Courier Reports Second-Quarter Results

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NORTH CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Courier Corporation CRRC, a leader in digital printing, publishing and content management in the United States, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 28, 2015, the second quarter of its 2015 fiscal year.

Revenues in the quarter were $61 million, even with last year's second quarter. For the quarter, the company reported a loss of $15.6 million or $1.37 per diluted share, including transaction costs of approximately $13 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, associated with the pending acquisition of Courier by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company RRD and the terminated agreement with Quad/Graphics, Inc. These costs include a $10 million termination fee paid to Quad/Graphics for which the company was reimbursed by R.R. Donnelley. For accounting purposes, the $10 million reimbursement will not be recognized in income until the transaction with R.R. Donnelley closes. Results also include $200,000, or $.01 per diluted share, of losses on foreign currency translation associated with a recently acquired Brazilian-based digital printer, as well as a net impairment charge of $434,000, or $.01 per diluted share, related to FastPencil, a business the company sold shortly after the close of the quarter. Excluding these costs, the second quarter loss was $2.4 million or $.21 per diluted share. In fiscal 2014, Courier reported a second-quarter loss from continuing operations of $2.6 million or $.23 per diluted share, which included a net impairment charge for FastPencil of $1.9 million, or $.17 per diluted share.

For the first six months of fiscal 2015, Courier revenues were $127 million, down 4% from $133 million last year. The loss for the fiscal year to date was $13.8 million or $1.22 per diluted share, including transaction costs of $13.8 million, or $.1.21 per diluted share, from the pending acquisition of Courier, foreign currency losses of $1.1 million, or $.06 per diluted share, and the second quarter net impairment charge. Excluding those items, year-to-date net income was approximately $800,000 or $.07 per diluted share. For the first six months of fiscal 2014, the company's income from continuing operations was $263,000 or $.02 per diluted share, which included the net impairment charge of $1.9 million, or $.17 per diluted share, recorded in last year's second quarter.

Details of these and other items, including reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP, can be found in the tables at the end of this release.

In the company's book manufacturing segment, the second fiscal quarter has traditionally been its slowest due to seasonal variations in some of its markets. In addition, the timing of orders from several key customers depressed fiscal 2015's second-quarter sales despite an increase in capacity utilization during the later portion of the quarter. In the company's book manufacturing segment, sales for the quarter were up in the religious market, but down in the education and trade markets. In Courier's publishing segment, revenues were down 7% from last year in the second quarter, but off less than 1% for the year to date.

"The second quarter of our fiscal year has often been challenging, and this year's was no exception," said Courier Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James F. Conway III. "Sales to the religious market rebounded from a sharp drop in the previous quarter, but not enough to bring year-to-date results up to last year's level. And in the education market, sales were off at every level from elementary and high school through college.

"There were, however, some positive developments as well. While the quarter was weak overall, business accelerated as the quarter progressed, and the trend continued into the current quarter, with April bookings up sharply from a year ago. In addition, this quarter marked the first time we incorporated results from Digital Page Grafica e Editora, our South American digital print operation, and its contribution was positive to both sales and operating income. And while our publishing segment reported a small loss for the quarter, it remains profitable for the year to date as it continues on the path of recovery from the challenges of the last several years.

"I am also pleased to report that, based on our solid cash flow and balance sheet, on April 29th Courier's Board of Directors declared our regular quarterly dividend of $.21 per share.

"While continuing to press forward across all our existing areas of business, we are also preparing for new opportunities in conjunction with Courier's pending acquisition by RR Donnelley under the agreement announced jointly by the two companies in February. We believe the transaction with RR Donnelley provides both superior value to Courier shareholders and important benefits to our customers and employees."

The completion of the RR Donnelley transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of Courier's shareholders. One of the conditions to closing was met on March 23rd with the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. With respect to shareholder approval, the company announced today that it will be holding a Special Meeting of Shareholders on Friday, June 5, 2015 and expects the transaction to close during the second quarter of calendar 2015.

In light of the pending acquisition by RR Donnelley, Courier will not be hosting a conference call in connection with its second-quarter results. In addition, the Company has discontinued its financial guidance, and Courier's previous guidance for fiscal 2015 should therefore not be relied upon.

Book manufacturing: Order timing impacts sales and operating income

Courier's book manufacturing segment reported second-quarter sales of $55.2 million, off marginally from $55.4 million last year. The segment's operating loss was $2.7 million, versus a loss of $718,000 last year, principally due to lower sales in the education market and a less profitable mix of work. For the year to date, book manufacturing sales were $115 million, down 5% from $121 million in the first six months of fiscal 2014. For the first six months, operating income in the segment was $2.6 million, excluding foreign currency losses of $1.1 million, compared with $4.6 million in the same period last year.

The book manufacturing segment focuses on three key U.S. publishing markets: education, religion, and specialty trade. Sales to the education market were $17 million in the quarter, down from $21 million last year, with most of the decline attributable to lower sales of college textbooks. For the first six months of fiscal 2015, education sales were down 6% overall from a year ago, but college textbook sales were up 1%. Sales to the religious market were $18 million in the quarter, up 8% from last year, with sales to the company's largest religious customer up 18% after an unusually slow first quarter. For the year to date, sales to this customer were down 13%, reflecting both the timing of individual orders and a long-standing pattern of quarter-to-quarter fluctuations. For the religious market as a whole, six-month sales were down 17%. Sales to the specialty trade market were $15 million, down 2% in the quarter and 1% for the year to date.

In addition to U.S. sales, Courier began incorporating revenues from its operations in Brazil into segment results for the quarter. The South American digital print business, which primarily serves the education market, contributed approximately $4 million to sales during the period.

Shortly after the close of the quarter, Courier completed the sale of its FastPencil subsidiary.

Publishing: segment remains profitable for the year despite slower second quarter

Courier's publishing segment includes two businesses: Dover Publications, a niche publisher with thousands of titles in dozens of specialty trade markets, and Research & Education Association (REA), a publisher of test preparation books and study guides.

Second-quarter revenues for the segment were $7.5 million, down 7% from $8.1 million in last year's second quarter. Operating loss in the quarter was $141,000, versus income of $211,000 last year. For the first six months of fiscal 2015, publishing sales were $16.6 million, comparable to the same period last year. Despite the second-quarter loss, the segment remained modestly profitable for the year to date, with income of $117,000, versus a loss of $201,000 in the first half of last year. Major factors included previous cost containment measures and the growing success of Dover's Creative Haven line of adult coloring books.

Dover entered this emerging category in 2013 and is now one of the leading providers, offering dozens of titles for purposes ranging from entertainment to patient therapy. Revenues have risen steadily, with sales doubling in the first six months of fiscal 2015.

About Courier Corporation

Courier Corporation is one of America's major book manufacturers as well as a leader in digital printing, and content management in new and traditional media. It also publishes books under two brands offering award-winning content and thousands of titles. Founded in 1824, Courier is headquartered in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.courier.com.

Additional Information and Where To Find It

This news release includes information relating to a proposed transaction between RR Donnelley and Courier. In connection with the proposed transaction, RR Donnelley has filed a proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC, which includes a final prospectus with respect to RR Donnelley shares to be issued in the proposed transaction and a definitive proxy statement of Courier with respect to the proposed transaction. This news release is not a substitute for the final proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents that RR Donnelley or Courier may file with the SEC or send to shareholders of Courier in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF COURIER ARE URGED TO READ THE FINAL PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED BY RR DONNELLEY OR COURIER WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the final proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed or that will be filed by RR Donnelley or Courier with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the final proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed by RR Donnelley with the SEC are available free of charge on RR Donnelley's internet website at http://investor.rrd.com/sec.cfm or by contacting RR Donnelley's Investor Relations Department at (800) 742-4455. Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed by Courier with the SEC are available free of charge on Courier's internet website at www.courier.com or by contacting Courier Investor Relations at investorrelations@courier.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

RR Donnelley, Courier, and their respective directors and executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders of Courier in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Courier is set forth in Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2014, which was filed with the SEC on Form 10-K/A on January 26, 2015 and in its proxy statement for its 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on February 17, 2015. Information about the directors and executive officers of RR Donnelley is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 15, 2014. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the final proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC.

Use of Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of, and subject to the safe harbor created by, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including with respect to the business, strategy and plans of RR Donnelley and Courier, their expectations relating to the proposed transaction and their future financial condition and performance, including estimated synergies. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about RR Donnelley or Courier managements' beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes", "anticipates", "estimates", "expects", "intends", "aims", "potential", "will", "would", "could", "considered", "likely", "estimate" and variations of these words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. While RR Donnelley and Courier believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond RR Donnelley's or Courier's control. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon future circumstances that may or may not occur. Actual results may differ materially from RR Donnelley's and Courier's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting their businesses and risks associated with the successful execution and integration of the proposed transaction and the performance of their businesses following such transaction. These factors include, among others, successful completion of the proposed transaction, the ability to implement plans for the integration of the proposed transaction and the receipt of required approvals for the proposed transaction, and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in RRD's and Courier's respective periodic public filings with the SEC, including but not limited to those discussed (i) under "Risk Factors" in RRD's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, in RRD's subsequent filings with the SEC and in other investor communications of RRD from time to time and (ii) under "Risk Factors" in Courier's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2014 and in Courier's subsequent filings with the SEC and in other investor communications of Courier from time to time. RR Donnelley and Courier do not undertake to and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statement or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

           
COURIER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
SECOND QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
March 28,
2015
March 29,
2014
March 28,
2015
March 29,
2014
 
Net sales $60,580 $60,580 $127,074 $132,840
Cost of sales 51,102   50,070   100,108   104,583  
 
Gross profit 9,478 10,510 26,966 28,257
 
Selling and administrative expenses (1) 25,618 11,429 39,805 24,544
Impairment charge, net of reduction in
contingent consideration liability (2) 434   1,870   434   1,870  
 
Operating income (loss) (16,574 ) (2,789 ) (13,273 ) 1,843
 
Interest expense, net 691   108   828   283  
 
Income (loss) before taxes (17,265 ) (2,897 ) (14,101 ) 1,560
 
Income tax provision (benefit) (1,709 ) (339 ) (341 ) 1,297  
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations ($15,556 ) ($2,558 ) ($13,760 ) $263  
 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax -   (812 ) -   (986 )
 
Loss ($15,556 ) ($3,370 ) ($13,760 ) ($723 )
 
Net income (loss) per diluted share from:
Continuing operations ($1.37 ) ($0.23 ) ($1.22 ) $0.02
Discontinued operations -   (0.07 ) -   (0.09 )
 
Loss per diluted share ($1.37 ) ($0.30 ) ($1.22 ) ($0.06 )
 
Cash dividends declared per share $0.21   $0.21   $0.42   $0.42  
 
Wtd. average diluted shares outstanding 11,335 11,314 11,305 11,299
 
SEGMENT INFORMATION:
 

Net sales:

Book Manufacturing $55,224 $55,355 $114,869 $120,931
Publishing 7,548 8,128 16,563 16,713
Elimination of intersegment sales (2,192 ) (2,903 ) (4,358 ) (4,804 )
Total $60,580   $60,580   $127,074   $132,840  
 

Operating income (loss):

Book Manufacturing ($2,700 ) ($718 ) $1,535 $4,592
Publishing (141 ) 211 117 (201 )
Transaction costs on pending acquisition (1) (13,015 ) - (13,815 ) -
Impairment charge, net (2) (434 ) (1,870 ) (434 ) (1,870 )
Stock based compensation (274 ) (385 ) (639 ) (743 )
Intersegment profit (10 ) (27 ) (37 ) 65  
Total ($16,574 ) ($2,789 ) ($13,273 ) $1,843  
 
(1)   In the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015, the Company recorded $13.0 million and $13.8 million, respectively,
of transaction costs related to the pending acquisition of the Company by R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company ("RR
Donnelley"). These costs include a $10 million termination fee paid to Quad/Graphics, Inc. for which the Company was
reimbursed by RR Donnelley. For accounting purposes, the $10 million reimbursement will not be recognized in income
until the transaction with RR Donnelley closes, which is expected to occur in the second calendar quarter of 2015.
 
(2) In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company recorded a $1.7 million impairment charge representing the remainder
of FastPencil's goodwill and other intangible assets, as well as eliminating the balance of the related contingent
consideration liability of $1.3 million. The goodwill impairment and adjustment to the contingent consideration liability are
not deductible for income tax purposes.

               
COURIER CORPORATION
SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
 

BOOK MANUFACTURING SEGMENT

SECOND QUARTER ENDED

  YEAR TO DATE
March 28,
2015
March 29,
2014
March 28,
2015
March 29,
2014
 
Net sales $55,224 $55,355 $114,869 $120,931
Cost of sales 48,570   48,135   94,233 99,351  
 
Gross profit 6,654 7,220 20,636 21,580
 
Selling and administrative expenses 9,354   7,938   19,101 16,988  
 
Operating income (loss) ($2,700 ) ($718 ) $1,535 $4,592  
 
 
 
 

PUBLISHING SEGMENT

SECOND QUARTER ENDED   YEAR TO DATE
March 28,
2015
March 29,
2014
March 28,
2015
March 29,
2014
 
Net sales $7,548 $8,128 $16,563 $16,713
Cost of sales 4,715   4,809   10,198 10,100  
 
Gross profit 2,833 3,319 6,365 6,613
 
Selling and administrative expenses 2,974   3,108   6,248 6,814  
 
Operating income (loss) ($141 ) $211   $117 ($201 )
 

COURIER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
           
 

March 28,
2015

September 27,
2014

ASSETS

 
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $1,646 $4,144
Investments 1,129 1,024
Accounts receivable 35,582 48,200
Inventories 46,239 38,239
Deferred income taxes 4,007 4,021
Other current assets 8,419 4,374
Total current assets 97,022 100,002
 
Property, plant and equipment, net 80,869 83,145
Goodwill and other intangibles 28,230 18,826
Prepublication costs 5,393 5,711
Long-term investments 2,629 6,429
Other assets 2,880 2,403
 
Total assets $217,023 $216,516
 
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt $4,941 $2,618
Accounts payable 14,274 11,124
Accrued taxes 1,128 1,051
Termination fee reimbursement 10,000 -
Other current liabilities 16,949 17,528
Total current liabilities 47,292 32,321
 
Long-term debt 29,409 30,347
Deferred income taxes 1,857 1,286
Other liabilities 7,990 8,146
 
Total liabilities 86,548 72,100
 
Total stockholders' equity 130,475 144,416
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $217,023 $216,516
 

COURIER CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
       
For the Six Months Ended
March 28,
2015
March 29,
2014
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss) ($13,760 ) ($723 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 12,157 13,092
Stock-based compensation 639 743
Impairment charge 1,742 4,500
Change in fair value of contingent consideration (1,415 ) (2,280 )
Change in fair value of loans receivable 581 -
Change in fair value of derivative (161 ) -
Deferred income taxes (564 ) (282 )
Termination fee reimbursement 10,000 -
Changes in working capital 825 (1,045 )
Other long-term, net (533 ) 91  
 
Cash provided from operating activities 9,511   14,096  
 
Investment Activities:
Capital expenditures (3,199 ) (7,532 )
Acquisition of business, net of cash (482 ) -
Prepublication costs (1,255 ) (1,479 )
Proceeds on disposition of assets 275 -
Loan receivable and other investments (605 ) (4,917 )
Life insurance proceeds -   387  
 
Cash used for investment activities (5,266 ) (13,541 )
 
Financing Activities:
Long-term debt borrowings (repayments), net (2,745 ) 8,506
Cash dividends (4,828 ) (4,842 )
Proceeds from stock plans 943   175  
 
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities (6,630 ) 3,839  
 
Effect of exchange rate on cash (113 ) -  
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ($2,498 ) $4,394  
 
In addition to measuring our performance by generally accepted accounting principles, we also track
several non-GAAP measures including EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization) and adjusted EBITDA as additional indicators of the company's operating cash flow
performance. These measures should be considered in addition to, not a substitute for or superior to,
measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
 
Non-GAAP reconciliation - EBITDA:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations ($13,760 ) $263
Income tax provision (benefit) (341 ) 1,297
Interest expense, net 828 283
Depreciation and amortization 12,157   13,092  
EBITDA ($1,116 ) $14,935
Impairment charge 1,742 4,500
Change in fair value of contingent consideration (1,415 ) (2,280 )
Losses on foreign currency exchange 1,070 -
Transaction costs on pending acquisition 13,815   -  
Adjusted EBITDA $14,096   $17,155  
 

 

COURIER CORPORATION
OTHER RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

      Quarter Ended March 28, 2015        

Year To Date March 28, 2015

Income     Income       Net Income Income     Income         Net Income
(Loss) Tax Net (Loss) (Loss) Tax Net (Loss)
Before Provision Income per Diluted Before Provision Income per Diluted
Taxes (Benefit) (Loss) Share Taxes (Benefit) (Loss) Share
 
 
GAAP basis measures ($17,265 ) ($1,709 ) ($15,556 ) ($1.37 ) ($14,101 ) ($341 ) ($13,760 ) ($1.22 )
 
Transaction costs (1) 13,015 127 12,888 1.14 13,815 127 13,688 1.21
Loss on foreign currency exchange (2) 200 69 131 0.01 1,070 371 699 0.06
Impairment charge, net (3) 434 265 169 0.01 434 265 169 0.01
               
 
Non-GAAP measures ($3,616 ) ($1,248 ) ($2,368 ) ($0.21 ) $1,218   $422   $796   $0.07  
 
 
Quarter Ended March 29, 2014 (5)     Year To Date March 29, 2014 (5)
Income Income Net Income Income Income Net Income
(Loss) Tax Net (Loss) (Loss) Tax Net (Loss)
Before Provision Income per Diluted Before Provision Income per Diluted
Taxes (Benefit) (Loss) Share Taxes (Benefit) (Loss) Share
 
GAAP basis measures ($2,897 ) ($339 ) ($2,558 ) ($0.23 ) $1,560 $1,297 $263 $0.02
 
Impairment charge, net (4) 1,870   -   1,870   0.17   1,870   -   1,870   0.17  
 
Non-GAAP measures ($1,027 ) ($339 ) ($688 ) ($0.06 ) $3,430   $1,297   $2,133   $0.18  
 
 
 

BOOK MANUFACTURING SEGMENT

Quarter Ended March 28, 2015 Year To Date March 28, 2015
GAAP Basis Non-Recurring Non-GAAP GAAP Basis Non-Recurring Non-GAAP
Measures Items (2) Measures Measures Items (2) Measures
 
 
Net sales $55,224 - $55,224 $114,869 - $114,869
Cost of sales 48,570   -   48,570   94,233     -   94,233  
 
Gross profit 6,654 - 6,654 20,636 - 20,636
 
Selling and administrative expenses 9,354   (200 ) 9,154   19,101     (1,070 ) 18,031  
 
Operating income ($2,700 ) $200   ($2,500 ) $1,535     $1,070   $2,605  
 
 
(1) In the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015, the Company recorded $13.0 million and $13.8 million, respectively, of transaction costs related to the
pending acquisition of the Company by R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company ("RR Donnelley"). These costs include a $10 million termination fee paid to
Quad/Graphics, Inc. for which the Company was reimbursed by RR Donnelley. For accounting purposes, the $10 million reimbursement will not be
recognized in income until the transaction with RR Donnelley closes, which is expected to occur in the second calendar quarter of 2015.
(2) Loss on foreign currency exchange related to Digital Page, a Brazilian printer acquired in November 2014.
(3) In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company recorded a $1.7 million impairment charge representing the remainder of FastPencil's goodwill and other
intangible assets, as well as eliminating the balance of the related contingent consideration liability of $1.3 million. The goodwill impairment and adjustment
to the contingent consideration liability are not deductible for income tax purposes.
(4) In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company recorded a $4.5 million impairment charge related to FastPencil's goodwill, as well as a reduction in
the related contingent consideration liability of $2.6 million. Both adjustments are non-cash and not deductible for income tax purposes.
(5) Results for fiscal 2014 are from continuing operations.

Investor and Media Contact:
Courier Corporation
Peter M. Folger, +1-978-251-6000
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
investorrelations@courier.com

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