Fourth Quarter Highlights
Per Class B share⁽³⁾ : $0.67 adjusted basic earnings down 1.5%; $0.59 basic earnings down 9.2%; currency translation neutralSales decreased 4.1% on 3.4% organic declines in all Segments and 1.2% negative currency translation, offset 0.5% by acquisitions13.6% operating margin⁽¹⁾ down 60 bps compared to 2018 fourth quarterAnnual dividend increase of 5.9% effective March 17, 20202019 HighlightsPer Class B share⁽³⁾ : $2.79 adjusted basic earnings, up 2.2%; $2.68 basic earnings up 1.5%; currency translation negative $0.01Sales increased 3.1% supported by 0.7% organic sales growth, acquisitions contributed 2.7%, 0.3% negative currency translationOperating income⁽¹⁾ increased 1.5%Free cash flow from operations⁽⁴⁾ of $443.8 million for 2019, exceeded 2018 by $1.3 millionTORONTO, Feb. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CCL Industries Inc. (TSX:CCL.A) (TSX:CCL.B) (“the Company”), a world leader in specialty label, security and packaging solutions for global corporations, government institutions, small businesses and consumers, today reported fourth quarter and annual financial results for 2019.Sales for the fourth quarter of 2019 decreased 4.1% to $1,277.9 million, compared to $1,332.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, with 0.5% acquisition-related growth, offset by a 1.2% negative impact from foreign currency translation and a decline in organic sales growth of 3.4%.Operating income⁽¹⁾ for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $173.9 million compared to $189.2 million for the comparable quarter of 2018. Operating income⁽¹⁾ for the 2019 fourth quarter included a $9.6 million pension curtailment gain, associated with Company’s decision to close the legacy Innovia U.K. defined benefit pension plan.Selling, general and administrative expenses, include lower corporate costs of $13.7 million due to reduced long-term variable compensation expense for the 2019 fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2018.Restructuring and other items were $19.8 million for the 2019 fourth quarter, consisting of $13.3 million for settlement of lawsuit attributable to business practices employed by the pre-acquisition management at Checkpoint and $6.4 million of restructuring charges across all segments.  For the fourth quarter of 2018, restructuring and other items summed to $6.6 million, consisting of reorganization and acquisition transaction costs totaling $3.3 million and other expenses of $3.3 million.Tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $30.2 million compared to $35.0 million in the prior year period.  The effective tax rate for the 2019 fourth quarter was 22.8% resulting in an annual effective tax rate of 25.3% equal to the annual effective tax rate for 2018.Net earnings were $104.4 million for the 2019 fourth quarter compared to $114.2 million for the 2018 fourth quarter. Basic and adjusted basic earnings per Class B share⁽³⁾ were $0.59 and $0.67 respectively, compared to basic and adjusted basic earnings per Class B share⁽³⁾ of $0.65 and $0.68, respectively, in the prior year fourth quarter.For the year ending December 31, 2019, sales and operating income improved 3.1% and 1.5% to $5.3 billion and $787.3 million, respectively, compared to December 31, 2018. Operating income for 2019 included the aforementioned $9.6 million pension curtailment gain while 2018 operating included a $4.3 million non-cash acquisition accounting adjustment to fair value the acquired inventory from Treofan expensed through cost of sales.  The year ending December 31, 2019, included results from twelve acquisitions completed since January 1, 2018, delivering acquisition related sales growth for the period of 2.7%, coupled with organic sales growth of 0.7% and partially offset by 0.3% negative impact from foreign currency translation.   Foreign currency translation had a negative impact of $0.01 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2019, basic and adjusted basic earnings per Class B share⁽³⁾ were $2.68 and $2.79, respectively, compared to basic and adjusted basic earnings per Class B share⁽³⁾ of $2.64 and $2.73, respectively, in the prior year.Geoffrey T. Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “CCL Segment performance was mixed for the fourth quarter resulting in a modest decline for 2019.  CCL Design results continued 2019 trends with strong sales growth and significant profitability gains in electronics outweighing slower automotive markets. Home & Personal Care sales gained in some emerging markets but declines in North America and Europe more than offset although profitability improved. Slow sales of aerosols drove lower profitability for 2019. Healthcare & Specialty results declined for the quarter and year on challenging generic drug markets, especially in North America, conditions in agricultural chemicals also remained difficult; emerging markets growth a partial offset.  Food & Beverage faced difficult comparisons including near 20% organic growth in the fourth quarter of 2018.  Results declined on slower new project wins, some share loss and pricing challenges.  The same issues drove lower mid-single digit organic growth for 2019 with reduced profitability.  CCL Secure posted a strong year with double-digit sales and profitability gains although order timings affected fourth quarter comparisons.  Checkpoint had a steady quarter and year as solid organic sales growth in MAS product lines offset slower apparel label sales; profitability declined modestly for both periods excluding the settlement of the outstanding legal case.  Avery’s direct-to-consumer business continued to grow double-digit, driving the Segment’s first annual organic growth since 2015, with significantly improved profitability. Legacy product lines were stable in 2019 but seasonally slower this quarter with modestly lower profit.  Fourth quarter Innovia results declined on soft end markets and share loss in commodity films.  Annual profitability improved meaningfully in 2019 on price increases, lower resin cost, favorable U.S. dollar exchange rates on U.K. export sales and accounting gains on the closure of the U.K. pension scheme while mix improved on higher sales of security and specialty films. The first full year of the Treofan acquisition contributed positively while below pre-acquisition levels although fourth quarter performance improved over prior year.”Mr. Martin continued, “Foreign currency translation had a negligible impact for the fourth quarter and a negative $0.01 impact on earnings per Class B share for the full year 2019.  At today’s Canadian dollar exchange rates, currency translation would be a modest headwind, if sustained, for the first quarter of 2020.”Mr. Martin concluded, “The Company finished the year with a strengthened balance sheet, despite investing over $40 million in acquisitions and $336 million in capital equipment, net of disposals.  The Company’s consolidated leverage ratio⁽⁵⁾ declined to 1.61 times EBITDA⁽²⁾. Combined $704 million cash-on-hand and US$596 million undrawn capacity on our syndicated revolving credit facility gives significant liquidity to develop the Company while navigating through a period of slower global economic growth.  With a strong free cash flow outlook for 2020, the Board of Directors declared a 5.9% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.18 per Class B non-voting share and $0.1775 per Class A voting share, payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 17, 2020, to be paid on March 31, 2020.  Continued deleveraging and strategic tuck-in acquisitions remain the priority for excess cash flows in 2020.”Mr. Martin added, “We do expect temporary disruption from the coronavirus outbreak as China sales represent approximately 8% of the CCL Segment. Checkpoint also ships apparel labels to global retailer vendors located in China and manufactures the vast majority of its MAS product line in the country. Most of our plants resumed operations on February 18 after an extended Lunar Holiday.”2019 Fourth Quarter HighlightsCCLSales decreased 4.8% to $787.1 million, with 4.2% organic decline, 1.2% negative impact from currency translation and 0.6% acquisition contributionRegional organic sales growth: low-single digit gain in Latin America more than offset by low-single digit declines in North America, Europe & Asia PacificOperating income⁽¹⁾ $108.1 million, 13.7% operating margin⁽¹⁾, compared to $120.1 million, for 2018 fourth quarter. Profitability declinesLabel joint ventures added $0.02 earnings per Class B shareAverySales decreased 1.5% to $170.5 million, with 0.8% acquisition contribution offset by 1.1% negative currency translation and 1.2% organic declineOperating income⁽¹⁾ $34.9 million, 20.5% operating margin⁽¹⁾, compared to $36.0 million for the 2018 fourth quarter, strong return in direct-to-consumer channels offset by modest declines in legacy product categoriesCheckpointSales up 1.9% to $192.8 million, on organic growth of 3.6%, partially offset by 1.7% negative currency translationMAS gains offset slower apparel label marketsOperating income⁽¹⁾ $25.0 million, 13.0% operating margin⁽¹⁾, compared to $25.4 million, for 2018 fourth quarterInnoviaSales decreased to $127.5 million with 11.0% organic decline on soft end markets and exits from commodity gradesOperating income⁽¹⁾ $5.9 million compared to $7.7 million for 2018 fourth quarterCCL will hold a conference call at 7:30 a.m. EST on February 21, 2020, to discuss these results.The analyst presentation will be posted on the Company’s website.To access this call, please dial:1-844-347-1036 Toll Free
1-209-905-5911 International Dial-In Number
Optional Conference Passcode: 5185575Audio replay service will be available from February 21, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. EST until March 8, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. EDT.To access Conference Replay, please dial:
1-855-859-2056 Toll Free  
1-404-537-3406 International Dial-In Number
Conference Passcode: 5185575For more information on CCL, visit our website – www.cclind.com or contact:Forward-looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (hereinafter collectively referred to as “forward-looking statements”), as defined under applicable securities laws, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include all statements that are predictive in nature or depend on future events or conditions.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans” or similar expressions. Statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, priorities, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook of the Company, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the anticipated growth in sales, the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the 2020 first quarter; income and profitability of the Company’s segments; and the Company’s expectations regarding general business and economic conditions.Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties relating to future events and conditions including, but not limited to, the impact of competition; consumer confidence and spending preferences; general economic and geopolitical conditions; currency exchange rates; interest rates and credit availability; technological change; changes in government regulations; risks associated with operating and product hazards; and the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements as the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are also based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about the following: global economic environment and higher consumer spending; improved customer demand for the Company’s products; continued historical growth trends, market growth in specific sectors and entering into new sectors; the Company’s ability to provide a wide range of products to multinational customers on a global basis; the benefits of the Company’s focused strategies and operational approach; the achievement of the Company’s plans for improved efficiency and lower costs, including stable aluminum costs;  the availability of cash and credit;  fluctuations of currency exchange rates; fluctuations in resin prices; the Company’s continued relations with its customers; the Company’s estimated annual cost reductions and financial impact from the restructuring of the Checkpoint and Innovia acquisitions; and economic conditions. Should one or more risks materialize or should any assumptions prove incorrect, then actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.  Further details on key risks can be found in the 2019 Annual Report, Management’s Discussion and Analysis, particularly under Section 4: “Risks and Uncertainties.” CCL Industries Inc.’s annual and quarterly reports can be found online at www.cclind.com and www.sedar.com or are available upon request.Except as otherwise indicated, forward-looking statements do not take into account the effect that transactions or non-recurring or other special items announced or occurring after the statements are made may have on the Company’s business. Such statements do not, unless otherwise specified by the Company, reflect the impact of dispositions, sales of assets, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or transactions, asset write-downs or other charges announced or occurring after forward-looking statements are made. The financial impact of these transactions and non-recurring and other special items can be complex and depends on the facts particular to each of them and therefore cannot be described in a meaningful way in advance of knowing specific facts. The forward-looking statements are provided as of the date of this press release and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.The financial information presented herein has been prepared on the basis of IFRS for financial statements and is expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.


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