Annual Report - December 31, 2013
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

(Mark One)

¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

OR

 

¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report                     

Commission file number: 1-10928

 

 

INTERTAPE POLYMER GROUP INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Canada

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

9999 Cavendish Blvd., Suite 200, Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada H4M 2X5

(Address of principal executive offices)

Michael C. Jay, (941) 739-7541, mjay@itape.com, 100 Paramount Drive, Suite 300, Sarasota, Florida 34232

(Name, Telephone, E-mail, and Address of Company Contact Person)

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

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Shares, without nominal or par value  

Toronto Stock Exchange

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Not applicable

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

Not applicable

(Title of Class)

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. As of December 31, 2013, there were 60,776,649 common shares outstanding

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

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    ¨  Yes    x  No

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    ¨  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer   x                Accelerated filer  ¨                Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

US GAAP  ¨

    

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued

by the International Accounting Standards Board  x

   Other  ¨

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.    ¨  Item 17    ¨  Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    ¨  Yes    ¨  No

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

PART I   
  ITEM 1: IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS      1   
  ITEM 2: OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE      1   
  ITEM 3: KEY INFORMATION      1   
  A.     SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA      1   
  B.     CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS      2   
  C.     REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS      2   
  D.     RISK FACTORS      2   
  ITEM 4: INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY      10   
  A.     HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY      10   
  B.     BUSINESS OVERVIEW      11   
    (1)   Products, Markets and Distribution      14   
    (2)   Sales and Marketing      20   
    (3)   Seasonality of the Company’s Main Business      20   
    (4)   Equipment and Raw Materials      20   
    (5)   Research and Development and New Products      21   
    (6)   Trademarks and Patents      22   
    (7)   Competition      22   
    (8)   Environmental Initiatives and Regulation      23   
  C.     ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE      24   
  D.     PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT      25   
  ITEM 4A: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS      27   
  ITEM  5: OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS (MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS )      27   
  ITEM 6: DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES      51   
  A.     DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT      51   
  B.     COMPENSATION      52   
  C.     BOARD PRACTICES      60   
  D.     EMPLOYEES      62   
  E.     SHARE OWNERSHIP      62   
  ITEM 7: MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS      65   
  A.     MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS      65   
  B.     RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS      65   
  C.     INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL      65   
  ITEM 8: FINANCIAL INFORMATION      66   
  A.     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION      66   
  B.     SIGNIFICANT CHANGES      66   
  ITEM 9: THE OFFER AND LISTING      67   
  A.     OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS      67   
  B.     PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION      67   
  C.     MARKETS      67   


Table of Contents
 

D.

   

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     67   
 

E.

   

DILUTION

     67   
 

F.

   

EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE

     67   
  ITEM 10: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION      68   
 

A.

   

SHARE CAPITAL

     68   
 

B.

   

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

     68   
 

C.

   

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

     69   
 

D.

   

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

     70   
 

E.

   

TAXATION

     72   
 

F.

   

DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

     76   
 

G.

   

STATEMENT BY EXPERTS

     76   
 

H.

   

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

     76   
 

I. 

   

SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

     76   
  ITEM 11: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK      77   
  ITEM 12: DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES      77   

PART II

  
  ITEM 13: DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES      77   
  ITEM 14: MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS      77   
  ITEM 15: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES      77   
  ITEM 16: [RESERVED]      78   
  ITEM 16A: AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT      78   
  ITEM 16B: CODE OF ETHICS      78   
  ITEM 16C: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES      78   
  ITEM 16D: EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE      79   
  ITEM 16E: PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS      79   
  ITEM 16F: CHANGE IN REGISTRANTS CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT      79   
  ITEM 16G: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE      79   
  ITEM 16H: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE      79   

PART III

  

  ITEM 17: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      79   
  ITEM 18: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      79   
  ITEM 19: EXHIBITS      79   
 

A.

   

Consolidated Financial Statements

     79   
 

B.

   

Exhibits:

     80   

 

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Certain statements and information included in this annual report on Form 20-F constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) and are made in reliance upon the protections provided by such acts for forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (“Intertape”, “Intertape Polymer Group”, or the “Company”) operates as well as current beliefs and assumptions of the Company’s management. Such statements include, in particular, statements about the Company’s plans, prospects, financial position, future sales and financial results, availability of credit, level of indebtedness, payment of dividends, fluctuations in raw material costs, competition, capital expenditures, manufacturing facility closures and other restructurings, liquidity, litigation and business strategies. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “continue,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “foresee,” “believe” or “seek” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements, by their nature, involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements are also subject to assumptions concerning, among other things: business conditions and growth or declines in the Company’s industry, its customers’ industries and the general economy; the anticipated benefits from the Company’s manufacturing facility closures and other restructuring efforts; the quality, and market reception, of the Company’s products; the Company’s anticipated business strategies; anticipated trends in the Company’s business; anticipated cash flows from the Company’s operations; availability of funds under the Company’s Asset-Based Loan facility; and the Company’s ability to continue to control costs. The Company can give no assurance that these statements and expectations will prove to have been correct. Actual outcomes and results may, and often do, differ from what is expressed, implied or projected in such forward-looking statements, and such differences may be material. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. For additional information regarding some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and other risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements, you are encouraged to read “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects (Management’s Discussion & Analysis)” as well as statements located elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F and the other factors contained in the Company’s filings with the Canadian securities regulators and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of the forward-looking statements speaks only as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update these statements unless applicable securities laws require it to do so.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1: Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not applicable.

 

Item 2: Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

 

Item 3: Key Information

 

  A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial data presented below for the four years ended December 31, 2013 is presented in US dollars and is derived from the Company’s consolidated financial statements in US dollars and prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The information set forth below was extracted from the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this annual report and annual reports previously filed and should be read in conjunction with such consolidated financial statements. As required by the Canadian Accounting Standards Board, the Company adopted IFRS on January 1, 2011 and the Company’s financial information for 2010 has been restated to comply with IFRS. The selected financial data for the earliest year of the five-year period (2009) has not been restated. The Company represents that such information cannot be provided on a restated basis without unreasonable effort or expense.

On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 - Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011.

Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits: Amended for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 with retrospective application, introduced a measure of net interest income (expense) computed on the net pension asset (obligation) that replaced separate measurement of the expected return on plan assets and interest expense on the benefit obligation. The amended standard also required immediate recognition of past service costs associated with benefit plan changes, eliminating the requirement to recognize over the vesting period.

Upon retrospective application of the amended standard, the Company’s net earnings for 2012 and 2011 were lower than originally reported. The decrease arose primarily because net interest income (expense) was calculated using the discount rate used to value the benefit obligation, which is lower than the expected rate of return on assets previously used to measure interest attributable to plan assets.

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the impact of adoption is a decrease to earnings before income tax benefit of $2.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, and an income tax benefit of $0.2 million for each of these years. This impact also results in an equivalent net increase to other comprehensive income and deficit. As such, the retrospective application did not result in an impact to the Company’s balance sheets as of January 1, and December 31, 2012 and 2011.

See the Section entitled “Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans” in Item 5 for a summary of the impact of the adoption of this guidance on the Company’s financial results for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

     As of and for the Year Ended December 31  
     2013      2012      2011      2010  
     (in thousands of US dollars, except shares and per share amounts)  
     $      $      $      $  

Statements of Consolidated Earnings (Loss):

        

Revenue

     781,500         784,430         786,737         720,516   

Net Earnings (Loss) before Taxes

     31,553         20,594         9,154         (15,316

Net Earnings (Loss)

     67,357         20,381         7,384         (48,549

Earnings (Loss) per Share

           

Basic

     1.12         0.35         0.13         (0.82

Diluted

     1.09         0.34         0.12         (0.82

Balance Sheets:

           

Total Assets

     465,199         426,152         446,723         476,614   

Capital Stock

     359,201         351,702         348,148         348,148   

Shareholders’ Equity

     230,428         153,834         137,178         144,085   

Number of Common Shares Outstanding

     60,776,649         59,625,039         58,961,050         58,961,050   

Dividends Declared per Share

     0.24         0.08         —           —     

 

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  B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

Not applicable.

 

  C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

 

  D. RISK FACTORS

Current economic conditions and uncertain economic forecast could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial conditions.

Unfavorable changes in the global economy have affected and may affect the demand for the Company’s products. Adverse economic conditions could also increase the likelihood of customer delinquencies. A prolonged period of economic decline would have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, gross margins, and the overall financial condition of the Company, as well as exacerbate the other risk factors set forth below.

Fluctuations in the amount of available funds under the Company’s Asset Based Loan could restrict the Company’s available credit and could require unscheduled repayments.

The Company’s credit facility is an asset-backed loan. A reduction in the eligible assets and receivables included in the borrowing base or an increase in the required reserves will reduce the Company’s available credit under the Asset Based Loan (“ABL”). Such a reduction would reduce our available liquidity which could impact our ability to fund working capital, capital expenditures, research and development efforts and other general corporate purposes. A decline in the borrowing base could also require an unscheduled repayment of funds already advanced in excess of the available credit amount.

The Company’s Asset Based Loan contains a financial covenant which if not met, will result in an event of default.

The Company’s ABL contains a fixed charge ratio which becomes effective only when unused availability under the borrowing base drops below $25 million. The Company’s failure to comply with this covenant could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in the Company being required to repay these borrowings before their scheduled due date. If the Company were unable to make this repayment or otherwise refinance these borrowings, the lenders under the ABL could elect to declare all amounts borrowed under the Company’s ABL, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable. The lenders could foreclose on the Company’s assets. If the Company were unable to refinance these borrowings on favorable terms, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted by increased costs and less favorable terms, including interest rates and covenants. Any future refinancing of the Company’s ABL is likely to contain similar or more restrictive covenants and financial tests.

 

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The Company’s significant debt could adversely affect its financial condition and prevent it from fulfilling its obligations under its ABL.

The Company has a significant amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding debt of $129.8 million, which represented 16% of its total capitalization. Of such total debt, approximately $129.7 million, or all of the Company’s outstanding senior debt, was secured.

The Company’s significant indebtedness could adversely affect its financial condition and make it more difficult for the Company to satisfy its obligations under its ABL. The Company’s substantial indebtedness could also increase its vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions; require the Company to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flows from operations to payments on its indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of the Company’s cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, research and development efforts and other general corporate purposes; limit the Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the industry in which it operates; place the Company at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt; and limit the Company’s ability to borrow additional funds on terms that are satisfactory to it or at all.

The Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service obligations.

The Company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to make scheduled payments on its debt obligations will depend on its future financial performance, which will be affected by a range of economic, competitive, regulatory, legislative and business factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. If the Company does not generate sufficient cash flows from operations to satisfy its debt obligations, the Company may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring its debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or seeking to raise additional capital. The Company cannot assure that any refinancing would be possible or that any assets could be sold on acceptable terms or otherwise. The Company’s inability to generate sufficient cash flows to satisfy its debt obligations, or to refinance its obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any refinancing of the Company’s debt could be at higher interest rates and may require the Company to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict its business operations.

Despite the Company’s level of indebtedness, it will be able to incur substantially more debt. Incurring such debt could further exacerbate the risks to the Company’s financial condition described above.

The Company will be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Although the loan and security agreement governing the ABL contains restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. The restrictions also do not prevent the Company from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness. To the extent new debt is added to the Company’s currently anticipated debt levels, the substantial leverage risks described above would increase.

The Company’s ABL contains covenants that limit its flexibility and prevents the Company from taking certain actions.

The loan and security agreement governing the Company’s ABL includes a number of significant restrictive covenants. These covenants could adversely limit the Company’s ability to plan for or react to market conditions, meet its capital needs and execute its business strategy. These covenants, among other things, limit the Company’s ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to incur additional debt; prepay other debt; pay dividends and make other restricted payments; create or permit certain liens; issue or sell capital stock of restricted subsidiaries; use the proceeds from sales of assets; make certain investments; create or permit restrictions on the ability of the guarantors to pay dividends or to make other distributions to the Company; enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; engage in unrelated businesses; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and consolidate or merge or sell the Company’s assets substantially as an entirety.

The Company depends on its subsidiaries for cash to meet its obligations and pay any dividends.

The Company is a holding company. Its subsidiaries conduct all of its operations and own substantially all of its assets. Consequently, the Company’s cash flow and its ability to meet its obligations or pay dividends to its stockholders depend upon the cash flow of its subsidiaries and the payment of funds by its subsidiaries to the Company in the form of dividends, tax sharing payments or otherwise. The Company’s subsidiaries’ ability to provide funding will depend on, amongst others, their earnings, the terms of indebtedness from time to time, tax considerations and legal restrictions.

 

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Payment of dividends may not continue in the future, and the payment of dividends is subject to restriction.

On August 14, 2013, the Board of Directors modified the Company’s dividend policy to provide for the payment of quarterly cash dividends as opposed to semi-annual cash dividends. The future declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on a number of factors, including the Company’s financial and operating results, financial position, and anticipated cash requirements. The Company can give no assurance that dividends will be declared and paid in the future or, if declared and paid in the future, at the same level as in the past. Additionally, the Company’s ABL restricts its ability to pay dividends if the Company does not maintain certain borrowing availability or if the Company is in default.

Fluctuations in raw material costs or the unavailability of raw materials may adversely affect the Company’s profitability.

Historically, the Company has not always been able to pass on significant raw material cost increases through price increases to its customers. The Company’s results of operations in prior years at times have been negatively impacted by raw material cost increases. These fluctuations adversely affected the Company’s profitability. As a result of raw material cost fluctuations, the Company may have to either hold prices firm, which results in a reduced market share, or decrease prices which compresses the Company’s gross margins. The Company’s profitability in the future may be adversely affected due to continuing fluctuations in raw material prices. Additionally, the Company relies on its suppliers for deliveries of raw materials. If any of its suppliers are unable to deliver raw materials to the Company for an extended period of time, there is no assurance that the Company’s raw material requirements would be met by other suppliers on acceptable terms, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

The failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with applicable securities laws could cause the Company’s stock price to decline.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as applicable Canadian securities laws require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and a report by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to express an opinion on these controls based on their audit. Due to inherent limitations, there can be no assurance that the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting will be successful in preventing all errors, theft, and fraud, or in informing management of all material information in a timely manner. Also, if the Company cannot in the future favorably assess, or the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide an unqualified attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the reliability of the Company’s financial reports, which could cause the Company’s stock price to decline.

The Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefit plans are unfunded which could require Company contributions.

The Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefit plans currently have an unfunded deficit of $18.9 million as of December 31, 2013 as compared to $39.3 million at the end of 2012. For 2013 and 2012, the Company contributed $4.3 million and $5.6 million, respectively, to its funded pension plans and to beneficiaries for its unfunded other benefit plans. The Company may need to divert certain of its resources in the future in order to resolve this funding deficit. In addition, the Company cannot predict whether a change in factors such as pension asset performance or interest rates, will require the Company to make a contribution in excess of its current expectations. Further, the Company may not have the funds necessary to meet future minimum pension funding requirements or be able to meet its pension benefit plan funding obligation through cash flows from operations.

The Company’s ability to achieve its growth objectives depends in part on the timing and market acceptance of its new products.

Intertape Polymer Group’s business plan involves the introduction of new products, which are both developed internally and obtained through acquisitions. The Company’s ability to introduce these products successfully depends on the demand for the products, as well as their price, quality, and related customer service. In the event the market does not accept these products or competitors introduce similar products, the Company’s ability to expand its markets and generate organic growth could be negatively impacted which could have an adverse effect on its operating results.

 

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The Company’s competition and customer preferences could impact the Company’s profitability.

The markets for Intertape Polymer Group’s products are highly competitive. Competition in its markets is primarily based upon the quality, breadth and performance characteristics of its products, customer service and price. The Company’s ability to compete successfully depends upon a variety of factors, including its ability to increase plant efficiencies and reduce manufacturing costs, as well as its access to quality, low-cost raw materials.

Some of the Company’s competitors may, at times, have lower raw material, energy and labor costs and less restrictive environmental and governmental regulations to comply with than the Company does. Other competitors may be larger in size or scope than the Company, which may allow them to achieve greater economies of scale on a global basis or allow them to better withstand periods of declining prices and adverse operating conditions.

Demand for the Company’s products and, in turn, its revenue and profit margins, are affected by customer preferences and changes in customer ordering patterns which occur as a result of changes in inventory levels and timing of purchases which may be triggered by price changes and incentive programs.

The Company’s customer contracts contain termination provisions that could decrease the Company’s future revenues and earnings.

Most of the Company’s customer contracts can be terminated by the customer on short notice without penalty. The Company’s customers are, therefore, not contractually obligated to continue to do business with it in the future. This creates uncertainty with respect to the revenues and earnings the Company may recognize with respect to its customer contracts.

The Company depends on the proper functioning of its information systems.

The Company is dependent on the proper functioning of information systems, some of which are owned and operated by third parties, to store, process and transmit confidential information, including financial reporting, inventory management, procurement, invoicing and electronic communications belonging to our customers, our suppliers, our employees and/or us. The Company’s information systems are vulnerable to natural disasters, fire or casualty theft, technical failures, terrorist acts, cyber security breaches, power loss, telecommunications failures, physical or software intrusions, computer viruses, and similar events. If the Company’s critical information systems fail or are otherwise unavailable, our operations could be disrupted, causing a material adverse effect on our business. Also, any theft or misuse of information resulting from a security breach could result in, among other things, loss of significant and/or sensitive information, litigation by affected parties, financial obligations resulting from such theft or misuse, higher insurance premiums, governmental investigations, negative reactions from current and potential future customers (including potential negative financial ramifications under certain customer contract provisions) and poor publicity and any of these could adversely affect our financial results.

Intertape Polymer Group faces risks related to its international operations.

The Company has customers and operations located outside the United States and Canada. In 2013, sales to customers located outside the United States and Canada represented approximately 10% of its sales. The Company’s international operations present it with a number of risks and challenges, including potential difficulties staffing and managing its foreign operations, potential adverse changes in tax regulations affecting tax rates and the way the United States and other countries tax multinational companies, the effective marketing of the Company’s products in other countries, tariffs and other trade barriers, less favorable intellectual property laws, longer customer payment cycles, exposure to economies that may be experiencing currency volatility or negative growth and different regulatory schemes and political environments applicable to its operations in these areas, such as environmental and health and safety compliance.

In addition, the Company’s financial statements are reported in US dollars while a portion of its sales is made in other currencies, primarily the Canadian dollar and the Euro. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates between the US dollar and foreign currencies can have a negative impact on the Company’s reported operating results and financial condition. Moreover, in some cases, the currency of the Company’s sales does not match the currency in which it incurs costs, which can negatively affect its profitability. Fluctuations in exchange rates can also affect the relative competitive position of a particular facility where the facility faces competition from non-local producers, as well as the Company’s ability to successfully market its products in export markets.

 

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The Company’s operations are subject to comprehensive environmental regulation and involve expenditures which may be material in relation to its operating cash flow.

The Company’s operations are subject to extensive environmental regulation in each of the countries in which it maintains facilities. For example, United States (Federal, state and local) and Canadian (Federal, provincial and local) environmental laws applicable to the Company include statutes and regulations intended to impose certain obligations with respect to site contamination and to allocate the cost of investigating, monitoring and remedying soil and groundwater contamination among specifically identified parties, as well as to prevent future soil and groundwater contamination; imposing ambient standards and, in some cases, emission standards, for air pollutants which present a risk to public health, welfare or the natural environment; governing the handling, management, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes and substances; and regulating the discharge of pollutants into waterways.

The Company’s use of hazardous substances in its manufacturing processes and the generation of hazardous wastes not only by the Company, but by prior occupants of its facilities, suggest that hazardous substances may be present at or near certain of the Company’s facilities or may come to be located there in the future. Consequently, the Company is required to closely monitor its compliance under all the various environmental laws and regulations applicable to it. In addition, the Company arranges for the off-site disposal of hazardous substances generated in the ordinary course of its business.

The Company obtains Phase I or similar environmental site assessments, and Phase II environmental site assessments, if necessary, for most of the manufacturing facilities it owns or leases at the time it either acquires or leases such facilities. These assessments typically include general inspections and may involve soil sampling and/or groundwater analysis. The assessments have not revealed any environmental liability that, based on current information, the Company believes will have a material adverse effect on it. Nevertheless, these assessments may not reveal all potential environmental liabilities and current assessments are not available for all facilities. Consequently, there may be material environmental liabilities that the Company is not aware of. In addition, ongoing cleanup and containment operations may not be adequate for purposes of future laws and regulations. The conditions of the Company’s properties could also be affected in the future by neighboring operations or the conditions of the land in the vicinity of its properties. These developments and others, such as increasingly stringent environmental laws and regulations, increasingly strict enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, or claims for damage to property or injury to persons resulting from the environmental, health or safety impact of its operations, may cause the Company to incur significant costs and liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on it.

Except as described in Item 4B(8) below, the Company believes that all of its facilities are in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that it has obtained, and is in material compliance with, all material permits required under environmental laws and regulations. Although certain of the Company’s facilities emit toluene and other pollutants into the air, these emissions are within current permitted limits. The Company believes that these emissions from its US facilities will meet the applicable future federal Maximum Available Control Technology (“MACT”) requirements, although additional testing or modifications at the facilities may be required. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters should not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

The Company’s facilities are required to maintain numerous environmental permits and governmental approvals for its operations. Some of the environmental permits and governmental approvals that have been issued to the Company or to its facilities contain conditions and restrictions, including restrictions or limits on emissions and discharges of pollutants and contaminants, or may have limited terms. If the Company fails to satisfy these conditions or to comply with these restrictions, it may become subject to enforcement actions and the operation of the relevant facilities could be adversely affected. The Company may also be subject to fines, penalties or additional costs. The Company may not be able to renew, maintain or obtain all environmental permits and governmental approvals required for the continued operation or further development of the facilities, as a result of which the operation of the facilities may be limited or suspended.

The Company may become involved in litigation relating to its intellectual property rights, which could have an adverse impact on its business.

Intertape Polymer Group relies on patent protection, as well as a combination of copyright, trade secret and trademark laws, nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements and other contractual restrictions to protect its proprietary technology.

 

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Litigation may be necessary to enforce these rights, which could result in substantial costs to the Company and a substantial diversion of management attention. If the Company does not adequately protect its intellectual property, its competitors or other parties could use the intellectual property that the Company has developed to enhance their products or make products similar to the Company’s and compete more efficiently with it, which could result in a decrease in the Company’s market share.

While the Company has attempted to ensure that its products and the operations of its business do not infringe other parties’ patents and proprietary rights, its competitors or other parties may assert that the Company’s products and operations may infringe upon patents held by them. In addition, because patent applications can take many years to issue, the Company might have products that infringe upon pending patents of which it is unaware. If any of the Company’s products infringe a valid patent, it could be prevented from selling them unless the Company obtains a license or redesigns the products to avoid infringement. A license may not be available or may require the Company to pay substantial royalties. The Company may not be successful in attempts to redesign its products to avoid infringement. Infringement or other intellectual property claims, regardless of merit or ultimate outcome, can be expensive and time-consuming to resolve as well as divert management’s attention from the Company’s core business.

The Company may become involved in labor disputes or employees could form or join unions increasing the Company’s costs to do business.

Some of Intertape Polymer Group’s employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements. Other employees are not part of a union and there are no assurances that such employees will not form or join a union. Any attempt by employees to form or join a union could result in increased labor costs and adversely affect the Company’s business, its financial condition and/or results of operations.

Except for the strike which occurred at the Company’s Brantford, Ontario plant, which is now closed, the Company has never experienced any work stoppages due to employee related disputes. Management believes that it has a good relationship with its employees. There can be no assurance, however, that work stoppages or other labor disturbances will not occur in the future. Such occurrences could adversely affect Intertape Polymer Group’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

The Company may become involved in litigation which could have an adverse impact on its business.

Intertape Polymer Group, like other manufacturers and sellers, is subject to potential liabilities connected with its business operations, including potential liabilities and expenses associated with product defects, performance, reliability or delivery delays. Intertape Polymer Group is threatened from time to time with, or is named as a defendant in, legal proceedings, including lawsuits based upon product liability, personal injury, breach of contract and lost profits or other consequential damages claims, in the ordinary course of conducting its business. A significant judgment against Intertape Polymer Group, or the imposition of a significant fine or penalty, as a result of a finding that the Company failed to comply with laws or regulations, or being named as a defendant on multiple claims could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

Uninsured and underinsured losses and rising insurance costs could adversely affect the Company’s business.

Intertape Polymer Group maintains property, general liability and business interruption insurance and directors and officers liability insurance on such terms as it deems appropriate. This may result in insurance coverage that, in the event of a substantial loss, would not be sufficient to pay for the full current market value or current replacement cost of the Company’s lost investment. Not all risks are covered by insurance.

Intertape Polymer Group’s cost of maintaining property, general liability and business interruption insurance and director and officer liability insurance is significant. The Company could experience higher insurance premiums as a result of adverse claims experience or because of general increases in premiums by insurance carriers for reasons unrelated to its own claims experience. Generally, the Company’s insurance policies must be renewed annually. Intertape Polymer Group’s ability to continue to obtain insurance at affordable premiums also depends upon its ability to continue to operate with an acceptable claims record. A significant increase in the number of claims against the Company, the assertion of one or more claims in excess of its policy limits or the inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage at acceptable rates, or at all, could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

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The Company’s success depends upon retaining the services of its management team and key employees.

The Company is dependent on its management team and expects that continued success will depend largely upon their efforts and abilities. The loss of the services of any key executive for any reason could have a material adverse effect upon the Company. Success also depends upon our ability to identify, develop, and retain qualified employees.

Product liability could adversely affect the Company’s business.

Difficulties in product design, performance and reliability could result in lost sales, delays in customer acceptance of Intertape Polymer Group’s products, customer complaints or lawsuits. Such difficulties could be detrimental to the Company’s market reputation. Intertape Polymer Group’s products and the products supplied by third parties, on behalf of the Company, may not be error free. Undetected errors or performance problems may be discovered in the future. The Company may not be able to successfully complete the development of planned or future products in a timely manner or adequately address product defects, which could harm the Company’s business and prospects. In addition, product defects may expose Intertape Polymer Group to product liability claims, for which it may not have sufficient product liability insurance. Difficulties in product design, performance and reliability or product liability claims could adversely affect Intertape Polymer Group’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

Acquisitions could expose the Company to significant business risks.

The Company may make strategic acquisitions that could, among other goals, complement its existing products, expand its customer base and markets, improve distribution efficiencies and enhance its technological capabilities. Financial risks from these acquisitions include the use of the Company’s cash resources, paying a price that exceeds the future value realized from the acquisition, and incurring additional debt and liabilities (including potentially unknown liabilities). Further, there are possible operational risks including difficulty assimilating and integrating the operations, products, technology, information systems and personnel of acquired companies, losing key personnel of acquired entities, entry into markets in which the Company has no or limited prior experience and difficulty honoring commitments made to customers of the acquired companies prior to the acquisition. The failure to adequately address these risks could adversely affect the Company’s business.

Although the Company performs due diligence investigations of the businesses and assets that it acquires, and anticipates continuing to do so for future acquisitions, there may be liabilities related to the acquired business or assets that the Company fails to, or is unable to, uncover during its due diligence investigation and for which the Company, as a successor owner, may be responsible. When feasible, the Company seeks to minimize the impact of these types of potential liabilities by obtaining indemnities and warranties from the seller, which may in some instances be supported by deferring payment of a portion of the purchase price. However, these indemnities and warranties, if obtained, may not fully cover the liabilities because of their limited scope, amount or duration, the financial resources of the indemnitor or warrantor or other reasons.

The Company’s manufacturing plant rationalization initiatives may result in higher costs and less savings than anticipated.

The Company has implemented several manufacturing plant rationalization initiatives. Each initiative may not be completed as planned and as a result, the costs and capital expenditures incurred by the Company may substantially exceed projections. This could potentially result in additional debt incurred by the Company, reduced production and elimination or reduction of anticipated manufacturing cost savings.

Because Intertape Polymer Group is a Canadian company, it may be difficult to enforce rights under US bankruptcy laws.

Intertape Polymer Group and certain of its subsidiaries are incorporated under the laws of Canada and a substantial amount of its assets are located outside of the United States. Under bankruptcy laws in the United States, courts typically assert jurisdiction over a debtor’s property, wherever located, including property situated in other countries. However, courts outside of the United States may not recognize the United States bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction over property located outside of the territorial limits of the United States. Accordingly, difficulties may arise in administering a United States bankruptcy case involving a Canadian debtor with property located outside of the United States, and any orders or judgments of a bankruptcy court in the United States may not be enforceable outside the territorial limits of the United States.

 

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It may be difficult for investors to enforce civil liabilities against Intertape Polymer Group under US federal and state securities laws.

Intertape Polymer Group and certain of its subsidiaries are incorporated under the laws of Canada. Certain of their directors are residents of Canada and a portion of directors’ and executive officers’ assets may be located outside of the United States. In addition, certain subsidiaries are located in other foreign jurisdictions. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for US investors to effect service of process within the United States upon Intertape Polymer Group, its Canadian subsidiaries, or its other foreign subsidiaries, or those directors and officers or to realize against them upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of US federal securities laws or securities or blue sky laws of any state within the United States. The Company believes that a judgment of a US court predicated solely upon the civil liability provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and/or the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) would likely be enforceable in Canada if the US court in which the judgment was obtained had a basis for jurisdiction in the matter that was recognized by a Canadian court for such purposes. The Company cannot assure that this will be the case. There is substantial doubt whether an action could be brought in Canada in the first instance on the basis of liability predicated solely upon such laws.

While our shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, they trade on the OTC Pink Marketplace in the US, which may result in the possible absence of a liquid trading market for securities of US investors.

The Company’s common shares are traded in the US on the OTC Pink Marketplace. Trading on this market can be thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors that may have little to do with a company’s operations or business prospects. In addition, trading on this market is often sporadic, so shareholders may have some difficulty reselling any of their shares of common stock on this market.

Compliance with the SEC’s new conflict mineral disclosure requirements will create additional compliance cost and may create reputational challenges.

Recently, the SEC adopted new rules pursuant to Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act setting forth new disclosure requirements concerning the use or potential use of certain minerals and their derivatives, including tantalum, tin, gold and tungsten, that are mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries and deemed conflict minerals. These new requirements will necessitate due diligence efforts by the Company to assess whether such minerals are used in our products in order to make the relevant required disclosures beginning in May 2014. There will be certain costs associated with complying with these new disclosure requirements, including diligence to determine the sources of those minerals that may be used or necessary to the production of the Company’s products. If the Company determines that certain of its products contain minerals that are not conflict free or is unable to sufficiently verify the origins for all conflict minerals used in its products, the Company may face changes to its supply chain or challenges to its reputation, either of which could impact future sales.

The Company’s exemptions under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as a foreign private issuer limits the protections and information afforded investors.

Intertape Polymer Group is a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. As such, it is exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act, including: the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K; the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction (i.e., a purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the issuers’ equity securities within a period of less than six months). Because of these exemptions, purchasers of Intertape Polymer Group’s securities are not afforded the same protections or information generally available to investors in public companies organized in the United States. Prior to December 31, 2000, the Company filed its annual reports on Form 20-F. Commencing with the year ended December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2007, and again for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company filed its annual reports on Form 40-F. For the year ended December 31, 2008 and commencing for the year ended December 31, 2010 and going forward, the Company has elected to file its annual report on Form 20-F which also fulfills the requirements of the Annual Information Form required in Canada thus necessitating only one report. Intertape Polymer Group reports on Form 6-K with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and publicly releases quarterly financial reports.

 

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Item 4: Information on the Company

 

  A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

The business of Intertape was established when Intertape Systems Inc., a predecessor of the Company, established a pressure sensitive tape manufacturing facility in Montreal, Canada. Intertape Polymer Group was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act on December 22, 1989 under the name “171695 Canada Inc.” On October 8, 1991, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment changing its name to “Intertape Polymer Group Inc.” A Certificate of Amalgamation was filed by the Company on August 31, 1993, at which time the Company was amalgamated with EBAC Holdings Inc. The Shareholders, at the Company’s June 11, 2003 annual and special meeting, voted on the replacement of the Company’s By-Law No. 1 with a new General By-Law 2003-1. The intent of the replacement by-law was to conform the Company’s general by-laws with amendments that were made to the Canada Business Corporations Act since the adoption of the general by-laws and to simplify certain aspects of the governance of the Company. On August 6, 2006, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to permit the Board of Directors of the Company to appoint one or more additional Directors to hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of the Company’s Shareholders, so long as the total number of Directors so appointed does not exceed one-third of the number of Directors elected at the previous annual meeting of the Shareholders of the Company.

Intertape Polymer Group’s corporate headquarters is located at 9999 Cavendish Blvd., Suite 200, Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada H4M 2X5 and the address and telephone number of its registered office is 800 Place Victoria, Suite 3700, Montréal, Québec H4Z 1E9, c/o Fasken Martineau Dumoulin LLP, (514) 397-7400.

The Company operates in various geographic locations and develops, manufactures and sells a variety of paper and film based pressure sensitive and water activated tapes, polyethylene and specialized polyolefin packaging films, woven coated fabrics and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use. Most of the Company’s products are made from similar processes. A vast majority of the Company’s products, while brought to market through various distribution channels, generally have similar economic characteristics.

Intertape Polymer Group closed its Brantford, Ontario, facility during the second quarter of 2011 and discontinued the manufacture of certain products that were produced solely at the Brantford, Ontario, plant. Intertape Polymer Group sold the Brantford, Ontario, facility in January 2013. Intertape Polymer Group sold its Hawkesbury, Ontario, plant in 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company ceased manufacturing operations at its Richmond, Kentucky, manufacturing facility and transferred operations to its Carbondale, Illinois, facility during the first quarter of 2013. In addition, the Company consolidated its North American shrink film production at its Tremonton, Utah, facility.

As of the result of an internal restructuring, effective December 31, 2012, the Company liquidated and dissolved ECP L.P. and ECP GP II Inc., its Canadian operating companies, and all business, assets and liabilities were transferred to Intertape Polymer Inc., another Canadian subsidiary of the Company. Also effective December 31, 2012, the Company liquidated and dissolved Polymer International Corp., a Virginia corporation, and all of its assets and liabilities are with Intertape Polymer Corp., a Delaware corporation, a US subsidiary of the Company.

In February 2013, the Company announced plans to relocate and modernize its Columbia, South Carolina, manufacturing facility and in June 2013 acquired property in Blythewood, South Carolina, which is located in close proximity to the Columbia, South Carolina, plant. Improvements to the Blythewood property are underway to adapt it for use as a tape and stencil manufacturing facility. The Company anticipates the plant to be operational during the first half of 2015. Capital expenditures for this project are expected to total $43.0 million to $46.0 million, of which $2.7 million was spent in 2012 and $21.8 million in 2013.

The Company’s total capital expenditures in connection with property, plant and equipment were $46.8 million and $21.6 million for the years 2013 and 2012, respectively. The majority of the expenditures were to update existing manufacturing equipment and to obtain new equipment.

There has not been any indication of any public takeover offers by third parties in respect of the Company’s shares or by the Company in respect of other companies’ shares during the last and current fiscal year.

 

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  B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Intertape Polymer Group operates in the specialty packaging industry in North America. The Company develops, manufactures and sells a variety of paper and film based pressure sensitive and water activated tapes, polyethylene and specialized polyolefin packaging films, woven coated fabrics and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use. The Company’s products primarily consist of carton sealing tapes, including pressure sensitive and water activated tapes; industrial and performance specialty tapes, including masking, duct, electrical and reinforced filament tapes; shrink film; stretch wrap; lumberwrap, structure fabrics, geomembrane fabrics; and non-manufactured flexible intermediate bulk containers (“FIBCs”).

The Company has approximately 1,800 employees with operations in 16 locations, including 10 manufacturing facilities in North America and one in Europe.

Intertape Polymer Group has assembled a broad range of products by leveraging its manufacturing technologies, its research and development capabilities, global sourcing expertise and its strategic acquisition program. Over the years, the Company has made a number of strategic acquisitions in order to offer a broader range of products to better serve its markets. The Company’s extensive product line permits Intertape Polymer Group to offer tailored solutions to a wide range of end-markets including food processing, fulfillment, consumer, building and construction, oil and gas, transportation, agriculture, aerospace and military applications.

Overview of Periods

2011

During 2011, the Company maintained its focus on its long term strategic plan of reducing debt and manufacturing costs and improving its product mix. Although the global economy continued to be sluggish during 2011, the Company’s selling prices increased more than both conversion costs and raw material costs; however, the spread between selling prices and raw material costs remained compressed when compared to periods prior to 2010.

As a result of the ongoing strike of its unionized employees at the Company’s Brantford, Ontario plant, operations at the plant remained unprofitable. The Company concluded that a turnaround was highly improbable and during the fourth quarter of 2010, decided to terminate operations. The plant closed in the second quarter of 2011. Some of the Brantford production was transferred to other facilities of Intertape Polymer Group, however, the majority of the activities at the Brantford plant were discontinued. In addition, during 2011 the Company selectively stopped selling certain low-margin products manufactured at its other locations and actively worked to increase sales of high-margin products.

Through December 31, 2010, the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. As required by the Canadian Accounting Standards Board, Intertape Polymer Group adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) on January 1, 2011. As required by the applicable standards, the Company restated its financial information for 2010 to comply with IFRS with the exception of statements prior to the transition date of January 1, 2010. The impact of the conversion to IFRS on the Company’s current and future key financial metrics is immaterial.

In 2009, the Company filed a complaint in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Inspired Technologies, Inc. (“ITI”) alleging that ITI had breached its obligations under a supply agreement with the Company and ITI filed a counterclaim against the Company alleging that the Company had breached its obligations under the agreements. On April 13, 2011, after two trials on the issues, the Court entered a Judgment against the Company in the amount of approximately $1.0 million.

On May 19, 2011, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with ITI with respect to all outstanding litigation between the parties. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, the Company paid approximately $1.0 million to ITI in full and complete settlement of all matters between them with respect to the litigation.

In July 2011, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement for total consideration of $0.9 million to acquire assets primarily consisting of equipment, a customer list, and intellectual property to supplement the Company’s existing water activated tape business.

 

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In August 2008, the Company acquired the exclusive North American rights to a pending patent with respect to an automatic wrapping system. The system is designed to automate the process of wrapping packages of up to 65 feet in length. The technology targets industries such as wood products, which are traditionally manually wrapped. Along with the distribution rights, the Company acquired wrapping machines and existing customer contracts for a total consideration of CDN$5.5 million. As part of acquiring the distribution rights, the Company also made future performance commitments, which required additional considerations or penalties if these commitments were not met. However, within the first two years of the purchase agreement, the automatic wrapping system had to achieve certain market acceptance parameters or the Company had the right to renegotiate the future performance commitments with the vendor and if such renegotiation was not concluded on terms satisfactory to the Company, then the future performance commitments would not be binding on the Company. Effective September 30, 2009 and due to the adverse economic conditions impacting the lumber wrap film market targeted under the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company did not meet the performance criteria included in the first milestone of the Asset Purchase Agreement. In August 2011, the Company entered into a Contract Adjustment Agreement. Under the Agreement the Company and the vendor agreed all accrued and future penalties, film purchase minimums and machine placement thresholds were eliminated.

2012

During 2012, the Company continued to focus on developing and selling higher margin products, reducing variable manufacturing costs, executing on previously announced manufacturing plant initiatives and optimizing its debt structure. The Company took several steps during 2012 to accomplish these objectives.

The Company has a $200.0 million Asset Based Loan (“ABL”) entered into with a syndicate of financial institutions. The amount of borrowings available to the Company under the ABL is determined by its applicable borrowing base from time to time. The borrowing base is determined by calculating a percentage of eligible trade accounts receivable, inventories, and equipment. The ABL is priced at LIBOR plus a loan margin determined from a pricing grid. The loan margin declines as unused availability increases. The pricing grid of the ABL, prior to the February 1, 2012 amendment, ranged from 1.5% to 2.25%. Unencumbered real estate is subject to a negative pledge in favor of the ABL lenders. However the Company retained the ability to secure financing on all or a portion of its owned real estate up to $35.0 million and have the negative pledge in favor of the ABL lenders terminated. The ABL was scheduled to mature in March 2013. Effective February 1, 2012, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement among certain subsidiaries of the Company, the Lenders referred to therein, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as Lead Arranger and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as “right side” joint lead arranger. The Third Amendment extended the maturity date of the ABL to February 2017 from March 2013. Under the Third Amendment the interest rate will increase modestly while several other modifications in the terms provide the Company with greater flexibility. The pricing grid of the extended ABL ranges from 1.75% to 2.25%.

On June 26, 2012, the Company announced its intention to close its Richmond, Kentucky facility with the majority of production to be transferred to its Carbondale, Illinois, facility. The Company also announced the transfer of the shrink film production business from its Truro, Nova Scotia facility to its Tremonton, Utah plant. The Company believes this will allow it to further optimize its manufacturing footprint and generate significant annual savings. The Richmond, Kentucky plant is idle and being marketed for sale.

On August 14, 2012, the Company entered into an Equipment Finance Agreement with a lifetime and maximum funding amount of $24.0 million. The terms of the arrangements included multiple individual capital leases, each of which would have a term of sixty months and a fixed interest rate. The average of the fixed interest rates was expected to be less than 3%. If the Company did not finance the full amount of $4.0 million and $20.0 million by December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively, then, subject to certain conditions, the Company would be required to pay a Reinvestment Premium (as defined in the Equipment Finance Agreement) on the difference between those amounts and the amounts actually funded in each of those years. In 2012, the Company financed the required amounts and was not subject to a Reinvestment Premium.

On October 10, 2012, the Company paid a dividend of CDN$0.08 per common share, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 21, 2012. The aggregate amount of the dividend paid was USD$4.8 million.

During 2012, the Company redeemed $80.0 million of its Senior Subordinated Notes, $25.0 million on August 1, 2012 and $55.0 million on December 13, 2012, both at par value. The notional amount of Senior Subordinated Notes outstanding after the redemptions was $38.7 million.

 

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On October 16, 2012, the Company prepaid in full $1.9 million, the outstanding balance on its $3.0 million mortgage on its Danville, Virginia, facility which was originally due July 1, 2013.

On November 1, 2012, the Company entered into a Real Estate Loan of $16.6 million, amortized on a straight-line basis over the ten year term. The maturity of the loan may be accelerated if the ABL is not extended and if Bank of America, N.A. ceases to be the agent by reason of an action of the Company. A portion of the loan may be required to be repaid early if any mortgage properties are disposed of prior to October 31, 2022. Interest on the Real Estate Loan through December 31, 2012, was at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 250 basis points. Thereafter, the Real Estate Loan will bear interest at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus a loan margin between 225 and 275 basis points based on a pricing grid as defined in the loan agreement. The Real Estate Loan contains two financial covenants, both of which are calculated at the end of each fiscal month. The Company has been in compliance with these covenants since entering into the Real Estate Loan. The loan is secured by certain of the Company’s real estate.

2013

In January 2013, the Company sold the Brantford, Ontario manufacturing facility and received net proceeds of $1.6million. The Company recovered $0.2 million of the asset impairment charge previously recorded in 2011 and 2010.

On February 26, 2013, the Company announced plans to relocate and modernize its Columbia, South Carolina manufacturing operation. In June 2013, the Company acquired property located in Blythewood, South Carolina, financed by an $8.5 million mortgage with Wells Fargo National Association in connection with the relocation and modernization of its Columbia, South Carolina manufacturing facility. Improvements are underway to adapt the facility for use as a tape manufacturing facility and it is expected to be operational during the first half of 2015.

In June 2013, the Company redeemed $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes and on August 30, 2013, the Company redeemed the remaining $18.7 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes due August 1, 2014, fully discharging and satisfying the Senior Subordinated Notes and Indenture.

During 2013 the Company completed certain initiatives regarding its facilities. Production ceased at the Company’s Richmond, Kentucky, plant in the fourth quarter of 2012, production of shrink film ceased at the Company’s Truro, Nova Scotia, plant in the first quarter of 2013, and the Company consolidated its shrink film operations at its Tremonton, Utah, manufacturing facility.

On August 14, 2013, the Board of Directors modified the Company’s dividend policy to provide for the payment of quarterly dividends as opposed to semi-annual dividends. During 2013, the Company paid dividends totaling USD$0.24 per share.

In August 2013, the Company relocated its leased US corporate headquarters to 100 Paramount Drive, Suite 300, Sarasota, Florida 34232. The prior facility located in Bradenton, Florida is idle and being marketed for sale.

As discussed above, the Company entered into an Equipment Finance Agreement in August 2012. During 2013, the Company was required to finance $20 million of equipment purchases. As of December 31, 2013, the Company financed $16.9 million, however, the Company was not required to pay a Reinvestment Premium on the shortfall inasmuch as the three-year SWAP rate at December 31, 2013 as set forth in the Federal Reserve H.15 report decreased to less than 0.5%. The average of the fixed interest rates of the capital leases is 2.86%.

In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, management determines, at each balance sheet date, whether it is more likely than not that a portion or all of its deferred tax assets will be realized. This determination is based on quantitative and qualitative assessments by management and the weighing of all available evidence, both positive and negative. Such evidence includes the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and the implementation of tax planning strategies.

As of December 31, 2013, management analyzed all available evidence including, in particular, the Company’s financial results for the year then ended (taxable income and earnings before income tax expense (benefit)), the 2013 budget

 

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variances, and the Company’s cumulative financial results for the prior three years. In addition, management took under significant consideration the Company’s 2014 budget, its long-term financial projections, market and industry conditions and certain available tax strategies. As a result of this detailed analysis, management determined it is more likely than not that substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets in the US will be realized and, accordingly, recognized $47.8 million of its US deferred tax assets, $41.9 million of which impacted the Company’s net earnings while the balance impacted its shareholders’ equity.

In addition, management determined it is more likely than not that a portion of its deferred tax assets related to the Company’s corporate (holding) entity (Intertape Polymer Group Inc. or the “Entity”) will not be realized due to insufficient taxable income in future periods. Previously, the Entity benefited from sufficient taxable income as a result of certain tax planning strategies implemented in 2011 (the “Planning”). The Company’s management continues to expect that, pursuant to the Planning, the Entity will continue to generate sufficient taxable income in order to fully utilize its net operating losses with expiration dates through 2015. However, the benefit of the Planning is expected to diminish over such time. Accordingly, the Company derecognized $4.6 million of its Canadian deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013. These deferred tax assets remain available to the Company in order to reduce its taxable income in future periods.

 

  (1) Products, Markets and Distribution

 

  (a) Tapes

The Company manufactures a variety of paper and film based tapes, including pressure sensitive and water activated carton sealing tapes; industrial and performance specialty tapes including paper, flatback, duct, double coated, foil, electrical, filament tapes and stencil products.

The Company is the only packaging company that manufactures carton sealing tapes using all four adhesive technologies: hot melt, acrylic, natural rubber and water activated. As a vertically integrated manufacturer, Intertape Polymer Group has unique capabilities to produce its own adhesives used in the manufacture of its finished tape.

The Company’s tape products are manufactured and sold under the Company’s brands including Intertape™, Central®, American®, Anchor®, and Crowell® to industrial distributors and retailers, and are manufactured for sale to third parties under private brands.

Tape products launched in 2011, 2012 and 2013 include new transfer adhesive products, clean removal tensilized polypropylene and filament products, UL 723 rated aluminum foil and UL 181 rated HVAC tapes, and hot melt carton sealing tape manufactured with a proprietary Corru-Grip™ adhesive formulation for optimal closure of highly recycled corrugate. Further information regarding these new products can be found in the Research & Development section of this document.

In 2012, the Company redirected its focus to address specific solutions the Company is able to provide for the following targeted markets: fulfillment, general manufacturing, food processing and specialty (oil and gas, HVAC, aerospace, residential and commercial painting, building and construction, and mass transportation).

In 2013, the majority of the Company’s product launches were double coated, carton sealing, HVAC, appliance packaging and masking tapes.

For the years ending December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, tapes accounted for 65%, 66%, and 66%, respectively, of the Company’s revenue.

The Company’s tape products consist of two main product groups, Carton Sealing Tapes and Industrial & Specialty Tapes.

 

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Carton Sealing Tapes

Carton sealing tapes are sold primarily under the Intertape™ and Central® brands to industrial distributors and leading retailers, as well as to third parties under private brands. Management believes Intertape Polymer Group is the only company worldwide that produces carton sealing tapes using all four adhesive technologies: hot melt, acrylic, natural rubber and water activated. The Company also sells the application equipment required for the dispensing of its carton sealing tapes.

Hot Melt Tape

Hot melt carton sealing tape is a polypropylene film coated with a synthetic rubber adhesive which offers a wide range of application flexibility and is typically used in carton sealing applications. The Company’s primary competitors are 3M Co., Shurtape Technologies LLC and Vibac Group.

Acrylic Tape

Acrylic carton sealing tape is a polypropylene film coated with an aqueous, pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive which is best suited for applications where performance is required within a broad range of temperatures from less than 40°F (4°C) to greater than 120°F (49°C). The Company’s primary competitors are 3M Co., Pitamas and Sekisui TA Industries Inc.

Natural Rubber Tape

Natural rubber carton sealing tape is a polypropylene film coated with natural rubber adhesive and is unique among the carton sealing tapes because of its aggressive adhesion properties. This tape is ideally suited for conditions involving hot, dusty, humid or cold environments. Typical uses include moving and storage industry applications, as well as packaging and shipping. The Company’s primary competitor is Vibac Group.

Water Activated Tape

Water activated carton sealing tape is typically manufactured using a filament reinforced kraft paper substrate and a starch based adhesive that is activated by water. Water activated tape is used primarily in applications where a strong mechanical bond or tamper evidence is required. Typical end-use markets include fulfillment centers, mail order operations, furniture manufacturers and the apparel industry. The Company’s primary competitor is Holland Manufacturing Co. Inc.

Industrial & Specialty Tapes

The Company produces eight primary industrial and specialty products sold primarily under the Intertape™, American® and Anchor® brands: paper tape, flatback tape, duct tape, double coated tape, foil tape, electrical tape, filament tape and stencil products.

Paper Tape

Paper tape is manufactured from a crepe paper substrate coated with a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber adhesive. Paper tape is used for a variety of performance and general purpose end-use applications. Product applications include paint masking (consumer, contractor, automotive, aerospace and marine), splicing, bundling/packaging, and general light duty applications. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are 3M Co., Shurtape Technologies, LLC, Cantech and tesa tape, inc.

Flatback Tape

Flatback tape is manufactured using a smooth kraft paper substrate coated with a natural rubber/SIS blended adhesive. Flatback tape is designed with low elongation and is widely used in applications such as splicing where the tape should not be distorted. Typical applications for flatback tape include splicing, printable identification tapes, label products and carton closure. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are 3M Co. and Shurtape Technologies, LLC.

 

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Duct Tape

Duct tape is manufactured from a polyethylene film that has been reinforced with scrim and coated with natural/synthetic rubber blend adhesive or specialty polymer adhesives. Duct tape is primarily used by general consumers for a wide range of applications. Duct tapes are also used in maintenance, repair and operations, in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning markets, construction and in the convention and entertainment industries. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are Berry Plastics Corp., 3M Co. and Shurtape Technologies, LLC.

Double Coated Tape

Double coated tape is manufactured from a paper, foam, or film substrate and is coated on both sides with a variety of adhesive systems. Double coated tape also uses a release liner made from paper or film that prevents the tape from sticking to itself. Double coated tape is typically used to join two dissimilar surfaces. The Company’s double coated tape products are used across a range of markets that include aerospace, graphics, transportation, converting and nameplates. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are 3M Co., tesa tape, inc., and Scapa Group plc.

Foil Tape

Foil tape is manufactured using an aluminum substrate and a variety of adhesive systems. The tape is designed for applications that range from HVAC, building and construction, aerospace, transportation, industrial, and general purpose. The products are UV resistant, have reflective and flame retardant properties, and remain flexible to resist cracking and lifting around irregular or curved surfaces. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are 3M Co., Berry Plastics and Avery Dennison Corp.

Electrical and Electronic Tape

Electrical and electronic tape is manufactured from a number of different substrates, including paper, polyester, glass cloth and a variety of adhesive systems that include rubber, acrylic and silicone adhesives. Electrical and electronic tape is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) component listed and engineered to meet stringent application specifications. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are 3M Co., Nitto Denko, Saint Gobain, Bondtec, and H-Old.

Filament Tape

Filament tape is a film or paper adhesive tape with fiberglass strands or polyester fibers embedded in the adhesive to provide high tensile strength. Primary applications for filament tape include temporary holding, bundling and unitizing, subsea umbilical cables (oil and gas), metal coil tubing, and agricultural applications. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are 3M Co., TaraTape, Inc. and Shurtape Technologies, LLC.

Stencil Products

Stencil products, sold under the Anchor® brand, are manufactured from a calendared natural/synthetic rubber blended substrate with an acrylic adhesive and specially formulated adhesives. Stencil products are used in applications within the sign and monument manufacturing markets to protect a surface where high pressure blasting is required. The Company’s primary competitor for this product is 3M Co.

 

  (b) Films

Films

The Company also manufactures a variety of polyethylene and specialized polyolefin films, as well as complementary packaging systems, for industrial use and retail use, including shrink film, stretch wrap and air pillows. As a vertically integrated manufacturer, Intertape Polymer Group has unique capabilities to produce tape products using internally manufactured films.

The Company’s film products are marketed under the Company’s brands including SuperFlex®, StretchFlex®, ExlfilmPlus®, and Exlfilm®, and iCushion® to industrial distributors and retailers, and are manufactured for sale to third parties under private brands. Film products launched in 2011 and 2012 include a new high performance cross-linked polyolefin shrink film. Further information regarding this new product can be found in the Research & Development section of this document.

 

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During each of the last three years, films accounted for 19% of the Company’s revenue.

The Company’s film products consist of two main product groups, film and protective packaging.

The Company primarily produces two film product lines: SuperFlex® and StretchFlex® stretch wrap and ExlfilmPlus® and Exlfilm® shrink film.

Stretch Wrap

Stretch wrap is a single or multi-layer plastic film that can be stretched without application of heat and which has the characteristic of trying to return to its original length thereby applying force on the wrapped load. It is used industrially to wrap pallets of various products ensuring a solid load for shipping. The Company uses state-of-the-art technology for the manufacturing of its stretch film products.

SuperFlex® is a high performance, light gauge stretch film which offers customers good security for their loads but at a low cost per load. Genesys® (introduced in 2006), Genesys® Ultra (introduced in 2011), Fortress® (introduced in 2008), and ProLite® (introduced in 2010) are SuperFlex® brand products. AEP Industries, Inc., Amtopp, Berry Plastics Corp., Malpack (Canada), and Paragon Films produce competitive products.

StretchFlex® is the Company’s regular duty, typically a heavier gauge of stretch film which also provides the customer with secure loads at a low price per pound. SFI, SSC, SFIII, Hand Wrap II and Hand Wrap IV are StretchFlex® brand products and all were introduced prior to 2000. Competitors include AEP Industries Inc., Berry Plastics Corp., Sigma Plastics Group and Amtopp.

Shrink Film

ExlfilmPlus® and Exlfilm® shrink film are specialty plastic films which shrink under controlled heat to conform to a package’s shape. The process permits the over-wrapping of a vast array of products of varying sizes and dimensions with a single packaging line. ExlfilmPlus® and Exlfilm® are used to package paper products, food, toys, games, sporting goods, hardware and housewares and a variety of other products. In 2011, the Company introduced ExlfilmPlus® GPS, a new polyolefin shrink film. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are Sealed Air Corp. and Bemis Co. Inc.

Intertape Polymer Group entered the European shrink film market through its investment in Fibope in April 1995. The Company initially purchased a 50% equity interest in Fibope, acquiring the remaining 50% equity stake in July 2003 to serve as a platform to penetrate European and African markets with other products of the Company. Fibope operates as an autonomous unit within Intertape Polymer Group.

Fibope produces a full range of shrink film products for sale in the European Community. Raw materials are primarily sourced within Europe, with multiple sources utilized to ensure stability of supply and a competitive price environment.

Protective Packaging

Air Pillows

Air pillows are manufactured from polyethylene film and are inflated at the point of use with an air pillow machine. Air pillows are used as packaging material for void fill and cushioning applications. Typical end-use markets for air pillows include fulfillment houses, contract packagers, and mail order pharmacies. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are Pregis Corp., Sealed Air Corp., Storopack, Inc., Free-Flow Packaging International Inc. and Polyair Inter Pack Inc.

 

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Complementary Packaging Systems

Machinery

IPG also provides complementary packaging systems under the Interpack® brand. Machinery makes up IPG’s Complementary Packaging Systems and include, but are not limited to, mechanical systems for case sealing applications with the use of long roll carton sealing tape, as well as water activated tape produced by IPG. They also include IPG’s void fill machines and bagging machines. These machines are used in production lines at the packaging level. They are also widely used in the fulfillment industries. These systems add value by providing efficient packaging lines to a host of industrial customers. The company’s primary competitors are 3M, Loveshaw, BestPack, Better Packages, Marsh and Phoenix.

 

  (c) Woven Coated Fabrics

The Company develops and manufactures innovative industrial packaging, protective covering, barrier and liner products utilizing engineered coated polyolefin fabrics, paper and other laminated materials. Its products are sold through multiple channels in a wide number of industries including lumber, construction and agriculture.

On October 5, 2005, Intertape Polymer Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Flexia Corporation Ltd., which was the result of the amalgamation of Flexia Corporation and Fib-Pak Industries, Inc. The businesses of such companies were operated under wholly-owned Canadian entities, ECP L.P. and ECP GP II Inc. through December 31, 2012. ECP GP II Inc. was a producer of a wide range of engineered coated and laminated products with its facilities located in Langley, British Columbia and Truro, Nova Scotia. As a result of an internal restructuring of the Company’s subsidiaries, ECP L.P. and ECP GP II Inc. were liquidated and dissolved December 31, 2012 and as a result, all business, assets and liabilities were transferred to Intertape Polymer Inc.

The Company’s woven coated fabrics are categorized in four markets: (A) building and construction, (B) agro-environmental, (C) specialty fabrics, and (D) industrial packaging. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011 woven coated fabric products accounted for 15%, 14%, and 15%, respectively, of the Company’s sales.

Building and Construction Products

The Company’s building and construction product group includes protective wrap for kiln dried lumber, membrane barrier products such as house wrap, window and door flashing, membrane structure fabrics used in clear span buildings, roof underlayment, and insulation facing, which are used directly in residential and commercial construction. The Company also supplies packaging over-wrap sleeves for unitizing multiple bags of fiberglass insulation. The Company’s primary competitors for these products include Interwrap, Inc., E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Fiberweb Inc., Alpha ProTech and various producers from China and Korea.

Lumberwrap

Intertape Polymer Group’s lumberwrap is used to package, unitize, protect and brand lumber during transportation and storage. The product is available in polyethylene or polypropylene coated fabrics and polyethylene films printed to customer specifications. The Company’s primary competitor is Interwrap.

Membrane Structure Fabrics

Nova-Shield® is a lightweight, wide-width, and durable polyolefin fabric used as the outer skin layer for flexible membrane structures. The introduction and continuous improvement of the Nova-Shield® fabric in the membrane structure market enabled membrane structure manufacturers to expand the use of this product beyond agricultural applications such as agriculture barns into larger structures for human occupancy such as amphitheaters, recreational facilities, trade show pavilions, aircraft hangers, and casinos. Developments in the product line include the patented stacked weave, and AmorKote™ coatings. The Company sells the Nova-Shield® fabrics to membrane structure manufacturers who design, fabricate, and install the structures. The Company’s primary competitors are Fabrene Inc. and a number of polyvinyl chloride producers. The Company produces these products primarily at its plant in Truro, Nova Scotia.

 

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Roof Underlayment

The Company began commercial production of roof underlayment at its Truro, Nova Scotia facility in August, 2008. It is a roof underlay that is lighter and easier to install than standard #30 building felt. In November 2010, the Company introduced new product names for its roof underlayment to insure consistency across products and to help customers distinguish among levels of product performance so they may specify and use the best solution for their particular application. The Company’s primary competitors in this market are Interwrap, W.R. Grace, Alpha ProTech and a variety of #30 felt producers.

Agro-Environmental Products

The Company has developed a range of Agro-Environmental products, including bags for packaging fiber insulation, fabrics designed for conversion into hay covers, grain covers, landfill covers, oil field membranes, and canal and pond liners. These fabrics are intended to provide protection during transit and storage and to line waterways and ponds to prevent loss of water and other liquids.

Geomembrane Fabrics

The Company’s AquaMaster® line of geomembrane fabrics is used as irrigation canal liners, golf course and aquascape pond liners, oil pad liners, hydraulic fracturing ponds and in aquaculture operations. The Company’s primary competitors for similar products include Fabrene Inc., Mai Weave LLC, Interwrap and Inland Tarp. Competitive products which may be used as substitutes are manufactured by GSE Environmental and Raven Industries Inc.

Hay Wrap

Hay cover products are specially designed fabrics designed to function as protective covers, haystack covers, pit and pond liners and pool covers. The proprietary coating is used to enhance abrasion resistance, flex resistance, seam strength, UV resistance and longevity. The Company’s primary competitors for this product include offshore imports, as well as Maiweave and Fabrene.

Poultry Fabrics

Woven coated polyolefin fabrics are used in the construction of poultry houses in the southern United States. Materials with high ultraviolet resistance are fabricated into side curtains that regulate ventilation and temperature in buildings. Other materials are used in ceiling construction. The Company’s primary competitors for this product are Fabrene Inc. and Mai Weave LLC. These products are primarily produced at the Company’s plant in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Specialty Fabrics

The Company’s specialty fabric product category is comprised of a variety of specialty materials custom designed for unique applications or specific customers. The Company’s ability to provide polyolefin fabrics in a variety of weights, widths, colors and styles, and to slit, print and perform various other conversion steps, allows it to provide an array of coated products designed to meet the specific needs of its customers.

Products and applications of specialty fabrics include fabrics designed for conversion into pool covers, field covers, disaster relief materials, protective covers and construction sheeting, brattice cloth for mine ventilation, underground marking tapes, salt pile covers and industrial packaging.

Primary competitors of the Company for this product include Fabrene Inc., Mai Weave LLC and producers from China and Korea. The Company primarily produces these products at its plant in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Industrial Packaging Products

The Company’s metal wrap is used to protect large coils of steel and aluminum during transit and storage. Primary competitors of the Company for this product include Interwrap Inc. and Covalence Specialty Materials Corp.

 

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  (d) Other

The Company also earns revenues from the sale of FIBCs and from royalties. FIBCs are flexible, intermediate bulk containers generally designed to carry and discharge 1,500 to 3,500 pounds of dry flowable fill products such as chemicals, minerals and dry food ingredients. The market for FIBCs is highly fragmented. The Company has established proven supply lines with integrated bag manufacturers in India, China and Mexico. Revenue from royalties is earned on the purchases of film wrap by end users from another supplier which is used in machines supplied by the Company. For the years ending December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, other accounted for 1%, 1%, and 0%, respectively, of the Company’s revenue.

 

  (2) Sales and Marketing

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 196 sales, customer service and marketing personnel, including manufacturer representatives. The Company participates in industry trade shows and uses trade advertising as part of its marketing efforts. The Company’s customer base is diverse, with no single customer accounting for more than 5% of total sales in 2013. Sales of products to customers located in the United States and Canada accounted for approximately 82% and 8% of total sales, respectively, in 2013, 81% and 9% in 2012; and 80% and 9% in 2011.

Many tape and film products are sold to the market through a network of paper, packaging and industrial distributors throughout North America. In order to enhance sales of the Company’s pressure sensitive carton sealing tape, it also sells carton closing systems, including automatic and semi-automatic carton sealing equipment. The Company’s shrink and stretch film products are sold through an existing industrial distribution base primarily to manufacturers of packaged goods and printing and paper products which package their products internally. The industrial electrical tapes are sold to the electronics and electrical industries.

The Company’s woven coated fabric products are primarily sold directly to end-users. The Company offers a line of lumberwrap, structure and specialty fabrics manufactured from plastic resins. The Company’s woven coated fabric products are marketed throughout North America.

The Company also earns revenues from the sale of FIBCs and from royalties. FIBCs are sold primarily to end users and are marketed throughout North America.

 

  (3) Seasonality of the Company’s Main Business

The Company experiences business cyclicality that requires the management of working capital resources. Historically, a larger investment in working capital is required in the beginning of the year as accounts receivable increases due to higher first quarter sales compared to the prior fourth quarter while inventory increases due to higher anticipated seasonal second quarter sales. Furthermore, certain liabilities are accrued for throughout the year and are only paid during the first quarter. Normal seasonality would also typically reflect a slight sequential improvement in sales volumes in the third quarter. These sequential increases are usually driven by the same seasonal demand in anticipation of higher shipping volumes in line with the general economy during that time of the year. This normal increase in sales volume in the third quarter is typically followed by a slight decline in sales in the fourth quarter.

 

  (4) Equipment and Raw Materials

Intertape Polymer Group purchases mostly custom designed manufacturing equipment, including extruders, coaters, finishing equipment, looms, printers, bag manufacturing machines and injection molds, from manufacturers located in the United States and Western Europe, and participates in the design and upgrading of such equipment. The Company is not dependent on any one manufacturer for its equipment.

The major raw materials purchased for the Company’s tape products are polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, synthetic rubber, hydrocarbon resin, and paper (crepe and kraft). The resins and synthetic rubber are generated from petrochemicals which are by-products of crude oil and natural gas. Almost all of these products are sourced from North American manufacturers. The majority of paper products are produced by North American paper manufacturers which are derived from the North American pulp and paper industry. Raw materials accounted for approximately 67%, 67% and 69% of reported cost of sales in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

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The major raw material used in our film products is polyethylene resin. Polyethylene is a derivative of natural gas petrochemical by-products and/or crude oil.

The major raw materials used to produce the Company’s engineered coated products are polyethylene and polypropylene resins. Both of these products are petrochemical based products derived from crude oil and/or natural gas. These products are predominantly sourced from North American petrochemical manufacturers.

During 2013, selling prices (including the impact of product mix) increased more than raw material costs, which also rose on average. During 2013, resin-based raw material costs increased by about 3%, paper costs were approximately the same, and adhesives decreased about 2%.

 

  (5) Research and Development and New Products

Intertape Polymer Group’s strategy is to create growth opportunities through enhancements of existing products and the introduction of new products. The Company’s research and development efforts continue to focus on new products, technology developments, new product processes and formulations. As described in the sections that follow, the Company introduced 38 new products in 2013 and introduced 35 new products in both 2012 and 2011.

During 2011, Intertape Polymer Group launched its new transfer adhesives product line introducing four new products developed as part of the Company’s on-going product line development in double coated tapes. Intertape™ brand ATA200 and ATA400, a 2 mil and 4 mil acrylic transfer adhesive, was designed for use in general purpose applications such as core starting, paper/film splicing, arts and crafts bonding, picture framing and lamination. The Company also introduced ATA201 and ATA401 which are more suitable for more demanding and specialized applications requiring long term bonding and high temperature and solvent resistance. In 2013, IPG expanded its adhesive transfer tapes product line to include narrower widths, longer rolls, three adhesive thicknesses and a new ATG tape dispenser.

In 2012, the Company enhanced its appliance grade clean removal portfolio with new tensilized polypropylene and filament products: APL145, TPP200, TPP350, and TPP400. Each offers excellent adhesion and stain/residue free removal from painted metals, stainless steel, ABS plastic, fiberglass and various other surfaces used in the appliance, steel, composite, plastic extrusion, fulfillment and window and door industries.

In 2013, the Company expanded its stretch film product line to include smaller sized bundle wrap designed as convenient solutions for many home, office, workshop, yard and school applications.

During 2011, the Company introduced a new aluminum foil tape designed primarily for HVAC applications. In developing this product the Company focused on producing a finished product that supported both the rigid duct and flexible duct application requirements. The finished product received dual certifications which permit its use to support both flexible and rigid duct HVAC criteria for building codes throughout the United States. The Company also introduced Intertape™ brand ALF175L to meet the need of a UL723 rated multi-purpose foil tape. This product was designed to give exceptional performance where use of a thinner gauge foil base material is acceptable for this application.

In 2011, the Company launched ExlfilmPlus® GPS, the Company’s newest high performance crosslinked polyolefin shrink film. This multilayered film is versatile enough to perform on all sealing systems and shrink tunnels. The premium resin formulation provides consistently strong seals and offers high shrink force, making it the ideal choice for multipacking and unitizing products.

In 2012, the Company introduced UL 181-rated AC50UL, a premium-grade HVAC duct tape for flexible air ducts and air connectors. This 14 mil high-strength polyethylene-coated cloth duct tape meets flexible duct criteria for HVAC systems required by many building codes throughout the US, including that recommended by the 2009 California Residential Compliance Manual. The Company also expanded its offering to contractors with the addition of a metalized version of this AC50UL product. Its reflective finish is especially suited for joining seams on flexible air duct with metallic jackets and duct board with exterior foil laminate vapor retarders.

With more than 90% of all corrugated boxes being recovered for recycling and the average percentage of recycled content in a corrugated box greater than 40%, the Company’s research and development recognized the need for a test that mirrors the effectiveness of carton sealing tapes when applied to boxes of varying recycled content. A new test apparatus was

 

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designed that accepts any box sample, duplicates the box sealing application and measures closure performance under a variety of controlled environmental conditions. In response to this market change, research and development also formulated a new Corru-Grip™ adhesive technology designed specifically for optimal closure of highly recycled corrugate, including 100% recycled boxes. In 2012, the Company introduced a new 1100 premium 3.0 mil hot melt carton sealing tape designed with this new proprietary adhesive formulation. The market responded favorably and the Company expanded its offering in 2013 to include 8100 (2.2 mil) and 9100 (2.5 mil).

In 2013, IPG introduced four new carton sealing tape (CST) products. Specifically, two, hot melt, pressure sensitive adhesive (HMPSA) products targeted for sealing cartons with a high, recycled content and two water activated tape (WAT) products. One WAT CST is an improved version of IPG’s legacy Red Alert Water Activated tape, Red Alert MD. Red Alert MD is designed to offer the same level of packaging security as the legacy product, while providing easier opening capabilities. The other is a high-strength, burst-resistant product specifically designed for a customer’s demanding application needs. Four masking products were launched into the automotive refurbishing, marine, and architectural painting markets. Five double coated products were released into a variety of splicing and bonding markets.

A new stainless steel uniform semi-automatic case sealer was added to IPG’s line of Interpack™ complementary packaging systems in 2013. Targeting food processing facilities, the USC 2020-SB SS is available in food grade 302-304 stainless steel and NEMA 4 electrics, making it ideal for non-caustic wash down applications.

The Company’s research expenses in 2013, 2012, and 2011 totaled $6.9 million, $6.2 million, and $6.2 million, respectively.

 

  (6) Trademarks and Patents

Intertape Polymer Group embarked on a new corporate branding strategy during 2009 to create and communicate overall consistency and simplicity to its markets. The Company adopted a new look to its corporate logo and redesigned its sub-brand logos which the Company believes are clearer and also have helped to identify the individual product lines.

Intertape Polymer Group markets its tape products under the trademarks Intertape™, Central®, Crowell®, American®, and various private labels. The Company’s shrink wrap is sold under the registered trademark ExlfilmPlus™ and Exlfilm®. Its stretch films are sold under the trademark SuperFlex™ and StretchFlex®.

The Company markets its open mouth bags under the registered trademark NovaPac®. The other key engineered coated products are sold under the registered trademarks NovaThene®, NovaShield®, NovaSeal®, NovaWrap™, and NovaFlash®. Its engineered fabric polyolefin fabrics are sold under the registered trademark NovaThene®.

The Company has approximately 151 active registered trademarks, 78 in the United States, 22 in Canada, 11 in Mexico, and 40 foreign, which include trademarks acquired from American Tape, Anchor, Rexford Paper Company, Central Products Company, The Crowell Corporation and Flexia. The Company currently has one pending trademark application in the United States, and 12 in foreign jurisdictions.

Intertape Polymer Group has a US and PCT pending patent application directed to a carton sealing tape and a US, Taiwan, and PCT pending patent application to an improved tape dispenser for carton sealing tapes. Also, the Company has pursued US and foreign patents in select areas where it believes that unique products offer a competitive advantage in profitable markets, primarily in engineered coated products for which the Company has 8 patents and 1 patent pending, film for which it has 8 patents and 1 patent pending, tape products for which it has 14 patents and 16 patents pending, adhesive products for which it has 15 patents and 8 patents pending, container products for which it has 2 patents and 1 patent pending, and retail for which it has 5 patents and no patents pending.

 

  (7) Competition

The Company competes with other manufacturers of plastic packaging and pressure sensitive adhesive products as well as manufacturers of alternative packaging products, such as paper, cardboard and paper-plastic combinations. Some of these competitors are larger companies with greater financial resources than the Company. Management believes that competition, while primarily based on price and quality, is also based on other factors, including product performance characteristics and service. No statistics, however, on the packaging market as a whole are currently publicly available. Please refer to Section B(1) above for a discussion of the Company’s main competitors by product.

 

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The Company believes that significant barriers to entry exist in the packaging market. Management considers the principal barriers to be the high cost of vertical integration which it believes is necessary to operate competitively, the significant number of patents which already have been issued in respect of various processes and equipment, and the difficulties and expense of developing an adequate distribution network.

 

  (8) Environmental Initiatives and Regulation

 

  (a) Initiatives

Intertape Polymer Group has and continues to be focused on reducing waste and minimizing any harmful environmental impact throughout its manufacturing process, or footprint left behind by the line of products manufactured and marketed by the Company. Lili™ is the Company’s environmental stewardship program and stands for “low environmental impact line from IPG”, however it is more than just the growing number of environmentally preferred products that the Company has and continues to develop, but is also a commitment by management and employees of the Company to continually look for opportunities to lower the Company’s environmental impact. Intertape Polymer Group has implemented and continues to implement activities, changes and programs that are designed to reduce waste in the manufacturing process; reduce the footprint left behind by its products, processes and employees; increase the recycling of its products; provide an alternative solution to a less environmentally friendly product or application; reduce consumption of raw materials, fuel and other energy sources; reduce pollutants released through air, water and waste; and improve the safety and health of employees.

The Company’s latest environmental initiative has been to focus on energy savings. In August 2009, the Company became an Energy Star® Partner, which is a voluntary partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency to improve energy efficiency and fight global warming. Intertape Polymer Group as an Energy Star® Partner joined the fight against global warming by improving the efficiency of its buildings and facilities. Products and buildings that have earned the Energy Star® designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2011 Intertape Polymer Group was recognized for meeting the US EPA Energy Star Challenge by improving energy efficiency at commercial and industrial facilities by ten percent or more within five years. Only the efforts of 34 facilities operated by 14 companies were publicly acknowledged for successfully reducing emissions at their manufacturing sites. Intertape was cited for energy efficiency improvements of 29.1% in Carbondale, Illinois, 23.4% in Richmond, Kentucky, and 18.3% in Menasha, Wisconsin.

 

  (b) Regulation

Intertape Polymer Group’s operations are subject to extensive environmental regulation in each of the countries in which it maintains facilities. For example, United States (federal, state and local) and Canadian (federal, provincial and municipal) environmental laws applicable to the Company include statutes and regulations intended to (i) impose certain obligations with respect to site contamination and to allocate the cost of investigating, monitoring and remedying soil and groundwater contamination among specifically identified parties, (ii) prevent future soil and groundwater contamination; (iii) impose national ambient standards and, in some cases, emission standards, for air pollutants which present a risk to public health, welfare or the natural environment; (iv) govern the handling, management, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes and substances; and (v) regulate the discharge of pollutants into waterways.

The Company’s use of hazardous substances in its manufacturing processes and the generation of hazardous wastes not only by the Company, but by prior occupants of its facilities, suggest that hazardous substances may be present at or near certain of the Company’s facilities or may come to be located there in the future. Consequently, the Company is required to monitor closely its compliance under all the various environmental laws and regulations applicable to the Company. In addition, the Company arranges for the off-site disposal of hazardous substances generated in the ordinary course of its business.

Intertape Polymer Group obtains Phase I or similar environmental site assessments, and Phase II environmental site assessments, if necessary, for most of the manufacturing facilities it owns or leases at the time the Company either acquires or leases such facilities. These assessments typically include general inspections and may involve soil sampling and/or ground water analysis. The assessments have not revealed any environmental liability that, based on current information, the Company believes will have a material adverse effect on the Company. Nevertheless, these assessments may not reveal all potential

 

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environmental liabilities and current assessments are not available for all facilities. Consequently, there may be material environmental liabilities that the Company is not aware of. In addition, ongoing clean up and containment operations may not be adequate for purposes of future laws and regulations. The conditions of the Company’s properties could also be affected in the future by neighboring operations or the conditions of the land in the vicinity of the Company’s properties. These developments and others, such as increasingly stringent environmental laws and regulations, increasingly strict enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, or claims for damage to property or injury to persons resulting from the environmental, health or safety impact of the Company’s operations, may cause it to incur significant costs and liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Except as described below, the Company believes that all of its facilities are in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, and that the Company has obtained, and is in material compliance with, all material permits required under environmental laws and regulations.

The Company has purchased a new building in Blythewood, South Carolina and is expected to close the existing Columbia, South Carolina plant by May of 2015. This new plant will have technology with advanced environmental controls. The Columbia, South Carolina Plant production will be relocated to this new plant and other existing Company plants. In preparation for the Columbia, South Carolina plant closure the Company will continue to monitor and limit environmental impacts, including certain contamination that has negatively impacted the value of this property.

In addition, although certain of the Company’s facilities emit regulated pollutants into the air, the emissions are within current permitted limits, including applicable Maximum Achievable Control Technology (“MACT”) requirements.

Intertape Polymer Group and its operating subsidiaries are required to maintain numerous environmental permits and governmental approvals for their operations. Some of the environmental permits and governmental approvals that have been issued to the Company or its operating subsidiaries contain conditions and restrictions, including restrictions or limits on emissions and discharges of pollutants and contaminants, or may have limited terms. If the Company or any of its operating subsidiaries fails to satisfy these conditions or to comply with these restrictions, it may become subject to enforcement actions and the operation of the relevant facilities could be adversely affected. The Company may also be subject to fines, penalties or additional costs. The Company or its operating subsidiaries may not be able to renew, maintain or obtain all environmental permits and governmental approvals required for the continued operation or further development of its facilities, as a result of which the operation of its facilities may be limited or suspended.

 

  C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. is a holding company which owns various operating companies in the United States, Canada and internationally. Intertape Polymer Inc., a Canadian corporation, is the principal operating company for the Company’s Canadian operations. Intertape Polymer Corp., a Delaware corporation, is the principal operating company for the Company’s United States and international operations.

The table below lists for each of the subsidiaries of the Company their respective place of incorporation or constitution, as the case may be, and the percentage of voting securities beneficially owned or over which control or direction is exercised directly or indirectly by Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

 

Corporation

   Place of
Incorporation or
Constitution
   Percentage of Ownership
or Control
 

Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

   Canada      Parent   

Intertape Polymer Inc.

   Canada      100

Spuntech Fabrics Inc. *

   Canada      100

Intertape Polymer Corp.

   Delaware      100

Intertape Woven Products Services S.A. de C.V.

   Mexico      100

 

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Table of Contents

Corporation

   Place of
Incorporation or
Constitution
   Percentage of Ownership
or Control
 

Intertape Woven Products, S.A. de C.V.

   Mexico      100

IPG Holdings LP *

   Delaware      100

IPG (US) Inc.

   Delaware      100

IPG (US) Holdings Inc.

   Delaware      100

Intertape Polymer US Inc.

   Delaware      100

Fibope Portuguesa-Filmes Biorientados S.A.

   Portugal      100

Intertape Polymer Europe GmbH

   Germany      100

 

* Dormant

 

  D. PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

 

Location

   Status   Use    Products   Square Feet      Property
Size

(Acres)
 

3647 Cortez Road West (1)

Bradenton, FL 34210

   Owned   Idle    N/A     20,806         3.71   

100 Paramount Dr, Suite 300

Sarasota, FL 34232

   Leased   Office    N/A     28,574      

369 Elgin Street

Brantford, Ontario N3S 7P5

   Sold

Jan 2013

  Manufacturing    N/A     169,000         9.20   

2000 South Beltline Boulevard

Columbia, SC 29201

   Owned   Manufacturing    Tapes (paper duct)    
 
7 Buildings –
499,770
  
  
     86.48   

1091 Carolina Pines Dr. (3)

Blythewood, SC 29016

   Owned   Manufacturing    Tapes (paper duct)     350,000         33.83   

360 Ringgold Industrial Pkwy.

Danville, VA 24540

   Leased   Regional
Distribution
Center
   All products     199,600      

19680 94A Avenue

Langley, British Columbia

V1M 3B7

   Leased

(Expires
4/30/2014)

  Manufacturing    ECPs     136,000      

10101 Nordel Court

Delta, British Columbia

V4G 1J8

   Leased

(Begins
1/1/2014)

  Manufacturing    ECPs     54,274      

317 Kendall Street (2)

Marysville, Michigan 48040

   Owned   Manufacturing    Tapes (paper reinforced)    
 
5 Buildings –
226,016
  
  
     11.53   

741 4th Street

Menasha, Wisconsin 54952

   Owned   Manufacturing    Tapes (water activated)     165,134         5.91   

748 Sheboygan Street

Menasha, Wisconsin 54953

   Owned   Office
Building
   N/A     16,251         Incl above   

2000 Enterprise Drive (2)

Richmond, Kentucky 40475

   Owned   Idle    N/A     194,000         35.00   

 

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Table of Contents

Location

   Status    Use    Products   Square Feet      Property
Size

(Acres)
 

760 West 1000 North (2)

Tremonton, Utah 84337

   Owned    Manufacturing    Exlfilm®,
Stretchflex®
    115,000         17.00   

50 Abbey Avenue (2)

Truro, Nova Scotia

   Owned    Manufacturing    engineered fabric
products and
Exlfilm®
    306,200         13.00   

543 Willow Street

Truro, Nova Scotia

   Leased    Warehouse        15,000      

9942 Currie Davis Dr., Ste 23B

Tampa, Florida 33619

   Leased    Manufacturing    Assembles tape
dispensing
machinery
    17,000      

2200 North McRoy Drive (2)

Carbondale, Illinois 62901

   Owned    Manufacturing    Tapes - electrical     190,324         29.9   

1095 S. 4th Avenue

Brighton, Colorado 80601

   Leased    Manufacturing    Film    
 

 
 

Manufacturing &
Office – 252,940

Warehouse –
21,450

  
  

  
  

  

1101 Eagle Springs Road (2)

Danville, Virginia 24540

   Owned    Manufacturing    Carton sealing tape,
Stretchflex®, acrylic
coating
    289,195         26.0   

341 Bullys Street

Eagle Pass, Texas 78852

   Leased    Warehouse    FIBCs     20,000      

772 Specialists Avenue

Neenah, Wisconsin 54956

   Leased    Distribution    Tapes – water
activated
    75,000      

1407 The Boulevard, Suite E

Rayne, Louisiana 70578

   Leased    Offices    N/A     

4061 E. Francis Street

Ontario, California 91761

   Leased    Warehouse and
Distribution
   Tapes

Packaging products

    50,000      

9999 Cavendish Blvd., Suite 200

St. Laurent, Quebec H4M 2X5

   Leased    Offices    N/A    

 

13,500 in 2013

8,500 a/o 1/1/2014

  

  

  

Gronfahrtweg 3

24955 Harrislee

Germany

   Leased    Office    N/A     560      

Lugar de Vilares-Barqueiros

4740-676 Barqueiros BCL

Barcelos, Portugal

   Owned    Manufacturing
and Distribution
   Exlfilm®     35,500      

 

(1) Encumbered by $1,765,500 commercial mortgage.
(2) Encumbered by $15,122,500 real estate secured term loan secured by certain real estate and improvements.
(3) Encumbered by commercial mortgage for up to $10.7 million, $8.5 million of which was advanced upon closing of the purchase of the property in June 2013, secured by real estate and improvements located in Blythewood, South Carolina. An additional $2.1 million is available to be loaned upon completion and appraisal of the building improvements to adapt the property for use as a manufacturing facility.

The Company also owns inventory that is temporarily located at facilities owned by various third-party logistics service providers. As these facilities are not owned or leased by the Company, they have been excluded from the summary table above.

The Company continued to move forward in 2013 on several of its initiatives to improve manufacturing efficiencies. Capital expenditures for the replacement of machinery and equipment during 2012 and 2013 totaled $21.6 million and $46.8 million, respectively, financed in part by an Equipment Finance Agreement, the terms of which are summarized in Item 4.B. above.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company is also relocating and modernizing its Columbia, South Carolina, manufacturing facility. In June 2013, the Company acquired property in Blythewood, South Carolina financed by an $8.5 million mortgage with Wells Fargo National Association. The new manufacturing facility will have state-of-the-art equipment and is anticipated to be operational in the first half of 2015. Capital expenditures for the project are expected to total $43.0 million to $46.0 million, of which $2.7 million was spent in 2012 and $21.8 million in 2013. The Company anticipates that the new South Carolina facility will result in a total annual cash savings in excess of $13.0 million commencing in the first half of 2015 with the first full year effects in 2016.

 

Item 4A: Unresolved Staff Comments

Not Applicable.

 

Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects (Management’s Discussion & Analysis)

 

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This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to provide the reader with a better understanding of the business, business strategy and performance of the Company, as well as how it manages certain risks and capital resources. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the three-year period ended December 31, 2013.

Except where otherwise indicated, all financial information presented in this MD&A, including tabular amounts, is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS” or “GAAP”) and is expressed in US dollars except as otherwise noted. Variance, ratio and percentage changes in this MD&A are based on unrounded numbers.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(In thousands of US dollars except per share data, selected ratios, stock and trading volume information)

(Unaudited)

 

     2013     2012 (1)     2011 (1)  
     $     $     $  

Operations

      

Revenue

     781,500        784,430        786,737   

Net earnings

     67,357        20,381        7,384   

Cash flows from operating activities before changes in working capital items

     90,804        78,699        54,174   

Per Common Share

      

Net earnings - basic

     1.12        0.35        0.13   

Net earnings - diluted

     1.09        0.34        0.12   

Cash flows from operating activities before changes in working capital items - diluted

     1.47        1.30        0.92   

Book Value (2)

     3.79        2.58        2.33   

Financial Position

      

Working capital (3)

     115,036        111,748        124,652   

Total assets

     465,199        426,152        446,723   

Total long-term debt

     121,111        141,611        191,142   

Shareholders’ equity

     230,428        153,834        137,178   

Selected Ratios

      

Current Ratio (4)

     2.32        2.28        2.58   

Debt to capital employed (5)

     0.36        0.50        0.59   

Return on equity (6)

     29.2     13.2     5.4

Stock Information

      

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (7)

     60,380        59,072        58,961   

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (7)

     61,633        60,629        59,099   

Shares outstanding as of December 31 (7)

     60,777        59,625        58,961   

The Toronto Stock Exchange (CDN$)

      

Share price as of December 31

     14.03        8.00        3.31   

High: 52 weeks

     15.62        9.07        3.31   

Low: 52 weeks

     7.96        3.12        1.02   

Volume: 52 weeks (7)

     358,507        83,972        20,907   

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19-Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, and as a result, the Company’s net earnings for 2012 and 2011 were lower than originally reported. Refer to the Section entitled “Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans” of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 – Changes in Accounting Policies of the December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements, for a summary of the impact of the adoption of this guidance on the Company’s financial results.
(2) Shareholders’ equity divided by shares outstanding December 31
(3) Current assets less current liabilities
(4) Current assets divided by current liabilities
(5) Installment portion of long-term debt plus long-term debt divided by installment portion of long-term debt plus long-term debt plus shareholders’ equity
(6) Net earnings divided by shareholders’ equity
(7) In thousands

 

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Table of Contents
2013 Share Prices    High      Low      Close      ADV(1)  
The Toronto Stock Exchange (CDN$)                            

Q1

     11.07         7.96         11.04         349,746   

Q2

     13.28         10.63         13.00         328,838   

Q3

     15.62         11.37         14.86         483,505   

Q4

     15.50         12.36         14.03         272,132   

 

(1) Average Daily Volume

Consolidated Quarterly Statements Of Earnings (Loss) (1)

(In thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

                 1st Quarter                  2nd Quarter  
     2013     2012     2011     2013      2012     2011  
     $     $     $     $      $     $  

Revenue

     196,695        198,912        192,620        193,462         197,751        209,741   

Cost of sales

     158,389        166,505        169,241        151,202         161,629        177,442   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     38,306        32,407        23,379        42,260         36,122        32,299   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     22,959        18,373        18,406        20,208         20,653        21,558   

Research expenses

     1,602        1,519        1,373        1,589         1,650        1,468   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     24,561        19,892        19,779        21,797         22,303        23,026   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit before manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     13,745        12,515        3,600        20,463         13,819        9,273   

Manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     27,201        546        3        924         14,152        1,543   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss)

     (13,456     11,969        3,597        19,539         (333     7,730   

Finance Costs

             

Interest

     1,753        3,355        3,791        1,846         3,384        4,010   

Other (income) expense

     160        473        2        437         667        121   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,913        3,828        3,793        2,283         4,051        4,131   

Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

     (15,369     8,141        (196     17,256         (4,384     3,599   

Income tax expense (benefit)

             

Current

     751        493        82        1,909         353        308   

Deferred

     (312     (61     154        226         (848     (126
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     439        432        236        2,135         (495     182   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

     (15,808     7,709        (432     15,121         (3,889     3,417   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share

             

Basic

     (0.26     0.13        (0.01     0.25         (0.07     0.06   

Diluted

     (0.26     0.13        (0.01     0.25         (0.07     0.06   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

             

Basic

     59,692,751        58,961,050        58,961,050        60,288,991         58,981,435        58,961,050   

Diluted

     59,692,751        60,156,176        58,961,050        61,584,732         58,981,435        58,989,394   

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19-Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, and as a result, the Company’s net earnings for 2012 and 2011 were lower than originally reported. Refer to the Section entitled “Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans” of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 – Changes in Accounting Policies of the December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements, for a summary of the impact of the adoption of this guidance on the Company’s financial results.

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Quarterly Statements Of Earnings (Loss) (1)

(In thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

                  3rd Quarter                  4th Quarter  
     2013      2012     2011      2013     2012     2011  
     $      $     $      $     $     $  

Revenue

     199,853         198,476        201,360         191,490        189,291        183,016   

Cost of sales

     159,872         163,499        171,466         153,543        154,048        155,833   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     39,981         34,977        29,894         37,947        35,243        27,183   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     20,547         19,260        18,589         18,968        20,849        18,416   

Research expenses

     1,701         1,530        1,737         2,008        1,528        1,622   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     22,248         20,790        20,326         20,976        22,377        20,038   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit before manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     17,733         14,187        9,568         16,971        12,866        7,145   

Manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     934         387        967         1,647        3,172        378   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss)

     16,799         13,800        8,601         15,324        9,694        6,767   

Finance Costs

              

Interest

     1,261         3,347        3,901         847        3,147        3,659   

Other (income) expense

     190         (192     1,610         159        355        447   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,451         3,155        5,511         1,006        3,502        4,106   

Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

     15,348         10,645        3,090         14,318        6,192        2,661   

Income tax expense (benefit)

              

Current

     729         (888     176         233        969        122   

Deferred

     200         659        459         (39,540     (464     595   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     929         (229     635         (39,307     505        717   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

     14,419         10,874        2,455         53,625        5,687        1,944   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share

              

Basic

     0.24         0.18        0.04         0.88        0.10        0.03   

Diluted

     0.23         0.18        0.04         0.86        0.09        0.03   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

              

Basic

     60,731,173         59,028,088        58,961,050         60,776,649        59,316,858        58,961,050   

Diluted

     62,072,583         61,054,123        59,267,987         62,170,733        61,036,145        59,526,474   

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19-Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, and as a result, the Company’s net earnings for 2012 and 2011 were lower than originally reported. Refer to the Section entitled “Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans” of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 – Changes in Accounting Policies of the December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements, for a summary of the impact of the adoption of this guidance on the Company’s financial results.

Business Overview

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. operates in the specialty packaging industry in North America. The Company develops, manufactures and sells a variety of paper and film based pressure sensitive and water activated tapes, polyethylene and specialized polyolefin packaging films, woven coated fabrics and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use and retail applications. The Company’s products primarily consist of carton sealing tapes, including pressure sensitive and water activated tapes; industrial and performance specialty tapes, including masking, duct, electrical and reinforced filament tapes; shrink film; stretch wrap; lumberwrap, structure fabrics, geomembrane fabrics; and non-manufactured flexible intermediate bulk containers.

In 2013, the Company reported revenue of $781.5 million, a $2.9 million or 0.4% decrease from $784.4 million for 2012. Selling prices, including the impact of product mix, increased approximately 2% and sales volume decreased approximately 3% in 2013 compared to 2012. The increase in selling prices, including the impact of product mix, was primarily due to higher prices of equivalent units to pass through raw material cost increases which is reflective of a more favourable pricing environment as well as improved mix from reduction in sales of lower margin products. The sales volume decrease was primarily due to the reduction in sales of lower margin products resulting from the de-emphasis of the sale of such products.

Gross profit totalled $158.5 million in 2013 as compared to $138.7 million in 2012, a $19.7 million or 14.2% increase. The increase in gross profit in 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily due to improved product mix from continued progress made toward reducing sales of lower margin products, increase in the spread between selling prices and raw material costs and net manufacturing cost reductions partially offset by lower sales volume.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reported net earnings of $67.4 million ($1.12 per share basic, $1.09 per share diluted) as compared to $20.4 million ($0.35 per share basic, $0.34 per share diluted) in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011 the Company reported net earnings of $7.4 million ($0.13 per share basic, $0.12 per share diluted). The significant increase in net earnings for 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily due to the recognition of $47.8 million of previously derecognized deferred tax assets related to the US jurisdiction combined with improved gross profit as discussed above, partially offset by a $12.4 million increase in manufacturing facility closure costs.

 

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Manufacturing cost reduction programs implemented during 2013 primarily relating to productivity improvements and material substitution resulted in savings of approximately $14 million which included $3.2 million from the closure of the Richmond, Kentucky manufacturing facility (“Kentucky Plant Closure”) and the consolidation of shrink film production from Truro, Nova Scotia to Tremonton, Utah (“Shrink Film Consolidation”).

On August 14, 2013, the Board of Directors amended the Company’s dividend policy to increase the frequency of the dividend from a semi-annual payment to a quarterly payment. The Board’s decision to double the annualized dividend reflects the Company’s continued financial improvement and positive outlook. Total dividends paid during 2013 were $14.5 million.

During 2013, the Company redeemed, at par value, the remaining $38.7 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) due August 2014 and the Indenture was discharged and all Notes satisfied. The Company reduced total debt during 2013 by $21.5 million.

On February 6, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.08 per common share payable on March 31, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business March 19, 2014.

Outlook

For 2014, the Company anticipates moderate revenue growth similar to the forecasted North American economic growth, while continuing to improve product mix. The Company will continue to focus on executing on the previously announced relocation and modernization of its Columbia, South Carolina manufacturing operation to a new facility in Blythewood, South Carolina (“South Carolina Project”) and on reducing variable manufacturing costs.

The Company’s financial projections include the following:

 

    Revenue for the first quarter of 2014 is expected to be greater than the fourth quarter of 2013, which is reflective of normal seasonality. Revenue is expected to be approximately the same or slightly higher than the first quarter of 2013;

 

    Gross margin for 2014, as well as for the first quarter of 2014, is expected to be in the range of 20% to 22%. This reflects expected further improvement resulting from gross margin expansion initiatives partially offset by approximately $3 to $7 million of temporary operating cost increases, the majority of which is expected in the second half of 2014 with the remainder expected in the first half of 2015. These expected costs are related to planned actions to mitigate risk associated with new technology, including state-of-the-art equipment, to support the South Carolina Project;

 

    After the South Carolina Project has been completed and start-up inefficiencies have been resolved, the Company expects overall gross margin to be between 22% and 24%;

 

    Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2014 is expected to be slightly higher compared to both the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2013;

 

    Cash flows from operations in the first quarter of 2014 are expected to be lower than the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily due to seasonal first quarter working capital requirements and are also expected to be lower than the first quarter of 2013;

 

    Excluding the impact of potential tax planning, cash income taxes paid in 2014 are expected to be less than $5 million and the effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 40%;

 

    Capital expenditures:

 

    Expenditures for the first quarter of 2014 are expected to be $10 to $14 million, depending on the timing of delivery of several large pieces of new equipment;

 

    Expenditures for 2014, including the South Carolina Project, are expected to total $31 to $35 million excluding any new potential high-return projects that may arise; and

 

    Purchases of equipment and real estate related to the South Carolina Project are still expected to total $43 to $46 million. Since starting the project, purchases of equipment and real estate were $24.5 million and the remainder is expected to be spent primarily in 2014;

 

    Manufacturing cost reductions are expected to total $16 to $20 million in 2014, which includes an incremental $3 million as compared to 2013 for expected savings relating to the Kentucky Plant Closure and the Shrink Film Consolidation;

 

    Consistent with prior years, the Company anticipates that some of these cost savings will be offset by other manufacturing costs that are expected to increase, such as labor and energy;

 

    The South Carolina Project reflects the Company’s largest single facility improvement in many years and is expected to result in the following:

 

    Total annual cash savings in excess of $13 million starting in the first half of 2015 with the first full year effects in 2016; and

 

    Total charge of $5 to $7 million between 2014 and 2015, with approximately $1 million expected to be recorded in the first quarter of 2014; and

 

    During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company began the process to relocate the Langley, British Columbia manufacturing facility to a new nearby location due to the expiration of a non-renewable lease. This initiative is expected to result in charges of approximately $1.3 million primarily related to equipment relocation costs in the first half of 2014 and decrease the future operating costs. Capital expenditures for this initiative are expected to be approximately $0.5 million.

 

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Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of operating results include financial results for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Included in this MD&A are references to events and circumstances which have influenced the Company’s quarterly operating results presented in the table of Consolidated Quarterly Statements of Earnings (Loss) set forth above.

Revenue

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 totalled $781.5 million, a $2.9 million or 0.4% decrease from $784.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Selling prices, including the impact of product mix, increased approximately 2% and sales volume decreased approximately 3% in 2013 compared to 2012. The increase in selling prices, including the impact of product mix, was primarily due to higher prices of equivalent units to pass through raw material cost increases which is reflective of a more favourable pricing environment as well as improved mix from reduction in sales of lower margin products. The sales volume decrease was primarily due to the reduction in sales of lower margin products resulting from the de-emphasis of the sale of such products.

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012 decreased 0.3% compared to $786.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Sales volume decreased approximately 4% and selling prices, including the impact of product mix, increased approximately 4% in 2012 compared to 2011.

The Company closed its Brantford facility in the second quarter of 2011. Revenue increased 0.3% in 2012 compared to $781.7 million for 2011 after adjusting for the closure of the Brantford facility. The adjusted selling prices, including the impact of product mix, increased approximately 3% partially offset by the adjusted sales volume decrease of approximately 3%. An improved pricing environment that began in 2011 as well as the reduction in sales of low-margin products were the primary reasons for the increase in selling prices including the impact of product mix. The decrease in sales volume was primarily due to the progress the Company made toward reducing sales of low-margin products partially offset by an increase in sales of new products.

The Company’s revenue for the fourth quarter of 2013 totalled $191.5 million, a $2.2 million or 1.2% increase from $189.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Sales volume for the fourth quarter of 2013 decreased approximately 4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily due to a reduction in sales of lower margin products and a net decline in carton sealing tapes. Selling prices, including the impact of product mix, increased approximately 5% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily due to higher prices of equivalent units to pass through raw material cost increases which is reflective of a more favourable pricing environment as well as improved mix from reduction in sales of lower margin products.

The Company’s revenue for the fourth quarter of 2013 totalled $191.5 million, an $8.4 million or 4.2% decrease from $199.9 million for the third quarter of 2013. Sales volume for the fourth quarter of 2013 decreased approximately 4% compared to the third quarter of 2013 primarily due to normal seasonality. Selling prices, including the impact of product mix, were approximately the same in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2013.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit totalled $158.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a $19.7 million or 14.2% increase from $138.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Gross margin was 20.3% in 2013 and 17.7% in 2012. The increase in gross profit in 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily due to improved product mix from continued progress made toward reducing sales of lower margin products, increase in the spread between selling prices and raw material costs and net manufacturing cost reductions partially offset by lower sales volume. The increase in gross margin in 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily due to an improved product mix from continued progress made toward reducing sales of lower margin products, net manufacturing cost reductions and an increase in the spread between selling prices and raw material costs.

Gross profit totalled $138.7 million for 2012, an increase of 23.1% from 2011. Gross margin was 17.7% in 2012 and 14.3% in 2011. The increase in gross profit in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily due to an improved pricing environment, manufacturing cost reductions, increase in sales of higher margin products, and the closure of the Brantford, Ontario manufacturing facility in 2011 partially offset by lower sales volumes. The increase in gross margin in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily due to manufacturing cost reductions, an increase in sales of higher margin products, an improved pricing environment and the progress made toward reducing sales of low-margin products.

Gross profit totalled $37.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, a $2.7 million or 7.7% increase from $35.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Gross margin was 19.8% in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 18.6% in the fourth quarter of 2012. As compared to the fourth quarter of 2012, gross profit increased primarily due to an improved product mix and a slight increase in the spread between selling prices and raw material costs partially offset by lower sales volume. Gross margin increased primarily due to improved product mix.

Gross profit totalled $37.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, a $2.0 million or 5.1% decrease from $40.0 million in the third quarter of 2013. Gross margin was 19.8% in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 20.0% in the third quarter of 2013. As compared to the third quarter of 2013, gross profit decreased primarily due to lower sales volume. Gross margin slightly declined primarily due to unplanned manufacturing inefficiencies.

 

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Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2013 totalled $82.7 million, a $3.5 million or 4.5% increase from $79.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A was 10.6% and 10.1% for 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase of $3.5 million in 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily the result of increased stock-based compensation expense and a provision with respect to the resolution of a contingent liability, partially offset by the non-recurrence of professional fees related to managerial reporting enhancements during 2012. The increase in stock-based compensation expense primarily related to the impact of award vesting and an increase in the Company’s Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”) expense due to the increase of the Company’s share price.

SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $79.1 million compared to $77.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A was 9.8% for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase of $2.2 million in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily the result of higher variable compensation expense related to higher profitability, higher stock-based compensation expense and increased professional fees, partially offset by the non-recurrence of the settlement of a lawsuit.

SG&A totalled $19.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $20.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A was 9.9% and 11.0% for the fourth quarter of 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2012, respectively. SG&A was $1.9 million lower in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily due to lower stock-based compensation expense, lower variable compensation expense due to the timing of recording certain variable compensation expense and the non-recurrence of professional fees related to managerial reporting enhancements that occurred in the fourth quarter 2012. The decrease in stock-based compensation expense was related to the impact of a decrease in the Company’s SAR expense due to the decrease of the Company’s share price in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to an increase in the fourth quarter of 2012.

SG&A totalled $19.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $20.5 million in the third quarter of 2013. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A was 9.9% and 10.3% for the fourth quarter of 2013 and the third quarter of 2013, respectively. SG&A was $1.6 million lower in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2013 primarily due to lower SAR expense that resulted from a decrease in the Company share price in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Research Expenses

The Company continues to focus its research efforts on potential new products, technology, manufacturing processes and formulations for existing products. Research expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 totalled $6.9 million, a $0.7 million or 10.8% increase from $6.2 million of research expense for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily to support the South Carolina Project. As a percentage of revenue, research expenses represented 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.8% for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Research expenses for fourth quarter of 2013 totalled $2.0 million, a $0.5 million or 31.4% increase from $1.5 million of research expenses for the fourth quarter of 2012. As a percentage of revenue, research expenses represented 1.0% for the fourth quarter of 2013 and 0.8% for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase was primarily to support the South Carolina Project.

Manufacturing Facility Closures, Restructuring and Other Related Charges

On February 26, 2013, the Company announced its plans related to the South Carolina Project. This initiative resulted in a $1.1 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily related to equipment relocation and accrued workforce retention costs. Total charges of $27.9 million were recorded in 2013, $23.5 million of which are non-cash items primarily related to impairment of property, plant and equipment with the remaining $4.4 million primarily consisting of environmental remediation and accrued workforce retention costs. The environmental remediation is expected to begin in 2015 upon closure of the existing manufacturing site. Capital expenditures for the South Carolina Project since inception have totalled $24.5 million. Capital expenditures recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013 for this project were $5.5 million.

During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company began the process to relocate the Langley, British Columbia manufacturing facility to a new nearby location due to the expiration of a non-renewable lease. This initiative is expected to result in total charges of approximately $1.4 million primarily related to equipment relocation costs. Total costs incurred were $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 with the remainder expected to be recorded in the first half of 2014.

As announced on June 26, 2012, the Company ceased production at its Richmond, Kentucky manufacturing facility in the fourth quarter of 2012. This production was transferred to its Carbondale, Illinois facility in the first quarter of 2013. In addition, the Company’s North America shrink film production was consolidated in Tremonton, Utah and the production of shrink film in Truro, Nova Scotia ceased in the first quarter of 2013. The Truro facility continues to manufacture woven products. Other smaller initiatives included the closure of the manufacturing operation in Piedras Negras, Mexico in the fourth quarter of 2012. Total costs incurred in connection with activities summarized in this paragraph were $2.6 million, $0.4 million and $3.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2013, fourth quarter of 2013 and fourth quarter of 2012, respectively. The full year ended December 31, 2013 charge of $2.6 million consists primarily of equipment relocation costs and property, plant and equipment impairments.

 

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The fourth quarter of 2013 charge of $0.4 million consists primarily of property, plant and equipment impairments. The fourth quarter of 2012 charge of $3.0 million consists primarily of equipment relocation and property, plant and equipment impairments related to the Shrink Film Consolidation.

The Brantford, Ontario facility was shut down in the second quarter of 2011. In 2011, $3.0 million was recorded for additional severance, retention incentives, equipment transfers and other costs related to this facility closure. Total costs incurred related to this facility closure were less than $0.1 million during the full year ended December 31, 2013 and $1.1 million during the full year ended December 31, 2012. Facility closure costs were nil and $0.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2012, respectively. In January 2013, the Company sold the Brantford, Ontario facility and received net proceeds of $1.6 million.

Operating Profit

Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 totalled $38.2 million, a $3.1 million or 8.8% increase from $35.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily the result of higher gross profit, partially offset by higher manufacturing facility closure costs.

Operating profit for 2012 amounted to $35.1 million compared to $26.7 million for 2011. The increase of $8.4 million in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily the result of higher gross profit related to an improved pricing environment and manufacturing cost reductions partially offset by lower volumes.

Operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2013 totalled $15.3 million, a $5.6 million or 58.1% increase from $9.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit, lower SG&A and lower manufacturing facility closure costs.

Interest

Interest expense for 2013 totalled $5.7 million, a $7.5 million or 56.9% decrease from $13.2 million of interest expense for 2012. This decrease was primarily due to the redemption of outstanding Notes bearing interest at 8.5%. The average cost of debt also decreased from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013 as the Company took the following actions:

 

    On December 13, 2012, the Company redeemed, at par value, the aggregate principal amount of $55.0 million of outstanding Notes due August 2014, the full-year benefit of which was realized in 2013;

 

    During 2013, the Company redeemed, at par value, the remaining aggregate principal amount of $38.7 million of outstanding Notes due August 2014 and the Indenture was discharged and all Notes satisfied;

 

    On June 28, 2013, the Company entered into a ten-year real estate mortgage loan related to the purchase of the Blythewood, South Carolina real estate (“South Carolina Mortgage”) in the amount of $8.5 million bearing interest at 215 basis points above 30-day LIBOR (2.32% interest rate at December 31, 2013); and

 

    During 2013, the Company scheduled $16.9 million of funding into finance leases bearing interest at 2.9% under the Equipment Finance Agreement entered into on August 14, 2012.

Interest expense for 2012 totalled $13.2 million, a $2.1 million or 13.9% decrease from $15.4 million of interest expense for 2011, primarily due to lower average debt levels resulting from improved free cash flows. The average cost of debt also decreased from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2012 as the Company took the following actions:

 

    On February 1, 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to its Asset-Based Loan (“ABL”) facility extending its maturity date to February 2017, and generally providing more flexibility to the Company;

 

    On August 1, 2012, the Company redeemed, at par value, the aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million of its outstanding Notes due August 2014;

 

    On August 14, 2012, the Company entered into an Equipment Finance Agreement with a lifetime and maximum funding amount of $24.0 million with the final funding to occur by March 31, 2014. The terms of the arrangement include multiple individual finance leases, each of which will have a term of 60 months and a fixed interest rate of 2.74% for leases scheduled prior to January 1, 2013 and 2.90% for leases scheduled prior to January 1, 2014;

 

    On November 1, 2012, the Company entered into a ten-year real estate secured term loan (“Real Estate Loan”) in the amount of $16.6 million; and

 

    On December 13, 2012, the Company redeemed, at par value, the aggregate principal amount of $55.0 million of its outstanding Notes due August 2014.

The decrease in interest expense from 2011 to 2012 was partially offset by $0.9 million of debt issue costs expensed as a result of the Note redemptions.

Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2013 totalled $0.8 million, a $2.3 million or 73.2% decrease from $3.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, primarily due to the redemptions of Notes of $38.7 million during 2013. The decrease was also due to $0.6 million of debt issue costs expensed in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of the Note redemption on December 31, 2012 with no comparable expense incurred in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

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Other (Income) Expense

Other expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 totalled $0.9 million, a $0.4 million or 27.4% decrease from $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to lower loss on the disposal of property, plant and equipment in 2013 of $0.4 million.

Other expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $1.3 million compared to $2.2 million for 2011, a decrease of $0.9 million. The decrease of $0.9 million in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily due to lower foreign exchange losses in 2012.

Other expense totalled $0.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, a $0.2 million or 55.0% decrease from $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease of $0.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to the recovery of unclaimed property.

Income Taxes

The Company is subject to income taxation in multiple tax jurisdictions around the world. Accordingly, the Company’s effective income tax rate fluctuates depending upon the geographic source of its earnings and tax planning strategies that the Company implements. The effective tax rate for 2013 was negative 113.5% compared to 1.0% for 2012 and 19.3% for 2011. The significant decrease in the effective tax rate in the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the year ended December 31, 2012 was primarily due to the recognition by the Company of $47.8 million of its US deferred tax assets, all of which was previously derecognized as of December 31, 2010. Of this $47.8 million, $43.0 million impacted net earnings while the remaining impacted shareholders’ equity. This decrease in the effective tax rate was partially offset by the derecognition of $4.6 million of deferred tax assets in the Canadian jurisdiction. The decrease in the effective tax rate in the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 was primarily due to increased earnings in jurisdictions with lower effective tax rates and the benefit received from the ability to utilize certain US alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) net operating losses without limitation. The AMT benefit was the result of a refund of $1.2 million of AMT recorded in 2012, approximately half of which was received in 2012 and the remaining half received in 2013.

The effective tax rate was negative 274.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 8.1% in the fourth quarter of 2012. As compared to the fourth quarter of 2012, the effective tax rate decreased primarily due to the recognition by the Company of $47.8 million of its US deferred tax assets, all of which was previously derecognized as of December 31, 2010. Of this $47.8 million, $43.0 million impacted net earnings while the remaining impacted shareholders’ equity. This decrease in the effective tax rate was partially offset by the derecognition of $4.6 million of deferred tax assets in the Canadian jurisdiction.

The effective tax rate was 8.1% in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 27.0% in the fourth quarter of 2011. As compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, the effective tax rate decreased primarily due to the non-recurrence of expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011 related to the reduction in deferred tax assets due to changes in applicable future tax rates combined with an increase in earnings in the fourth quarter of 2012 in jurisdictions with lower effective tax rates. These decreases were partially offset by tax expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012 related to stock options exercised during 2012.

In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, Management determines, at each balance sheet date, whether it is more likely than not that a portion or all of its deferred tax assets will be realized. In accordance with GAAP, this determination is based on quantitative and qualitative assessments by Management and the weighing of all available evidence, both positive and negative. Such evidence includes the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and the implementation of tax planning strategies.

As of December 31, 2013, management analyzed all available evidence including, in particular, the Company’s financial results for the year then ended (taxable income and earnings before income tax expense (benefit)), the 2013 budget variances, and the Company’s cumulative financial results for the prior three years. In addition, management took under significant consideration the Company’s 2014 budget, its long-term financial projections, market and industry conditions and certain available tax strategies. As a result of this detailed analysis, management determined it is more likely than not that substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets in the US will be realized and, accordingly, recognized $47.8 million of its US deferred tax assets, $43.0 million of which impacted the Company’s net earnings while the balance impacted its shareholders’ equity.

In addition, management determined it is more likely than not that a portion of its deferred tax assets related to the Company’s corporate (holding) entity (the “Entity”) will not be realized due to insufficient taxable income in future periods. Previously, the Entity benefited from sufficient taxable income as a result of certain tax planning strategies implemented in 2011 (the “Planning”). The Company’s management continues to expect that, pursuant to the Planning, the Entity will continue to generate sufficient taxable income in order to fully utilize its net operating losses with expiration dates through 2015. However, the benefit of the Planning is expected to diminish over such time. Accordingly, the Company derecognized $4.6 million of its Canadian deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013. These deferred tax assets remain available to the Company in order to reduce its taxable income in future periods.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company has $41.3 million (CDN$43.9 million) of Canadian operating loss carry-forwards expiring in 2015 through 2032, including $36.4 million (CDN$38.8 million) which have been derecognized and $90.0 million of US federal operating losses expiring in 2022 through 2033, $2.2 million of which have been derecognized.

 

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Net Earnings

Net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013 totalled $67.4 million, a $47.0 million or 231% increase from $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in earnings for the year ended 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily due to the recognition of previously derecognized deferred tax assets related to the US jurisdiction in the fourth quarter of 2013, an increase in gross profit and lower interest expense partially offset by an increase in manufacturing facility closure costs, restructuring and other related charges as previously discussed.

Net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2012 totalled $20.4 million compared to net earnings of $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase in earnings for the year ended 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily due to an increase in gross profit partially offset by an increase in manufacturing facility closure costs, restructuring and other related charges previously discussed.

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2013 totalled $53.6 million, a $47.9 million or 843% increase from $5.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in earnings for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to the recognition of previously derecognized deferred tax assets related to the US jurisdiction in the fourth quarter of 2013 and higher gross profit.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This MD&A contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under applicable securities legislation, including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted earnings (loss) per share and free cash flows (please see the below “Cash Flows” section for a description and reconciliation of free cash flows). The Company believes such non-GAAP financial measures improve the period-to-period comparability of the Company’s results by providing more insight into the performance of ongoing core business operations. As required by applicable securities legislation, the Company has provided reconciliations of those measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Investors and other readers are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures set forth below and should consider non-GAAP measures only as a supplement to, not as a substitute for or as a superior measure to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted Net Earnings

A reconciliation of the Company’s adjusted net earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net earnings, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is set out in the adjusted net earnings reconciliation table below. Adjusted net earnings should not be construed as net earnings as determined by GAAP. The Company defines adjusted net earnings as net earnings before (i) manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) impairment of goodwill; (iv) impairment of long-lived assets and other assets; (v) write-down on assets classified as held-for-sale; (vi) other discrete items as shown in the table below; and (vii) income tax effect of these items. The term “adjusted net earnings” does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Adjusted net earnings is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company has included this non-GAAP financial measure because it believes that it permits investors to make a meaningful comparison of the Company’s performance between periods presented. In addition, adjusted net earnings is used by Management in evaluating the Company’s performance because it believes it provides an indicator of the Company’s performance that is often more accurate than GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted earnings per share is also presented in the following table and is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted earnings per share should not be construed as earnings per share as determined by GAAP. The Company defines adjusted earnings per share as adjusted net earnings divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, both basic and diluted. The term “adjusted earnings per share” does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Adjusted earnings per share is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to earnings per share as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company has included this non-GAAP financial measure because it believes that it permits investors to make a meaningful comparison of the Company’s performance between periods presented. In addition, adjusted earnings per share is used by Management in evaluating the Company’s performance because it believes it provides an indicator of the Company’s performance that is often more accurate than GAAP financial measures.

 

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Adjusted Net Earnings Reconciliation To Net Earnings

(In millions of US dollars, except per share amounts and share numbers)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended      Year ended  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013     2012      2013     2012     2011  
     $     $      $     $     $  

Net earnings

     53.6        5.7         67.4        20.4        7.4   

Add back:

           

Manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     1.6        3.2         30.7        18.3        2.9   

Stock-based compensation expense

     0.1        0.9         4.9        1.8        0.8   

Impairment of long-lived assets and other assets

     —          —           0.2        —          —     

Other Item: Provision related to the resolution of a contingent liability

     —          —           1.3        —          1.0   

Income tax effect of these items

     (2.9     0.2         (1.1     (0.9     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net earnings

     52.5        10.0         103.3        39.6        12.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share

           

Basic

     0.88        0.10         1.12        0.35        0.13   

Diluted

     0.86        0.09         1.09        0.34        0.12   

Adjusted earnings per share

           

Basic

     0.86        0.17         1.71        0.67        0.20   

Diluted

     0.84        0.16         1.68        0.65        0.20   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

           

Basic

     60,776,649        59,316,858         60,379,533        59,072,407        58,961,050   

Diluted

     62,170,733        61,036,145         61,632,652        60,629,136        59,099,198   

Adjusted net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013 totalled $103.3 million, a $63.7 million or 161% increase from $39.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in adjusted net earnings of $63.7 million was primarily due to the recognition of previously derecognized deferred tax assets related to the US jurisdiction in the fourth quarter of 2013 and an increase in gross profit, as discussed above.

Adjusted net earnings amounted to $39.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to adjusted net earnings of $12.0 million for 2011. Adjusted net earnings were $27.6 million higher in the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 primarily due to higher gross profit, lower finance costs and lower income tax expense, as discussed above.

Adjusted net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2013 totalled $52.5 million, a $42.5 million or 425% increase from $10.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in adjusted net earnings of $42.5 million was primarily due to the recognition of previously derecognized deferred tax assets related to the US jurisdiction in the fourth quarter of 2013 and an increase in gross profit, as discussed above.

EBITDA

A reconciliation of the Company’s EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net earnings, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is set out in the EBITDA reconciliation table below. EBITDA should not be construed as earnings before income taxes, net earnings or cash flows from operating activities as determined by GAAP. The Company defines EBITDA as net earnings before (i) interest and other (income) expense; (ii) income tax expense (benefit); (iii) refinancing expense, net of amortization; (iv) amortization of debt issue costs; (v) amortization of intangible assets; and (vi) depreciation of property, plant and equipment. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before (i) manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) impairment of goodwill; (iv) impairment of long-lived assets and other assets; (v) write-down on assets classified as held-for-sale; and (vi) other discrete items as shown in the table below. The terms “EBITDA” and “adjusted EBITDA” do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities or as alternatives to net earnings as indicators of the Company’s operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company has included these non-GAAP financial measures because it believes that it permits investors to make a meaningful comparison of the Company’s performance between periods presented. In addition, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are used by Management and the Company’s lenders in evaluating the Company’s performance.

 

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EBITDA And Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation To Net Earnings

(In millions of US dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended      Year ended  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013     2012      2013     2012      2011  
     $     $      $     $      $  

Net earnings

     53.6        5.7         67.4        20.4         7.4   

Add back:

            

Interest and other expense

     1.0        3.5         6.7        14.5         17.5   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (39.3     0.5         (35.8     0.2         1.8   

Depreciation and amortization

     6.9        7.6         27.7        30.4         30.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

     22.2        17.3         66.0        65.5         57.6   

Manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     1.6        3.2         30.7        18.3         2.9   

Stock-based compensation expense

     0.1        0.9         4.9        1.8         0.8   

Impairment of long-lived assets and other assets

     0.0        —           0.2        —           —     

Other Item: Provision related to the resolution of a contingent liability

     —          —           1.3        —           1.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     24.0        21.4         103.1        85.6         62.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2013 totalled $103.1 million, a $17.4 million or 20.4% increase from $85.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in adjusted EBITDA of $17.4 million was primarily due to increased gross profit, as discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA totalled $85.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to an adjusted EBITDA of $62.2 million for 2011. Adjusted EBITDA increased $23.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 primarily due to increased gross margin, as discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2013 totalled $24.0 million, a $2.6 million or 12.3% increase from $21.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in adjusted EBITDA of $2.6 million was primarily due to increased gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2013, as discussed above.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net earnings and other comprehensive income (loss). For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company reported comprehensive income of $79.6 million, comprehensive income of $18.1 million, and comprehensive loss of $7.7 million, respectively. The increase in comprehensive income in 2013 was primarily due to higher net earnings in 2013 and gains from the remeasurement of the defined benefit liability compared to actuarial losses in 2012. The increase in net earnings in 2013 when compared to 2012 was primarily due to the recognition of US deferred tax assets. The increase in comprehensive income in 2012 was primarily due to higher net earnings in 2012 and lower losses from the remeasurement of the defined benefit liability when compared to 2011.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company had standby and documentary letters of credit issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 that could result in payments by the Company of up to an aggregate of $5.0 million upon the occurrence of certain events. All of the letters of credit have expiry dates in 2014.

The Company had commitments to suppliers to purchase machines and equipment totaling approximately $12.9 million as of December 31, 2013. It is expected that such amounts will be paid out in the next twelve months.

The Company obtains certain raw materials from suppliers under consignment agreements. The suppliers retain ownership of the raw materials until consumed in production. The consignment agreements involve short-term commitments that typically mature within 30 to 60 days of inventory receipt and are typically renewed on an ongoing basis. At December 31, 2013, the Company had on hand $9.6 million of raw material owned by our suppliers.

The Company maintains no other off-balance sheet arrangements.

Working Capital

The Company experiences business cyclicality that requires the management of working capital resources. Historically, a larger investment in working capital is required in the beginning of the year as accounts receivable increases due to higher first quarter sales compared to prior quarter while inventory increases due to higher anticipated seasonal second quarter sales. Furthermore, certain liabilities are accrued for throughout the year and are only paid during the first quarter.

 

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The Company uses Days Inventory to measure inventory performance. Days Inventory increased three days from 54 in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 57 in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company expects Days Inventory to be in the mid 50’s during the first quarter of 2014. Inventories increased $2.4 million to $94.3 million as of December 31, 2013 from $91.9 million as of December 31, 2012.

The Company uses Days Sales Outstanding (“DSOs”) to measure trade receivables. DSOs increased by one day from 37 in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 38 in the fourth quarter of 2013. DSOs are expected to return to the low 40’s during the first quarter of 2014. Trade receivables increased $2.7 million to $78.5 million as of December 31, 2013 from $75.9 million as of December 31, 2012.

The calculations are shown in the following tables:

 

     Three months ended           Three months ended  
     Dec. 31,
2013
     Dec. 31,
2012
          Dec. 31,
2013
     Dec. 31,
2012
 

Cost of sales (1)

   $ 153.5       $ 154.0      

Revenue (1)

   $ 191.5       $ 189.3   

Days in quarter

     92         92      

Days in quarter

     92         92   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of sales per day (1)

   $ 1.67       $ 1.67      

Revenue per day (1)

   $ 2.08       $ 2.06   

Average inventory (1)

   $ 94.4       $ 90.2      

Trade receivables (1)

   $ 78.5       $ 75.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Days inventory

     57         54      

DSOs

     38         37   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Days inventory is calculated as follows:

  

  

DSOs is calculated as follows:

  

Cost of sales ÷ Days in quarter = Cost of sales per day

  

  

Revenue ÷ Days in quarter = Revenue per day

  

(Beginning inventory + Ending inventory) ÷ 2 = Average inventory

   

  

Ending trade receivables ÷ Revenue per day = DSO’s

  

Average inventory ÷ Cost of goods sold per day = Days inventory

  

  

 

(1) In millions of US dollars

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased $0.4 million to $76.4 million as of December 31, 2013 from $76.0 million as of December 31, 2012 primarily due to an increase in SAR current liability, partially offset by a decline in accrued interest expense. A discussion of the SAR Plan is set forth below in this MD&A section entitled “Stock Appreciation Rights”.

Long-Term Debt and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2013, below is a summary of the items that provide liquidity to the Company:

 

    Cash and loan availability of $50.3 million;

 

    Access through February 2017 to a $200 million ABL facility;

 

    Free cash flows of $35.3 million; and

 

    Maturity dates of three years or more for over 65% of our debt.

The Company believes it has enough funds from cash flows from operating activities, funds available under the ABL and cash on hand to meet the capital expenditures and working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months.

The Company has a $200 million ABL facility with a syndicate of financial institutions. The Company relies upon cash flows from operating activities and funds available under its ABL facility to meet working capital requirements, anticipated obligations under its other debt instruments and to partially finance capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. The amount of borrowings available to the Company under the ABL facility is determined by its applicable borrowing base from time to time. The borrowing base is determined by calculating a percentage of eligible trade receivables, inventories and manufacturing equipment.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had a total draw of $84.4 million against its ABL, which consisted of $79.5 million of borrowings, $2.2 million of standby letters of credit, and $2.7 million of documentary letters of credit. As of December 31, 2012, the total draw was $81.6 million, which consisted of $79.4 million of borrowings and $2.2 million of standby letters of credit. As of December 31, 2011, the total draw was $66.1 million, which consisted of $63.7 million of borrowings, $1.7 million of standby letters of credit, and $0.7 million of documentary letters of credit.

The Company had total cash and loan availability of $50.3 million as of December 31, 2013, $54.7 million as of December 31, 2012 and $58.0 million as of December 31, 2011. The decrease of $4.5 million in total cash and loan availability between December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013 was primarily due to a $2.7 million increase in documentary letters of credit and a $3.4 million decrease in cash, partially offset by a $1.7 million increase in the borrowing base. The total draw combined with free cash flows and increases in other debt instruments were used to fund the redemptions in the aggregate amount of $38.7 million of Notes at par value. The decrease of $3.3 million in total cash and loan availability between December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012 was primarily due to a $15.7 million increase in ABL borrowings largely offset by a $10.8 million increase in the borrowing base mainly due to a greater value placed on the manufacturing equipment as a result of the appraisal completed in connection with the

 

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amendment and extension of the ABL facility in February 2012. The increase in borrowings combined with free cash flows and increases in other debt instruments were used to fund the redemptions in the aggregate amount of $80.0 million of Notes at par value. The Company had cash and loan availability under its ABL facility exceeding $57 million as of March 11, 2014.

The ABL facility, at its inception in March 2008, was initially scheduled to mature in March 2013. In February 2012, the Company amended the ABL facility to extend its maturity date to February 2017. The new ABL facility maturity date can be accelerated to 90 days prior to August 1, 2014 (the maturity date of the Company’s recently redeemed Notes) if the Notes have not been retired or if other conditions have not been met. However, the Notes were fully redeemed as of August 30, 2013 and all other conditions no longer apply and, therefore, the Company does not expect an acceleration of the ABL maturity date. Under the amendment, the interest rate increased modestly while several other modifications in the terms provided the Company with greater flexibility.

The ABL facility is priced at 30-day LIBOR plus a loan margin determined from a pricing grid. The loan margin declines as loan availability increases. The pricing grid ranges from 1.75% to 2.25%. The ABL facility has one financial covenant, a fixed charge ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The ratio compares EBITDA (as defined in the ABL facility agreement) less capital expenditures not financed under the Equipment Finance Agreement, pension plan contributions in excess of pension plan expense, dividends, and cash taxes to the sum of debt service and the amortization of the value of the manufacturing equipment included in the borrowing base. The financial covenant becomes effective only when loan availability drops below $25.0 million. The Company was above the $25.0 million threshold of loan availability during 2013 and had a fixed charge ratio greater than 1.0 to 1.0 as of December 31, 2013.

The Company retains the ability to secure up to $35.0 million of financing on all or a portion of its owned real estate and have the negative pledge in favour of the ABL facility lenders terminated. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had secured real estate mortgage financing of $24.4 million, including $14.8 million borrowed under the Real Estate Loan and $8.1 million borrowed in the second quarter of 2013 under the South Carolina Mortgage, leaving the Company the ability to obtain an additional $10.6 million of real estate mortgage financing.

On November 25, 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to its ABL facility increasing its ability to secure financing in connection with the purchase of fixed assets under a permitted purchase money debt facility from $25.0 million to $45.0 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding permitted purchase money debt of $21.7 million incurred after March 28, 2008 (original closing date of the ABL facility), leaving the Company the ability to obtain an additional $23.3 million of permitted purchase money debt financing.

On August 14, 2012, the Company entered into the Equipment Finance Agreement with a lifetime and maximum funding amount of $24.0 million with the final funding to occur by March 31, 2014. The terms of the arrangement include multiple individual finance leases, each of which have and will have a term of 60 months and a fixed interest rate of 2.74% for leases scheduled prior to January 1, 2013 and 2.90% for leases scheduled prior to January 1, 2014. The Company financed two schedules, $2.7 million and $2.6 million in 2012 at 2.74%, and two schedules, $2.2 million and $14.7 million in 2013 at 2.90%. In addition, as of December 31, 2013, the Company had borrowed $1.3 million under the Equipment Finance Agreement in the form of advanced fundings at a rate of 2.25%, which will be scheduled into finance leases with fixed terms of 60 months and a floating interest rate of 2.25% over 30-day LIBOR. Under the Equipment Finance Agreement, if the Company did not finance the full amount of $24.0 million by December 31, 2013, then the Company would have been required to pay a Reinvestment Premium as defined under the Equipment Finance Agreement on the difference between those amounts and the amounts actually funded if the 3-Year SWAP rate decreased to less than 0.5%. While the Company did not finance the required amount by December 31, 2013, the Company did not pay a Reinvestment Premium because the 3-Year SWAP rate at December 31, 2013 was higher than 0.5%.

On November 1, 2012, the Company entered into a Real Estate Loan of $16.6 million, amortized on a straight-line basis over the ten-year term of the loan. On November 25, 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to its Real Estate Loan facility increasing its ability to secure financing in connection with the purchase of fixed assets under a permitted purchase money debt facility from $25.0 million to $45.0 million, maintaining the alignment of the covenants within the Real Estate Loan and the ABL facility, which are cross-defaulted. The maturity of the Real Estate Loan may be accelerated if the ABL facility is not extended and if Bank of America, N.A. ceases to be the agent by reason of an action of the Company. The notional value of the Real Estate Loan as of December 31, 2013 was $14.8 million. A portion of the Real Estate Loan may be required to be repaid early if any of the mortgaged properties are disposed of prior to October 31, 2022. The Real Estate Loan had an interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 250 basis points until December 31, 2012. Since then, the interest rate on the Real Estate Loan has been 30-day LIBOR plus a loan margin between 225 and 275 basis points determined from a pricing grid as defined in the Real Estate Loan Agreement. The Real Estate Loan contains two financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with both financial covenants as of December 31, 2013. The loan is secured by certain of the Company’s real estate.

On June 28, 2013, the Company purchased real estate in Blythewood, South Carolina to be utilized as its new South Carolina facility for $11.3 million and entered into the South Carolina Mortgage for up to $10.7 million, $8.5 million of which was advanced upon closing of the purchase of the property. Interest is payable monthly and principal is amortized on a straight-line basis over ten years. The maturity of the South Carolina Mortgage may be accelerated if the ABL facility is not extended, refinanced with a credit facility acceptable to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), or if Wells Fargo ceases to be an ABL lender by reason of the action of the Company. The notional value of the South Carolina Mortgage as of December 30, 2013 was $8.1 million, with an additional $2.1 million available to be loaned upon completion and appraisal of the building improvements to adapt the property for use as a manufacturing facility. The South Carolina Mortgage has an interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 215 basis points and contains two financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with both financial covenants as of December 31, 2013. The loan is secured solely by the Company’s Blythewood, South Carolina real estate. A default under the Company’s ABL will be deemed a default under the Company’s South Carolina Mortgage, Real Estate Loan and Equipment Financing Agreement.

 

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As of August 30, 2013, the Company had redeemed in full the Notes bearing interest at 8.5%. The Indenture governing the Notes provided that they were redeemable at par beginning August 2012. On August 1, 2012, the Company redeemed $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Notes at par value. On December 13, 2012, the Company redeemed an additional $55.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Notes at par value. On June 27, 2013, the Company redeemed an additional $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Notes at par value. The final $18.7 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Notes was redeemed at par value on August 30, 2013. The redemptions were funded through free cash flows combined with funds available under the ABL facility which were higher than they would have been as a result of the execution of the Real Estate Loan, Equipment Finance Agreement, and the South Carolina Mortgage.

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans

As noted in the March 31, 2013 unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits on January 1, 2013.

Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits: Amended for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 with retrospective application, introduced a measure of net interest income (expense) computed on the net pension asset (obligation) that replaced separate measurement of the expected return on plan assets and interest expense on the benefit obligation. The amended standard also required immediate recognition of past service costs associated with benefit plan changes, eliminating the requirement to recognize over the vesting period.

Upon retrospective application of the amended standard, the Company’s net earnings for 2012 were lower than originally reported. The decrease arose primarily because net interest income (expense) was calculated using the discount rate used to value the benefit obligation, which is lower than the expected rate of return on assets previously used to measure interest attributable to plan assets. This change resulted in an income tax benefit, an increase to the net pension liability prior to remeasurement and, at remeasurement, a reclass between other comprehensive income, deficit and net earnings.

The impact of adoption is a decrease to earnings before income tax benefit of $2.3 million and $1.7 million and an income tax benefit of $0.2 million for both of the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The following table shows the impact of the retrospective application of the amended standard for each of the quarters for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

In the United States, certain union hourly employees of the Company are covered by plans which provide a fixed benefit per month for each year of service. The Company amended one of the plans during the period ended September 30, 2012, which immediately increased the fixed benefit as well as incrementally over the next three years. Under Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits, the Company is required to recognize past service costs associated with benefit plan changes of $0.7 million immediately in Cost of sales.

 

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Impact of Amended IAS 19-Employee Benefits Retrospective Application

Three month periods ended

(In thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31,
2012
    September 30,
2012
    June 30,
2012
    March 31,
2012
 
     $     $     $     $  

Cost of sales

     94        1,184        505        505   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

     (94     (1,184     (505     (505

Gross margin

     (0.1 %)      (0.6 %)      (0.2 %)      (0.2 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss)

     (94     (1,184     (505     (505

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (40     (40     (41     (41
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

     (54     (1,144     (464     (464
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share

        

Basic

     (0.00     (0.02     (0.01     (0.01

Diluted

     (0.00     (0.02     (0.01     (0.01

Adjusted net earnings (loss) (1)

     (54     (1,144     (464     (464
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share (1)

        

Basic

     (0.00     (0.02     (0.01     (0.01

Diluted

     (0.00     (0.02     (0.01     (0.01

EBITDA (1)

     (94     (1,184     (505     (505
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

     (94     (1,184     (505     (505
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
    June 30,
2011
    March 31,
2011
 
     $     $     $     $  

Cost of sales

     431        431        430        428   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

     (431     (431     (430     (428

Gross margin

     (0.2 %)      (0.3 %)      (0.2 %)      (0.3 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss)

     (431     (431     (430     (428

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (39     (37     (37     (37
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

     (392     (394     (393     (391
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share

        

Basic

     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01

Diluted

     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01

Adjusted net earnings (loss) (1)

     (392     (394     (393     (391
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share (1)

        

Basic

     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01

Diluted

     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01

EBITDA (1)

     (431     (431     (430     (428
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

     (431     (431     (430     (428
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The changes in these Non-GAAP measures represent only the retrospective application of Amended IAS 19-Employee Benefits resulting from the decrease in Net earnings (loss). For additional information regarding Non-GAAP measures refer to the Section entitled “Non-GAAP Measures” of this MD&A.

The Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefit plans currently have an unfunded deficit of $18.9 million as of December 31, 2013 as compared to $39.3 million as of December 31, 2012 and $36.8 million as of December 31, 2011. The decrease in the current year is primarily due to an increase in discount rate from 3.64% and 4.00% for US and Canadian plans, respectively, as of December 31, 2012 to 4.63% and 4.80% for US and Canadian plans, respectively, as of December 31, 2013. These changes resulted in a decrease in net present value of the liability and are

 

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partially offset by return on plan assets and annual contribution paid by the Company. For 2013, the Company contributed $4.3 million as compared to $5.6 million in 2012 and $4.3 million in 2011, to its funded pension plans and to beneficiaries for its unfunded other benefit plans. Adverse market conditions could require the Company to make additional cash payments to fund the plans which could reduce cash available for other business needs; however, the Company expects to meet its minimum required pension benefit plan funding obligations for 2014. None of the benefit plan assets were invested in any of the Company’s own equity or financial instruments or in any property or other assets used by the Company.

Cash Flows

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital items increased in 2013 by $12.1 million or 15.4% to $90.8 million from $78.7 million in 2012. The increase in 2013 was primarily due to higher gross profit partially offset by an increase in cash costs related to manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges.

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital items increased in 2012 by $24.5 million to $78.7 million from $54.2 million in 2011. The increase in 2012 was primarily due to higher gross profit partially offset by an increase in SG&A.

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital items increased in the fourth quarter of 2013 by $1.6 million or 8.0% to $21.0 million from $19.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to an increase in adjusted EBITDA partially offset by income taxes paid.

Cash flows from working capital items decreased in 2013 by $14.4 million or 250% to $8.6 million use of cash from $5.8 million source of cash in 2012. The decrease in the source of cash from working capital items in 2013 was primarily due to a one day increase in trade receivable DSOs in 2013 compared to a five day decrease in 2012 relating to an increase in the amount of revenue invoiced and collected early in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, and higher payments in 2013 related to variable compensation costs accrued for in 2012. This decrease was partially offset by an environmental provision recorded in the first quarter of 2013 for the South Carolina Project.

Cash flows from working capital items increased in 2012 by $11.2 million to $5.8 million source of cash from $5.4 million use of cash in 2011. The increase in source of cash from working capital items in 2012 was primarily due to an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and a decrease in trade receivables. The increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities was primarily related to higher accrued variable compensation related to higher profitability and increased receipts of capital equipment for which payment had not been made. The decrease in trade receivables was primarily due to a decrease in DSOs.

Cash flows from working capital items decreased in the fourth quarter of 2013 by $10.5 million or 84.7% to a $1.9 million source of cash from a $12.4 million source of cash in the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in the source of cash in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to a two day decrease in trade receivable DSOs from the third quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to a seven day decrease from the third quarter of 2012 to the fourth quarter of 2012. The larger decrease in 2012 related to an increase in the amount of revenue invoiced and collected early in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2012, and accordingly, cash collections increased prior to the end of the fourth quarter of 2012.

Cash flows used for investing activities increased in 2013 by $23.8 million or 113% to $44.9 million from $21.1 million in 2012. The increase in 2013 was primarily due to higher capital expenditures related to the South Carolina Project.

Cash flows used for investing activities increased in 2012 by $15.8 million to $21.1 million from $5.3 million in 2011. The increase in 2012 was primarily due to higher capital expenditures and the non-recurrence of a release of restricted cash related to the settlement of a lawsuit in 2011.

Cash flows used for investing activities increased in the fourth quarter of 2013 by $3.2 million or 34.4% to $12.4 million from $9.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to higher capital expenditures related to the South Carolina Project.

Total expenditures in connection with property, plant and equipment were $46.8 million, $21.6 million and $14.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Total expenditures in connection with property, plant and equipment were $12.3 million and $9.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in capital expenditures from 2012 to 2013 was primarily related to the South Carolina Project.

Cash flows used in financing activities in 2013 were $40.5 million, including a $22.9 million net repayment of debt. Cash flows used in financing activities in 2012 were $62.0 million, including a $42.8 million net repayment of debt. The decrease of $21.6 million or 34.8% in cash flows used in financing activities was primarily due to a decrease in repayments of debt as a result of lower free cash flows related to an increase in capital expenditures for the South Carolina Project and lower interest payments resulting from Note redemptions in 2012 and 2013. These decreases were partially offset by increased payments of dividends in 2013.

 

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Cash flows used in financing activities were $62.0 million, including a $42.8 million net repayment of debt in 2012. Cash flows used in financing activities were $42.9 million, including a $27.0 million net repayment of debt in 2011. The increase of $19.1 million in the cash flows used in financing activities was primarily due to an increase in repayments of debt and the payment of a dividend in 2012.

Cash flows used in financing activities in the fourth quarter of 2013 were $13.8 million, including an $8.0 million net repayment of debt. Cash flows used in financing activities in the fourth quarter of 2012 were $22.0 million, including a $15.8 million net repayment of debt. The decrease of $8.2 million or 37.4% used in financing activities in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to a decrease in repayments of debt as a result of lower free cash flows related to an increase in capital expenditures for the South Carolina Project.

The Company is including free cash flows, a non-GAAP financial measure, because it is used by Management and investors in evaluating the Company’s performance and liquidity. Free cash flows does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Free cash flows should not be interpreted to represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes, as it excludes other mandatory expenditures such as debt service.

Free cash flows, a non-GAAP measurement that is defined by the Company as cash flows from operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets, decreased in 2013 by $27.6 million or 43.8% to $35.3 million from $62.9 million in 2012. The 2013 decrease was primarily due to increased capital expenditures related to the South Carolina Project.

Free cash flows increased in 2012 by $28.2 million to $62.9 million from $34.7 million in 2011. The 2012 increase was primarily due to increased cash flows from operations partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures.

Free cash flows in the fourth quarter of 2013 were $10.6 million, a decrease of $12.0 million or 53.2% from $22.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in free cash flows in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 was primarily due to a decrease in the source of cash from trade receivables and an increase in capital expenditures.

A reconciliation of free cash flows to cash flows from operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is set forth below.

Free Cash Flows Reconciliation

(In millions of US dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,

         

Year ended

December 31,

 
     2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
     $     $     $     $     $  

Cash flows from operating activities

     22.9        31.8        82.2        84.5        48.8   

Less purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets

     (12.3     (9.2     (46.8     (21.6     (14.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flows

     10.6        22.6        35.3        62.9        34.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial Risk Management, Objectives and Policies

The Company is exposed to various financial risks including: foreign exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and price risk resulting from its operations and business activities. The Company’s Management is responsible for setting acceptable levels of risks and reviewing management activities as necessary.

The Company does not enter into financial instrument agreements, including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes.

This section of the MD&A includes the significant highlights, events and transactions which have taken place in the course of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 with respect to the Company’s financial risks and management thereof. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not execute any financial risk management contracts. For a complete discussion of the Company’s financial risks, management policies and procedures and objectives, please refer to Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013.

In 2011, in accordance with the Company’s foreign exchange rate risk policy, the Company executed a series of nine monthly forward foreign exchange rate contracts to purchase an aggregate CDN$10.0 million beginning in July 2011 through March 2012, at fixed exchange rates ranging from CDN$0.9692 to CDN$0.9766 to the US dollar and a series of five monthly forward foreign exchange rate contracts to purchase an aggregate CDN$10.0 million beginning in March 2012 through July 2012, at fixed exchange rates ranging from CDN$1.0564 to CDN$1.0568 to the US dollar.

 

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These forward foreign exchange rate contracts mitigated foreign exchange rate risk associated with a portion of anticipated monthly inventory purchases of the Company’s US self-sustaining foreign operations that are to be settled in Canadian dollars. The Company designated these forward foreign exchange rate contracts as cash flow hedges, effectively mitigating the cash flow risk associated with the settlement of the inventory purchases.

The Company is exposed to a risk of change in cash flows due to the fluctuations in interest rates applicable on its variable rate ABL, Real Estate Loan and other smaller components of debt.

In 2011, to mitigate the risk of a change in cash flows due to interest rate fluctuations on the Company’s variable rate ABL, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap Agreement”), designated as a cash flow hedge which expired on September 22, 2011. The terms of this Swap Agreement were as follows:

 

     Notional
amount
     Settlement      Fixed interest
rate paid
 
     $             %  

Swap Agreement matured in September 2011

     40,000,000         Monthly         3.35   

There have been no material changes with respect to the Company’s financial risks and management thereof during 2013.

 

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Contractual Obligations

The Company’s principal contractual obligations and commercial commitments relate to its outstanding debt and its operating lease obligations. The following table summarizes these obligations as of December 31, 2013:

Contractual Obligations

(In millions of US dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Payments Due by Period (1)  
     Total      Less
than
1 year
     1-3
years
     4-5
years
     After
5 years
 
     $      $      $      $      $  

Debt principal obligations

     105.3         3.9         5.2         91.3         5.0   

Finance lease obligations

     26.5         4.8         9.7         8.8         3.1   

Pensions and other post-retirement benefits - defined benefit plans (2)

     6.1         6.1         —           —           —     

Pensions and other post-retirement benefits - defined contribution plans (3)

     3.0         3.0         —           —           —     

Operating lease obligations

     14.1         2.3         4.1         3.8         3.9   

Equipment purchase commitments

     12.9         12.9         —           —           —     

Utilities contract obligations (4)

     30.1         0.7         6.2         6.3         16.9   

Other provisions

     5.7         1.7         2.4         0.1         1.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     203.7           35.5           27.5         110.3           30.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) “Less than 1 year” represents 2014, “1-3 years” represents 2015 and 2016, “3-5 years” represents 2017 and 2018, while “After 5 years” includes amounts for later periods.
(2) Defined benefit plan contributions represent the amount the Company expects to contribute in 2014. Defined benefit plan contributions beyond 2014 are not determinable since the amount of any contribution is heavily dependent on the future economic environment and investment returns on pension plan assets. Volatility in the global financial markets could have an unfavorable impact on the Company’s future pension and other-retirement benefits funding obligations as well as net periodic benefit cost.
(3) Defined contribution plan contributions represent the obligation recorded at December 31, 2013 to be paid in 2014. Certain defined contribution plan contributions beyond 2014 are not determinable since contribution to the plan is at the discretion of the Company.
(4) The Company entered into a ten-year electricity service contract at a manufacturing facility. The service date of the contract is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2014. The Company will then be committed to monthly minimum usage requirements over the term of the contract. The figures included in the table above are estimates of electricity utilization and do not include penalties of up to $17.0 million for early contract termination. The Company does not expect to cancel the contract prior to the end of its term.

Stock Appreciation Rights

On June 20, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2012 SAR Plan in lieu of granting stock options in 2012. The purpose of the 2012 SAR Plan is to (a) promote a proprietary interest in the Company among its executives and directors; (b) encourage the Company’s executives and directors to further the Company’s development; and (c) attract and retain key employees necessary for the Company’s long-term success. The 2012 SAR Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and authorizes the Company to award SARs to eligible persons. A SAR, as defined by the Company’s plan, is a right to receive a cash payment equal to the difference between the base price of the SAR and the market value of a common share of the Company on the date of exercise. These SARs can only be settled in cash and expire no later than 10 years after the date of the grant. The award agreements provide that these SARs granted to employees and executives will vest and may be exercisable 25% per year over four years. The SARs granted to directors, who are not officers of the Company, will vest and may be exercisable 25% on the grant date, and a further 25% will vest and may be exercisable per year over three years.

Over the life of the awards, the total amount of expense recognized will equal the amount of the cash outflow, if any, as a result of exercises. At the end of each reporting period, the lifetime amount of expense recognized will equal the current period value of the SARs using the Black-Scholes pricing model, multiplied by the percentage vested. As a result, the amount of expense recognized can vary due to changes in the model variables from period to period until the SARs are exercised, expire, or are otherwise cancelled.

 

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A SAR is granted at a price determined and approved by the Board of Directors, which is the closing price of the common shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately preceding the day on which a SAR is granted.

On June 28, 2012, 1,240,905 SARs were granted at an exercise price of CDN$7.56 with contractual lives ranging from six to ten years.

The amount and timing of a potential cash payment to settle a SAR is not determinable since the decision to exercise is not within the Company’s control after the award vests. At December 31, 2013, the aggregate intrinsic value of vested awards was $1.8 million.

Capital Stock and Dividends

As of December 31, 2013 there were 60,776,649 common shares of the Company outstanding.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, 830,000 stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of CDN$12.19 and a weighted fair market value of US$3.69 and 1,151,610 stock options were exercised with proceeds totalling $3.8 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, no stock options were granted and 663,989 stock options were exercised. Proceeds from the options exercised totalled $2.0 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, 875,000 stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of CDN$1.66 and a weighted fair market value of USD$1.03. No stock options were exercised in 2011.

During the fourth quarter of 2013, no stock options were granted or exercised. During the fourth quarter of 2012, 451,489 stock options were exercised with proceeds totalling $1.5 million.

The Company paid a dividend of $0.08 per common share on April 10, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2013.

On August 14, 2013, the Board of Directors amended the Company’s dividend policy to increase the frequency of the dividend from a semi-annual payment to a quarterly payment and concurrently declared a dividend of $0.08 per common share, paid on September 30, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business September 16, 2013.

The Company paid a dividend of $0.08 per common share on December 30, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business December 16, 2013.

On February 6, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.08 per common share payable on March 31, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business March 19, 2014. The estimated amount of this dividend payment is $4.9 million based on 60,776,649 shares of the Company’s common shares issued and outstanding as of February 6, 2014.

The dividends paid and payable by the Company on April 10, 2013, September 30, 2013, December 30, 2013, and March 31, 2014 are “eligible dividends” as defined in subsection 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Litigation

In February 2012, Multilayer Stretch Cling Film Holdings, Inc. (“Multilayer”) filed a complaint against the Company in the U.S. District Court for Western Tennessee, alleging that the Company had infringed a patent issued to Multilayer that covers certain aspects of the manufacture of stretch film. In May 2013, the Company agreed to a settlement of the outstanding litigation. Pursuant to the terms of the confidential settlement agreement, the Company has paid Multilayer the full settlement amount in 2013, which settled all outstanding issues between the parties. The terms of the settlement agreement do not restrict the sale of any of the Company’s products, as the Company’s current products do not utilize Multilayer’s patented invention. The settlement has not had, and is not anticipated to have, any material effect on the Company’s continuing operations.

 

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Critical Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Significant changes in the underlying assumptions could result in significant changes to these estimates. Consequently, management reviews these estimates on a regular basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. Information about these significant judgments, assumptions and estimates that have the most significant effect on the recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses are summarized below:

Significant Management Judgment

Deferred income taxes

Deferred tax assets are recognized for unused tax losses and tax credits to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which the losses can be utilized. These estimates are reviewed at every reporting date. Significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the likely timing and the level of the reversal of existing timing differences, future taxable income and future tax planning strategies. Please refer to Note 5 of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 for more information regarding income taxes.

Leases

Leases are classified as either operating or finance, based on the substance of the transaction at inception of the lease. In some cases, the assessment of a lease contract is not always conclusive and management uses its judgment in determining if an agreement is a finance lease that transfers substantially all risks and rewards incidental to ownership, or an operating lease.

Estimation Uncertainty

Impairments

At the end of each reporting period the Company performs a test of impairment, if there are indicators of impairment. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value of an asset or cash generating unit (“CGU”) exceeds its recoverable amount, which in turn is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. The value in use is based on discounted estimated future cash flows. The cash flows are derived from the budget or forecasts for the estimated remaining useful lives of the CGUs and do not include restructuring activities that the Company is not yet committed to or significant future investments that will enhance the performance of the asset or CGU being tested. The value in use will vary depending on the discount rate applied to the discounted cash flows, the estimated future cash inflows, and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes. Please refer to Note 12 of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 for more information regarding impairment testing of long-term assets.

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

The cost of defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans and the present value of the related obligations are determined using actuarial valuations. The determination of benefits expense and related obligations requires assumptions such as the discount rate to measure obligations, expected mortality and the expected healthcare cost trend. Actual results will differ from estimated results which are based on assumptions. Please refer to Note 17 of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 for more information regarding the assumptions related to the pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.

Uncertain tax positions

The Company is subject to taxation in numerous jurisdictions. There are many transactions and calculations during the course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company maintains provisions for uncertain tax positions that it believes appropriately reflect its risk. These provisions are made using the best estimate of the amount expected to be paid based on a qualitative assessment of all relevant factors. The Company reviews the adequacy of these provisions at the end of the reporting period. However, it is possible that at some future date, liabilities in excess of the Company’s provisions could result from audits by, or litigation with, the relevant taxing authorities. Please refer to Note 5 of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 for more information regarding income taxes.

Fair value measurement of financial instruments

Where the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the balance sheet cannot be derived from active markets, they are determined using valuation techniques including the discounted cash flows model. The inputs to these models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgment is required in establishing fair values. The judgments include considerations of inputs such as liquidity risk, credit risk and volatility. Changes in assumptions about these factors could affect the reported fair value of financial instruments. Please refer to Note 21 of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 for more information regarding the fair value measurement of financial instruments.

 

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Useful lives of depreciable assets

Management reviews the useful lives, depreciation methods and residual values of depreciable assets at each reporting date. As of the reporting date, management assesses the useful lives which represent the expected utility of the assets to the Company. Actual results, however, may vary due to technical or commercial obsolescence, particularly with respect to computers and manufacturing equipment.

Net realizable value of inventories and parts and supplies

Inventories and parts and supplies are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. In estimating net realizable values of inventories and parts and supplies, management takes into account the most reliable evidence available at the time the estimate is made.

Allowance for doubtful accounts and revenue adjustments

During each reporting period, the Company makes an assessment of whether trade accounts receivable are collectible from customers. Accordingly, management establishes an allowance for estimated losses arising from non-payment and other revenue adjustments, taking into consideration customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and past experience. The Company also records reductions to revenue for estimated returns, claims, customer rebates, and other incentives that are estimated based on historical experience and current economic trends. If future collections and trends differ from estimates, future earnings will be affected. Please refer to Note 21 of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 for more information regarding the allowance for doubtful accounts and the related credit risks.

Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. When a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows, when the effect of the time value of money is material.

Provisions of the Company include environmental and restoration obligations, resolution of a contingent liability and severance and other provisions. Please refer to Note 14 of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 for more information regarding provisions.

Stock-based payments

The estimation of stock-based payment costs requires the selection of an appropriate pricing model and data and consideration as to the volatility of the Company’s own stock, the probable life of stock options granted and the time of exercise of those stock options. The model used by the Company is the Black-Scholes pricing model. Please refer to Note 15 of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 for more information regarding stock-based payments.

New Standards and Interpretations Issued but Not Yet Effective

Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations, and improvements to existing standards have been published by the IASB but are not yet effective, and have not been adopted early by the Company. Management anticipates that all of the relevant pronouncements will be adopted in the first reporting period following the date of application. Information on new standards, amendments and interpretations, and improvements to existing standards, which could potentially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements, are detailed as follows:

The IASB aims to replace IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement in its entirety with IFRS 9, the replacement standard. To date, the chapters dealing with recognition, classification, measurement and derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities as well as the chapter dealing with hedge accounting have been published. The chapter dealing with impairment methodology is still being developed. In November 2011, the IASB decided to consider making limited modifications to IFRS 9’s financial asset classification model to address application issues. In addition, in November 2013, the IASB decided to defer to a date to be announced the implementation of IFRS 9. Management has yet to assess the impact of this new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and does not expect to implement IFRS 9 until it has been completed and its overall impact can be assessed.

IAS 36 – Impairment of Assets: Requires disclosure of the recoverable amount of an asset (including goodwill) or a CGU when an impairment loss has been recognized or reversed in the period. When the recoverable amount is based on fair value less costs to sell, the valuation techniques and key assumptions must also be disclosed. The new requirements apply prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Management does not expect a significant impact from Amended IAS 36 on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

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Certain other new standards and interpretations have been issued but are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Quarterly Results

A table of unaudited Consolidated Quarterly Statements of Earnings (Loss) for the twelve most recent quarters can be found at the beginning of this MD&A.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 52-109, “Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings” (“NI 52-109”), the Company has filed interim certificates signed by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer that, among other things, report on the design of disclosure controls and procedures and design of internal control over financial reporting. With regards to the annual certification requirements of NI 52-109, the Company relies on the statutory exemption contained in section 8.1 of NI 52-109, which allows it to file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities the certificates required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 at the same time such certificates are required to be filed in the United States of America.

Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and its compliance with GAAP (as derived in accordance with IFRS) in its consolidated financial statements. The Chief Executive Officer and the Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company have evaluated whether there were changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent interim period that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Chief Executive Officer and the Interim Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 was effective.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Because of its inherent limitation, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Additional Information

Additional information relating to the Company, including its Form 20-F filed in lieu of an Annual Information Form for 2013, is available on the Company’s website (www.intertapepolymer.com) as well as on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), the system used for electronically filing most securities-related information with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

 

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Item 6: Directors, Senior Management and Employees

 

  A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the name, residence, position, and principal occupations for the last five (5) years of each Director of the Company as of the date hereof, as well as the date upon which each Director was first elected. Each Director is elected for a term of one year and may be nominated for re-election at the Company’s following annual shareholders’ meeting. The next annual shareholders’ meeting is scheduled to be held on June 11, 2014, at which time the current term of each Director will expire.

 

Name and

City of Residence

  

Position and Occupation

  

First Year as

Director

Eric E. Baker

Long Sault, Ontario, Canada

  

Director – Chairman of the Board

Managing Partner, Miralta Capital L.P.

President, Altacap Investors Inc. (private equity manager)

  

1989-2000

2007

Robert M. Beil

Phoenix, Arizona

  

Director

September 2006 – Retired

Sales, Marketing, Business and Executive Management, the Dow Chemical Company, 1975 to September 2006

   2007

George J. Bunze, CMA

Ile Bizard, Quebec, Canada

  

Director

Vice-Chairman and Director, Kruger Inc. (manufacturer of paper, tissue, wood products, energy (hydro/wind) and wine and spirits products)

   2007

Robert J. Foster

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  

Director

CEO and President, Capital Canada Limited (investment banking firm)

   2010

James Pantelidis

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  

Director

Director and Chairman of the Board of Parkland Fuel Corporation and

Director and Chairman of the Board of EnerCare Inc.

   2012

Jorge N. Quintas

Porto, Portugal

  

Director

President, Nelson Quintas SGPS, SA (manufacturer of electrical and telecommunication cables)

   2009

Gregory A. Yull

Sarasota, Florida

  

Director

CEO and President of the Company since June 2010, President Tapes and Films Division of the Company, 2008 through 2010; prior to that served as Executive Vice President, Industrial Business Unit for Tapes and Films since November 2004

   2010

Melbourne F. Yull

Sarasota, Florida

  

Director

Executive Director through June 8, 2010

June, 2006 – June, 2007 – Retired

Prior thereto he was Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Company

  

1989-2006

2007

The following table sets forth the name, residence and position of each member of senior management of the Company as of the date hereof, as well as the date upon which each was first elected:

 

Name and City of

Residence

  

Position and Occupation

  

First Elected

To Office

Gregory A. Yull

Sarasota, Florida

   CEO & President    2010
   President, Tapes & Films    2008

Michael C. Jay, Certified Public

Accountant

Sarasota, Florida

   Interim Chief Financial Officer    2014
   Corporate Controller    2011
   Senior Manager, Internal Audit    2011
   Senior Manager, Audit & Enterprise Risk Services, Deloitte & Touche LLP    2009

Shawn Nelson 1

Bradenton, Florida

   Senior Vice President Sales    2010

Douglas Nalette 1

Parrish, Florida

   Senior Vice President, Operations    2006

Joseph Tocci 1

Bradenton, Florida

   Senior Vice President, Logistics and Supply Chain    2013
   Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Research & Development, and Supply Chain    2012
   Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Supply Chain    2011
   Senior Vice President, Consumer and Supply Chain    2009
   Senior Vice President, Supply Chain    2008

 

1  Officer of Intertape Polymer Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company

 

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The principal occupation of each member of senior management for the last five (5) years is as follows:

Gregory A. Yull was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President on June 8, 2010. He was President, Tapes & Films, from 2008 to June 2010. Gregory A. Yull is a son of Melbourne F. Yull.

Michael C. Jay was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer on February 6, 2014. Prior to that, he served as Corporate Controller since 2011. Prior to that he served as Senior Manager of Internal Audit since 2011. Prior to that he served as Senior Manager, Audit & Enterprise Risk Services at Deloitte & Touche LLP since 2009.

Shawn Nelson was appointed Senior Vice President Sales in 2010. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President Industrial Channel since 2006.

Douglas Nalette was appointed Senior Vice President Operations in 2006.

Joseph Tocci was appointed Senior Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain in 2013. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Research & Development, and Supply Chain since 2012. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Supply Chain since 2011. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President of Consumer and Supply Chain since 2009 and prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of Supply Chain since 2008.

The following changes in senior management occurred during the year ended December 31, 2013 or shortly thereafter:

 

    Burgess H. Hildreth, Senior Vice President of Administration since 2010, retired June 30, 2013.

 

    Bernard J. Pitz served as Chief Financial Officer from November 12, 2009 to January 30, 2014. Michael C. Jay, Corporate Controller since 2011, has assumed the duties of interim Chief Financial Officer until a successor is found.

 

    Jim Bob Carpenter, Senior Vice President of Global Sourcing since 2012, continues to hold this position with the Company but no longer meets the definition of senior management for presentation purposes.

 

  B. COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth the compensation paid, and benefits in kind granted, to the Company’s Directors and senior management for the last fiscal year for services in all capacities to the Company, including contingent and deferred compensation.

 

2013

   Annual Compensation      Long-Term
Compensation
 

Name and principal position

   Salary
$ (1)
     Bonus
$
     Other
$
    Director/
Committee
Fees

$
     Options
granted
 

Eric E. Baker

Director, Chairman

     —           —           —          104,500         10,000   

Robert M. Beil

Director

     —           —           —          47,500         10,000   

George J. Bunze

Director

     —           —           —          52,000         10,000   

Robert J. Foster

Director

     —           —           —          56,000         10,000   

James Pantelidis

Director

     —           —           —          43,500         10,000   

Jorge N. Quintas

Director

     —           —           —          39,000         10,000   

Melbourne F. Yull

Director

     —           —           260,935 (2)      42,000         10,000   

 

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2013

   Annual Compensation      Long-Term
Compensation
 

Name and principal position

   Salary
$ (1)
     Bonus
$
     Other
$
    Director/
Committee
Fees

$
     Options
granted
 

Gregory A. Yull

Director, CEO & President

     514,423         759,139         24,566 (3)      —           265,000   

Bernard J. Pitz

Chief Financial Officer(4)

     390,297         568,822         29,818 (5)      —           90,000   

Shawn Nelson

Sr. Vice-President Sales

     321,037         306,095         —          —           50,000   

Douglas Nalette

Sr. Vice-President Operations

     337,235         321,538         —          —           50,000   

Joseph Tocci

Sr. Vice-President Logistics & Supply Chain

     299,986         286,023         —          —           50,000   

 

(1) Represents amounts included in each executive’s W-2, rather than the base salary amount.
(2) Mr. Yull receives a pension from the Company (see Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans subsection below).
(3) Represents a Company leased vehicle and tax gross up paid by the Company to Mr. Yull pursuant to the terms of Mr. Yull’s employment agreement.
(4) As disclosed above, Mr. Pitz served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer through January 30, 2014.
(5) Represents amounts paid with respect to relocation.

2013 Senior Management Bonus Plan

Each of the members of senior management received a performance bonus for 2013. Bonuses were paid based on the level of achievement of financial objectives of the Company. The Company attributes to each executive, depending on his or her management level, a bonus target level set as a percentage of his or her salary, representing the amount which will be paid if all objectives are achieved according to the targets set. Actual bonuses may vary between zero and twice the target bonus, based on the level of achievement of the predetermined objectives set out at the beginning of the fiscal year. The objectives and weight attached thereto are re-evaluated on an annual basis by the Compensation Committee and communicated to the relevant individuals.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the bonuses were based on the Company achieving certain target amounts for:

 

(i) Adjusted EBITDA, which the Company defines as net earnings (loss) before (i) interest and other (income) expense; (ii) income tax expense (benefit); (iii) refinancing expense, net of amortization; (iv) amortization of debt issue costs; (v) amortization of intangible assets; (vi) depreciation of property, plant and equipment; (vii) manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges; (viii) stock-based compensation expense; (ix) impairment of goodwill; (x) impairment of long-lived assets and other assets; (xi) write-down on assets classified as held-for-sale; and (xii) other discrete items as disclosed; and

 

(ii) Cash flows from operations after changes in working capital.

At the Compensation Committee’s recommendation, the Board of Directors elected to use Adjusted EBITDA in determining bonuses for 2013 because certain expenses and charges incurred by the Company during the year (e.g., manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges) were in the long term interest of the Company and that such amounts should not impact the ability of senior management to achieve the performance bonus targets.

The target amount for Adjusted EBITDA for 2013 was set at $96,000,000.00 (the “Adjusted EBITDA Target”) and the target amount for cash flows from operations after changes in working capital was $73,500,000.00 (the “Cash Flows Target”). The Company’s Adjusted EBITDA for 2013 was $103,056,000 which was 107.3% of the Adjusted EBITDA Target. The Company’s cash flows from operations after changes in working capital for 2013 was $82,160,000 which was 111.8% of the Cash Flows Target. The utilization of Adjusted EBITDA, rather than EBITDA, had the effect of increasing the bonus payable to the members of senior management.

The following table presents the target incentive compensation as a percentage of salary, the indicators used in 2013 to measure the Company’s performance for purposes of the short term incentive compensation program and their relative weight.

 

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Table of Contents
     Gregory A.
Yull
    Bernard J.
Pitz
    Shawn
Nelson
    Douglas
Nalette
    Joseph
Tocci
 

2013 Annual Base Salary

   $ 525,000      $ 393,382      $ 323,575      $ 339,900      $ 302,357   

Incentive compensation as a percentage of salary

  

Minimum

Target

Maximum

    

 

 

0

100

150


   

 

 

0

100

150


   

 

 

0

50

100


   

 

 

0

50

100


   

 

 

0

50

100


     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Relative weight of financial indicators

          

Adjusted EBITDA

     50     50     50     50     50

Cash flows from operations after changes in working capital

     50     50     50     50     50
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100     100     100     100
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The bonus is calculated using, for each of the Adjusted EBITDA and Cash flows from operations after changes in working capital objectives, the following formula and is equal to the sum of all results:

 

Annual Base salary X number of applicable months   X    Bonus percentage (as determined based on the performance relative to the applicable objective’s target and as capped by the applicable maximum)   X    Weight of financial indicator

 

12 months

         

Members of senior management were also eligible for prorated bonus amounts if between 90% and 100% of the target objectives were achieved by the Company.

The members of senior management were also eligible for an additional bonus calculated using an Adjusted EBITDA target amount of $105,000,000.00 (the “Reach Adjusted EBITDA Target”). This additional bonus is calculated using the following formula (note that the fraction below is capped by the applicable maximum):

 

Actual Adjusted EBITDA – Adjusted EBITDA Target    X    Maximum bonus amount-Target bonus amount    X    Weight of financial indicator

 

           
Reach Adjusted EBITDA Target – Adjusted EBITDA Target            

The members of senior management were also eligible for an additional bonus calculated using a Cash Flows target amount of $78,100,000.00 (the “Reach Cash Flows Target”). This additional bonus is calculated using the following formula (note that the fraction below is capped by the applicable maximum):

 

Actual Cash flows from operations after changes in working capital - Cash Flows Target    X    Maximum bonus amount-Target bonus amount    X    Weight of financial indicator

 

           
Reach Cash Flows Target – Cash Flows Target            

 

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The following table presents the objectives for 2013 approved by the Board of Directors and the results achieved by the Company:

 

     Target      Result      Evaluation of
Performance
 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 96,000,000       $ 103,056,000         107.3

Cash flows from operations after changes in working capital

   $ 73,500,000       $ 82,160,000         111.8

Reach Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 105,000,000       $ 103,056,000         98.1

Reach Cash Flows

   $ 78,100,000       $ 82,160,000         105.2

The following table presents, for each target objective, the bonus amount earned by each member of senior management for 2013.

 

     Gregory A. Yull      Bernard J. Pitz      Shawn Nelson      Douglas Nalette      Joseph Tocci  

Adjusted EBITDA Target

   $ 262,500       $ 196,691       $ 80,894       $ 84,975       $ 75,589   

Cash Flows Target

   $ 262,500       $ 196,691       $ 80,894       $ 84,975       $ 75,589   

Reach Adjusted EBITDA Target

   $ 102,889       $ 77,095       $ 63,413       $ 66,613       $ 59,256   

Reach Cash Flows Target

   $ 131,250       $ 98,345       $ 80,894       $ 84,975       $ 75,589   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 759,139       $ 568,822       $ 306,095       $ 321,538       $ 286,023   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Defined Contribution Pension Plans

The Company maintains defined contribution pension plans in the United States and Canada. Each member of senior management participates in the “US Plan”. The US Plan is a defined contribution pension plan and qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under section 401(k) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Under the US Plan, employees who have been employed for at least 90 days may defer a portion of their pre-tax earnings subject to statutory limitations. The Company may make discretionary contributions for the benefit of eligible employees. The US Plan permits eligible employees to choose how their account balances are invested on their behalf within a range of investment options provided by third-party fund managers. The following table sets out the Company’s contributions to the pension plan payable for 2013 for each member of senior management.

 

Name

   Company
Contributions
$
 

Gregory A. Yull

     15,300   

Bernard J. Pitz

     15,300   

Shawn Nelson

     15,300   

Douglas Nalette

     15,300   

Joseph Tocci

     15,300   

Total Cash Payments

Total cash payments for employee future benefits for 2013, consisting of cash contributed by the Company to its funded pension plans, cash payments directly to beneficiaries for its unfunded other benefit plans, cash contributed to its defined contribution plans and cash contributed to its multi-employer defined benefit plans, were $7.9 million ($7.8 million in 2012).

Executive Employment Contracts and Change of Control Agreements

The following agreements between the Company and members of senior management were in effect at the end of the Company’s most recently-completed financial year.

The Company entered into “change of control” agreements as of January 2001 with Shawn Nelson (Sr. Vice-President Sales), as of October 28, 2004 with Douglas Nalette (Sr. Vice-President Operations), as of September 8, 2006 with Joseph Tocci (Sr. Vice-President Logistics & Supply Chain) and as of November 17, 2009 with Bernard J. Pitz (Chief Financial Officer). These agreements provide that if, within a period of six months after a change of control of the Company: (a) the executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company; or (b) the Company terminates the executive’s employment without cause, such

 

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executive will be entitled to, subject to the restrictions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in deferred compensation, a lump sum in the case of his resignation or an indemnity in lieu of notice in a lump sum in the case of his termination, equal to either 12 or 24 months of such executive’s base remuneration at the effective date of such resignation or termination as follows: Shawn Nelson, 12 months, Douglas Nalette, 12 months, Joseph Tocci, 12 months, and Bernard Pitz, 24 months, and continued insurance coverage then in effect if permitted by its carrier during such period.

Furthermore, these agreements also provide that if during the term of the executive’s employment a bona fide offer is made to all shareholders of the Company which, if accepted, would result in a change of control of the Company, then, subject to any applicable law, all of the executive’s options which have not yet become vested and exercisable shall become vested and exercisable immediately. Upon expiry of such bona fide offer, if it does not result in a change of control of the Company, all of the executive’s unexercised options which were not vested prior to such offer, shall immediately revert to their unvested status and to their former provisions with respect to the time of their vesting.

On August 2, 2010, the Company entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Gregory A. Yull. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Mr. Yull shall receive an annual base salary of $450,000, increased to $475,000 commencing June 1, 2011 and $500,000 commencing on June 1, 2012. Mr. Yull shall also be entitled to a performance bonus for each fiscal year ranging from zero to 150% of his then current annual base salary based on the achievement of specific goals that are mutually agreed to between Mr. Yull and the Board. For 2013, Mr. Yull’s bonus was based on the Company achieving certain target amounts for Adjusted EBITDA Targets and Cash Flow Targets, as further described above in the Section entitled “2013 Senior Management Bonus Plan”. During the first three years of Mr. Yull’s employment, commencing June 8, 2010, Mr. Yull shall be granted 350,000 stock options annually in accordance with the Company’s Executive Stock Option Plan (“ESOP”) and thereafter at the discretion of the Board of Directors. In 2012, instead of receiving an award of 350,000 stock options in accordance with his employment agreement, Mr. Yull agreed to receive 500,905 stock appreciation rights under the Company’s 2012 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan described below. The options to be granted during each of the first three years shall become exercisable in annual increments of 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. Such options shall expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date, subject to the early expiry provisions of the ESOP. The exercise price of such options shall be equal to the closing market price on the last trading day prior to the date of such grant. Fifty percent (50%) of the shares acquired by Mr. Yull pursuant to the exercise of the options granted under the Executive Employment Agreement must be retained by Mr. Yull and not sold or disposed of for a period of three years following the date when the option was exercised.

Provided Mr. Yull has served under the Agreement a minimum of five years, unless earlier terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Yull for Good Reason as defined in the Agreement, he shall receive a defined benefit supplementary pension annually for life equal to the lesser of (i) $600,000 if he separates from service at age 65 or older, $570,000 at age 64, $540,000 at age 63, $510,000 at age 62, $480,000 at age 61, or $450,000 at age 60, and (ii) two percent of the average of his total cash compensation (base salary and performance bonus) for the highest five years of his employment during the prior ten years as of the time of separation, multiplied by his years of service with the Company. In the event of Mr. Yull’s death, his surviving spouse would receive 50% of the annual supplement pension benefit within ninety days of his death and continuing annually during her lifetime.

In the event the Company terminates Mr. Yull’s employment for any reason other than cause, or Mr. Yull terminates his employment for Good Reason as defined in the Agreement, Mr. Yull shall be entitled to severance pay in an amount equal to two times the sum of his base salary and the average performance bonus paid to Mr. Yull in the last two fiscal years ending on the date prior to his date of termination. Subject to the restrictions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, such amount shall be paid 65% in a lump sum and the balance in eight equal quarterly instalments. In addition, all unvested options that would otherwise vest during the 24 months following the date of termination shall be immediately vested and remain exercisable for a period of twelve months. Lastly, the retirement benefits set forth above shall vest.

In the event that Mr. Yull’s employment is terminated as a result of his Permanent Disability, as defined in the Agreement, or death, he shall be entitled to receive (i) accrued and unpaid base salary earned up to the date of termination, (ii) a pro-rated performance bonus that he would have received in respect of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred, (iii) vacation pay earned up to the date of termination, and (iv) provided the date of termination is on or after the fifth year anniversary of the Agreement, the retirement benefits set forth above shall vest. In addition, all unvested stock options held by Mr. Yull shall immediately vest and remain exercisable for a period of nine months following the date of termination for Permanent Disability or death.

 

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In the event that Mr. Yull’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or for Good Reason within two years of a Change of Control, as defined in the Agreement, then he shall be entitled to receive (i) accrued and unpaid base salary earned up to the date of termination, (ii) a pro-rated performance bonus that he would have received in respect of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred, based upon the average performance bonus paid to Mr. Yull in the last two fiscal years, (iii) vacation pay earned up to the date of termination, and (iv) severance pay in an amount equal to three times the sum of his base salary and the average performance bonus paid in the last two fiscal years immediately preceding the date of termination. In addition, all unvested stock options held by Mr. Yull shall immediately vest and remain exercisable for a period of 36 months following the date of termination, and the retirement benefits set forth above shall vest. Mr. Yull shall also be entitled to participate, at his cost, in the benefits under the Company’s medical and dental benefit program until such time as he reaches the age of eligibility for coverage under Medicare. Lastly, disability and life insurance benefits shall be provided for the benefit of Mr. Yull pursuant to any benefit plans and programs then provided by the Company generally to its executives and continue for a period of 36 months following the date of termination.

Mr. Yull has also agreed to a customary non-compete for two years from the date of termination.

On October 30, 2009, the Company entered into an employment letter agreement with Bernard J. Pitz. Pursuant to the terms of the letter agreement, Mr. Pitz received an annual base salary of $360,000. Further, Mr. Pitz was awarded 182,927 options with a grant price of CDN$3.61. In addition, the Company agreed to cover Mr. Pitz’ relocation costs. Mr. Pitz was also entitled to a bonus ranging from zero to 150% of his then current annual base salary based on the achievement of specific goals that are mutually agreed to between Mr. Pitz and the Board. For 2013, Mr. Pitz’s bonus was based on the Company’s achieving certain target amounts for Adjusted EBITDA Targets and Cash Flow Targets, as further described above in the Section entitled “2013 Senior Management Bonus Plan”.

On November 17, 2009, the Company entered into a second letter agreement with Mr. Pitz. Pursuant to the terms of the letter agreement, in the event the Company terminated Mr. Pitz’s employment for any reason other than Cause as defined in the letter agreement, or Mr. Pitz terminated his employment for Good Reason as defined in the letter agreement, Mr. Pitz was to have been entitled to severance pay in an amount equal to 12 times his highest total base monthly salary received in any one month during the twelve months prior to Mr. Pitz’s last day of employment, provided that if Mr. Pitz’s termination of employment occurs within twelve months of the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer of the Company other than Gregory A. Yull, then the severance payment due to Mr. Pitz shall be equal to 24 times Mr. Pitz’ highest monthly salary. Subject to the restrictions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Section 409A”), such amount was to have been paid in either 12 or 24 equal monthly instalments as applicable (“Severance Period”). In the event there was a Section 409A Change in Control within 6 months prior to Mr. Pitz’s termination of employment or during the Severance Period, the remainder of the unpaid severance payments was to have been accelerated and paid in a single lump sum within 10 days after the 409A Change in Control occurs, subject to Section 409A. In the event of an occurrence of Good Reason and Mr. Pitz had not terminated his employment within 60 days of the occurrence, he would have been deemed to have waived such Good Reason. If Mr. Pitz’s employment had terminated for Cause, or he had resigned without Good Reason, or retires, then Mr. Pitz would not have been eligible for severance pay. Mr. Pitz also was entitled to participate in the benefits under the Company’s medical, dental, vision, life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage during the Severance Period, subject to the then current cost sharing features of the plans. In the event Mr. Pitz obtains other employment during the first twelve months of severance payments, the Company’s obligation to pay such severance shall cease. In the event Mr. Pitz obtains employment after twelve months but during the remainder of the Severance Period, the severance payments shall be reduced by the amount of compensation paid to Mr. Pitz by his subsequent employer.

On November 17, 2009, the Company also entered into a “change of control” agreement with Mr. Pitz. The agreement provided that if, within a period of six months after a change of control of the Company: (a) Mr. Pitz voluntarily terminated his employment with the Company; or (b) the Company terminated his employment without cause, Mr. Pitz would have been entitled to, subject to the restrictions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in deferred compensation, a lump sum in the case of his resignation or an indemnity in lieu of notice in a lump sum in the case of his termination, equal to 24 months of Mr. Pitz’s base remuneration at the effective date of such resignation or termination. Mr. Pitz was also entitled to continued insurance coverage then in effect if permitted by its carrier during such period.

Executive Stock Option Plan

In 1992, the Company adopted the Executive Stock Option Plan (the “ESOP”). Since its adoption, the ESOP has been amended on several occasions. The ESOP provides that the total number of common shares reserved for issuance thereunder

 

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is equal to 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company from time to time. The ESOP is considered to be an “evergreen” plan, because the number of common shares covered by options which have been exercised will be available for subsequent grants under the ESOP and the number of options available for grants increases as the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company increases. As such, under the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange, a security-based arrangement such as the ESOP must, when initially put in place, receive shareholder approval at a duly-called meeting of shareholders and the unallocated options are subject to ratification by shareholders every three years thereafter. All unallocated options under the ESOP were ratified, confirmed and approved by shareholders at a special meeting of shareholders of the Company held on September 6, 2012.

The purpose of the ESOP is to promote a proprietary interest in the Company among the executives, key employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries, in order to both encourage such persons to further the development of the Company and assist the Company in attracting and retaining key personnel necessary for the Company’s long-term success. The Board of Directors designates from time-to-time those persons to whom options are to be granted and determines the number of common shares subject to such options. Generally, participation in the ESOP is limited to persons holding positions that can have an impact on the Company’s long-term results.

The number of common shares to which the options relate is determined by taking into account, inter alia, the market value of the common shares and each optionee’s base salary.

The following is a description of certain features of the ESOP (for further details regarding the ESOP, please see Exhibit 4.1 to this Form 20-F):

 

  (a) options expire not later than ten years after the date of grant and, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, all vested options under a particular grant expire 36 months after the vesting date of the last tranche of such grant for directors who are not officers of the Company, 24 months after the vesting date of the last tranche of such grant for officers of the Company excluding the CEO, and 72 months after the vesting date of the last tranche of such grant for the CEO;

 

  (b) options vest at the rate of 25% per year, beginning, in the case of options granted to employees, on the first anniversary date of the grant and, in the case of options granted to directors who are not officers of the Company, on the date of the grant;

 

  (c) the exercise price of the options is determined by the Board of Directors, but cannot be less than the “Market Value” of the common shares of the Company, defined in the ESOP as the closing price of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the day immediately preceding the effective date of the grant; and

 

  (d) certain limitations exist on the number of options, common shares reserved for issuance, number of common shares issuable and the number of common shares issued to certain individuals over certain time periods.

As of December 31, 2013, there were options outstanding under the ESOP to purchase an aggregate of 2,264,177 common shares, representing 3.7% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, and a total of 987,927 options exercisable. During 2013, 830,000 options were granted.

 

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Option Grants During the Most Recently Completed Fiscal Year

The following table sets out the details of all grants of options to the Directors and members of senior management during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Name

   Options
granted
     % of total options
granted in
financial year
     Exercise price
CDN$
     Market value on
date of grant

CDN$
     Expiration
date
 

Eric E. Baker

     10,000         1.2         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Robert M. Beil

     10,000         1.2         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

George J. Bunze

     10,000         1.2         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Robert J. Foster

     10,000         1.2         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

James Pantelidis

     10,000         1.2         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Jorge N. Quintas

     10,000         1.2         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Gregory A. Yull

     265,000         31.9         12.04         12.04         06/05/2023   

Melbourne F. Yull

     10,000         1.2         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Bernard J. Pitz

     90,000         10.8         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Joseph Tocci

     50,000         6.0         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Shawn Nelson

     50,000         6.0         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Douglas Nalette

     50,000         6.0         12.04         12.04         06/05/2019   

Year-End Unexercised Options and Option Values

The following table sets out for each of the Directors and members of senior management the total number of unexercised options held as of December 31, 2013 and the value of such unexercised options at that date.

 

Name

   Number of unexercised
options at fiscal year-end
Exercisable /
Unexercisable
     Value of unexercised “in the
money” options at fiscal year-

end Exercisable /  Unexercisable
CDN$ (1)
 

Eric E. Baker

     67,500 /12,500         784,175 / 77,325   

Robert M. Beil

     10,000 / 12,500         96,975 / 77,325   

George J. Bunze

     2,500 / 12,500         4,975 / 77,325   

Robert J. Foster

     15,000 / 12,500         156,175 / 77,325   

James Pantelidis

     2,500 / 7,500         4,975 / 14,925   

Jorge N. Quintas

     5,000 / 12,500         34,575 / 77,325   

Gregory A. Yull

     437,500 / 527,500         5,368,125 / 3,772,725   

Melbourne F. Yull

     20,000 / 12,500         215,375 / 77,325   

Bernard J. Pitz

     232,927 / 140,000         2,517,599 / 790,600   

Joseph Tocci

     21,250 / 83,750         256,475 / 508,850   

Shawn Nelson

     51,250 / 83,750         616,550 / 508,850   

Douglas Nalette

     51,250 / 83 750         616,550 / 508,850   

 

(1) The value of unexercised “in-the-money” options is calculated using the closing price of the common shares of the Company on the Toronto Stock Exchange on December 31, 2013 (CDN$14.03 less the respective exercise prices of the options.)

2012 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan

The Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2012 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan on June 20, 2012 in lieu of granting stock options in 2012. The purpose of the 2012 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan is to (a) promote a proprietary interest in the Company among its executives and directors; (b) encourage the Company’s executives and directors to further the

 

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Company’s development; and (c) attract and retain the key employees necessary for the Company’s long-term success. The 2012 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and authorizes the Company to award stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to eligible persons. A SAR, as defined by the Company’s plan, is a right to receive a cash payment equal to the difference between the base price of the SAR and the market value of a common share of the Company on the date of exercise. These SARs can only be settled in cash and expire no later than 10 years after the date of the grant. The award agreements provide that these SARs granted to employees and executives will vest and may be exercisable 25% per year over four years. The SARs granted to directors, who are not officers of the Company, will vest and may be exercisable 25% on the grant date, and a further 25% will vest and may be exercisable per year over three years. No SARs were granted in 2013.

The following table sets out for each of the Directors and members of senior management the total number of SARs held as of December 31, 2013 and the value of such unexercised SARs at that date.

 

Name

   Number of unexercised
SARs at fiscal year-end
Exercisable /
Unexercisable
     Value of unexercised SARs at
fiscal year-end Exercisable /
Unexercisable CDN$ (1)
 

Eric E. Baker

     5,000 / 5,000         32,350 / 32,350   

Robert M. Beil

     5,000 / 5,000         32 350 / 32,350   

George J. Bunze

     5,000 / 5,000         32,350 / 32,350   

Robert J. Foster

     5,000 / 5,000         32,350 / 32,350   

James Pantelidis

     15,000 / 15,000         97,050 / 97,050   

Jorge N. Quintas

     5,000 / 5,000         32,350 / 32,350   

Gregory A. Yull

     125,226 / 375,679         810,214 / 2,430,642   

Melbourne F. Yull

     5,000 / 5,000         32,350 / 32,350   

Bernard J. Pitz

     41,250 / 123,750         266,888 / 800,663   

Joseph Tocci

     20,000 / 60,000         129,400 / 388,200   

Shawn Nelson

     20,000 / 60,000         129,400 / 388,200   

Douglas Nalette

     20,000 / 60,000         129,400 / 388,200   

 

(1) The value of unexercised SARs is calculated using the closing price of the common shares of the Company on the Toronto Stock Exchange on December 31, 2013 (CDN$14.03 less the base price of the SARs.).

Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefit Plans

Melbourne F. Yull was Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January 11, 1995 to June 14, 2006. Prior thereto, Mr. Yull was the President and a director of the Company or a predecessor thereof, from 1981. The former employment agreement entered into between the Company and Mr. Yull provides that Mr. Yull receive from the Company a defined benefit supplementary pension annually for life in an amount equal to 2% of the average of Mr. Yull’s annual gross salary for the final five years of his employment with the Company, multiplied by his years of service with the Company to retirement. Accordingly, Mr. Yull receives a pension from the Company in an amount of $260,935 per year.

 

  C. BOARD PRACTICES

Term

The Company has eight Directors. Each Director is elected for a term of one year and may be nominated for re-election at the Company’s following annual shareholders’ meeting. The next annual shareholders’ meeting is scheduled to be held on June 11, 2014, at which time the current term of each Director will expire.

 

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Human Resources and Compensation Committee

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee is appointed by the Board and is currently composed of three directors, Robert M. Beil (Chairman), Robert J. Foster, and Jorge N. Quintas, none of whom is or has been at any previous time an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Each of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee members are independent as that term is defined by the Toronto Stock Exchange and Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Mr. Beil joined the Dow Chemical Company in 1975 after graduating from Youngstown State University with a BA Degree in Industrial Marketing. During a thirty-two year career with Dow, Mr. Beil held numerous sales and marketing executive positions, where he had responsibility for the implementation of company compensation schemes for large organizations. In addition, he spent a portion of his career working in Dow’s Human Resources function, which was responsible for compensation design for Dow, a Fortune 500 company.

Mr. Foster graduated from Queen’s University with an MA in Economics, earning his CFA, managed the research department and worked in corporate finance at one of the major investment dealers in Canada. He founded and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Canada Limited, a boutique investment banking firm. He serves on a number of not-for-profit boards and was on the board and audit committee of CHC Helicopters Corporation and Golf Town Income Trust.

Mr. Quintas graduated in Management at INP-Lisbon and initialized his professional career in ALCAN (England). Later he became a Board Member in several industrial companies from power and telecommunication cable production to Optic Fibers. He was a Board Member at Portgás, city gas distribution in Portugal. Presently Mr. Quintas is the Chairman of Nelson Quintas Group, in Portugal and Board Member of: ECODEAL- dangerous waste recycling plant, NQT- Telecommunication Network in Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) and Audit Committee of Serralves Foundation.

The mandate of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee consists of ensuring the direction and implementation of the Company’s wage and compensation plans, policies, and programs, and in ensuring that a succession plan is put in place to deal with the Company’s future needs regarding human resources, with respect to the Chief Executive Officer and other key executives.

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee Charter is included as Exhibit 15.2 to this Form 20-F.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board and is currently composed of three Directors, George J. Bunze, Robert J. Foster, and James Pantelidis. Each of the Audit Committee members are independent and financially literate as such terms are defined by Canadian Multilateral Instrument 52-110-Audit Committees.

Mr. Bunze graduated from the commerce certification CMA program at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, and is a professional accountant and Certified Management Accountant. Mr. Bunze is the Vice-Chairman and Director and a member of the Executive Committee of Kruger Inc., one of the largest private pulp and paper companies in North America. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Kruger Inc. and its various subsidiaries from 1982 to 2003. Mr. Bunze is a Director of Stella-Jones Inc. and Chairman of its Audit Committee. He was previously a Director of B2B Trust Inc. and Chairman of its Audit Committee.

Mr. Foster graduated from Queen’s University with an MA in Economics, earning his CFA, managed the research department and worked in corporate finance at one of the major investment dealers in Canada. He founded and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Canada Limited, a boutique investment banking firm. He serves on a number of not-for-profit boards and was on the board and audit committee of CHC Helicopters Corporation and Golf Town Income Trust.

Mr. Pantelidis graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration. Mr. Pantelidis has over 30 years of experience in the petroleum industry. Mr. Pantelidis is Chairman of the Board of Parkland Fuel Corporation and has served as a director of Parkland Fuel Corporation since 1999. Mr. Pantelidis is Chairman and Director of EnerCare Inc. since 2002 (member of the Audit, Governance and Compensation, and Investment Committees). He also serves on the Board of each of RONA Inc. (Chairman of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and member of the Development Committee); Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. (Chairman of the Investment Committee and member of Human Resources and Compensation Committee). From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Pantelidis was on the board of FisherCast Global Corporation and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2004 to 2006. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Pantelidis was President of J.P. & Associates, a strategic consulting group. Between 1999 and 2001, Mr. Pantelidis served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Bata International Organization.

 

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The Audit Committee fulfills applicable public corporation obligations required of audit committees and assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Audit Committee examines the financial reporting processes, internal controls, financial risk management and the audit process and procedures applied by the Company and makes recommendations to the Board in connection with the nomination of the external auditor.

The Audit Committee’s Charter is included as Exhibit 15.2 to this Form 20-F.

 

  D. EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 1,869 total employees, 349 in Canada, 1,442 in the US, 67 in Portugal, and 11 in Mexico and Europe. As of December 31, 2013, 373 held either sales-related, administrative, information technology or research and development positions and 1,496 of whom were employed in operations. Approximately 150 hourly employees at the Company’s Marysville plant are unionized and subject to a collective bargaining agreement which expires on April 30, 2015. Approximately 170 hourly employees at the Company’s Menasha plant are unionized and subject to a collective bargaining agreement which expires on July 31, 2015. Approximately 90 hourly employees at the Company’s Carbondale plant are unionized and subject to a collective bargaining agreement which expires on March 4, 2015. Approximately 20 hourly employees at the Company’s Langley, British Columbia plant are unionized and subject to a collective bargaining agreement which was scheduled to expire on March 31, 2014 but has been amended as of August 22, 2013 for a new effective term from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2019. Other than the strike at its Brantford, Ontario plant, which was closed in the second quarter of 2011, the Company has never experienced a work stoppage and it considers its employee relations to be satisfactory. The Company does not employ a significant number of temporary employees.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 1,800 total employees, 387 in Canada, 1,346 in the US, 52 in Portugal, and 15 in Mexico and Europe. As of December 31, 2012, 360 held either sales-related, administrative, information technology or research and development positions and 1,440 of whom were employed in operations. The Company’s Portuguese subsidiary had 54 employees, 2 in sales positions and the rest were employed in operations.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had 1,861 total employees, 418 in Canada, 1,376 in the US, 52 in Portugal, and 15 in Mexico and Europe. As of December 31, 2011, 362 held either sales-related, administrative, information technology or research and development positions and 1,438 of whom were employed in operations. The Company’s Portuguese subsidiary had 52 employees, 2 in sales positions and the rest were employed in operations.

 

  E. SHARE OWNERSHIP

The following table sets out for each of the Directors and members of senior management as of March 17, 2014, the number of shares of the Company owned or controlled by each.

 

NAME

   NUMBER OF SHARES OWNED  

Eric E. Baker

     3,019,039   

Robert M. Beil

     52,196   

George J. Bunze

     56,871   

Robert J. Foster

     67,500   

James Pantedilis

     5,000   

Jorge N. Quintas

     24,657   

Gregory A. Yull

     383,070   

Melbourne F. Yull

     2,200,120   

Bernard J. Pitz

     19,286   

Joseph Tocci

     57,464   

Shawn Nelson

     114,843   

Douglas Nalette

     100,588   

 

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As of March 17, 2014, the Directors and senior management owned an aggregate of 6,100,634 common shares of the Company, being 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The common shares held by the Directors and senior management do not have different voting rights from those held by the other shareholders of the Company.

Please see the heading “Executive Stock Option” above in this section for a description of the Company’s Amended Executive Stock Option Plan.

 

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The following table sets forth all vested and unvested outstanding options granted to the Company’s Directors and senior management through March 17, 2014:

 

Name

   Number of options      Exercise price of
options

CDN$
     Expiration date of
options
 

Eric E. Baker

     50,000         2.19         06/10/2016   
     20,000         1.55         06/07/2017   
     10,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

Robert M. Beil

     2,500         2.19         06/10/2016   
     10,000         1.55         06/07/2017   
     10,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

George J. Bunze

     5,000         1.55         06/07/2017   
     10,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

Robert J. Foster

     7,500         2.19         06/10/2016   
     10,000         1.55         06/07/2017   
     10,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

James Pantelidis

     10,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

Jorge N. Quintas

     2,500         2.19         06/10/2016   
     5,000         1.55         06/07/2017   
     10,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

Melbourne F. Yull

     12,500         2.19         06/10/2016   
     10,000         1.55         06/07/2017   
     10,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

Gregory A. Yull

     350,000         1.90         08/05/2020   
     350,000         1.55         06/07/2021   
     265,000         12.04         06/05/2023   

Bernard J. Pitz

     182,927         3.61         11/12/2015   
     100,000         1.80         06/27/2017   
     90,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

Joseph Tocci

     17,500         2.19         06/10/2016   
     37,500         1.80         06/27/2017   
     50,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

Shawn Nelson

     35,000         2.19         06/10/2016   
     50,000         1.80         06/27/2017   
     50,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

Douglas Nalette

     35,000         2.19         06/10/2016   
     50,000         1.80         06/27/2017   
     50,000         12.04         06/05/2019   

 

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Item 7: Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

 

  A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

As of December 31, 2013, to the knowledge of the Company, the following are the only persons who beneficially own, or exercise control or direction over, more than 5% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (“Major Shareholders”), along with a three-year history of their stock ownership:

 

Name and place of residence

   # / %
12/31/2013
     # / %
12/31/2012
     # / %
12/31/2011
 

Fidelity Management & Research Co. (1)

Boston, Massachusetts

     7,744,300 / 12.74         0 / 0.00         0 / 0.00   

Letko, Brosseau & Associates Inc.(2)

Montreal, Québec

     4,961,618 / 8.16         10,084,641 / 16.91         12,798,950 / 21.71   

O’Shaughnessy Asset Management, LLC(3)

Stamford, Connecticut

     3,800,000 / 6.25         3,300,000 / 5.53         0 / 0.00   

Mackenzie Financial Corporation (3)

Toronto, Ontario

     3,250,000 / 5.35         3,250,000 / 5.45         2,950,000 / 5.00   

BlackRock, Inc. (4)

New York, New York

     3,128,807 / 5.15         0 / 0.00         0 / 0.00   

 

(1) Based on report dated February 14, 2014 filed by FMR LLC with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2) Based on report dated February 13, 2014 filed by Letko, Brosseau & Associates Inc. with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(3) Based on an email from a shareholder analyst listing the number of shares owned as of December 31, 2013.
(4) Based on report dated January 17, 2014 filed by BlackRock, Inc. with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Major Shareholders of the Company do not have any voting rights that differ from the other shareholders of the Company.

As of December 31, 2013, of the 60,776,649 common shares issued and outstanding, approximately 49,195,697 are held in Canada and 11,580,952 in the United States, being 80.9% and 19.1%, respectively. Also as of December 31, 2013, the number of record holders in Canada and in the United States are 13 and 42, respectively.

The Company is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation, by any foreign government or by any natural or legal person. There are no arrangements known to the Company that could result at a subsequent date in a change of control of the Company.

 

  B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

To the knowledge of the Company, none of its directors or officers or any person who beneficially owns or exercises control or direction over shares carrying more than ten percent of the voting rights attached to the Company’s shares, or any associate or affiliate of any such person, has any material interest in any transaction since the beginning of the last completed financial year or in any proposed transactions that has materially affected or will materially affect the Company or any of its affiliates.

Prior to July 31, 2002, the Company made certain interest-free loans payable on demand to certain of its directors and officers. Only one loan remained outstanding to Gregory A. Yull in 2013, with a balance of US$52,372.00, which was paid in full on March 7, 2013.

 

  C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

Not Applicable.

 

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Item 8: Financial Information

Intertape’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Until December 31, 2010, the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).

 

  A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Consolidated Financial Statements of Intertape for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 include the following:

 

    Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

 

    Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

    Independent Auditor’s Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

    Independent Auditor’s Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

    Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Earnings (Loss)

Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Consolidated Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Consolidated Cash Flows

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Dividends

The Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Dividend Policy on August 14, 2012 providing for semi-annual dividend payments. On August 14, 2013, the Board of Directors modified the Company’s dividend policy to provide for quarterly dividend payments. So long as the payments do not result in a violation of the Company’s covenants with its lenders, there are no other restrictions that would prevent the Company from paying dividends. The following table sets forth the dividends paid as of December 31, 2013:

 

     Date Declared      Record Date      Date Paid      Amount per Share  

Dividends per Share

           
     8/14/2012         9/21/2012         10/10/2012       CDN$ 0.08   
     3/6/2013         3/25/2013         4/10/2013       USD$ 0.08   
     8/14/2013         9/16/2013         9/30/2013       USD$ 0.08   
     11/12/2013         12/16/2013         12/30/2013       USD$ 0.08   

The Company has determined it is appropriate to pay its dividend in US dollars because most of its cash flows are in US dollars. The Company has paid no other dividend in the past three years other than as set forth above. For details regarding the Company’s covenants with its lenders please refer to the ABL Loan and Security Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.3 to this Form 20-F.

 

  B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

No significant changes have occurred since the date of the annual financial statements.

 

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Item 9: The Offer and Listing

 

  A. OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS

The following table sets forth the reporting of the high and low closing prices for Intertape shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the periods indicated. Also set forth below are the high and low closing prices for Intertape shares on the New York Stock Exchange through December 2009 and the OTC Pink Marketplace from 2010 through 2012. The Company voluntarily delisted its shares of common stock from the New York Stock Exchange effective December 3, 2009.

 

          Toronto Stock Exchange (CDN$)      New York Stock Exchange (US$)*
OTC Pink Marketplace
 

Year

  

Period

   High      Low      High     Low  

2009

   Annual      3.07         0.39         2.90     0.26

2010

   Annual      3.60         0.92         3.43        0.93   

2011

   Annual      3.39         1.02         3.30        1.04   

2012

   Annual      9.07         3.12         9.17        3.08   

2013

   Annual      15.53         8.05         15.04        8.17   

2013

   First Quarter      11.04         8.05         10.86        8.17   
   Second Quarter      13.03         10.75         12.50        10.51   
   Third Quarter      15.53         11.55         15.04        11.26   
   Fourth Quarter      15.25         12.52         14.89        11.95   

2012

   First Quarter      4.70         3.17         4.65        3.10   
   Second Quarter      7.85         4.72         7.65        4.75   
   Third Quarter      9.00         6.12         9.11        6.21   
   Fourth Quarter      8.28         6.10         8.40        6.03   

2013

   September      15.53         14.71         15.04        14.09   
   October      15.25         14.73         14.89        14.18   
   November      15.13         12.52         14.46        11.95   
   December      14.35         13.53         13.47        12.74   

2014

   January      13.52         11.42         12.68        10.18   
   February      13.34         12.05         12.17        11.29   

Intertape has authorized an unlimited number of voting common shares without par value. The Company also has authorized an unlimited number of non-voting Class A preferred shares issuable in a series, ranking in priority to the common shares with respect to dividends and return of capital on dissolution. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix, before issuance, the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the shares of each series of Class A preferred shares. As of December 31, 2013, there were 60,776,649 issued and outstanding common shares and no issued and outstanding preferred shares of the Company.

 

  B. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Not Applicable.

 

  C. MARKETS

The Company’s common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “ITP.” The Company’s common shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ITP” until December 3, 2009, the effective date of the Company’s voluntary delisting. The Company’s common shares are traded in the US on the OTC Pink Marketplace.

 

  D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

Not Applicable.

 

  E. DILUTION

Not Applicable.

 

  F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE

Not Applicable.

 

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Item 10: Additional Information

 

  A. SHARE CAPITAL

Not Applicable.

 

  B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

1. The business of Intertape was established when Intertape Systems Inc., a predecessor of the Company, established a pressure-sensitive tape manufacturing facility in Montreal. Intertape Polymer Group was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Act”) on December 22, 1989 under the name “171695 Canada Inc.” On October 8, 1991, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment changing its name to “Intertape Polymer Group Inc.” A Certificate of Amalgamation was filed by the Company on August 31, 1993, at which time the Company was amalgamated with EBAC Holdings Inc. The Shareholders, at the Company’s June 11, 2003 annual and special meeting, voted on the replacement of the Company’s By-Law No. 1 with a new General By-Law 2003-1. The intent of the replacement by-law was to conform the Company’s general by-laws with amendments that were made to the Act since the adoption of the general by-laws and to simplify certain aspects of the governance of the Company. On August 6, 2006, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to permit the Board of Directors of the Company to appoint one or more additional Directors to hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of the Company’s Shareholders, so long as the total number of Directors so appointed does not exceed one-third of the number of Directors elected at the previous annual meeting of the Shareholders of the Company

2. The directors of the Company may, when deemed expedient:

(a) borrow money upon the credit of the Company;

(b) issue debentures or other securities of the Company, and pledge or sell the same for such sums and at such prices as may be deemed expedient;

(c) notwithstanding the provisions of the Civil Code, hypothecate, mortgage or pledge the moveable or immoveable property, present or future, of the Company, to secure any such debentures, or other securities, or give part only of such guarantee for such purposes; and constitute the hypothec, mortgage or pledge above mentioned, by trust deed, or on any other manner; and

(d) mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any moveable or personal, immoveable or real or other property of the Company, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any obligation of the Company.

Non-executive directors are required to own a minimum of 50,000 Common Shares by August 2014 in order to remain eligible for future option grants, with the exception of one director appointed in May 2012 who has until May 2015 to be in compliance.

Description of Share Capital:

The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of common shares and non-voting Class A preferred shares, issuable in series. The following is a summary of the material provisions which attach to the common shares and Class A preferred shares, and is qualified by reference to the full text of the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of such shares.

Common Shares

Voting Rights – Each common share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at all meetings of the shareholders of the Company.

 

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Payment of Dividends – The holders of the Company’s common shares are entitled to receive during each year, as and when declared by the Board of Directors, dividends payable in money, property or by issue of fully-paid shares of the capital of the Company.

Distribution of Assets Upon Winding-Up – In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or other distribution of assets of the Company among shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of the Company’s common shares are entitled to receive the remaining property of the Company.

Class A Preferred Shares

The Board of Directors may at any time and from time to time issue non-voting Class A preferred shares in one or more series, each series to consist of such number of shares as may, before the issuance thereof, be determined by the Board of Directors. The Class A preferred shares are entitled to preference over the common shares with respect to the payment of dividends. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or other distribution of assets of the Company among shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of the Class A preferred shares will, before any amount is paid to, or any property or assets of the Company distributed among, the holders of the common shares, be entitled to receive: (i) an amount equal to the amount paid-up on such shares together with, in the case of cumulative Class A preferred shares, all unpaid cumulative dividends and, in the case of non-cumulative Class A preferred shares, all declared and unpaid non-cumulative dividends; and (ii) if such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or distribution is voluntary, an additional amount equal to the premium, if any, which would have been payable on the redemption of the Class A preferred shares if they had been called for redemption by the Company on the date of distribution.

3. The rights of the holders of the Class A preferred shares may be amended only with the prior approval of two-thirds of the holders of the Class A preferred shares in addition to any other approvals required by the Act.

There are no preferred shares currently issued and outstanding.

4. Subject to compliance with the Act, the annual shareholders meeting shall be convened on such day each year and at such time as the Board of Directors may by resolution determine. Special meetings of the shareholders may be convened by order of the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President who is a director or by the Board of Directors to be held at such time and place as may be specified in such order. Special meetings of the shareholders may also be called by written request to the Board of Directors signed by shareholders holding between them not less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting. Such request shall state the business to be transacted at the meeting and sent to the registered office of the Company. In the event the Board of Directors does not call the meeting within twenty-one (21) days after receiving the request, then any shareholder who signed the request may call the meeting.

5. The Articles of Amalgamation of Intertape do not contain limitations on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the Company’s shares.

6. The Articles of Amalgamation and the Bylaws contain no provision that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

  C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS

The following is a description of the material contracts the Company was a party to during the last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, regardless of when they were initially entered into by Intertape Polymer Group, either directly or through one of its subsidiaries, and that are not in the ordinary course of the Company’s business:

 

 

a Purchase Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and Indenture each dated as of July 28, 2004, in connection with the issuance by Intertape Polymer US Inc., a finance subsidiary of Intertape Polymer Group, of the aggregate principal amount of US$125.0 million of 8.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014. The Notes were offered to institutional investors and were guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by the Company and substantially all of its subsidiaries. Interest accrued and was payable on the Notes semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1. On August 13, 2013, the Company redeemed the remaining balance of the outstanding

 

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Notes fully discharging and satisfying the Notes and Indenture. For a copy of the Purchase Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement, and Indenture, as well as details of the terms of the Senior Subordinated Notes, see Exhibit 4.2 to this Form 20-F.

 

  a Loan and Security Agreement dated March 28, 2008 (and since amended on June 18, 2008, March 23, 2011, February 1, 2012, and November 25, 2013), among certain subsidiaries of the Company, the Lenders referred to therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Agent, for a $200.0 million asset based loan (“ABL”). The amount of borrowings available to the Company under the ABL is determined by its applicable borrowing base from time to time. The borrowing base is determined by calculating a percentage of eligible trade accounts receivable, inventories and property, plant, and equipment. The ABL is priced at Libor plus a loan margin determined from a pricing grid. The loan margin declines as unused availability increases. The loan grid ranges from 1.75% to 2.25%. Unencumbered real estate is subject to a negative pledge in favor of the ABL lenders. However, the Company retains the ability to secure financing on all or a portion of its owned real estate up to $35 million of real estate mortgage financing and have the negative pledge in favor of the ABL lenders terminated. The Company has the ability to secure financing up to $45 million in connection with the purchase of fixed assets under a permitted purchase money debt facility. The ABL has one financial covenant, a fixed charge ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The ratio compares EBITDA (as defined in the ABL) less capital expenditures and pension plan payments in excess of pension plan expense to the sum of debt service and the amortization of the value of equipment in the borrowing base. The financial covenant becomes effective only when unused availability drops below $25.0 million. The ABL matures in February 2017. For a copy of the Loan and Security Agreement, see Exhibit 4.3 to this Form 20-F.

 

  an Equipment Finance Agreement dated August 14, 2012 in the amount of up to $24.0 million for qualifying US capital expenditures during the period May 2012 through March 31, 2014. The Equipment Finance Agreement allows for periodic scheduling of amounts with each schedule having a term of sixty months and a fixed interest rate for leases scheduled prior to January 1, 2014. For a copy of the Loan and Security Agreement, see Exhibit 4.4 to this Form 20-F. The Company has entered into the four schedules as listed below.

 

Date Entered

   Amount      Interest Rate     Payments      Last Payment due  

September 27, 2012

   $ 2.7 million         2.74   $ 48,577         October 1, 2017   

December 28, 2012

   $ 2.6 million         2.74   $ 46,258         January 1, 2018   

June 28, 2013

   $ 2.2 million         2.90   $ 39,329         July 1, 2018   

December 31, 2013

   $ 14.7 million         2.90   $ 263,450         January 1, 2019   

A copy of all of the foregoing contracts, except as otherwise noted, are available as Exhibits to this Form 20-F.

 

  D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS

As of the date hereof, there are no governmental laws, decrees or regulations in Canada on the export or import of capital, or which impose foreign exchange controls or affect the remittance of interest, dividends or other payments to non-resident holders of Intertape’s common stock, except as described under Item 10E “Taxation” below.

Except as provided in the Investment Canada Act (Canada), the Competition Act (Canada), and/or the Canada Transportation Act (Canada) which have provisions that may potentially restrict the holding of voting shares by non-Canadians, there are no limitations specific to the rights of non-Canadians to hold or vote the Company’s common shares under the laws of Canada or in its charter documents. The following summarizes the principal features of the Investment Canada Act, the Competition Act and the Canada Transportation Act for non-Canadian residents proposing to acquire the Company’s common shares.

This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed to be, legal advice to any holder or prospective holder of the Company’s common shares, and no opinion or representation to any holder or prospective holder of the Company’s common shares is hereby made. Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of the Company’s common shares should consult with their own legal advisors with respect to the consequences of purchasing and owning the Company’s common shares.

 

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1. Investment Canada Act

The Investment Canada Act governs acquisitions of control of Canadian businesses by non-Canadians. Under the Investment Canada Act, non-Canadian individuals or entities acquiring “control” (as defined in the Investment Canada Act) of a corporation carrying on business in Canada are required to either notify, or file an application for review with, Industry Canada (or in the case of “cultural businesses”, Heritage Canada), subject to certain statutory exemptions. The relevant Minister may review any transaction which constitutes an acquisition of control of a Canadian business, where the book value of the assets acquired exceeds certain thresholds (which are higher for investors from members of the World Trade Organization, including United States residents, or World Trade Organization member-controlled companies) or where the activity of the business is a “cultural business” (as defined in the legislation and its regulations), or where the investment could be injurious to Canada’s national security. For acquisitions of control of businesses which do not involve a cultural business or present national security issues, no change of voting control will be deemed to have occurred, for purposes of the Investment Canada Act, if less than one-third of the voting control of a Canadian corporation is acquired by an investor. Different rules apply to acquisitions of control of businesses related to Canada’s cultural heritage or national identity, or present national security concerns.

If an investment is reviewable under the Investment Canada Act, an application for review in the form prescribed is normally required to be filed with Industry Canada or Heritage Canada prior to implementation of the investment. An investment subject to review may not be implemented until the review has been completed and the Minister responsible is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of “net benefit” to Canada. If the Minister is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada, the non-Canadian cannot implement the investment, or if the investment has been implemented, may be required to divest itself of control of the Canadian business that is the subject of the investment. Different rules apply if the Minister determines that the investment may be injurious to Canada’s national security.

Certain transactions relating to Intertape’s common stock would be exempt from the Investment Canada Act, unless they are found to be potentially injurious to Canada’s national security by the Minister responsible, including:

 

  (a) the acquisition of the Company’s common stock by a person in the ordinary course of that person’s business as a trader or dealer in securities;

 

  (b) the acquisition of control of the Company in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for a purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Canada Act; and

 

  (c) the acquisition of control of the Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of the Company, through ownership of our common stock, remains unchanged.

These exemptions do not apply to an acquisition of control of a Canadian business that is deemed to be potentially injurious to Canada’s national security.

 

2. Competition Act

The Competition Act requires notification to the Commissioner of Competition of specified merger transactions that exceed certain monetary and share thresholds prior to their completion.

If a proposed merger is subject to pre-merger notification, each party to the proposed merger must file a notification with the Commissioner of Competition.

Proposed mergers that are subject to pre-merger notification under the Competition Act are prohibited from being completed before the end of 30 days following the receipt of a complete notification by the Commissioner of Competition, unless a waiver of the waiting period is obtained from the Commissioner of Competition. The waiting period may be extended by the issuance of a supplementary information request by the Commissioner of Competition within the initial 30 day waiting period. In the event that a supplementary information request is issued by the Commissioner of Competition, the parties may not complete the proposed merger until the end of a further 30 day waiting period that commences on the date on which the information requested pursuant to the supplementary information request has been provided to the Commissioner of Competition.

 

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Whether or not a merger is subject to pre-merger notification to the Commissioner of Competition, the Commissioner of Competition may commence an application for relief in the Competition Tribunal on the basis that the merger prevents or lessens, or is likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially in a relevant market. Such applications for relief are subject to a one-year limitation period from the merger’s substantial completion.

 

3. Canada Transportation Act

If a proposed transaction involves a transportation undertaking, and is subject to pre-merger notification to the Commissioner of Competition pursuant to the Competition Act, the parties to the proposed transaction must also provide pre-closing notification to the Minister of Transportation under the Canada Transportation Act. Such transactions require a 42 day waiting period which may be extended.

The parties to a proposed transaction subject to pre-merger notification to the Minister of Transportation may not complete the proposed transaction unless the Minister of Transportation issues a notice of his opinion that the proposed transaction does not raise issues with respect to the public interest as it relates to national transportation, or unless the transaction is approved by the Governor in Council.

 

  E. TAXATION

Material Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following general summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences applicable to a holder of the Company’s common stock who is a resident of the United States, who is not, will not be and will not be deemed to be a resident of Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Income Tax Act”) and any applicable tax treaty and who does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, his common stock in the capital of the Company in connection with carrying on a business in Canada (a “non-resident holder”). This summary applies only to non-resident holders who hold their Intertape common stock as capital property. This summary does not apply to non-resident holders who are financial institutions (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act) or insurers.

This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Income Tax Act, the regulations thereunder (the “Regulations”), the current publicly announced administrative and assessing policies of the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canada- United States Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the “Treaty”). This summary also takes into account the amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Regulations publicly announced by the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Tax Proposals”) and assumes that all such Tax Proposals will be enacted in their present form. However, no assurances can be given that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed, or at all. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax consequences applicable to a non-resident holder of the Company’s common stock and, except for the foregoing, this summary does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, administrative or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account provincial, territorial or foreign income tax legislation or considerations, which may differ from the Canadian federal income tax consequences described herein.

This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed to be, legal, business or tax advice to any particular holder or prospective holder of Intertape’s common stock, and no opinion or representation with respect to the tax consequences to any holder or prospective holder of the Company’s common stock is made. Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of the Company’s common stock should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of Intertape’s common stock in their particular circumstances.

Dividends

Dividends paid on the Company’s common stock to a non-resident holder will be subject under the Income Tax Act to withholding tax which tax is deducted at source by the Company. The withholding tax rate for dividends prescribed by the Income Tax Act is 25% but this rate may be reduced under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty. Under the Treaty, the withholding tax rate is reduced to 15% on dividends paid by the Company to a resident of the United States who is the beneficial owner of such dividend and is eligible to benefits under the Treaty. The rate is further reduced to 5% where the beneficial owner of the dividend is a corporation resident in the United States that is eligible for benefits under the Treaty and that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the Company.

 

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Capital Gains

A non-resident holder is not subject to tax under the Income Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized upon the disposition of a common share of the Company unless such share is (or is deemed to be) “taxable Canadian property” (as defined in the Income Tax Act) of the non-resident holder. As long as they are listed on a designated stock exchange (which includes the TSX) at the time they are disposed of, Intertape’s common stock generally will not be considered taxable Canadian property of a non-resident holder unless at any time during the 60 month period immediately preceding the disposition of the stock: (i) the non-resident holder, persons with whom the non-resident holder does not deal at arm’s length or the non-resident holder together with such non-arm’s length persons owned, or had an interest in an option in respect of, 25% or more of the issued stock of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock, and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the shares of Intertape Polymer Group was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of real or immovable property situated in Canada, Canadian resource properties (as defined in the Income Tax Act), timber resource properties (as defined in the Income Tax Act), or an option, an interest or right in such property.

United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a general discussion of the material United States federal income tax consequences, under current law, generally applicable to a US Holder (as hereinafter defined) of common shares of the Company. This discussion does not address individual consequences to persons subject to special provisions of federal income tax law, such as those described below as excluded from the definition of a US Holder. In addition, this discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax consequences. (See “Canadian Federal Tax Consequences”).

The following discussion is based upon the sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time. This discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, of any recently proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time. This discussion is for general information only and it is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any holder or prospective holder of common shares of the Company and no opinion or representation with respect to the United States federal income tax consequences to any such holder or prospective holder is made. Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of common shares of the Company are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares of the Company.

US Holders

As used herein, a “US Holder” means a holder of common shares of the Company who is a citizen or individual resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof or a trust whose income is taxable in the United States irrespective of source.

This summary does not address the tax consequences to, and US Holder does not include, persons subject to specific provisions of federal income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals, persons or entities that have a “functional currency” other than the US dollar, shareholders who hold common shares as part of a straddle, hedging or a conversion transaction, and shareholders who acquired their common shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services. This summary is limited to US Holders who own common shares as capital assets. This summary does not address the consequences to a person or entity holding an interest in a shareholder or the consequences to a person of the ownership, exercise or disposition of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire common shares.

Distribution on Common Shares of the Company

US Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to common shares of the Company are required to include in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions equal to the US dollar value of such dividends on the date of receipt (based on the exchange rate on such date) to the extent that the Company has current or accumulated earnings and profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from

 

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such distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be credited, subject to certain limitations, against the US Holder’s federal income tax liability or, alternatively, may be deducted in computing the US Holder’s federal taxable income by those who itemize deductions. (See more detailed discussion at “Foreign Tax Credit” below). To the extent that distributions exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company, they will be treated first as a return of capital up to the US Holder’s adjusted basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of the common shares. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains are applicable to a US Holder which is an individual, estate or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains for a US Holder which is a corporation. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 added Section 1411 to the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 3.8% Medicare surtax on net investment income of certain individuals, estates and trusts beginning in 2013. In general, income with respect to Company distributions will be considered investment income for purposes of the surtax.

Foreign Tax Credit

A US Holder who pays (or has withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of common shares of the Company may be entitled, at the option of the US Holder, to either receive a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. Generally, it will be more advantageous to claim a credit because a credit reduces United States federal income taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a deduction merely reduces the taxpayer’s income subject to tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid by (or withheld from) the US Holder during that year. There are significant and complex limitations which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the US Holder’s United States income tax liability that the US Holder’s foreign sources income bears to his or its worldwide taxable income. In the determination of the application of this limitation, the various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and domestic sources. Complex rules govern this classification process. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income such as “passive income,” “high withholding tax interest,” “financial services income,” “shipping income,” and certain other classifications of income. Dividends distributed by the Company will generally constitute “passive income” or, in the case of certain US Holders, “financial services income” for these purposes. The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on the credit are fact specific, and US Holders of common shares of the Company should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances.

Disposition of Common Shares of the Company

A US Holder will recognize gain or loss upon the sale of common shares of the Company equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received, and (ii) the shareholder’s tax basis in the common shares of the Company. Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of US Holders who are individuals, estates or trusts. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the common shares are a capital asset in the hands of the US Holder, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the common shares of the Company are held for more than one year. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 added Section 1411 to the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 3.8% Medicare surtax on net investment income of certain individuals, estates and trusts beginning in 2013. In general, capital gain or loss recognized upon the sale of common shares of the Company will be considered investment income for purposes of the surtax.

Other Considerations

In the following circumstances, the above sections of this discussion may not describe the United States federal income tax consequences resulting from the holding and disposition of common shares:

Passive Foreign Investment Company

Certain United States income tax legislation contains rules governing “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFIC”) which can have significant tax effects on US Holders of foreign corporations. These rules do not apply to non-US Holders.

Section 1297 of the Code defines a PFIC as a corporation that is not formed in the United States and, for any taxable year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income is “passive income”, which includes interest, dividends and certain rents and royalties or (ii) the average percentage, by fair market value (or, if the Company is a controlled foreign corporation or makes an election, adjusted tax basis) of its assets that produce or are held for the production of “passive income” is 50% or more. The Company does not believe that it is a PFIC. Each US Holder of the Company is urged to consult a tax advisor with respect to how the PFIC rules affect their tax situation.

 

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A US Holder who holds stock in a foreign corporation during any year in which such corporation qualifies as a PFIC is subject to United States federal income taxation under one of three alternative tax regimes. The following is a discussion of such three alternative tax regimes applied to such US Holders of the Company. In addition, special rules apply if a foreign corporation qualifies as both a PFIC and a “controlled foreign corporation” (as defined below) and a US Holder owns, directly or indirectly, ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined voting power of classes of shares of such foreign corporation (See more detailed discussion at “Controlled Foreign Company” below).

A US Holder who makes a valid election to treat the Company as a Qualified Electing Fund (“QEF”) will be subject, under Section 1293 of the Code, to current federal income tax for any taxable year in which the Company qualifies as a PFIC on his pro rata share of the Company’s (i) “net capital gain” (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to the US Holder and (ii) “ordinary earnings” (the excess of earnings and profits over net capital gain), which will be taxed as ordinary income to the US Holder, in each case, for the shareholder’s taxable year in which (or with which) the Company’s taxable year ends, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed.

The effective QEF election allows a US Holder to (i) generally treat any gain realized on the disposition of their common shares of the Company (or deemed to be realized on the pledge of their shares) as capital gain; (ii) treat his share of the Company’s net capital gain, if any, as long-term capital gain instead of ordinary income; and (iii) either avoid interest charges resulting from PFIC status altogether, or make an annual election, subject to certain limitations, to defer payment of current taxes on his share of the Company’s annual realized net capital gain and ordinary earnings subject, however, to an interest charge. If the US Holder is not a corporation, such an interest charge would be treated as “personal interest” that is not deductible. US Holders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Company will satisfy the recordkeeping requirements that apply to a QEF, or that the Company will supply US Holders with the information that such US Holders require to report under the QEF rules, in the event that the Company is a PFIC and a US Holder wishes to make a QEF election.

A US Holder who makes a valid mark-to-market election is required include, under Section 1296 of the Code, in ordinary income for any taxable year in which the Company qualifies as a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Company’s stock held by the US Holder at year-end over the US Holder’s tax basis in such stock. Any amount by which the US Holder’s stock basis exceeds the fair market value of stock held at year-end will be allowed as an ordinary loss deduction to the extent of the unreversed inclusions with respect to such stock. Gain on a sale or other disposition of the stock will be subject to ordinary income tax rates, and a loss on a disposition is deductible as an ordinary loss to the extent it does not exceed the unreversed inclusions attributable to the stock. An effective mark-to-market election allows a US Holder to avoid interest charges resulting from PFIC status where a QEF election may not be available.

If a US Holder does not make a valid QEF election or a mark-to-market election during a year in which it holds (or is deemed to have held) the shares in question and the Company is a PFIC (a “Non-electing US Holder”), then special taxation rules under Section 1291 of the Code will apply to (i) gains realized on the disposition (or deemed to be realized by reasons of a pledge) of his common shares of the Company and (ii) certain “excess distributions”, as specifically defined, by the Company.

A Non-electing US Holder generally would be required to pro rate all gains realized on the disposition of his common shares of the Company and all excess distribution of his common shares and all excess distributions over the entire holding period for the Company.

All gains or excess distributions allocated to prior years of the US Holder (other than years prior to the first taxable year of the Company during such US Holder’s holding period and beginning after January 1, 1987 for which it was a PFIC) would be taxed at the highest tax rate for each such prior year applicable to ordinary income. The Non-electing US Holder also would be liable for interest on the foregoing tax liability for each such prior year calculated as if such liability had been due with respect to each such prior year. A Non-electing US Holder that is not a corporation must treat this interest charge as “personal interest” which, as discussed above, is wholly non-deductible. The balance of the gain of the excess distribution will be treated as ordinary income in the year of the disposition or distribution, and no interest charge will be incurred with respect to such balance.

If the Company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a Non-electing US Holder holds common shares of the Company, then the Company will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such common shares, even if it is no longer definitionally a PFIC. A Non-electing US Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize a gain (which will be taxed under the rules discussed above for Non-electing US Holders) as if such common shares had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which it was a PFIC.

 

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Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the IRS has issued proposed regulations that, subject to certain exceptions, would treat as taxable certain transfers of PFIC stock by Non-Electing US Holders that are generally not otherwise taxed, such as gifts, exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death. Generally, in such cases the basis of the Company common shares in the hands of the transferee and the basis of any property received in the exchange for those common shares would be increased by the amount of gain recognized. A US Holder that makes a valid QEF or a mark-to-market election (an “Electing US Holder”) would not be taxed on certain transfers of PFIC stock, such as gifts, exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death. The transferee’s basis in this case will depend on the manner of the transfer. In a transfer at death, for example, the transferee’s basis is equal to (i) the fair market value of the Electing US Holder’s common shares, less (ii) the excess of the fair market value of the Electing US Holder’s common shares reduced by the US Holder’s adjusted basis in these common shares at death. The specific tax effect to the US Holder and the transferee may vary based on the manner in which the common shares are transferred. Each US Holder of the Company is urged to consult a tax advisor with respect to how the PFIC rules affect their tax situation and what elections may or may not be available.

Certain special, generally adverse, rules will apply with respect to common shares of the Company while the Company is a PFIC whether or not it is treated as a QEF or a mark-to-market election is made. For example under Section 1297(b)(6) of the Code, a US Holder who uses PFIC stock as security for a loan (including a margin loan) will, except as may be provided in regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such shares.

Controlled Foreign Company

If more than 50% of the voting power of all classes of shares or the total value of the shares of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States domestic partnerships and corporations or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts, each of whom own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company (“United States shareholder”), the Company could be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” under Subpart F of the Code. This classification would affect many complex results one of which is the inclusion of certain income of a CFC which is subject to current US tax. The United States generally taxes a United States shareholder of a CFC currently on their pro rata shares of the Subpart F income of the CFC. Such US shareholders are generally treated as having received a current distribution out of the CFC’s Subpart F income and are also subject to current US tax on their pro rata shares of the CFC’s earnings invested in US property. The foreign tax credit described above may reduce the US tax on these amounts. In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code, gain from the sale or exchange of shares by a US Holder of common shares of the Company who is or was a United States shareholder at any time during the five-year period ending with the sale or exchange is treated as ordinary income to the extent of earnings and profits of the Company attributable to the shares sold or exchanged. If a foreign corporation is both a PFIC and a CFC, the foreign corporation generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to United States shareholders of the CFC. This rule generally will be effective for taxable years of United States shareholders beginning after 1997 and for taxable years of foreign corporations ending with or within such taxable years of United States shareholders. Special rules apply to United States shareholders who are subject to the special taxation rules under Section 1291 discussed above with respect to a PFIC. Because of the complexity of Subpart F, and because it is not clear that Subpart F would apply to US Holders of common shares of the Company, a more detailed review of these rules is outside of the scope of this discussion.

 

  F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

Not Applicable.

 

  G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS

Not Applicable.

 

  H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

The documents referred to in this Form 20-F may be viewed at the Company’s office located at 100 Paramount Drive, Suite 300, Sarasota, Florida 34232.

 

  I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

Not Applicable.

 

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Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Information for this Item is set forth in Note 21 to the 2013 audited Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 18 hereof.

Item 12: Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Not Applicable.

PART II

Item 13: Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Not Applicable.

Item 14: Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

Not Applicable.

Item 15: Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (“Intertape Polymer Group” or the “Company”) maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure not only that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, but also that information required to be disclosed by Intertape Polymer Group is accumulated and communicated to management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Intertape Polymer Group conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013. They concluded based on such evaluation that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting as well as the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements, and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statements preparation and presentation. Also projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 based on the criteria established in 1992 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013 based on those criteria.

 

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The Company’s independent auditors, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, audited the annual consolidated financial statements included in this annual report and audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 and included in the Consolidated Financial Statements referenced in Item 18 of this Form 20-F its report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in Intertape Polymer Group’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 16: [RESERVED]

 

Item 16A: Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Board of Directors of Intertape has determined that it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. Mr. George J. Bunze, having been the Chief Financial Officer of Kruger Inc., and having the attributes set forth in Paragraph 16A(b) of the General Instructions to Form 20-F, has been determined to be an audit committee financial expert. Further, Mr. Bunze is “independent” as that term is defined by the Toronto Stock Exchange and Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

Item 16B: Code of Ethics

Intertape has adopted a code of ethics entitled “Intertape Polymer Group Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics”, which is applicable to all of its employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and all persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics has been posted on the Company’s website at http://www.intertapepolymer.com under “Investor Relations”, “Corporate Governance”, “Governance Documents”. Any amendments to, or waiver from, any provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be posted on our website at the above address.

 

Item 16C: Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table sets forth the fees billed (in US dollars) for professional services rendered by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, Chartered Accountants, Intertape’s independent auditors, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Audit Fees

     840,000         860,430   

Audit-Related Fees

     9,250         10,005   

Tax Fees

     78,225         75,038   

All Other Fees

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Fees

     927,475         945,473   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit Fees. Audit fees were for professional services rendered for the integrated audit of Intertape’s consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, assisting its Audit Committee in discharging its responsibilities for the review of the Company’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and services that generally only the independent auditor can reasonably provide, such as consent letters and assistance and review of documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related fees were for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Intertape’s consolidated interim unaudited financial statements and are not reported under the caption “Audit Fees” above. These services included consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards, as well as the Company’s transition to International Financial Reporting Standards.

 

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Tax Fees. Tax fees were for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services included the preparation of the Canadian subsidiaries’ income tax returns, assistance with questions regarding tax audits from the various taxation authorities in Canada and tax planning relating to common forms of domestic and international taxation.

All Other Fees. All other fees were for services provided other than the audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees described above. No such fees have been billed in the last two years.

Intertape’s Audit Committee pre-approves all audit engagement fees and the terms of all significant permissible non-audit services provided by independent auditors.

 

Item 16D: Exemptions From the Listing Standards for Audit Committee

Not Applicable.

 

Item 16E: Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Not Applicable.

 

Item 16F: Change In Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not Applicable.

 

Item 16G: Corporate Governance

Not Applicable.

 

Item 16H: Mine Safety Disclosure

Not Applicable.

PART III

Item 17: Financial Statements

Not Applicable.

Item 18: Financial Statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements required under Item 18 of this Form 20-F are attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.

Item 19: Exhibits

The Consolidated Financial Statements and the following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

  A. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

    Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

 

    Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

    Independent Auditor’s Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

    Independent Auditor’s Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

    Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Earnings (Loss)

Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Consolidated Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Consolidated Cash Flows

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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  B. Exhibits:

 

  1.1    Articles of Amalgamation as amended incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to S-4 filed October 26, 2004, File No. 333-119982-26.
  1.2    General By-law 2003-1 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to S-4 filed October 26, 2004, File No. 333-119982-26.
  4.1    Amended Executive Stock Option Plan incorporated herein by reference to S-8 filed November 7, 2012, File No. 333-184797.
  4.2    Purchase Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and Indenture incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement filed on October 26, 2004 as Registration No. 333-119982 as amended on www.sec.gov in the United States.
  4.3    Loan and Security Agreement filed under 6-K on May 8, 2008, Film No. 08813597. First and Second Amendments filed under 6-K on April 29, 2011, Film No. 11793224, Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement filed under 6-K on February 2, 2012, Film No. 12566721, and Fourth Amendment filed under 6-K on February 13, 2014, Film No. 001-10928.
  4.4    Equipment Finance Agreement filed under 6-K on September 5, 2012, Film No. 121073380.
  8.1    A list of all of Intertape’s significant subsidiaries is set forth in Item 4C of this Form 20-F.
10.1    During 2013, Intertape was not required to send its directors and executive officers notices pursuant to Rule 104 of Regulation BTR concerning any equity security subject to a blackout period under Rule 101 of Regulation BTR. Intertape’s blackout periods are regularly scheduled and a description of such periods, including their frequency and duration and plan transactions to be suspended or affected are included in the documents under which Intertape’s plans operate and is disclosed to employees before enrollment or within thirty (30) days thereafter.
12.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)) or Rule 15d-14(a) (17 CFR 240.15d-14(a)).
12.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) (17 CFR 240.15d-14(a)).
13.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b)) or Rule 15d-14(b) (17 CFR 240.15d-14(b)) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350).
13.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b)) or Rule 15d-14(b) (17 CFR 240.15d-14(b)) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350).
15.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
15.2    Human Resources and Compensation Committee Charter incorporate herein by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to 20-F filed March 26, 2013.
15.3    Audit Committee Charter incorporate herein by reference to Exhibit 14.2 to 20-F filed March 26, 2013.

 

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SIGNATURES

The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.

 

    Intertape Polymer Group Inc.
  By:  

/s/ Gregory A. Yull

Dated March 20, 2014     Gregory A. Yull, Chief Executive Officer

 

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Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

 

Management’s Responsibility for Consolidated Financial Statements

     2   

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     3   

Independent Auditor’s Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm

     4 to 5   

Independent Auditor’s Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     6 to 7   

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Consolidated Earnings

     8   

Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     9   

Consolidated Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

     10 to 12   

Consolidated Cash Flows

     13   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     14   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     15 to 69   


Table of Contents

Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements of Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (the “Company”) and other financial information are the responsibility of the Company’s management and have been examined and approved by its Board of Directors. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and include some amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. The selection of accounting principles and methods is management’s responsibility.

Management is responsible for the design, establishment and maintenance of appropriate internal control and procedures over financial reporting, to ensure that financial statements for external purposes are fairly presented in conformity with IFRS. Pursuant to these internal control and procedures, processes have been designed to ensure that the Company’s transactions are properly authorized, the Company’s assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use, and the Company’s transactions are properly recorded and reported to permit the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS.

Management recognizes its responsibility for conducting the Company’s affairs in a manner to comply with the requirements of applicable laws and for maintaining proper standards of conduct in its activities.

The Board of Directors assigns its responsibility for the consolidated financial statements and other financial information to the Audit Committee, all of whom are independent directors.

The Audit Committee’s role is to examine the consolidated financial statements and annual report and once approved, recommend that the Board of Directors approve them, examine internal control over financial reporting and information protection systems and all other matters relating to the Company’s accounting and finances. In order to do so, the Audit Committee meets periodically with the external auditors to review their audit plan and discuss the results of their examinations. The Audit Committee is also responsible for recommending the nomination of the external auditors.

The Company’s external independent registered public accounting firm, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP was appointed by the Shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on June 5, 2013, to conduct the integrated audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Their reports indicating the scope of their audits and their opinions on the consolidated financial statements and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting follow.

/s/ Gregory A.C. Yull

Gregory A.C. Yull

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Michael C. Jay

Michael C. Jay

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Sarasota, Florida and Montreal, Quebec

March 11, 2014

 

2


Table of Contents

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting as well as the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the company’s financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and, even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statements preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 based on the criteria established in “1992 Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013 based on those criteria.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 has been audited by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, the Company’s external independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which follows.

/s/ Gregory A.C. Yull

Gregory A.C. Yull

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Michael C. Jay

Michael C. Jay

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Sarasota, Florida and Montreal, Quebec

March 11, 2014

 

3


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LOGO

Independent Auditor’s Report of

Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders of

Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Intertape Polymer Group Inc. which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

 

4


Table of Contents

Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Intertape Polymer Group Inc. as at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and its financial performance and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Other Matter

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Intertape Polymer Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in “1992 Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 11, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion on Intertape Polymer Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

LOGO

Montreal, Canada

March 11, 2014

 

 

1    CPA auditor, CA, public accountancy permit No. A120795

               

 

5


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

Independent Auditor’s Report of

Registered Public Accounting Firm

on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

To the Shareholders of

Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

We have audited Intertape Polymer Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in “1992 Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Management’s Responsibility

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audit is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Definition of internal control over financial reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by International Accounting Standards Board, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Inherent limitations

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Opinion

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2013 based on criteria established in “1992 Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We have also audited, in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of Intertape Polymer Group Inc. as at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013 and our report dated March 11, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

LOGO

Montreal, Canada

March 11, 2014

 

 

1    CPA auditor, CA, public accountancy permit No. A120795

               

 

7


Table of Contents

Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Consolidated Earnings

Years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

(In thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)

 

 

     2013     2012 (1)     2011 (1)  
     $     $     $  

Revenue

     781,500        784,430        786,737   

Cost of sales

     623,006        645,681        673,982   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     158,494        138,749        112,755   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     82,682        79,135        76,969   

Research expenses

     6,900        6,227        6,200   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     89,582        85,362        83,169   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit before manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     68,912        53,387        29,586   

Manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges (Note 4)

     30,706        18,257        2,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     38,206        35,130        26,695   

Finance costs (Note 3)

      

Interest

     5,707        13,233        15,361   

Other expense

     946        1,303        2,180   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     6,653        14,536        17,541   

Earnings before income tax expense (benefit)

     31,553        20,594        9,154   

Income tax expense (benefit) (Note 5)

      

Current

     3,622        927        688   

Deferred

     (39,426     (714     1,082   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (35,804     213        1,770   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

     67,357        20,381        7,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share (Note 6)

      

Basic

     1.12        0.35        0.13   

Diluted

     1.09        0.34        0.12   

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011. Refer to Changes in Accounting Policies in Note 2.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements and Note 3 presents additional information on consolidated earnings.

 

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Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

(In thousands of US dollars)

 

 

     2013     2012 (1)     2011 (1)  
     $     $     $  

Net earnings

     67,357        20,381        7,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

      

Changes in fair value of interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges (net of deferred income tax expense of nil in 2011)

     —          —          (30

Settlements of interest rate swap agreements, transferred to earnings (net of income tax expense of nil in 2011)

     —          —          927   

Changes in fair value of forward foreign exchange rate contracts, designated as cash flow hedges (net of deferred income tax expense of nil in 2012 and 2011)

     —          227        867   

Settlements of forward foreign exchange rate contracts, transferred to earnings (net of income tax expense of nil in 2012 and 2011)

     —          (214     (1,015

Gain on forward foreign exchange rate contracts recorded in earnings pursuant to recognition of the hedged item in cost of sales upon discontinuance of the related hedging relationships (net of income tax expense of nil in 2011)

     —          —          (998

Change in cumulative translation adjustments

     (3,978     2,002        (1,729
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Items that will be reclassified subsequently to net earnings

     (3,978     2,015        (1,978
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Remeasurement of defined benefit liability (net of income tax (expense) benefit of ($6,160), $1,047 in 2012 and $1,277 in 2011) (Note 17)

     11,501        (4,310     (13,131

Deferred tax benefit due to the recognition of US deferred tax assets (Note 5)

     4,671        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to net earnings

     16,172        (4,310     (13,131
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     12,194        (2,295     (15,109
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) for the period

     79,551        18,086        (7,725
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011. Refer to Changes in Accounting Policies in Note 2.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Consolidated Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Year ended December 31, 2011 (1)

(In thousands of US dollars, except for number of common shares)

 

 

    Capital stock           Accumulated other comprehensive income              
    Number     Amount     Contributed
surplus
    Cumulative
translation
adjustment
account
    Reserve for
cash flow
hedges
    Total     Deficit     Total
shareholders’
equity
 
          $     $     $     $     $     $     $  

Balance as of December 31, 2010

    58,961,050        348,148        15,793        2,935        236        3,171        (223,027     144,085   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners

               

Stock-based compensation expense (Note 15)

        818                818   
     

 

 

           

 

 

 

Net earnings

                7,384        7,384   
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

               

Changes in fair value of interest rate swap agreements, designated as cash flow hedges (net of deferred income tax expense of nil)

            (30     (30       (30

Settlement of interest rate swap agreements, transferred to earnings (net of income tax expense of nil)

            927        927          927   

Changes in fair value of forward foreign exchange rate contracts, designated as cash flow hedges (net of deferred income tax expense of nil)

            867        867          867   

Settlement of forward foreign exchange rate contracts, transferred to earnings (net of income tax expense of nil)

            (1,015     (1,015       (1,015

Gain on forward foreign exchange rate contracts recorded in earnings pursuant to recognition of the hedged item in cost of sales upon discontinuance of the related hedging relationships (net of income tax expense of nil)

            (998     (998       (998

Remeasurement of defined benefit liability (net of income tax benefit of $1,277) (Note 17)

                (13,131     (13,131

Changes to cumulative translation adjustments

          (1,729       (1,729       (1,729
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss for the period

          (1,729     (249     (1,978     (5,747     (7,725
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2011

    58,961,050        348,148        16,611        1,206        (13     1,193        (228,774     137,178   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011. Refer to Changes in Accounting Policies in Note 2.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Consolidated Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Year ended December 31, 2012 (1)

(In thousands of US dollars, except for number of common shares)

 

 

    Capital stock           Accumulated other comprehensive income              
                      Cumulative                          
                      translation     Reserve for                 Total  
                Contributed     adjustment     cash flow                 shareholders’  
    Number     Amount     surplus     account     hedges     Total     Deficit     equity  
          $     $     $     $     $     $     $  

Balance as of December 31, 2011 (balance carried forward)

    58,961,050        348,148        16,611        1,206        (13     1,193        (228,774     137,178   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners

               

Exercise of stock options (Note 15)

    663,989        2,017                  2,017   

Excess tax benefit on exercised stock options (Note 5)

      773                  773   

Stock-based compensation expense (Note 15)

        539                539   

Stock-based compensation expense credited to capital on options exercised (Note 15)

      764        (764             —     

Dividends on common stock (Note 15)

                (4,759     (4,759
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 
    663,989        3,554        (225           (4,759     (1,430
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

                20,381        20,381   
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

               

Changes in fair value of forward foreign exchange rate contracts, designated as cash flow hedges (net of deferred income tax expense of nil)

            227        227          227   

Settlement of forward foreign exchange rate contracts, transferred to earnings (net of income tax expense of nil)

            (214     (214       (214

Remeasurement of defined benefit liability (net of income tax benefit of $1,047) (Note 17)

                (4,310     (4,310

Changes to cumulative translation adjustments

          2,002          2,002          2,002   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income for the period

          2,002        13        2,015        16,071        18,086   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

    59,625,039        351,702        16,386        3,208        —          3,208        (217,462     153,834   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011. Refer to Changes in Accounting Policies in Note 2.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Consolidated Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Year ended December 31, 2013

(In thousands of US dollars, except for number of common shares)

 

 

                      Accumulated              
                      other              
                      comprehensive              
    Capital stock           loss              
                      Cumulative              
                      translation           Total  
                Contributed     adjustment           shareholders’  
    Number     Amount     surplus     account     Deficit     equity  
          $     $     $     $     $  

Balance as of December 31, 2012 (balance carried forward)

    59,625,039        351,702        16,386        3,208        (217,462     153,834   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners

           

Exercise of stock options (Note 15)

    1,151,610        3,760              3,760   

Excess tax benefit on exercised stock options (Note 5)

      2,030              2,030   

Excess tax benefit on outstanding stock options (Note 5)

        4,675            4,675   

Stock-based compensation expense (Note 15)

        1,145            1,145   

Stock-based compensation expense credited to capital on options exercised (Note 15)

      1,709        (1,709         —     

Dividends on common stock (Note 15)

            (14,567     (14,567
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,151,610        7,499        4,111          (14,567     (2,957
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

            67,357        67,357   

Other comprehensive income

           

Remeasurement of defined benefit liability (net of income tax expense of $6,160) (Note 17)

            11,501        11,501   

Deferred tax benefit due to the recognition of US deferred tax assets (Note 5)

            4,671        4,671   

Changes to cumulative translation adjustments

          (3,978       (3,978
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income for the period

          (3,978     83,529        79,551   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

    60,776,649        359,201        20,497        (770     (148,500     230,428   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Consolidated Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

(In thousands of US dollars)

 

 

     2013     2012 (1)     2011 (1)  
     $     $     $  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net earnings

     67,357        20,381        7,384   

Adjustments to net earnings

      

Depreciation and amortization

     27,746        30,397        30,882   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (35,804     213        1,770   

Interest expense

     5,707        13,233        15,361   

Charges in connection with manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     23,863        14,958        191   

Write-down (reversal) of inventories, net

     —          (31     30   

Stock-based compensation expense

     4,937        1,832        818   

Pension and other post-retirement benefits expense

     3,077        3,702        2,673   

Gain on foreign exchange

     (100     (56     (276

Other adjustments for non cash items

     (386     (77     298   

Income taxes paid, net

     (1,371     (291     (639

Contributions to defined benefit plans

     (4,222     (5,562     (4,318
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities before changes in working capital items

     90,804        78,699        54,174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in working capital items

      

Trade receivables

     (2,778     6,269        3,356   

Inventories

     (3,492     (1,500     1,140   

Parts and supplies

     (570     (967     (747

Other current assets

     (2,402     (104     (2,750

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (1,865     2,646        (5,664

Provisions

     2,463        (570     (757
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (8,644     5,774        (5,422
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

     82,160        84,473        48,752   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds on the settlements of forward foreign exchange rate contracts

     —          198        1,520   

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (46,818     (21,552     (14,006

Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment and other assets

     1,849        35        2,962   

Restricted cash and other assets

     416        305        5,520   

Purchase of intangible assets

     (339     (64     (1,318
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

     (44,892     (21,078     (5,322
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from long-term debt

     111,799        135,333        105,415   

Repayment of long-term debt

     (134,671     (178,168     (132,404

Payments of debt issue costs

     (139     (2,281     —     

Interest paid

     (6,692     (14,190     (15,953

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     3,760        2,046        —     

Dividends Paid

     (14,520     (4,759     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

     (40,463     (62,019     (42,942
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     (3,195     1,376        488   

Effect of foreign exchange differences on cash

     (196     170        (111

Cash, beginning of year

     5,891        4,345        3,968   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, end of year

     2,500        5,891        4,345   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011. Refer to Changes in Accounting Policies in Note 2.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of

(In thousands of US dollars)

 

 

     December 31,     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     $     $  

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

Cash

     2,500        5,891   

Trade receivables

     78,543        75,860   

Other receivables (Note 7)

     6,552        5,163   

Inventories (Note 8)

     94,319        91,910   

Parts and supplies

     13,574        14,442   

Prepaid expenses

     6,533        5,701   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     202,021        198,967   

Property, plant and equipment (Note 9)

     181,612        185,592   

Other assets (Note 10)

     3,650        3,597   

Intangible assets (Note 11)

     1,597        1,980   

Deferred tax assets (Note 5)

     76,319        36,016   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     465,199        426,152   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     76,417        76,005   

Provisions (Note 14)

     1,865        1,526   

Installments on long-term debt (Note 13)

     8,703        9,688   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     86,985        87,219   

Long-term debt (Note 13)

     121,111        141,611   

Pension and other post-retirement benefits (Note 17)

     21,545        40,972   

Other liabilities (Note 15)

     1,250        625   

Provisions (Note 14)

     3,880        1,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     234,771        272,318   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Capital stock (Note 15)

     359,201        351,702   

Contributed surplus

     20,497        16,386   

Deficit

     (148,500     (217,462

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 16)

     (770     3,208   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     230,428        153,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     465,199        426,152   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Intertape Polymer Group Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2013

(In US dollars, tabular amounts in thousands, except shares, per share data and as otherwise noted)

1— GENERAL BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (the “Parent Company”), incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act, has its principal administrative offices in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and in Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A. The address of the Parent Company’s registered office is 800 Place Victoria, Suite 3700, Montreal, Québec H4Z 1E9, c/o Fasken Martineau Dumoulin LLP. The Parent Company’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) in Canada.

The Parent Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Company”), develops, manufactures and sells a variety of paper and film based pressure sensitive and water activated tapes, polyethylene and specialized polyolefin films, woven coated fabrics and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use.

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. is the Company’s ultimate parent.

2— ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Statement of Compliance

The consolidated financial statements present the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, as well as its consolidated earnings, consolidated comprehensive income (loss), consolidated cash flows, and consolidated changes in shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and are expressed in US dollars.

The consolidated financial statements were authorized for issuance by the Company’s Board of Directors on March 11, 2014.

Changes in Accounting Policies

Presentation of items of other comprehensive income (loss)

Effective January 1, 2013, Amended IAS 1 – Presentation of Financial Statements: Requires entities to group items presented in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) into those that, in accordance with other IFRS, will be reclassified subsequently to earnings or loss and those that will not be reclassified subsequently to earnings or loss when specific conditions are met. The existing option to present items of OCI either before tax or net of tax remains unchanged; however, if the items are presented before tax then amended IAS 1 requires the tax related to each of the two groups of OCI to be shown separately.

Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits

As noted in the March 31, 2013 unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits on January 1, 2013.

Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits: Amended for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 with retrospective application, introduced a measure of net interest income (expense) computed on the net pension asset (obligation) that replaced separate measurement of the expected return on plan assets and interest expense on the benefit obligation. The amended standard also required immediate recognition of past service costs associated with benefit plan changes, eliminating the requirement to recognize over the vesting period.

 

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Upon retrospective application of the amended standard, the Company’s net earnings for 2012 and 2011 were lower than originally reported. The decrease arose primarily because net interest income (expense) was calculated using the discount rate used to value the benefit obligation, which is lower than the expected rate of return on assets previously used to measure interest attributable to plan assets.

The impact of these changes for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is summarized as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31, 2012     Year ended December 31, 2011  
     As     IAS 19           As      IAS 19        
     reported     adjustment     Adjusted     reported      adjustment     Adjusted  
     $     $     $     $      $     $  

Revenue

     784,430        —          784,430        786,737         —          786,737   

Cost of sales

     643,393        2,288        645,681        672,262         1,720        673,982   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     141,037        (2,288     138,749        114,475         (1,720     112,755   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     79,135        —          79,135        76,969         —          76,969   

Research expenses

     6,227        —          6,227        6,200         —          6,200   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     85,362        —          85,362        83,169         —          83,169   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit before manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     55,675        (2,288     53,387        31,306         (1,720     29,586   

Manufacturing facility closures restructuring and other related charges

     18,257        —          18,257        2,891         —          2,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     37,418        (2,288     35,130        28,415         (1,720     26,695   

Finance costs

             

Interest

     13,233        —          13,233        15,361         —          15,361   

Other expense

     1,303        —          1,303        2,180         —          2,180   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     14,536        —          14,536        17,541         —          17,541   

Earnings before income tax expense (benefit)

     22,882        (2,288     20,594        10,874         (1,720     9,154   

Income tax expense (benefit)

             

Current

     927        —          927        688         —          688   

Deferred

     (552     (162     (714     1,232         (150     1,082   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     375        (162     213        1,920         (150     1,770   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

     22,507        (2,126     20,381        8,954         (1,570     7,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share

             

Basic

     0.38        (0.03     0.35        0.15         (0.02     0.13   

Diluted

     0.37        (0.03     0.34        0.15         (0.03     0.12   

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the impact of adoption is a decrease to earnings before income tax benefit of $2.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, and an income tax benefit of $0.2 million for each of these years. This impact also results in an equivalent net increase to OCI and deficit. As such, the retrospective application did not result in an impact to the Company’s balance sheets as of January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.

 

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The Company’s consolidated cash flows were not significantly impacted.

Effective January 1, 2013, IFRS 10—Consolidated Financial Statements and IFRS 12—Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities: IFRS 10 provides a single consolidation model that identifies control as the basis for consolidation for all types of entities. IFRS 10 replaces IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements and SIC-12 Consolidation—Special Purpose Entities. IFRS 12 combines, enhances and replaces the disclosure requirements for subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates and unconsolidated structured entities. As a consequence of these new IFRS disclosure requirements, the IASB also issued amended and retitled IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements. IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures has been amended to include joint ventures in its scope and to address the changes in IFRS 10 to IFRS 12. These new standards have no impact on the Company consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2013, IFRS 13—Fair Value Measurement: IFRS 13 clarifies the definition of fair value and provides related guidance and enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. IFRS 13 applies when other IFRS standards require or permit fair value measurements. It does not introduce any new requirements to measure an asset or a liability at fair value, change what is measured at fair value in IFRS standards or address how to present changes in fair value. The new requirements apply prospectively. The application of this new standard had no impact on the Company’s current fair value measurement accounting practices.

Basis of Measurement

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the defined benefit liability of the Company’s pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans in the balance sheets, for which the measurement basis is detailed in the respective accounting policy.

Critical Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Significant changes in the underlying assumptions could result in significant changes to these estimates. Consequently, management reviews these estimates on a regular basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. Information about these significant judgments, assumptions and estimates that have the most significant effect on the recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses are summarized below:

Significant Management Judgment

Deferred income taxes

Deferred tax assets are recognized for unused tax losses and tax credits to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which the losses can be utilized. These estimates are reviewed at every reporting date. Significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the likely timing and the level of the reversal of existing timing differences, future taxable income and future tax planning strategies. Refer to Note 5 for more information regarding income taxes.

Leases

Leases are classified as either operating or finance, based on the substance of the transaction at inception of the lease. In some cases, the assessment of a lease contract is not always conclusive and management uses its judgment in determining if an agreement is a finance lease that transfers substantially all risks and rewards incidental to ownership, or an operating lease.

 

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Estimation Uncertainty

Impairments

At the end of each reporting period the Company performs a test of impairment, if there are indicators of impairment. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value of an asset or cash generating unit (“CGU”) exceeds its recoverable amount, which in turn is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. The value in use is based on discounted estimated future cash flows. The cash flows are derived from the budget or forecasts for the estimated remaining useful lives of the CGUs and do not include restructuring activities that the Company is not yet committed to or significant future investments that will enhance the performance of the asset or CGU being tested. The value in use will vary depending on the discount rate applied to the discounted cash flows, the estimated future cash inflows, and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes. Refer to Note 12 for more information regarding impairment testing of long-term assets.

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

The cost of defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans and the present value of the related obligations are determined using actuarial valuations. The determination of benefits expense and related obligations requires assumptions such as the discount rate to measure obligations, expected mortality and the expected healthcare cost trend. Actual results will differ from estimated results which are based on assumptions. Refer to Note 17 for more information regarding the assumptions related to the pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.

Uncertain tax positions

The Company is subject to taxation in numerous jurisdictions. There are many transactions and calculations during the course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company maintains provisions for uncertain tax positions that it believes appropriately reflect its risk. These provisions are made using the best estimate of the amount expected to be paid based on a qualitative assessment of all relevant factors. The Company reviews the adequacy of these provisions at the end of the reporting period. However, it is possible that at some future date, liabilities in excess of the Company’s provisions could result from audits by, or litigation with, the relevant taxing authorities. Refer to Note 5 for more information regarding income taxes.

Useful lives of depreciable assets

Management reviews the useful lives, depreciation methods and residual values of depreciable assets at each reporting date. As of the reporting date, management assesses the useful lives which represent the expected utility of the assets to the Company. Actual results, however, may vary due to technical or commercial obsolescence, particularly with respect to computers and manufacturing equipment.

Net realizable value of inventories and parts and supplies

Inventories and parts and supplies are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. In estimating net realizable values of inventories and parts and supplies, management takes into account the most reliable evidence available at the time the estimate is made.

Allowance for doubtful accounts and revenue adjustments

During each reporting period, the Company makes an assessment of whether trade accounts receivable are collectible from customers. Accordingly, management establishes an allowance for estimated losses arising from non-payment and other revenue adjustments, taking into consideration customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and past experience. The Company also records reductions to revenue for estimated returns, claims, customer rebates, and other incentives that are estimated based on historical experience and current economic trends. If future collections and trends differ from estimates, future earnings will be affected. Refer to Note 21 for more information regarding the allowance for doubtful accounts and the related credit risks.

 

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Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. When a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows, when the effect of the time value of money is material.

Provisions of the Company include environmental and restoration obligations, resolution of a contingent liability and severance and other provisions. Refer to Note 14 for more information regarding provisions.

Stock-based payments

The estimation of stock-based payment costs requires the selection of an appropriate pricing model and data and consideration as to the volatility of the Company’s own stock, the probable life of stock options granted and the time of exercise of those stock options. The model used by the Company is the Black-Scholes pricing model. Refer to Note 15 for more information regarding stock-based payments.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Parent Company and all of its subsidiaries. The Parent Company controls a subsidiary if it is exposed, or has rights, to variable return, from its involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the subsidiary. At the reporting date, the subsidiaries are all, directly or indirectly, 100% owned by the Parent Company.

All subsidiaries have a reporting date identical to that of the Parent Company. Amounts reported in the financial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting policies adopted by the Parent Company.

All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation, including unrealized gains and losses on transactions between the consolidated entities.

 

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Details of the Parent Company’s operating subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:

 

Name of Subsidiary

   Principal Activity    Country of Incorporation
and Residence
   Proportion of Ownership Interest
and Voting Power Held
 

Intertape Polymer Corp.

   Manufacturing    United States      100

Intertape Polymer US Inc.

   Holding    United States      100

IPG (US) Holdings Inc.

   Holding    United States      100

IPG (US) Inc.

   Holding    United States      100

Intertape Polymer Inc.

   Manufacturing    Canada      100

FIBOPE Portuguesa-Filmes Biorientados, S.A.

   Manufacturing    Portugal      100

Intertape Polymer Europe GmbH

   Manufacturing    Germany      100

Intertape Woven Products, S.A. de C.V.

   Distribution    Mexico      100

Intertape Woven Products Services S.A. de C.V.

   Services    Mexico      100

Financial Instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.

Financial assets are derecognized when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and all substantial risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognized when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or when it expires.

On initial recognition, financial instruments are measured at fair value, plus transaction costs, except for financial assets and financial liabilities carried at fair value through profit or loss, which are measured initially at fair value.

In subsequent periods, the measurement of financial instruments depends on their classification. The classification of the Company’s financial instruments is presented in the following table:

 

Category

  

Financial instruments

Loans and receivables    Cash
   Trade receivables
   Other receivables (1)
   Loan to an officer
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2)
   Long-term debt

 

(1) Excluding income, sales and other taxes
(2) Excluding employee benefits

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The expense relating to the allowance for doubtful accounts is recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. All interest related charges are recognized in earnings within finance costs. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.

 

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Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets that are either classified as held for trading or that meet certain conditions and are designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition. Assets in this category are measured at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet, and the related gains and losses are recognized in earnings. The Company does not have any financial assets in this category.

All financial assets except those at fair value through profit or loss are subject to review for impairment at least at each reporting date. A financial asset is impaired if objective evidence indicates that a loss event has occurred after the initial recognition of the asset, and that the loss event had a negative effect on the estimated future cash flows of that asset that can be estimated reliably.

Objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets are impaired could include:

 

    significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty;

 

    default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or

 

    it becomes probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization.

Evidence of impairment of trade receivables and other receivables is considered at both specific asset and collective levels. Individually significant receivables are considered for impairment when they are past due or when other objective evidence is received that a specific counterparty will default. Receivables that are not considered to be individually impaired are reviewed for impairment by grouping together receivables with similar risk categories.

In assessing collective impairment, the Company uses historical trends of the probability of default, timing of recoveries and the amount of the loss incurred, adjusted for management’s judgment as to whether current economic and credit conditions are such that the actual losses are likely to be greater or less than those suggested by historical trends.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging

The Company may use derivative financial instruments to mitigate or eliminate the interest rate risk on its long-term debt and the foreign exchange risk on certain inventory purchases.

The interest rate swap agreements were used as part of the Company’s program to manage the floating interest rate mix of the Company’s total debt portfolio and the related cost of borrowing. The interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange of periodic payments excluding the notional principal amount upon which the payments are based.

These payments were recorded as an adjustment of interest expense on the hedged debt instrument. The related amount payable to or receivable from counterparties is included as an adjustment to accrued interest.

The forward foreign exchange rate contracts were used to manage the exchange risk associated with certain highly probable forecast monthly inventory purchases of the Company’s United States (“US”) operations that are settled in Canadian dollars.

When the requirements for hedge accounting are met at inception, the Company’s policy is to designate each derivative financial instrument as a hedging instrument in a cash flow hedge relationship. Upon designation, the Company documents the relationships between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, including the risk management objectives and strategy in undertaking the hedge transaction, and the methods that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedging relationship. At inception of the hedge relationship and at each subsequent reporting date, the Company uses the critical terms method to determine prospectively whether or not the hedging instruments are expected to be “highly effective” in offsetting the changes in the cash flows of the respective hedged items during the period for which the hedge are designated. At each subsequent financial reporting date, the Company uses the dollar offset method to determine retrospectively whether or not the hedging relationship has continued to be effective, and what part may be ineffective. A relationship is generally considered to be highly effective if the offsetting changes are within a range of 80 to 125 percent, and the transactions continue to be highly probable.

 

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The effective portion of changes in the fair value of a derivative financial instrument designated as a hedging item is recognized in OCI and gains and losses related to the ineffective portion, if any, are immediately recognized in earnings. Amounts previously included as part of OCI are transferred to earnings in the period during which the changes in cash flow of the hedged item impact net earnings.

Hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively when a derivative instrument ceases to satisfy the conditions for hedge accounting, is sold or liquidated or the Company terminates the designation of the hedging relationship. If the hedged item ceases to exist, unrealized gains or losses recognized in OCI are reclassified to earnings.

Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract and accounted for separately if the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract and the embedded derivative are not closely related, if a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a derivative, and if the combined instrument is not measured at fair value through profit or loss. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not have any embedded derivatives that needed to be separated from a host contract.

Foreign Currency Translation

Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars, which is the Company’s presentation currency. Items included in the financial statements of each of the consolidated entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which each entity operates (the “functional currency”). The significant functional currencies of the different consolidated entities include the US dollar, the Canadian dollar and the Euro.

Transactions and balances

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of a consolidated entity are translated into the functional currency of that entity using the exchange rates prevailing at the date of each transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currencies using the current rate at each period-end. Foreign exchange gains or losses arising on the settlement of monetary items or on the translation of monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous financial statements are recognized in earnings in the period in which they arise, except when deferred in OCI as a qualifying cash flow hedge.

Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.

Group companies

Assets and liabilities of entities with a functional currency other than the US dollar are translated to the presentation currency using the closing exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments are charged or credited to OCI and recognized in the cumulative translation adjustment account within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

When a foreign operation is partially disposed of or sold, exchange differences that were recorded in equity are recognized in the statement of consolidated earnings as part of the gain or loss on sale.

 

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Foreign exchange gains or losses recognized in earnings are presented in cost of sales and finance costs.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are generated almost exclusively from the sale of goods.

Revenue is recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership, legal title and effective control and management over the goods have transferred to the customer, collection of the relevant receivable is probable, the sales price is fixed and the revenues and the associated incurred costs can be measured reliably. Revenue is recognized in accordance with the terms of sale, generally when goods are shipped to external customers.

Revenue is measured by reference to the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of estimated returns, rebates and discounts.

Research

Research expenses are expensed as they are incurred, net of any related investment tax credits, unless the criteria for capitalization of development expenses are met.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company has adopted an Executive Stock Option Plan (“ESOP”) and a Stock Appreciations Rights Plan (“SAR Plan”).

With respect to the ESOP, the expense is based on the grant date fair value of the awards expected to vest over the vesting period. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of the grant and are included in the measurement of the expense and are subsequently adjusted to reflect actual events. For the SAR Plan, the expense is determined based on the fair value of the liability at the end of the reporting period until the award is settled. The expense is recognized over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified vesting conditions are satisfied. For awards with graded vesting, the fair value of each tranche is recognized over its respective vesting period. At the end of each reporting period, the Company re-assesses its estimates of the number of awards that are expected to vest and recognizes the impact of the revisions in the consolidated earnings statement. Refer to Note 15 for more information regarding stock-based payments.

Any consideration paid by management and directors on exercise of stock options is credited to capital stock together with any related stock-based compensation expense originally recorded in contributed surplus. If the amount of the tax deduction (or estimated future tax deduction) exceeds the amount of the related cumulative remuneration expense for stock options, this indicates that the tax deduction relates not only to remuneration expense but also to an equity item. In this situation, the Company recognizes the excess of the associated current or deferred tax to contributed surplus prior to an award being exercised, and any such amounts are transferred to capital stock upon exercise of the award.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, for the effects of all dilutive potential outstanding stock options. Dilutive potential of outstanding stock options includes the total number of additional common shares that would have been issued by the Company assuming exercise of all stock options with exercise prices below the average market price for the year and decreased by the number of shares that the Company could have repurchased if it had used the assumed proceeds from the exercise of stock options to repurchase them on the open market at the average share price for the period.

 

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Inventories and Parts and Supplies

Raw materials, work in process and finished goods are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is assigned by using the first in, first out cost formula, and includes all costs of purchases, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Trade discounts, rebates and other similar items are deducted in determining the costs of purchase. The cost of work in process and finished goods includes the cost of raw materials, direct labour and a systematic allocation of fixed and variable production overhead incurred in converting materials into finished goods. The allocation of fixed production overheads to the cost of conversion is based on the normal capacity of the manufacturing facilities.

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated selling expenses.

Parts and supplies are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, the latter being determined based on replacement cost.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, accumulated impairment losses and the applicable investment tax credits earned. The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment comprises its purchase price, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management and, where applicable, borrowing costs and the initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located.

Depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method, over the estimated useful lives of like assets as outlined below or, if lower, over the terms of the related leases:

 

    

Years

Land    Indefinite
Buildings and related major components    5 to 40
Manufacturing equipment and related major components    5 to 30
Computer equipment and software    3 to 20
Furniture, office equipment and other    3 to 7
Asset related to restoration provision    Remaining term of the lease

The depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values related to property, plant and equipment are reviewed and adjusted if necessary at each financial year-end.

When parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items (major components) of property, plant and equipment, and are depreciated over their respective useful lives. Depreciation of an asset begins when it is available for use in the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Manufacturing equipment under construction is not depreciated. Depreciation of an asset ceases at the earlier of the date that the asset is classified as held for sale, or is included in a disposal group that is classified as held for sale and the date that the asset is derecognized.

The cost of replacing a part of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognized in the carrying amount of the asset if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied within the part will flow to the Company, and its cost can be measured reliably. At the same time, the carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of property, plant and equipment, and repairs and maintenance are recognized in earnings as incurred.

 

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Gains or losses arising on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the assets and are recognized in the statement of consolidated earnings under the caption other expense in finance costs.

Depreciation expense has been recognized in the expense category consistent with the function of the property, plant and equipment.

Intangible Assets

The Company has no identifiable intangible assets for which the expected useful life is indefinite.

When intangible assets are purchased with a group of assets, as was the case of distribution rights and customer contracts, the cost of the group of assets is allocated to the individual identifiable assets and liabilities on the basis of their relative fair values at the date of purchase. When intangible assets are purchased separately, as was the case with the license agreements and software, the cost comprises its purchase price and any directly attributable cost of preparing the asset for its intended use.

Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and are amortized using the straight-line method, over their estimated useful lives as follows:

 

     Years  

Distribution rights and customer contracts

     6   

Customer lists, license agreements and software

     5   

The amortization methods, useful lives and residual values related to intangible assets are reviewed and adjusted if necessary at each financial year-end. Amortization begins when the asset is available for use, i.e. when it is in the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Amortization expense is recognized in earnings in the expense category consistent with the function of the intangible asset.

Borrowing Costs

Borrowing costs, directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use, are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. All other borrowing costs are recognized in earnings within interest in the period they are incurred. Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs incurred in connection with the borrowing of funds.

Impairment Testing of Intangible Assets and Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company assesses, at least at each reporting date, whether or not there is an indication that a CGU may be impaired. If such an indication exists, or when annual impairment testing is required for intangible assets, such as applications software not yet available for use, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. The recoverable amount is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of other assets or groups of assets. In the latter case, the recoverable amount is determined for a CGU which is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or group of assets.

The recoverable amount is the higher of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. Value in use is the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from an asset or CGU. Fair value less costs to sell is the price that would be received to sell an asset or CGU in an orderly transaction between market participants, less the cost of disposal. The Company determines the recoverable amount and compares it with the carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference. Impairment losses are recognized in earnings in the

 

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expense category consistent with the function of the corresponding property, plant and equipment or intangible asset. Impairment losses recognized in respect of CGUs are allocated to reduce the carrying amounts of the assets of the unit or group of units on a pro rata basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit or group of units.

An assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognized impairment losses may no longer exist or may have decreased. In this case, the Company will estimate the recoverable amount of that asset, and if appropriate, record a partial or an entire reversal of the impairment. The increased carrying amount of an asset attributable to a reversal of an impairment loss would not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of amortization or depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years.

Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

Provisions represent liabilities to the Company for which the amount or timing is uncertain. Provisions are recognized if, as a result of a past event, the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period. Provisions are measured at the present value of the expected expenditures to settle the obligation which, when the effect of the time value of money is material, is determined using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision during the period to reflect the passage of time is recognized as Interest.

A provision is recorded in connection with the estimated future costs to restore a leased property to its original condition at the inception of the lease agreement. The liability and a corresponding asset are recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet respectively under the captions provisions, and property, plant and equipment (machinery and equipment). The provision is reviewed at the end of each reporting period to reflect the passage of time, changes in the discount rate and changes in the estimated future restoration costs. The Company amortizes the amount capitalized to property, plant and equipment on a straight-line basis over the lease term and recognizes a financial cost in connection with the discounted liability over the same period. Changes in the liability are added to, or deducted from, the cost of the related asset in the current period. These changes to the capitalized cost result in an adjustment to depreciation and interest.

A provision is recorded in connection with environmental expenditures relating to existing conditions caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenues. Provisions for liabilities related to anticipated remediation costs are recorded on an undiscounted basis when they are probable and reasonably estimable, and when a present obligations exists as a result of a past event. Environmental expenditures for capital projects that contribute to current or future operations generally are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

A provision is recorded in connection with termination benefits at the earlier of when the Company can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits or when the Company recognizes costs related to restructuring activities. In the case of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy, the termination benefits are measured based on the number of employees expected to accept the offer. If benefits are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting period, then they are presented on a discounted basis.

Contingent liabilities represent a possible obligation to the Company that arises from past events, the existence of which will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events that are not wholly within the control of the entity; or a present obligation that arises from past events but is not recognized because it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.

 

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Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

The Company has defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans for certain of its employees in Canada and the US.

A defined contribution plan is a post-retirement benefit plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity and to which it will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay future amounts. The Company contributes to several state plans, multi-employer plans and insurance funds for individual employees that are considered defined contribution plans. Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognized as an employee benefit expense in earnings in the periods during which services are rendered by employees.

A defined benefit plan is a post-retirement benefit plan other than a defined contribution plan. For defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans, the benefits expense and the related obligations are actuarially determined on an annual basis by independent qualified actuaries using the projected unit credit method. Past service costs are recognized as an expense in earnings immediately following the introduction of, or changes to, a pension plan. Remeasurements, comprising of actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling, the effect of minimum funding requirements and the return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense) are recognized immediately in OCI, net of income taxes, and in deficit.

The asset or liability related to a defined benefit plan recognized in the balance sheet is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period, less the fair value of plan assets, together with adjustments for the asset ceiling and minimum funding liabilities. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability.

For funded plans, surpluses are only recognized to the extent that the surplus is considered recoverable. Recoverability is primarily based on the extent to which the Company can unilaterally reduce future contributions to the plan. Any reduction in the recognized asset is recognized in OCI, net of income taxes, and in deficit.

An additional liability is recognized based on the minimum funding requirement of a plan when the Company does not have an unconditional right to the plan surplus. The liability and any subsequent remeasurement of that liability is recognized in OCI, net of income taxes, and in deficit.

Leases

Leases are classified as either operating or finance, based on the substance of the transaction at inception of the lease. Classification is re-assessed if the terms of the lease are changed other than by renewing the lease.

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Expenses under an operating lease are recognized in the statement of consolidated earnings on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the Company are classified as finance leases. Assets meeting finance lease criteria are capitalized at the lower of the present value of the related lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance cost and the liability. The finance charge is recognized in earnings within finance costs and is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

 

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Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) comprises both current and deferred tax. Current and deferred tax is recognized in earnings except to the extent it relates to items recognized in OCI or directly in shareholders’ equity. When it relates to the latter items, the income tax is recognized in OCI or directly in shareholders’ equity, respectively.

Current tax is based on the results for the period as adjusted for items that are not taxable or deductible. Current tax is calculated using tax rates and laws enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date in the countries where the Company operates and generates taxable income.

Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation. Provisions are established where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the taxing authorities.

Deferred tax is recognized in respect of temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the balance sheet. A deferred tax asset is recognized for unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which they can be utilized. Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates and laws enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date in the countries where the Company operates, and which are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred tax liability is settled.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting period and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable income will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilized. Unrecognized deferred tax assets are reassessed at each reporting period and are recognized to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable income will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset only if a legally enforceable right exists to set off the recognized amounts and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.

Shareholders’ Equity

Capital stock represents the amount received on issuance of shares, less any issuance costs, net of taxes. Contributed surplus includes amounts related to stock options until such equity instruments are exercised, in which case the amounts are transferred to capital stock. Foreign currency translation differences arising on the translation of the consolidated entities that use a functional currency different from the presentation currency are included in the cumulative translation adjustment account. Gains and losses on certain derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are included in reserves for cash flow hedges until such time as the hedged forecasted cash flows affect earnings. Deficit includes all current and prior period retained earnings or losses.

Dividends

Dividend distributions to the Company’s shareholders are recognized as a liability if not paid in the consolidated balance sheets in the period in which dividends are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Segment Reporting

The Company operates as a single segment.

 

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New Standards and Interpretations Issued but Not Yet Effective

Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations, and improvements to existing standards have been published by the IASB but are not yet effective, and have not been adopted early by the Company. Management anticipates that all of the relevant pronouncements will be adopted in the first reporting period following the date of application. Information on new standards, amendments and interpretations, and improvements to existing standards, which could potentially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements, are detailed as follows:

The IASB aims to replace IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement in its entirety with IFRS 9, the replacement standard. To date, the chapters dealing with recognition, classification, measurement and derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities as well as the chapter dealing with hedge accounting have been published. The chapter dealing with impairment methodology is still being developed. In November 2011, the IASB decided to consider making limited modifications to IFRS 9’s financial asset classification model to address application issues. In addition, in November 2013, the IASB decided to defer to a date to be announced the implementation of IFRS 9. Management has yet to assess the impact of this new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and does not expect to implement IFRS 9 until it has been completed and its overall impact can be assessed.

IAS 36 – Impairment of Assets: Requires disclosure of the recoverable amount of an asset (including goodwill) or a CGU when an impairment loss has been recognized or reversed in the period. When the recoverable amount is based on fair value less costs to sell, the valuation techniques and key assumptions must also be disclosed. The new requirements apply prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Management does not expect a significant impact from Amended IAS 36 on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Certain other new standards and interpretations have been issued but are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3— INFORMATION INCLUDED IN CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS

 

     2013     2012     2011  
     $     $     $  

Employee benefit expense

      

Wages, salaries and other short-term benefits

     135,524        137,847        134,121   

Stock-based compensation expense

     4,937        1,832        818   

Pensions and other post-retirement benefits – defined benefit plans (Note 17)

     3,186        3,768        2,673   

Pensions and other post-retirement benefits – defined contribution plans (Note 17)

     3,641        3,682        2,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     147,288        147,129        139,830   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance costs—Interest

      

Interest on long-term debt

     5,255        11,556        14,453   

Amortization of debt issue costs on long-term debt and asset based loan

     1,034        1,954        1,182   

Other financial income

     —          —          (116

Interest capitalized to property, plant and equipment

     (582     (277     (158
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     5,707        13,233        15,361   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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     2013     2012     2011  
     $     $     $  

Finance costs—Other expense

      

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

     (102     152        453   

Interest and other finance costs, net

     1,048        1,151        1,409   

Change in fair value of forward foreign exchange rate contracts

     —          —          318   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     946        1,303        2,180   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional information

      

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     27,062        29,646        30,163   

Amortization of intangible assets

     684        751        719   

Amortization of other charges

     46        35        86   

Impairment of long-term assets

     22,497        12,180        107   

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     92        436        550   

Write-down of inventories to net realizable value

     —          57        517   

Reversal of write-down of inventories to net realizable value, recognized as a reduction of cost of sales

     —          (88     (487

Related party advisory and support services fees

     —          —          153   

4— MANUFACTURING FACILITY CLOSURES, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES

The following table describes the charges incurred by the Company in connection with its restructuring efforts, which are included in the Company’s consolidated earnings for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013 under the caption manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges:

 

     2013     2012      2011  
     South                            
     Carolina      Other                     
     project      projects     Total    

 

    

 

 
     $      $     $     $      $  

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

     22,215         121        22,336        11,677         107   

Impairment (reversal) of parts and supplies

     1,312         (7     1,305        1,168         —     

Impairment of intangible assets

     —           —          —          503         —     

Equipment relocation

     767         1,791        2,558        1,339         —     

Write-down (reversal) of inventories to net realizable value

     22         (121     (99     855         —     

Severance and other labor related costs

     1,012         129        1,141        1,585         1,411   

Environmental costs

     2,518         —          2,518        —           —     

Idle facility costs

     —           812        812        1,087         1,373   

Other costs

     91         44        135        43         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     27,937         2,769        30,706        18,257         2,891   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

On February 26, 2013, the Company announced its intention to relocate its Columbia, South Carolina manufacturing facility within the region in order to modernize facility operations and acquire state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. The charges incurred are included in the table above under South Carolina project.

On June 26, 2012, the Company announced its intention to close its Richmond, Kentucky manufacturing facility, to consolidate shrink film production from Truro, Nova Scotia to Tremonton, Utah, and other small restructuring initiatives. The majority of products produced in the Richmond, Kentucky facility have been transferred to the Company’s Carbondale, Illinois facility. Woven fabric products continue to be produced at the Truro, Nova Scotia facility.

 

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Due to the economic consequences of significant and unsustainable losses associated with the strike of its unionized workers, and the Company’s management assessment and conclusion that turnaround was unlikely, the Company decided and accordingly committed, in the latter part of 2010, to a plan to close its manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

In 2013, the other charges incurred in the table above are the incremental costs of the ongoing Richmond, Kentucky manufacturing facility closure, consolidation of the shrink film production from Truro, Nova Scotia to Tremonton, Utah, other small restructuring initiatives and the Brantford, Ontario facility closure and are included in the table above under other projects.

In 2012, the charges incurred in the table above are primarily the costs of the Richmond, Kentucky manufacturing facility closure, consolidation of the shrink film production from Truro, Nova Scotia to Tremonton, Utah and other small restructuring initiatives. The idle facility charges are primarily related to the revaluation of certain Brantford, Ontario manufacturing facility assets in connection with the Brantford, Ontario facility closure.

In 2011, the charges incurred in the table above are primarily the costs of the Brantford, Ontario manufacturing facility closure.

As of December 31, 2013, $3.9 million is included in provisions ($1.1 million in 2012) and nil (nil in 2012) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for restructuring provisions.

5— INCOME TAXES

The reconciliation of the combined Canadian federal and provincial statutory income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is detailed as follows:

 

     2013     2012 (1)     2011 (1)  
     %     %     %  

Combined Canadian federal and provincial income tax rate

     28.3        28.9        30.4   

Foreign earnings/losses taxed at higher income tax rates

     9.5        9.8        10.8   

Foreign earnings/losses taxed at lower income tax rates

     (0.1     0.4        3.2   

Change in statutory rates

     (6.8     —          —     

Prior period adjustments

     (13.9     —          —     

Stock-based payments

     —          (4.9     —     

Non-deductible expenses

     1.9        0.1        5.5   

Impact of other differences

     0.6        0.8        5.1   

Change in derecognition of deferred tax assets

     (133.0     (34.1     (35.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

     (113.5     1.0        19.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Major Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

 

     2013     2012 (1)     2011 (1)  
     $     $     $  

Current income tax expense

     3,622        927        688   

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

      

Recognition of US deferred tax assets

     (46,049     —          —     

US temporary differences

     3,011        —          —     

Temporary differences and derecognition of deferred tax assets in other jurisdictions

     3,612        (714     1,082   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)

     (39,426     (714     1,082   

Total tax expense (benefit) for the year

     (35,804     213        1,770   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Income taxes related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)

The amount of income taxes relating to components of OCI are outlined below:

 

     Amount before     Deferred     Amount net of  
Components of other comprehensive income    income tax     income taxes     income taxes  
     $     $     $  

For the year ended December 31, 2013

      

Deferred tax expense on remeasurement of defined benefit liability

     18,588        (6,416     12,172   

Deferred tax benefit on funding requirement changes of defined benefit plans

     (927     256        (671
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     17,661        (6,160     11,501   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax benefit due to the recognition of US deferred tax assets

         4,671   
     Amount before     Deferred     Amount net of  
Components of other comprehensive loss    income tax     income taxes     income taxes  
     $     $     $  

For the year ended December 31, 2012 (1)

      

Deferred tax benefit on remeasurement of defined benefit liability

     (4,163     700        (3,463

Deferred tax benefit on funding requirement changes of defined benefit plans

     (1,194     347        (847
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (5,357     1,047        (4,310
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2011 (1)

      

Deferred tax benefit on remeasurement of defined benefit liability

     (16,346     1,855        (14,491

Deferred tax benefit on funding requirement changes of defined benefit plans

     1,938        (578     1,360   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (14,408     1,277        (13,131
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Recognized Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

 

Timing differences, unused tax losses    Deferred tax      Deferred tax        
and unused tax credits    assets      liabilities     Net  
     $      $     $  

As of December 31, 2013

       

Tax credits, losses, carryforwards and other tax deductions

     45,363         —          45,363   

Property, plant and equipment

     19,011         (18,371     640   

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

     7,915         —          7,915   

Stock-based payments

     7,085         —          7,085   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     6,591         —          6,591   

Goodwill and other intangibles

     6,197         —          6,197   

Inventories

     1,826         —          1,826   

Other

     812         (110     702   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

     94,800         (18,481     76,319   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012

       

Tax losses, carryforwards and other tax deductions

     36,233         —          36,233   

Property, plant and equipment

     19,469         (27,088     (7,619

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

     2,886         —          2,886   

Goodwill and other intangibles

     4,458         —          4,458   

Other

     58         —          58   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

     63,104         (27,088     36,016   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nature of evidence supporting recognition of deferred tax assets

In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, management determines, at each balance sheet date, whether it is more likely than not that a portion or all of its deferred tax assets will be realized. This determination is based on quantitative and qualitative assessments by management and the weighing of all available evidence, both positive and negative. Such evidence includes the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and the implementation of tax planning strategies.

As of December 31, 2013, management analyzed all available evidence including, in particular, the Company’s financial results for the year then ended (taxable income and earnings before income tax expense (benefit)), the 2013 budget variances, and the Company’s cumulative financial results for the prior three years. In addition, management took under significant consideration the Company’s 2014 budget, its long-term financial projections, market and industry conditions and certain available tax strategies. As a result of this detailed analysis, management determined it is more likely than not that substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets in the US will be realized and, accordingly, recognized $47.8 million of its US deferred tax assets, $43.0 million of which impacted the Company’s net earnings while the balance impacted its shareholders’ equity.

In addition, management determined it is more likely than not that a portion of its deferred tax assets related to the Company’s corporate (holding) entity (the “Entity”) will not be realized due to insufficient taxable income in future periods. Previously, the Entity benefited from sufficient taxable income as a result of certain tax planning strategies implemented in 2011 (the “Planning”). The Company’s management continues to expect that, pursuant to the Planning, the Entity will continue to generate sufficient taxable income in order to fully utilize its net operating losses with expiration dates through 2015. However, the benefit of the Planning is expected to diminish over such time. Accordingly, the Company derecognized $4.6 million of its Canadian deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013. These deferred tax assets remain available to the Company in order to reduce its taxable income in future periods.

 

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During 2012, the Company applied for and was granted the ability to retroactively elect a three-year carryback with respect to its 2008 NOL and to utilize the 2008 NOL carryover without being subject to the 90% limitation under the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) provisions. As a result, the Company amended its 2005, 2007, and 2009 US income tax returns to obtain a refund of $0.4 million of AMT paid for those years. During 2012, the Company also utilized a portion of the remaining 2008 NOL carryforward on its 2011 US tax return filed to request a refund of $0.5 million AMT. In January 2013, the Company applied for a refund for the $0.3 million AMT remitted for 2012. In total, the Company recorded a total income tax benefit of $1.2 million for the expected AMT refunds during the year ended December 31, 2012.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company implemented a tax-free reorganization within the Canadian entity group. As the Canadian reorganization did not have any significant business impact to the entities, no additional deferred tax assets were recorded. However, the Company replaced the previously recognized deferred tax assets related to the Canadian investment tax credits with an equal amount of previously derecognized longer-lived deferred tax assets related to fixed assets and net operating losses. Upon consideration of all positive and negative evidence including but not limited to business changes such as the transfer of the shrink film production to the Tremonton facility, the Planning, historical and projected income, and projected use of its deferred tax assets, management determined to maintain the same position for the year ended December 31, 2013 and, accordingly, no additional deferred tax assets were recorded.

 

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Table of Contents

Variations During the Period

 

Timing differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits    Balance
January 1,
2013
    Recognized
in earnings
(with
translation
adjustments)
    Recognized
in
contributed
surplus
     Recognized in
other
comprehensive
income
    Balance
December 31,
2013
 
     $     $     $      $     $  

Tax credits, losses, carryforwards and other tax deductions

     36,233        9,132        —           —          45,365   

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”)

     19,469        (457     —           —          19,012   

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

     2,885        6,716        —           (1,687     7,914   

Stock-based payments

     —          2,409        4,675         —          7,084   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     —          6,591        —           —          6,591   

Goodwill and other intangibles

     4,458        1,738        —           —          6,196   

Inventories

     —          1,826        —           —          1,826   

Other

     59        643        —           —          702   

Deferred tax liabilities: PP&E

     (27,088     8,717        —           —          (18,371
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

     36,016        37,315        4,675         (1,687     76,319   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impact due to foreign exchange rates

       2,108        —           198     

Total recognized in earnings

       39,423        4,675         (1,489  
    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

     Balance
January 1,
2012
    Recognized
in earnings
(with
translation
adjustments)
    Recognized in
other
comprehensive
loss
    Balance
December 31,
2012 (1)
 
     $     $     $     $  

Tax credits, losses, carryforwards and other tax deductions

     46,655        (10,422     —          36,233   

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”)

     15,093        4,376        —          19,469   

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

     2,165        (370     1,090        2,885   

Goodwill and other intangibles

     4,272        186        —          4,458   

Other

     53        6        —          59   

Deferred tax liabilities: PP&E

     (34,749     7,661        —          (27,088
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

     33,489        1,437        1,090        36,016   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impact due to foreign exchange rates

       (723     (43  

Total recognized in earnings

       714        1,047     
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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Table of Contents

Deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 
     $      $  

Tax losses, carryforwards and other tax deductions

     66,309         123,924   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     246         10,820   

Trade and other receivables

     —           2,374   

Inventories

     —           2,722   

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

     —           33,521   

Goodwill and other intangibles

     —           9,731   

Stock-based payments

     —           15,596   

Other

     1,316         4,020   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     67,871         202,708   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company also had state losses of $71.7 million, with expiration dates through 2028, for which a tax benefit of $2.5 million has not been recognized.

The following table presents the amounts and expiration dates relating to unused tax credits for which no deferred tax asset is recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31:

 

     2013      2012  
     United States      Canada      United States      Canada  
     $      $      $      $  

No expiration

     —           —           3,310         —     

2018

     —           799         402         854   

2019

     —           1,503         320         1,607   

2020

     —           664         —           709   

2021

     —           251         —           268   

2022

     —           571         —           611   

2023

     —           283         —           302   

2024

     —           267         —           285   

2025

     —           451         —           482   

2026

     —           345         —           369   

2027

     —           315         —           336   

2028

     —           365         —           391   

2029

     —           291         —           311   

2030

     —           265         —           284   

2031

     —           388         —           415   

2032

     —           233         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derecognition of tax credits

     —           6,991         4,032         7,224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The following table presents the year of expiration of the Company’s operating losses carried forward as of December 31, 2013:

 

     DTA is recognized      DTA is not recognized  
     Canada      United
States
     Canada      United
States
 
     Federal      Provincial             Federal      Provincial         
     $      $      $      $      $      $  

2015

     264         263         —           —           —           —     

2022

     —           —           1,035         —           —           —     

2023

     —           —           34,794         —           —           —     

2024

     —           —           8,873         —           —           203   

2026

     —           —           25,456         1,668         1,668         1,959   

2027

     —           —           —           4,988         4,988         4   

2028

     —           —           17,385         2,432         2,432         —     

2029

     —           —           —           7,235         7,235         —     

2030

     —           —           186         12,751         12,751         —     

2031

     898         898         39         7,362         7,362         —     

2032

     3,699         3,699         26         —           —           —     

2033

     —           —           45         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,861         4,860         87,839         36,436         36,436         2,166   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition, the Company has $19.7 million of capital loss carryforwards with indefinite lives available to offset future capital gains in Canada. No deferred tax asset is recognized for these carryforwards.

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011. Refer to Changes in Accounting Policies in Note 2.

6— EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

     2013      2012 (1)      2011 (1)  
     $      $      $  

Net earnings

     67,357         20,381         7,384   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

        

Basic

     60,379,533         59,072,407         58,961,050   

Effect of stock options

     1,253,119         1,556,729         138,148   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     61,632,652         60,629,136         59,099,198   

Earnings per share

        

Basic

     1.12         0.35         0.13   

Diluted

     1.09         0.34         0.12   

The number of options that were anti-dilutive and not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were 32,500, nil and 1,628,600, respectively.

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011. Refer to Changes in Accounting Policies in Note 2.

 

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Table of Contents

7— OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 
     $      $  

Income and other taxes

     750         810   

Supplier rebates receivable

     1,877         1,749   

Sales taxes

     2,768         819   

Other

     1,157         1,785   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     6,552         5,163   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

8— INVENTORIES

 

     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 
     $      $  

Raw materials

     29,389         27,856   

Work in process

     18,206         19,904   

Finished goods

     46,724         44,150   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     94,319         91,910   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2013 the Company recorded, in cost of sales, a write-down of inventories to net realizable value of nil ($0.1 million in 2012) and a reversal of write-down of inventories to net realizable value, recognized as a reduction of cost of sales of nil ($0.1 million in 2012).

During the year ended December 31, 2013 the Company recorded, in manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges, a write-down of inventories to net realizable value of less than $0.1 million ($0.9 million in 2012) and a reversal of write-down of inventories to net realizable value, recognized as a reduction of manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges of $0.1 million (nil in 2012).

The amount of inventories recognized as an expense during the period corresponds to cost of sales.

 

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Table of Contents

9— PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

     Land     Buildings     Manufacturing
equipment
    Computer
equipment
and
software
    Furniture,
office
equipment
and other
    Manufacturing
equipment
under
construction
    Total  
     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  

Gross carrying amount

              

Balance as of December 31, 2011

     4,001        78,815        518,750        70,322        2,526        8,407        682,821   

Additions

     —          1,778        11,977        2,277        200        7,107        23,339   

Disposals

     —          (9     (19,055     (68     (99     —          (19,231

Foreign exchange and other

     92        (1,938     5,605        186        36        33        4,014   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     4,093        78,646        517,277        72,717        2,663        15,547        690,943   

Accumulated depreciation and impairments

              

Balance as of December 31, 2011

     309        50,040        358,676        67,705        2,443        —          479,173   

Depreciation

     —          3,135        24,042        2,355        115        —          29,647   

Impairments

     —          1,386        10,191        5        —          95        11,677   

Disposals

     —          (7     (17,261     (21     (99     —          (17,388

Foreign exchange and other

     —          1,112        1,041        145        (56     —          2,242   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     309        55,666        376,689        70,189        2,403        95        505,351   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net carrying amount as of December 31, 2012

     3,784        22,980        140,588        2,528        260        15,452        185,592   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

              

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     4,093        78,646        517,277        72,717        2,663        15,547        690,943   

Additions

     —          1,269        18,324        2,863        403        25,879        48,738   

Transfers in

     —          —          55        —          —          —          55   

Transfers out

     —          (55     —          —          —          —          (55

Disposals

     (1,200     (3,253     (3,155     (397     (185     —          (8,190

Foreign exchange and other

     (198     4,512        (11,420     (539     (82     47        (7,680
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

     2,695        81,119        521,081        74,644        2,799        41,473        723,811   

Accumulated depreciation and impairments

              

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     309        55,666        376,689        70,189        2,403        95        505,351   

Depreciation

     —          2,691        22,372        1,955        44        —          27,062   

Impairments

     605        4,019        18,179        82        24        (41     22,868   

Impairment reversals

     —          (217     (154     —          —          —          (371

Transfers in

     —          —          55        —          —          —          55   

Transfers out

     —          (55     —          —          —          —          (55

Disposals

     —          (3,000     (2,695     (372     (170     —          (6,237

Foreign exchange and other

     (218     2,943        (7,607     (1,576     (16     —          (6,474
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

     696        62,047        406,839        70,278        2,285        54        542,199   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net carrying amount as of December 31, 2013

     1,999        19,072        114,242        4,366        514        41,419        181,612   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Included in property, plant and equipment are assets under finance leases as of December 31, which was as follows:

 

     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 
     $      $  

Buildings

     3,796         4,487   

Manufacturing equipment

     7,664         3,831   

Computer equipment and software

     113         142   

Furniture, office equipment and other

     —           72   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     11,573         8,532   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 the loss on disposals amounted to less than $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 the Company had commitments to purchase machines and equipment totaling approximately $12.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 the amount of borrowing costs capitalized in property, plant and equipment was $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The weighted average capitalization rates used to determine the amount of the borrowing costs eligible for capitalization for the same periods were 2.46% and 2.70%, respectively.

10— OTHER ASSETS

 

     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 
     $      $  

Loan to an officer

     —           55   

Funds held in grantor trust to satisfy future pension obligation

     552         853   

Cash surrender value of officers life insurance

     1,655         1,566   

Deposits

     1,115         845   

Other

     328         278   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,650         3,597   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

11— INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

     Distribution
rights
    Customer
contracts
    License
agreements
     Customer
List
     Software      Total  
     $     $     $      $      $      $  

Gross carrying amount

               

Balance as of December 31, 2011

     3,575        1,369        849         811         772         7,376   

Additions – separately acquired

     —          —          —           —           60         60   

Net foreign exchange differences

     42        30        —           —           —           72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     3,617        1,399        849         811         832         7,508   

Accumulated amortization and impairments

               

Balance as of December 31, 2011

     2,748        1,071        259         68         93         4,239   

Amortization

     271        98        87         162         121         739   

Impairments

     —          —          503         —           —           503   

Net foreign exchange differences

     24        23        —           —           —           47   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     3,043        1,192        849         230         214         5,528   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Carrying amount as of December 31, 2012

     574        207        —           581         618         1,980   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

               

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     3,617        1,399        849         811         832         7,508   

Additions – separately acquired

     —          —          115         —           224         339   

Net foreign exchange differences

     (232     (90     —           —           —           (322
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

     3,385        1,309        964         811         1,056         7,525   

Accumulated amortization and impairments

               

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     3,043        1,192        849         230         214         5,528   

Amortization

     264        95        3         162         160         684   

Impairments

     —          —          —           —           —           —     

Net foreign exchange differences

     (204     (80     —           —           —           (284
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

     3,103        1,207        852         392         374         5,928   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Carrying amount as of December 31, 2013

     282        102        112         419         682         1,597   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

12— IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-TERM ASSETS

Impairment Testing on Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets

In updating its determination of CGUs, and applying the related indicators of impairment, if any, the Company took into consideration the manufacturing facility closures and other related activities that have taken place in the course of the year. In making such an evaluation, the Company attributed these activities to specific CGUs as applicable. The Company concluded that these activities for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 do not give rise to an impairment test to be performed for the applicable CGU. However, these activities and the related impairment charges recorded, which are primarily with respect to idled assets, are presented in Note 4 and in the table below, respectively.

Impairment on Idled Assets

Impairments recognized during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as a result of manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges and idled assets and are as follows:

 

     For the year ended     For the year ended  
     December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
     Impairment      Impairment     Impairment      Impairment  
     recognized      reversed     recognized      reversed  
     $      $     $      $  

Classes of assets impaired

          

Manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

          

Property, plant and equipment

          

Land

     605         —          —           —     

Buildings

     4,019         (217     1,385         —     

Manufacturing equipment

     17,977         (154     10,287         —     

Furniture, office equipment and other

     24         —          —           —     

Computer equipment and software

     82         —          5         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     22,707         (371     11,677         —     

Intangible assets

          

Distribution rights

     —           —          503         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Idled Assets

          

Property, plant and equipment

          

Manufacturing equipment

     161         —          —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     22,868         (371     12,180         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The recoverable amount of the assets for the year ended December 31, 2013 was determined using an independent market appraisal of the fair value less costs to sell.

The recoverable amount of the assets for the year ended December 31, 2012 was determined in connection with the Company’s plans and intent to transfer, use, sell or any other value that can be attributed to these idled assets. The Company used its best estimate in assessing the likely outcome for each of the assets.

 

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Table of Contents

13— LONG-TERM DEBT

 

     December 31, 2013  
     Maturity      Effective
Interest rate
 

 

 
                $  

Senior Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) (a) (1)

     Redeemed       —       —     

Asset-based loan (“ABL”) (b) (1)

     February 2017       2.89%     78,159   

Real estate secured term loan (“Real Estate Loan”) (c) (1)

     February 2017       3.67%     14,278   

Finance lease liabilities (d)

     Various until October 2024       2.74% - 8.70%     26,468   

Term debt (e)

     Paid in full       —       —     

Mortgage and other loans (f) (1)

     Various until October 2028       3.40%     9,602   

Equipment finance agreement advance fundings (g)

     March 2014       2.46%     1,307   
       

 

 

 
          129,814   

Less: Installments on long-term debt

          8,703   
       

 

 

 
          121,111   
       

 

 

 
            December 31, 2012  
            Effective
Interest rate
 

 

 
                $  

Senior Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) (a) (1)

      9.21%     38,282   

Asset-based loan (“ABL”) (b) (1)

      2.36%     77,709   

Real estate secured term loan (“Real Estate Loan”) (c) (1)

      3.29%     15,632   

Finance lease liabilities (d)

      2.74% - 8.70%     10,979   

Term debt (e)

      4.16% - 4.45%     2,381   

Mortgage and other loans (f) (1)

      5.63%     1,699   

Equipment finance agreement advance fundings (g)

      2.25%     4,617   
       

 

 

 
          151,299   

Less: Installments on long-term debt

          9,688   
       

 

 

 
          141,611   
       

 

 

 

 

(1) The Notes, ABL, Real Estate Loan and mortgage and other loans are presented net of unamortized related debt issue costs, amounting to $1.9 million ($3.0 million in 2012).

 

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Table of Contents

Long-term debt repayments are due as follows:

 

     Finance      Other  
     lease      long-term  
     liabilities      loans  
     $      $  

2014

     5,611         3,883   

2015

     5,307         2,580   

2016

     5,494         2,584   

2017

     5,310         90,346   

2018

     4,055         936   

Thereafter

     3,506         4,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payments

     29,283         105,287   

Interest expense included in minimum lease payments

     2,815         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     26,468         105,287   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Senior Subordinated Notes

On May 14, 2013 and July 12, 2013, the Company announced a notice of redemption to redeem the remaining aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million and $18.7 million, respectively, of its outstanding 8.5% Notes due August 2014, with the redemptions occurring on June 27, 2013 and August 30, 2013, respectively. The Company financed the redemption with funds available under the ABL combined with its cash flows from operations. The corresponding expense write-off of debt issue costs of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, was recorded in interest under the caption finance costs in the statement of consolidated earnings.

The Parent Company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries other than the subsidiary issuer, had guaranteed the Notes. The Notes were issued and the guarantees executed pursuant to an Indenture dated July 28, 2004 (“Indenture”). As a result of the redemption of the remaining balance due under the Notes, both the Notes and the Indenture have been satisfied and discharged.

(b) Asset-based loan

In 2008, the Company secured a five-year, $200.0 million ABL entered into with a syndicate of financial institutions. In securing the ABL, the Company incurred debt issue costs amounting to approximately $2.8 million.

On February 1, 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to its ABL facility extending its maturity date to February 1, 2017 from March 28, 2013. Under the amendment to the ABL, the pricing grid of the extended ABL ranges from 1.75% to 2.25%.

In 2012, the Company capitalized an additional $1.5 million in debt issue costs as a result of the ABL amendment. The remaining capitalized debt issue costs of $1.3 million are being amortized using the straight-line method over the extended maturity. The original debt issue costs are being amortized over the extended term as the amendment did not result in an extinguishment of debt. This resulted in an adjustment to the carrying amount of the liability and amortization over the remaining term of the modified liability.

On November 25, 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to its ABL facility increasing its ability to secure financing in connection with the purchase of fixed assets under a permitted purchase money debt facility from $25.0 million to $45.0 million.

The ABL bears interest at 30-day LIBOR plus a premium varying between 175 and 225 basis points depending on the loan’s remaining availability (200 basis points as of December 31, 2013 and 200 basis points as of December 31, 2012).

 

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Table of Contents

The amount of the borrowing available to the Company under the ABL is determined by its applicable borrowing base from time to time. The borrowing base is calculated as a function of a percentage of eligible trade receivables, inventories and property, plant and equipment as defined in the ABL agreement.

Under the ABL agreement, the Company’s remaining unencumbered real estate is subject to a negative pledge in favour of the ABL lenders. However, the Company retains the ability to secure financing on all or a portion of, its owned real estate, up to an amount of $35.0 million, thereby terminating the negative pledge to the ABL lenders. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $24.4 million of secured real estate mortgage financing, including $14.8 million outstanding under the Real Estate Loan discussed below. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $10.6 million remaining real estate mortgage financing available ($17.0 million in 2012).

As of December 31, 2013, the ABL’s borrowing base amounted to $132.2 million ($130.5 million in 2012) of which $84.4 million ($81.6 million in 2012) was drawn, including $2.2 million and $2.7 million in standby and documentary letters of credit, respectively ($2.2 and nil in 2012, respectively). Accordingly, the Company’s unused availability as of December 31, 2013 amounted to $47.8 million ($48.8 million in 2012).

The ABL is secured by a first priority lien on the Company’s, and substantially all of its subsidiaries’, trade receivables, inventories and personal property and equipment, included in the determination of the ABL’s borrowing base, with a carrying amount of $78.5 million, $94.3 million and $181.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013 ($75.9 million, $91.1 million and $185.6 million, respectively in 2012).

The ABL has one financial covenant, a fixed charge ratio of greater than or equal to 1.0 to 1.0. The financial covenant becomes effective only when unused availability drops below $25.0 million. Although not in effect, the Company was above the $25.0 million threshold of unused availability and, thus, was in compliance with this fixed charge ratio covenant as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

(c) Real Estate Loan

On November 1, 2012, the Company entered into a Real Estate Loan of $16.6 million, amortized on a straight-line basis over the ten-year term, having a net book value of $14.3 million as of December 31, 2013 ($15.6 million in 2012). The maturity of the loan may be accelerated if the ABL facility is not extended and if Bank of America, N.A. ceases to be the revolver agent by reason of an action of the Company. A portion of the loan may be required to be repaid early if any mortgage properties are disposed of prior to October 31, 2022. The loan is secured by certain of the Company’s real estate and improvements thereon with a net book value of $11.2 million as of December 31, 2013 ($12.0 million as of December 31, 2012).

On November 25, 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to its Real Estate Loan increasing its ability to secure financing in connection with the purchase of fixed assets under a permitted purchase money debt facility from $25.0 million to $45.0 million.

The Real Estate Loan bore interest at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 250 basis points until December 31, 2012. Thereafter, the Real Estate Loan bears interest at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus a loan margin between 225 and 275 basis points based on a pricing grid, as defined in the loan agreement (225 basis points as of December 31, 2013). The Real Estate Loan requires monthly payments of principal of $138,125 plus accrued interest, with the first payment having occurred on December 1, 2012. A final payment of $9.7 million will be due on February 1, 2017, if the ABL facility is not extended and if Bank of America, N.A. ceases to be the revolver agent by reason of an action of the Company.

The Real Estate Loan contains two financial covenants, both of which are calculated at the end of each fiscal month. The Company has been in compliance with these covenants since entering into the Real Estate Loan.

 

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Table of Contents

(d) Finance lease liabilities

The Company has obligations under finance lease liabilities for the rental of a building, computer hardware, shop equipment and office equipment, payable in monthly installments ranging from $90 to $263,450 ($90 to $46,320 in 2012), including interest. The finance lease liabilities are secured by assets under the lease liabilities.

On August 14, 2012, the Company entered into a secured debt equipment finance agreement (the “Equipment Finance Agreement”) in the amount of up to $24.0 million for qualifying US capital expenditures during the period May 2012 through March 31, 2014. The Equipment Finance Agreement allows for periodic scheduling of amounts with each schedule having a term of sixty months and a fixed interest rate for amounts scheduled prior to January 1, 2014.

The Company has entered into the following schedules as of December 31, 2013:

 

Date entered

   Amount      Interest rate     Payments      Last payment due  

September 27, 2012

   $ 2.7 million         2.74   $ 48,577         October 1, 2017   

December 28, 2012

   $ 2.6 million         2.74   $ 46,258         January 1, 2018   

June 28, 2013

   $ 2.2 million         2.90   $ 39,329         July 1, 2018   

December 31, 2013

   $ 14.7 million         2.90   $ 263,450         January 1, 2019   

(e) Term debt

One of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries had a long-term loan agreement, containing two debt instruments, totalling approximately $2.4 million as of December 31, 2012 (€1.8 million), with each instrument bearing interest at a rate of Euribor plus a premium of 375 basis points as of December 31, 2012, which could have been, at the discretion of the lender, increased semi-annually by 75 basis points. Under the terms of the agreement, only monthly interest payments were required for the first two years followed by interest plus eight equal semi-annual principal payments amounting to $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for each of the instruments commencing on January 2010 and November 2010, respectively, and final payment on July 2013 and May 2014, respectively. The final payment due May 2014 was prepaid in November 2013. As a result of the final payments, the long-term loan agreement has been satisfied and discharged.

(f) Mortgage loans

The Company has a $1.8 million mortgage loan on its owned real estate located in Bradenton, Florida having a net book value of $1.4 million as of December 31, 2013 ($1.5 million in 2012). The mortgage is for a period of 20 years. Until October 1, 2011, the loan bore interest at 7.96%. The applicable interest rate adjusts every three years to a 355 basis point spread over the 10-year Interest Rate Swap published in the daily release of the Federal Reserve. Effective on October 1, 2011, the applicable interest rate decreased to 5.63%. As a result, the required monthly payments of principal and interest decreased from $14,723 to $12,535 beginning on November 1, 2011.

On June 28, 2013, the Company purchased real estate in Blythewood, South Carolina for $11.3 million and entered into a mortgage (“South Carolina Mortgage”) on the real estate for up to $10.7 million, $8.5 million of which was advanced upon closing of the purchase of the property. Interest is payable monthly and principal will be amortized on a straight-line basis over ten years. The loan provides for an additional advance of $2.1 million upon completion of building improvements, subject to an appraisal. The loan had a net book value of $8.0 million as of December 31, 2013. The maturity of the loan may be accelerated if the ABL facility is not extended, refinanced with a credit facility acceptable to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), or if Wells Fargo ceases to be an ABL lender by reason of the action of the Company. The loan bears interest at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 215 basis points. The mortgage loan initially requires monthly payments of principal of $70,937.50 (subject to adjustment if the additional advance is made) plus accrued interest, with the first payment paid on July

 

46


Table of Contents

15, 2013. In the event the additional $2.1 million is not advanced, a final payment of up to $7.2 million will be due on February 1, 2017 if the ABL facility is not extended or refinanced with a credit facility acceptable to Wells Fargo. The mortgage loan contains two financial covenants, a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.1 to 1.0 and a cash flow leverage ratio of not greater than 3.5 to 1.0, both of which are measured monthly on a trailing 12-month basis. The Company has been in compliance with these covenants since entering into the mortgage loan. The loan is secured by the Company’s Blythewood, South Carolina real property and the building improvements thereon with a net book value of $12.5 million as of December 31, 2013.

A default under the Company’s ABL will be deemed a default under the Company’s South Carolina Mortgage, Real Estate Loan and Equipment Financing Agreement.

(g) Equipment finance agreement advance fundings

Advance fundings, which are amounts funded and borrowed but not yet scheduled, were $1.3 million as of December 31, 2013 ($4.6 million in 2012). Advance fundings accrue interest at the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 200 basis points.

The Company financed two schedules, $2.7 million and $2.6 million in 2012 and two schedules, $2.2 million and $14.7 million in 2013. If the Company did not finance the full amount of $4.0 million and $20.0 million by December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively, then the Company was required to pay a Reinvestment Premium as defined under the Equipment Finance Agreement on the difference between those amounts and the amounts actually funded in each of those years if the 3-Year SWAP rate decreased to less than 0.5%. The Company did not finance the required amount for 2013, but was not required to pay a Reinvestment Premium based on the 3-Year SWAP rate at December 31, 2013. The schedules are secured by the equipment with a net book value of $21.0 million as of December 31, 2013 ($5.1 million in 2012).

14— PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company’s provisions consist of environmental and restoration obligations, resolution of a contingent liability and severance and other provisions primarily related to employee termination costs resulting from the closure of manufacturing facilities and provisions for litigation.

The reconciliation of the Company’s provisions as of December 31, 2012 is as follows:

 

            Severance              
            and other              
     Restoration      provisions     Litigation     Total  
     $      $     $     $  

Balance, December 31, 2011

     1,861         1,805        259        3,925   

Additional provisions

     —           2,446        —          2,446   

Amounts paid

     —           (2,759     (257     (3,016

Net foreign exchange differences

     30         34        (2     62   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

     1,891         1,526        —          3,417   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amount presented as current

     —           1,526        —          1,526   

Amount presented as non-current

     1,891         —          —          1,891   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

     1,891         1,526        —          3,417   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The reconciliation of the Company’s provisions as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:

 

                  Resolution of     Severance        
                  a contingent     and other        
     Environmental      Restoration     liability     provisions     Total  
     $      $     $     $     $  

Balance, December 31, 2012

     —           1,891        —          1,526        3,417   

Additional provisions

     2,518         —          1,300        1,895        5,713   

Amounts paid

     —           (130     (1,300     (1,819     (3,249

Net foreign exchange differences

     —           (87     —          (49     (136
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

     2,518         1,674        —          1,553        5,745   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amount presented as current

     —           1,190        —          675        1,865   

Amount presented as non-current

     2,518         484        —          878        3,880   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

     2,518         1,674        —          1,553        5,745   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The environmental provision pertains to the Columbia, South Carolina manufacturing facility. Refer to Note 4 for more information regarding the relocation of the Columbia, South Carolina manufacturing facility.

The restoration provision pertains to two leases at operating facilities where the Company is obligated to restore the leased properties to the same condition that existed at the time of the lease commencement date. The carrying amount of this obligation is based on management’s best estimate of the costs of the permanent removal of the Company’s manufacturing equipment used in these facilities.

The severance and other provisions relate primarily to the relocation of the Columbia, South Carolina manufacturing facility and the closure of the Hawkesbury, Ontario, Brantford, Ontario and Richmond, Kentucky manufacturing facilities. The estimated costs pertain primarily to severance and other labor related costs. See Note 4 for more information.

In February 2012, Multilayer Stretch Cling Film Holdings, Inc. (“Multilayer”) filed a complaint against the Company in the US District Court for Western Tennessee, alleging that the Company had infringed a patent issued to Multilayer that covers certain aspects of the manufacture of stretch film. In May 2013, the Company agreed to a settlement of the outstanding litigation. Under the confidential settlement agreement, the Company paid Multilayer an undisclosed amount in full settlement of all outstanding issues. The terms of the agreement do not restrict the sale of any of the Company’s products, as the Company’s current products do not utilize Multilayer’s patented invention. The Company does not expect that the settlement will have any material effect on the Company’s continuing operations. The amount is included in the statement of consolidated earnings under the caption selling, general and administrative expenses.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

    No reimbursements are expected to be received by the Company for any of the provided amounts; and

 

    There were no contingent assets at any of the financial statement reporting dates covered by these consolidated financial statements.

During the reporting period, there were no reversals of provisions.

 

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15— CAPITAL STOCK

Authorized

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value.

Class “A” preferred shares, issuable in series, ranking in priority to the common shares with respect to dividends and return of capital on dissolution. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix, before issuance, the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the shares of each series. No Class A preferred shares have been issued.

Common Shares

The Company’s common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, were 60,776,649 and 59,625,039, respectively.

On August 14, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a semi-annual dividend policy.

On October 10, 2012 the Company paid a cash dividend of CDN$0.08 per common share to the shareholders of record at the close of business on September 21, 2012. The aggregate amount of this dividend payment was $4.8 million based on 59,101,050 shares of the Company’s common shares issued and outstanding as of September 21, 2012.

On April 10, 2013 the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.08 per common share to the shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2013. The aggregate amount of this dividend payment was $4.8 million based on 59,983,184 shares of the Company’s common shares issued and outstanding as of March 25, 2013.

On August 14, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a change in the semi-annual dividend policy to a quarterly dividend policy.

On September 30, 2013 the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.08 per common share to the shareholders of record at the close of business on September 16, 2013. The aggregate amount of this dividend payment was $4.9 million based on 60,741,649 shares of the Company’s common shares issued and outstanding as of September 16, 2013.

On December 30, 2013 the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.08 per common share to the shareholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2013. The aggregate amount of this dividend payment was $4.9 million based on 60,776,649 shares of the Company’s common shares issued and outstanding as of December 16, 2013.

Share repurchase

The Company did not initiate a normal course issuer bid in 2012 or 2013.

Stock Appreciation Rights

On June 20, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2012 SAR Plan in lieu of granting stock options in 2012. The 2012 SAR Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and authorizes the Company to award SARs to eligible persons. A SAR, as defined by the Company’s plan, is a right to receive a cash payment equal to the difference between the base price of the SAR and the market value of a common share of the Company on the date of exercise. These SARs can only be settled in cash and expire no later than 10 years after the date of the grant. The award agreements provide that these SARs granted to employees and executives will vest and may be exercisable 25% per year over four years. The SARs granted to directors, who are not officers of the Company, will vest and may be exercisable 25% on the grant date, and a further 25% will vest and may be exercisable per year over three years.

 

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Over the life of the awards, the total amount of expense recognized will equal the amount of the cash outflow, if any, as a result of exercises. At the end of each reporting period, the lifetime amount of expense recognized will equal the current period value of the SARs using the Black-Scholes pricing model, multiplied by the percentage vested. As a result, the amount of expense recognized can vary due to changes in the model variables from period to period until the SARs are exercised, expire, or are otherwise cancelled.

All SARs are granted at a price determined and approved by the Board of Directors, which is the closing price of the common shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately preceding the day on which a SAR is granted.

On June 28, 2012, 1,240,905 SARs were granted at an exercise price of CDN$7.56.

As of December 31, 2013, the fair value per SAR outstanding was estimated as $6.14 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, taking into account the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Expected life

     4.3 years   

Expected volatility

     37

Risk-free interest rate

     1.77

Expected dividends

     2.43

Stock price at grant date

   CDN$ 7.56   

Exercise price of awards

   CDN$ 7.56   

Stock price

   CDN$ 14.03   

Foreign exchange rate US to CDN

     1.0640   

Expected volatility was calculated by applying a weighted average of the daily closing price change on the TSX for a term commensurate with the expected life of each grant, with more weight placed on the more recent time periods.

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, $3.8 million and $1.3 million of expense, respectively, is included under the caption selling, general and administrative expenses. The corresponding liability is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet under the caption accounts payable and accrued liabilities for amounts vested and expected to vest in the next twelve months, and other liabilities for amounts expected to vest greater than twelve months.

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, 41,250 and nil SARs were exercised, respectively, at an exercise price of CDN$7.56 and nil, respectively, resulting in cash payments of approximately $0.3 million and nil, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, 30,000 and nil SARs were forfeited, respectively.

Stock options

Under the Company’s ESOP, options to acquire the Company’s common shares may be granted to the Company’s executives, directors and key employees. The total number of common shares reserved for issuance under the ESOP shall be equal to 10% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares from time to time. Options are equity-settled and expire no later than 10 years after the date of the grant and can only be used to purchase stock and may not be redeemed for cash. The plan provides that such options granted to key employees and executives will vest and may be exercisable 25% per year over four years. The options granted to directors, who are not officers of the Company, will vest and may be exercisable 25% on the grant date, and a further 25% will vest and may be exercisable per year over three years.

All options are granted at a price determined and approved by the Board of Directors, which cannot be less than the closing price of the common shares on the TSX for the day immediately preceding the effective date of the grant.

 

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The changes in number of options outstanding were as follows:

 

     2013     2012     2011  
     Weighted            Weighted            Weighted         
     average            average            average         
     exercise      Number of     exercise      Number of     exercise      Number of  
     price      options     price      options     price      options  
     CDN$            CDN$            CDN$         

Balance, beginning of year

     2.60         2,657,037        3.28         3,774,026        4.44         3,355,769   

Granted

     12.19         830,000        —           —          1.66         875,000   

Exercised

     3.35         (1,151,610     3.10         (663,989     —           —     

Forfeited

     9.71         (71,250     1.88         (52,500     3.16         (149,401

Expired

     —           —          9.27         (400,500     10.13         (307,342
          

 

 

      

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     5.52         2,264,177        2.60         2,657,037        3.28         3,774,026   
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Options exercisable at the end of the year

     2.36         987,927        3.03         1,676,305        4.20         2,247,563   
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

The weighted average stock price at the date of exercise was $11.54 and $7.39 in 2013 and 2012, respectively, resulting in cash proceeds to the Company of $3.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

The following tables summarize information about options outstanding and exercisable as of:

 

     Options outstanding      Options exercisable  
            Weighted                       
            average      Weighted             Weighted  
            contractual      average             average  
     Number      life (years)      exercise price      Number      exercise price  
                   CDN$             CDN$  

December 31, 2013

              

Range of exercise prices

              

$1.55 to $1.90

     1,077,500         5.78         1.74         617,500         1.76   

$2.19 to $3.61

     406,677         2.18         2.83         352,927         2.93   

$12.04 to $14.34

     780,000         6.80         12.14         17,500         12.04   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,264,177         5.48         5.52         987,927         2.36   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

              

Range of exercise prices

              

$0.55 to $0.83

     12,500         3.25         0.55         10,000         0.55   

$1.55 to $2.33

     1,482,500         5.15         1.83         550,000         1.88   

$3.61 to $5.42

     1,162,037         2.06         3.61         1,116,305         3.61   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,657,037         4.45         2.60         1,676,305         3.03   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

              

Range of exercise prices

              

$0.55 to $0.83

     40,000         3.25         0.55         27,500         0.55   

$1.55 to $2.33

     1,695,000         4.92         1.85         297,500         2.00   

$3.37 to $5.06

     1,638,526         1.93         3.36         1,522,063         3.36   

$7.50 to $11.25

     400,500         0.30         9.27         400,500         9.27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,774,026         3.10         3.28         2,247,563         4.20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The Company uses the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation expense and other stock-based payments. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the contributed surplus account increased approximately $1.1 million, $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, representing the stock-based compensation expense recorded for the period associated with stock options. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the contributed surplus account also increased approximately $4.7 million, nil and nil, respectively, representing the portion of US deferred tax assets recorded in relation to the excess tax benefit of stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2013. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the contributed surplus account decreased approximately $1.7 million, $0.8 million and nil, respectively, representing the stock-based compensation expense credited to capital stock on options exercised.

The fair value of options granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, taking into account the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     2013     2011  

Expected life

     5.6 years        6.0 years   

Expected volatility

     43     66

Risk-free interest rate

     1.59     2.46

Expected dividends

     2.72     0.00

Share price

   CDN$ 12.19      CDN$ 1.66   

Exercise price

   CDN$ 12.19      CDN$ 1.66   

Expected volatility was calculated by applying a weighted average of the daily closing price change on the TSX for a term commensurate with the expected life of each grant, with more weight placed on the more recent time periods.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, no options were granted.

The fair value per option granted is:

 

     2013      2011  
     $      $  

Fair value

     3.69         1.03   

16— ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

     December 31,     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013     2012      2011  
     $     $      $  

Accumulated currency translation adjustments

     (770     3,208         1,206   

Cumulative changes in fair value of forward foreign exchange rate contracts (net of future income tax expense of nil in 2011)

     —          —           (13
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (770     3,208         1,193   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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17— PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has several non-contributory defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans for substantially all its employees in both Canada and the US.

Defined contribution plans

In the US, the Company maintains a savings retirement plan (401(k) Plan) for the benefit of certain employees who have been employed for at least 90 days. Contribution to this plan is at the discretion of the Company. The Company also maintains 401(k) plans according to the terms of certain collective bargaining agreements.

The Company also contributes to multi-employer plans for employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements.

In Canada, the Company maintains defined contribution pension plans for its salaried employees and contributes amounts equal to 4% of each participant’s eligible salary.

The amount expensed with respect to the defined contribution plans for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3.6 million, $3.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

Defined benefit plans

The Company has, in the US, three defined benefit pension plans (hourly and salaried). Benefits for employees are based on compensation and years of service for salaried employees and fixed benefits per month for each year of service for hourly employees.

In Canada, certain non-union hourly employees of the Company are covered by a plan which provides a fixed benefit per month for each year of service. The only other defined benefit plan sponsored by the Company in Canada was wound-up effective September 30, 2011. Pursuant to applicable legislation, benefits for this plan will be settled within the five-year period following the wind-up effective date.

In the US, certain union hourly employees of the Company are covered by plans which provide a fixed benefit per month for each year of service. The Company amended one of the plans during the year ended December 31, 2012, which immediately increased the fixed benefit as well as incrementally over the next three years. The Company also closed the plan to new entrants whereby employees hired on or after the amendment date will not be permitted to participate in the plan. Under Amended IAS 19 – Employee benefits, the Company is required to recognize past service costs associated with benefit plan changes of $0.7 million immediately in cost of sales in the statement of consolidated earnings in 2012.

In the US, the Company provides group health care and life insurance benefits to certain retirees. In Canada, the Company provides group health care, dental and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees.

Supplementary executive retirement plans

The Company has Supplementary Executive Retirement Plans (“SERPs”) to provide supplemental pension benefits to certain key executives. The SERPs are not funded and provide for an annual pension benefit, from retirement or termination date, in the amounts ranging from $0.2 million to $0.6 million, annually.

Governance and oversight

The defined benefit plans sponsored by the Company are subject to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and related legislation in the United States and of the Canadian Income Tax Act and provincial legislation in Ontario and Nova Scotia. In addition, all actuarial computations related to defined benefit plans are based on actuarial assumptions and methods determined in accordance with the generally recognized and accepted actuarial principles and practices prescribed by the Actuarial Standards Board, the American Academy of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

 

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Minimum funding requirements are computed based on methodologies and assumptions dictated by regulation in the US and Canada. The Company’s practice is to fund at least the statutory minimum required amount for each defined benefit plan’s plan year.

The Company’s Investment Committee, comprised of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Human Resources and other members of management, makes investment decisions for the Company’s pension plans. The asset liability matching strategy of the pension plans is reviewed quarterly in terms of risk and return profiles. The Investment Committee has established a target mix of equity, fixed income, and alternative securities based on funded status level of each defined benefit plan.

The assets of the defined benefit plans are held separately from those of the Company in funds under the control of trustees.

Information relating to the various plans

 

     Pension Plans     Other plans  
     2013     2012 (1)     2013     2012 (1)  
     $     $     $     $  

Defined benefit obligations

        

Balance, beginning of year

     92,356        82,451        4,677        4,227   

Current service cost

     1,335        1,230        18        16   

Past service costs

     —          682        —          —     

Interest cost

     3,465        3,469        171        181   

Benefits paid

     (3,413     (3,223     (60     (77

Actuarial losses from demographic assumptions

     1,075        768        86        49   

Actuarial (gains) losses from financial assumptions

     (10,521     4,480        (744     202   

Experience (gains) losses

     342        1,947        (640     8   

Foreign exchange rate adjustment

     (1,924     552        (233     71   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     82,715        92,356        3,275        4,677   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair Value of plan assets

        

Balance, beginning of year

     57,745        49,848        —          —     

Interest income

     2,175        2,208        —          —     

Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense)

     8,186        3,291        —          —     

Contributions by the employer

     4,311        5,565        —          —     

Benefits paid

     (3,413     (3,223     —          —     

Administration expenses

     (307     (398     —          —     

Foreign exchange rate adjustment

     (1,576     454        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     67,121        57,745        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Funded status – deficit

     15,594        34,611        3,275        4,677   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The defined benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets at December 31, are composed by geographical locations as follows:

 

     2013     2012  
     US     Canada     Total     US     Canada     Total  
     $     $     $     $     $     $  

Defined benefit obligations

     59,027        26,963        85,990        65,268        31,765        97,033   

Fair Value of plan assets

     (40,673     (26,448     (67,121     (34,216     (23,529     (57,745
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deficit in plans

     18,354        515        18,869        31,052        8,236        39,288   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The defined benefit obligations as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 for pension plans can be analyzed by funding status as follows:

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Wholly unfunded

     9,706         10,732   

Wholly funded or partially funded

     73,009         81,624   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total obligations

     82,715         92,356   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits Recognized in the Balance Sheet

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Pension Plans

     

Present value of the defined benefit obligation

     82,715         92,356   

Fair value of the plan assets

     67,121         57,745   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deficit in plans

     15,594         34,611   

Asset ceiling

     2,676         —     

Amount recognized as a liability in respect of minimum funding requirements

     —           1,684   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities recognized

     18,270         36,295   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other plans

     

Present value of the defined benefit obligation and deficit in the plans

     3,275         4,677   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities recognized

     3,275         4,677   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total plans

     

Total pension and other-post retirement benefits recognized in balance sheets

     21,545         40,972   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The composition of plan assets based on the fair value as of December 31, was as follows:

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Asset category

     

Cash

     5,675         3,394   

Equity instruments

     39,854         36,296   

Fixed income instruments

     19,383         16,228   

Real estate investment trusts

     2,209         1,827   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     67,121         57,745   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately 56% and 41% of equity and fixed income instruments were held in mutual funds, respectively. None of the benefit plan assets were invested in any of the Company’s own equity or financial instruments or in any property or other asset that was used by the Company.

Most equity, fixed income and real estate investment trusts have quoted prices in active markets. Certain US government obligations are valued at the quoted price for identical or similar securities reported in active markets.

Defined Benefit Expenses Recognized in Consolidated Earnings

 

     Pension Plans      Other plans  
     2013      2012 (1)      2011 (1)      2013      2012 (1)      2011 (1)  
     $      $      $      $      $      $  

Current service cost

     1,335         1,230         992         18         16         46   

Past service cost

     —           682         —           —           —           —     

Administration expenses

     307         398         400         —           —           —     

Net interest expense

     1,355         1,261         1,036         171         181         199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net costs recognized in the statement of consolidated earnings

     2,997         3,571         2,428         189         197         245   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Total Plans  
     2013      2012 (1)      2011 (1)  
     $      $      $  

Current service cost

     1,353         1,246         1,038   

Past service cost

     —           682         —     

Administration expense

     307         398         400   

Net interest expense

     1,526         1,442         1,235   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net costs recognized in the statement of consolidated earnings

     3,186         3,768         2,673   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Remeasurement of Defined Benefit Liability in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

     Pension Plans     Other plans  
     2013     2012 (1)     2011 (1)     2013     2012 (1)     2011 (1)  
     $     $     $     $     $     $  

Actuarial losses from demographic assumptions

     (1,075     (768     (1,709     (86     (49     —     

Actuarial gains (losses) from financial assumptions

     10,521        (4,480     (8,498     744        (202     (297

Experience gains (losses)

     (342     (1,947     (2,345     640        (8     (24

Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense)

     8,186        3,291        (3,387     —          —          —     

Asset ceiling

     (2,676     —          1,461        —          —          —     

Change in the amount recognized as a liability in respect of minimum funding requirements

     1,749        (1,194     477        —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

     16,363        (5,098     (14,001     1,298        (259     (321
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company expects to contribute $6.0 million to its defined benefit pension plans and $0.1 million to its health and welfare plans in 2014.

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation at December 31, 2013 is 13 years for US plans and 15 years for Canada plans (13 years and 17 years in 2012, respectively).

The significant weighted average assumptions, which management considers the most likely, and which were used to measure its defined benefit obligations at December 31, are as follows:

 

     US plans     Canada plans  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Discount rate

        

Pension plans

     4.65     3.64     4.80     4.00

Other plans

     3.70     2.83     4.80     4.00

Mortality rate (in years)

        

Current pensioner—Male

     20        20        21        20   

Current pensioner—Female

     21        21        23        22   

Current member aged 45—Male

     21        21        23        21   

Current member aged 45—Female

     22        22        25        23   

 

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Significant actuarial assumptions for defined benefit obligation measurement purposes are discount rate and mortality rate. The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on reasonably possible changes of the assumptions, in isolation of one another, occurring at the end of the reporting period. This analysis may not be representative of the actual change in the defined benefit obligation as it is unlikely that the change in the assumptions would occur in isolation of one another as some of the assumptions may be correlated. An increase or decrease of 1% in these rates or an increase or decrease of one year in mortality rate would have the following impacts on the defined benefit obligation:

 

     2013  
     $  

Discount rate

  

Increase of 1%

     (10,757

Decrease of 1%

     13,475   

Mortality rate

  

Life expectancy increased by one year

     2,509   

Life expectancy decreased by one year

     (2,433

 

(1) On January 1, 2013 Amended IAS 19 – Employee Benefits became effective and required retrospective application to operating results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011. Refer to Changes in Accounting Policies in Note 2.

18— SEGMENT DISCLOSURES

The Company operates in various geographic locations and develops, manufactures and sells a variety of products to a diverse customer base. Most of the Company’s products are made from similar processes. A vast majority of the Company’s products, while brought to market through various distribution channels, generally have similar economic characteristics. The Company’s decisions about resources to be allocated are determined as a whole based on the Company’s operational, management and reporting structure. The chief operating decision maker assesses the Company’s performance as a single operating segment.

Geographic Information

The following tables present geographic information about revenue attributed to countries based on the location of external customers and about property, plant and equipment by country based on the location of the assets:

 

     2013      2012      2011  
     $      $      $  

Revenue

        

Canada

     63,656         69,085         74,272   

United States

     643,053         635,727         626,551   

Other

     74,791         79,618         85,914   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

     781,500         784,430         786,737   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Property, plant and equipment

     

Canada

     17,683         24,104   

United States

     151,457         150,735   

Other

     12,472         10,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property, plant and equipment

     181,612         185,592   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Intangible assets

     

Canada

     383         779   

United States

     1,212         1,197   

Other

     2         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

     1,597         1,980   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other assets

     

Canada

     92         13   

United States

     3,405         3,581   

Other

     153         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other assets

     3,650         3,597   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents revenue information based on revenues for the following product categories and their complementary packaging systems:

 

     2013      2012      2011  
     $      $      $  

Revenue

        

Tape

     510,539         519,399         516,582   

Film

     149,293         145,780         150,138   

Woven coated fabrics

     114,438         112,280         117,049   

Other

     7,230         6,971         2,968   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     781,500         784,430         786,737   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

19— RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company’s key personnel are members of the Board of Directors and five members of senior management in 2013 (six members in 2012 and 2011). Key personnel remuneration includes the following expenses:

 

     2013      2012      2011  
     $      $      $  

Short-term employee benefits:

        

Salaries including bonuses and post-employment benefits

     4,235         4,402         3,553   

Short-term director benefits:

        

Director and committee fees and post-employment benefits

     645         741         575   

Stock-based payments for employees and directors

     3,977         1,607         679   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total remuneration

     8,857         6,750         4,807   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

20— COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments Under Operating Leases

On August 19, 2013, the Company entered into a 130-month operating lease on a corporate office located in Sarasota, Florida which will serve as the Company’s new US headquarters. Annual minimum lease payments for the facility will begin in January 2014 and will range from approximately $0.6 million to $0.7 million over the term of the lease.

 

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On December 21, 2013, the Company entered into a five-year operating lease on a manufacturing facility located in Delta, British Columbia. Annual minimum lease payments for the facility will begin in March 2014 and will be approximately $0.4 million over the term of the lease. In conjunction with the lease, the company is subject to a restoration obligation of approximately $0.5 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the expense in respect of operating leases was $4.6 million ($4.1 million in 2012 and $3.8 million in 2011). As of December 31, 2013, the Company had commitments aggregating to approximately $14.1 million through the year 2024 for the rental of offices, warehouse space, manufacturing equipment, automobiles, computer hardware and other assets. Minimum lease payments for the next five years are $2.3 million in 2014, $2.1 million in 2015, $2.0 million in 2016 and 2017, $1.8 million in 2018, and $3.9 thereafter.

Contingent Loss

In 2009, the Company filed a complaint in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Inspired Technologies, Inc. (“ITI”) alleging that ITI had breached its obligations under a supply agreement with the Company and ITI filed a counterclaim against the Company alleging that the Company had breached its obligations under the agreements. On April 13, 2011, after two trials on the issues, the Court entered a Judgment against the Company in the amount of approximately $1.0 million. On May 19, 2011 the Company entered into a settlement agreement with ITI with respect to all outstanding litigation between the parties. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, the Company paid approximately $1.0 million to ITI in full and complete settlement of all matters between them with respect to the litigation. The amount is included in the selling, general and administrative expenses caption on the accompanying statement of consolidated earnings.

In addition to the matter described above and Multilayer in Note 14, the Company is engaged in various legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of all of the proceedings and claims against the Company is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of litigation. Based on information currently known to the Company and after consultation with outside legal counsel, management believes that the probable ultimate resolution of any such proceedings and claims, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, taken as a whole, and accordingly, no additional amounts have been recorded as of December 31, 2013.

Commitment Under Service Contract

On November 12, 2013, the Company entered into a ten-year electricity service contract at a manufacturing facility. The service date of the contract is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2014. The Company will then be committed to monthly minimum usage requirements over the term of the contract. The Company will receive economic development incentive credits and installation as well as maintenance of the required energy infrastructure at the manufacturing facility as part of the contract. The credits are expected to reduce the overall cost of electricity consumed by the facility over the term of the contract. The Company estimates that service billings will total approximately $0.7 million in 2014, $3.0 million in 2015, $3.2 million in 2016 and 2017, $3.1 million in 2018 and $16.9 million thereafter.

Certain penalty clauses exist within the contract related to early cancellation after the service date of the contract, which is expected to be the second quarter of 2014. The costs related to early cancellation penalties include termination fees based on anticipated service billings over the term of the contract and capital expense recovery charges. While the Company does not expect to cancel the contract prior to the end of its term, the penalties that would apply to early cancellation could total as much as $17.0 million. This amount declines annually until the expiration of the contract.

 

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21— FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value and Classification of Financial Instruments

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the classification of financial instruments, as well as their carrying amounts and respective fair values are as follows:

 

     Carrying amount         
     Loans and
receivables
     Financial
liabilities at
amortized cost
     Fair value  
     $      $      $  

December 31, 2013

        

Financial assets

        

Cash

     2,500         —           2,500   

Trade receivables

     78,543         —           78,543   

Other receivables (1)

     2,744         —           2,744   

Loan to an officer (3)

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     83,787         —           83,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2)

     —           58,358         58,358   

Notes

     —           —           —     

Other long-term debt

     —           129,814         129,814   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     —           188,172         188,172   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

        

Financial assets

        

Cash

     5,891         —           5,891   

Trade receivables

     75,860         —           75,860   

Other receivables (1)

     3,249         —           3,249   

Loan to an officer (3)

     55         —           55   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     85,055         —           85,055   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2)

     —           60,222         60,222   

Notes

     —           38,282         38,282   

Other long-term debt

     —           113,017         113,017   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     —           211,521         211,521   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Consists primarily of supplier rebates receivable
(2) Excluding employee benefits
(3) Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets

The Company’s interest rate swap agreement expired on September 22, 2011. The Company’s final forward foreign exchange rate contract expired on July 31, 2012 (a liability amounting to $13,000 as of December 31, 2011).

 

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The following methods and assumptions were used to determine the estimated fair value of each class of financial instruments:

 

    The fair value of cash, trade receivables, other receivables, loans, accounts payable and accrued liabilities is comparable to their carrying amount, given their short maturity periods;

 

    The fair value of the Notes has been determined based on available quoted market prices;

 

    The fair value of other long-term debt, mainly bearing interest at variable rates, including primarily the Company’s ABL, is estimated using a discounted cash flows approach, which discounts the contractual cash flows using discount rates derived from observable market interest rates of similar loans with similar risk.

The Company ensures, to the extent possible, that its valuation techniques and assumptions incorporate all factors that market participants would consider in setting a price and that it is consistent with accepted economic methods for pricing financial instruments.

Hierarchy of financial instruments

The Company categorizes its financial instruments into a three-level fair value measurement hierarchy as follows:

Level 1: The fair value is determined directly by reference to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2: The fair value is estimated using a valuation technique based on observable market data, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: The fair value is estimated using a valuation technique based on unobservable data.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Notes were categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and other long-term debt is categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Income and expenses relating to financial assets and financial liabilities are as follows:

 

     2013     2012      2011  
     $     $      $  

Interest income

       

Cash

     75        132         269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Bad debt expense (recovery)

       

Trade receivables

     (132     185         677   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense calculated using the effective interest rate method

       

Long-term debt

     6,289        13,433         15,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exchange Risk

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are expressed in US dollars while a portion of its business is conducted in other currencies. Changes in the exchange rates for such currencies into US dollars can increase or decrease revenues, operating profit, earnings and the carrying values of assets and liabilities.

 

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The following table details the Company’s sensitivity to a 10% strengthening of the Canadian dollar and the Euro, against the US dollar, and the related impact on earnings. For a 10% weakening of the Canadian dollar and the Euro, against the US dollar, there would be an equal and opposite impact on earnings. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 everything else being equal, a 10% strengthening of the Canadian dollar and Euro, against the US dollar, would result as follows:

 

     2013      2012  
     Canadian             Canadian         
     dollar      Euro      dollar      Euro  
     USD$      USD$      USD$      USD$  

Impact on earnings from financial assets and financial liabilities

     328         41         282         37   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In 2011, in accordance with the Company’s foreign exchange rate risk policy, the Company executed a series of 9 monthly forward foreign exchange rate contracts to purchase an aggregate CDN$10.0 million beginning in July 2011 through March 2012, at fixed exchange rates ranging from CDN$0.9692 to CDN$0.9766 to the US dollar and a series of five monthly forward foreign exchange rate contracts to purchase an aggregate CDN$10.0 million beginning in March 2012 through July 2012, at fixed exchange rates ranging from CDN$1.0564 to CDN$1.0568 to the US dollar. These forward foreign exchange rate contracts mitigated foreign exchange rate risk associated with a portion of anticipated monthly inventory purchases of the Company’s US self-sustaining foreign operations that were settled in Canadian dollars. The Company designated these forward foreign exchange rate contracts as cash flow hedges, effectively mitigating the cash flow risk associated with the settlement of the inventory purchases.

Execution and Settlement

During the year ended December 31, 2012, one of the Company’s US foreign operations (the “Subsidiary”) purchased an aggregate of CDN$50.5 million (USD$50.8 million) (CDN$76.9 million (USD$77.8 million) in 2011) of inventories. Included in this amount was approximately CDN$22.3 million (USD$22.4 million) (CDN$26.5 million (USD$26.8 million) in 2011) of inventory purchases previously designated as part of a hedging relationship using forward foreign exchange rate contracts (the “Contracts”). These Contracts, used to reduce the exposure related to the Subsidiary’s “anticipated” inventory purchases during the period of January through July 2012. All inventories purchased and subject to the hedging relationship pursuant to these Contracts were sold as of December 31, 2012.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the cumulative change in these settled Contracts’ fair value was recognized in the consolidated earnings under the caption cost of sales in the amount of $0.2 million, ($1.7 million in 2011). The cumulative change in the Contracts’ fair value was recognized in consolidated earnings as a result of the following:

 

    The Contracts were settled; and

 

    The hedging item (the Contracts) is recognized in consolidated earnings at the same period the hedged item (the inventories) is recognized in consolidated earnings.

Discontinuance of Hedging Relationships

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s management decided to discontinue hedge accounting for specific hedging relationships by terminating the designation of these relationships. The discontinued hedging relationships consisted of seven forward foreign exchange rate contracts (collectively the “Terminated Contracts”). These Terminated Contracts represent the Company’s hedged inventory purchases and related accounts payable during the months of March, June, July, August and September 2011. All inventory purchases covered under these contracts were sold and consequently were included in the determination of net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2011. Accordingly, included in the Company’s consolidated earnings for the year ended December 31, 2011 are $1.0 million under the caption cost of sales, representing the gain on these Terminated Contracts, which had been previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a result of applying hedge accounting and a loss of $0.3 million in 2011 under the caption other (income) expense, representing the change in fair value of these Terminated Contracts arising subsequent to the Company’s management decision to terminate the designation of these specific hedging relationships.

 

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Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s ABL, Real Estate Loan, term debt and equipment finance agreement advance fundings are exposed to a risk of change in cash flows due to changes in the underlying interest rates. The Company does not currently hold any derivative financial instruments to mitigate this risk.

In 2011, the Company’s ABL and term debt were exposed to a risk of change in cash flows due to changes in the underlying interest rates. To mitigate the risk of the ABL, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement, designated as a cash flow hedge which expired on September 22, 2011.

The term of this interest rate swap agreement was as follows:

 

     Notional
amount
     Settlement      Fixed interest
rate paid
 
     $             %  

Matured in September 2011

     40,000,000         Monthly         3.35   

As of December 31, 2013, the impact on the Company’s consolidated earnings of a 1.0% increase in interest rates, assuming all other variables remained equal, would be a decrease of approximately $1.0 million (a decrease of $1.0 million in 2012).

Credit Risk

Credit risk results from the possibility that a loss may occur from the failure of another party to perform according to the terms of the contract. Generally, the carrying amount reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for its financial assets exposed to credit risk, net of any applicable provisions for losses, represents the maximum amount exposed to credit risk.

Financial assets that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash, trade receivables, other receivables, namely supplier rebates receivable, and derivative financial instruments.

Cash

Credit risk associated with cash is substantially mitigated by ensuring that these financial assets are primarily placed with major financial institutions that have been accorded investment grade ratings by a primary rating agency and qualify as credit worthy counterparties. The Company performs an ongoing review and evaluation of the possible changes in the status and creditworthiness of its counterparties.

Trade receivables

Credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the Company’s credit evaluation process, reasonably short collection terms and the creditworthiness of its customers and credit insurance. The Company regularly monitors its credit risk exposures and takes steps to mitigate the likelihood of these exposures from resulting in actual losses. Allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained, consistent with credit risk, historical trends, general economic conditions and other information and is taken into account in the consolidated financial statements.

 

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The following table presents an analysis of the age of trade receivables and related balance as of:

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Current

     73,205         69,917   

Past due accounts not impaired

     

1 – 30 days past due

     4,408         5,502   

31 – 60 days past due

     180         19   

61 – 90 days past due

     155         227   

Over 91 days past due

     595         195   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,338         5,943   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     656         2,392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross accounts receivable

     79,199         78,252   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company makes estimates and assumptions in the process of determining an adequate allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade receivables outstanding longer than the agreed upon payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade receivables are past due, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, historical results and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes-off trade receivables when they are determined to be uncollectible and any payments subsequently received on such trade receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is primarily calculated on a specific-identification of trade receivable accounts.

The following table presents a continuity summary of the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts as of and for the year ended December 31:

 

     2013     2012  
     $     $  

Balance, beginning of year

     2,392        2,219   

Additions (recoveries)

     (163     163   

Write-offs

     (1,599     (4

Foreign exchange

     26        14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     656        2,392   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other receivables

Credit risk associated with other receivables primarily relates to supplier rebates receivable. This risk is limited considering the Company’s diversified counterparties and geography.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, no single customer accounted for over 5% of the Company’s total receivables. The Company does not believe it is subject to any significant concentration of credit risk.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial liabilities and obligations as they become due. The Company is exposed to this risk mainly through its long-term debt and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The Company finances its operations through a combination of cash flows from operations and borrowings under its ABL.

Liquidity risk management serves to maintain a sufficient amount of cash and to ensure that the Company has financing sources for a sufficient authorized amount. The Company establishes budgets, cash estimates and cash management policies to ensure it has the necessary funds to fulfil its obligations for the foreseeable future.

 

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The following maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities is based on the remaining contractual maturities as of the balance sheet date. The amounts disclosed reflect the contractual undiscounted cash flows categorized by their earliest contractual maturity date on which the Company can be required to pay its obligation.

The maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities is as follows as of December 31:

 

            Finance      Accounts payable         
     Other long-      lease      and accrued         
     term loans      liabilities      liabilities (1)      Total  
     $      $      $      $  

2013

           

Current maturity

     3,883         5,611         58,358         67,852   

2015

     2,580         5,307         —           7,887   

2016

     2,584         5,494         —           8,078   

2017

     90,346         5,310         —           95,656   

2018

     936         4,055         —           4,991   

2019 and thereafter

     4,958         3,506         —           8,464   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     105,287         29,283         58,358         192,928   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2012

           

Current maturity

     8,142         1,893         60,222         70,257   

2014

     2,342         1,926         —           4,268   

2015

     1,768         1,839         —           3,607   

2016

     1,772         1,769         —           3,541   

2017

     128,043         1,581         —           129,624   

2018 and thereafter

     1,250         3,891         —           5,141   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     143,317         12,899         60,222         216,438   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
(1) Excluding employee benefits

As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s unused availability under the ABL and available cash on hand amounted to $50.3 million ($54.7 million in 2012).

Price Risk

The Company’s price risk arises from changes in its oil-derived raw material prices, which are significantly influenced by the fluctuating underlying crude oil markets. The Company’s objectives in managing its price risk are threefold: i) to protect its financial result for the period from significant fluctuations in raw material costs, ii) to anticipate, to the extent possible, and plan for significant changes in the raw material markets and iii) to ensure sufficient availability of raw material required to meet the Company’s manufacturing requirements. In order to manage its exposure to price risks, the Company closely monitors current and anticipated changes in market prices and develops pre-buying strategies and patterns, and seeks to adjust its selling prices when market conditions permit. Historical results indicate management’s ability to rapidly identify fluctuations in raw material prices and, to the extent possible, incorporate such fluctuations in the Company’s selling prices.

As of December 31, 2013, all other parameters being equal, a hypothetical increase of 10% in the cost of raw materials, with no corresponding sales price adjustments, would result in a decrease in earnings of $29.1 million (a decrease in earnings of $43.7 million in 2012). A similar decrease of 10% will have the opposite impact.

 

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Capital Management

The Company’s primary objectives when managing capital are to: i) provide adequate return to its shareholders, ii) minimize, to the extent possible, the risks associated with its shareholders’ investment in the Company, iii) safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and iv) provide financial capacity and flexibility to meet strategic objectives and growth.

The capital structure of the Company consists of cash, debt and shareholders’ equity. A summary of the Company’s capital structure is as follows as of December 31:

 

     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Cash

     2,500         5,891   

Debt

     129,814         151,299   

Shareholders’ equity

     230,428         153,834   

The Company manages its capital structure in accordance with its expected business growth, operational objectives and underlying industry, market and economic conditions. Consequently, the Company will determine, from time to time, its capital requirements and will accordingly develop a plan to be presented and approved by its Board of Directors. The plan may include the repurchase of common shares, the issuance of shares, the payment of dividends and the issuance of new debt or the refinancing of existing debt.

In meeting its principal objective to provide adequate return to its shareholders, the Company undertakes measures to maintain and grow its adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings and free cash flows over the years. Such measures include the introduction of new products, penetration into new markets and market niches, the manufacturing rationalization plan and increasing operating efficiencies.

The Company monitors its capital by reviewing its credit ratings as determined by independent agencies and evaluating various financial metrics. These metrics, which are provided to and used by the Company’s key management personnel in their decision making process, consisted of the following for the twelve months ended December 31:

 

     2013     2012  
     $     $  

Adjusted EBITDA

    

Net earnings

     67,357        20,381   

Add back:

    

Interest and other expense

     6,653        14,536   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (35,804     213   

Depreciation and amortization

     27,746        30,397   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

     65,952        65,527   

Manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     30,706        18,257   

Stock-based compensation expense

     4,937        1,832   

Impairment of long-lived assets and other assets

     161        —     

Other item: Provision related to resolution of a contingent liability

     1,300        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     103,056        85,616   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

     5,707        13,233   

Debt

     129,814        151,299   

Internal financial ratios

    

Debt to Adjusted EBITDA

     1.26        1.77   

Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense

     18.06        6.47   

 

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     2013     2012  
     $     $  

Adjusted net earnings

    

Net earnings

     67,357        20,381   

Add back:

    

Manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges

     30,706        18,257   

Stock-based compensation expense

     4,937        1,832   

Impairment of long-lived assets and other assets

     161        —     

Other item: Provision related to resolution of a contingent liability

     1,300        —     

Income tax effect of these items

     (1,132     (863
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net earnings

     103,329        39,607   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flows

    

Cash flows from operating activities

     82,160        84,473   

Less purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets

     (46,818     (21,552
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flows

     35,342        62,921   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt represents the Company’s long-term and related current portion borrowings. The Company defines EBITDA as net earnings before: (i) interest and other (income) expense; (ii) income tax expense (benefit); (iii) refinancing expense, net of amortization; (iv) amortization of debt issue costs; (v) amortization of intangible assets; and (vi) depreciation of property, plant and equipment. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before: (i) manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) impairment of goodwill; (iv) impairment of long-lived assets and other assets; (v) write-down on assets classified as held-for-sale; and (vi) other discrete items as shown in the table above. Interest expense is defined as the total interest expense incurred net of any interest income earned during the year. The Company defines adjusted net earnings as net earnings before: (i) manufacturing facility closures, restructuring and other related charges; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) impairment of goodwill; (iv) impairment of long-lived assets and other assets; (v) write-down on assets classified as held-for-sale; (vi) other discrete items as shown in the table above; and (vii) income tax effect of these items. The Company defines free cash flows as cash flows from operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets.

22— POST REPORTING EVENTS

Adjusting Events

No adjusting events have occurred between the reporting date of these consolidated financial statements and the date of authorization.

Non-Adjusting Events

No adjusting or significant non-adjusting events have occurred between the reporting date of these consolidated financial statements and the date of authorization with the exception of the items discussed below.

On February 6, 2014, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.08 per common share payable March 31, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 19, 2014. The estimated amount of this dividend payment is $4.9 million based on 60,776,649 shares of the Company’s common shares issued and outstanding as of March 11, 2014.

 

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No other significant non-adjusting events have occurred between the reporting date of these consolidated financial statements and the date of authorization.

 

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