UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): September 9, 2016

 

 

 

BERRY PLASTICS GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 1-35672 20-5234618
(State of incorporation) (Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

101 Oakley Street

Evansville, Indiana 47710

(Address of principal executive offices / Zip Code)

 

(812) 424-2904

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

 

¨Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 
   

 

Item 8.01Other Events.

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. (“Berry,” “we,” or the “Company”) is filing this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) to incorporate by reference the recast presentation of certain financial information and related disclosures included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 26, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2015 (the “Annual Report”), to reflect the previously reported change in the Company’s reportable segments. This recast financial information was previously included in the Company’s Form S-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-211076), and is filed herewith to incorporate such information by reference into the Company’s other effective Registration Statements and future filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

In November 2015, the Company reorganized into three operating segments: Health, Hygiene & Specialties; Consumer Packaging; and Engineered Materials. The Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment includes the business of AVINTIV Inc., which was acquired in October 2015, and the personal care films and international business that previously reported in the Company’s Flexible Packaging segment. The Consumer Packaging segment consists of our historical Rigid Open Top segment, Rigid Closed Top segment, the food and consumer films business that previously reported in our Flexible Packaging segment, and the custom shrink film businesses that was previously reported in our Engineered Materials segment. The Engineered Material segment includes the old Engineered Materials segment, excluding the custom shrink films business, and the converted films business that was previously reported in our Flexible Packaging segment.

 

The exhibit included as Exhibit 99.1 hereto revises the information in the following Items of the Annual Report as initially filed in order to reflect the change in segment reporting: Part I, Item 1 (Business); Part II, Item 7 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations); and Part II, Item 8 (Financial Statements and Supplementary Data). The presentation of the Company’s historical financial information in Exhibit 99.1 is consistent with the segment presentation set forth in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed for each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2016.

 

This Current Report does not reflect any changes, activities or events occurring subsequent to the initial filing of the Company’s Annual Report on November 23, 2015. For information on developments since the filing of the Annual Report, please refer to our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unaffected items and unaffected portions of the Annual Report have not been repeated in, and are not amended or modified by, this Current Report or Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

 

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)        The following exhibits are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

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Exhibit    
Number   Description
     
23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
99.1   Excerpts from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K reflecting revisions to Part I, Item 1; Part II, Item 7; and Part II, Item 8
101.1   Interactive Data Files

 

[The balance of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  BERRY PLASTICS GROUP, INC.
  (Registrant)
     
Dated:  September 9, 2016 By: /s/ Jason K. Greene
  Name: Jason K. Greene
  Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

 

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Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

 

(1)   Registration Statement (Form S-3ASR No. 333-194030) of Berry Plastics Group, Inc.,

 

(2)   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-184522) pertaining to the Berry Plastics Group, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and the Berry Plastics Group, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and

 

(3)   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-203173) pertaining to the Berry Plastics Group, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan;

 

of our report dated November 23, 2015 (except for Notes 1, 2, 10, 13, and 17, as to which the date is May 2, 2016), with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

 

/s/ Ernst and Young LLP
 Indianapolis, Indiana
 September 7, 2016      

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

EXCERPTS FROM FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. (“Berry,” “we,” or the “Company”) is filing this Exhibit recast the presentation of certain financial information and related disclosures included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 26, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2015 (the “Annual Report”), solely to reflect the previously reported change in its reportable segments. This information is provided solely to present recast segment reporting financial information to reflect organizational structure changes implemented in November 2015. Accordingly, the following business description speaks as of the original filing date of the Annual Report, does not reflect events that may have occurred subsequent to the original filing date, and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission since the date of the Annual Report. Except for the Items from the Annual Report presented herein, this Exhibit does not amend or modify the disclosures made in the Annual Report.

 

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

This document includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The forward-looking statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the heading "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “outlook,” “anticipates” or “looking forward” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, plans, intentions, or our financial condition, our recent acquisition of AVINTIV Inc. (“Avintiv”) and integration thereof. All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results or to our expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this document. 

 

All forward-looking information and subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Some of the factors that we believe could affect our results include: 

 

·risks associated with our substantial indebtedness and debt service; 
·changes in prices and availability of resin and other raw materials and our ability to pass on changes in raw material prices on a timely basis; 
·performance of our business and future operating results; 
·risks related to our acquisition strategy and integration of acquired businesses including the diversion of management time on acquisition-related issues and our ability to promptly and effectively integrate our businesses with those of acquisitions and achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated;
·reliance on unpatented know-how and trade secrets; 
·increases in the cost of compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental, safety, production and product laws and regulations; 
·risks related to disruptions in the overall economy and the financial markets that may adversely impact our business; 
·catastrophic loss of one of our key manufacturing facilities, natural disasters, and other unplanned business interruptions; 
·risks of competition, including foreign competition, in our existing and future markets; 
·the other factors discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2015.

 

We caution readers that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this document may not in fact occur. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on those statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

 

PART I

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

 

(In millions of dollars, except where otherwise noted)

 

General

 

Berry (“Berry,” “we,” or “the Company”) is a leading provider of value-added plastic consumer packaging, specialty, and engineered materials with a track record of delivering high-quality customized solutions to our customers. Representative examples of our products include specialty closures, prescription vials, specialty films, adhesives, corrosion protection materials, and nonwovens, as well as drink cups, thin-wall containers, and bottles. We sell our products predominantly into stable, consumer-oriented end-markets, such as healthcare, personal care, and food and beverage.

 

We believe that we have created one of the largest product libraries in our industry, allowing us to be a comprehensive solution provider to our customers. Our customers consist of a diverse mix of leading global, national, mid-sized regional and local specialty businesses. The size and scope of our customer network allows us to introduce new products we develop or acquire to a vast audience that is familiar with our brand. In fiscal 2015, no single customer represented more than approximately 2% of net sales and our top ten customers represented 16% of net sales. We believe our manufacturing processes and our ability to leverage our scale to reduce expenses on items, such as raw materials, position us as a low-cost manufacturer relative to our competitors.

 

Historically, our business was organized into four operating segments: Rigid Open Top, Rigid Closed Top, (which together make up our Rigid Packaging business), Engineered Materials, and Flexible Packaging. In November 2015, the Company reorganized into three operating segments: Consumer Packaging, Health, Hygiene & Specialties, and Engineered Materials. The Consumer Packaging segment consists of our historical Rigid Open Top and Rigid Closed Top segments, the food and consumer films business that was historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment, and the custom shrink films business that was historically reported in our Engineered Materials segment. The Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment includes the recently acquired Avintiv business, which is described in more detail below, as well as the personal care films and international businesses that were historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment. The Engineered Materials segment includes the historical Engineered Materials segment, excluding the custom shrink films business, and the converter films business that was historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment. Additional financial information about our business segments is provided in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” which are included elsewhere herein.

 

Recent Acquisitions

 

Rexam Healthcare Containers and Closures

 

In June 2014, the Company acquired Rexam’s Healthcare Containers and Closures business (“C&C”) for a purchase price of  $133 million, net of cash acquired. The C&C business produces bottles, closures, and specialty products for pharmaceutical and over-the-counter healthcare applications. The C&C acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on their fair values at the acquisition date. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities consisted of working capital of  $32 million, property and equipment of  $85 million, non-current deferred tax asset of  $3 million, intangible assets of  $9 million, goodwill of  $7 million, and other long-term liabilities of  $3 million.

 

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AVINTIV Inc.

 

In October 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the capital stock of Avintiv for a purchase price of approximately $2.3 billion which is preliminary and subject to adjustment. Avintiv is one of the world’s leading developers, producers, and marketers of nonwoven specialty materials used in hygiene, infection prevention, personal care, and high-performance solutions. With 23 locations in 14 countries, an employee base of over 4,500 people, and the broadest range of process technologies in the industry, Avintiv’s strategically located manufacturing facilities position it as a global supplier to many of the same leading consumer and industrial product manufacturers that Berry supplies and utilize similar key raw materials as Berry’s existing business. To finance the purchase, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% second priority senior secured notes due 2022 and entered into an incremental assumption agreement to increase the commitments under the Company’s existing term loan credit agreement by $2.1 billion due 2022.

 

Recent Developments

 

Revolving Line of Credit

 

In May 2015, the Company amended the credit agreement relating to its existing $650 million secured revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility from June 2016 to May 2020 and to reduce interest margins and certain commitment fees.

 

518% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes

 

In June 2015, the Company issued $700 million of 518% second priority senior secured notes due July 2023. Interest on the 518% second priority senior secured notes is due semi-annually on January 15 and July 15. Proceeds from the issuance and existing liquidity were used to satisfy and discharge all of the outstanding 934% second priority senior secured notes. The Company recognized a $94 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $83 million of early tender and redemption costs and an $11 million write-off of deferred financing fees.

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

In September 2015, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to protect $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt from future interest rate volatility. The agreement swapped the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed annual rate of 1.7185%, with an effective date in December 2015 and expiration in June 2019.

 

Product Overview

 

Consumer Packaging

 

Our Consumer Packaging segment primarily consists of the following product groups:

 

Containers.   We manufacture a collection of nationally branded container products which range from four ounces to five gallons and are offered in various styles with accompanying lids, bails and handles, some of which we produce, as well as a wide array of decorating options.

 

Foodservice.   We believe we are one of the largest providers of large size thermoformed polypropylene (“PP”) and injection-molded plastic drink cups in the U.S. We manufacture plastic cups that range in size from 12 to 64 ounces, primarily for quick service and family dining restaurants, convenience stores, stadiums, and retail stores.

 

Closures and Overcaps.   We believe we are a leading producer of closures and overcaps across several of our product lines, including continuous-thread and child-resistant closures, as well as aerosol overcaps. We sell our closures into numerous end markets, including household chemical, healthcare, food and beverage, and personal care.

 

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Bottles and Prescription Containers.   The target markets of our bottle and prescription container businesses are similar to the target markets of our closure business. We believe we are a leader in various food and beverage, vitamin and nutritional, and prescription container markets.

 

Tubes.   We offer a complete line of extruded and laminate tubes in a wide variety of sizes. We believe we are one of the largest suppliers of extruded plastic squeeze tubes in the U.S. The majority of our tubes are sold in the personal care market, but we also sell our tubes in the pharmaceutical and household chemical markets.

 

Food and Consumer Films.   We are a converter of printed bags, pouches, and rollstock. We believe we are a leading supplier of printed film products for the fresh bakery, tortilla, and frozen vegetable markets. We also manufacture barrier films used for cereal, cookie, cracker and dry mix packages that are sold directly to food manufactures.

 

Engineered Materials

 

The Engineered Materials business primarily includes the following product groups:

 

Corrosion Protection Products.   We believe we are a leading global producer of anti-corrosion products to infrastructure, rehabilitation and new pipeline projects throughout the world. These products are used in oil, gas, and water supply and construction applications. Our customers primarily include contractors managing discrete construction projects around the world as well as distributors and applicators.

 

Tape Products.   We believe we are a leading North American manufacturer of cloth and foil tape products. Other tape products include high-quality, high-performance liners of splicing and laminating tapes, flame-retardant tapes, vinyl-coated and carton sealing tapes, electrical, double-faced cloth, masking, mounting, OEM, and medical and specialty tapes. Tape products are sold primarily through distributors and directly to end users for industrial, HVAC, automotive, construction, and retail market applications.

 

Retail Bags.   We sell a diversified portfolio of polyethylene based film products to end users in the retail markets. Our products include drop cloths and retail trash bags. These products are sold primarily through wholesale outlets, hardware stores and home centers, paint stores, and mass merchandisers.

 

PVC Films.   We believe we are a world leader in polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) films offering a broad array of PVC meat film. Our products are used primarily to wrap fresh meats, poultry, and produce for supermarket applications. In addition, we offer a line of boxed products for food service and retail sales. We service many of the leading supermarket chains, club stores, and wholesalers.

 

Institutional Can Liners.   We sell trash-can liners and food bags for offices, restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels, municipalities, and manufacturing facilities.

 

Stretch and Shrink Films.   We manufacture both hand and machine-wrap stretch films and custom shrink films, which are used to prepare products and packages for storage and shipping. We sell stretch and shrink film products to a diverse mix of end users.

 

Converter Films.   We manufacture specialty coated and laminated products for a wide variety of packaging applications as well as a wide range of highly specialized, made-to-order film products. The key end markets and applications for our products include healthcare, industrial and military pouches, roll wrap, multi-wall bags, and fiber drum packaging.

 

Health, Hygiene & Specialties

 

The Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment is organized by geographic region as follows:

 

North America.   We manufacture a broad collection products including baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, substrates for dryer sheets, medical garment materials, household cleaning wipes, filters and protective house wrap. Markets served include personal care, infection prevention, and high performance solutions.

 

South America.   We sell baby diapers, feminine hygiene, specialty agriculture and industrial products. This region’s key end markets include personal care, hygiene and agriculture.

 

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Europe.   We manufacture a broad array products including cable wrap, baby diapers, geosynthetics, adult incontinence, surgical drapes, face masks and specialty filtration products servicing the personal care, infection prevention, hygiene, and specialty industrial markets.

 

Asia.   We are primarily a manufacturer of baby diapers, servicing our global healthcare customers.

 

Marketing, Sales, and Competition

 

We reach our large and diversified customer base through our regional direct field sales force of dedicated professionals and the strategic use of distributors. Our regional field sales, production and support staff meet with customers to understand their needs and improve our product offerings and services. Our scale enables us to dedicate certain sales and marketing efforts to particular products or customers, when applicable, which enables us to develop expertise that we believe is valued by our customers. In addition, because we serve common customers across segments, we have the ability to efficiently utilize our sales and marketing resources to minimize costs.

 

The major markets in which the Company sells its products are highly competitive. Areas of competition include service, innovation, quality, and price. This competition is significant as to both the size and the number of competing firms. Competitors include but are not limited to Silgan, Aptar, Reynolds, AEP, Intertape, 3M, Clopay, Tredegar, and Bemis.

 

Research, Product Development and Design

 

We believe our technology base and research and development support are among the best in the industries we serve. Many of our customers work in partnership with our technical representatives to develop new, more competitive products. Our design professionals work directly with our customers to develop new styles and use computer-generated graphics to enable our customers to visualize the finished product. Expenditures for research and development activities were $33 million, $32 million, and $28 million in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Raw Materials

 

Our primary raw material is plastic resin. In addition, we use butyl rubber, tackifying resins, chemicals and adhesives, paper and packaging materials, linerboard, rayon, and foil in various manufacturing processes. These raw materials are available from multiple sources and in general we purchase from a variety of global suppliers. In certain regions we may source specific raw materials from a limited number of suppliers or on a sole-source basis. While temporary shortages of raw materials can occur, we expect to continue to successfully manage raw material supplies without significant supply interruptions.

 

Employees

 

As of the end of the 2015 fiscal year, we employed approximately 16,000 employees with approximately 12% of those employees being covered by collective bargaining agreements. There are four agreements, representing approximately 7% of employees, due for renegotiation in fiscal 2016. The remaining agreements expire after fiscal year 2016. Our relations with employees under collective bargaining agreements remain satisfactory and there have been no significant work stoppages or other labor disputes during the past three years.

 

Avintiv acquisition — Avintiv has approximately 4,500 employees worldwide. Approximately 52% of these employees are represented by labor unions or works councils that have entered into separate collective bargaining agreements with Avintiv. All of these collective bargaining agreements will expire within one year. We believe these employee relations are satisfactory.

 

Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property

 

We customarily seek patent and trademark protection for our products and brands while seeking to protect our proprietary know-how. While important to our business in the aggregate, sales of any one individually patented product are not considered material to any specific segment or the consolidated results.

 

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Environmental Matters and Government Regulation

 

Our past and present operations and our past and present ownership and operations of real property are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, handling and disposition of waste, and cleanup of contaminated soil and ground water, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. However, we cannot predict with any certainty that we will not in the future incur liability with respect to noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations, contamination of sites formerly or currently owned or operated by us (including contamination caused by prior owners and operators of such sites) or the off-site disposal of regulated materials, which could be material.

 

We may from time to time be required to conduct remediation of releases of regulated materials at our owned or operated facilities. None of our pending remediation projects are expected to result in material costs. Like any manufacturer, we are also subject to the possibility that we may receive notices of potential liability in connection with materials that were sent to third-party recycling, treatment, and/or disposal facilities under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), and comparable state statutes, which impose liability for investigation and remediation of contamination without regard to fault or the legality of the conduct that contributed to the contamination, and for damages to natural resources. Liability under CERCLA is retroactive, and, under certain circumstances, liability for the entire cost of a cleanup can be imposed on any responsible party. We are not aware that any such notices are currently pending which are expected to result in material costs.

 

The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) regulates the material content of direct-contact food and drug packages, including certain packages we manufacture pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. Certain of our products are also regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) pursuant to various federal laws, including the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Both the FDA and the CPSC can require the manufacturer of defective products to repurchase or recall such products and may also impose fines or penalties on the manufacturer. Similar laws exist in some states, cities and other countries in which we sell our products. In addition, laws exist in certain states restricting the sale of packaging with certain levels of heavy metals, imposing fines and penalties for noncompliance. Although we believe that we use FDA approved resins and pigments in our products that directly contact food and drug products, and we believe our products are in material compliance with all applicable requirements, we remain subject to the risk that our products could be found not to be in compliance with such requirements.

 

The plastics industry, including us, is subject to existing and potential federal, state, local and foreign legislation designed to reduce solid waste by requiring, among other things, plastics to be degradable in landfills, minimum levels of recycled content, various recycling requirements, disposal fees, and limits on the use of plastic products. In particular, certain states have enacted legislation requiring products packaged in plastic containers to comply with standards intended to encourage recycling and increased use of recycled materials. In addition, various consumer and special interest groups have lobbied from time to time for the implementation of these and other similar measures. We believe that the legislation promulgated to date and such initiatives to date have not had a material adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance that any such future legislative or regulatory efforts or future initiatives would not have a material adverse effect on us.

 

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PART II

 

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

We are including the following section to recast the presentation of certain financial information and related disclosures included under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” in our Annual Report solely to reflect the previously reported change in our reportable segments. This information is provided solely to present recast segment reporting financial information to reflect organizational structure changes we implemented in November 2015. Accordingly, this section speaks as of the original filing date of the Annual Report, does not reflect events that may have occurred subsequent to the original filing date, and should be read in conjunction with our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission since the date of the Annual Report, which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Berry and its subsidiaries and the accompanying notes thereto, which information is included elsewhere herein. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section in Berry’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2015. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Segment level discussion of the results is disclosed in a manner consistent with the organization structure at the end of the presented period.

 

Overview

 

Berry is a leading provider of value-added plastic consumer packaging, specialty, and engineered materials with a track record of delivering high-quality customized solutions to our customers. Representative examples of our products include specialty closures, prescription vials, specialty films, adhesives, corrosion protection materials, as well as drink cups, thin-wall containers, and bottles. We sell our products predominantly into stable, consumer-oriented end-markets, such as healthcare, personal care, and food and beverage.

 

We believe that we have created one of the largest product libraries in our industry, allowing us to be a comprehensive solution provider to our customers. Our customers consist of a diverse mix of leading global, national, mid-sized regional and local specialty businesses. The size and scope of our customer network allows us to introduce new products we develop or acquire to a vast audience that is familiar with our brand. In fiscal 2015, no single customer represented more than approximately 2% of net sales and our top ten customers represented 16% of net sales. We believe our manufacturing processes and our ability to leverage our scale to reduce expenses on items, such as raw materials, position us as a low-cost manufacturer relative to our competitors.

 

Executive Summary

 

Business.   We operate in the following three segments: Consumer Packaging, Heath, Hygiene & Specialties, and Engineered Materials. The Consumer Packaging business sells primarily containers, foodservice items, closures, overcaps, bottles, prescription containers, food and consumer films, and tubes. Businesses in the Health, Hygiene & Specialties primarily sells materials geared towards personal care, infection prevention, and other specialty applications. Our Engineered Materials segment primarily sells pipeline corrosion protection solutions, tapes and adhesives, polyethylene based film products, converter films and can liners.

 

Raw Material Trends.   Our primary raw material is plastic resin. Polypropylene and polyethylene account for approximately 90% of our plastic resin pounds purchased. Plastic resins are subject to price fluctuations, including those arising from supply shortages and changes in the prices of natural gas, crude oil and other petrochemical intermediates from which resins are produced. The average industry prices, as published in Chem Data, per pound were as follows by fiscal year:

 

   Polyethylene Butene Film   Polypropylene 
   2015   2014   2013   2015   2014   2013 
1st quarter  $.86   $.82   $.69   $.92   $.89   $.76 
2nd quarter   .75    .85    .74    .73    .95    .96 
3rd quarter   .76    .86    .77    .68    .91    .84 
4th quarter   .73    .87    .79    .66    .92    .89 

 

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Due to differences in the timing of passing through resin cost changes to our customers on escalator/de-escalator programs, segments are negatively impacted in the short term when plastic resin costs increase and are positively impacted in the short term when plastic resin costs decrease. This timing lag in passing through raw material cost changes could affect our results as plastic resin costs fluctuate.

 

Outlook.   The Company is impacted by general economic and industrial growth, plastic resin availability and affordability, and general industrial production. Our business has both geographic and end market diversity, which reduces the effect of any one of these factors on our overall performance. Our results are affected by our ability to pass through raw material cost changes to our customers, improve manufacturing productivity and adapt to volume changes of our customers. Consumer demand for packaged food products has been under pressure for over two years. This has put pressure on industry margins and asset utilization rates, which the Company has been able to partially offset by pricing actions, asset consolidations, introduction of new products and synergies from acquisitions. During the first half of fiscal 2015 we received a favorable impact on cash from operating activities from the declining resin prices. As resin prices stabilize, we do not expect to receive this benefit from falling resin prices in fiscal 2016. Additionally, our fiscal 2016 Adjusted Free Cash Flow guidance of  $475 million assumes flat overall volumes, with our new Health, Hygiene & Specialties division expected to grow above the overall Company average. Components of adjusted free cash flow include $817 million of cash flow from operations, less $285 million of additions to property, plant, and equipment and $57 million of payments under our tax receivable agreement. For further information related to Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a non-GAAP (as defined below) financial measure, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

Recent Developments

 

Revolving Line of Credit

 

In May 2015, the Company amended the credit agreement relating to its existing $650 million secured revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility from June 2016 to May 2020 and to reduce interest margins and certain commitment fees.

 

518% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes

 

In June 2015, the Company issued $700 million of 518% second priority senior secured notes due July 2023. Interest on the 518% second priority senior secured notes is due semi-annually on January 15 and July 15. Proceeds from the issuance and existing liquidity were used to satisfy and discharge all of the outstanding 9¾% second priority senior secured notes. The Company recognized a $94 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $83 million of early tender and redemption costs and an $11 million write-off of deferred financing fees.

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

In September 2015, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to protect $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt from future interest rate volatility. The agreement swapped the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed annual rate of 1.7185%, with an effective date in December 2015 and expiration in June 2019.

 

Recent Acquisitions

 

Our acquisition strategy is focused on improving our long-term financial performance, enhancing our market positions, and expanding our existing and complementary product lines. We seek to obtain businesses for attractive post-synergy multiples, creating value for our stockholders from synergy realization, leveraging the acquired products across our customer base, creating new platforms for future growth, and assuming best practices from the businesses we acquire. The Company has included the expected benefits of acquisition integrations and restructuring plans within our unrealized synergies, which are in turn recognized in earnings after an acquisition has been fully integrated or the restructuring plan is completed. While the expected benefits on earnings is estimated at the commencement of each transaction, once the execution of the plan and integration occur, we are generally unable to accurately estimate or track what the ultimate effects have been due to system integrations and movements of activities to multiple

 

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facilities. As historical business combinations and restructuring plans have not allowed us to accurately separate realized synergies compared to what was initially identified, we measure the synergy realization based on the overall segment profitability post integration.

 

Fiscal 2014 Acquisitions

 

In fiscal 2014, the Company completed 3 acquisitions which included the Rexam’s C&C for a purchase price of  $133 million, net of cash acquired, Graphic Flexible Packaging LLC’s flexible plastics and films business for a purchase price of  $61 million, net of cash acquired, and a controlling interest (75%) in Qingdao P&B Co., Ltd. for a purchase price of  $35 million, net of cash acquired. See note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion on the respective acquisitions.

 

AVINTIV Inc.

 

In October 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the capital stock of Avintiv for a purchase price of approximately $2.3 billion which is preliminary and subject to adjustment. Avintiv is one of the world’s leading developers, producers, and marketers of nonwoven specialty materials used in hygiene, infection prevention, personal care, and high-performance solutions. With 23 locations in 14 countries, an employee base of over 4,500 people, and the broadest range of process technologies in the industry, Avintiv’s strategically located manufacturing facilities position it as a global supplier to many of the same leading consumer and industrial product manufacturers that Berry supplies and utilize similar key raw materials as Berry’s existing business. To finance the purchase, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% second priority senior secured notes due 2022 and entered into an incremental assumption agreement to increase the commitments under the Company’s existing term loan credit agreement by $2.1 billion due 2022. See note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion on the Avintiv acquisition.

 

Discussion of Results of Operations for Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014

 

Consolidated Overview  Fiscal Year         
   2015   2014   $ Change   % Change 
Net sales  $4,881   $4,958   $(77)   (2)%
Operating income  $408   $316   $92    29%
Operating income percentage of net sales   8%   6%          

 

The net sales decrease of  $77 million from fiscal 2014 is primarily attributed to a 3% base volume decline primarily related to soft customer demand, selling price decreases of 2% due to the pass through of lower raw material costs, and a 1% negative impact from foreign currency changes partially offset by net sales from businesses acquired in the last twelve months.

 

The operating income increase of  $92 million from fiscal 2014 is primarily attributed to a $42 million improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material and freight costs, $6 million of operating income from businesses acquired in the last twelve months, a $17 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, a $19 million improvement in operating performance in manufacturing, and a $56 million decrease in business integration expenses. The $56 million decrease in business integration expenses primarily consisted of a decrease in restructuring and impairment costs of  $17 million and a $39 million decrease in costs attributed primarily to manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the 2014 cost reduction plan and acquisition integration costs. These improvements were partially offset by $26 million from base volume declines, a $15 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, and a $7 million negative impact from foreign currency changes. Business integration expenses consist of restructuring and impairment charges, manufacturing inefficiencies associated with cost reduction plans, major innovation start-up and other business optimization costs. Acquisition operating income (loss) is generally analyzed in total until the acquisition has been included in our results for a full year.

 

 8 

 

 

Consumer Packaging  Fiscal Year         
   2015   2014   $ Change   % Change 
Net sales  $2,870   $2,904   $(34)   (1)%
Operating income  $229   $164   $65    40%
Operating income percentage of net sales   8%   6%          

 

Net sales in the Consumer Packaging segment decreased by $34 million from fiscal 2014 primarily due to a 3% base volume decline and selling price decreases of 2% due to the pass through of lower raw material costs, partially offset by acquisition volume of 4% attributed to the United States portion of the Healthcare Containers and Closures business purchased from Rexam (“C&C”). The base volume decline is primarily related to a decline in dairy container product sales due to soft customer demand and general market softness in our closure product offerings.

 

The operating income increase of  $65 million from fiscal 2014 primarily is attributed to $19 million of improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material and freight costs, an $8 million improvement in operating performance in manufacturing, a $7 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, and a $53 million decrease in business integration expenses. The $53 million decrease primarily consisted of a decrease in restructuring and impairment costs of  $13 million and a $40 million decrease in costs attributed to manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the 2014 cost reduction plan. These improvements were partially offset by $20 million in base volume declines.

 

Health, Hygiene & Specialties  Fiscal Year         
   2015   2014   $ Change   % Change 
Net sales  $502   $450   $52    12%
Operating income  $31   $20   $11    55%
Operating income percentage of net sales   6%   4%          

 

Net sales in the Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment increased by $52 million from fiscal 2014 primarily as a result of acquisition volume of 19% primarily attributed to the international C&C business purchased from Rexam and net selling price increases of 3%, partially offset by a base volume decline of 4%, and a 6% negative impact from foreign currency changes.

 

The operating income increase of  $11 million from fiscal 2014 is primarily attributed to an $8 million improvement in operating performance in manufacturing, $8 million of improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material and freight costs, and an $8 million benefit from businesses acquired in the last 12 months, partially offset by an $8 million increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses, $2 million in base volume declines, and a $4 million negative impact from foreign currency changes.

 

Engineered Materials  Fiscal Year         
   2015   2014   $ Change   % Change 
Net sales  $1,509   $1,604   $(95)   (6)%
Operating income  $148   $132   $16    12%
Operating income percentage of net sales   10%   8%          

 

Net sales in the Engineered Materials segment decreased by $95 million from fiscal 2014 primarily as a result of selling price decreases of 2% due to the pass through of lower raw material costs , a 2% base volume decline, and a 2% negative impact from foreign currency. The base volume decline is primarily attributed to general market softness and lost import revenues in our home and party product offerings.

 

The operating income increase of  $16 million from fiscal 2014 is primarily attributed to a $15 million improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material and freight costs, a $3 million improvement in operating performance in manufacturing, a decrease in restructuring and impairment costs of  $4 million, and a $10 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by a $7 million increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses, a $3 million negative impact from foreign currency changes, and $4 million in base volume declines.

 

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Debt extinguishment  Fiscal Year         
   2015   2014   $ Change   % Change 
Debt extinguishment  $94   $35   $59    169%

 

Debt extinguishment increase of  $59 million from fiscal 2014 primarily due to tender and redemption costs associated with the discharge of the 9¾% second priority senior secured notes in fiscal 2015 compared to the various costs related to the discharge of the 9½% second priority senior secured notes in fiscal 2014.

 

Other expense (income), net  Fiscal Year         
   2015   2014   $ Change   % Change 
Other expense (income), net  $1   $(7)  $8    114%

 

The other expense (income) increase of  $8 million from fiscal 2014 is primarily the result of losses realized on the sale and disposal of assets in fiscal 2015 compared to gains on the sale of assets in fiscal 2014.

 

Interest expense  Fiscal Year         
   2015   2014   $ Change   % Change 
Interest expense, net  $191   $221   $(30)   (14)%

 

Interest expense decreased $30 million from fiscal 2014 primarily as the result of the retirement of the 9¾% second priority senior secured notes and corresponding issuance of the 518% second priority senior secured notes in June 2015 as well as the retirement of the 9½% second priority senior secured notes and corresponding issuance of the 5½% second priority senior secured notes in May 2014.

 

Income tax expense  Fiscal Year         
   2015   2014   $ Change   % Change 
Income tax expense  $36   $4   $32    800%

 

We recorded an income tax expense of  $36 million in fiscal 2015. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 is impacted by discrete items, the inclusion of certain international entities for which a full valuation allowance is recognized, and $20 million of federal and state research and development tax credits recognized in fiscal 2014.

 

Changes in Comprehensive Income

 

The $27 million decrease in comprehensive income from fiscal 2014 is primarily attributed to a $29 million increase in currency translation losses and a $19 million unfavorable change in the fair value of interest rate hedges, net of tax partially offset by a $24 million increase in net income. Currency translation losses are primarily related to non-U.S. subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. Dollar whereby assets and liabilities are translated from the respective functional currency into U.S. Dollars using period-end exchange rates. The change in currency translation losses were primarily attributed to locations utilizing the Euro, Canadian Dollar, Mexican Peso, and Brazilian Real as their functional currency. As part of the overall risk management, the Company uses derivative instruments to reduce exposure to changes in interest rates attributed to the Company’s floating-rate borrowings and records changes to the fair value of these instruments in Accumulated other comprehensive income. The $19 million unfavorable change in fair value of these instruments in fiscal 2015 versus fiscal 2014 is primarily attributed to a decrease in the forward interest curve between measurement dates.

 

Discussion of Results of Operations for Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013

 

Consolidated Overview  Fiscal Year         
   2014   2013   $ Change   % Change 
Net sales  $4,958   $4,647   $311    7%
Operating income  $316   $386   $(70)   (18)%
Operating income percentage of net sales   6%   8%          

 

 10 

 

 

Net sales increased from $4,647 million in fiscal 2013 to $4,958 million in fiscal 2014. This increase is primarily attributed to net sales from businesses acquired in the last twelve months of 4% and selling price increases of 4% due to higher resin prices partially offset by base volume declines.

 

Operating income decreased from $386 million in fiscal 2013 to $316 million in fiscal 2014. This decrease is primarily attributed to $27 million of raw material and freight cost inflation in excess of net selling price increases, $19 million from base volume declines described above, a $2 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, and a $57 million increase in business integration expense, partially offset by a $7 million benefit from businesses acquired in the last twelve months, an $8 million decline in selling, general and administrative expenses, and a $20 million improvement in manufacturing efficiencies. The $57 million increase in business integration expense primarily consisted of an increase in restructuring and impairment costs of  $16 million, an increase of  $9 million related to major innovation start-up costs and the remaining $32 million primarily being costs attributed to manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the 2014 cost reduction plan and acquisition integration costs. Manufacturing inefficiencies represent abnormal period costs including wasted materials, unplanned facility or equipment downtime, and excess labor incurred at both rationalized and receiving facilities.

 

Consumer Packaging  Fiscal Year         
   2014   2013   $ Change   % Change 
Net sales  $2,904   $2,791   $113    4%
Operating income  $164   $258   $(94)   (36)%
Operating income percentage of net sales   6%   9%          

 

Net sales in the Consumer Packaging segment increased from $2,791 million in fiscal 2013 to $2,904 million in fiscal 2014 due to acquisition volume of 3% and net selling price increases of 3%, partially offset by base volume declines of 2%. The volume decline was primarily attributed to softness in thermoformed drink cups and container product offerings, as well as soft customer demand across other food and consumer product lines.

 

Operating income for the Consumer Packaging segment decreased from $258 million in fiscal 2013 to $164 million in fiscal 2014. This decrease is primarily attributed to $15 million from base volume declines, a $12 million decline in the relationship of net selling price to raw material and freight costs, a $4 million increase in depreciation and amortization, and a $66 million increase in business integration expense primarily consisting of an increase in restructuring and impairment costs of  $19 million, an increase of  $9 million related to major innovation start-up costs and the remaining $38 million primarily being costs attributed to manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the 2014 cost reduction plan, partially offset by a $3 million decline in selling, general and administrative expenses. Manufacturing inefficiencies represent abnormal period costs including wasted materials, unplanned facility or equipment downtime, and excess labor incurred at both rationalized and receiving facilities.

 

Health, Hygiene & Specialties  Fiscal Year         
   2014   2013   $ Change   % Change 
Net sales  $450   $353   $97    27%
Operating income  $20   $8   $12    150%
Operating income percentage of net sales   4%   2%          

 

Net sales in the Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment increased from $353 million in fiscal 2013 to $450 million in fiscal 2014 as a result of net selling price increases of 1%, product realignment of 2% and acquisition volume of 26%, partially offset by base volume declines of 1%.

 

Operating income for the Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment increased from $8 million in fiscal 2013 to $20 million in fiscal 2014. The increase is attributed to a $2 million increase in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $6 million from businesses acquired in the last twelve months, and a $6 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by base volume declines of  $3 million.

 

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Engineered Materials  Fiscal Year         
   2014   2013   $ Change   % Change 
Net sales  $1,604   $1,503   $101    7%
Operating income  $132   $120   $12    10%
Operating income percentage of net sales   8%   8%          

 

The Engineered Materials segment net sales increased from $1,503 million in fiscal 2013 to $1,604 million in fiscal 2014 as a result of net selling price increases of 5% and acquisition volume of 2%, partially offset by exited business of 1%.

 

Operating income for the Engineered Materials segment increased from $120 million in fiscal 2013 to $132 million in fiscal 2014. This increase is primarily attributed to a $20 million improvement in manufacturing operating performance, $3 million decline in restructuring expense, a $5 million decline in acquisition integration expenses, and a $4 million decline in selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by $17 million of raw material cost inflation in excess of net selling prices and a $3 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense.

 

Debt extinguishment  Fiscal Year         
   2014   2013   $ Change   % Change 
Debt extinguishment  $35   $64   $(29)   (45)%

 

Debt extinguishment decreased from $64 million in fiscal 2013 to $35 million in fiscal 2014. The decrease is primarily attributed to the various debt extinguishment costs that resulted from our incremental term loan restructuring and use of the proceeds from our initial public offering in fiscal 2013 compared to the debt extinguishment costs related to the discharge of the outstanding 9½% second priority senior secured notes in fiscal 2014.

 

Other income  Fiscal Year         
   2014   2013   $ Change   % Change 
Other income, net  $(7)  $(7)  $    %

 

Other income remained flat at $7 million in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014 primarily due to the change in the fair value of derivative instruments in fiscal 2013 offset by gains recognized on asset disposals in fiscal 2014.

 

Interest expense  Fiscal Year         
   2014   2013   $ Change   % Change 
Interest expense, net  $221   $244   $(23)   (9)%

 

Interest expense decreased from $244 million in fiscal 2013 to $221 million in fiscal 2014 primarily as the result of the various debt extinguishments and refinancings completed in the last twenty four months.

 

Income tax expense  Fiscal Year         
   2014   2013   $ Change   % Change 
Income tax expense  $4   $28   $(24)   (86)%

 

We recorded an income tax expense of  $4 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $28 million in fiscal 2013. The effective tax rate is impacted by the relative impact of discrete items and certain international entities for which a full valuation allowance is recognized and $20 million of federal and state research and development tax credits recognized in fiscal 2014.

 

Changes in Comprehensive Income

 

The $49 million decrease in comprehensive income from fiscal 2013 is primarily attributed to an $11 million increase in currency translation losses, a $12 million unfavorable change in the fair value of interest rate hedges, net of tax, and a $28 million unfavorable change in the fair value adjustment to the Company’s pension plans, net of tax partially offset by a $5 million increase in net income. Currency translation losses

 

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are primarily related to non-U.S. subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. Dollar whereby assets and liabilities are translated from the respective functional currency into U.S. Dollars using period-end exchange rates. The change in currency translation losses were primarily attributed to locations utilizing the Euro and Mexican Peso as their functional currency. The $28 million unfavorable change in the fair value adjustment of the Company’s pension plans, net of tax is a result of the change in the discount rate assumption used in the valuation of those plans in fiscal 2013. As part of the overall risk management, the Company uses derivative instruments to reduce exposure to changes in interest rates attributed to the Company’s floating-rate borrowings and records changes to the fair value of these instruments in Accumulated other comprehensive income. The $12 million unfavorable change in fair value of these instruments in fiscal 2014 versus fiscal 2013 is primarily attributed to a decrease in the forward interest curve between measurement dates.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Senior Secured Credit Facility

 

We manage our global cash requirements considering (i) available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct business, (ii) the geographic location of our liquidity needs, and (iii) the cost to access international cash balances. We have senior secured credit facilities consisting of  $2.4 billion of term loans and a $650 million asset based revolving line of credit. The revolving credit facility matures in May 2020, $1.0 billion of the term loans mature in January 2021, and the remaining $1.4 billion of term loans mature in February 2020. The availability under the revolving line of credit is the lesser of  $650 million or an amount determined by a defined borrowing base which is calculated based on available accounts receivable and inventory. The revolving line of credit allows up to $130 million of letters of credit to be issued instead of borrowings under the revolving line of credit. At the end of fiscal 2015, the Company had no outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility, $37 million of outstanding letters of credit and a $142 million borrowing base reserve, resulting in unused borrowing capacity of  $471 million under the revolving line of credit. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at the end of fiscal 2015.

 

Our fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the revolving credit facility, is calculated based on a numerator consisting of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) less pro forma adjustments, income taxes paid in cash and capital expenditures, and a denominator consisting of scheduled principal payments in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money, interest expense and certain distributions. We are obligated to sustain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 under the revolving credit facility at any time when the aggregate unused capacity under the revolving credit facility is less than 10% of the lesser of the revolving credit facility commitments and the borrowing base (and for 10 business days following the date upon which availability exceeds such threshold) or during the continuation of an event of default. Our fixed charge ratio was 2.9 to 1.0 at the end of fiscal 2015.

 

Despite not having financial maintenance covenants, our debt agreements contain certain negative covenants. The failure to comply with these negative covenants could restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, effect acquisitions, enter into certain significant business combinations, make distributions or redeem indebtedness. The term loan facility contains a negative covenant first lien secured leverage ratio covenant of 4.0 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis for a proposed transaction, such as an acquisition or incurrence of additional first lien debt. Our first lien secured leverage ratio was 2.8 to 1.0 at the end of fiscal 2015. In addition to its regular principal payments, in October 2014, the Company elected to make a voluntary one-time $100 million principal payment on the outstanding term loan, using existing liquidity.

 

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A key financial metric utilized in the calculation of the first lien leverage ratio is Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the Company’s senior secured credit facilities. The following table reconciles (i) our Adjusted EBITDA to net income and (ii) our Adjusted Free Cash Flow to cash flow from operating activities, in each case, for fiscal 2015 and the quarterly period ended September 26, 2015:

 

   Fiscal 2015   Quarterly
Period Ended
September 26,
2015
 
Adjusted EBITDA  $820   $205 
Unrealized cost savings   (5)    
Depreciation and amortization   (350)   (87)
Business optimization and other expense(a)   (44)   (9)
Restructuring and impairment   (13)   (2)
Debt extinguishment   (94)    
Other expense (income), net   (1)   1 
Interest expense, net   (191)   (39)
Income tax expense   (36)   (21)
Net income  $86   $48 
Cash flow from operating activities  $637   $245 
Net additions to property, plant and equipment   (162)   (56)
Payments of tax receivable agreement   (39)    
Adjusted free cash flow  $436   $189 
Cash flow from investing activities   (165)   (59)
Cash flow from financing activities   (365)   (17)

 

 

 

(a)Includes business optimization, integration expenses and non-cash charges

 

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow, as presented in this document, are supplemental financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are not GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as an alternative to operating or net income or cash flows from operating activities, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our lenders for debt covenant compliance.

 

We define “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” as cash flow from operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment and payments of the tax receivable agreement. We believe Adjusted Free Cash Flow is useful to an investor in evaluating our liquidity because Adjusted Free Cash Flow and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in our industry to measure a company’s liquidity without regard to revenue and expense recognition, which can vary depending upon accounting methods.

 

These non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently by other companies, including other companies in our industry, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Transactions

 

Our contractual cash obligations at the end of fiscal 2015 are summarized in the following table which does not give any effect to the tax receivable agreement, including the $57 million payment made in October 2015, or income taxes payable as we cannot reasonably estimate the timing of future cash outflows associated with those commitments.

 

   Payments due by period as of the end of fiscal 2015 
   Total   < 1 year   1 – 3 years   4 – 5 years   > 5 years 
Long-term debt, excluding capital leases  $3,588   $14   $28   $1,327   $2,219 
Capital leases(a)   142    28    48    42    24 
Fixed interest rate payments   462    63    127    127    145 
Variable interest rate payments(b)   464    86    171    169    38 
Operating leases   334    50    85    62    137 
Funding of pension and other postretirement obligations(c)   3    3             
Total contractual cash obligations  $4,993   $244   $459   $1,727   $2,563 

 

 

 

(a)Includes anticipated interest of  $16 million over the life of the capital leases.

 

(b)Based on applicable interest rates in effect end of fiscal 2015.

 

(c)Pension and other postretirement contributions have been included in the above table for the next fiscal year. The amount is the estimated contributions to our defined benefit plans. The assumptions used by the actuary in calculating the projection includes weighted average return on pension assets of approximately 7.25% for fiscal 2015. The estimation may vary based on the actual return on our plan assets. See footnotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for more information on these obligations.

 

Note:Tables excludes $2.5 billion of financing related to the Avintiv acquisitions that occurred in fiscal 2016 and Redeemable non-controlling interest of  $12 million as of fiscal 2015.

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $107 million to $637 million in fiscal 2015. The change is primarily attributed to improved operating performance and improved working capital. The working capital improvement was primarily attributed to declining resin prices during fiscal 2015.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $66 million to $530 million in fiscal 2014. The change is primarily attributed to improved working capital.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $257 million to $165 million in fiscal 2015 primarily as a result of deceased acquisition activity and lower capital expenditures.

 

Net cash used in investing activities increased $175 million to $422 million in fiscal 2014 million primarily as a result of an increase in acquisition activity in the prior twelve months, offset by lower capital expenditures.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities increased $246 million to $365 million in fiscal 2015. The change is primarily attributed to an increase in long-term debt repayments and increased debt financing costs related to the discharge of the 9¾% second priority senior secured notes.

 

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $45 million to $119 million in fiscal 2014. The change is primarily attributed to a decline in long-term repayments, net of proceeds from the initial public offering, partially offset by the $32 million of tax receivable agreement payments.

 

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Liquidity Outlook

 

Tax receivable agreement —  In connection with the initial public offering, the Company entered into an income tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) that provides for the payment to pre-initial public offering stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights, 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income tax that are actually realized (or are deemed to be realized in the case of a change of control) as a result of the utilization of our and our subsidiaries’ net operating losses attributable to periods prior to the initial public offering. The total TRA balance at the end of fiscal 2015 was $232 million, prior to the $57 million payment made in October of 2015.

 

At the end of fiscal 2015, our cash balance was $228 million, of which $65 million was located outside the U.S. The Company has deemed cash located outside the U.S. to be indefinitely reinvested and we intend to use this to finance our foreign operations and for future international expansion. We believe our existing U.S. based cash and cash flow from U.S. operations, together with available borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities, will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs over the next twelve months. We do not expect our free cash flow to be sufficient to cover all long-term debt obligations and intend to refinance these obligations prior to maturity. However, we cannot predict our future results of operations and our ability to meet our obligations involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Form 10-K for fiscal 2015 filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on November 23, 2015.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

We disclose those accounting policies that we consider to be significant in determining the amounts to be utilized for communicating our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the first note to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with these principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our estimates and judgments are based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Revenue Recognition.   Revenue from the sales of products is recognized at the time title and risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer (either when the products reach the free-on-board shipping point or destination depending on the contractual terms), there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed and determinable and collection is reasonably assured.

 

Accrued Rebates.   We offer various rebates to our customers in exchange for their purchases. These rebate programs are individually negotiated with our customers and contain a variety of different terms and conditions. Certain rebates are calculated as flat percentages of purchases, while others include tiered volume incentives. These rebates may be payable monthly, quarterly, or annually. The calculation of the accrued rebate balance involves significant management estimates, especially where the terms of the rebate involve tiered volume levels that require estimates of expected annual sales. These provisions are based on estimates derived from current program requirements and historical experience. We use all available information when calculating these reserves. Our accrual for customer rebates was $53 million and $50 million as of the end of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Impairments of Long-Lived Assets.   In accordance with the guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets we review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount. We recognized non-cash asset impairment of long-lived assets of $2 million, $7 million and $5 million in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Goodwill and Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets.   We evaluate goodwill using a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit is less that the carrying amount. If we determine that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not

 

 16 

 

 

below its carrying amount, we evaluate the goodwill of that reporting unit using a two-step impairment test. Otherwise, we conclude that no impairment is indicated and we do not perform the two-step impairment test.

 

Prior to the November 2015 segment realignment, for purposes of conducting our annual goodwill assessment, we had six reporting units, Rigid Open Top, Rigid Closed Top, Engineered Materials, Flexible Packaging, Tapes and International. We determined that each of the components within our respective reporting units should be aggregated and tested at the respective level as one reporting unit. We reached this conclusion because within each of our reporting units, we have similar products, production processes, markets served or management oversight which allows us to share assets and resources across the components. We regularly re-align our production equipment and manufacturing facilities in order to take advantage of cost savings opportunities, obtain synergies and create manufacturing efficiencies. We utilize our research and development centers, design center, tool shops, and graphics center which all provide benefits to each of the reporting units and work on new products that can benefit multiple components. We also believe that the goodwill is recoverable from the overall operations of the unit given the similarity in production processes, synergies from leveraging the combined resources, common raw materials, common research and development, similar margins, management oversight and similar distribution methodologies. There were no indicators of impairment in the fourth quarter that required us to perform a test for the recoverability of goodwill.

 

In conducting a qualitative assessment, the Company analyzes a variety of events or factors that may influence the fair value of the reporting unit, including; changes in the carrying amount of the reporting unit; relevant market data for both the company and its peer companies; industry outlooks; macroeconomic conditions; liquidity; changes in key personnel; and the Company’s competitive position. Significant judgment is used to evaluate the totality of these events and factors to make the determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value.

 

We completed our qualitative screen as of the first date of the fourth fiscal quarter and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units was greater than the carrying value, thus it was not necessary to perform Step 1 for any of our reporting units during fiscal 2015. We reached this conclusion based on the increased valuations within the packaging industry and projected future operating results of our reporting units. The identified increased valuations within the plastics packaging industry is supported by the Company’s increase in stock price, market capitalization, and total enterprise value. Future declines in packaging market multiple, significant declines in operating performance, or significant declines in sales could impact future impairment tests or may require a more frequent assessment.

 

Goodwill as of September 26, 2015, by reporting unit, post segment realignment, is as follows:

 

   Goodwill as of
September 26,
2015
 
Consumer Packaging  $1,520 
Engineered Films   67 
Tapes   17 
Health, Hygiene & Specialties   48 
   $1,652 

 

We also performed our annual impairment test for fiscal 2015 of our indefinite lived intangible assets, which relates to the “Berry Plastics” trade name and totaled $207 million at September 26, 2015 and determined that no impairment existed. The fair value is estimated based on the income approach. Our forecasts included revenue growth consistent with our historical revenue growth assumptions and inflation. Similar to our goodwill, significant declines in our sales or operating performance could impact future impairment tests or may require a more frequent assessment.

 

Deferred Taxes and Effective Tax Rates.   We estimate the effective tax rates (“ETR”) and associated liabilities or assets for each of our legal entities of ours in accordance with authoritative guidance. We use tax planning to minimize or defer tax liabilities to future periods. In recording ETRs and related liabilities

 

 17 

 

 

and assets, we rely upon estimates, which are based upon our interpretation of U.S. and local tax laws as they apply to our legal entities and our overall tax structure. Audits by local tax jurisdictions, including the U.S. Government, could yield different interpretations from our own and cause the Company to owe more taxes than originally recorded. For interim periods, we accrue our tax provision at the ETR that we expect for the full year. As the actual results from our various businesses vary from our estimates earlier in the year, we adjust the succeeding interim periods’ ETRs to reflect our best estimate for the year-to-date results and for the full year. As part of the ETR, if we determine that a deferred tax asset arising from temporary differences is not likely to be utilized, we will establish a valuation allowance against that asset to record it at its expected realizable value. In multiple foreign jurisdictions, the Company believes that it will not generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the related tax benefits. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance against its foreign net operating losses included within the deferred tax assets in multiple foreign jurisdictions. The Company has not provided a valuation allowance on its federal net operating losses in the U.S. because it has cumulative income, federal taxable income, and has also determined that future reversals of its temporary taxable differences will occur in the same periods and are of the same nature as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. Changes in our valuation allowance could also impact our tax receivable agreement obligation. Our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $29 million and $56 million as of the end of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Based on a critical assessment of our accounting policies and the underlying judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies, we believe that our consolidated financial statements provide a meaningful and fair perspective of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. This is not to suggest that other risk factors such as changes in economic conditions, changes in material costs, our ability to pass through changes in material costs, and others could not materially adversely impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in future periods.

 

 18 

 

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BERRY PLASTICS GROUP, INC.

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 20
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 21
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of fiscal 2015 and 2014 22
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 23
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 24
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 25

 

 19 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. as of September 26, 2015, and September 27, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 26, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. at September 26, 2015, and September 27, 2014, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 26, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Berry Plastics Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 26, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission “(2013 framework)” and our report dated November 23, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

Indianapolis, Indiana

 

November 23, 2015, except for Notes 1, 2, 10, 13, and 17 as to which the date is May 2, 2016.

 

 20 

 

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in millions of dollars)

 

   Fiscal years ended 
   September 26,
 2015
   September 27,
2014
   September 28,
2013
 
Net sales  $4,881   $4,958   $4,647 
Costs and expenses:               
Cost of goods sold   4,012    4,190    3,835 
Selling, general and administrative   357    320    307 
Amortization of intangibles   91    102    105 
Restructuring and impairment charges   13    30    14 
Operating income   408    316    386 
Debt extinguishment   94    35    64 
Other expense (income), net   1    (7)   (7)
Interest expense, net   191    221    244 
Income before income taxes   122    67    85 
Income tax expense   36    4    28 
Consolidated net income   86    63    57 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests       1     
Net income attributable to the Company  $86   $62   $57 
Net income per share:               
Basic (see footnote 14)  $0.72   $0.53   $0.50 
Diluted (see footnote 14)  $0.70   $0.51   $0.48 

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in millions of dollars)

 

   Fiscal years ended 
   September 26,
 2015
   September 27,
2014
   September 28,
2013
 
Consolidated net income  $86   $63   $57 
Currency translation   (45)   (16)   (5)
Interest rate hedges   (33)   (3)   20 
Defined benefit pension and retiree health benefit plans   (16)   (11)   34 
Provision for income taxes related to other comprehensive income items   18    5    (20)
Comprehensive income   10    38    86 
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests       1     
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company  $10   $37   $86 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 21 

 

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in millions of dollars)

 

   September 26,
2015
   September 27,
2014
 
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $228   $129 
Accounts receivable, net   434    491 
Inventories   522    604 
Deferred income taxes   162    166 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   37    42 
Total current assets   1,383    1,432 
Property, plant and equipment, net   1,294    1,364 
Goodwill, intangible assets and deferred costs, net   2,349    2,455 
Other assets   2    1 
Total assets  $5,028   $5,252 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $330   $395 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   338    314 
Current portion of long-term debt   37    58 
Total current liabilities   705    767 
Long-term debt, less current portion   3,648    3,844 
Deferred income taxes   387    386 
Other long-term liabilities   341    356 
Total liabilities   5,081    5,353 
Commitments and contingencies        
Redeemable non-controlling interest   12    13 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):          
Common stock: (119.9 and 118.0 shares issued, respectively)   1    1 
Additional paid-in capital   406    367 
Non-controlling interest   3    3 
Accumulated deficit   (356)   (442)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (119)   (43)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)   (65)   (114)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)  $5,028   $5,252 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 22 

 

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

(in millions of dollars)

 

   Common
 Stock
   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   Notes
Receivable-
Common
Stock
   Non-
Controlling
Interest
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
   Accumulated
Deficit
   Total 
Balance at September 29, 2012  $1   $131   $(2)  $3   $(47)  $(561)  $(475)
Stock compensation expense       16                    16 
Repayment of note receivable           2                2 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock       27                    27 
Termination of redeemable shares       23                    23 
Proceeds from initial public offering       438                    438 
Obligation under tax receivable agreement       (313)                   (313)
Interest rate hedge, net of tax                   10        10 
Net income attributable to the Company                       57    57 
Currency translation                   (5)       (5)
Defined benefit pension and retiree health benefit plans, net of tax                   21        21 
Derivative amortization, net of tax                   3        3 
Balance at September 28, 2013  $1   $322   $   $3   $(18)  $(504)  $(196)
Stock compensation expense       15                    15 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock       17                    17 
Obligation under tax receivable agreement       13                    13 
Interest rate hedge, net of tax                   (2)       (2)
Net income attributable to the Company                       62    62 
Currency translation                   (16)       (16)
Defined benefit pension and retiree health benefit plans, net of tax                   (7)       (7)
Balance at September 27, 2014  $1   $367   $   $3   $(43)  $(442)  $(114)
Stock compensation expense       21                    21 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock       18                    18 
Interest rate hedge, net of tax                   (21)       (21)
Net income attributable to the Company                       86    86 
Currency translation                   (45)       (45)
Defined benefit pension and retiree health benefit plans, net of tax                   (10)       (10)
Balance at September 26, 2015  $1   $406   $   $3   $(119)  $(356)  $(65)

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 23 

 

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions of dollars)

 

   Fiscal years ended 
   September 26,
2015
   September 27,
2014
   September 28,
2013
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:               
Consolidated net income  $86   $63   $57 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests       1     
Net income attributable to the Company  $86   $62   $57 
Adjustments to reconcile net cash from operating activities:               
Depreciation   259    256    236 
Amortization of intangibles   91    102    105 
Non-cash interest expense   6    7    14 
Debt extinguishment   94    35    64 
Settlement of interest rate hedge           16 
Stock compensation expense   21    15    16 
Deferred income tax   26    (4)   22 
Impairment of long-lived assets   2    7    6 
Other non-cash items       (3)   (6)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:               
Accounts receivable, net   46    5    3 
Inventories   74    19    (43)
Prepaid expenses and other assets   (8)   (1)   15 
Accounts payable and other liabilities   (60)   30    (41)
Net cash from operating activities   637    530    464 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:               
Additions to property, plant and equipment   (180)   (215)   (239)
Proceeds from sale of assets   18    19    18 
Acquisitions of business, net of cash acquired   (3)   (226)   (24)
Net cash from investing activities   (165)   (422)   (245)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:               
Proceeds from long-term borrowings   693    1,627    1,391 
Repayment of long-term borrowings   (951)   (1,687)   (1,978)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock   18    17    27 
Payment of tax receivable agreement   (39)   (32)   (5)
Proceeds from initial public offering           438 
Repayment of notes receivable           2 
Debt financing costs   (86)   (44)   (39)
Net cash from financing activities   (365)   (119)   (164)
Effect of currency translation on cash   (8)   (2)    
Net change in cash and cash equivalents   99    (13)   55 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   129    142    87 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $228   $129   $142 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 24 

 

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in millions of dollars, except as otherwise noted)

 

1.Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Background

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. (“Berry,” “we,” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of value-added plastic consumer packaging and engineered materials with a track record of delivering high-quality customized solutions to our customers. Representative examples of our products include specialty closures, prescription vials, specialty films, adhesives, corrosion protection materials, and nonwovens, as well as drink cups, thin-wall containers, and bottles. We sell our products predominantly into stable, consumer-oriented end-markets, such as healthcare, personal care, and food and beverage.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Periods presented in these financial statements include fiscal periods ending September 26, 2015 (“fiscal 2015”), September 27, 2014 (“fiscal 2014”), and September 28, 2013 (“fiscal 2013”). Berry, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries operates in three primary segments: Consumer Packaging, Health, Hygiene & Specialties, and Engineered Materials. The Company’s customers are located principally throughout the United States, without significant concentration with any one customer. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. The Company’s fiscal year is based on fifty two week periods. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.

 

In November 2015, the Company reorganized into three operating segments: Consumer Packaging, Health, Hygiene & Specialties, and Engineered Materials. The Consumer Packaging segment consists of our historical Rigid Open Top and Rigid Closed Top segments, the food and consumer films business that was historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment, and the custom shrink films business that was historically reported in our Engineered Materials segment. The Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment includes the recently acquired Avintiv business, as well as the personal care films and international businesses that were historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment. The Engineered Materials segment includes the historical Engineered Materials segment excluding the custom shrink films business, and the converter films business that was historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Berry and its subsidiaries, all of which includes our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Where our ownership of consolidated subsidiaries is less than 100% the non-controlling interests are reflected in Non-controlling interest and Redeemable non-controlling interests.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue from the sales of products is recognized at the time title and risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed and determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Provisions for certain rebates, sales incentives, trade promotions, coupons, product returns and discounts to customers are accounted for as reductions in gross sales to arrive at net sales. In accordance with the Revenue Recognition standards of the Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification” or “ASC”), the Company provides for these items as reductions of revenue at the later of the date of the sale or the date the incentive is offered. These provisions are based on estimates derived from current program requirements and historical experience.

 

Shipping, handling, purchasing, receiving, inspecting, warehousing, and other costs of distribution are presented in Cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company classifies amounts charged to its customers for shipping and handling in Net sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Purchases of Raw Materials and Concentration of Risk

 

The largest supplier of the Company’s total resin material requirements represented approximately 21% of purchases in fiscal 2015. The Company uses a variety of suppliers to meet its resin requirements.

 

 25 

 

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. The Company incurred research and development expenditures of  $33 million, $32 million, and $28 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The compensation guidance of the FASB requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements based on alternative fair value models. The share-based compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The Company’s share-based compensation plan is more fully described in Note 12. The Company recorded total stock compensation expense of  $21 million, $15 million, and $16 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

In August 2013, the Company recorded an $8 million stock compensation charge related to certain modifications to prior Berry Plastics Incentive Plans, and amended outstanding non-qualified stock option agreements to reflect such modifications.

 

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of the stock options. The model allows for the use of a range of assumptions. Expected volatilities utilized in the Black-Scholes model are based on implied volatilities from traded stocks of peer companies. Similarly, the dividend yield is based on historical experience and the estimate of future dividend yields. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company’s options have a ten year contractual life. For purposes of the valuation model in fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company used the simplified method for determining the granted options expected lives. The fair value for options granted has been estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes model, with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

   Fiscal year 
   2015   2014   2013 
Risk-free interest rate   1.6%   1.3%   0.6%
Dividend yield   0.0%   0.0%   0.0%
Volatility factor   .30    .33    .38 
Expected option life   7 years    7 years    7 years 

 

Foreign Currency

 

For the non-U.S. subsidiaries that account in a functional currency other than U.S. Dollars, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars using period-end exchange rates. Sales and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the period. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are included as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity (deficit). Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

All highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less from the time of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company’s accounts receivable and related allowance for doubtful accounts are analyzed in detail on a quarterly basis and all significant customers with delinquent balances are reviewed to determine future collectability. The determinations are based on legal issues (such as bankruptcy status), past history, current financial and credit agency reports, and the experience of the credit representatives. Reserves are established

 

 26 

 

 

in the quarter in which the Company makes the determination that the account is deemed uncollectible. The Company maintains additional reserves based on its historical bad debt experience. The following table summarizes the activity for fiscal years ended for the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning  $3   $3   $3 
Bad debt expense   2        1 
Write-offs against allowance   (2)       (1)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending  $3   $3   $3 

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are valued using the first-in, first-out method. Management periodically reviews inventory balances, using recent and future expected sales to identify slow-moving and/or obsolete items. The cost of spare parts is charged to cost of goods sold when purchased. We evaluate our reserve for inventory obsolescence on a quarterly basis and review inventory on-hand to determine future salability. We base our determinations on the age of the inventory and the experience of our personnel. We reserve inventory that we deem to be not salable in the quarter in which we make the determination. We believe, based on past history and our policies and procedures, that our net inventory is salable. Our inventory reserves were $20 million and $19 million as of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively. Inventory as of fiscal 2015 and 2014 was:

 

   2015   2014 
Inventories:          
Finished goods  $309   $353 
Raw materials   213    251 
   $522   $604 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 15 to 25 years for buildings and improvements, 2 to 10 years for machinery, equipment, and tooling and over the term of the agreement for capital leases. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the lease term. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company capitalized interest of  $6 million, $6 million, and $5 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Property, plant and equipment as of fiscal 2015 and 2014 was:

 

   2015   2014 
Property, plant and equipment:          
Land, buildings and improvements  $367   $363 
Equipment and construction in progress   2,618    2,509 
    2,985    2,872 
Less accumulated depreciation   (1,691)   (1,508)
   $1,294   $1,364 

 

Long-lived Assets

 

Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and definite lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with the Property, plant and equipment standard of the ASC whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Specifically, this process involves comparing an asset’s carrying value to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining life. If this process were to result in the conclusion that the carrying value of a long-lived asset would not be recoverable, a write-down of the asset to fair value

 

 27 

 

 

 

would be recorded through a charge to operations. Fair value is determined based upon discounted cash flows or appraisals as appropriate. Long-lived assets that are held for sale are reported at the lower of the assets’ carrying amount or fair value less costs related to the assets’ disposition. We recorded impairment charges totaling $2 million, $7 million, and $5 million to write-down long-lived assets to their net realizable valuables during fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013 respectively.

 

Goodwill

 

The Company follows the principles provided by the Goodwill and Other Intangibles standard of the ASC. Goodwill is not amortized but rather tested annually for impairment. The Company performs their annual impairment assessment on the first day of the fourth quarter in each respective fiscal year. The Company has recognized cumulative charges for goodwill impairment of  $165 million which occurred in fiscal 2011. For purposes of conducting our annual goodwill impairment test prior to the November 2015 realignment, the Company determined that we had six reporting units, Open Top, Rigid Closed Top, Engineered Films, Flexible Packaging, International and Tapes. We determined that each of the components within our respective reporting units should be aggregated. We reached this conclusion because within each of our reporting units, we have similar products, management oversight, production processes and markets served which allow us to share assets and resources across the product lines. We regularly re-align our production equipment and manufacturing facilities in order to take advantage of cost savings opportunities, obtain synergies and create manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, we utilize our research and development centers, design center, tool shops, and graphics center which all provide benefits to each of the reporting units and work on new products that can benefit multiple product lines. We also believe that the goodwill is recoverable from the overall operations of the unit given the similarity in production processes, synergies from leveraging the combined resources, common raw materials, common research and development, similar margins and similar distribution methodologies. In fiscal year 2015, the Company applied the qualitative assessment and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying amount of each of their reporting units. The Company reached this conclusion based on the increased valuations within the packaging industry and projected future operating results and an increase in the Company’s common stock price, market capitalization and total enterprise value. In fiscal 2014, the Company applied the qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit may be less than the carrying amount, and concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded the carrying except for the Rigid Open Top reporting unit due to the decline in that units operating income. The Company completed step 1 in Fiscal 2014 of the impairment test which indicated no impairment existed for Rigid Open Top. In fiscal 2013, the Company applied the qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit may be less than the carrying amount and determined that no impairment was indicated and therefore did not perform a two-step impairment test.

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment are as follows:

 

   Consumer
Packaging
   Health,
Hygiene &
Specialties
   Engineered
Materials
   Total 
Balance as of fiscal 2013  $1,524   $27   $83   $1,634 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (2)       (2)   (4)
Acquisitions (realignment), net   2    22    5    29 
Balance as of fiscal 2014  $1,524   $49   $86   $1,659 
                     
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (5)   (2)   (2)   (9)
Acquisitions, net   1    1        2 
Balance as of fiscal 2015  $1,520   $48   $84   $1,652 

 

Deferred Financing Fees

 

Deferred financing fees are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the lives of the respective debt agreements. Pursuant to ASC 835-30 the Company presents $5 million of its debt issuance costs on the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt

 

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liability instead of a deferred charge. In addition, the remaining $4 million of deferred charges, which relate to the Company’s revolving line of credit, are presented in Goodwill, intangible assets and deferred costs, net.

 

Intangible Assets

 

Customer relationships are being amortized using an accelerated amortization method which corresponds with the customer attrition rates used in the initial valuation of the intangibles over the estimated life of the relationships which range from 11 to 20 years. Trademarks that are expected to remain in use, which are indefinite lived intangible assets, are required to be reviewed for impairment annually. Technology intangibles are being amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated life of the technology which is 11 years. License intangibles are being amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the license which is 10 years. Patent intangibles are being amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated life of the technology or the patent expiration date ranging from 10 to 20 years, with a weighted-average life of 15 years. The Company evaluates the remaining useful life of intangible assets on a periodic basis to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining useful life. We completed the annual impairment test of our indefinite lived trade names and noted no impairment.

 

   Customer
Relationships
   Trademarks   Other
Intangibles
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Total 
Balance as of fiscal 2013  $1,134   $283   $107   $(668)  $856 
Adjustment for income taxes   (2)       (1)       (3)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (3)   (1)   (2)   4    (2)
Amortization expense               (102)   (102)
Acquisition intangibles   38        5        43 
Balance as of fiscal 2014  $1,167   $282   $109   $(766)  $792 
                          
Adjustment for income taxes   (3)               (3)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (6)   (1)   (3)   4    (6)
Amortization expense               (91)   (91)
Acquisition intangibles   1                1 
Balance as of fiscal 2015  $1,159   $281   $106   $(853)  $693 

 

Insurable Liabilities

 

The Company records liabilities for the self-insured portion of workers’ compensation, health, product, general and auto liabilities. The determination of these liabilities and related expenses is dependent on claims experience. For most of these liabilities, claims incurred but not yet reported are estimated based upon historical claims experience.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequence of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or income tax returns. Income taxes are recognized during the period in which the underlying transactions are recorded. Deferred taxes, with the exception of non-deductible goodwill, are provided for temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities as recorded for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax laws. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset arising from temporary differences is not likely to be utilized, the Company will establish a valuation allowance against that asset to record it at its expected realizable value. The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by relevant taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company’s effective tax rate is dependent on many factors including:

 

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the impact of enacted tax laws in jurisdictions in which the Company operates; the amount of earnings by jurisdiction, due to varying tax rates in each country; and the Company’s ability to utilize foreign tax credits related to foreign taxes paid on foreign earnings that will be remitted to the U.S.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive losses include net unrealized gains or losses resulting from currency translations of foreign subsidiaries, changes in the value of our derivative instruments and adjustments to the pension liability.

 

The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (amounts below are net of taxes):

 

   Currency
Translation
   Defined Benefit
Pension and Retiree
Health Benefit Plans
   Interest
Rate
Hedges
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Balance as of fiscal 2012  $(15)  $(29)  $(3)  $(47)
Other comprehensive income (loss)   (5)   34    20    49 
Provision for income taxes       (13)   (7)   (20)
Balance as of fiscal 2013  $(20)  $(8)  $10   $(18)
Other comprehensive loss   (16)   (11)   (3)   (30)
Provision for income taxes       4    1    5 
Balance as of fiscal 2014  $(36)  $(15)  $8   $(43)
Other comprehensive loss   (45)   (16)   (33)   (94)
Provision for income taxes       6    12    18 
Balance as of fiscal 2015  $(81)  $(25)  $(13)  $(119)

 

Accrued Rebates

 

The Company offers various rebates to customers based on purchases. These rebate programs are individually negotiated with customers and contain a variety of different terms and conditions. Certain rebates are calculated as flat percentages of purchases, while others included tiered volume incentives. These rebates may be payable monthly, quarterly, or annually. The calculation of the accrued rebate balance involves significant management estimates, especially where the terms of the rebate involve tiered volume levels that require estimates of expected annual sales. These provisions are based on estimates derived from current program requirements and historical experience. The accrual for customer rebates was $53 million and $50 million at the end of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively and is included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.

 

Pension

 

Pension benefit costs include assumptions for the discount rate, retirement age, and expected return on plan assets. Retiree medical plan costs include assumptions for the discount rate, retirement age, and health-care-cost trend rates. Periodically, the Company evaluates the discount rate and the expected return on plan assets in its defined benefit pension and retiree health benefit plans. In evaluating these assumptions, the Company considers many factors, including an evaluation of the discount rates, expected return on plan assets and the health-care-cost trend rates of other companies; historical assumptions compared with actual results; an analysis of current market conditions and asset allocations; and the views of advisers.

 

Net Income Per Share

 

The Company calculates basic net income per share based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares. The Company calculates diluted net income per share based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares plus the effect of dilutive securities.

 

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Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make extensive use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of sales and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in results of operations in the period that the event or circumstances giving rise to such changes occur.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

Income Taxes

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11: Income Taxes (Topic 740), Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (“ASU 2013-11”). An entity is required to present unrecognized tax benefits as a decrease in a net operating loss, similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward if certain criteria are met. The determination of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and the deferred tax asset that exists at the reporting date and presumes disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. The guidance will eliminate the diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits but will not alter the way in which entities assess deferred tax assets for realizability. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued a final standard on revenue recognition. Under the new standard, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In order to do so, an entity would follow the five-step process for in-scope transactions: 1) identify the contract with a customer, 2) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract, 3) determine the transaction price, 4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. For public entities, the provisions of the new standard are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. Early adoption for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 is permitted. An entity can apply the new revenue standard retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application in retained earnings. There are areas within the standard that are currently under review and reconsideration by the FASB, which could lead to future updates to the standard. As the outcomes of this process could lead to changes to the standard, we are still in the process of determining our approach to the adoption of this new standard, and the anticipated impact to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Classification of Debt Issuance Costs

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This standard amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, but early adoption is permitted. The Company has elected to early adopt this guidance. The effects of the adoption for fiscal years ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014, were a $5 million and $16 million, respectively, reduction of Goodwill, intangible assets, and deferred costs, net and Long-term debt, less current portion on the consolidated balance sheets by amounts classified as deferred costs.

 

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Inventory

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory to simplify the guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, excluding inventory measured using last-in, first out or the retail inventory method. Under the new standard, inventory should be at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the effect this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but do not expect the standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

Business Combinations

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805) — Simplifying the accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment (including the impact on prior periods) be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. Entities should present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the footnotes the portion of the measurement period adjustment recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the effect this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but do not expect the standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

2.Acquisition

 

Graphic Flexible Packaging LLC’s Flexible Plastics and Films

 

In September 2013, the Company acquired Graphic Flexible Packaging LLC’s flexible plastics and films business (“Graphic Plastics”) for a purchase price of  $61 million, net of cash acquired. Graphic Plastics is a producer of wraps, films, pouches, and bags for the food, medical, industrial, personal care, and pet food markets. The Graphic Plastics medical and personal care business is operated in the Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment, the food business is operated in the Consumer Packaging segment, and the remaining business is operated in the Engineered Materials segment. To finance the purchase, the Company used existing liquidity. The Graphic Plastics acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities consisted of working capital of  $8 million, property and equipment of  $18 million, intangible assets of  $25 million, goodwill of  $14 million and other long-term liabilities of  $4 million.

 

Qingdao P&B Co., Ltd

 

In January 2014, the Company acquired the controlling interest (75%) of Qingdao P&B Co., Ltd (“P&B”) for a purchase price of  $35 million, net of cash acquired. P&B utilizes thermoform, injection, and automated assembly manufacturing processes to produce products for multiple markets across China as well as globally, most predominately serving the food and personal care markets. P&B is operated in the Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment. To finance the purchase, the Company used existing liquidity. The P&B acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date. As part of the P&B acquisition, the non-controlling interest holder has a put option, and the Company has a call option on the remaining 25% interest in P&B that becomes effective three years from the date of purchase. Upon execution of the put or call option, the purchase price for the remaining equity interest will be determined based on the fair value at the date of execution. The non-controlling interest of P&B is recorded in Redeemable non-controlling interest and will be carried at fair value with adjustments in the fair value being recorded in Additional paid-in capital. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities consisted of working capital of  $9 million, property and equipment of  $24 million, intangible assets of  $11 million, goodwill of  $10 million, other long-term liabilities of  $4 million and Redeemable non-controlling interest of  $13 million.

 

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Rexam Healthcare Containers and Closures

 

In June 2014, the Company acquired Rexam’s C&C for a purchase price of  $133 million, net of cash acquired. The C&C business produces bottles, closures and specialty products for pharmaceutical and over-the-counter applications. Facilities located in the U.S. are operated in the Consumer Packaging segment, and locations outside the U.S. are operated in the Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment. To finance the purchase, the Company used existing liquidity. The C&C acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities consisted of working capital of  $32 million, property and equipment of  $85 million, non-current deferred tax asset of  $3 million, intangible assets of  $9 million, goodwill of  $7 million, and other long-term liabilities of  $3 million.

 

3.Long-Term Debt

 

Revolving Line of Credit

 

In May 2015, the Company amended the credit agreement relating to its existing $650 million secured revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility from June 2016 to May 2020 and to reduce interest margins and certain commitment fees.

 

518% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes

 

In June 2015, the Company issued $700 million of 518% second priority senior secured notes due July 2023. Interest on the 518% second priority senior secured notes is due semi-annually on January 15 and July 15. Proceeds from the issuance and existing liquidity were used to satisfy and discharge all of the outstanding 934% second priority senior secured notes. The Company recognized a $94 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $83 million of early tender and redemption costs and an $11 million write-off of deferred financing fees.

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

   Maturity
Date
  September 26,
2015
   September 27,
2014
 
Term loan  February 2020  $1,369   $1,383 
Term loan  January 2021   1,019    1,122 
Revolving line of credit  May 2020        
518% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes   July 2023   700     
512% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes   May 2022   500    500 
934% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes   Retired       800 
Debt discounts and deferred fees      (29)   (36)
Capital leases and other  Various   126    133 
Total long-term debt      3,685    3,902 
Current portion of long-term debt      (37)   (58)
Long-term debt, less current portion     $3,648   $3,844 

 

Berry Plastics Corporation Senior Secured Credit Facility

 

Our wholly owned subsidiary Berry Plastics Corporation’s senior secured credit facilities consist of $2.4 billion of term loans and a $650 million asset-based revolving line of credit. The availability under the revolving line of credit is the lesser of  $650 million or based on a defined borrowing base which is calculated based on available accounts receivable and inventory.

 

The borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, as determined at the Company’s option, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of  (1) the prime rate of Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent, in the case of

 

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the term loan facility or Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, in the case of the revolving credit facility and (2) the U.S. federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1% or (b) LIBOR determined by reference to the costs of funds for eurodollar deposits in dollars in the London interbank market for the interest period relevant to such borrowing Bank Compliance for certain additional costs. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate borrowings under the revolving credit facility range from 1.25% to 1.75%, term loan maturing in January 2021 is 2.75% annum with a LIBOR floor of 1.00% and the term loan maturing in February 2020 is 2.50% per annum with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%.

 

In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the senior secured credit facilities, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the revolving credit facilities in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder at a rate equal to 0.25% to 0.325% per annum depending on the average daily available unused borrowing capacity. The Company also pays a customary letter of credit fee, including a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum of the stated amount of each outstanding letter of credit, and customary agency fees.

 

The term loan facility requires minimum quarterly principal payments of  $4 million, with the remaining amount payable upon maturity. The Company may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the senior secured credit facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to eurodollar loans. In October 2014, the Company elected to make a voluntary one-time $100 million principal payment on the $1 billion outstanding term loan, using existing liquidity. The senior secured credit facilities contain various restrictive covenants that, among other things and subject to specified exceptions, prohibit the Company from prepaying other indebtedness, and restrict its ability to incur indebtedness or liens, make investments or declare or pay any dividends. All obligations under the senior secured credit facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and, subject to certain exceptions, each of the Company’s existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries. The guarantees of those obligations are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets as well as those of each domestic subsidiary guarantor.

 

Our fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the revolving credit facility, is calculated based on a numerator consisting of adjusted EBITDA less pro forma adjustments, income taxes paid in cash and capital expenditures, and a denominator consisting of scheduled principal payments in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money, interest expense and certain distributions. We are obligated to sustain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 under the revolving credit facility at any time when the aggregate unused capacity under the revolving credit facility is less than 10% of the lesser of the revolving credit facility commitments and the borrowing base (and for 10 business days following the date upon which availability exceeds such threshold) or during the continuation of an event of default. At the end of fiscal 2015, the Company had unused borrowing capacity of  $471 million under the revolving credit facility and thus was not subject to the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant. Our fixed charge ratio was 2.9 to 1.0 at the end of fiscal 2015.

 

Despite not having financial maintenance covenants, our debt agreements contain certain negative covenants. The failure to comply with these negative covenants could restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, effect acquisitions, enter into certain significant business combinations, make distributions or redeem indebtedness. The term loan facility contains a negative covenant first lien secured leverage ratio covenant of 4.0 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis for a proposed transaction, such as an acquisition or incurrence of additional first lien debt. Our first lien secured leverage ratio was 2.8 to 1.0 at the end of fiscal 2015.

 

Future maturities of long-term debt as of fiscal year end 2015 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year  Maturities 
2016  $37 
2017   35 
2018   35 
2019   33 
2020   1,332 
Thereafter   2,242 
   $3,714 

 

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Interest paid was $191 million, $214 million, and $245 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

4.Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

 

As part of the overall risk management, the Company uses derivative instruments to reduce exposure to changes in interest rates attributed to the Company’s floating-rate borrowings. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. To the extent hedging relationships are found to be effective, as determined by FASB guidance, changes in fair value of the derivatives are offset by changes in the fair value of the related hedged item are recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Management believes hedge effectiveness is evaluated properly in preparation of the financial statements, and did not identify any hedge ineffectiveness related to the interest rate swaps recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the current period.

 

Cash Flow Hedging Strategy

 

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The categorization of the framework used to price these derivative instruments is considered a Level 3, due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value.

 

In February 2013, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to protect $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt from future interest rate volatility. The agreement swapped the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed annual rate of 2.355%, with an effective date in May 2016 and expiration in May 2019. In June 2013, the Company elected to settle this derivative instrument and received $16 million as a result of this settlement. The offset is included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and Deferred income taxes and will be amortized to Interest expense from May 2016 through May 2019, the original term of the swap agreement.

 

In March 2014, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to manage cash flow variability associated with $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt. The agreement swaps the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed annual rate of 2.59%, with an effective date in February 2016 and expiration in February 2019. The Company records changes in fair value in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

In September 2015, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to protect $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt from future interest rate volatility. The agreement swapped the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed annual rate of 1.7185%, with an effective date in December 2015 and expiration in June 2019. The Company records changes in fair value in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

   Liability Derivatives
   Balance Sheet Location  2015   2014 
Interest rate swaps  Other long-term liabilities  $36   $3 

 

The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures section of the ASC defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, and establishes a framework for measuring fair value. This section also establishes a three-level hierarchy (Level 1, 2, or 3) for fair value measurements based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. This section also requires the consideration of the counterparty’s or the Company’s nonperformance risk when assessing fair value.

 

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The Company’s interest rate swap fair values were determined using Level 2 inputs as other significant observable inputs were not available.

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, long-term debt, interest rate swap agreements and capital lease obligations. The book value of our long-term indebtedness exceeded fair value by $55 million as of fiscal 2015, while conversely, its fair value exceeded book value by $86 million as of fiscal 2014. The Company’s long-term debt fair values were determined using Level 2 inputs as other significant observable inputs were not available.

 

Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis under the circumstances and events described in Note 1 and Note 10. The assets are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values exceed the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered Level 3, due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value (see Note 1 and 10 for additional discussion). These assets include primarily our definite lived and indefinite lived intangible assets, including Goodwill and our property plant and equipment. The Company reviews Goodwill and other indefinite lived assets for impairment as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter each year, and more frequently if impairment indicators exist. The Company determined Goodwill and other indefinite lived assets were not impaired in our annual fiscal 2014 assessment and no impairment indicators existed in the current quarter.

 

Included in the following tables are the major categories of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis along with the impairment loss recognized on the fair value measurement for the fiscal years then ended.

 

   As of the end of fiscal 2015 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total   Impairment 
Indefinite-lived trademarks  $   $   $207   $207   $ 
Goodwill           1,652    1,652     
Definite lived intangible assets           486    486     
Property, plant, and equipment           1,294    1,294    2 
Total  $   $   $3,639   $3,639   $2 

 

   As of the end of fiscal 2014 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total   Impairment 
Indefinite-lived trademarks  $   $   $207   $207   $ 
Goodwill           1,659    1,659     
Definite lived intangible assets           585    585     
Property, plant, and equipment           1,364    1,364    7 
Total  $   $   $3,815   $3,815   $7 

 

   As of the end of fiscal 2013 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total   Impairment 
Indefinite-lived trademarks  $   $   $207   $207   $ 
Goodwill           1,634    1,634     
Definite lived intangible assets           649    649    5 
Property, plant, and equipment           1,266    1,266     
Total  $   $   $3,756   $3,756   $5 

 

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Valuation of Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

 

ASC Topic 350 requires the Company to test goodwill for impairment at least annually. The Company conducts the impairment test on the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter, unless indications of impairment exist during an interim period. When assessing its goodwill for impairment, the Company utilizes a comparable company market approach in combination with a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of their reporting units and corroborate the fair values. The Company utilizes a relief from royalty method to value their indefinite lived trademarks and uses the forecasts that are consistent with those used in the reporting unit analysis. The Company’s reporting units are more fully discussed in Note 1. In fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 the Company determined no impairment existed. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges on the indefinite lived intangible assets in any of the years presented.

 

Valuation of Property, Plant and Equipment and Definite Lived Intangible Assets

 

The Company periodically realigns their manufacturing operations which results in facilities being closed and shut down and equipment transferred to other facilities or equipment being scrapped or sold. The Company utilizes appraised values to corroborate the fair value of the facilities and has utilized a scrap value based on prior facility shut downs to estimate the fair value of the equipment, which has approximated the actual value that was received. When impairment indicators exist, the Company will also perform an undiscounted cash flow analysis to determine the recoverability of the Company’s long-lived assets. The Company incurred an impairment charges of  $2 million and $7 million related to property, plant and equipment in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company did not incur an impairment charge related to property, plant and equipment in fiscal 2013. The Company did not incur an impairment charge on definite lived intangible assets in fiscal 2015 or 2014. The Company did recognize an impairment charge of  $5 million on definite lived intangible assets related to the decision to exit certain businesses during fiscal 2013.

 

5.Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Deferred Costs

 

The following table sets forth the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s goodwill, intangible assets and deferred costs as of the fiscal year end:

 

   2015   2014   Amortization Period
Deferred financing fees – revolving line of credit  $4   $8   Effective Interest Method
Accumulated amortization       (4)   
Deferred financing fees, net   4    4    
Goodwill   1,652    1,659   Indefinite lived
Customer relationships   1,159    1,167   11 – 20 years
Trademarks (indefinite lived)   207    207   Indefinite lived
Trademarks (definite lived)   74    75   8 – 15 years
Other intangibles   106    109   10 – 20 years
Accumulated amortization   (853)   (766)   
Intangible assets, net   693    792    
Total goodwill, intangible assets and deferred costs  $2,349   $2,455    

 

Future amortization expense for definite lived intangibles as of fiscal 2015 for the next five fiscal years is $84 million, $72 million, $55 million, $50 million and $46 million each year for fiscal years ending 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively.

 

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6.Lease and Other Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company leases certain property, plant and equipment under long-term lease agreements. Property, plant, and equipment under capital leases are reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as owned. The Company entered into new capital lease obligations totaling $29 million, $45 million, and $49 million during fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, with various lease expiration dates through 2025. The Company records amortization of capital leases in Cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Assets under operating leases are not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet. Operating leases expire at various dates in the future with certain leases containing renewal options. The Company had minimum lease payments or contingent rentals of  $24 million and $24 million and asset retirement obligations of  $8 million and $7 million as of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. Total rental expense from operating leases was $53 million, $54 million, and $53 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

Future minimum lease payments for capital leases and non-cancellable operating leases with initial terms in excess of one year as of fiscal year end 2015 are as follows:

 

   Capital Leases   Operating Leases 
2016  $28   $50 
2017   25    46 
2018   23    39 
2019   21    34 
2020   21    28 
Thereafter   24    137 
    142   $334 
Less: amount representing interest   (16)     
Present value of net minimum lease payments  $126      

 

The Company has entered into a series of sale-leaseback transactions, pursuant to which it sold certain facilities and is leasing these facilities back. The Company has a total deferred gain on these sale-leaseback transactions of  $28 million and is amortizing this over the respective lease of the facility.

 

Litigation

 

In July 2012, Berry Plastics Corporation (“BPC”) was sued by a customer for breach of contract, breach of express warranty, and breach of implied warranties. The customer alleged that in December 2007 and January 2008 BPC supplied the customer with defective woven polypropylene fabric used to manufacture containers that it then sold to its customers. In November 2015, a jury rendered a judgment in favor of the customer which is immaterial to the Company. The Company intends to appeal the judgment and file certain post-trial motions. While we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, management expects any final judgment against BPC to be covered by insurance maintained by the Company.

 

The Company is party to various legal proceedings in addition to the above involving routine claims which are incidental to its business. Although the Company’s legal and financial liability with respect to such proceedings cannot be estimated with certainty, the Company believes that any ultimate liability would not be material to its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has various purchase commitments for raw materials, supplies and property and equipment incidental to the ordinary conduct of business.

 

Collective Bargaining Agreements

 

At the end of fiscal 2015, we employed approximately 16,000 employees, and approximately 12% of those employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. There are four agreements, representing approximately 56% of union employees, due for renegotiation in fiscal 2016. The remaining agreements expire after fiscal 2016. Our relations with employees under collective bargaining agreements remain satisfactory and there have been no significant work stoppages or other labor disputes during the past three years.

 

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7.Accrued Expenses, Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities

 

The following table sets forth the totals included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of fiscal year end.

 

   2015   2014 
Employee compensation, payroll, and other taxes  $102   $91 
Interest   38    44 
Rebates   53    50 
Property taxes   13    13 
Restructuring   10    13 
Tax receivable agreement obligation   57    39 
Other   65    64 
   $338   $314 

 

The following table sets forth the totals included in Other long-term liabilities as of fiscal year end.

 

   2015   2014 
Lease retirement obligation  $32   $31 
Sale-lease back deferred gain   28    30 
Pension liability   57    45 
Tax receivable agreement obligation   175    234 
Interest rate swaps   36    3 
Other   13    13 
   $341   $356 

 

8.Income Taxes

 

The Company is being taxed at the U.S. corporate level as a C-Corporation and has provided U.S. Federal, State and foreign income taxes.

 

Significant components of income tax expense for the fiscal years ended are as follows:

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Current:               
United States               
Federal  $  —       $ — 
State   3    5    2 
Non-U.S.   7    3    4 
Current income tax provision   10    8    6 
Deferred:               
United States               
Federal   31    3    26 
State   (4)   (5)   (3)
Non-U.S.   (1)   (2)   (1)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)   26    (4)   22 
Expense for income taxes  $36   $4   $28 

 

U.S. income from continuing operations before income taxes was $99 million, $58 million, and $77 million for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Non-U.S. income from continuing operations before income taxes was $23 million, $9 million, and $8 million for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

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The reconciliation between U.S. Federal income taxes at the statutory rate and the Company’s benefit for income taxes on continuing operations for fiscal year end is follows:

 

   2015   2014   2013 
U.S. Federal income tax expense at the statutory rate  $43   $23   $29 
Adjustments to reconcile to the income tax provision:               
U.S. State income tax expense   7    5    (1)
Changes in state valuation allowance   (7)        
Research and development credits   (5)   (20)    
Permanent differences       (2)    
Changes in foreign valuation allowance       1    1 
Rate differences between U.S. and foreign   (2)   (1)   (2)
APB 23       (1)    
Other       (1)   1 
Expense for income taxes  $36   $4   $28 

 

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes. The components of the net deferred income tax liability as of fiscal year end are as follows:

 

   2015   2014 
Deferred tax assets:          
Allowance for doubtful accounts  $3   $3 
Deferred gain on sale-leaseback   12    13 
Accrued liabilities and reserves   84    58 
Inventories   9    10 
Net operating loss carryforward   130    248 
Alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryforward   9    9 
Research and development credit carryforward   22    22 
Federal and state tax credits   7    13 
Other   3    9 
Total deferred tax assets   279    385 
Valuation allowance   (29)   (56)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance   250    329 
Deferred tax liabilities:          
Property, plant and equipment   137    157 
Intangible assets   256    279 
Debt extinguishment   79    107 
Other   3    6 
Total deferred tax liabilities   475    549 
Net deferred tax liability  $(225)  $(220)

 

In the U.S. the Company had $361 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards as of fiscal 2015, which will be available to offset future taxable income. As of fiscal year end 2015, the Company had state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of  $684 million and $52 million, respectively, which will be available to offset future taxable income. If not used, the federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire in future years beginning 2025 through 2031. AMT credit carryforwards totaling $9 million are available to the Company indefinitely to reduce future years’ federal income taxes. The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire in future years beginning in 2015 through 2033. The Company has $22 million

 

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and $7 million of federal and state Research and Development tax credits, respectively, that will expire in future years beginning 2027 through 2034. In addition, the Company has $4 million of other state tax credits that will expire in future years beginning in 2016 through 2020.

 

In connection with the initial public offering, the Company entered into an income tax receivable agreement that provides for the payment to pre-initial public offering stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights, 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income tax that are actually realized (or are deemed to be realized in the case of a change of control) as a result of the utilization of our and our subsidiaries’ net operating losses attributable to periods prior to the initial public offering. Based on the Company’s assumptions using various items, including valuation analysis and current tax law, the Company recorded an obligation of  $313 million which was recognized as a reduction of Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company made payments of  $39 million, $32 million, and $5 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The balance at the end of fiscal 2015 was $232 million, and the Company made its fiscal year 2016 payment of $57 million in October 2015.

 

The Company believes that it will not generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the tax benefits in certain foreign jurisdictions related to the deferred tax assets. The Company also has certain state net operating losses that may expire before they are fully utilized. Therefore, the Company has provided a full valuation allowance against certain of its foreign deferred tax assets and a valuation allowance against certain of its state deferred tax assets included within the deferred tax assets.

 

Prior changes in ownership have created limitations under Sec. 382 of the Internal Revenue Code on annual usage of net operating loss carryforwards. However, all of the Company’s Federal net operating loss carryforwards should be available for use within the next five years. As part of the effective tax rate calculation, if we determine that a deferred tax asset arising from temporary differences is not likely to be utilized, we will establish a valuation allowance against that asset to record it at its expected realizable value. The Company has not provided a valuation allowance on its federal net operating loss carryforwards in the U.S. because it has cumulative income, federal taxable income and has also determined that future reversals of its temporary taxable differences will occur in the same periods and are of the same nature as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $29 million and $56 million as of fiscal year end 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the foreign and U.S. state operations. The Company paid cash taxes of  $9 million, $7 million, and $3 million in fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

Uncertain Tax Positions

 

We adopted the provisions of the Income Taxes standard of the Codification. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with guidance provided by FASB and prescribes a recognition threshold of more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Our policy to include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes did not change.

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal year end:

 

   2015   2014 
Beginning unrecognized tax benefits  $14   $14 
Gross increases – tax positions in prior periods       2 
Gross increases – current period tax positions   1    1 
Settlements   (1)   (2)
Lapse of statute of limitations   (1)   (1)
Ending unrecognized tax benefits  $13   $14 

 

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate was $7 million and $8 million for fiscal year end 2015 and 2014.

 

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As of fiscal year end 2015, we had $2 million accrued for payment of interest and penalties related to our uncertain tax positions. Our penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions are included in income tax expense.

 

We and our subsidiaries are routinely examined by various taxing authorities. Although we file U.S. federal, U.S. state, and foreign tax returns, our major tax jurisdiction is the U.S. The IRS has completed an examination of our 2003, 2010 and 2011 tax years. Our 2004 – 2009, 2012 and 2013 tax years remain subject to examination by the IRS. There are various other on-going audits in various other jurisdictions that are not material to our financial statements.

 

As of the end of fiscal 2015, we had unremitted earnings from foreign subsidiaries that are permanently reinvested for continued use in foreign operations, accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal or state income taxes has been provided thereon. If distributed, those earnings would result in additional income tax expense at approximately the U.S. statutory rate. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practicable due to the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation.

 

9.Retirement Plan

 

The Company maintains four defined benefit pension plans which cover certain manufacturing facilities. The Company also maintains a retiree health plan, which covers certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees and their spouses. Each of the four defined benefit plans and the retiree health plan are frozen plans. The Company uses fiscal year end as a measurement date for the retirement plans.

 

The Company sponsors two defined contribution 401(k) retirement plans covering substantially all employees. Contributions are based upon a fixed dollar amount for employees who participate and percentages of employee contributions at specified thresholds. Contribution expense for these plans was $7 million, $8 million, and $7 million for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

The projected benefit obligations of the Company’s plans presented herein are equal to the accumulated benefit obligations of such plans. The tables below exclude the obligations related to the foreign plans, which carry immaterial balances. The net amount of liability recognized is included in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

   Defined Benefit Pension Plans   Retiree Health Plan 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Change in Projected Benefit Obligations (PBO)                    
PBO at beginning of period  $192   $178   $2   $2 
Service cost   1             
Interest cost   8    8         
Actuarial loss (gain)   11    15         
Benefit settlements   (9)            
Benefits paid   (10)   (9)        
PBO at end of period  $193   $192   $2   $2 
                     
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets                    
Plan assets at beginning of period  $154   $141   $   $ 
Actual return on plan assets   3    15         
Company contributions   4    7         
Benefit settlements   (9)            
Benefits paid   (10)   (9)        
Plan assets at end of period   142    154         
Net amount recognized  $(51)  $(38)  $(2)  $(2)

 

At the end of fiscal 2015 the Company had $45 million of net unrealized losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company expects $2 million to be realized in fiscal 2016, and the remaining to be recognized over the next 13 fiscal years.

 

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The following table presents significant weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation and benefit cost for the fiscal years ended:

 

   Defined Benefit Pension Plans   Retiree Health Plan 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
(Percents)                    
Weighted-average assumptions:                    
Discount rate for benefit obligation   4.0    4.0    3.0    2.9 
Discount rate for net benefit cost   4.0    4.5    2.9    3.1 
Expected return on plan assets for net benefit costs   7.25    8.0    N/A    N/A 

 

In evaluating the expected return on plan assets, Berry considered its historical assumptions compared with actual results, an analysis of current market conditions, asset allocations, and the views of advisors. The return on plan assets is derived from target allocations and historical yield by asset type. Health-care-cost trend rates were assumed to increase at an annual rate of 7.0%. A one-percentage-point change in these assumed health care cost trend rates would not have a material impact on our postretirement benefit obligation.

 

In accordance with the guidance from the FASB for employers’ disclosure about postretirement benefit plan assets the table below discloses fair values of each pension plan asset category and level within the fair value hierarchy in which it falls. There were no material changes or transfers between level 3 assets and the other levels.

 

Fiscal 2015 Asset Category  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Cash and cash equivalents  $8   $ —   $ —   $8 
U.S. large cap comingled equity funds       37        37 
U.S. mid cap equity mutual funds   24            24 
U.S. small cap equity mutual funds   2            2 
International equity mutual funds   6            6 
Real estate equity investment funds   3            3 
Corporate bond mutual funds   21            21 
Corporate bonds       31        31 
Guaranteed investment account           10    10 
Total  $64   $68   $10   $142 
                     
Fiscal 2014 Asset Category  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Cash and cash equivalents  $7   $ —   $ —   $7 
U.S. large cap comingled equity funds       47        47 
U.S. mid cap equity mutual funds   27            27 
U.S. small cap equity mutual funds   6            6 
International equity mutual funds   10            10 
Real estate equity investment funds   3            3 
Corporate bond mutual funds   28            28 
Corporate bonds       15        15 
Guaranteed investment account           11    11 
Total  $81   $62   $11   $154 

 

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The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid for the fiscal year end:

 

   Defined Benefit
Pension Plans
   Retiree
Health Plan
 
2016  $10   $ 
2017   10     
2018   10     
2019   10     
2020   11     
2021 – 2025   56    1 

 

Net pension and retiree health benefit expense included the following components as of fiscal year end:

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans               
Service cost  $1   $   $ 
Interest cost   8    8    7 
Amortization   1        3 
Settlement charge   2         
Expected return on plan assets   (12)   (11)   (10)
Net periodic benefit cost  $   $(3)  $ 

 

Our defined benefit pension plan asset allocations as of fiscal year end are as follows:

 

   2015   2014 
Asset Category          
Equity securities and equity-like instruments   51%   60%
Debt securities and debt-like   37    28 
Other   12    12 
Total   100%   100%

 

The Company’s retirement plan assets are invested with the objective of providing the plans the ability to fund current and future benefit payment requirements while minimizing annual Company contributions. The retirement plans held $17 million of the Company’s stock at the end of fiscal 2015. The Company re-addresses the allocation of its investments on a regular basis.

 

10.Restructuring and Impairment Charges

 

The Company has announced various restructuring plans in the last three fiscal years which included shutting down facilities in all four of the Company’s operating segments. In all instances, the majority of the operations from rationalized facilities was transferred to other facilities within the respective division.

 

During fiscal 2013, the Company made the decision to exit certain operations in the Engineered Materials division. This decision resulted in a non-cash impairment charges of  $6 million related to certain intangible assets deemed to have no further value recorded in Restructuring and impairment charges on the Consolidated Statement of Income. The exited businesses were immaterial to the Company and the Engineered Materials segment.

 

During fiscal 2014, the Company initiated a cost reduction plan designed to deliver meaningful cost savings and improved equipment utilization. The Company announced the intention to shut down four facilities, three in the Consumer Packaging division, and one in the Engineered Materials division. The affected Consumer Packaging and Engineered Materials businesses accounted for approximately $153 million and $9 million of annual net sales, respectively.

 

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During fiscal 2015, the Company announced the intention to shut down two facilities, one each in the Consumer Packaging and Engineered Materials divisions. The affected Consumer Packaging and Engineered Materials businesses accounted for approximately $24 million and $16 million of annual net sales, respectively.

 

Since 2013, total expected costs attributed to restructuring programs total $60 million with $3 million remaining to be recognized in the future.

 

   Expected Total
Costs
   Cumulative charges
through Fiscal 2015
   To be
Recognized in Future
 
Severance and termination benefits  $18   $18   $ — 
Facility exit costs   27    24    3 
Asset impairment   15    15     
Total  $60   $57   $3 

 

The tables below sets forth the significant components of the restructuring charges recognized for the fiscal years ended, by segment:

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Consumer Packaging  $11   $24   $5 
Health, Hygiene & Specialties            
Engineered Materials   2    6    9 
Consolidated  $13   $30   $14 

 

The table below sets forth the activity with respect to the restructuring accrual:

 

   Employee
Severance and
Benefits
   Facility
Exit Costs
   Non-cash
charges
   Total 
Balance as of fiscal 2013  $2    2        4 
Charges   9    14    7    30 
Non-cash asset impairment           (7)   (7)
Cash payments   (6)   (8)       (14)
Balance as of fiscal 2014  $5   $8   $   $13 
                     
Charges   4    7    2    13 
Non-cash asset impairment           (2)   (2)
Cash payments   (7)   (7)       (14)
Balance as of fiscal 2015  $2   $8   $ —   $10 

 

11.Related Party Transactions

 

In connection with the term loan refinancing entered into in January 2014, the Company paid a $1 million underwriting fee to Apollo Global Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Apollo that served as a manager of the offering.

 

The Company made payments related to the income tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) of  $39 million in October 2014 and $32 million in October 2013, of which Apollo Global Management, LLC received $33 million and $28 million, respectively. Mr. Robert V. Seminara, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, has been employed by Apollo since 2003.

 

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12.Stockholders’ Equity

 

Equity Incentive Plans

 

In fiscal 2015, the Company adopted the 2015 Berry Plastics Group, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”) to align its incentive plans with plans of similar public companies by permitting for, among other things, the issuance of performance-based awards. The 2015 Plan authorized the issuance of 7,500,000 shares, an increase of approximately 5 million over the remaining available for grant at the time of adoption. As of the adoption of the 2015 Plan, no shares were permitted to be issued any other previous Incentive Plans.

 

The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of  $21 million, $15 million, and $16 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013. The intrinsic value of options exercised in fiscal 2015 was $41 million.

 

Information related to the equity incentive plans as of the fiscal year end is as follows:

 

   2015   2014 
   Number Of
Shares
(in thousands)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Number Of
Shares
(in thousands)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Options outstanding, beginning of period   10,504   $13.13    10,035   $9.96 
Options granted   2,839    28.78    2,727    21.02 
Options exercised   (1,929)   9.07    (2,137)   8.19 
Options forfeited or cancelled   (63)   17.59    (121)   15.20 
Options outstanding, end of period   11,351   $17.71    10,504   $13.13 
Option price range at end of period  $3.04 − 33.91        $ 3.04 − 22.95      
Options exercisable at end of period   4,786         5,098      
Options available for grant at period end   7,500         5,349      
Weighted average fair value of options granted during period  $9.51        $7.53      

 

The fair value for options granted has been estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes model, generally with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Risk-free interest rate   1.6%   1.3%   .6%
Dividend yield   0.00%   0.00%   0.00%
Volatility factor   .30    .33    .38 
Expected option life   7 years     7 years     7 years 

 

The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding as of fiscal 2015:

 

Range of Exercise
Prices
  Number
Outstanding
   Intrinsic
Value of
Outstanding
   Weighted
Remaining
Contractual
Life
  Weighted
Exercise
Price
   Number
Exercisable
   Intrinsic
Value of
Exercisable
   Unrecognized
Compensation
   Weighted
Recognition
Period
 
$3.04 – 33.91   11,351   $143   8 years  $17.71    4,786   $92   $25    2 years 

 

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13.Segment and Geographic Data

 

Berry’s operations are organized into three reportable segments: Consumer Packaging, Health, Hygiene & Specialties, and Engineered Materials. The Company has manufacturing and distribution centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, France, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Malaysia, India, China, and the Netherlands. The North American operation represents 95% of the Company’s net sales, 96% of total long-lived assets, and 95% of the total assets. Selected information by reportable segment is presented in the following table.

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Net sales               
Consumer Packaging  $2,870   $2,904   $2,791 
Health, Hygiene & Specialties   502    450    353 
Engineered Materials   1,509    1,604    1,503 
Total  $4,881   $4,958   $4,647 
Operating income               
Consumer Packaging  $229   $164   $258 
Health, Hygiene & Specialties   31    20    8 
Engineered Materials   148    132    120 
Total  $408   $316   $386 
Depreciation and amortization               
Consumer Packaging  $237   $239   $228 
Health, Hygiene & Specialties   35    31    29 
Engineered Materials   78    88    84 
Total  $350   $358   $341 

 

   2015   2014 
Total assets:          
Consumer Packaging  $3,832   $3,991 
Health, Hygiene & Specialties   385    392 
Engineered Materials   811    869 
Total assets  $5,028   $5,252 
Goodwill:          
Consumer Packaging  $1,520   $1,524 
Health, Hygiene & Specialties   48    49 
Engineered Materials   84    86 
Total goodwill  $1,652   $1,659 

 

14.Net Income per Share

 

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing the net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method and the if-converted method. For purposes of this calculation, stock options are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net income per share when their effect is dilutive. The Company’s redeemable common stock is included in the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for calculating basic and diluted net income per share.

 

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The following tables and discussion provide a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net income per share computations. The calculation below provides net income on both basic and diluted basis for fiscal year end.

 

(in millions, except per share amounts)  2015   2014   2013 
Numerator            
Net income attributable to the Company  $86   $62   $57 
Denominator               
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic   119.1    116.9    113.5 
Dilutive shares   4.3    4.6    6.0 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding – diluted   123.4    121.5    119.5 
                
Per common share income (loss)               
Basic  $0.72   $0.53   $0.50 
Diluted  $0.70   $0.51   $0.48 

 

15.Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

 

Berry Plastics Corporation (“Issuer”) has notes outstanding which are fully, jointly, severally, and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of Berry’s domestic subsidiaries. Separate narrative information or financial statements of the guarantor subsidiaries have not been included because they are 100% owned by the parent company and the guarantor subsidiaries unconditionally guarantee such debt on a joint and several basis. A guarantee of a guarantor of the securities will terminate upon the following customary circumstances: the sale of the capital stock of such guarantor if such sale complies with the indenture, the designation of such guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary, the defeasance or discharge of the indenture, as a result of the holders of certain other indebtedness foreclosing on a pledge of the shares of a guarantor subsidiary or if such guarantor no longer guarantees certain other indebtedness of the Issuer. The guarantees are also limited as necessary to prevent them from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law and guarantees guaranteeing subordinated debt are subordinated to certain other of the Company’s debts. Presented below is condensed consolidating financial information for the parent, issuer, guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries. Our Issuer and guarantor financial information includes all of our domestic operating subsidiaries, our non-guarantor subsidiaries include our foreign subsidiaries, and BP Parallel, LLC. BP Parallel, LLC is the entity that we established to buyback debt securities of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. and Berry Plastics Corporation. Berry Plastics Group, Inc. uses the equity method to account for its ownership in Berry Plastics Corporation in the Condensed Consolidating Supplemental Financial Statements. Berry Plastics Corporation uses the equity method to account for its ownership in the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries. All consolidating entries are included in the eliminations column along with the elimination of intercompany balances.

 

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Condensed Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

   Fiscal 2015 
   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Total 
Net sales  $   $622   $3,807   $452   $   $4,881 
Cost of goods sold       526    3,128    358        4,012 
Selling, general and administrative       64    244    49        357 
Amortization of intangibles       8    75    8        91 
Restructuring and impairment charges           13            13 
Operating income       24    347    37        408 
Debt extinguishment       94                94 
Other expense (income), net   (3)       3    1        1 
Interest expense, net       25    148    18        191 
Equity in net income of subsidiaries   (119)   (210)           329     
Income (loss) before income taxes   122    115    196    18    (329)   122 
Income tax expense (benefit)   36    25        4    (29)   36 
Consolidated net income (loss)   86    90    196    14    (300)   86 
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests                        
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company  $86   $90   $196   $14   $(300)  $86 
Currency translation               (45)       (45)
Interest rate hedges       (33)               (33)
Defined benefit pension and retiree benefit plans       (16)               (16)
Provision for income taxes related to other comprehensive income items       18                18 
Comprehensive income (loss)  $86   $59   $196   $(31)  $(300)  $10 

 

 49 

 

 

   Fiscal 2014 
   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Total 
Net sales  $   $638   $3,904   $416   $   $4,958 
Cost of goods sold       557    3,284    349        4,190 
Selling, general and administrative       52    232    36        320 
Amortization of intangibles       10    84    8        102 
Restructuring and impairment charges           30            30 
Operating income       19    274    23        316 
Debt extinguishment       35                35 
Other income, net   (3)       (4)           (7)
Interest expense, net   34    27    176    (97)   81    221 
Equity in net income of subsidiaries   (98)   (218)           316     
Income (loss) before income taxes   67    175    102    120    (397)   67 
Income tax expense (benefit)   4    44        5    (49)   4 
Consolidated net income (loss)   63    131    102    115    (348)   63 
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests   1                    1 
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company  $62   $131   $102   $115   $(348)  $62 
Currency translation               (16)       (16)
Interest rate hedges       (3)               (3)
Defined benefit pension and retiree benefit plans       (11)               (11)
Provision for income taxes related to other comprehensive income items       5                5 
Comprehensive income (loss)  $62   $122   $102   $99   $(348)  $37 

 

 50 

 

 

   Fiscal 2013 
   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Total 
Net sales  $   $571   $3,706   $370   $   $4,647 
Cost of sales       506    3,021    308        3,835 
Selling, general and administrative expenses       58    314    40        412 
Restructuring and impairment charges, net       1    13            14 
Operating income (loss)       6    358    22        386 
Other income       56    1            57 
Interest expense, net   47    24    201    (120)   92    244 
Equity in net income of subsidiaries   (132)   (297)           429     
Net income (loss) before income taxes   85    223    156    142    (521)   85 
Income tax expense (benefit)   28    80        2    (82)   28 
Net income (loss)  $57   $143   $156   $140   $(439)  $57 
Currency translation               (5)       (5)
Interest rate hedges       20                20 
Defined benefit pension and retiree benefit plans       34                34 
Provision for income taxes related to other comprehensive income items       (20)               (20)
Comprehensive income (loss)  $57   $177   $156   $135   $(439)  $86 

 

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Condensed Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet

As of fiscal year end 2015

 

   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Total 
Assets                              
Current assets:                              
Cash and cash equivalents  $   $163   $   $65   $   $228 
Accounts receivable, net       23    337    74        434 
Intercompany receivable   329    2,963        83    (3,375)    
Inventories       49    425    48        522 
Deferred income taxes   162                    162 
Prepaid expenses and other current       22    5    10        37 
Total current assets   491    3,220    767    280    (3,375)   1,383 
Property, plant and equipment, net       79    1,111    104        1,294 
Intangible assets, net       97    2,151    101        2,349 
Investment in subsidiaries   75    1,456            (1,531)    
Other assets           1    1        2 
Total assets  $566   $4,852   $4,030   $486   $(4,906)  $5,028 
Liabilities and equity                              
Current liabilities:                              
Accounts payable  $   $28   $245   $57   $   $330 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   57    140    121    20        338 
Intercompany payable           3,375        (3,375)    
Current portion of long-term debt       37                37 
Total current liabilities   57    205    3,741    77    (3,375)   705 
Long-term debt, less current portion       3,647        1        3,648 
Deferred income taxes   387                    387 
Other long-term liabilities   175    122    39    5        341 
Total long-term liabilities   562    3,769    39    6        4,376 
Total liabilities   619    3,974    3,780    83    (3,375)   5,081 
Redeemable non-controlling interests   12                    12 
Other equity (deficit)   (65)   878    250    403    (1,531)   (65)
Total equity (deficit)   (65)   878    250    403    (1,531)   (65)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)  $566   $4,852   $4,030   $486   $(4,906)  $5,028 

 

 52 

 

 

Condensed Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet

As of fiscal year end 2014

 

   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Total 
Assets                              
Current assets:                              
Cash and cash equivalents  $   $70   $15   $44   $   $129 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance       35    377    79        491 
Intercompany receivable   319    3,343        87    (3,749)    
Inventories       51    496    57        604 
Deferred income taxes   166                    166 
Prepaid expenses and other current       15    13    14        42 
Total current assets   485    3,514    901    281    (3,749)   1,432 
Property, plant and equipment, net       84    1,162    118        1,364 
Intangible assets, net       104    2,226    125        2,455 
Investment in subsidiaries   69    1,237            (1,306)    
Other assets           1            1 
Total assets  $554   $4,939   $4,290   $524   $(5,055)  $5,252 
Liabilities and equity                              
Current liabilities:                              
Accounts payable  $   $31   $303   $61   $   $395 
Accrued and other current liabilities   35    127    132    20        314 
Intercompany payable           3,749        (3,749)    
Long-term debt-current portion       54        4        58 
Total current liabilities   35    212    4,184    85    (3,749)   767 
Long-term debt, less current portion       3,842        2        3,844 
Deferred tax liabilities   386                    386 
Other long-term liabilities   234    76    42    4        356 
Total long-term liabilities   620    3,918    42    6        4,586 
Total liabilities   655    4,130    4,226    91    (3,749)   5,353 
Redeemable non-controlling interests   13                    13 
Other equity (deficit)   (114)   809    64    433    (1,306)   (114)
Total equity (deficit)   (114)   809    64    433    (1,306)   (114)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)  $554   $4,939   $4,290   $524   $(5,055)  $5,252 

 

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Condensed Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   Fiscal 2015 
   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Total 
Cash Flow from Operating Activities  $   $60   $542   $34   $1   $637 
Cash Flow from Investing Activities                              
Additions to property, plant, and equipment       (13)   (164)   (3)       (180)
Proceeds from sale of assets           18            18 
Investment in Parent                        
(Contributions) distributions to/from subsidiaries   (18)   18                 
Intercompany advances (repayments)       368            (368)    
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired           (3)           (3)
Net cash from investing activities   (18)   373    (149)   (3)   (368)   (165)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities                              
Proceeds from long-term borrowings       693                693 
Payment of tax receivable agreement   (39)                   (39)
Proceed from issuance of common stock   18                    18 
Repayment of note receivable                        
Repayment of long-term borrowings       (947)       (4)       (951)
Changes in intercompany balances   39        (408)   2    367     
Contribution from Parent                        
Debt financing costs       (86)               (86)
Net cash from financing activities   18    (340)   (408)   (2)   367    (365)
Effect of currency translation on cash               (8)       (8)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents       93    (15)   21        99 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       70    15    44        129 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $   $163   $   $65   $   $228 

 

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   Fiscal 2014 
   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Total 
Cash Flow from Operating Activities  $   $27   $473   $30   $   $530 
Cash Flow from Investing Activities                              
Additions to property, plant, and equipment       (6)   (200)   (9)       (215)
Proceeds from sale of assets           19            19 
Investment in Parent                        
(Contributions) distributions to/from subsidiaries   723    (2)       721    (1,442)    
Intercompany advances (repayments)       20            (20)    
Investment in Issuer debt securities                        
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired           (136)   (90)       (226)
Net cash from investing activities   723    12    (317)   622    (1,462)   (422)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities                              
Proceeds from long-term borrowings       1,627                1,627 
Proceeds from initial public offering                        
Payment of tax receivable agreement   (32)                   (32)
Proceed from issuance of common stock   17                    17 
Repayment of note receivable                        
Repayment of long-term borrowings   (740)   (1,668)           721    (1,687)
Changes in intercompany balances   32        (141)   89    20     
Contribution from Parent               (721)   721     
Debt financing costs       (44)               (44)
Net cash from financing activities   (723)   (85)   (141)   (632)   1,462    (119)
Effect of currency translation on cash               (2)       (2)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents       (46)   15    18        (13)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       116        26        142 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $   $70   $15   $44   $   $129 

 

 55 

 

 

   Fiscal 2013 
   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Total 
Cash Flow from Operating Activities  $   $11   $417   $36   $   $464 
Cash Flow from Investing Activities                              
Additions to property, plant, and equipment       (7)   (218)   (14)       (239)
Proceeds from disposal of assets       1    17            18 
Investment in Parent               (21)   21     
(Contributions) distributions to/from subsidiaries   (462)   441            21     
Intercompany advances (repayments)       210            (210)    
Investment in Issuer debt securities                        
Acquisition of business net of cash acquired           (24)           (24)
Net cash from investing activities   (462)   645    (225)   (35)   (168)   (245)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities                              
Proceeds from long-term debt       1,391                1,391 
IPO proceeds   438                    438 
Payment of TRA   (5)   (5)           5    (5)
Proceed from issuance of common stock   27                    27 
Repayment of note receivable   2    2            (2)   2 
Repayment of long-term debt       (1,955)       (2)   (21)   (1,978)
Changes in intercompany balances           (192)   (15)   207     
Contribution from Parent               21    (21)    
Deferred financing costs       (39)               (39)
Net cash from financing activities   462    (606)   (192)   4    168    (164)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents       50        5        55 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       66        21        87 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $   $116   $   $26   $   $142 

 

16.Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

The following table contains selected unaudited quarterly financial data for fiscal years ended.

 

   2015   2014 
   First   Second   Third   Fourth   First   Second   Third   Fourth 
Net sales  $1,220   $1,224   $1,241   $1,196   $1,140   $1,210   $1,298   $1,310 
Cost of sales   1,037    997    1,003    975    964    1,023    1,089    1,114 
Gross profit   183    227    238    221    176    187    209    196 
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company  $13   $38   $(13)  $48   $6   $12   $15   $29 
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company per share:                                        
Basic   0.11    0.32    (0.11)   0.40    0.05    0.10    0.13    0.25 
Diluted   0.11    0.31    (0.11)   0.39    0.05    0.10    0.12    0.24 

 

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17.Subsequent Events

 

AVINTIV Inc.

 

In October 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the capital stock of AVINTIV Inc. (“Avintiv”) for a purchase price of  $2.3 billion which is preliminary, unaudited and subject to adjustment. Avintiv is one of the world’s leading developers, producers, and marketers of nonwoven specialty materials used in hygiene, infection prevention, personal care, and high-performance solutions. With 23 locations in 14 countries, an employee base of over 4,500 people, and the broadest range of process technologies in the industry, Avintiv’s strategically located manufacturing facilities position it as a global supplier to many of the same leading consumer and industrial product manufacturers that the Company supplies and utilize similar key raw materials as the Company’s existing business. The acquired business will primarily be operated in Berry’s newly announced Health, Hygiene & Specialties reporting segment. To finance the purchase, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% second priority senior secured notes due 2022 and entered into an incremental assumption agreement to increase the commitments under the Company’s existing term loan credit agreement by $2.1 billion due 2022.

 

The acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price will be allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on preliminary fair values at the acquisition date. The Company is in the process of determining the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value on fixed assets, intangibles, deferred income taxes and reviewing all of the working capital acquired. The preliminary unaudited allocation of purchase price and estimated fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities consisted of working capital of  $181 million, property and equipment of  $969 million, intangible assets of  $586 million, goodwill of  $802 million, other assets of  $46 million, a net deferred tax liability of  $114 million, and other long-term liabilities of  $207 million.

 

Unaudited pro forma net sales were $6,739 million and $6,666 million and unaudited pro forma net losses were $40 million and $47 million for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively. The unaudited pro forma net sales and net loss assume that the Avintiv acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the respective periods. The results of the Providência and Dounor acquisitions have been included in Avintiv’s operations since June 11, 2014 and April 17, 2015, respectively. However, no pro forma adjustments have been made with respect to their operations prior to the date of acquisition by Avintiv as these acquisitions were not considered significant to Berry under Regulation S-X. The unaudited pro forma information presented above is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred had the Avintiv acquisition been consummated at the beginning of the respective period, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results. Further, the information reflects only pro forma adjustments for additional interest expense, depreciation, and amortization, net of the applicable income tax effects.

 

At the time of the acquisition of Avintiv, it indirectly owned a 71.25% controlling interest in Providência, their Brazilian subsidiary acquired in 2014. In November 2016, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired the remaining 28.75% non-controlling ownership interest of Providência for $66 million of cash. As a result of this transaction, Providência became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the Company recorded $3 million to Additional paid-in capital.

 

Business Reorganization

 

In November 2015, the Company reorganized into three operating segments: Consumer Packaging, Health, Hygiene & Specialties, and Engineered Materials. The Consumer Packaging segment consists of our historical Rigid Open Top and Rigid Closed Top segments, the food and consumer films business that was historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment, and the custom shrink films business that was historically reported in our Engineered Materials segment. The Health, Hygiene & Specialties segment includes the recently acquired Avintiv business, as well as the personal care films and international businesses that were historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment. The Engineered Materials segment includes the historical Engineered Materials segment excluding the custom shrink films business, and the converter films business that was historically reported in our Flexible Packaging segment.

 

 57 

 

 

Term Loan Repayments

 

In December 2015, February 2016, and March 2016, the Company made a $50 million, $100 million, and $50 million, respectively, voluntary principal payment on its outstanding term loan using existing liquidity.

 

 

 58