UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

Commission file number 1-03560

 

P. H. Glatfelter Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes    No  ü .

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes    No  ü .

 

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 at least the past 90 days. Yes  ü  No   .

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy of information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]

 

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

 

Based on the closing price as of June 30, 2006, the aggregate market value of Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates was $517.3 million.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
   Large Accelerated  ü  Accelerated    Non-Accelerated.

 

Common Stock outstanding on March 8, 2007 totaled 45,472,226 shares.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 Proxy Statement to be dated on or about March 21, 2007 (Part III).

 

P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Year Ended

 

DECEMBER 31, 2006

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Overview  Glatfelter began operations in 1864 and today we believe we are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty papers and engineered products. Headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, we own and operate paper mills located in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, Chillicothe and Fremont, Ohio, Gernsbach, Germany, Gloucestershire, the United Kingdom and Scaër, France, as well as an abaca pulp mill in the Philippines.

 

We serve customers in numerous markets, including book publishing, carbonless and forms, envelope and converting, engineered products, food and beverage, composite laminates and other highly technical niche markets. Many of the markets in which we operate are characterized by higher-value-added products and, in some cases, by higher growth prospects and lower cyclicality than commodity paper markets. Examples of some of our key product offerings include papers for:

 

 

Recent Developments  On March 13, 2006, we completed our acquisition of certain assets of JR Crompton, a global supplier of wet laid nonwoven products based in Manchester, United Kingdom. Since February 7, 2006, Crompton had been subject to insolvency proceedings before The High Court of Justice Chancery Division, Manchester District.

 

Under the terms of our agreement with Crompton, we acquired Crompton’s Lydney mill, located in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, for approximately $65 million based on currency exchange rates on that date. The facility employs approximately 240 people and had 2005 revenues of approximately $75 million. The Lydney mill, which is now included in our Composite Fibers business unit, produces a broad portfolio of wet laid nonwoven products, including tea bags and coffee filter papers, clean room wipes, lens tissue and dye filter paper, double-sided adhesive tape substrates and battery grid pasting tissue. The acquisition of the Lydney mill further strengthened our leading position in tea bags and coffee filter papers and is part of our long-term strategy to drive growth in our Composite Fibers business unit.

 

On April 3, 2006, we completed our acquisition of the carbonless business operations of NewPage Corporation, for $83.3 million in cash. The acquired assets consist of a 400,000 ton-per-year paper making facility in Chillicothe, Ohio and coating operations based in Fremont, Ohio (collectively referred to as Chillicothe). Chillicothe had revenue of $441.5 million in 2005 and approximately 1,700 employees as of December 31, 2006.

 

We executed the Chillicothe acquisition so that we could take advantage of Chillicothe’s scale and efficient manufacturing environment. As part of our integration plan for Chillicothe, we transferred the production of products manufactured at our former Neenah, WI facility to Chillicothe and permanently shut down our Neenah facility on June 30, 2006.

 

On April 3, 2006, we entered into our new credit facility, which provides for a $200 million revolving credit facility and a $100 million term loan. Proceeds from our new credit facility were used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under our former revolving credit facility due June 2006, to finance the Chillicothe acquisition and for general corporate purposes.

 

In addition, on April 28, 2006 we completed a $200 million bond offering, the proceeds of which were primarily used to prepay our $150 million bonds.

 

Our Business Units  We manage our business as two distinct units: the Europe-based Composite Fibers business unit and the North America-based Specialty Papers business unit. The following table summarizes consolidated net sales and the relative net sales contribution of each of our business units for the past three fiscal years:

 

 

Net tons sold by each business unit for the past three years were as follows:

 

Specialty Papers  Our North America-based Specialty Papers business unit focuses on papers for the production of high-quality hardbound books and other book publishing needs, carbonless papers designed for multiple end-uses, such as credit card receipts, forms and other applications, envelope & converting markets and highly technical customized products for the digital

 

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imaging, casting and release, pressure sensitive, and several niche technical specialty markets.

 

Specialty Papers’ revenue composition by market consisted of the following for the years indicated:

 

 

We believe we are the leading supplier of book publishing papers in the United States and one of two carbonless paper market leaders. Specialty Papers also produces paper that is converted into specialized envelopes in a wide array of colors, finishes and capabilities. These markets are generally more mature and, therefore, have modest growth characteristics. The market for carbonless papers is declining approximately 7% to 9% per year.

 

Specialty Papers’ highly technical engineered products include those designed for multiple end uses, such as papers for pressure-sensitive postage stamps, greeting and playing cards, digital imaging applications and for release paper applications. Such products comprise an array of distinct business niches that are in a continuous state of evolution. Many of these products are utilized in demanding, specialized customer and end-user applications. Some of our products are new and high growth while others are more mature and further along on the development curve. Because many of these products are technically complex and involve substantial customer-supplier development collaboration, they command higher per ton values and generally exhibit greater pricing stability relative to commodity grade paper products.

 

As of April 3, 2006, our Specialty Papers business unit includes the Chillicothe operations.

 

Composite Fibers  Composite Fibers, based in Gernsbach, Germany, focuses on higher-value-added products, such as paper for tea bags and coffee pods/pads and filters, decorative laminates used for furniture and flooring, and metallized products used in the labeling of beer bottles.

 

Composite Fibers revenue composition by market consisted of the following for the years indicated:

 

 

Our focus on products made from abaca pulp has made us one of the world’s largest producers of tea bag papers. The balance of this unit’s sales are comprised of overlay and technical specialty products, which include flooring and furniture overlay papers, metallized products, and papers for adhesive tapes, vacuum bags, holographic labels and gift wrap. Many of this unit’s papers are technically sophisticated. We believe we are well positioned to produce these extremely lightweight papers because we understand their complexities, which require the use of highly specialized fiber and specifically designed papermaking equipment.

 

As of March 13, 2006, our Composite Fibers business unit includes the Lydney mill.

 

Additional financial information for each of our business units is included in Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Item 8 – Financial Statements, Note 20.

 

Our Competitive Strengths  Since commencing operations over 140 years ago, we believe that Glatfelter has developed into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty papers and engineered products. We believe that the following competitive strengths have contributed to our success:

 

• Leading market positions in higher-value, niche segments.  We have focused our resources to achieve market-leading positions in certain higher-value, niche segments. Our products include various highly specialized paper products designed for technically demanding end uses. Consequently, many of our products achieve premium pricing relative to that of commodity paper grades. In 2006, approximately 82% of our sales were derived from these higher-value, niche products. The specialized nature of these products generally provides greater pricing stability relative to commodity paper products.

 

• Customer-centric business focus.  We offer a unique and diverse product line that can be customized to serve the individual needs of our customers. Our size allows us to develop close relationships with our key customers and to be adaptable in our product development, manufacturing, sales and marketing practices. We believe that this approach has led to the development of excellent customer relationships, defensible market positions, and increased pricing stability relative to commodity paper producers. Additionally, our customer-centric focus has been a key driver to our success in new product development.

 

• Significant investment in product development.  In order to keep up with our customers’ ever-changing needs, we continually enhance our product offerings through significant investment in product development. During 2006, 2005 and 2004, we

 

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invested approximately $8.0 million, $4.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, in product development activities. We derive a significant portion of our revenue from products developed, enhanced or improved as a result of these activities. Revenue generated from products developed, enhanced or improved within the five previous years as a result of these activities represented approximately 52%, 52% and 60% of net sales in the years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

• Integrated production.  As a partially integrated producer, we are able to mitigate changes in the costs of certain raw materials and energy. Our Spring Grove and Chillicothe facilities are vertically integrated operations producing in excess of 85% of the annual pulp required for their paper production. The principal raw material used to produce this pulp is pulpwood, consisting of both hardwoods and softwoods. We own approximately 75,000 acres of timberlands and, in 2006, obtained approximately 20% of our pulpwood requirements for our Spring Grove facility from Glatfelter-owned timberlands, which helps stabilize our fiber costs in a highly fragmented market. Our Spring Grove and Chillicothe facilities also generate 100% of the steam and substantially all of the electricity required for their operations. In addition, our Philippine mill processes abaca fiber to produce abaca pulp, which is a key raw material used by our Composite Fibers business unit.

 

Our Business Strategy  Our vision is to become the global supplier of choice in specialty papers and engineered products. We are continuously developing and refining strategies to strengthen our business and position it for the future. Execution of these strategies is intended to capitalize on our customer relationships, technology and people, as well as our leadership positions in certain product lines. In recent years, our industry has been challenged by a supply and demand imbalance, particularly for commodity-like products. While the industry has responded to take out under-performing capacity, the imbalance continues. To be successful in the current market environment, our strategy is focused on aggressively reducing costs and continually repositioning our product portfolio to increase our focus on higher-value, niche products and to better align our product offerings with our customers’ ever-changing needs. Certain key elements of our business strategy are outlined below:

 

 

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Raw Material and Energy  The following table provides an overview of the estimated amount of principal raw materials (“PRM”) to be used by each of our manufacturing facilities on an annual basis:

 

 

Our Spring Grove mill is a vertically integrated operation producing approximately 85% of the annual pulp required for paper production. The principal raw material used to produce this pulp is pulpwood, of which both hardwoods and softwoods are used. At December 31, 2006, we owned approximately 75,000 acres of timberlands. In addition to this source of pulpwood, we are committed, under a Supply Agreement expiring in 2011, to buy at market prices a minimum annual amount of pine pulpwood averaging 34,425 tons per annum over the eight-year term of the agreement. The pulpwood purchased under this agreement is to be harvested from land we sold in March 2003.

 

In addition to these sources, hardwoods are available within a relatively short distance of our mills. Softwoods are obtained primarily from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. To protect our sources of pulpwood, we actively promote conservation and forest management among suppliers and woodland owners.

 

Our Spring Grove, Pennsylvania facility generates 100% of the steam and electricity required for its operations. Principal fuel sources used by this facility are coal, recycled pulping chemicals, bark and wood waste, and oil. The facility consumes approximately 300,000 tons of coal annually. A new three year contract became effective January 1, 2007, which will increase our annual cost of coal by approximately $6 million.

 

The Spring Grove facility produces more electricity than it requires. Excess electricity is sold to the local power company under a fixed-price long-term co-generation contract expiring in 2010. Energy sales, net of costs, were $10.7 million in 2006, $10.1 million in 2005 and $10.0 million in 2004. The continuation of this revenue stream at these levels is dependent on our ability to negotiate a contract for periods beyond 2010. As discussed elsewhere in this report, we entered into a new three-year coal supply agreement beginning in January 2007. The increased cost of coal under this contract will adversely effect net revenue from energy sales.

 

Our Chillicothe mill is also a vertically integrated operation producing approximately 92% of its annual pulp requirements for paper production in 2006. The principal raw material used to produce this pulp is pulpwood, of which both hardwoods and softwoods are used. Pulpwood is sourced externally at market prices. Both hardwoods and softwoods are sourced primarily from Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.

 

Our Chillicothe facility generates 100% of the steam and 85% of the electricity required for its operations. Principal fuel sources used by the Chillicothe facility are natural gas, coal, waste wood and black liquor, which is a byproduct of the pulp making process. The facility consumes approximately 900,000 MMBTUs of natural gas, 315,000 tons of coal and 300,000 tons of wastewood annually. Two new coal

 

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supply agreements were executed in the fourth quarter of 2006 and expire in December 2007 and November 2008.

 

The Gernsbach, Scaër and Lydney facilities generate all of the steam required for their operations. The Gernsbach facility generated approximately 26% of its 2006 electricity needs and purchased the balance. The Scaër and Lydney facilities purchased all of their 2006 electric power requirements. Natural gas was used to produce substantially all internally generated energy at the Gernsbach, Scaër and Lydney facilities during 2006.

 

Our Philippines mill processes abaca fiber to produce a specialized pulp. This abaca pulp production provides a unique advantage by supplying a key raw material used by our Composite Fibers business unit. Events may arise from the relatively unstable political and economic environment in which the Philippine facility operates that could interrupt the production of abaca pulp. Management periodically evaluates the availability of abaca pulp for our Composite Fibers business unit. Any extended interruption of the Philippine operation could have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and/or results of operations. We have approximately three months of abaca pulp supply available to us. In addition, we have established contingency plans for alternative sources of abaca pulp. However, the cost of obtaining abaca pulp from such alternative sources, if available, would likely be higher.

 

Based on information currently available, we believe that we will continue to have ready access, for the foreseeable future, to all principal raw materials used in the production of our products. The cost of our raw material is subject to change, including, but not limited to, costs of wood and pulp products and energy.

 

New Product Development  In order to keep up with our customers’ ever-changing needs, we are continually enhancing our product offerings through significant investment in product development activities, including product customizations developed in partnership or close collaboration with our customers. We invested approximately $8.0 million, $4.9 million and $5.2 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, on product development. Revenue generated from products developed, enhanced or improved within the five previous years as a result of these activities represented approximately 52%, 52% and 60% of net sales in the years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In determining revenue attributable to product development activities, we utilize an independently developed framework, which we believe to be generally accepted in the field of new product management. This framework categorizes products developed, enhanced or improved as those that (i) are new to the world, (ii) represent a product line new to our Company, (iii) are a new product within an existing product line, (iv) are a significant improvement of an existing product, (v) are repositioned into a new application or market, or (vi) are a lower cost alternative to an existing product of the Company and seen by our customers as a new offering. Approximately 42% of our revenue attributable to developed, enhanced or improved products come from products that fit within category (ii) and (iii), above.

 

Concentration of Customers  In 2006, 2005 and 2004, no single customer represented more than 10% of our consolidated net sales.

 

Competition  Our industry is highly competitive. We compete on the basis of the quality of our products, customer service, product development activities, price and distribution. We offer our products throughout the United States and globally in approximately 80 countries. Competition in the markets in which we participate comes from companies of various sizes, some of which have greater financial and other resources than we do.

 

There are a number of companies in the United States that manufacture printing and converting papers. We believe we are the recognized leader in book publishing papers and compete in these markets with, among others, Domtar and Fraser. In the envelope sector we compete with, among others, International Paper, Domtar and Blue Ridge. In the carbonless paper and forms market, we compete with Appleton Papers. In our Specialty Papers engineered products markets and for the Composite Fibers business unit’s markets, competition is product line specific as the necessity for technical expertise and specialized manufacturing equipment limits the number of companies offering multiple product lines. We compete with specialty divisions of large companies such as, among others, Ahlstrom, International Paper, MeadWestvaco, Sappi and Stora Enso. Service, product performance, technological advances and product pricing are important competitive factors with respect to all our products. We believe our reputation in these areas continues to be excellent.

 

Despite the production capacity that has been removed, capacity in the worldwide uncoated free-sheet industry continues to exceed demand in recent years.

 

Environmental Matters  We are subject to loss contingencies resulting from regulation by various federal, state, local and foreign governmental authorities with respect to the environmental impact of our mills. To comply with environmental laws and

 

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regulations, we have incurred substantial capital and operating expenditures in past years. For a discussion of environmental matters, see Item 8. – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 19.

 

Employees  The following table summarizes our workforce as of December 31, 2006:

 

 

Different locals of the United Steelworkers of America (USW), represent the hourly employees at our U.S. facilities.

 

A five-year labor agreement in Spring Grove will end in January 2008. Negotiations for a new contract will begin in the first half of 2007. The negotiation approach is expected to take the same collaborative approach as the last negotiation held in Spring Grove during 2002 due to the continued positive relationship with the employees.

 

The labor contract with the USW local unions representing the hourly employees at the newly acquired facility in Chillicothe Ohio expired on August 1, 2006. On November 10, 2006, a new 3-year contract was ratified across the multiple local unions.

 

Various unions represent employees at our European facilities. New labor agreements covering employees at the Gernsbach, Germany and Scaër, France facilities were entered into effective May 1, 2005 that provided for wage increase averaging 1.5% over a 22 month period ending March 2007. Employees at our Lydney mill participate in a national trade agreement pursuant to which we negotiate separate union agreements. Such agreements generally cover a one year period from February 1 to January 31. We expect to begin union negotiations in late March 2007.

 

Employees at our pulpmill in the Philippines are covered by a five-year labor agreement, which was negotiated at the end of 2002.

 

We consider the overall relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.

 

Available Information  Our investor relations website address is www.glatfelter.com/e/invesstock.asp. We make available on our site free of charge our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and other related information as soon as reasonably practical after they are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, our website includes a Corporate Governance page consisting of, among others, our Governance Principles and Code of Business Conduct, Board of Directors and Executive Officers, Nominating, Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board of Directors and their respective Charters, Code of Business Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers of Glatfelter, our “whistle-blower” policy and other related material. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement for any future amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Business Conduct or Code of Business Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers by posting such information on our website. We will provide a copy of the Code of Business Conduct or Code of Business Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers, without charge, to any person who requests one, by calling (717) 225-2724.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

 

Demand for our products in the markets we serve is primarily driven by consumption of the products we produce, which is most often affected by general economic conditions. In recent years, the global paper industry in which we compete has been adversely impacted by paper producing capacity exceeding the demand for products. Downturns in our target markets could result in decreased demand for our products. In particular, our business may be adversely affected during periods of economic weakness by the general softness in these target markets. Our results could be adversely affected if economic conditions weaken or fail to improve. Also, there may be periods during which demand for our products is insufficient to enable us to operate our production facilities in an economical manner. These conditions are beyond our ability to control and have had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on our sales and results of operations.

 

In addition to fluctuations in demand for our products in the markets we serve, the markets for our paper products are also significantly affected by changes in industry capacity and output levels. There have been periods of supply/demand imbalance in the pulp and paper industry, which have caused pulp and paper prices to be volatile. The timing and magnitude of price increases or decreases in the pulp and paper market

 

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have generally varied by region and by product type. A sustained period of weak demand or excess supply would likely adversely affect pulp and paper prices. This could have a material adverse affect on our operating and financial results.

 

 

In recent years, the global paper industry in which we compete has been adversely affected by paper producing capacity exceeding the demand for products. As a result, the industry has taken steps to reduce underperforming capacity. However, slowing demand or increased competition could force us to lower our prices or to offer additional services at a higher cost to us, which could reduce our gross margins and net income. The greater financial resources of certain of our competitors may enable them to commit larger amounts of capital in response to changing market conditions. Certain competitors may also have the ability to develop product or service innovations that could put us at a disadvantage.

 

Some of the factors that may adversely affect our ability to compete in the markets in which we participate include:

 

 

If we cannot effectively compete in the markets in which we operate, our sales and operating results would be adversely affected.

 

  The cost of raw materials and energy used to manufacture our products could increase.

 

We require access to sufficient and reasonably priced quantities of pulpwood, wood and other pulps, pulp substitutes, abaca fiber and certain other raw materials. Our Spring Grove facility is a vertically integrated manufacturing facility that generates approximately 85% of its annual pulp requirements. In addition, approximately 20% of its annual pulpwood requirements in 2006 were satisfied from company-owned timberlands. However, while our Chillicothe facility makes its own pulp, it purchases wood for use in its pulp mill. Our Philippine mill purchases abaca fiber to make pulp, which we use to manufacture our composite fiber products at our Gernsbach, Scaër and Lydney facilities.

 

Coal is a principal source of fuel for our Spring Grove facility. Beginning in 2007 a new three-year coal supply contract will increase our annual cost of coal by approximately $6 million.

 

Natural gas is the principal source of fuel for our Chillicothe and Composite Fibers’ business unit facilities. Natural gas prices have increased significantly in the United States since 2000 and reached record highs in 2006. Prices for natural gas are expected to remain volatile for the foreseeable future.

 

We may not be able to pass increased raw materials or energy prices on to our customers if the market will not bear the higher price or where existing agreements with our customers do not allow us to pass along these cost increases. If price adjustments significantly trail increases in raw materials or energy prices our operating results could be adversely affected.

 

  We are subject to substantial costs and potential liability for environmental matters.

 

We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations that govern our operations, including discharges into the environment, and the handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. We are also subject to laws and regulations that impose liability and clean-up responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment. To comply with environmental laws and regulations, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, substantial capital and operating expenditures. We anticipate that environmental regulation of our operations will continue to become more burdensome and that capital and operating expenditures necessary to comply with environmental regulations will continue, and perhaps increase, in the future. Because environmental regulations are not consistent worldwide, our ability to compete in the world marketplace may be adversely affected by capital and operating expenditures required for environmental compliance. In addition, we may incur obligations to remove or mitigate any adverse effects on the environment, such as air and water quality, resulting from mills we operate or have operated. Potential

 

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obligations include compensation for the restoration of natural resources, personal injury and property damages.

 

In connection with the sale of our Ecusta Division in 2001, we are incurring landfill closure costs and may incur additional costs for recognized environmental concerns at the site of our former mill related to the presence of mercury and certain other contamination on and around the site; potentially hazardous conditions existing in the sediment and water column of the site’s water treatment and aeration and sedimentation basin (the “ASB”); and contamination associated with two additional landfills on the site that were not used by us.

 

We are also liable for the costs of clean-up related to the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in the lower Fox River on which our former Neenah, Wisconsin mill was located. We have financial reserves for environmental matters but we cannot be certain that those reserves will be adequate to provide for future obligations related to these matters, that our share of costs and/or damages for these matters will not exceed our available resources, or that such obligations will not have a long-term, material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

 

Our environmental issues are complicated and should be reviewed in context; please see a more detailed discussion of these matters in Item 8 – Financial Statements, Note 19.

 

  We may not achieve our anticipated synergies from our Chillicothe and Lydney acquisitions.

 

In 2006, we acquired Chillicothe and the Lydney mill. Inherent risks in business combinations such as these include the inability to successfully integrate the acquired production facility and its procurement, marketing and sales requirements, as well as information systems, finance and administration functions. With respect to Chillicothe, although in 2006 we have made progress transitioning book products, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully produce the products in a cost effective manner necessary to provide higher levels of return.

 

With respect to the Lydney mill, in December 2006, we received unconditional regulatory clearance for this acquisition and are in the process of implementing integration plans. However, we cannot assure you that these integration plans will be completed timely or that the full financial benefits of the acquisition will be realized.

 

Our inability to successfully execute the plans discussed above may adversely affect our relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. Accordingly, our financial results may be adversely affected.

 

  We have operations in a politically and economically unstable location.

 

We own and operate a pulp mill in the Philippines where the operating environment is unstable and subject to political unrest. Our Philippine pulp mill produces abaca pulp, a significant raw material used by our Composite Fibers business unit. Our Philippine pulp mill is currently the main provider of abaca pulp. There are limited suitable alternative sources of readily available abaca pulp in the world. In the event of a disruption in supply from our Philippine mill, there is no guarantee that we could obtain adequate amounts of abaca pulp from alternative sources at a reasonable price or at all. As a consequence, any civil disturbance, unrest, political instability or other event that causes a disruption in supply could limit the availability of abaca pulp and would increase our cost of obtaining abaca pulp. Such occurrences could adversely impact our sales volumes, revenues and operating results.

 

  We may not be able to develop new products acceptable to our customers.

 

Our business strategy is market focused and includes investments in developing new products to meet the changing needs of our customers and to maintain our market share. Our success will depend in large part on our ability to develop and introduce new and enhanced products that keep pace with introductions by our competitors and changing customer preferences. If we fail to anticipate or respond adequately to these factors, then we may lose opportunities for business with both current and potential customers. The success of our new product offerings will depend on several factors, including our ability to,

 

 

Our inability to develop new products could adversely impact our business and ultimately harm our profitability.

 

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  Our international operations pose certain risks that may adversely impact sales and earnings.

 

We have significant operations and assets located in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. Our international sales and operations are subject to a number of special risks, in addition to the risks of our domestic sales and operations, including differing protections of intellectual property, trade barriers, labor unrest, exchange controls, regional economic uncertainty, differing (and possibly more stringent) labor regulation, risk of governmental expropriation, domestic and foreign customs and tariffs, differing regulatory environments, difficulty in managing widespread operations and political instability and unrest. These factors may adversely affect our future profits. Also, in some foreign jurisdictions we may be subject to laws limiting the right and ability of entities organized or operating therein to pay dividends or remit earnings to affiliated companies unless specified conditions are met. Any such limitations would restrict our flexibility in using funds generated in those jurisdictions.

 

  Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We own and operate paper and pulp mills in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. The local currency in Germany and France is the Euro, in the UK the British Pound Sterling, and in the Philippines the currency is the Peso. During 2006, Euro functional currency operations generated approximately 21% of our sales and 19.8% of operating expenses and British Pound Sterling operations represented 6.1% of net sales and 6.4% of operating expenses. The translation of the results from these international operations into U.S. dollars is subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Our ability to maintain our products’ price competitiveness for our international operations is reliant, in part, on the relative strength of the currency in which the product is denominated compared to the currency of the market into which it is sold and the functional currency of our competitors. Changes in the rate of exchange of foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar and other currencies may adversely impact our ability to offer products in certain markets at acceptable prices or our results of operations.

 

  We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow to simultaneously fund our operations, finance capital expenditures, satisfy obligations and make dividend payments on our common stock.

 

Our business is capital intensive and requires significant expenditures for equipment maintenance and new or enhanced equipment, for environmental compliance matters and to support our business strategies and research and development efforts. We expect to meet all of our near- and longer-term cash needs from a combination of operating cash flow, cash and cash equivalents, sale of timberlands, our existing credit facility or other bank lines of credit and other long-term debt. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from these sources, we could be unable to meet our near and longer-term cash needs or make dividend payments.

 

We may be unable to achieve expected proceeds from a sale of our timberlands.

 

One of our primary business strategies is to sell 60,000 acres of higher and better use, or HBU, properties over a two to four year period. Our ability to sell these timberlands for the expected price depends on market conditions, including the availability of similar properties for sale that would compete with our properties. As a result, we may be unable to generate the pre-tax proceeds of more than $150 million we expect from the sale of these timberlands. It is estimated that our pre-tax cost of fiber will increase when all HBU acres are sold. These costs could be higher than estimated which could adversely affect our financial results.

 

  Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.

 

We have now and will continue to have, a significant amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2006, we had $64.8 million of indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit facility, $96.0 million of indebtedness outstanding under our term loan facility, $200 million of indebtedness outstanding under our 71/8% fixed rate bonds and $34.0 million of indebtedness outstanding under our note payable to SunTrust. Our indebtedness could materially and adversely affect us in a number of ways. For example, it could:

 

 

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In addition, a substantial portion of our debt, including borrowings under our new credit facility, bears interest at variable rates. If market interest rates increase, variable-rate debt will create higher debt service requirements, which could adversely affect our cash flow. While we may enter into agreements limiting our exposure to higher interest rates, any such agreements may not offer complete protection from this risk.

 

Our leased corporate offices are located in York, Pennsylvania. We own and operate paper mills located in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania; Chillicothe, Ohio; the United Kingdom; Gernsbach, Germany; and Scaër, France. In addition, we own and operate a pulp mill in the Philippines. Substantially all of the equipment used in our papermaking and related operations, with the exception of some leased vehicles, is also owned. All of our properties, other than those that are leased, are free from any material liens or encumbrances. We consider all of our buildings to be in good structural condition and well maintained and our properties to be suitable and adequate for present operations.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated production capacity of each of our facilities:

 

 

The Spring Grove facility includes five uncoated paper machines that have been rebuilt and modernized from time to time. It has an off-line combi-blade coater and a Specialty Coater (“S-Coater”), which together yield a potential annual production capacity for coated paper of approximately 66,000 tons. Since uncoated paper is used in producing coated paper, this is not additional capacity. We view the S-Coater as an important asset that allows us to expand our more profitable engineered paper products business.

 

The Spring Grove facility also includes a pulpmill that has a production capacity of approximately 650 tons of bleached pulp per day. We have a precipitated calcium carbonate (“PCC”) plant at our Spring Grove facility that produces PCC at a lower cost than could be purchased from others and lowers the need for higher-priced raw material typically used for increasing the opacity and brightness of certain papers.

 

The Chillicothe facility operates four paper machines which together yield a potential annual production capacity of uncoated and carbonless paper of approximately 400,000 tons. In addition, this location has produces 7,500 tons per year of other coated paper. This facility also includes a pulpmill that has a production capacity of approximately 955 tons of bleached pulp per day.

 

Our Philippines facility consists of a pulpmill that supplies a majority of the abaca pulp requirements of the Composite Fibers paper mills.

 

The Gernsbach facility includes five uncoated paper machines with an aggregate annual lightweight capacity of about 38,000 tons. In 2003, we rebuilt a paper machine with new state-of-the-art inclined wire technology. We believe this machine provides us greater flexibility and technological capabilities. The Gernsbach facility also has the capacity to produce 11,400 tons of metallized papers annually, using a lacquering machine and two metallizers. We purchase the base paper used to manufacture the metallized paper.

 

The Scaër facility operates two paper machines with an annual lightweight capacity of 6,100 tons and the Lydney facility operates three paper machines with an annual lightweight capacity of 15,700 tons.

 

We are involved in various lawsuits that we consider to be ordinary and incidental to our business. The ultimate outcome of these lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty; however, we do not expect such lawsuits individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

 

For a discussion of commitments, legal proceedings and related contingencies, see Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 19.

 

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Not Applicable – no matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2006.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers as of March 1, 2007.

 

 

Officers are elected to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Except in the case of officers elected to fill a new position or a vacancy occurring at some other date, officers are generally elected at the organizational meeting of the Board of Directors held immediately after the annual meeting of shareholders.

 

George H. Glatfelter II is our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. From April 2000 to February 2001, Mr. Glatfelter was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. From June 1998 to April 2000, he was Chief Executive Officer and President.

 

Mr. Glatfelter serves as a director of Met-Pro Corporation.

 

Dante C. Parrini became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in February 2005. Prior to this, Mr. Parrini was Senior Vice President and General Manager, a position he held since January 2003. From December 2000 until January 2003, Mr. Parrini was Vice President – Sales and Marketing. From July 2000 to December 2000, he was Vice President – Sales and Marketing, Glatfelter Division and Corporate Strategic Marketing.

 

John P. Jacunski became Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer in July 2006. From October 2003 until July 2006, he was Vice President and Corporate Controller. Mr. Jacunski was previously Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at WCI Steel, Inc. from June 1999 to October 2003. From May 1995 to June 1999 he was WCI’s Corporate Controller. Prior to joining WCI, Mr. Jacunski was with KPMG, an international accounting and consulting firm, where he served in various capacities.

 

Timothy R. Hess has been Vice President and General Manager – Specialty Papers Business Unit since February 2006. Prior to this he was the Company’s Director of Specialty Papers Business Unit, a position he held since January 2004. From 1994 until January 2004, Mr. Hess held various technical, manufacturing, sales and business development positions with Glatfelter.

 

Jeffrey J. Norton joined us in May 2005 and serves as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Prior to joining Glatfelter, Mr. Norton was with Exelon Corporation, a $15 billion energy corporation, for 14 years where he was Assistant General Counsel.

 

Martin Rapp joined Glatfelter in August 2006 and serves as Vice President and General Manager – Composite Fibers Business Unit. Prior to this Mr. Rapp was Vice President and General Manager of Avery Dennison’s Roll Materials Business in Central and Eastern Europe since August 2002. From May 2000 until July 2002 Mr. Rapp was Partner and Managing Director of BonnConsult.

 

Mark A. Sullivan was appointed Vice President, Global Supply Chain in February 2005. Mr. Sullivan joined our company in December 2003, as Chief Procurement Officer. His experience includes a broad array of operations and supply chain management responsibilities during 20 years with the DuPont Company. He served with T-Mobile USA as an independent contractor during 2003, and Concur Technologies from 1999 until 2002.

 

William T. Yanavitch II rejoined the Company in May 2005 as Vice President Human Resources and Administration. Mr. Yanavitch served as Vice President Human Resources from July 2000 until his resignation in January 2005 at which time he became Corporate Human Resources Manager of Constellation Energy. From October 1998 to July 2000, Mr. Yanavitch was Director of Human Resources for the Ceramco and Trubyte Divisions of Dentsply.

 

David C. Elder became Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer in July 2006 after joining the company in January 2006. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Elder was Corporate Controller for YORK International Corporation, a position he held since December 2003. Prior thereto, he was the Director, Financial Planning and Analysis for YORK International Corporation from August 2000 to December 2003.

 

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Common Stock Prices and Dividends Declared Information

 

The following table shows the high and low prices of our common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GLT” and the dividend declared per share for each quarter during the past two years.

 

 

As of March 8, 2007, we had 1,726 shareholders of record. A number of the shareholders of record are nominees.

 

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

 

The following chart compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total return on our common stock during the five years ended December 31, 2006, with the cumulative total return on the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Company’s Peer Group (1). The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2001, in our common stock, and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends.

 

 

1)  The Company’s Peer Group consists of companies in the same industry as the Company. The returns of each Company in the Peer Group have been weighted according to their respective stock market capitalization for purposes of arriving at the Peer Group average. The members of the Peer Group are as follows: Bowater, Inc., Chesapeake Corporation, MeadWestvaco Corporation, Pope and Talbot, Inc., Potlatch Corporation, Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., and Wausau Mosinee Paper Mills Corporation. Certain of the comparable companies are included in the S&P MidCap 400, and therefore are represented in both indices in the performance chart.

 

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Summary of Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

 

 

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Forward-Looking Statements  This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding industry prospects and future consolidated financial position or results of operations, made in this Report on Form 10-K are forward looking. We use words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “future”, “intends” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Our actual results may differ significantly from such expectations. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements regarding expectations of, among others, net sales, costs of products sold, non-cash pension income, environmental costs, capital expenditures and liquidity, all of which are inherently difficult to predict. Although we make such statements based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. Accordingly, we identify the following important factors, among others, which could cause our results to differ from any results that might be projected, forecasted or estimated in any such forward-looking statements:

 

 

Introduction  We manufacture, both domestically and internationally, a wide array of specialty papers and engineered products. Substantially all of our revenue is earned from the sale of our products to customers in numerous markets, including book publishing, envelope & converting, carbonless papers and forms, food and beverage, decorative laminates for furniture and flooring, and other highly technical niche markets.

 

Overview  Our results of operations for 2006 reflect stronger market conditions in each of our business units when compared with 2005. Domestically, the Specialty Papers business unit’s results in the comparison are positively influenced by additional volumes associated with the April 2006 Chillicothe acquisition and improved selling prices. However, input costs in 2006 are higher, primarily energy and raw material costs.

 

Our Composite Fibers business unit’s results have also been positively influenced by additional volumes associated with the Lydney acquisition as well as improved demand across all of this unit’s product categories. Average selling prices, however, have remained flat to lower in the comparison.

 

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The analysis of our financial results for 2006 reflects the following significant items:

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

2006 versus 2005

 

The following table sets forth summarized results of operations:

 

 

The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 include the following significant items:

 

 

These items decreased earnings by $36.7 million, or $0.82 per diluted share in 2006. Comparatively, the items identified above positively affected earnings in 2005 by $23.0 million, or $0.53 per diluted share.

 

Business Units  Results of individual business units are presented based on our management accounting practices and management structure. There is no comprehensive, authoritative body of guidance for management accounting equivalent to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; therefore, the financial results of individual business units are not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other company. The management accounting process uses assumptions and allocations to measure performance of the business units. Methodologies are refined from time to time as management accounting practices are enhanced and businesses change. The costs incurred by support areas not directly aligned with the business unit are allocated primarily based on an estimated utilization of support area services or included in “Other and Unallocated” in the following table. Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Management evaluates business unit results of operations before non-cash pension income, shutdown and restructuring related charges, acquisition integration costs, effects of asset dispositions and insurance recoveries because it believes this is a more meaningful representation of the operating performance of its core papermaking businesses, the profitability of business units and the extent of cash flow generated from core operations. This presentation is closely aligned with the management and operating structure of our company. It is also on this basis that the Company’s performance is evaluated internally and by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

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Sales and Costs of Products Sold

 

 

The following table sets forth the contribution to consolidated net sales by each business unit:

 

 

Net sales totaled $986.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase of $407.3 million, or 70.3%, compared to the same period a year ago. Net sales from the acquisition of Chillicothe’s carbonless and forms business and the Lydney mill totaled $329.9 million. These acquisitions are reported in the Specialty Papers and Composite Fibers business units, respectively. Organic growth was driven by a 4.0% increase in volume and $21.3 million from higher average selling prices in the Specialty Papers business unit. Excluding results of the Lydney mill, Composite Fibers’ volumes shipped increased 15.6%. The translation of foreign currencies unfavorably impacted this business unit’s net sales by $2.5 million and average selling prices declined $3.5 million compared to the same period a year ago.

 

In connection with the Chillicothe acquisition, we permanently shutdown our Neenah, WI facility. Products previously manufactured at the Neenah facility have been transferred to Chillicothe. The results of operations for 2006 include related pre-tax charges of $54.4 million, of which $25.4 million is reflected in the consolidated income statement as components of cost of products sold and $29.0 million is reflected as “Shutdown and restructuring charges.”

 

Costs of products sold totaled $891.8 million for 2006, an increase of $399.8 million compared with the previous year As discussed above, the 2006 costs of products sold includes a $25.4 million charge for inventory write-downs and accelerated depreciation on property and equipment abandoned in connection with the Neenah shutdown.

 

In addition to the shutdown charges, the increase in costs of products sold was primarily due to the inclusion of the Chillicothe and Lydney acquisitions and the effect of increased shipping volumes. In addition, higher raw material and energy prices increased costs of products sold by approximately $12.1 million.

 

Non-Cash Pension Income  Non-cash pension income results from the over-funded status of our pension plans. The amount of pension income recognized each year is determined using various actuarial assumptions and certain other factors, including the fair value of our pension assets as of the beginning of the year. The following summarizes non-cash pension income, before the curtailment charges recorded in connection with the Neenah shutdown during 2006:

 

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses totaled $92.5 million in 2006 compared to $67.6 million a year ago. The increase was due to $13.6 million of acquisition integration costs and $16.2 million from the inclusion of the Chillicothe and Lydney acquisitions in the current period’s results of operations. SG&A expenses in 2005 included a

 

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$2.7 million charge for certain matters related to our former Ecusta division. In addition, the comparison was favorably affected by lower professional and legal fees in the period to period comparison.

 

Gain on Sales of Plant, Equipment and Timberlands  During 2006, 2005 and 2004, we completed sales of timberlands and, in 2004, the corporate aircraft. The following table summarizes these transactions.

 

 

Insurance Recoveries  During the 2006 and 2005, we reached successful resolution of certain claims under insurance policies related to the Fox River environmental matter. Insurance recoveries included in the results of operations totaled $0.2 million in 2006 and $20.2 million in 2005. All recoveries were received in cash prior to the end of the applicable period.

 

Shutdown and Restructuring Charges – Neenah Facility Shutdown  As of June 30, 2006 we permanently shutdown our Neenah facility. The charge incurred in connection with this action was recorded as follows:

 

 

The following table summarizes shutdown reserve activity during 2006:

 

 

The Neenah facility supported our Specialty Papers business unit. Shutdown of this facility resulted in the elimination of approximately 200 positions. We do not expect any material additional shutdown related charges in 2007.

 

As part of the Neenah shutdown, we terminated our long-term steam supply contract, as provided for within the agreement, resulting in a termination fee of approximately $11.4 million.

 

The results of operations for 2006 and 2005, also include $1.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of charges related to the European Restructuring and Optimization (EURO) Program.

 

Non-operating income (expense)  During April 2006, we completed the placement of a $200 million bond offering, the proceeds of which were used to redeem the then outstanding $150 million notes scheduled to mature in July 2007. In connection with the early redemption, a charge of $2.9 million, related to a redemption premium and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, was recorded in Consolidated Statement of Income as Non-operating expense under the caption “Other-net”.

 

Income taxes  In 2006 we recorded an income tax benefit at an effective rate of 45.0% compared to an income tax provision at an effective rate of 35.8%. The beneficial higher effective tax rate in 2006 was primarily due to the effect of state tax law changes and the effect of tax credits, partially offset by the resolution of certain tax matters.

 

Foreign Currency  We own and operate paper and pulp mills in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. The local currency in Germany and France is the Euro, in the UK the British Pound Sterling, and in the Philippines the currency is the Peso. During 2006, Euro functional currency operations generated approximately 21.0% of our sales and 19.8% of operating expenses and British Pound Sterling operations represented 6.1% of net sales and 6.4% of operating expenses. The translation of the results from these international operations into U.S. dollars is subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The table below summarizes the effect from foreign currency translation on 2006 reported results compared to 2005:

 

 

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The above table only presents the financial reporting impact of foreign currency translations. It does not present the impact of certain competitive advantages or disadvantages of operating or competing in multi-currency markets.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

2005 versus 2004

 

The following table sets forth summarized results of operations:

 

 

The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 include the following significant items:

 

 

The above items increased earnings from continuing operations by $23.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted share in 2005, and by $42.7 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, in 2004.

 

Business Units  The following table sets forth profitability information by business unit and the composition of consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes: