Richards Packaging Income Fund announces 2015 Third Quarter Results

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Richards Packaging Income Fund (TSX: RPI.UN) (the "Fund") announced today results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.      

Third quarter performance was strong with organic growth of 8.7% and a further 12.5% on the translation impact of Richards Packaging US, as the Canadian dollar weakened by 15¢ to U.S./Cdn.$0.76.  Revenue exceeded the first half growth of 4.5% due to an unusually weak third quarter and strong fourth quarter in 2014 as 2015 organic growth for the second half is fully reflected in the third quarter.  Gross profit and EBITDA¹ as a percent of sales were slightly higher than the first half at 16.9% and 12.1% respectively.  EBITDA was up $2.1 million due to higher sales and the translation impact of Richards Packaging US.  Net income was up $2.2 million to $4.8 million, or 12.9¢ per Unit, mainly due to higher EBITDA and the mark-to-market gain on the exchangeable shares offset by higher income tax expense.

The $2.0 million of free cash flow² generated in the third quarter was utilized to pay down $0.9 million of revolving debt and pay $0.9 million of 2014 income taxes, with future payments now tracking with current income tax for the remainder of the year.  The higher growth we continue to enjoy yields an unusually high investment in inventory and we continue to closely monitor the levels on an ongoing basis.

On October 1st, Richards Packaging acquired all the outstanding shares of Healthmark Services Ltd. ("Healthmark"), a leading Canadian provider of sterile IV, chemo and oral drug packaging and dispensing systems to the health care industry, for an aggregate net purchase price of $15.8 million, subject to adjustment depending on future earnings.  The purchase price was financed by a draw on term and revolving debt facilities.  We are excited by Healthmark's prospects and welcome their employees to the Richards' family.   

The Fund paid monthly distributions of 7.35¢ per Unit during the third quarter, which represented an annualized yield of 5.6% on the September 30^th closing price of $15.65 per Unit.  The payout ratio³ for the third quarter was 56%.

Details of the Fund's results are currently available on Richards Packaging's website at www.richardspackaging.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Richards Packaging Income Fund

The Fund owns Richards Packaging Inc. ("Richards Packaging"), the leading packaging distributor in Canada, and third largest in North America.  Richards Packaging is a full-service packaging distributor targeting small- and medium-sized North American businesses.  Richards Packaging has operated since 1912 and currently serves over 12,500 regional food, wine and spirits, cosmetic, specialty chemical, pharmaceutical and other companies from 18 locations throughout North America.

1. Management defines EBITDA as earnings before amortization, financial expenses, unrealized losses and dividends on exchangeable shares, share of income - Vision and taxes.  EBITDA is the same as profit from operations as outlined in the annual financial statements after adding back amortization.  Management believes that in addition to net income, EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure for investors of earnings available for distribution prior to debt service, capital expenditures and taxes.  Management uses this measure as a starting point in the determination of earnings available for distribution to Unitholders and exchangeable shareholders.  In addition, EBITDA is intended to provide additional information on the operating performance.    This earnings measure should not be construed as an alternative to net income or as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity and cash flows.  EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore the method of calculating EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
2. Management defines distributable cash flow, in accordance with Richards Packaging's credit agreement, as EBITDA less extraordinary items, interest, cash income tax expense and maintenance capital expenditures.  Free cash flow is distributable cash flow less distributions.  The objective of presenting these measures is to calculate the amount which is available for distribution to Unitholders or exchangeable shareholders and to determine the amount available to fund increases in working capital or expansion capital.   Investors are cautioned that distributable cash flow should not be construed as an alternative to cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity and cash flows.  Distributable cash flow does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS therefore the method of calculating distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
3. Management defines payout ratio as distributions and dividends declared over distributable cash flow².  The objective of presenting this measure is to calculate the percentage of actual distributions in comparison to the amount available for distribution.  Payout ratio does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The method of calculating the payout ratio may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
4. This release contains certain forward looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively "Statements") regarding future growth potential, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities of the Fund. The Statements are frequently identified by the use of such words as "will", "may", "could", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe" and other similar terminology. These Statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to the management of Richards Packaging.  A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those predicted, expressed or implied in the Statements.  Factors that could cause such differences include, among other things, changes in customer and supplier relationships, competition in the industry, inventory obsolescence, trade risks in respect to foreign suppliers and fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates.  Although the Statements contained in this release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these Statements.  These Statements are made as of the date of this release and the Fund assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

SOURCE Richards Packaging Income Fund

Gerry Glynn, Chief Executive Officer, Richards Packaging Inc., [phone], [email protected]; Enzio Di Gennaro, Chief Financial Officer, Richards Packaging Inc., [phone], [email protected]