, increases in various short-term revolvers and the issuance of commercial paper.

 

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Cash Flow Activity

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $82.0 million compared to the six months ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to a $214.6 million net decrease in cash flow from working capital changes and decreased real estate sales, which were partially offset by higher cash earnings.

Net cash used for investing activities of $702.5 million in the six months ended March 31, 2018 consisted primarily of $426.7 million for capital expenditures, $185.2 million for cash paid for the purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired primarily for Plymouth and $108.0 million for an additional investment in Grupo Gondi. Net cash used for investing activities of $357.0 million in the six months ended March 31, 2017 consisted primarily of $365.3 million for capital expenditures and $31.7 million for cash paid for the purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired primarily for the Star Pizza Acquisition net of the receipt of an escrow payment from the Packaging Acquisition.

With the portfolio changes we have made, we estimate our baseline maintenance and return generating capital expenditures will be approximately $850 million per year. We believe we have an opportunity to improve our performance through capital investment. We expect fiscal 2018 capital expenditures to be approximately $1.0 billion. In fiscal 2018, we expect to invest in projects (i) to maintain and operate our mills and plants safely, reliably and in compliance with regulations, (ii) that support our strategy to improve the competitiveness of our mill and converting assets, (iii) to support our $1.0 billion run rate performance improvement target, before inflation, to be realized by June 30, 2018, (iv) to build a new corrugated box plant in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo to meet growing demand from our regional customers in South America to be completed in fiscal 2019, (v) to install a 330” state-of-the-art kraft linerboard machine in our Florence, South Carolina mill with production expected to commence in the first half of calendar 2020, (vi) to install a coater at our Mahrt coated natural kraft mill to be completed in fiscal 2019, and (vii) to generate attractive returns. However, it is possible that our capital expenditure assumptions may change, project completion dates may change, or we may decide to invest a different amount depending upon opportunities we identify, changes in market conditions or to comply with environmental or other regulation changes.

In the six months ended March 31, 2018, net cash used for financing activities of $62.3 million consisted primarily of cash dividends paid to stockholders of $219.4 million partially offset by a net increase in debt of $173.2 million. In the six months ended March 31, 2017, net cash used for financing activities of $409.7 million consisted primarily of cash dividends paid to stockholders of $201.1 million, purchases of common stock of $93.0 million and a net decrease in debt of $101.3 million. The increase in debt in the current year period was primarily due to capital expenditures, the cash to fund the Plymouth Packaging Acquisition and the joint venture with Grupo Gondi and dividends net of cash generated from operations. In April 2018, our board of directors approved our quarterly dividend of $0.43 per share, indicating an annualized dividend of $1.72 per share. We paid a quarterly dividend of $0.43 per share in November 2017 and February 2018, respectively, and in fiscal 2017, we paid four quarterly dividends of $0.40 per share for an annual dividend of $1.60 per share.

At March 31, 2018, the U.S. federal, state and foreign net operating losses, alternative minimum tax credits and other U.S. federal and state tax credits available to us aggregated approximately $227 million in future potential reductions of U.S. federal, state and foreign cash taxes. Based on our current projections, we expect to utilize the remaining U.S. federal net operating losses, alternative minimum tax and other U.S. federal credits primarily over the next two years. Foreign and state net operating losses and credits will be used over a longer period of time. It is possible that our utilization of these net operating losses and credits may change due to changes in taxable income, tax laws or tax rates, capital expenditures or other factors. Fiscal 2018 will be the last year we will receive a tax benefit from the domestic production deduction. We expect our estimated cash tax payments in fiscal 2018 will be substantially lower than our income tax rate, excluding the estimated non-cash

 

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income tax benefit of $1,118.4 million as a result of the enactment of the Tax Act, and will be an estimated $150 million lower than they would have been prior to the passage of the Tax Act, primarily due to the corporate tax rate reduction, acceleration of expensing for certain business assets and repeal of the alternative minimum tax. The aforementioned cash tax estimates may differ from actual results due to a variety of factors, including, among others, changes to the extent that future results differ from currently available projections, additional guidance on application of the Tax Act, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Act. We expect our cash tax rate to move closer to our income tax rate in fiscal 2019.

We made contributions of $20.7 million to our pension and supplemental retirement plans during the six months ended March 31, 2018. Based on current facts and assumptions, we expect to contribute approximately $38 million to our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans in fiscal 2018, primarily related to our Canadian plans. We have made contributions and expect to continue to make contributions in the coming years to our pension plans to ensure that our funding levels remain adequate in light of projected liabilities and to meet the requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “Pension Act”) and other regulations. Our estimates are based on current factors, such as discount rates and expected return on plan assets. It is possible that our assumptions may change, actual market performance may vary or we may decide to contribute different amounts.

In the normal course of business, we evaluate our potential exposure to MEPPs, including with respect to potential withdrawal liabilities. During the six months ended March 31, 2018, we withdrew from PIUMPF and recorded an estimated withdrawal liability of $180.0 million. See “Note 4. Retirement Plans” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

We anticipate that we will be able to fund our capital expenditures, interest payments, dividends and stock repurchases, pension payments, working capital needs, note repurchases, restructuring activities, repayments of current portion of long-term debt and other corporate actions for the foreseeable future from cash generated from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities, proceeds from our A/R Sales Agreement, proceeds from the issuance of debt or equity securities or other additional long-term debt financing, including new or amended facilities. In addition, we continually review our capital structure and conditions in the private and public debt markets in order to optimize our mix of indebtedness. In connection therewith, we may seek to refinance existing indebtedness to extend maturities, reduce borrowing costs or otherwise improve the terms and composition of our indebtedness.

New Accounting Standards

See “Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this report that do not relate strictly to historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, plans or forecasts and use words such as “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “project”, “plan”, “believe”, “expect”, “target” and “potential”, or refer to future time periods, and include statements made in this report regarding, among other things: our anticipation that we will be able to fund capital expenditures, interest payments, dividends and stock repurchases, pension payments, working capital needs, note repurchases, restructuring activities, repayments of current portion of long-term debt and other corporate actions for the foreseeable future from cash generated from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities, proceeds from our A/R Sales Agreement, proceeds from the issuance of debt or equity securities or other additional long-term debt financing, including new or amended facilities; that we may seek to refinance existing indebtedness to extend maturities, reduce borrowing costs or otherwise improve the terms and composition of our indebtedness; that with the portfolio changes we have made, we estimate our baseline maintenance and return generating capital expenditures will be approximately $850 million per year; that we believe we have an opportunity to improve our performance through capital investment; that we expect fiscal 2018 capital expenditures to be approximately $1.0 billion; amounts and timing of capital expenditure projects; our expectation of paying an annualized dividend of $1.72 per share in fiscal 2018; we expect to contribute approximately $38 million to our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans in fiscal 2018, primarily related to our Canadian plans; we expect to continue to make contributions in the coming years to our pension plans in order to ensure that our funding levels remain adequate in light of projected liabilities and to meet the requirements of the Pension Act and other regulations; our expectation that the adoption of ASC 842 as of October 1, 2019 will result in

 

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recording additional assets and liabilities not previously reflected on our consolidated balance sheets but will not have a significant impact on the recognition, measurement, or presentation of lease expenses within the consolidated statements of income or the consolidated statement of cash flows; that for certain products we manufacture and which meet certain criteria, we will recognize revenue “over time” upon the adoption of ASC 606 which could result in (a) revenue recognition prior to the date of shipment or title transfer for these products and (b) an increase in unbilled receivables balances and a reduction in finished goods inventory balances on our balance sheet from historic and current levels; our belief that the resolution of a number of other lawsuits and claims arising out of the conduct of our business will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; our expectation that the resolution of pending litigation and proceedings related to asbestos-related personal injury litigation or the Antitrust Litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or liquidity; that our compliance initiatives related to a broad range of foreign, federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations could result in significant costs, which could negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition cash flows; we expect to utilize the remaining U.S. federal net operating losses, alternative minimum tax and other U.S. federal credits primarily over the next two years and that foreign and state net operating losses and credits will be used over a longer period of time, though it is possible that our utilization of these net operating losses and credits may change due to changes in taxable income, tax laws or tax rates, capital expenditures or other factors; we expect fiscal 2018 will be the last year we will receive a tax benefit from the domestic production deduction; we expect our estimated cash tax payments in fiscal 2018 will be substantially lower than our income tax rate, excluding the estimated non-cash income tax benefit of $1,118.4 million as a result of the enactment of the Tax Act, and will be an estimated $150 million lower than they would have been prior to the passage of the Tax Act; we expect our cash tax rate to move closer to our income tax rate in fiscal 2019; our estimate of our exposure for matters related to guarantees of approximately $50 million; our belief that our exposure related to guarantees would not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; funding for our domestic operations in the foreseeable future is expected to come from sources of liquidity within our domestic operations, including cash and cash equivalents, and available borrowings under our credit facilities; the KapStone transaction is expected to close by the end of the quarter ending September 30, 2018 or during the following quarter; we expect to finance the cash consideration, including existing KapStone debt to be assumed as part of the transaction upon closing, through our utilization of our Delayed Draw Credit Facilities, as well as our other existing credit facilities; that the U.S. Corrugated Acquisition provides the opportunity to increase the vertical integration of our Corrugated Packing segment by approximately 105,000 tons of containerboard annually through the acquired facilities and another 50,000 tons under a long-term supply contract with another company owned by the seller; that the Island Container Acquisition will enable us to integrate more than 80,000 tons of containerboard annually into our Corrugated Packaging segment; that it is reasonably possible that we may incur withdrawal liabilities with respect to certain other MEPPs in connection with such withdrawals; we intend to fully integrate an estimated additional 40,000 tons of containerboard used by Plymouth annually; our belief that the MPS Acquisition will increase our annual paperboard consumption by approximately 225,000 tons, of which we expect approximately 100,000 tons to be supplied by us; our expectation that the adoption of certain ASUs will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements; our expectation that PIUMPF’s demand related to the withdrawal will include both a payment for withdrawal liability and for our proportionate share of PIUMPF’s accumulated funding deficiency; provisional amounts related to the deferred tax balances and one-time transition tax as a result of the Tax Act; that we expect to complete the monetization of our land and development portfolio by the end of calendar 2018; while it is difficult to predict specific inflationary items, we expect higher freight costs to continue; we will continue to analyze the impacts of the Tax Act on us and refine our estimates during fiscal 2018; our $1.0 billion run rate performance improvement target, before inflation, will be realized by June 30, 2018; and expected totals for restructuring and other costs.

With respect to these statements, we have made assumptions regarding, among other things, the results and impacts of the Combination and the Separation; our ability to effectively integrate the operations of RockTenn and MWV; the results and impacts of the Plymouth Packaging Acquisition, MPS Acquisition, the U.S. Corrugated Acquisition, the Island Container Acquisition, the S.P. Fiber Acquisition, the Packaging Acquisition, the Hannapak Acquisition and the Star Pizza Acquisition; economic, competitive and market conditions; volumes and price levels of purchases by customers; competitive conditions in our businesses; possible adverse actions of our customers, competitors and suppliers; labor costs; the amount and timing of capital expenditures, including installation costs, project development and implementation costs, severance and other shutdown costs; restructuring costs; utilization of real property that is subject to the restructurings due to realizable values from the sale of such property; credit availability; volumes and price levels of purchases by customers; raw material and energy costs; and competitive conditions in our businesses.

 

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You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as such statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: the level of demand for our products; our ability to successfully identify and make performance and productivity improvements; anticipated returns on our capital investments; our ability to achieve benefits from acquisitions and the timing thereof, including synergies, performance improvements and successful implementation of capital projects; our belief that matters relating to previously identified third party PRP sites and certain formerly owned facilities of Smurfit-Stone have been or will be satisfied related to claims in the Smurfit-Stone bankruptcy proceedings; the level of demand for our products; our belief that we can assert claims for indemnification pursuant to existing rights we have under settlement and purchase agreements in connection with certain of our existing environmental remediation sites; the possibility of and uncertainties related to planned mill outages or production disruptions; investment performance, discount rates, return on pension plan assets and expected compensation levels; market risk from changes in interest rates and commodity prices; possible increases in energy, raw materials, shipping and capital equipment costs; any reduction in the supply of raw materials; fluctuations in selling prices and volumes; intense competition; the potential loss of certain customers; the impact of the Tax Act; our ability to complete, and risks and uncertainties associated with, the proposed acquisition of KapStone; our ability to meet the conditions to completing the acquisition of KapStone, including receiving KapStone stockholder approval and obtaining certain regulatory approvals on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; and the parties’ ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the transaction; the impact of operational restructuring activities; potential liability for outstanding guarantees and indemnities and the potential impact of such liabilities; the impact of economic conditions, including the nature of the current market environment, raw material and energy costs and market trends or factors that affect such trends, such as expected price changes, competitive pricing pressures and cost increases; our ability to anticipate trends that would enable us to offer products that respond to changing customer preferences; our results of operations, including operational inefficiencies, costs, sales growth or declines; our desire or ability to continue to repurchase Common Stock; the timing and impact of customer transitioning, the impact of announced price increases or decreases; pension plan contributions and expense, funding requirements and earnings; environmental law liability as well as the impact of related compliance efforts, including the cost of required improvements and the availability of certain indemnification claims; the effectiveness of our quality control measures and systems; capital expenditures; the cost and other effects of complying with governmental laws and regulations and the timing of such costs; the scope, and timing and outcome of any litigation, including the Antitrust Litigation or other dispute resolutions and the impact of any such litigation or other dispute resolutions on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; income tax rates, future deferred tax expense and future cash tax payments; future debt repayment; our ability to fund our capital expenditures, interest payments, dividends and stock repurchases, pension payments, working capital needs, note repurchases, restructuring activities, repayments of current portion of long-term debt and other corporate actions for the foreseeable future from cash generated from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities, proceeds from our A/R Sales Agreement, proceeds from the issuance of debt or equity securities or other additional long-term debt financing, including new or amended facilities; our estimates and assumptions regarding our contractual obligations and the impact of our contractual obligations on our liquidity and cash flow; the impact of changes in assumptions and estimates underlying accounting policies; the expected impact of implementing new accounting standards; the impact of changes in assumptions and estimates on which we based the design of our system of disclosure controls and procedures; the expected cash tax payments that may change due to changes in taxable income, tax laws or tax rates, capital expenditures or other factors; the occurrence of severe weather or a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, tropical storm, earthquake, tornado, flood, fire, or other unanticipated problems such as labor difficulties, equipment failure or unscheduled maintenance and repair, which could result in operational disruptions of varied duration; adverse changes in general market and industry conditions; and other risks, uncertainties and factors discussed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K and by similar disclosures in any of our subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. The information contained herein speaks as of the date hereof and we do not have or undertake any obligation to update such information as future events unfold.

 

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For a discussion of certain of the market risks to which we are exposed, see the “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” section in our Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in our exposure to market risk since September 30, 2017.

Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

See “Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Certain risks and events that could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the trading price of our Common Stock, are described in our Fiscal 2017 Form 10-K. Additional risks are described below.

We May Be Adversely Affected by Comprehensive Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law. The Tax Act contains significant changes to corporate taxation, including reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, additional limitations on the tax deductibility of interest, substantial changes to the taxation of foreign earnings, immediate deductions for certain new investments instead of deductions for depreciation expense over time, and modification or repeal of many business deductions and credits. Notwithstanding the reduction in the corporate income tax rate, the overall impact of the Tax Act is uncertain, and our results of operations, cash flows and financial conditions, as well as the trading price of our Common Stock, could be adversely affected.

We May Not Complete Our Proposed Acquisition of KapStone

The consummation of the KapStone Acquisition is subject to certain closing conditions, including, among others, (i) the adoption of the merger agreement by KapStone stockholders, which under applicable law requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of KapStone common stock, (ii) expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (iii) receipt of required antitrust approvals in Mexico, (iv) the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 registering the issuance of the stock consideration, (v) the absence of any material law or any order prohibiting the consummation of the KapStone Acquisition, (vi) subject to certain materiality exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each of the parties to the merger agreement, as well as the performance of each party’s obligations under the merger agreement in all material respects and (vii) each of WestRock and KapStone receiving an opinion from their respective counsels to the effect that the KapStone Acquisition should qualify as a tax free reorganization with respect to stockholder’s who receive WestRock stock. In addition, the merger agreement contains certain termination rights for both KapStone and WestRock, including in the event (i) the KapStone Acquisition is not consummated on or before October 29, 2018 (which deadline may be extended under certain circumstances to April 29, 2019), (ii) the approval of the stockholders of KapStone is not obtained or (iii) KapStone terminates the merger agreement to enter into a definitive written agreement providing for a superior alternative transaction. The conditions to the closing of the KapStone Acquisition may not be satisfied and the merger agreement could be terminated. In addition, satisfying the conditions to the KapStone Acquisition may take longer, and could cost more, than we and KapStone expect; in particular, we could be required to divest certain assets in order to obtain antitrust clearance in the United States or Mexico. The occurrence of any of these events individually or in combination may adversely affect the benefits we expect to achieve from the KapStone Acquisition and the trading price of our Common Stock. In addition, if the KapStone Acquisition does not close, the attention of our management will have been diverted to the KapStone Acquisition, rather than our operations and pursuit of other opportunities.

 

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Our Proposed Acquisition of KapStone Subjects Us to Various Risks and Uncertainties

If we are successful in completing the KapStone Acquisition, we will be subject to various risks and uncertainties, including the following: we may fail to realize anticipated synergies, cost savings, operating efficiencies and other benefits; our incurrence of substantial indebtedness in connection with financing the acquisition may have an adverse effect on our liquidity, limit our flexibility in responding to other business opportunities and increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions; we may not be able to integrate KapStone into our operations without encountering difficulties, including inconsistencies in standards, systems and controls, and without diverting management’s focus and resources from ordinary business activities and opportunities; we may face challenges retaining KapStone’s customers and suppliers; we may fail to retain KapStone’s key personnel; we may encounter unforeseen internal control, regulatory or compliance issues; and we may face other additional risks.  We may not be able to achieve the anticipated benefits from the KapStone Acquisition, or it may take us longer than expected to achieve them. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the trading price of our Common Stock.

 

Item 6.EXHIBITS

See separate Exhibit Index attached hereto and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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WESTROCK COMPANY

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

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Additional Exhibits

In accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8238, Exhibit 32.1 is to be treated as “accompanying” this report rather than “filed” as part of the report.

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

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