Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended July 31, 2016

OR

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 001-35117

 

 

AEP Industries Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   22-1916107

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

95 Chestnut Ridge Road

Montvale, New Jersey

  07645
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(201) 641-6600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x     No   ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, as of September 6, 2016 was 5,113,801.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page
Number
 
PART I  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

ITEM 1:

 

Financial Statements

     3   
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at July  31, 2016 (unaudited) and October 31, 2015

     3   
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)

     4   
 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)

     5   
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July  31, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)

     6   
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

     7   

ITEM 2:

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     20   

ITEM 3:

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     29   

ITEM 4:

 

Controls and Procedures

     30   
PART II  

OTHER INFORMATION

  

ITEM 1:

 

Legal Proceedings

     32   

ITEM 1A:

 

Risk Factors

     32   

ITEM 2:

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     35   

ITEM 3:

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     35   

ITEM 4:

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

     35   

ITEM 5:

 

Other Information

     35   

ITEM 6:

 

Exhibits

     35   
 

Signatures

     36   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     July 31,
2016
    October 31,
2015
 
     (unaudited)        
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 63,437      $ 20,167   

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,541 and $5,432 in 2016 and 2015, respectively

     103,802        104,930   

Inventories, net

     97,782        101,264   

Deferred income taxes

     3,587        3,606   

Other current assets

     3,207        3,288   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     271,815        233,255   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $427,642 and $406,258 in 2016 and 2015, respectively

     184,748        193,993   

GOODWILL

     6,871        6,871   

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net of accumulated amortization of $3,324 and $2,931 in 2016 and 2015, respectively

     3,088        3,481   

OTHER ASSETS

     2,871        2,605   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 469,393      $ 440,205   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Bank borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt

   $ 2,452      $ 2,475   

Accounts payable

     66,497        68,734   

Accrued expenses

     52,059        40,395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     121,008        111,604   

LONG-TERM DEBT

     208,370        210,951   

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     20,032        21,750   

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     5,685        6,252   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     355,095        350,557   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 970,000 shares authorized; none issued

     —          —     

Series A junior participating preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 30,000 shares authorized; none issued

     —          —     

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 11,248,896 and 11,237,749 shares issued in 2016 and 2015, respectively

     112        112   

Additional paid-in capital

     115,405        114,963   

Treasury stock at cost, 6,135,095 shares

     (189,810     (189,810

Retained earnings

     189,505        165,395   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (914     (1,012
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     114,298        89,648   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 469,393      $ 440,205   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
July 31,
    For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31,
 
     2016     2015     2016     2015  

NET SALES

   $ 283,689      $ 301,982      $ 810,404      $ 863,143   

COST OF SALES

     237,486        253,821        666,392        732,602   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     46,203        48,161        144,012        130,541   

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Delivery

     12,696        13,863        35,278        37,454   

Selling

     10,170        10,204        28,485        27,957   

General and administrative

     9,566        8,259        23,593        22,879   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     32,432        32,326        87,356        88,290   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     13,771        15,835        56,656        42,251   

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:

        

Interest expense

     (4,513     (4,617     (13,625     (14,252

Other, net

     250        163        (229     220   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     9,508        11,381        42,802        28,219   

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     (3,239     (4,814     (14,858     (10,048
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 6,269      $ 6,567      $ 27,944        18,171   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

        

Net income per common share

   $ 1.23      $ 1.29      $ 5.47      $ 3.57   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

        

Net income per common share

   $ 1.22      $ 1.28      $ 5.44      $ 3.56   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH DIVIDEND DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.25        —        $ 0.75        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
July 31,
    For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31,
 
     2016     2015     2016      2015  

Net income

   $ 6,269      $ 6,567      $ 27,944       $ 18,171   

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

         

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (258     (588     33         (1,088

Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial net loss, net of tax of $8 and $9 for the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 and $23 and $29 for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively

     22        28        65         84   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

     (236     (560     98         (1,004
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 6,033      $ 6,007      $ 28,042       $ 17,167   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended July 31,
 
     2016     2015  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 27,944      $ 18,171   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     22,054        24,148   

Change in LIFO reserve

     2,598        (12,348

Amortization of debt fees

     810        715   

Provision for losses on accounts receivable and inventories

     267        2,950   

Change in deferred income taxes

     (1,748     (133

Share-based compensation expense

     4,191        3,328   

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises

     —          (1,136

Impairment on property, plant and equipment

     662        —     

Other

     420        (40

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Decrease in accounts receivable

     940        8,168   

Decrease in inventories

     829        14,173   

Decrease in other current assets

     12        1,396   

Increase in other assets

     (379     (12

Decrease in accounts payable

     (1,821     (12,386

Increase in accrued expenses

     7,532        13,749   

Increase in other long-term liabilities

     35        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     64,346        60,768   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Capital expenditures

     (13,485     (10,021
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (13,485     (10,021
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net repayments on credit facility

     —          (40,510

Repayments of Pennsylvania industrial loan

     (879     (65

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

     (1,627     (1,903

Principal payments on mortgage loan note

     (98     (95

Fees paid and capitalized related to amended credit facility

     (528     —     

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     135        467   

Dividends paid

     (2,556     —     

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises

     —          1,136   

Payments of withholding taxes on performance units

     (2,036     (733
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (7,589     (41,703
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

     (2     (443
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash

     43,270        8,601   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     20,167        867   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 63,437      $ 9,468   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURE:

    

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 8,612      $ 9,479   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

   $ 8,205      $ 624   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash dividend declared

   $ 1,278      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AEP Industries Inc. and all of its subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In management’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial position as of July 31, 2016, the consolidated results of operations and consolidated comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, have been made. The consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

The consolidated financial information included herein has been prepared by the Company, without audit, for filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, customer rebates and incentives, allowance for doubtful accounts and income taxes. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on January 14, 2016.

The Company evaluates all subsequent events prior to filing and has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may materially impact its consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which is intended to simplify various aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, including treatment of excess tax benefits and forfeitures and consideration of minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. The guidance is required to be applied by the Company beginning in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2018, but early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases . The new guidance amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets. The standard requires a modified retrospective transition to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented and includes a number of optional practical expedients. ASU 2016-02 is required to be applied by the Company beginning in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION—(Continued)

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes , which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. This new guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as non-current in the balance sheet. The guidance is required to be applied by the Company beginning in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2018, but early adoption is permitted. The Company expects this new guidance will reduce its total current assets, total assets and total liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet by the amount classified as deferred income taxes within current assets, and does not expect application to have any other effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The new guidance simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring debt issuance costs to be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements . This ASU clarified guidance in ASU No. 2015-03 stating that the SEC would not object to a company presenting debt issuance costs related to a line-of-credit arrangement on the balance sheet as a deferred asset, regardless of whether there were any outstanding borrowings at period-end. The guidance is required to be applied by the Company retrospectively beginning in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2017, but early adoption is permitted. The Company expects this new guidance will reduce total assets and total long-term debt on its consolidated balance sheets by the amounts classified as deferred costs related to the Company’s 8.25% senior notes due 2019 (approximately $1.7 million at July 31, 2016). The Company expects to continue to present those capitalized costs paid related to the Company’s credit facility (approximately $0.7 million at July 31, 2016) separately as deferred assets. The Company does not expect the updates to have any other effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The new standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that the company expects to receive for those goods or services. Additionally, the guidance requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09, which will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and may be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements, including which transition method it will adopt.

(2) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE AND CASH DIVIDENDS

Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted to reflect potentially dilutive securities (options) using the treasury stock method, except when the effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(2) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE AND CASH DIVIDENDS—(Continued)

 

The number of shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended July 31,
     For the Nine Months
Ended July 31,
 
     2016      2015      2016      2015  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

           

Basic

     5,113,801         5,102,654         5,108,790         5,090,920   

Effect of dilutive securities:

           

Options to purchase shares of common stock

     26,676         20,077         27,152         19,145   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     5,140,477         5,122,731         5,135,942         5,110,065   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For each of the three and nine month periods ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had zero stock options outstanding that could potentially dilute earnings per share in future periods but were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because their exercise price was higher than the Company’s average stock price during the respective periods.

On January 13, 2016, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on February 16, 2016 to shareholders of record on February 1, 2016. The total dividend of $1.3 million was paid on February 16, 2016. On April 20, 2016, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on May 17, 2016 to shareholders of record on May 2, 2016. The total dividend of $1.3 million was paid on May 17, 2016. On July 20, 2016, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on August 16, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 1, 2016. The total dividend of $1.3 million is recorded in accrued expenses at July 31, 2016 and was paid on August 16, 2016.

(3) INVENTORIES

Inventories, stated at the lower of cost (last-in, first-out method (“LIFO”) for the U.S. operations, except as noted, and the first-in, first-out method (“FIFO”) for the Canadian operation, supplies, and printed and converted finished goods for the U.S. operations) or market, include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs, less vendor rebates. The Company establishes a reserve in those situations in which cost exceeds market value.

Inventories are comprised of the following:

 

     July 31,
2016
     October 31,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Raw materials

   $ 42,208       $ 47,593   

Finished goods

     71,276         66,484   

Supplies

     4,989         5,280   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     118,473         119,357   

Less: LIFO reserve

     (20,691      (18,093
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Inventories, net

   $ 97,782       $ 101,264   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(3) INVENTORIES—(Continued)

 

The LIFO method was used for determining the cost of approximately 88% and 89% of total inventories at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, respectively. Due to the volatility of resin pricing, the interim LIFO calculations are based on actual inventory levels and current pricing, and are not necessarily indicative of the valuation under the LIFO method at the end of the fiscal year. Because of the Company’s continuous manufacturing process, there is no significant work in process at any point in time.

(4) DEBT

A summary of the components of debt is as follows:

 

     July 31,
2016
     October 31,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Credit facility (a)

   $ —         $ —     

8.25% senior notes due 2019

     200,000         200,000   

Pennsylvania industrial loan (b)

     —           879   

Mortgage loan note

     2,876         2,974   

Capital leases (c)

     7,946         9,573   

Foreign bank borrowings (d)

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     210,822         213,426   

Less: current portion

     2,452         2,475   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ 208,370       $ 210,951   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Credit Facility

On January 29, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), as agent and lender, and the other financial institution party thereto, as lender (“Amendment No. 2”), which amended the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated February 22, 2012 (the “base credit facility”). As used herein “credit facility” refers to the base credit facility or as amended by Amendment No. 2 as the context requires. The maximum borrowing amount remains the same at $150.0 million with a maximum for letters of credit of $20.0 million. The maturity date of the credit facility was extended from February 21, 2017 to February 1, 2019.

Under the credit facility, interest rates are based upon the Quarterly Average Excess Availability (as defined in the credit facility) at a margin of the prime rate (defined as the greater of Wells Fargo’s prime rate and the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%) plus 0% to 0.25%, which remains unchanged, or LIBOR plus 1.50% to 2.00%, revised from 1.75% to 2.50% prior to Amendment No. 2.

The Company is obligated to pay a monthly undrawn commitment fee equal to a percentage of the average daily unused portion of the commitments under the credit facility. Amendment No. 2 revised such fee from 0.375% per annum to (i) 0.375% per annum, if the sum of the average daily balance of loans and letters of credit accommodations in the month are less than 50% of the maximum credit, or (ii) 0.250% per annum, if the sum of the average daily balance of loans and letters of credit accommodations in the month are 50% or more of the maximum credit.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(4) DEBT—(Continued)

 

Amendment No. 2 permits the Company’s sale to receivables purchasers of certain accounts (and all proceeds, supporting obligations and ancillary rights with respect to such accounts) arising from the sales of goods and services, excludes such assets from the borrowing base and permits the release of the lenders’ liens over such assets (but not the proceeds therefrom) at the time such assets are sold; provided, among other specified conditions, that the aggregate amount of receivables sold in any month will not exceed 10% of the gross amount of eligible accounts.

The other terms and conditions of the credit facility, including the terms under which the amounts due thereunder may be accelerated or increased, were not materially amended by Amendment No. 2 and remain in full force and effect.

Borrowings and letters of credit available under the credit facility are limited to a borrowing base based upon specific advance percentage rates on eligible accounts receivable and inventory, subject, in the case of inventory, to amount limitations. The Company had weighted average borrowings under the credit facility of zero and $16.4 million during the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.3% during the three months ended July 31, 2015. The Company had weighted average borrowings under the credit facility of approximately $27,000 and $33.1 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.4% and 2.8% during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The sum of the eligible assets at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 supported a borrowing base of $150.0 million. Availability was reduced by the aggregate amount of letters of credit outstanding totaling $4.1 million and $2.9 million at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, respectively. Availability at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 under the credit facility was $145.9 million and $147.1 million, respectively. The credit facility is secured by liens on most of the Company’s domestic assets (other than real property and equipment) and on 66% of the Company’s ownership interest in certain foreign subsidiaries.

Excess Availability (as defined therein) under the credit facility ranged from $132.9 million to $145.9 million during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and from $86.2 million to $147.1 million during the nine months ended July 31, 2015.

During the nine months ended July 31, 2016, the Company incurred and capitalized $0.5 million of fees related to Amendment No. 2. These fees, along with the unamortized fees of $0.3 million paid to the lenders that were party to the base credit facility, are being amortized on a straight line basis over 36 months, the revised term of the credit facility.

(b) Pennsylvania industrial loan

On June 30, 2016, the Company repaid in full the $0.8 million remaining balance of the amortizing fixed rate 4.75% loan that was due November 1, 2023. This loan was obtained in connection with the Company’s expansion in fiscal 2008 of its Wright Township, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility.

(c) Capital leases

From time to time, the Company enters into capital leases for certain of its machinery and equipment. The interest rates on the capital leases at July 31, 2016 range from 3.5% to 4.5%, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.7% . As a result of the capital lease treatment, the equipment is included as a component of property, plant and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and is depreciated in accordance with the Company’s depreciation policy.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(4) DEBT—(Continued)

 

Under the terms of the capital leases, the payments are as follows:

 

For the years ending October 31,

   Capital
Leases
 
     (in thousands)  

Remainder of 2016

   $ 706   

2017

     2,495   

2018

     2,479   

2019

     2,261   

2020

     469   

Thereafter

     64   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

     8,474   

Less: Amounts representing interest

     528   
  

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease payments

     7,946   

Less: Current portion of obligations under capital leases

     2,317   
  

 

 

 

Long-term portion of obligations under capital leases

   $ 5,629   
  

 

 

 

(d) Foreign bank borrowings

In addition to the amounts available under the credit facility, the Company also maintains a secured credit facility at its Canadian subsidiary, used to support operations, which is generally serviced by local cash flows from operations. There was zero outstanding under this arrangement at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015. Availability under the Canadian credit facility at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 was $5.0 million in Canadian dollars or US$3.8 million.

As of July 31, 2016, principal payments on all debt outstanding required during each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:

 

    

 

     (in thousands)     

 

 
     Debt      Capital leases      Total  

Remainder of 2016

   $ 33       $ 626       $ 659   

2017

     136         2,264         2,400   

2018

     141         2,333         2,474   

2019

     200,146         2,199         202,345   

2020

     151         460         611   

Thereafter

     2,269         64         2,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 202,876       $ 7,946       $ 210,822   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(4) DEBT—(Continued)

 

Fair Value

The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

     July 31, 2016      October 31, 2015  
     Carrying Value      Fair Value      Carrying Value      Fair Value  
     (in thousands)  

2019 notes

   $ 200,000       $ 202,500       $ 200,000       $ 206,750   

Mortgage loan note (a)

     2,876         2,876         2,974         2,974   

Pennsylvania industrial loan

     —           —           879         879   

Capital leases

     7,946         7,946         9,573         9,573   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 210,822       $ 213,322       $ 213,426       $ 220,176   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) The Company entered into an interest rate swap fixing the variable rate loan to a fixed rate loan at an interest rate of 3.52% per year.

The fair value of the 2019 notes is based on quoted market rates (Level 1). The Company derives its fair value estimates of the Pennsylvania industrial loan, the mortgage loan note and the capital leases based on observable inputs (Level 2). Observable market inputs used in the calculation of the fair value of the Pennsylvania industrial loan, the mortgage loan note and the capital leases include evaluating the nature and terms of each instrument, considering prevailing economic and market conditions, and examining the cost of similar debt offered at the balance sheet date. The fair value of the Company’s variable rate debt (credit facility), if any, approximates fair value due to the availability and floating rate for similar instruments.

(5) ACCRUED EXPENSES

At July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

     July 31,
2016
     October 31,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Payroll and employee related

   $ 12,160       $ 12,799   

Customer rebates

     8,600         8,952   

Interest

     4,812         688   

Accrued income taxes

     11,694         3,326   

Accrual for performance units

     4,517         5,451   

Other (A)

     10,276         9,179   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

   $ 52,059       $ 40,395   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
(A) No individual item exceeded 5% of current liabilities.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

(6) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share-Based Compensation

The Company has a share-based plan that provides for the granting of stock options, performance units, restricted stock and other awards to officers, directors and key employees of the Company. At July 31, 2016, 169,848 shares were available to be issued under the AEP Industries Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”).

Total share-based compensation expense related to the Company’s share-based plans is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended July 31,
     For the Nine Months
Ended July 31,
 
     2016      2015      2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Cost of sales

   $ 605       $ 232       $ 894       $ 715   

Selling expense

     504         177         700         613   

General and administrative expense

     1,785         502         2,597         2,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,894       $ 911       $ 4,191       $ 3,328   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock Options

There were no options granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 or 2015.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock options as of July 31, 2016, and changes during the nine months ended July 31, 2016:

 

     2005
Option
Plan
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
per
Option
     Option
Price Per
Share
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
$(000)
 

Options outstanding at October 31, 2015 (50,400 options exercisable)

     56,000      $ 29.98       $ 17.07-42.60         3.7       $ 2,801   

Exercised

     (7,200 ) (a)    $ 33.81       $ 33.67-33.84         

Options outstanding at July 31, 2016

     48,800      $ 29.41       $ 17.07-42.60         3.2       $ 2,491   
  

 

 

            

Vested and expected to vest at July 31, 2016

     48,800      $ 29.41            3.2       $ 2,491   
  

 

 

            

Exercisable at July 31, 2016

     46,800      $ 29.23            3.1       $ 2,397   
  

 

 

            

 

(a) Includes 2,000 options exercised at an exercise price of $33.84 per option and 1,200 options exercised at an exercise price of $33.67 per option for which an aggregate of 1,293 shares of common stock of the Company were tendered to the Company by the holders of the stock options for the payment of the exercise price of these options.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(6) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)

 

The table below presents information related to stock option activity for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
July 31,
     For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31,
 
     2016      2015      2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised

   $ —         $ —         $ 314       $ 439   

Total fair value of stock options vested

   $ —         $ —         $ 54       $ 80   

The fair value of the options, less expected forfeitures, is amortized over five years on a straight-line basis. Share-based compensation expense related to the Company’s stock options recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 was approximately $8,000 and $33,000, respectively and approximately $13,000 and $51,000 for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015, respectively. No compensation cost related to stock options was capitalized in inventory or any other assets for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016, there was no excess tax benefits recognized resulting from share-based compensation awards. For the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015, there was zero and $1.1 million, respectively, in excess tax benefits recognized resulting from share-based compensation awards which reduced taxes otherwise payable. The excess benefit is recorded as additional paid in capital at each of July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015.

As of July 31, 2016, there was approximately $21,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.7 years.

Non-vested Stock Options

A summary of the Company’s non-vested stock options at July 31, 2016 and changes during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 are presented below:

 

Non-vested stock options

   Shares      Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Non-vested at October 31, 2015

     5,600       $ 15.33   

Vested

     (3,600    $ 15.08   
  

 

 

    

Non-vested at July 31, 2016

     2,000       $ 15.79   
  

 

 

    

Performance Units

Total share-based compensation expense related to the Company’s performance units (“Units”) was $2.8 million and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016, respectively, and $0.8 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015, respectively. At July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, there was $4.5 million and $5.5 million in accrued expenses, respectively, and $3.4 million and $4.3 million in long-term liabilities, respectively, related to outstanding Units.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(6) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the Units as of July 31, 2016, and changes during the nine months ended July 31, 2016:

 

     2005
Option
Plan
    2013
Option
Plan
    Total
Number
Of
Units
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
$(000)
 

Units outstanding at October 31, 2015

     83,102        145,497        228,599      $ 0.00         1.6       $ 18,288   

Units granted

     —          40,257        40,257      $ 0.00         

Units exercised

     (43,016     (32,057     (75,073   $ 0.00          $ 5,820   

Units forfeited or cancelled

     (600     (2,000     (2,600        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Units outstanding at July 31, 2016

     39,486        151,697        191,183      $ 0.00         1.8       $ 15,383   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Vested and expected to vest at July 31, 2016

     39,486        145,697        185,183      $ 0.00         1.7       $ 14,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Exercisable at July 31, 2016

     —          —          —              $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

During the nine months ended July 31, 2016, the Company paid $3.5 million in cash and issued 860 shares of its common stock, in each case net of withholdings, in settlement of the vesting of certain Units occurring during the nine months of fiscal 2016. During the nine months ended July 31, 2015, the Company paid $1.6 million in cash and issued 867 shares of its common stock, in each case net of withholdings, in settlement of the vesting of certain Units occurring during the nine months of fiscal 2015.

The issuance of common stock resulting from the exercise of stock options and settlement of the vesting of Units (for those employees who elected shares) during fiscal 2016 and 2015 was made from new shares.

Restricted Stock

Each non-employee director receives an annual restricted stock award with a grant date fair value of $55,000 under the 2013 Plan (4,380 shares and 4,745 shares granted, in aggregate, on April 12, 2016 and April 14, 2015, respectively). Total share-based compensation expense related to the restricted stock recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for each of the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $69,000 and $206,000, respectively. As of July 31, 2016, there was $0.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock. That cost is expected to be recognized over 8 months.

(7) SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company’s operations are conducted within one business segment—the production, manufacture and distribution of flexible plastic packaging products, primarily for the food/beverage, industrial and agricultural markets. The Company operates in the United States and Canada.

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(7) SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION—(Continued)

 

Operating income includes all costs and expenses directly related to the geographical area.

 

     For the Three Months
Ended July 31, 2016
 
     United
States
     Canada      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Sales—external customers

   $ 265,183       $ 18,506       $ 283,689   

Intercompany sales

     10,358         —           10,358   

Gross profit

     43,226         2,977         46,203   

Operating income

     12,485         1,286         13,771   

 

     For the Three Months
Ended July 31, 2015
 
     United
States
     Canada      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Sales—external customers

   $ 282,107       $ 19,875       $ 301,982   

Intercompany sales

     11,878         —           11,878   

Gross profit

     45,144         3,017         48,161   

Operating income

     15,383         452         15,835   

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended July 31, 2016
 
     United
States
     Canada      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Sales—external customers

   $ 761,319       $ 49,085       $ 810,404   

Intercompany sales

     28,882         —           28,882   

Gross profit

     136,118         7,894         144,012   

Operating income

     53,752         2,904         56,656   

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended July 31, 2015
 
     United
States
     Canada      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Sales—external customers

   $ 810,539       $ 52,604       $ 863,143   

Intercompany sales

     31,006         —           31,006   

Gross profit

     122,350         8,191         130,541   

Operating income

     40,217         2,034         42,251   

 

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Table of Contents

AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(7) SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION—(Continued)

 

Net sales by product line are as follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended July 31,
     For the Nine Months
Ended July 31,
 
     2016      2015      2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Custom films

   $ 85,854       $ 91,759       $ 244,916       $ 266,112   

Stretch (pallet) wrap

     80,645         88,658         235,778         253,135   

Food contact

     44,944         42,513         124,258         122,957   

Canliners

     37,715         38,990         105,868         107,075   

PROformance Films ®

     13,732         16,641         39,270         49,420   

Printed and converted films

     9,679         9,904         22,825         24,086   

Other products and specialty films

     11,120         13,517         37,489         40,358   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 283,689       $ 301,982       $ 810,404       $ 863,143   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(8) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Lease Commitments:

Under the terms of noncancellable operating leases with terms greater than one year, the minimum rental, excluding the provision for real estate taxes, is as follows:

 

For the years ended October 31,

   Operating
Leases
     Sublease
Income
 
     (in thousands)  

Remainder of 2016

   $ 2,005       $ 13   

2017

     7,926         47   

2018

     6,735         21   

2019

     5,008         —     

2020

     3,617         —     

Thereafter

     9,056         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 34,347       $ 81   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Claims and Lawsuits:

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to claims and lawsuits which arise in the ordinary course of business. On the basis of information presently available and advice received from counsel representing the Company and its subsidiaries, it is the opinion of management that the disposition or ultimate determination of such claims and lawsuits against the Company will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

(9) SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On August 24, 2016, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Berry Plastics Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Berry Plastics Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Holdings”), Berry Plastics Acquisition Corporation XVI, a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (“Merger Sub”), and Berry Plastics Acquisition Corporation XV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (“Merger Sub LLC”), providing for (i) the merger of Merger Sub with and into the

 

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AEP INDUSTRIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

(9) SUBSEQUENT EVENT—(Continued)

 

Company (the “First-Step Merger”), with the Company surviving the First-Step Merger, and, (ii) thereafter, the merger of the Company with and into Merger Sub LLC (the “Second-Step Merger” and, together with the First-Step Merger, the “Integrated Mergers”), with Merger Sub LLC surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings. In the Integrated Mergers, each share of common stock of the Company will be converted into the right to receive, at the stockholder’s election, $110 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”) or 2.5011 shares (the “Exchange Ratio”) of Parent common stock (the “Stock Consideration” and, together with the Cash Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Consideration in the Integrated Mergers will be prorated as necessary to ensure that 50% of the total outstanding shares of the Company entitled to receive Merger Consideration will be exchanged for cash and 50% of such shares will be exchanged for Parent common stock. Upon completion of the Integrated Merger, the Company’s stockholders are expected to hold approximately 5% of the shares of common stock of Parent on a fully diluted basis. The transaction value is likely to change until closing due to fluctuations in the price of Parent common stock and is also subject to anti-dilution protection in limited circumstances as provided in the Merger Agreement.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Many of these conditions are outside the Company’s control, and it cannot provide any assurance as to whether or when the Integrated Mergers will be consummated or whether the Company’s stockholders will realize the anticipated benefits of completing the Integrated Mergers. Also, if the Integrated Mergers do not receive timely regulatory approval or if an event occurs that delays or prevents the Integrated Mergers, such delay or failure to complete the Integrated Mergers may cause uncertainty and other negative consequences that may materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial position and results of operations.

The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for the Company and Parent, including the right of the Company in certain circumstances to terminate the Merger Agreement and accept a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement). If the Merger Agreement is terminated (i) by either party because the stockholders of the Company fail to adopt the Merger Agreement or (ii) by Parent as a result of fraud or willful and material breach of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty of the Merger Agreement by the Company, then in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), the Company will be required to pay the documented expenses of Parent, Holdings, Merger Sub, Merger Sub LLC and their affiliates up to $5 million. In addition, the Company will be required to pay Parent a termination fee equal to $20 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, including by the Company to enter into an acquisition agreement that constitutes a Superior Proposal or because the Company’s board of directors adversely changed its recommendation to stockholders to vote in favor of the Integrated Mergers or took certain other related adverse actions. The Company also would be required to pay Parent a termination fee equal to $20 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated due to either the failure to obtain approval of the Company’s stockholders or the conditions to close were not satisfied before the End Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement), and an alternative acquisition proposal is consummated within 12 months of the termination, subject to certain conditions. Further, if the Merger Agreement is terminated by the Company as a result of fraud or willful and material breach of any covenant, agreement, representation, warranty of the Merger Agreement by Parent, Parent will be required to pay the documented expenses of the Company and its affiliates up to $5 million. The Merger Agreement also provides that either party may specifically enforce the other party’s obligations under the Merger Agreement.

Per the Merger Agreement, prior to completion of the Integrated Mergers, there are certain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. Management does not expect the restrictions to have an impact on our ability to pay dividends at the current level for the foreseeable future.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Forward-Looking Statements

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this report contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements represent our goals, beliefs, plans and expectations about our prospects for the future and other future events, such as our ability to generate sufficient working capital, the amount of availability under our credit facilities, the anticipated pricing in resin markets, our ability to maintain or increase sales and profits of our operations (including our attempt to drive future costs out of our business), the sufficiency of our cash balances and cash generated from operating, investing, and financing activities for our future liquidity and capital resource needs, the expected closing of the Integrated Mergers and our intention to issue quarterly dividends. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical fact and can be identified by terms such as “may,” “intend,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” or the negative of these terms. Although these forward-looking statements reflect our good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information, these statements are qualified by important factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the timing and completion, in part or full, of the significant capacity increase by North American resin producers in future years and its impact on future resin pricing; the ability to manage resin price volatility, including passing raw material price increases to customers in full or in a timely fashion; delayed purchases by certain customers during periods when resin prices are expected to decrease in the near term; the availability of raw materials; competition in existing and future markets; disruptions in the global economic and financial market environment; resin price reductions leading to the utilization of LIFO reserves and resulting in the payment of additional taxes in cash; limited contractual relationships with customers; Board discretion to pay future dividends; future cash flows, liquidity, contractual and legal restrictions related thereto; that the Integrated Mergers may not be consummated in a timely manner or at all; the failure to complete the Integrated Mergers could negatively impact the stock price and the future business and financial results of the Company; that the definitive Merger Agreement may be terminated in circumstances that require the Company to pay Parent a termination fee of $20 million and/or reimbursement of its expenses of up to $5 million; the diversion of management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations to the closing of the Integrated Mergers; the effect of the announcement of the Integrated Mergers on the Company’s business relationships (including, without limitation, customers and suppliers), operating results and business generally; and other factors described from time to time in our reports filed or furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and in particular those factors set forth in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this report are made as of the date hereof or the date specified herein, based on information available to us as of such date. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is designed to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative explanation from the perspective of our management on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Our MD&A is presented in six sections:

 

    Overview

 

    Results of Operations

 

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

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    Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

 

    Critical Accounting Policies

 

    New Accounting Pronouncements

Investors should review this MD&A in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report under Item 1, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015 and reports filed thereafter with the SEC, and other publicly available information.    

Company Overview

AEP Industries Inc. is a leading manufacturer of flexible plastic packaging films. We manufacture and market an extensive and diverse line of polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride flexible packaging products, with consumer, industrial and agricultural applications. Our flexible plastic packaging films are used in the packaging, transportation, beverage, food, automotive, pharmaceutical, chemical, electronics, construction, agriculture, carpeting, furniture and textile industries.

We manufacture plastic films, principally from resins blended with other raw materials, which we either sell or further process by printing, laminating, slitting or converting. Our processing technologies enable us to create a variety of value-added products according to the specifications of our customers. Our manufacturing operations are located in the United States and Canada.

The primary raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are polyethylene (“PE”) and polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) resins. The prices of these materials are primarily a function of the price of petroleum and natural gas, and therefore typically are volatile. Since resin costs fluctuate, selling prices are generally determined as a “spread” over resin costs, usually expressed as cents per pound. Consequently, we review and manage our operating revenues and expenses on a per pound basis. The historical increases and decreases in resin costs have generally been reflected over a period of time in the sales prices of the products on a penny-for-penny basis. Assuming a constant volume of sales, an increase in resin costs would, therefore, result in increased sales revenues but lower gross profit as a percentage of sales or gross profit margin, while a decrease in resin costs would result in lower sales revenues with higher gross profit margins. Further, the gap between the time at which an order is taken, resin is purchased, production occurs and shipment is made, has an impact on our financial results and our working capital needs. In a period of rising resin prices, this impact is generally negative to operating results and in periods of declining resin prices, the impact is generally positive to operating results.

On August 24, 2016, we entered into the Merger Agreement with Parent, Holdings, Merger Sub and Merger Sub LLC. The total fees and costs related to the Integrated Mergers may be material to our results of operations in fiscal 2016 and, subject to the timing of closing such Integrated Mergers, fiscal 2017. For further explanation, refer to Note 9 of the consolidated financial statements. The discussion below excludes any impact that may result from the Integrated Mergers.

Market Conditions

As discussed above, the primary raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are PE and PVC resins, which combined total approximately 99% of our total plastic resin purchases by volume for the nine months ended July 31, 2016. The three month simple average prices per pound, as published by Chem Data, were as follows:

 

     Polyethylene Butene Film      PVC  
     Fiscal 2016      Fiscal 2015      Fiscal 2016      Fiscal 2015  

1st Quarter

   $ 0.68       $ 0.82       $ 0.74       $ 0.87   

2nd Quarter

     0.69         0.73         0.76         0.76   

3rd Quarter

     0.73         0.78         0.80         0.77   

4th Quarter

     —           0.70         —           0.75   

 

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During the quarter ended July 31, 2016, PE resin costs increased due to temporary supply disruptions, including planned maintenance activities and some unexpected operating issues. There is a $0.05 increase in PE resin prices in the month of September which we believe, due to the unexpected operating issues, will be effective. We believe that the addition of significant new PE resin capacity starting at the end of calendar 2016 will put downward pressure on resin prices in fiscal 2017.

Due to the time lag in passing through changes in resin costs to customers, our results are negatively impacted in the short term when resin costs increase and are positively impacted when resin costs decrease. However, volatility in resin prices in consecutive periods, both decreases and increases, creates instability in the purchasing by the customer. During periods of resin price decreases, we do not realize the full benefit of the price reduction in our margin. As resin prices decrease, certain customers, especially in our stretch product line, will keep their inventory levels as low as possible and delay purchases in anticipation of further price decreases. If such prices were to increase, there can be no assurance that we will be able to pass on resin price increases in full or on a timely basis, shorten the time lag in adjusting sell prices, win in a competitive bid process or have enough products to allocate to customers desiring to increase their inventory levels.

The marketplace in which we sell our products is very competitive, and has become increasingly competitive in recent years as a result of adverse economic circumstances straining the resources of our customers, distributors and suppliers. In recent years, we have implemented cost-reduction initiatives and invested in machinery and equipment to take advantage of automation, control labor costs and increase efficiency to meet the challenges of a volatile economic environment, as well as take advantage of opportunities in the marketplace. We are limited, however, in our ability to reduce costs that are fixed in nature.

Defined Terms

The following table illustrates the primary costs classified in each major operating expense category:

 

Cost of Sales:

   Materials, including packaging
   Fixed manufacturing costs
   Labor, direct and indirect, including share-based compensation and incentive-based compensation
   Depreciation
   Inbound freight charges, including intercompany transfer freight charges
   Utility costs used in the manufacturing process
   Research and development costs
   Quality control costs
   Purchasing and receiving costs
   Any inventory adjustments, including LIFO adjustments
   Impairment charges on machinery and equipment
   Warehousing costs

Delivery Expenses:

   All costs related to shipping and handling of products to customers, including transportation costs by third party providers

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:

  

Personnel costs, including salaries, bonuses, commissions, share-based compensation and employee benefits

   Facilities and equipment costs, including utilities and insurance
   Professional fees, including audit and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance
   Provision for bad debts

Our gross profit may not be comparable to that of other companies, since some companies include all the costs related to their distribution network in cost of sales and others, like us, include costs related to the shipping and handling of products to customers in delivery expenses, which is not a component of our cost of sales.

 

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Results of Operations—Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016 Compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

The following table presents unaudited selected financial data for the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 (dollars per pound sold is calculated by dividing the applicable consolidated statements of operations category by pounds sold in the period):

 

     For the Three Months Ended      % increase/
(decrease)
of $
    $ increase/
(decrease)
 
     July 31, 2016      July 31, 2015       
     $      $ Per lb.
sold
     $      $ Per lb.
sold
      
     (in thousands, except for per pound data)  

Net sales

   $ 283,689       $ 1.14       $ 301,982       $ 1.19         (6.1 )%    $ (18,293

Gross profit

     46,203         0.19         48,161         0.19         (4.1 )%      (1,958

Operating expenses:

                

Delivery

     12,696         0.05         13,863         0.06         (8.4 )%      (1,167

Selling

     10,170         0.04         10,204         0.04         (0.3 )%      (34

General and administrative

     9,566         0.04         8,259         0.03         15.8     1,307   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   $ 32,432       $ 0.13       $ 32,326       $ 0.13         0.3   $ 106   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Pounds sold

        249,039 lbs.            253,947 lbs.        

Net Sales

The decrease in net sales for the three months ended July 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year comparable period was the result of a 4% decrease in average selling prices, primarily due to the pass through of lower resin costs negatively affecting net sales by $11.8 million and a 2% decrease in sales volume negatively affecting net sales by $5.6 million. Volume in the prior fiscal year third quarter benefited from customers’ buying in to an expected resin price increase while we believe customers in the current fiscal year third quarter delayed purchases in anticipation of a decrease in resin prices. The third quarter of fiscal 2016 also included a $0.9 million negative impact of foreign exchange relating to our Canadian operations.

Gross Profit

There was a $4.5 million increase in the LIFO reserve during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 versus a $3.6 million increase in the LIFO reserve during the third quarter of fiscal 2015, representing an increase of $0.9 million year-over-year. Excluding the impact of the LIFO reserve change during the current year quarter compared to the prior year quarter, gross profit decreased $1.1 million primarily resulting from a decrease in volumes sold.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses increased $0.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 versus the third quarter of fiscal 2015 primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expense associated with our performance units of $1.6 million, partially offset by lower fuel costs of $0.6 million during the current year period and a decrease of $0.6 million in bad debt expense primarily due to a customer’s bankruptcy filing in the prior year period.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the three months ended July 31, 2016 decreased $0.1 million as compared to the prior year period primarily resulting from lower average borrowings on our credit facility as compared to the prior year period.

 

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Income Tax Provision

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended July 31, 2016 was $3.2 million on income before the provision for income taxes of $9.5 million. The difference between our effective tax rate of 34.1 percent for the three months ended July 31, 2016 and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35.0 percent primarily relates to net permanent differences (-3.1%) and the differential in the U.S and Canadian statutory rates (-1.1%), partially offset by the provision for state taxes in the United States, net of federal provision (+3.3%).

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended July 31, 2015 was $4.8 million on income before the provision for income taxes of $11.4 million. The difference between our effective tax rate of 42.3 percent for the three months ended July 31, 2015 and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35.0 percent primarily relates to net permanent differences (+4.3%) and the provision for state taxes in the United States, net of federal provision (+3.2%), partially offset by the differential in the U.S. and Canadian statutory rates (-0.2%).

Results of Operations—Nine Months of Fiscal 2016 Compared to Nine Months of Fiscal 2015

The following table presents unaudited selected financial data for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 (dollars per pound sold is calculated by dividing the applicable consolidated statements of operations category by pounds sold in the period):

 

     For the Nine Months Ended      % increase/
(decrease)
of $
    $ increase/
(decrease)
 
     July 31, 2016      July 31, 2015       
     $      $ Per lb.
sold
     $      $ Per lb.
sold
      
     (in thousands, except for per pound data)  

Net sales

   $ 810,404       $ 1.13       $ 863,143       $ 1.23         (6.1 )%    $ (52,739

Gross profit

     144,012         0.20         130,541         0.19         10.3     13,471   

Operating expenses:

                

Delivery

     35,278         0.05         37,454         0.05         (5.8 )%      (2,176

Selling

     28,485         0.04         27,957         0.04         1.9     528   

General and administrative

     23,593         0.03         22,879         0.04         3.1     714   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   $ 87,356       $ 0.12       $ 88,290       $ 0.13         (1.1 )%    $ (934
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Pounds sold

        715,738 lbs.            704,347 lbs.        

Net Sales

The decrease in net sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year comparable period was the result of a 7% decrease in average selling prices, primarily due to the pass through of lower resin costs negatively affecting net sales by $61.2 million, partially offset by a 2% increase in sales volume positively affecting net sales by $13.0 million. The nine months of fiscal 2016 also included a $4.5 million negative impact of foreign exchange relating to our Canadian operations.

Gross Profit

There was a $2.6 million increase in the LIFO reserve during the nine months of fiscal 2016 versus a $12.3 million decrease in the LIFO reserve during the nine months of fiscal 2015, representing an increase of $14.9 million year-over-year. Excluding the impact of the LIFO reserve change during the nine months of fiscal 2016 compared to the nine months of fiscal 2015, gross profit increased $28.4 million primarily resulting from improved material margins and increased volumes sold, partially offset by an asset impairment charge of $0.7 million. The asset impairment charge during the nine months of fiscal 2016 relates to the poor performance of a new machine, currently in litigation, and is in addition to the $1.2 million charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 for such machine; such machine was fully impaired as of July 31, 2016.

 

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Operating Expenses

Operating expenses decreased $0.9 million during the nine months of fiscal 2016 versus the nine months of fiscal 2015 primarily due to a decrease in bad debt expense of $2.5 million primarily due to customers’ bankruptcy filings in the prior year period and lower fuel costs of $2.2 million during the current year period, partially offset by an increase in the provision related to employee cash performance incentives of $1.1 million and a $0.7 million increase in share-based compensation expense associated with our performance units. The current year period also included a $0.5 million positive impact of foreign exchange related to our Canadian operations.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 decreased $0.6 million as compared to the prior year period primarily resulting from lower average borrowings on our credit facility as compared to the prior year period.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 was $14.9 million on income before the provision for income taxes of $42.8 million. The difference between our effective tax rate of 34.7 percent for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35.0 percent primarily relates to net permanent differences (-3.5%) and to the differential in the U.S and Canadian statutory rates (-0.3%), partially offset by the provision for state taxes in the United States, net of federal provision (+3.5%).

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended July 31, 2015 was $10.0 million on income before the provision for income taxes of $28.2 million. The difference between our effective tax rate of 35.6 percent for the nine months ended July 31, 2015 and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35.0 percent primarily relates to the provision for state taxes in the United States, net of federal provision (+3.3%), partially offset by net permanent differences (-2.4%) and the differential in the U.S and Canadian statutory rates (-0.3%).

Key Operating Performance Indicator—Adjusted EBITDA

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a key operating performance indicator for the Company. Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 was $28.5 million and $85.5 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015 was $27.8 million and $57.4 million, respectively.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before discontinued operations, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, changes in LIFO reserve, other non-operating income (expense), net and share-based compensation expense (income). We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare our core operating results, including our return on capital and operating efficiencies, from period to period by removing the impact of our capital structure (interest expense from our outstanding debt), asset base (depreciation and amortization), tax consequences, changes in LIFO reserve (a non-cash charge/benefit to our consolidated statements of operations), other non-operating items and share-based compensation. Furthermore, we use Adjusted EBITDA for business planning purposes and to evaluate and price potential acquisitions. The Company further emphasizes the importance of Adjusted EBITDA as an operating performance measure by utilizing a similarly defined metric as the sole performance measure in its annual bonus plan and performance unit program. In addition to its use by management, we also believe Adjusted EBITDA is a measure widely used by securities analysts, investors and others to evaluate the financial performance of our Company and other companies in the plastic films industry. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently, and therefore our Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities and other measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant and necessary components to the operations of our business, and, therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should only be used as a supplemental measure of our operating performance.

The following is a reconciliation of our net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA:

 

     Third Quarter
Fiscal 2016
    Third Quarter
Fiscal 2015
    July YTD
Fiscal 2016
     July YTD
Fiscal 2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 6,269      $ 6,567      $ 27,944       $ 18,171   

Provision for taxes

     3,239        4,814        14,858         10,048   

Interest expense

     4,513        4,617        13,625         14,252   

Depreciation and amortization expense

     7,369        7,418        22,054         24,148   

Increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve

     4,492        3,613        2,598         (12,348

Other non-operating (income) expense, net

     (250     (163     229         (220

Share-based compensation

     2,894        911        4,191         3,328   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 28,526      $ 27,777      $ 85,499       $ 57,379   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Summary

We have historically financed our operations through cash flows generated from operations and borrowings by us and our subsidiaries under various credit facilities. Our principal uses of cash have been to fund working capital, including operating expenses, debt service and capital expenditures. We continuously monitor our financial condition and evaluate capital allocation alternatives, including acquisitions of businesses or assets, repurchases of our equity and debt and the payment of dividends. Generally, our need to access the capital markets is limited to refinancing debt obligations and funding significant acquisitions. Market conditions may limit our sources of funds and the terms for these financing activities.

We believe we continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and sufficient liquidity to provide us with financial flexibility. As of July 31, 2016, we had a net debt position (current bank borrowings plus long term debt less cash and cash equivalents) of $147.4 million, compared with $193.3 million at the end of fiscal 2015. Availability under our credit facility and credit line available to our Canadian subsidiary for local currency borrowings was an aggregate of $149.7 million at July 31, 2016.

Our working capital amounted to $150.8 million at July 31, 2016 compared to $121.7 million at October 31, 2015. We used the LIFO method for determining the cost of approximately 88% of our total inventories at July 31, 2016. Under LIFO, the units remaining in ending inventory are valued at the oldest unit costs and the units sold in cost of sales are valued at the most recent unit costs. If the FIFO method for valuing inventory had been used exclusively, working capital would have been $171.5 million and $139.8 million at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, respectively. During the nine months ended July 31, 2016, the LIFO reserve increased $2.6 million to $20.7 million primarily as a result of increased resins costs. Despite the likely negative effects on our results of operations and our financial condition during periods of rising inventory costs, we believe the use of LIFO maximizes our after tax cash flow from operations.

We believe that our expected cash flows from operations, assuming no material adverse change, combined with the availability of funds under our worldwide credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet our working capital and debt service requirements and planned capital expenditures and dividends for at least the next 12 months.

 

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Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing of our operations for each of the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended July 31,
 
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Total cash provided by (used in):

     

Operating activities

   $ 64,346       $ 60,768   

Investing activities

     (13,485      (10,021

Financing activities

     (7,589      (41,703

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (2      (443
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 43,270       $ 8,601   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Note: See consolidated statements of cash flows included in Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

Operating Activities

Our cash and cash equivalents were $63.4 million at July 31, 2016, as compared to $20.2 million at October 31, 2015. Cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 was $64.3 million, which includes net income of $27.9 million adjusted for non-cash items totaling $29.3 million primarily related to depreciation and amortization of $22.1 million, $4.2 million in share-based compensation and an increase in LIFO reserve of $2.6 million, partially offset by a change in deferred income taxes of $1.7 million. Cash provided by operating activities includes a $0.9 million decrease in accounts receivable primarily due to less sales in the month of July 2016 as compared to the month of October 2015, a $0.8 million decrease in inventories primarily due to a reduction of quantities on hand, excluding the non-cash effects of LIFO, and a $7.5 million increase in accrued expenses primarily as a result of an increase in income taxes payable and an increase in interest accrual due to timing of payments on our 2019 notes. Cash provided by operating activities includes a $1.8 million decrease in accounts payable primarily due to lower purchases in the month of July 2016.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 was $13.5 million, resulting from capital expenditures during the period.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 was $7.6 million, resulting primarily from $2.6 million of cash dividends paid, $2.0 million in payments of withholding taxes related to our performance units, $1.6 million in principal payments on capital lease obligations, $0.9 million full and final payment of our Pennsylvania industrial loan and $0.5 million of fees paid and capitalized related to Amendment No. 2 to our credit facility.

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

Credit Facility

We maintain a credit facility with Wells Fargo. On January 29, 2016, we entered into Amendment No. 2 to the credit facility that, among other things, extended the maturity date of the credit facility from February 21, 2017 to February 1, 2019. The maximum borrowing amount remains the same at $150.0 million with a maximum for letters of credit of $20.0 million. The credit facility is secured by liens on most of our domestic assets (other than real property and equipment) and on 66% of our ownership interest in certain foreign subsidiaries.

 

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We utilize the credit facility to provide funding for operations and other corporate purposes through daily bank borrowings and/or cash repayments to ensure sufficient operating liquidity and efficient cash management. Availability at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 under the credit facility was $145.9 million and $147.1 million, respectively.

In addition to the amounts available under the credit facility, we also maintain a credit facility at our Canadian subsidiary which is used to support operations and is serviced by local cash flows from operations. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Canadian credit facility at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015. Availability under the Canadian credit facility at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 was $5.0 million Canadian dollars (US$3.8 million).

Please refer to Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our debt, including Amendment No. 2 to the credit facility.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of July 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

     For the Years Ending October 31,  
     Borrowings (1)      Interest on
Fixed
Rate
Borrowings (2)
     Capital
Leases,
Including
Amounts
Representing
Interest
     Operating
Leases
     Total
Commitments
 
     (in thousands)  

Remainder of 2016

   $ 33       $ 8,276       $ 706       $ 2,005       $ 11,020   

2017

     136         16,599         2,495         7,926         27,156   

2018

     141         16,594         2,479         6,735         25,949   

2019

     200,146         8,477         2,261         5,008         215,892   

2020

     151         84         469         3,617         4,321   

Thereafter

     2,269         140         64         9,056         11,529   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 202,876       $ 50,170       $ 8,474       $ 34,347       $ 295,867   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Borrowings include $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2019 notes and a $2.9 million ten-year mortgage note due August 2022 related to the purchase of the Company’s corporate headquarters. See Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our debt.
(2) In connection with the mortgage note on the Company’s corporate headquarters, we entered into a ten-year floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreement with TD Bank, N.A. that fixes the interest rate at 3.52% per year and matures on July 25, 2022.

In addition to the amounts reflected in the table above:

We expect to incur approximately $6.0 million of capital expenditures during the remainder of fiscal 2016.

On July 20, 2016, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share. A total dividend of $1.3 million was paid on August 16, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 1, 2016.

On August 24, 2016, we entered into the Merger Agreement with Parent, Holdings, Merger Sub and Merger Sub LLC. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Parent, Holdings, Merger Sub and Merger Sub LLC will acquire all the outstanding common stock of the Company. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not engage in any off-balance sheet financing arrangements with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Effects of Inflation

Inflation is not expected to have a significant impact on our business.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, customer rebates and incentives, allowance for doubtful accounts and income taxes. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our critical accounting policies are described in detail in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 14, 2016.

There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies during the nine months ended July 31, 2016.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Please refer to Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of new accounting pronouncements not yet effective.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We seek to minimize these risks through operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We do not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rates

The fair value of our fixed interest rate debt varies with changes in interest rates. Generally, the fair value of fixed rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. At July 31, 2016, the carrying value of our total debt was $210.8 million, all of which was fixed rate debt (2019 notes, mortgage note and capital leases). As of July 31, 2016, the estimated fair value of our 2019 notes, which had a carrying value of

 

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$200.0 million, was $202.5 million. As of July 31, 2016, the carrying value of our mortgage note and capital leases was $10.8 million which approximates fair value because the interest rates on these debt instruments approximate market yields for similar debt instruments.

Floating rate debt at July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 totaled zero. Based on the average floating rate debt outstanding during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 (our credit facility), a one-percent increase or decrease in the average interest rate during the period would have resulted in an immaterial change to interest expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2016.

Foreign Exchange

We enter into derivative financial instruments (principally foreign exchange forward contracts) to hedge intercompany transactions, trade sales and forecasted purchases. Foreign currency forward contracts reduce our exposure to the risk that the eventual cash inflows and outflows, resulting from these intercompany and third-party trade transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.

We do not use foreign currency forward contracts for speculative or trading purposes. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts with financial institutions and have not experienced nonperformance by counterparties. We anticipate performance by all counterparties to such agreements.

Commodities

We use commodity raw materials, primarily resin, and energy products in conjunction with our manufacturing process. Generally, we acquire such components at market prices and do not use financial instruments to hedge commodity prices. As a result, we are exposed to market risks related to changes in commodity prices in connection with these components.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in resin prices that could impact our results of operations and financial condition. Our resin purchasing strategy is to deal with only high-quality, dependable suppliers. We believe that we have maintained strong relationships with these key suppliers and expect that such relationships will continue into the foreseeable future. The resin market is a global market and, based on our experience, we believe that adequate quantities of plastic resins will be available to us at market prices, but we can give no assurances as to such availability or the prices thereof. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview—Market Conditions” for further discussion of market risks related to resin prices.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (together, the “Certifying Officers”), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired objectives. Also, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that

 

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misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls is based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

As of July 31, 2016, the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Certifying Officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their stated objectives and our Certifying Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of July 31, 2016 .

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended July 31, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in routine litigation in the normal course of our business. The proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties we describe in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, and in other reports filed thereafter with the SEC, before deciding to invest in or retain shares of our common stock. Other than the risk factors set forth below, we do not believe there are any material changes to the risk factors discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015.

Risks Related to the Merger

On August 24, 2016, we entered into the Merger Agreement with Parent, Holdings, Merger Sub and Merger Sub LLC, pursuant to which, among other things, the Integrated Mergers will occur. In connection with the proposed Integrated Mergers, we are subject to certain risks including, but not limited to, those set forth below. For additional information related to the Merger Agreement, refer to Note 9 of the consolidated financial statements and to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 26, 2016. The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement attached as Exhibit 2.1 to such Current Report on Form 8-K.

Completion of the Integrated Mergers is subject to various conditions which, if not satisfied, may cause the Integrated Mergers not to be completed in a timely manner or at all.

The completion of the Integrated Mergers is subject to certain conditions, including, among others, (i) the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the Integrated Mergers; (ii) the expiration or early termination of the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Integrated Mergers under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended; (iii) the absence of any law, injunction, judgment or ruling restraining, enjoining, preventing or prohibiting the consummation of the Integrated Mergers; (iv) no governmental authority having instituted any legal proceeding (which remains pending) seeking to restrain, enjoin, prevent or prohibit the Integrated Mergers; (v) unless Parent has made the Alternative Funding Election (as defined in the Merger Agreement), a registration statement on Form S-4 will have been declared effective by the SEC in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 shall have been issued by the SEC and remain in effect and no proceedings to that effect shall have been commenced or threatened by the SEC; and (vi) unless Parent has made the Alternative Funding Election, the shares of Parent common stock to be issued in the Integrated Mergers will have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.

Governmental agencies may not approve the Integrated Mergers, or may impose conditions to any such approval or require changes to the terms of the Integrated Mergers. Any such conditions or changes could have the effect of delaying completion of the Integrated Mergers, imposing costs on or limiting the revenues of the combined company following the Integrated Mergers or otherwise reducing the anticipated benefits of the Integrated Mergers. Moreover, each party’s obligation to consummate the Integrated Mergers is subject to certain other conditions, including without limitation (a) the accuracy of the other party’s representations and warranties, (b) the other party’s material compliance with its covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement, (c) there having not been since the date of the Merger Agreement a material adverse effect with respect to Company or Parent and (d) each of the Company and Parent having received written opinions from certain

 

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specified parties that the Integrated Mergers will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the tax code. However, in the event of a material adverse effect with respect to Parent or if the written tax opinion required to be delivered to the Company in connection with the Integrated Mergers cannot be delivered, Parent may elect, in its sole discretion, to pay 100% of the Merger Consideration in cash, subject to certain conditions. If the Integrated Mergers are not consummated on or before February 24, 2017 (to be extended at the election of either party to August 24, 2017 if the only condition not satisfied at such time is the receipt of required antitrust approvals) (the “End Date”), either party may terminate the Merger Agreement. As a result of these conditions, we cannot provide assurance that the Integrated Mergers will be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all.

We will continue to incur substantial transaction-related costs in connection with the Integrated Mergers.

We have incurred significant legal, advisory and financial services fees in connection with our board of directors’ review of strategic alternatives and the process of negotiating and evaluating the terms of the Integrated Mergers. We expect to continue to incur additional costs in connection with the satisfaction of the various conditions to closing, including seeking approval from our stockholders and from applicable regulatory agencies. Such costs may be material in fiscal 2016 and, subject to the timing of closing of the Integrated Mergers, fiscal 2017.

The announcement and pendency of the Integrated Mergers could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The announcement and pendency of the Integrated Mergers could cause disruptions in and create uncertainty surrounding our business, including affecting our relationships with our existing and future customers, suppliers and employees, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and internal controls, regardless of whether the Integrated Mergers are completed. In particular, we could potentially lose important personnel as a result of the departure of employees who decide to pursue other opportunities in light of the Integrated Mergers. We could also potentially lose customers or suppliers, and new customer or supplier contracts could be delayed or decreased. In addition, we have expended, and continue to expend, significant management resources in an effort to complete the Integrated Mergers, which are being diverted from our day-to-day operations.

If the Integrated Mergers are not completed and we do not complete a Superior Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement), our stock price will likely fall to the extent that the current market price of our common stock reflects an assumption that a transaction will be completed. In addition, the failure to complete the Integrated Mergers may result in negative publicity and/or a negative impression of us in the investment community, may affect our relationship with employees, customers and other partners in the business community, and may cause Parent to obtain knowledge that could be detrimental to the Company’s business.

While the Merger Agreement is in effect, we are subject to restrictions on our business activities and our pursuit of strategic alternatives.

Under the Merger Agreement, we are subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of our business and generally must operate our business in the ordinary course in all material respects prior to completing the Integrated Mergers unless we obtain the consent of Parent, which may restrict our ability to exercise certain of our business strategies. These restrictions may prevent us from entering into any new line of business outside of our existing businesses or existing business plans, making certain investments or acquisitions, selling assets, hiring or promoting key personnel, entering into or amending contractual relationships, engaging in capital expenditures in excess of certain agreed limits, incurring indebtedness or making changes to our business prior to the completion of the Integrated Mergers or termination of the Merger Agreement. These restrictions could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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In addition, the Merger Agreement also restricts our ability to solicit alternative acquisition proposals from third parties and to provide information to, and participate in discussions and engage in negotiations with, third parties regarding alternative acquisition proposals. However, prior to approval of the Integrated Mergers by our stockholders, the solicitation restrictions are subject to a customary “fiduciary-out” provision, which allows us, under certain circumstances, to provide information to, and participate in discussions and engage in negotiations with, third parties with respect to an unsolicited alternative acquisition proposal that our board of directors has determined is or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal. In addition, we will be required to pay Parent a termination fee equal to $20 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, including by us to enter into an acquisition agreement that constitutes a Superior Proposal or because our board of directors adversely changed its recommendation to stockholders to vote in favor of the Integrated Mergers or took certain other related adverse actions. We also would be required to pay Parent a termination fee equal to $20 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated due to either the failure to obtain approval of our stockholders or the conditions to close were not satisfied before the End Date, and an alternative acquisition proposal is consummated within 12 months of the termination, subject to certain conditions. These provisions limit our ability to pursue offers from third parties that could result in greater value to our stockholders than the value resulting from the Integrated Mergers. The termination fee may also discourage third parties from pursuing an alternative acquisition proposal with respect to us.

Because the market value of the Parent’s common stock that our stockholders will receive in the Integrated Mergers may fluctuate, our stockholders cannot be sure of the market value of the stock portion of the consideration that they will receive in the Integrated Mergers.

The stock portion of the Merger Consideration that some of our stockholders will receive is a fixed number of shares of Parent common stock, not a number of shares that will be determined based on a fixed market value. The market value of Parent common stock and our common stock at the effective time of the Integrated Mergers may vary significantly from their respective values on the date that the Merger Agreement was executed or at other dates, such as the date on which our stockholders vote on the approval of the Merger Agreement. Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors, including changes in the Parent’s and our respective businesses, operations or prospects, regulatory considerations, and general business, market, industry or economic conditions. The exchange ratio relating to the stock portion of the Merger Consideration will not be adjusted to reflect any changes in the market value of Parent common stock or our common stock.

If the Integrated Mergers are completed, the combined company may not be able to successfully integrate our business with Parent and therefore may not be able to realize the anticipated benefits of the Integrated Mergers.

Because a portion of the Merger Consideration consists of Parent common stock, realization of the anticipated benefits in the Integrated Mergers will depend, in part, on the combined company’s ability to successfully integrate our business with Parent. The combined company will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating its business practices and support functions. The diversion of management’s attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the Integrated Mergers and the integration of the two companies’ operations could have an adverse effect on the business, financial results, financial condition or stock price of Parent (including the combined company following the Integrated Mergers). The integration process may also result in additional and unforeseen expenses. There can be no assurance that the contemplated synergies anticipated from the Integrated Mergers will be realized.

After the completion of the Integrated Mergers, sales of Parent common stock may negatively affect its market price.

The shares of Parent common stock to be issued in the Integrated Mergers to our stockholders will generally be eligible for immediate resale. The market price of Parent common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of Parent common stock in the market after the completion of the Integrated Mergers or the perception in the market that these sales could occur.

 

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We may be the target of securities class action and derivative lawsuits which could result in substantial costs and may delay or prevent the Integrated Mergers from being completed.

Securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against companies that have entered into merger agreements. Even if the lawsuits are without merit, defending against these claims can result in substantial costs to us and divert management time and resources. Additionally, if a plaintiff is successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting consummation of the Integrated Mergers, then that injunction may delay or prevent the Integrated Mergers from being completed, which may materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial position and results of operations.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None

Item 5. Other Information

None

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit #

  

Description

  10.1*    Employment Agreement, effective as of June 8, 2016, between the Company and David Cron.
  31.1*    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2*    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1**    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2**    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS*    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

    AEP Industries Inc.
Dated: September 9, 2016     By:   / S / J. B RENDAN B ARBA
      J. Brendan Barba
      Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
Dated: September 9, 2016     By:   / S / P AUL M. F EENEY
      Paul M. Feeney
      Executive Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)

 

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