Bemis Company Reports First Quarter 2005 Results; Revises 2005 EPS and

    Business Editors

    MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2005--Bemis Company, Inc. (NYSE:BMS) today reported quarterly diluted earnings of $0.30 per share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005, in line with the company's revised first quarter guidance and down 25% from the prior year's earnings of $0.40 per share. First quarter net sales increased 21.6 percent to a record $831.9 million from $684.0 million in the prior year. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales increased by 5.5 percent. The January 2005 acquisition of Dixie Toga in Brazil and the May 2004 Masterpak acquisition in Mexico combined to deliver a 16.1 percent increase in net sales compared to the first quarter of last year.
    "We are disappointed with the results of the first quarter," said Jeff Curler, Bemis Company President and Chief Executive Officer. "Rapid raw material cost increases have temporarily outpaced our ability to increase selling prices in our flexible packaging business segment and substantially increased the cost of normal production waste. Order volume in extended shelf-life packaging markets was strong at the beginning of the quarter, but weakened toward the end of the quarter as selling prices adjusted to incorporate higher raw material costs. While order volume at the beginning of the second quarter has strengthened to match the pace of 2004, we remain cautious about the impact of higher selling prices on customer order trends in the flexible packaging business segment. As a result, we are reducing our expectations of earnings per share growth for 2005."

    BUSINESS SEGMENTS

    Flexible Packaging

    Flexible packaging, representing about 83 percent of total company net sales, reported net sales of $688.1 million in the first quarter, an increase of 27.7 percent compared to the same quarter in 2004. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales increased by 7.2 percent. Currency effects accounted for less than one percent of sales growth. Operating profit for the first quarter was $69.9 million, a decrease of 5.1 percent from the first quarter of 2004. As a percentage of net sales, operating profit decreased to 10.2 percent from 13.7 percent a year ago.
    Commenting on the flexible packaging business segment results for the quarter, Curler said, "Overall unit sales volume in flexible packaging increased modestly in the face of continued increases in selling prices. Operating profit decreased as our normal pricing policy could not keep pace with rapidly increasing costs for certain raw materials in the latter part of 2004 and early 2005. The impact of this time lag was magnified by strong order trends at the beginning of the quarter that weakened toward the end of the quarter.
    In addition, with higher raw material costs, normal production waste has become much more expensive. In order to decrease such costs, we have postponed certain capital investments until 2006 to divert engineering talent to waste reduction projects. Considering the savings from these efforts, combined with our normal pricing strategy and a more cautious expectation of volume trends for the remainder of the year, we expect to regain operating profit levels consistent with 2004.
    On a positive note, we are very pleased with our recent acquisition of Dixie Toga. This is a profitable business in a growing region of the world that brings with it strong customer relationships and leading market positions. Due to the impact of purchase accounting and acquisition related interest costs, the acquisition had little effect on the earnings per share for the first quarter. We continue to expect operating results after the cost of debt to add $0.08 to $0.10 per share to the Bemis Company results for 2005."

    Pressure Sensitive Materials

    First quarter net sales from the pressure sensitive materials business segment were $143.8 million, a 1.0 percent decrease from the first quarter of 2004. Currency effects increased net sales by about 2.3 percent. Operating profit of $7.6 million or 5.3 percent of net sales for the quarter improved from the first quarter of 2004 when operating profit was $5.6 million or 3.9 percent of net sales.
    Commenting on the results of the pressure sensitive materials business segment, Curler said, "This business segment is successfully implementing a business strategy that is achieving sustainable profit improvement. Label products unit volume decreased both sequentially and compared to the prior year, but the impact was substantially offset by improved price and mix. During the first quarter of 2004, we closed a label products plant in Nevada as part of a restructuring program to improve sales mix and capacity utilization. We expect increased emphasis on marketing and product development efforts in graphic and technical product areas to be the key to improved pressure sensitive materials segment performance in the future."

    Other Costs (Income), Net

    Other costs and income includes interest income of $1.3 million. This income is completely offset by currency exchange losses during the quarter. During the first quarter of 2004, other costs and income included $2.8 million of equity income from the Company's Brazilian joint venture with Dixie Toga. In 2005, this joint venture is accounted for on a consolidated basis and the related results for the first quarter of 2005 are included in flexible packaging operating profit.

    Acquisition of Dixie Toga

    As previously announced, on January 5, 2005 Bemis acquired majority ownership of Dixie Toga S.A., one of the largest packaging companies in South America. Annual revenues for this subsidiary are expected to exceed $400 million in 2005. The acquisition included the outstanding voting common stock of Dixie Toga in addition to 43 percent of the outstanding nonvoting preferred stock. The increase in minority interest in the first quarter is primarily due to the accounting for the preferred stock of Dixie Toga that was not acquired. The cash purchase price of approximately $250 million was initially financed with commercial paper. In March, Bemis refinanced $300 million of commercial paper with a private offering of 4.875 percent notes due 2012.

    Capital Structure

    Total debt as of March 31, 2005 was $857.9 million, an increase of $318.2 million from December 31, 2004. This increase primarily reflects the impact of the January 2005 acquisition of Dixie Toga for about $250 million cash price and $33.7 million of assumed debt. Increased raw material costs and product selling prices have also increased working capital compared to the same quarter of 2004. Debt to total capitalization was 36.4 percent at March 31, 2005, compared to 26.7 percent at December 31, 2004.

    Interest Expense

    Interest expense for the first quarter of 2005 increased to $8.4 million compared to $2.6 million during the first quarter of 2004. Of the total $5.8 million increase, $1.8 million is attributable to acquisition financing for Dixie Toga, $1.4 million is related to debt assumed in the acquisition, and the remainder is related to higher interest rates compared to the first quarter of 2004. Bemis has historically financed its activities with variable rate debt and has benefited from the favorable short-term interest rate environment in recent years. In March of 2005, Bemis refinanced $300 million of variable rate commercial paper with 4.875% fixed rate notes due 2012, reducing its exposure to variable interest rates.

    2005 Earnings Outlook

    While the costs of certain raw materials have moderated recently, the Company does not expect raw material costs to decrease significantly over the next three quarters. Competition is strong across flexible packaging markets as customers seek to manage higher packaging prices. As a result, while Bemis will continue to implement its normal pricing policy, expectations for unit sales volume in 2005 have been reduced to levels equivalent to 2004. Bemis expects second quarter 2005 earnings per share to be approximately equal to the second quarter of 2004, or close to $0.42 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Bemis reported diluted earnings per share of $1.67. For the full year 2005, management expects earnings per share to be slightly ahead of 2004. This includes the accretive impact of $0.08 to $0.10 per share expected from the recent acquisition of Dixie Toga, a large Brazilian packaging company. Previous guidance for 2005 earnings per share was $1.82 to $1.90.

    Revised 2005 Capital Expenditure Guidance

    In January of 2005, Bemis issued guidance of $185 to $200 million for capital expenditures in 2005. This plan was about 25 percent higher than normal due to the addition of capacity for certain products to meet expected demand for 2006 and 2007. While the need for additional capacity still exists, waste management has become a critical issue during this period of record high raw material costs. In order to better control expensive raw material waste during 2005, Bemis has decided to postpone certain non-essential capital improvement projects and has redirected engineering talent toward waste reduction projects. The revised capital expenditures plan for 2005 continues to support Bemis' long-term growth initiatives and is expected to be in the range of $160 million to $175 million.

    Bemis Company, Inc. will Webcast an investor telephone conference regarding its first quarter 2005 financial results this morning at 10 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time. Individuals may listen to the call on the Internet at www.bemis.com under "Investor Relations". However, they are urged to check the website ahead of time to ensure their computers are configured for the audio stream. Instructions for obtaining the required, free, downloadable software are available in a pre-event system test on the site.
    Bemis Company is a major supplier of flexible packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by leading food, consumer products, manufacturing, and other companies worldwide. Founded in 1858, the Company reported 2004 net sales of $2.8 billion. The Company's flexible packaging business has a strong technical base in polymer chemistry, film extrusion, coating and laminating, printing and converting. The Company's pressure sensitive materials business specializes in adhesive technologies. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bemis employs about 15,700 individuals in 62 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries around the world. More information about the company is available at our website, www.bemis.com.
    Statements in this release that are not historical, including statements relating to the expected future performance of the company, are considered "forward-looking" and are presented pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such content is subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to future changes in cost or availability of raw materials, changes in customer order patterns and changes in prevailing market interest rates. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those projected in any such forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors which are detailed in the Company's regular SEC filings including the most recently filed Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

BEMIS COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES ------------------------------------ CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME -------------------------------- (in thousands of dollars except per share amounts) (unaudited)

--------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended March 31, ----------------------- 2005 2004 -----------------------

Net sales $831,869 $684,037

Costs and expenses: Cost of products sold 676,599 540,079 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 86,205 69,981 Research and development 5,848 5,060 Interest expense 8,438 2,600 Other costs (income), net 525 (3,785) Minority interest in net income 1,330 75 -----------------------

Income before income taxes 52,924 70,027

Provision for income taxes 20,700 27,000 -----------------------

Net income $32,224 $43,027 =======================

Basic earnings per share of common stock $.30 $.40 =======================

Diluted earnings per share of common stock $.30 $.40 =======================

Cash dividends paid per share of common stock $.18 $.16 =======================

Weighted average common shares outstanding 107,020 106,799 ======================= Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding 108,411 107,531 ----------------------------------------------=======================

BEMIS COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES ------------------------------------ CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET -------------------------- (dollars in thousands) (unaudited)

--------------------------------------------------------------------- Mar 31, Dec 31, ASSETS 2005 2004 ------ -----------------------

Cash $130,707 $93,898 Accounts receivable, net 453,398 356,944 Inventories, net 450,501 387,414 Prepaid expenses 35,076 35,511 ----------------------- Total current assets 1,069,682 873,767 -----------------------

Property and equipment, net 1,084,987 938,574

Goodwill 576,270 442,181 Other intangible assets, net 117,125 65,396 Deferred charges and other assets 118,014 166,825 ----------------------- Total 811,409 674,402 -----------------------

TOTAL ASSETS $2,966,078 $2,486,743 =======================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ------------------------------------

Current portion of long-term debt $1,070 $912 Short-term borrowings 14,912 4,830 Accounts payable 329,403 277,989 Accrued salaries and wages 62,482 68,269 Accrued income and other taxes 45,499 23,143 ----------------------- Total current liabilities 453,366 375,143

Long-term debt, less current portion 841,879 533,886 Deferred taxes 181,030 173,872 Deferred credits and other liabilities 144,262 93,003 ----------------------- Total liabilities 1,620,537 1,175,904 -----------------------

Minority interest 26,380 2,973

Stockholders' equity: Common stock issued (115,962,246 and 115,750,189 shares) 11,596 11,575 Capital in excess of par value 267,075 263,266 Retained income 1,264,665 1,251,695 Other comprehensive income (loss) 26,169 31,674 Treasury common stock (8,803,061 and 8,803,061 shares) (250,344) (250,344) ----------------------- Total stockholders' equity 1,319,161 1,307,866 -----------------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $2,966,078 $2,486,743 =====================================================================

BEMIS COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES ------------------------------------ CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS ------------------------------------ (in thousands) (unaudited)

--------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended March 31, ----------------------- 2005 2004 ----------------------- Cash flows from operating activities ------------------------------------ Net income $32,224 $43,027 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 40,139 34,495 Minority interest in net income 1,330 75 Stock award compensation 4,122 3,817 Deferred income taxes 3,820 1,434 Loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliated company (343) (2,667) Loss (gain) on sales of property, equipment and other assets (100) 342 Restructuring related activities (2,810) Changes in working capital, net of effects of acquisitions (57,577) (18,853) Net change in deferred charges and credits 6,436 3,419 -----------------------

Net cash provided by operating activities 30,051 62,279 -----------------------

Cash flows from investing activities ------------------------------------ Additions to property and equipment (43,777) (34,112) Business acquisitions and adjustments, net of cash acquired (222,411) Proceeds from sales of property, equipment and other assets 511 287 Proceeds from sale of restructuring related assets 3,131 Increased investment in unconsolidated affiliated company (7,065) -----------------------

Net cash used in investing activities (265,677) (37,759) -----------------------

Cash flows from financing activities ------------------------------------ Change in long-term debt 294,442 (14,312) Change in short-term debt (3,950) (392) Cash dividends paid to stockholders (19,254) (17,089) Stock incentive programs 1,316 293 -----------------------

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 272,554 (31,500) -----------------------

Effect of exchange rates on cash (119) 621 -----------------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash 36,809 (6,359)

Cash balance at beginning of year 93,898 76,476 -----------------------

Cash balance at end of period $130,707 $70,117 =====================================================================

--30--JH/ms*

CONTACT: Bemis Company, Inc., Minneapolis Melanie E. R. Miller, 612-376-3030

KEYWORD: INDIANA WISCONSIN OHIO MINNESOTA MEXICO INTERNATIONAL LATIN AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FOREST PRODUCTS CHEMICALS/PLASTICS SUPERMARKETS FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL CONFERENCE CALLS EARNINGS SOURCE: Bemis Company, Inc.

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