Tredegar Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

RICHMOND, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Tredegar Corporation (NYSE:TG) today reported first quarter financial results for the period ended March 31, 2024.

First quarter 2024 net income (loss) was $3.3 million ($0.10 per diluted share) compared to net income (loss) of $(1.0) million ($(0.03) per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2023. Net income (loss) from ongoing operations, which excludes special items, was $5.6 million ($0.16 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2024 compared with $2.5 million ($0.07 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2023. A reconciliation of net income (loss), a financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), to net income (loss) from ongoing operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, is provided in Note (a) to the Financial Tables in this press release.

First Quarter Financial Results Highlights

• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) from ongoing operations for Aluminum Extrusions was $12.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus $14.6 million in the first quarter of last year and $8.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • Sales volume was 33.8 million pounds in the first quarter of 2024 versus 37.6 million pounds in the first quarter of last year and 32.9 million pounds in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • Open orders at the end of the first quarter of 2024 were approximately 15 million pounds (versus 27 million pounds in the first quarter of 2023 and 14 million pounds at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023). Net new orders increased 61% and 12% in the first quarter of 2024 versus the first quarter of 2023 and fourth quarter of 2023, respectively.
• EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films was $6.9 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $4.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Sales volume was 10.0 million pounds in the first quarter of 2024 versus 7.4 million pounds in the first quarter of 2023 and 8.5 million pounds in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• EBITDA from ongoing operations for Flexible Packaging Films (also referred to as “Terphane”) was $2.0 million during the first quarter of 2024 versus $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $2.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. Sales volume was 22.0 million pounds in the first quarter of 2024 versus 19.8 million pounds in the first quarter 2023 and 22.8 million pounds in the fourth quarter of 2023. See the Status of Agreement to Sell Terphane section of this report for information on the sale of Terphane.

John Steitz, Tredegar’s president and chief executive officer, said, “During the first quarter of 2024, we recognized a meaningful profit from ongoing operations for the first time since the first quarter of last year. The bottom of the recent severe down cycle for Bonnell, which we believe was a residual impact of the pandemic and started in the second half of 2022, appears to have occurred in the third quarter of 2023. Net new orders and sales volume have increased sequentially in each quarter since that time. In addition, favorable preliminary determinations have been made by U.S. authorities regarding a trade case backed by a coalition of members of the Aluminum Extruders Council. PE Films EBITDA during the first quarter of 2024 was exceptional at $6.9 million compared with $8.6 million during the last six months of 2023.”

Mr. Steitz further stated, “The process to complete the closing of our agreement to sell Terphane continues to advance as planned, including the review required by competition authorities in Brazil. Meanwhile, the recovery that we believe is underway in our business units is having a favorable impact on overall operating results and improving our outlook of net financial leverage, which we believe peaked at 3.9x Credit EBITDA at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and was 3.8x at the end of the first quarter of this year. The liquidity available under our new asset-based lending facility has met our expectations in supporting us through the downturn. We continue to focus on prudently managing costs, working capital and capital spending.”

OPERATIONS REVIEW

Aluminum Extrusions

Aluminum Extrusions (or Bonnell Aluminum) produces high-quality, soft-alloy and medium-strength custom fabricated and finished aluminum extrusions primarily for the following markets: building and construction (B&C), automotive and specialty (which consists of consumer durables, machinery and equipment, electrical and renewable energy, and distribution end-use products). A summary of results for Aluminum Extrusions is provided below:

The following table presents the sales volume by end use market for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the three months ended December 31, 2023.

First Quarter 2024 Results vs. First Quarter 2023 Results

Net sales (sales less freight) in the first quarter of 2024 decreased 14.4% versus the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower sales volume and the pass-through of lower metal costs. Sales volume in the first quarter of 2024 decreased 9.9% versus the first quarter of 2023 but increased 2.7% versus the fourth quarter 2023.

Net new orders, which remain low compared to pre-pandemic levels but are growing, increased 61% in the first quarter of 2024 versus the first quarter of 2023, marking the sixth consecutive quarterly increase in incoming orders. Since January 2021, net new orders for the Company’s aluminum extruded products have generally tracked the ISM® Manufacturing PMI®. The Company believes that net new orders continue to be below pre-pandemic levels due to higher interest rates, tighter lender requirements and the increase in remote working, which particularly impacts the non-residential B&C end-use market. In addition, data indicates that aluminum extrusion imports increased significantly in recent years, especially during the pandemic, and some of Bonnell Aluminum’s customers may have sourced, and continue to source, aluminum extrusions from producers outside the United States.

Open orders at the end of the first quarter of 2024 were 15 million pounds (versus 14 million pounds at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and 27 million pounds at the end of the first quarter of 2023). This level is below the quarterly range of 21 to 27 million pounds in 2019 before pandemic-related disruptions (particularly starting in early 2021 with the re-opening of markets following the rollout of vaccines) that resulted in long lead times, driving a peak in open orders of approximately 100 million pounds during the first quarter of 2022.

The Company is participating as part of a coalition of members of the Aluminum Extruders Council who have filed a trade case with the Department of Commerce (“DOC”) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) against 15 countries in response to alleged large and increasing volumes of unfairly priced imports of aluminum extrusions since 2019. In November 2023, the ITC found that there is a reasonable indication that the American aluminum extrusions industry is materially injured or threatened with injury due to imports from 14 countries, including China. The ITC’s preliminary determination found that subject import volumes were significant and increasing, and that with regard to pricing, subject imports predominantly undersold the domestic product by volume in each year of the period of investigation. On May 2, 2024, the DOC announced its preliminarily determination that aluminum extrusion producers and exporters in 14 countries, including China, sold aluminum extrusions at less-than-fair value in the United States. Final determinations, which are expected by the end of the third quarter of 2024, should provide an additional opportunity for Bonnell to regain market share.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first quarter of 2024 decreased $2.1 million versus the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to:

• Lower volume ($3.3 million) offset by higher net pricing after the pass-through of metal cost changes ($2.0 million), lower labor and employee-related costs ($0.6 million), lower supply expense ($0.6 million), lower utility expense ($0.4 million), lower selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses ($0.3 million) and lower freight rates ($0.2 million); and
• The timing of the flow-through under the first-in first-out method of aluminum raw material costs passed through to customers, previously acquired at higher prices in a quickly changing commodity pricing environment, resulted in a charge of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus a benefit of $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Refer to Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024 (“First Quarter Form 10-Q”) for additional information on aluminum price trends.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for Bonnell Aluminum are projected to be $9 million in 2024, including $4 million for productivity projects and $5 million for capital expenditures required to support continuity of operations. The projected spending reflects stringent spending measures that the Company has implemented to control its financial leverage (See “Total Debt, Financial Leverage and Debt Covenants” section for more information). The multi-year implementation of new enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution systems (“ERP/MES”) has been reorganized with an extended implementation period. As a result, the earliest “go-live” date for the net ERP/MES is 2025. The ERP/MES project commenced in 2022, with spending to-date of approximately $21 million. Depreciation expense is projected to be $16 million in 2024. Amortization expense is projected to be $2 million in 2024.

PE Films

PE Films produces surface protection films, polyethylene overwrap and polypropylene films for other markets. A summary of results for PE Films is provided below:

First Quarter 2024 Results vs. First Quarter 2023 Results

Net sales in the first quarter of 2024 were 22.6% higher compared to the first quarter of 2023, with volume increases in both Surface Protection and overwrap films. Surface Protection sales volume in the first quarter of 2024 increased 43% versus the first quarter of 2023 and 30% versus the fourth quarter of 2023. Given recent volume improvements for Surface Protection and other market indicators, the Company believes that the consumer electronics market is now in recovery mode.

EBITDA from ongoing operations during the first quarter of 2024 was $6.9 million, which was exceptional and well above comparable amounts realized during the second and first halves of 2023 of $8.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first quarter of 2024 increased $5.1 million versus the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to:

• A $4.4 million increase from Surface Protection primarily due to higher contribution margin associated with higher volume ($1.0 million), favorable pricing ($0.3 million), operating efficiencies and manufacturing costs savings ($1.9 million), lower fixed costs ($0.4 million), and lower SG&A ($0.7 million, including $0.6 million associated with the closure of the Richmond Technical Center in 2023).
• A $0.7 million increase from overwrap films primarily due to cost improvements.

Refer to Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the First Quarter Form 10-Q for additional information on resin price trends.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for PE Films are projected to be $2 million in 2024, including $1 million for productivity projects and $1 million for capital expenditures required to support continuity of current operations. Depreciation expense is projected to be $5 million in 2024. There is no amortization expense for PE Films.

Flexible Packaging Films

Flexible Packaging Films produces polyester-based films for use in packaging applications that have specialized properties, such as heat resistance, strength, barrier protection and the ability to accept high-quality print graphics. A summary of results for Flexible Packaging Films is provided below:

First Quarter 2024 Results vs. First Quarter 2023 Results

Net sales in the first quarter of 2024 decreased 4.5% compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower selling prices that the Company believes are driven by excess global capacity and strong competition in Brazil, Latin America and the U.S., and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by higher sales volume.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first quarter of 2024 increased $0.6 million versus the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to:

• Lower raw material costs ($1.9 million), lower fixed costs ($1.7 million), higher sales volume ($ 1.0 million) and lower SG&A ($0.2 million), partially offset by lower selling prices from global excess capacity and margin pressures ($2.1 million) and higher variable costs ($1.3 million);
• Foreign currency transaction gains ($0.1 million) in the first quarter of 2024 compared to foreign currency transaction losses ($0.1 million) in the first quarter of 2023; and
• Net unfavorable foreign currency translation of Real-denominated operating costs ($0.9 million).

Refer to Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the First Quarter Form 10-Q for additional information on polyester fiber and component price trends.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for Flexible Packaging Films are projected to be $4 million in 2024 for capital expenditures required to support continuity of current operations. Depreciation expense is projected to be $3 million in 2024. Amortization expense is projected to be $0.1 million in 2024.

Corporate Expenses, Interest & Taxes

Corporate expenses, net in the first three months of 2024 decreased $3.2 million compared to the first three months of 2023 primarily due to lower pension expense as a result of the pension plan termination completed in 2023 ($3.4 million) and lower internal audit fees ($0.3 million), partially offset by higher stock-based compensation ($0.6 million). Further information on gains and losses associated with special items impacting corporate expenses, net is provided in the accompanying tables.

Interest expense of $3.5 million in the first three months of 2024 increased $1.1 million compared to the first three months of 2023 due to higher average debt levels and interest rates.

The effective tax rate was 16.7% in the first three months of 2024 compared to (48.8)% in the first three months of 2023. The change in effective tax rate was primarily due to pre-tax income in the first quarter of 2024 versus a pre-tax loss in the first three months of 2023. The effective tax rate for the first three months of 2024 varies from the 21% statutory rate primarily due to foreign rate differences and non-deductible expenses offset by Brazilian tax incentives and federal tax credits. The effective tax rate from ongoing operations comparable to the earnings reconciliation table provided in Note (a) to the Financial Tables in this press release was 19.0% for the first three months of 2024 versus 34.2% for the first three months of 2023 (see also Note (e) to the Financial Tables). Refer to Note 8 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the First Quarter Form 10-Q for an explanation of differences between the effective tax rate for income (loss) and the U.S. federal statutory rate for 2024 and 2023.

Status of Agreement to Sell Terphane

On September 1, 2023, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell Terphane to Oben Group (the “Contingent Terphane Sale”). Completion of the sale is contingent upon the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain competition filing approvals by authorities in Brazil and Colombia. On October 27, 2023, the Company filed the requisite competition forms with the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (“CADE”) in Brazil. The regulatory review process is ongoing and in line with the Company’s expectations. CADE’s maximum deadline for completing its review is no later than November 18, 2024. The merger review regarding the transaction was cleared by the Colombian authority in early February 2024.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company has reported results for Terphane as a continuing operation, given the status of the approval process by authorities. If the sale transaction is completed, the Company expects to realize after-tax net debt-free cash proceeds of $85 million after deducting projected Brazil withholding taxes, escrow funds, U.S. capital gains taxes and transaction costs. Actual after-tax proceeds may differ from estimates due to possible changes in deductions and the Company’s tax situation during the potentially lengthy interim period to the closing date.

Total Debt, Financial Leverage and Debt Covenants

Total debt was $148.3 million at March 31, 2024 and $146.3 million at December 31, 2023. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash was $4.8 million at March 31, 2024 and $13.5 million at December 31, 2023. Net debt (total debt in excess of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash), a non-GAAP financial measure, was $143.5 million at March 31, 2024 and $132.8 million at December 31, 2023. See Note (f) to the Financial Tables in this press release for a reconciliation of net debt to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

The Company has been focused on stringent management of net working capital, capital expenditures and costs during the current slowdown in business. Total debt increased $2.0 million and net debt increased $10.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus the end of 2023 due primarily to higher net working capital to support the recovery the Company believes is underway in its businesses.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its $180 million asset-based credit agreement maturing June 30, 2026 (the “ABL Facility”). Availability for borrowings under the ABL Facility is governed by a borrowing base, determined by the application of specified advance rates against eligible assets, including trade accounts receivable, inventory, owned real properties and owned machinery and equipment. As of March 31, 2024, excess available borrowings under the ABL Facility were approximately $22.2 million, based upon the outstanding borrowing base availability net of the financial covenant for Minimum Liquidity (as defined in the ABL Facility). Daily liquidity under the ABL Facility from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024, was $10 million to $27 million with an average of $16 million and median of $16 million, which was consistent with the Company’s expectations. Refer to Note 10 Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the First Quarter Form 10-Q for an explanation of the financial highlights and primary debt covenants.

Tredegar uses its website as a channel of distribution of material Company information. Financial information and other material information regarding Tredegar is posted on and assembled in the “Investors” section of its website.

Tredegar Corporation is an industrial manufacturer with three primary businesses: custom aluminum extrusions for the North American building & construction, automotive and specialty end-use markets; surface protection films for high-technology applications in the global electronics industry; and specialized polyester films primarily for the Latin American flexible packaging market. Tredegar had 2023 sales of $705 million. With approximately 1,900 employees, the Company operates manufacturing facilities in North America, South America, and Asia.