CCL Industries Announces 2024 Third Quarter Results

Third Quarter Highlights

• Per Class B share(3): $1.09 adjusted basic earnings up 14.7%; $1.08 basic earnings up 13.7%; currency translation negative $0.01 per share

• Sales increased 9.4% on 6.9% organic growth, 1.8% acquisition growth and 0.7% positive currency translation

• CCL, Avery, Checkpoint and Innovia posted organic sales growth of 4.9%, 3.0%, 14.5% and 18.0%, respectively

• Operating income(1) improved 12.8%, with a 15.6% operating margin(1) up 50 bps

Nine-Month Highlights

• Per Class B share(3): $3.30 adjusted basic earnings up 18.3%; $3.72 basic earnings up 34.3%; $0.44 revaluation gain included in basic earnings; currency translation negative $0.01 per share

• Sales increased 8.9% on 5.8% organic growth, 2.6% acquisition growth and 0.5% positive currency translation

• Operating income(1) improved 15.7%, with a 16.1% operating margin(1) up 90 bps

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 13, 2024 / 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 2024 third quarter results.

Sales for the third quarter of 2024 increased 9.4% to $1,849.7 million compared to $1,690.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, with an organic growth rate of 6.9%, acquisition-related growth of 1.8% and a 0.7% positive impact from foreign currency translation.

Operating income(1) for the third quarter of 2024 improved 12.8% to $288.9 million compared to $256.1 million for the comparable quarter of 2023. Foreign currency translation had a 0.1% negative impact on operating income for the comparable quarter.

The Company recorded expenses for restructuring and other items of $2.2 million, primarily due to severance charges for operational restructuring in the CCL Segment and transaction costs associated with the Pacman acquisition.

Tax expense for the third quarter of 2024 was $61.4 million compared to $53.3 million in the prior year period. The effective tax rate for the 2024 third quarter and 2023 third quarter was 24.5%.

Net earnings increased 13.4% to $191.7 million for the 2024 third quarter compared to $169.1 million for the 2023 third quarter. Basic and adjusted basic earnings per Class B share (3) were $1.08 and $1.09, respectively, for the 2024 third quarter, compared to basic and adjusted basic earnings per Class B share (3) of $0.95, in the prior year third quarter.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, sales, operating income(1) and net earnings improved 8.9%, 15.7% and 35.0% to $5.4 billion, $874.4 million and $663.3 million, respectively, compared to the same nine-month period in 2023. Net earnings for the 2024 nine-month period included a $78.1 million non-cash revaluation gain in conjunction with the acquisition of the final 50% interest of Pacman-CCL in June 2024. The 2024 nine-month period included results from nine acquisitions completed since January 1, 2023, delivering acquisition-related sales growth of 2.6%. Organic sales growth was 5.8% and foreign currency translation had a positive 0.5% impact. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, basic and adjusted basic earnings per Class B share (3) were $3.72 and $3.30, respectively, compared to basic and adjusted basic earnings per Class B share (3) of $2.77 and $2.79, respectively, in the prior year nine-month period. Foreign currency translation had a negative $0.01 impact on earnings per share.

Geoffrey T. Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The Company posted another strong quarter with organic sales growth in all segments driving a robust 14.7% gain in adjusted basic earnings to $1.09 per Class B share."

Mr. Martin stated, "Sales increased 4.9% organically in the CCL Segment with gains in all end markets except CCL Secure. Home and Personal Care sales increased with correspondingly strong profitability improvements for North America, Europe and Latin America offsetting weakness in China and parts of ASEAN. Results in the Middle East for the Pacman acquisition, in its first fully consolidated quarter, exceeded expectations. Food & Beverage posted good growth, but profitability declined slightly after new plant start-up costs. Healthcare & Specialty profitability declined modestly, with demand strength in recovering Ag-Chem markets offset by lower sales in pressure sensitive applications in Healthcare North America and Europe as well as start-up costs for new plants across the business. Rebounding demand and new business wins in electronics markets throughout Asia and Mexico, drove very significant results improvement for CCL Design, including modest progress in automotive markets. As expected, CCL Secure sales and profitability declined appreciably compared to a strong 2023 third quarter."

Mr. Martin continued, "Avery posted good profitability improvement, driven by solid demand in the Direct-to-Consumer badging, RFID wristband and card businesses globally. Checkpoint posted solid results in all MAS markets except Latin America, negatively impacted by foreign currency exchange. ALS continued to deliver exceptional results on significant organic sales growth, both in RFID and traditional product categories, as retailer inventories normalize. Innovia performance also improved dramatically on demand recovery in the label materials industry, volume gains for the new EcoFloat product line and strong operating performance in the Americas with the benefits from the closure of the Belgian facility to come in Europe and Australia."

Mr. Martin added, "So far, fourth quarter outlooks for Checkpoint and Innovia remain encouraging and Avery stable but parts of the CCL Segment face significantly tougher comparisons in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment with the consumer somewhat stressed. Foreign currency translation had a negative $0.01 impact on earnings per Class B share for the third quarter of 2024 but is expected to be a modest tailwind for the balance of the 2024 year, if sustained."

Mr. Martin concluded, "Despite buying back just over 1.28 million shares at a cost of $100 million, the Company finished the quarter with a strong balance sheet and robust liquidity. The Company's consolidated leverage ratio (5) at 1.14 times Adjusted EBITDA (2) with $759.6 million of cash-on-hand and US$0.9 billion undrawn capacity on its syndicated revolving credit facility, leaves us well placed to fund global expansion initiatives. The Board of Directors declared the quarterly dividend at $0.29 per Class B non-voting share and $0.2875 per Class A voting share, payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2024, to be paid on December 30, 2024."

2024 Third Quarter Highlights

CCL

• Sales increased 8.3% to $1,152.5 million, on 4.9% organic growth, 2.9% acquisition contribution and 0.5% positive impact from foreign currency translation

• Regional organic sales growth: mid-single digit Europe, high-single digit Latin America, double digit Asia Pacific and up slightly for North America

• Operating income(1) $179.2 million, increased 5.6%, 15.5% operating margin(1), down 40 bps

• Label joint venture added $0.02 earnings per Class B share

Avery

• Sales increased 3.8% to $279.7 million, on 3.0% organic growth and 0.8% positive impact from foreign currency translation

• Operating income (1) $55.2 million, up 8.9%, 19.7% operating margin(1), up 90 bps

Checkpoint

• Sales increased 14.5% to $240.5 million entirely on organic growth with the impact from foreign currency translation benign

• Operating income (1) $36.7 million, up 27.4%, 15.3% operating margin(1), up 160 bps

Innovia

• Sales increased 21.0% to $177.0 million on 18.0% organic growth and 3.0% positive impact from foreign currency translation

• Operating income(1) $17.8 million, up 158.0%, 10.1% operating margin(1), up 540 bps

The Company will host a live webcast at 8:00 a.m. ET on November 14, 2024, to discuss these results.

The quarterly results review presentation, including outlook commentary, are posted on the Company's website at https://www.cclind.com/investors/investor-presentations/

To access the webcast or webcast replay, please use the following webcast link: https://www.webcaster4.com/webcast/page/2807/51447

To access the audio/listen only live webcast, please use the following numbers:

Toll Free: 877-545-0320
International: 973-528-0002
Conference Entry Code (CEC): 916920

Replay for the webcast will be available Thursday, November 14, 2024, until Sunday, December 15, 2024.

For more information on CCL, visit our website - www.cclind.com or contact:

Sean Washchuk
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
416-756-8526

Forward-looking Statements

This 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 geopolitical uncertainties around the world; impact of foreign exchange rates on the 2024 year; 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; 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 2023 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.sedarplus.ca 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 Accounting Standards ("IFRS") and is expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

Financial Information

CCL Industries Inc.
Consolidated condensed interim statements of financial position
Unaudited

CCL Industries Inc.
Consolidated condensed interim income statements
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CCL Industries Inc.
Consolidated condensed interim statements of cash flows
Unaudited

CCL Industries Inc.
Segment Information
Unaudited

In millions of Canadian dollars

Non-IFRS Measures

(1) Operating income and operating income margin are key non-IFRS financial measures used to assist in understanding the profitability of the Company's business units. Operating income is defined as earnings before corporate expenses, net finance cost, goodwill impairment loss, earnings in equity accounted investments, restructuring and other items, revaluation gains, and taxes. Operating income margin, also known as return on sales, is defined as operating income over sales.

(2) Adjusted EBITDA is a critical non-IFRS financial measure used extensively in the packaging industry and other industries to assist in understanding and measuring operating results. Adjusted EBITDA is also considered as a proxy for cash flow and a facilitator for business valuations. This non-IFRS financial measure is defined as earnings before net finance cost, taxes, depreciation and amortization, goodwill impairment loss, non-cash acquisition accounting adjustments to inventory, earnings in equity accounted investments, revaluation gains and restructuring and other items. Calculations are provided below to reconcile operating income to Adjusted EBITDA. The Company believes that this is an important measure as it allows management to assess the ongoing business without the impact of net finance cost, depreciation and amortization and income tax expenses, as well as non-operating factors and one-time items. As a proxy for cash flow, it is intended to indicate the Company's ability to incur or service debt and to invest in property, plant and equipment, and it allows management to compare the business to those of the Company's peers and competitors who may have different capital or organizational structures. Adjusted EBITDA is tracked by financial analysts and investors to evaluate financial performance and is a key metric in business valuations. It is considered an important measure by lenders to the Company and is included in the financial covenants included in the senior notes and bank lines of credit.

Reconciliation of operating income to Adjusted EBITDA

(3) Adjusted basic earnings per Class B share is an important non-IFRS measure to assist in understanding the ongoing earnings performance of the Company excluding items of a one-time or non-recurring nature. It is not considered a substitute for basic net earnings per Class B share but it does provide additional insight into the ongoing financial results of the Company. This non-IFRS financial measure is defined as basic net earnings per Class B share excluding gains on business dispositions, goodwill impairment loss, non-cash acquisition accounting adjustments to inventory, restructuring and other items, revaluation gains, and tax adjustments.

Reconciliation of Basic Earnings per Class B Share to Adjusted Basic Earnings per Class B Share

Unaudited

(4) Free Cash Flow from Operations - A measure indicating the relative amount of cash generated by the Company during the year and available to fund dividends, debt repayments, share buy-backs and acquisitions. It is calculated as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment.

The following table reconciles the measure of free cash flow from operations to IFRS measures reported in the consolidated condensed interim statements of cash flows for the periods ended as indicated.

(5) Leverage ratio is a measure that indicates the Company's ability to service its existing debt. Leverage ratio is calculated as net debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA.

Supplemental Financial Information

Sales Change Analysis
Revenue Growth Rates (%)

Business Description

CCL Industries Inc. employs approximately 26,000 people operating 213 production facilities in 43 countries with corporate offices in Toronto, Canada, and Framingham, Massachusetts. CCL is the world's largest converter of pressure sensitive and specialty extruded film materials for a wide range of decorative, instructional, functional and security applications for government institutions and large global customers in the consumer packaging, healthcare & chemicals, consumer electronic device and automotive markets. Extruded & laminated plastic tubes, aluminum aerosols & specialty bottles, folded instructional leaflets, precision decorated & die cut components, electronic displays, polymer banknote substrate and other complementary products and services are sold in parallel to specific end-use markets. Avery is the world's largest supplier of labels, specialty converted media and software solutions for short-run digital printing applications for businesses and consumers available alongside complementary products sold through distributors, mass market stores and e-commerce retailers. Checkpoint is a leading developer of RF and RFID based technology systems for loss prevention and inventory management applications, including labeling and tagging solutions, for the retail and apparel industries worldwide. Innovia is a leading global producer of specialty, high performance, multi-layer, surface engineered films for label, packaging and security applications. The Company is partly backward integrated into materials science with capabilities in polymer extrusion, adhesive development, coating & lamination, surface engineering and metallurgy; deployed as needed across the four business segments.

SOURCE: CCL Industries Inc.