WestRock Reports Fiscal 2023 Third Quarter Results; Strong Results in a Dynamic Environment

WestRock Company (NYSE:WRK), a leading provider of sustainable paper and packaging solutions, today announced results for its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Third Quarter Highlights and other notable items:

• Net sales of $5.121 billion
• Net income of $202 million, Adjusted Net Income of $229 million
• Earned $0.79 per diluted share (“EPS”) and $0.89 of Adjusted EPS
• Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $802 million; Corrugated Packaging segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 11.6% year-over-year
• Results negatively impacted by $89 million due to economic downtime and a $39 million increase in non-cash pension costs year-over-year; WestRock’s U.S. qualified and non-qualified pension plans remain overfunded
• Exceeding cost savings expectations in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, on track to exit fiscal 2023 with greater than $450 million in run-rate savings

“We delivered impressive results under challenging market conditions,” said David B. Sewell, chief executive officer. “Our accelerated transformation strategy is exceeding expectations. We expect to exit the year with a cost savings run-rate of over $450 million. We remain focused on partnering with our customers, streamlining our portfolio, investing in our assets and further reducing costs. I’m excited about our execution as we continue to transform WestRock into a more efficient and more profitable company.”

Consolidated Financial Results

WestRock’s performance for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (in millions):

The year-over-year decline in net sales was driven primarily by a $545 million, or 33.8%, decrease in Global Paper segment sales, which was partially offset by a $183 million, or 7.7%, increase in Corrugated Packaging segment sales. The increase in segment sales in the Corrugated Packaging segment in the current year quarter includes the operations of our former joint venture in Mexico since its December 2022 consolidation (“Mexico Acquisition”).

Net income declined in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to lower volumes excluding the Mexico Acquisition, the impact of increased economic downtime and planned maintenance outages, higher restructuring costs, increased non-cash pension costs, higher net interest expense and business systems transformation costs. These costs were partially offset by the impact of higher selling price/mix, increased cost savings, contribution from the Mexico Acquisition, net cost deflation and the gain on sale of an unconsolidated entity.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased $204 million, or 20.2%, year-over-year, primarily due to lower Global Paper segment Adjusted EBITDA that was partially offset by higher Adjusted EBITDA in our Corrugated Packaging segment.

Additional information about the changes in segment sales and Adjusted EBITDA by segment is included below.

Restructuring and Other Costs

Restructuring and other costs during the third quarter of fiscal 2023 were $48 million. The charges were primarily costs associated with the consolidation of converting facilities, ongoing costs related to previously closed operations, and acquisition, integration and divestiture costs.

Cash Flow Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $694 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to $837 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to lower earnings.

Total debt was $9.0 billion at March 31, 2023, and Adjusted Net Debt was $8.6 billion. Total debt decreased $479 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2023. The Company had approximately $3.5 billion of available liquidity from long-term committed credit facilities and cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2023.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, WestRock invested $255 million in capital expenditures and returned $71 million in capital to stockholders in dividend payments.

Segment Results

We have included the financial results of the Mexico Acquisition in our Corrugated Packaging segment.

WestRock’s segment performance for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in millions):

Corrugated Packaging Segment

Corrugated Packaging segment sales increased primarily due to sales from the Mexico Acquisition and higher selling price/mix that were partially offset by lower volumes excluding the Mexico Acquisition. In addition, the third quarter of fiscal 2023 included $37 million of segment sales for certain converting operations that were included in the Consumer Packaging segment in the prior year period.

Corrugated Packaging Adjusted EBITDA increased primarily due to net cost deflation, the incremental contribution from the Mexico Acquisition, cost savings and the margin impact from higher selling price/mix, which were partially offset by lower volumes excluding the Mexico Acquisition, economic downtime, planned maintenance outages and non-cash pension costs, each as compared to the prior year period. Corrugated Packaging Adjusted EBITDA margin was 16.7% and Adjusted EBITDA margin excluding trade sales was 17.4%.

Consumer Packaging Segment

Consumer Packaging segment sales decreased primarily due to lower volumes and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency. In addition, the third quarter of fiscal 2022 included $37 million of segment sales for certain converting operations now included in the Corrugated Packaging segment. These items were partially offset by higher selling price/mix.

Consumer Packaging Adjusted EBITDA decreased primarily due to lower volumes, net cost inflation, economic downtime and non-cash pension costs. In addition, the third quarter of fiscal 2022 included $8 million of Adjusted EBITDA for certain converting operations now included in the Corrugated Packaging segment. These items were largely offset by the margin impact from higher selling price/mix and cost savings, each as compared to the prior year period. Consumer Packaging Adjusted EBITDA margin was 18.4%.

Global Paper Segment

Global Paper segment sales decreased primarily due to lower volumes and lower selling price/mix. Additionally, segment sales are lower than the prior year period because sales to the operations acquired in the Mexico Acquisition are now eliminated.

Global Paper Adjusted EBITDA decreased primarily due to lower volumes, economic downtime, the impact of lower selling price/mix, planned maintenance outages, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency and increased non-cash pension costs, which were partially offset by net cost deflation and cost savings, each as compared to the prior year period. Global Paper Adjusted EBITDA margin was 16.6%.

Distribution Segment

Distribution segment sales decreased primarily due to lower volumes. The lower volumes were primarily due to lower moving and storage business volumes in the current quarter and a large healthcare order in the third quarter of fiscal 2022.

Distribution Adjusted EBITDA decreased primarily due to lower volumes, increased cost inflation and the margin impact of lower selling price/mix which were partially offset by cost savings, each as compared to the prior year period.

Conference Call

WestRock will host a conference call to discuss its results of operations for the fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2023, and other topics that may be raised during the discussion at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, August 3, 2023. The conference call, which will be webcast live, an accompanying slide presentation, and this release can be accessed at ir.westrock.com.

Investors who wish to participate in the webcast via teleconference should dial 833-630-1583 (inside the U.S.) or +1 412-317-1822 (outside the U.S.) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call and ask to be joined into the WestRock Company call. Replays of the call can be accessed at ir.westrock.com.

About WestRock

WestRock (NYSE:WRK) partners with our customers to provide differentiated, sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRock’s team members support customers around the world from locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Learn more at www.westrock.com.

Cautionary Statements

This release contains 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 or phrases such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "would," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "target," "prospects," "potential" and "forecast," and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning or refer to future time periods. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, targets, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. A forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance, and actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, such as developments related to pricing cycles and volumes; economic, competitive and market conditions generally, including macroeconomic uncertainty, and adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, customer inventory rebalancing, the impact of inflation and increases in energy, raw materials, shipping, labor and capital equipment costs; reduced supply of raw materials, energy and transportation, including from supply chain disruptions and labor shortages; intense competition; results and impacts of acquisitions, including operational and financial effects from the Mexico Acquisition, and divestitures as well as risks related to our joint ventures; business disruptions, including from public health crises such as a resurgence of COVID, the occurrence of severe weather or a natural disaster or other unanticipated problems, such as labor difficulties, equipment failure or unscheduled maintenance and repair; failure to respond to changing customer preferences; the amount and timing of capital expenditures, including installation costs, project development and implementation costs, and costs related to resolving disputes with third parties with which we work to manage and implement capital projects; risks related to international sales and operations; the production of faulty or contaminated products; the loss of certain customers; adverse legal, reputational, operational and financial effects resulting from cyber incidents and the effectiveness of business continuity plans during a ransomware or other cyber incident; work stoppages and other labor relations difficulties; inability to attract, motivate, train and retain qualified personnel; risks associated with sustainability and climate change, including our ability to achieve our environmental, social and governance targets and goals on announced timelines or at all; our inability to successfully identify and make performance improvements or deliver cost savings and risks associated with completing strategic projects on anticipated timelines and realizing anticipated financial or operational improvements on announced timelines or at all, including with respect to our business systems transformation; risks related to our indebtedness; the scope, costs, timing and impact of any restructuring of our operations and corporate and tax structure; our desire or ability to repurchase company stock; the scope, timing and outcome of any litigation, claims or other proceedings or dispute resolutions and the impact of any such litigation (including with respect to the Brazil tax liability matter); and additional impairment charges. Such risks and other factors that may impact forward-looking statements are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, including in Item 1A “Risk Factors”, as well as in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information contained herein speaks as of the date hereof, and the Company does not have or undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

Definitions, Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations

We calculate cost savings as the year-over-year change in certain costs incurred for manufacturing, procurement, logistics, and selling, general and administrative, in each case excluding the impact of economic downtime and inflation. Cost savings achieved to date may not recur in future periods, and estimates of future savings are subject to change.

WestRock reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). However, management believes certain non-GAAP financial measures provide WestRock’s management, board of directors, investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our ongoing performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions, and in evaluating WestRock’s performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, WestRock’s GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial measures we present may differ from similarly captioned measures presented by other companies.

Business Systems Transformation Costs

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, WestRock launched a multi-year phased business systems transformation project. Due to the nature, scope and magnitude of this investment, management believes these incremental transformation costs are above the normal, recurring level of spending for information technology to support operations. Since these strategic investments, including incremental nonrecurring operating costs, will cease at the end of the investment period, are not expected to recur in the foreseeable future, and are not considered representative of our underlying operating performance, management believes presenting these costs as an adjustment in the non-GAAP results provides additional information to investors about trends in our operations and is useful for period-over-period comparisons. This presentation also allows investors to view our underlying operating results in the same manner as they are viewed by management.

We discuss below details of the non-GAAP financial measures presented by us and provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

WestRock uses the non-GAAP financial measure “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA”, along with other factors such as “Adjusted EBITDA” (a measure of performance the Company uses to evaluate segment results in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 280 (“ASC 280”)), to evaluate our overall performance. Management believes that the most directly comparable GAAP measure to “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” is “Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders”. It can also be derived by adding together each segment’s “Adjusted EBITDA” plus “Non-allocated expenses”. Management believes this measure provides WestRock’s management, board of directors, investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others with useful information to evaluate WestRock’s performance because it excludes restructuring and other costs, impairment of goodwill and other assets, business systems transformation costs and other specific items that management believes are not indicative of the ongoing operating results of the business. WestRock’s management and board use this information to evaluate WestRock’s performance relative to other periods.

Adjusted EBITDA, a measure of segment performance in accordance with ASC 280, is defined as pretax earnings of a reportable segment before depreciation, depletion and amortization, and excludes the following items the Company does not consider part of our segment performance: gain on sale of certain closed facilities, multiemployer pension withdrawal income, restructuring and other costs, impairment of goodwill and other assets, non-allocated expenses, interest expense, net, loss on extinguishment of debt, other income (expense), net, and other adjustments - each as outlined in the table on page 6 ("Adjusted EBITDA"). The composition of Adjusted EBITDA is not addressed or prescribed by GAAP.

Adjusted Segment Sales and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Excluding Trade Sales

WestRock uses the non-GAAP financial measures “Adjusted Segment Sales” and “Adjusted EBITDA Margin, excluding trade sales”. Management believes that adjusting segment sales for trade sales is consistent with how our peers present their sales for purposes of computing segment margins and helps WestRock’s management, board of directors, investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others compare companies in the same peer group. Management believes that the most directly comparable GAAP measure to “Adjusted Segment Sales” is “segment sales”. Additionally, the most directly comparable GAAP measure to “Adjusted EBITDA Margin, excluding trade sales” is “Adjusted EBITDA Margin”. “Adjusted EBITDA Margin, excluding trade sales” is calculated by dividing that segment’s Adjusted EBITDA by Adjusted Segment Sales. “Adjusted EBITDA Margin” is a profitability measure in accordance with ASC 280, and it is calculated for each segment by dividing that segment’s Adjusted EBITDA by segment sales.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

WestRock uses the non-GAAP financial measures “Adjusted Net Income” and “Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share”. Management believes these measures provide WestRock’s management, board of directors, investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others with useful information to evaluate WestRock’s performance because they exclude restructuring and other costs, impairment of goodwill and other assets, business systems transformation costs and other specific items that management believes are not indicative of the ongoing operating results of the business. WestRock and its board of directors use this information to evaluate WestRock’s performance relative to other periods. WestRock believes that the most directly comparable GAAP measures to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share are Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and Earnings (loss) per diluted share, respectively.

Adjusted Net Debt

WestRock uses the non-GAAP financial measure “Adjusted Net Debt”. Management believes this measure provides WestRock’s board of directors, investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others with useful information to evaluate WestRock’s repayment of debt relative to other periods because it includes or excludes certain items management believes are not comparable from period to period. We believe “Adjusted Net Debt” provides greater comparability across periods by adjusting for cash and cash equivalents, as well as fair value of debt step-up included in Total Debt that is not subject to debt repayment. WestRock believes that the most directly comparable GAAP measure is “Total Debt” which is the sum of the current portion of debt and long-term debt due after one year.

This release includes reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to their respective directly comparable GAAP measures, as identified above, for the periods indicated (in millions, except percentages and dollars per share).

Reconciliations of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income

Reconciliations of Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

Reconciliations of Adjusted Segment Sales and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Excluding Trade Sales

Reconciliation of Total Debt to Adjusted Net Debt

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