kaiform8k2232011.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
______________________________________________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 23, 2011


KADANT INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



Delaware
1-11406
52-1762325
(State or Other Jurisdiction
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)
 
Identification No.)

One Technology Park Drive
   
Westford, Massachusetts
 
01886
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(978) 776-2000
Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Not Applicable
 (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 

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

 
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
 

 
KADANT INC.

Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 23, 2011, Kadant Inc. (the “Company”) announced its financial results for fiscal quarter and year ended January 1, 2011. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
 
Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
 
(c) Exhibit
 
   
 
The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished and not filed.
     
 
Exhibit
    No           
 
Description of Exhibit
     
 
    99
Press Release issued by the Company on February 23, 2011
     



 
2

 
KADANT INC.

SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.
 

   
KADANT INC.
 
     
Date:  February 23, 2011
                 By
/s/ Thomas M. O’Brien 
   
Thomas M. O’Brien
Executive Vice President and
   Chief Financial Officer


 




 
3

 

kaiform8kexhibit992232011.htm
Exhibit 99
NEWS
 
[LOGO]                                                                                                                                             0;             
KADANT
AN ACCENT ON INNOVATION
One Technology Park Drive
Westford, MA 01886

Investor contact: Thomas M. O’Brien, 978-776-2000                                                  
Media contact: Wes Martz, 269-278-1715

Kadant Reports 2010 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
and Provides Financial Guidance for 2011

 
WESTFORD, Mass., February 23, 2011 – Kadant Inc. (NYSE:KAI) reported revenues from continuing operations of $73.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase of $16.5 million, or 29 percent, compared with $56.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010 included a $1.1 million, or 2 percent, decrease from foreign currency translation. Operating income from continuing operations was $6.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, which included a $0.1 million restructuring charge. Operating loss from continuing operations was $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, which included a $2.1 million restructuring charge. Net income from continuing operations was $5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, or $.41 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.7 million, or $.14 per diluted share , in the fourth quarter of 2009. Net loss from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2009 included a $1.4 million charge related to discrete tax items and a $1.4 million after-tax restructuring charge.
 
For full-year 2010, Kadant reported revenues from continuing operations of $270.0 million, an increase of $44.4 million, or 20 percent, compared with $225.6 million in 2009. Revenues for 2010 included a $0.9 million decrease from foreign currency translation. Operating income from continuing operations was $24.9 million in 2010, including a $1.0 million gain, compared to an operating loss of $0.5 million in 2009, which included a $4.4 million restructuring charge. Net income from continuing operations was $18.4 million in 2010, or $1.48 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.9 million, or $.48 per diluted share, in 2009. Net income from continuing operations in 2010 included a $0.9 million after-tax gain. Net loss from continuing operations in 2009 included a $4.6 million charge related to discrete tax items and a $2.9 million a fter-tax restructuring charge.
 
“Our full year results represent an extraordinary rebound from 2009, capped off by a strong fourth quarter,” said Jonathan W. Painter, president and chief executive officer of Kadant. “Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $.41 in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to our guidance of $.26 to $.28. The increase was primarily due to higher revenues, especially in our stock preparation product line, and to better operating leverage.
 
“Revenues of $73.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 were up 29 percent compared to last year and increased 10 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010. The increases were broadly based across all our major geographic territories and were especially strong in China, where revenues of $12.3 million nearly doubled over the fourth quarter of 2009. Operating income of $6.7 million was 9 percent of revenues, and operating cash flows were $13.8 million, one of the highest quarterly results in the Company’s history. We ended the quarter with $61.8 million in cash and $22.7 million in total debt for a net cash position of $39.1 million.
 
“Importantly, we had an exceptionally strong quarter in bookings. Consolidated bookings of nearly $100 million were up 55 percent over last year’s fourth quarter, and improved 71 percent on a sequential basis. The bookings increases were also broadly based and included an outstanding performance in China, where bookings of $35.9 million more than quadrupled over the fourth quarter of 2009. Worldwide stock preparation bookings of $53.0 million were one of the highest we’ve ever achieved in this product line.
 
-more-
 
 
 

 
“The backlog at the end of the year was $94.3 million, an increase of 53 percent over last year, giving us an excellent start to 2011. Nevertheless, some of this backlog represents larger stock-preparation systems, particularly in China, which are scheduled to ship in the second half of the year and typically carry lower than average gross margins. As such, we are expecting GAAP diluted EPS of $1.65 to $1.75 in 2011 on revenues of $300 to $310 million. For the first quarter of 2011, we expect to achieve GAAP diluted EPS of $.35 to $.37 on revenues of $71 to $73 million.”
 
Conference Call

Kadant will hold a webcast with a slide presentation for investors on Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 11 a.m. eastern time to discuss its fourth quarter and full-year performance, as well as future expectations. To view the webcast, go to www.kadant.com and click on the “Investors” tab. To listen to the webcast via teleconference, call 866-510-0708 within the U.S., or +1-617-597-5377 outside the U.S and reference participant passcode 83375884. An archive of the webcast presentation will be available on our Web site until March 25, 2011.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including increases or decreases in revenues excluding the effect of foreign currency translation, adjusted operating income, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), and adjusted EBITDA.

We present increases or decreases in revenues excluding the effect of foreign currency translation to provide investors insight into underlying revenue trends. In addition, we exclude from certain financial measures restructuring costs and certain gains and losses to give investors additional insight into our quarterly and annual operating performance, especially when compared to quarters in which such items had greater or lesser effect, or no effect. In addition, these items are excluded as they are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any regularity or predictability and we believe are not indicative of our normal operating results.

We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our core business, operating results, or future outlook. We believe that the inclusion of such measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of our underlying operating performance and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts our performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts and to the performance of our competitors. Such measures are also used by us in our financial and operating decision-making and for compensation purposes. We also believe this information is responsi ve to investors' requests and gives them an additional measure of our performance.

The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for the results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release have limitations associated with their use as compared to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, in that they may be different from, and therefore not comparable to, similar measures used by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income exclude pre-tax restructuring costs of $0.1 million and $2.1 million in the three-month periods ended January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income exclude pre-tax gains of $1.0 million in the twelve-month period ended January 1, 2011 and pre-tax restructuring costs of $4.4 million in the twelve-month period ended January 2, 2010.

Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in this press release.

-more-

 
 


 
                         
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
                       
(In thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)
                   
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
Consolidated Statement of Operations
 
           Jan. 1, 2011
 
             Jan. 2, 2010
 
Jan. 1, 2011
   
Jan. 2, 2010
 
                         
Revenues
  $ 73,256     $ 56,760     $ 270,029     $ 225,565  
                                 
Costs and Operating Expenses:
                               
Cost of revenues
    42,176       33,318       151,604       134,759  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    22,942       20,219       89,212       81,229  
Research and development expenses
    1,365       1,371       5,269       5,622  
Restructuring costs and other income, net (a)
    66       2,146       (1,005 )     4,429  
      66,549       57,054       245,080       226,039  
                                 
Operating Income (Loss)
    6,707       (294 )     24,949       (474 )
Interest Income
    90       39       214       387  
Interest Expense
    (307 )     (378 )     (1,315 )     (2,171 )
                                 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Provision
                         
for Income Taxes
    6,490       (633 )     23,848       (2,258 )
Provision for Income Taxes
    1,334       1,096       5,198       3,692  
                                 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    5,156       (1,729 )     18,650       (5,950 )
                                 
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax (b)
    112       (4 )     98       (18 )
                                 
Net Income (Loss)
    5,268       (1,733 )     18,748       (5,968 )
                                 
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
    (89 )     12       (241 )     44  
                                 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Kadant
  $ 5,179     $ (1,721 )   $ 18,507     $ (5,924 )
                                 
Amounts Attributable to Kadant:
                               
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
  $ 5,067     $ (1,717 )   $ 18,409     $ (5,906 )
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax (b)
    112       (4 )     98       (18 )
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Kadant
  $ 5,179     $ (1,721 )   $ 18,507     $ (5,924 )
                                 
Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations
                               
Attributable to Kadant:
                               
Basic
  $ .42     $ (.14 )   $ 1.49     $ (.48 )
Diluted
  $ .41     $ (.14 )   $ 1.48     $ (.48 )
                                 
Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to Kadant:
                               
Basic
  $ .42     $ (.14 )   $ 1.50     $ (.48 )
Diluted
  $ .42     $ (.14 )   $ 1.48     $ (.48 )
                                 
                                 
Weighted Average Shares
                               
Basic
    12,186       12,282       12,339       12,331  
                                 
Diluted
    12,335       12,282       12,466       12,331  
                                 
                           
Increase
 
                           
Excluding Effect
 
   
Three Months Ended
           
of Currency
 
Revenues by Product Line
 
            Jan. 1, 2011
 
              Jan. 2, 2010
 
Increase
   
Translation (c,e)
 
                                 
Stock-Preparation Equipment
  $ 28,928     $ 20,440     $ 8,488     $ 9,116  
Fluid-Handling
    21,570       17,296       4,274       4,506  
Accessories
    13,812       11,576       2,236       2,445  
Water-Management
    6,584       5,501       1,083       1,111  
Other
    603       456       147       117  
                                 
    Pulp and Papermaking Systems Segment
    71,497       55,269       16,228       17,295  
Other (d)
    1,759       1,491       268       268  
                                 
    $ 73,256     $ 56,760     $ 16,496     $ 17,563  
                                 
                           
Increase
 
                           
Excluding Effect
 
   
Twelve Months Ended
           
of Currency
 
   
             Jan. 1, 2011
 
           Jan. 2, 2010
 
Increase
   
Translation (c,e)
 
                                 
Stock-Preparation Equipment
  $ 95,542     $ 85,731     $ 9,811     $ 11,377  
Fluid-Handling
    83,302       63,930       19,372       19,013  
Accessories
    51,290       45,895       5,395       5,420  
Water-Management
    28,570       20,273       8,297       8,159  
Other
    2,484       1,778       706       551  
                                 
    Pulp and Papermaking Systems Segment
    261,188       217,607       43,581       44,520  
Other (d)
    8,841       7,958       883       883  
                                 
    $ 270,029     $ 225,565     $ 44,464     $ 45,403  
                                 
                                                                                                                                                                           60;                    -more-
 
 

 
                     
Increase
 
                     
(Decrease)
                     
Excluding Effect
   
Three Months Ended
   
Increase
   
of Currency
 
Sequential Revenues by Product Line
 
             Jan. 1, 2011
 
            Oct. 2, 2010
 
(Decrease)
   
Translation (c,e)
                         
Stock-Preparation Equipment
  $ 28,928     $ 23,855     $ 5,073     $ 4,420  
Fluid-Handling
    21,570       21,597       (27 )     306  
Accessories
    13,812       12,272       1,540       1,287  
Water-Management
    6,584       6,915       (331 )     (417 )
Other
    603       630       (27 )     (46 )
                                 
    Pulp and Papermaking Systems Segment
    71,497       65,269       6,228       5,550  
Other (d)
    1,759       1,247       512       512  
                                 
    $ 73,256     $ 66,516     $ 6,740     $ 6,062  
                                 
                           
Increase
 
                           
Excluding Effect
   
Three Months Ended
           
of Currency
 
Revenues by Geography (f)
 
              Jan. 1, 2011
 
           Jan. 2, 2010
 
Increase
   
Translation (c,e)
                                 
North America
  $ 33,392     $ 26,894     $ 6,498     $ 6,235  
Europe
    22,998       20,111       2,887       4,645  
China
    12,339       6,220       6,119       5,777  
South America
    2,317       1,660       657       607  
Australia
    451       384       67       31  
                                 
    Pulp and Papermaking Systems Segment
  $ 71,497     $ 55,269     $ 16,228     $ 17,295  
                                 
                           
Increase
 
                           
(Decrease)
                           
Excluding Effect
   
Twelve Months Ended
           
of Currency
 
   
            Jan. 1, 2011
 
            Jan. 2, 2010
 
Increase
   
Translation (c,e)
                                 
North America
  $ 129,498     $ 103,965     $ 25,533     $ 23,980  
Europe
    85,474       84,228       1,246       5,063  
China
    37,087       22,361       14,726       14,246  
South America
    7,152       5,090       2,062       1,467  
Australia
    1,977       1,963       14       (236 )
                                 
    Pulp and Papermaking Systems Segment
  $ 261,188     $ 217,607     $ 43,581     $ 44,520  
                                 
                           
Increase
 
                           
(Decrease)
                           
Excluding Effect
   
Three Months Ended
   
Increase
   
of Currency
 
Sequential Revenues by Geography (f)
 
             Jan. 1, 2011
 
            Oct. 2, 2010
 
(Decrease)
   
Translation (c,e)
                                 
North America
  $ 33,392     $ 30,486     $ 2,906     $ 2,743  
Europe
    22,998       21,110       1,888       1,729  
China
    12,339       10,893       1,446       1,178  
South America
    2,317       2,118       199       149  
Australia
    451       662       (211 )     (249 )
                                 
    Pulp and Papermaking Systems Segment
  $ 71,497     $ 65,269     $ 6,228     $ 5,550  
                                 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
Business Segment Information (d)
 
           Jan. 1, 2011
 
              Jan. 2, 2010
 
Jan. 1, 2011
   
            Jan. 2, 2010
                                 
Gross Profit Margin:
                               
Pulp and Papermaking Systems
    42 %     42 %     44 %     40 %
Other
    42 %     31 %     46 %     35 %
                                 
      42 %     41 %     44 %     40 %
                                 
Operating Income (Loss):
                               
Pulp and Papermaking Systems
  $ 9,981     $ 2,723     $ 37,281     $ 10,203  
Corporate and Other
    (3,274 )     (3,017 )     (12,332 )     (10,677 )
                                 
    $ 6,707     $ (294 )   $ 24,949     $ (474 )
                                 
Adjusted Operating Income (e,g):
                               
Pulp and Papermaking Systems
  $ 10,047     $ 4,869     $ 36,276     $ 14,632  
Corporate and Other
    (3,274 )     (3,017 )     (12,332 )     (10,677 )
                                 
    $ 6,773     $ 1,852     $ 23,944     $ 3,955  
                                 
                                                                                                                                                                           60;                          -more-

 
 
 

 
 

   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
Business Segment Information (continued) (d)
 
               Jan. 1, 2011
 
       Jan. 2, 2010
 
             Jan. 1, 2011
 
             Jan. 2, 2010
 
                         
Bookings from Continuing Operations:
                       
Pulp and Papermaking Systems
  $ 97,037     $ 61,898     $ 293,749     $ 213,376  
Other
    2,799       2,326       8,932       8,958  
                                 
    $ 99,836     $ 64,224     $ 302,681     $ 222,334  
                                 
Capital Expenditures from Continuing Operations:
                               
Pulp and Papermaking Systems
  $ 1,312     $ 368     $ 3,022     $ 2,529  
Corporate and Other
    61       57       386       275  
                                 
    $ 1,373     $ 425     $ 3,408     $ 2,804  
                                 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
Cash Flow and Other Data from Continuing Operations
 
              Jan. 1, 2011
 
           Jan. 2, 2010
 
            Jan. 1, 2011
 
Jan. 2, 2010
 
                                 
Cash Provided by Operations
  $ 13,843     $ 11,352     $ 28,263     $ 43,116  
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
    1,947       1,853       7,228       7,448  
                                 
Balance Sheet Data
                 
Jan. 1, 2011
   
Jan. 2, 2010
 
                                 
Assets
                               
Cash and Cash Equivalents
                  $ 61,805     $ 45,675  
Accounts Receivable, net
                    49,897       36,436  
Inventories
                    41,628       37,435  
Unbilled Contract Costs and Fees
                    875       3,370  
Other Current Assets
                    9,402       8,355  
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
                    36,911       38,415  
Intangible Assets
                    26,793       28,071  
Goodwill
                    97,988       97,622  
Other Assets
                    11,473       12,277  
                                 
                    $ 336,772     $ 307,656  
Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment
                               
Accounts Payable
                  $ 23,756     $ 17,612  
Short- and Long-term Debt
                    22,750       23,250  
Other Liabilities
                    82,965       72,763  
                                 
Total Liabilities
                  $ 129,471     $ 113,625  
Shareholders' Investment
                  $ 207,301     $ 194,031  
                                 
                    $ 336,772     $ 307,656  
                                 
Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA
 
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
Reconciliation
 
            Jan. 1, 2011
 
           Jan. 2, 2010
 
          Jan. 1, 2011
 
Jan. 2, 2010
 
                                 
Consolidated
                               
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Kadant
  $ 5,179     $ (1,721 )   $ 18,507     $ (5,924 )
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
    89       (12 )     241       (44 )
(Income) Loss from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax (b)
    (112 )     4       (98 )     18  
Provision for Income Taxes
    1,334       1,096       5,198       3,692  
Interest Expense, net
    217       339       1,101       1,784  
Restructuring Costs and Other Income, Net (a)
    66       2,146       (1,005 )     4,429  
                                 
Adjusted Operating Income (e)
    6,773       1,852       23,944       3,955  
Depreciation and Amortization
    1,947       1,853       7,228       7,448  
                                 
Adjusted EBITDA (e)
  $ 8,720     $ 3,705     $ 31,172     $ 11,403  
                                 
Pulp and Papermaking Systems
                               
GAAP Operating Income
  $ 9,981     $ 2,723     $ 37,281     $ 10,203  
Restructuring Costs and Other Income, Net (a)
    66       2,146       (1,005 )     4,429  
                                 
Adjusted Operating Income (e)
    10,047       4,869       36,276       14,632  
Depreciation and Amortization
    1,820       1,732       6,750       6,984  
                                 
Adjusted EBITDA (e)
  $ 11,867     $ 6,601     $ 43,026     $ 21,616  
                                 
Corporate and Other (d)
                               
GAAP Operating Loss
  $ (3,274 )   $ (3,017 )   $ (12,332 )   $ (10,677 )
Depreciation and Amortization
    127       121       478       464  
                                 
EBITDA (e)
  $ (3,147 )   $ (2,896 )   $ (11,854 )   $ (10,213 )

 
(a)
Includes restructuring costs of $66 and $2,146 in the three-month periods ended January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010,
   
respectively. Includes gains from the sale of assets and pension curtailment of $1,252, offset by restructuring costs of $247
   
in the twelve-month period ended January 1, 2011, and restructuring costs of $4,429 in the twelve-month period ended
   
   
January 2, 2010.
             
                   
(b)
Includes tax benefits of $157 and $2 in the three-month periods ended January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010, respectively, and
   
$164 and $10 in the twelve-month periods ended January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010, respectively.

                                                                                                                                                                           60;                   -more-
 
 

 
(c)
Represents the increase (decrease) resulting from the conversion of current period amounts reported in local currencies into
   
U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of the prior period compared to the U.S. dollar amount reported in the prior period.
                   
(d)
"Other" includes the results from our Fiber-based Products business.
       
                   
(e)
Represents a non-GAAP financial measure.
             
                   
(f)
Geographic revenues data is attributed to regions based on selling locations. For North America and China, this also
   
approximates revenues based on where the equipment is shipped to and installed. Our European geographic data, however,
   
includes revenues shipped to and installed outside of Europe, including South America, Africa, the Middle East, and certain
   
countries in Southeast Asia (excluding China).
             
                   
(g)
See reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure under Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted
   
EBITDA Reconciliation.
             

 
About Kadant

Kadant Inc. is a leading supplier to the global pulp and paper industry, with a range of products and systems for improving efficiency and quality in pulp and paper production, including stock preparation, fluid handling, paper machine accessories, and water management equipment. Our fluid-handling products are also used to optimize production in the steel, rubber, plastics, food, chemical, and other process industries. In addition, we produce granules from papermaking byproducts for agricultural and lawn and garden applications. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with revenues of $270 million in 2010 and 1,600 employees in 16 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com.

The following constitutes a “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including forward-looking statements about our expected future financial and operating performance, demand for our products, and economic and industry outlook. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such statements include risks and uncertainties set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Kadant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 2, 2010 and risks and uncertainties relating to our dependence on the pulp and paper industry; poor relations with a major paper producer in China; significance of sales and operation of manufacturing facilities in China; our ability to expand capacity in China to meet demand; international sales and operations; competition; soundness of suppliers and customers; our debt obligations; restrictions in our credit agreement; soundness of financial institutions; litigation and warranty costs related to our discontinued operation; our acquisition strategy; future restructurings; factors influencing our fiber-based products business; protection of patents and proprietary rights; fluctuations in our share price; and anti-takeover provisions. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

###