Wood Business

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Mud stalls Acadian Timber

July 29, 2014 - For the second quarter, Acadian Timber Corp. generated net sales of $12.0 million on sales volume of 229 thousand m3 which represents a $3.6 million, or 23%, decrease in net sales compared to the same period in 2013. Results were less than the same period last year reflecting the delayed recognition of sales in the prior year due to the vendor managed inventory ("VMI") program that was in place at the New Brunswick operation. On a year-to-date basis, net sales are 2% lower than in the same period last year with a slower start-up of operations in the second quarter due to an extended mud season being largely offset by improved log pricing.

"Demand remains strong in Acadian's operating region," said Reid Carter, Chief Executive Officer of Acadian. "Softwood timber selling prices are benefiting from the continued positive outlook for lumber demand and strong demand from regional hardwood pulp and structural panel producers is supporting hardwood pulpwood prices."

Adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 million for the second quarter was $1.0 million lower than in the second quarter of 2013, while Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 16% from 19% in the same period of last year. On a year-to-date basis, Free Cash Flow improved $1.0 million to $6.7 million resulting in a payout ratio of 104%, below the ratio of 121% in the same period last year.

Operating earnings for the second quarter, at $1.8 million, decreased $0.9 million year-over-year, largely reflecting the timing of sales. Net income totaled $4.7 million, or $0.28 per share, for the second quarter, an increase of $5.6 million or $0.33 per share from the same period in 2013. The increase in net income reflects a higher non-cash fair value adjustment due to lower harvest levels and a $2.7 million unrealized exchange gain on long-term debt compared to a $2.5 million unrealized loss in the same period of the prior year.

Acadian traditionally experiences low levels of operating, marketing and selling activity during the second quarter of each year owing to the spring thaw period that causes much of the infrastructure to be temporarily inoperable. Harvest volume for the second quarter, excluding biomass, was 138 thousand m3, down 21% compared to the same period in the prior year due to a slower start-up at the New Brunswick operation resulting from the well above-average snowpack of the prior winter. Sales volume of 229 thousand m3 was down 31% from the second quarter of 2013, with the decrease largely coming from Acadian's operations in New Brunswick due to the discontinuation of the VMI program.

Acadian's weighted average log price during the second quarter increased 11% year-over-year primarily due to higher softwood sawlog and hardwood log prices, a stronger U.S. dollar and a higher proportion of high value hardwood sawlogs in the sales mix. Softwood sawlog prices were up 10% relative to the same period last year, benefiting from our customers' continued positive outlook for lumber demand. Prices for hardwood sawlogs and pulpwood were both up 7% relative to the second quarter of last year reflecting strong market demand. Softwood pulpwood pricing has weakened, declining 8% year-over-year, with fewer groundwood customers operating. Biomass gross margin was down 27% year-over-year due to fewer export customers during the period, but is expected to recover in the coming quarters.

New Brunswick Timberlands

Softwood, hardwood and biomass shipments were 68 thousand m3, 74 thousand m3 and 40 thousand m3, respectively, during the second quarter. This represents a year-over-year decrease in sales volume of 37% largely reflecting the impact of the VMI program that was in place in 2013, which deferred sales from the first quarter to the second. Harvest volume in the second quarter of 2014 was typical of seasonal conditions, but lower than the same period last year as the well above-average snowpack of the prior winter led to a slow start-up. Approximately 40% of sales volume was sold as sawlogs, 38% as pulpwood and 22% as biomass in the second quarter. This compares to 42% sold as sawlogs, 34% as pulpwood and 24% as biomass in the second quarter of 2013.

Net sales for the second quarter totaled $9.3 million compared to $13.5 million for the same period last year, again reflecting the impact of not operating under the VMI program in the current year, but partially offset by increased softwood sawtimber and hardwood selling prices. The weighted average log selling price was $61.11 per m3 in the second quarter of 2014, a 9% increase from $56.12 per m3 in the same period of 2013 as a result of improved selling prices for most product and a higher proportion of hardwood in the sales mix. Net sales for the six months ended June 28, 2014 were $23.7 million, a decrease of $1.9 million over the first half of 2013, due to lower sales volumes.

Costs for the second quarter were $7.6 million, compared to $10.6 million in the same period in 2013, due to lower harvest volumes of primary products, partially offset by 3% higher variable costs per m3 caused by a higher proportion of hardwood products being supplied from log handling yards. For the six months ended June 28, 2014, costs were $17.6 million, $2.0 million lower than during the first half of 2013, due to lower harvest volumes.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $1.7 million, compared to $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2013 reflecting the discontinuation of the VMI program. Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 18% from 22% in the prior year. For the six months ended June 28, 2014, adjusted EBITDA was $6.1 million, an increase of $0.2 million over the first half of 2013.

There were no recordable safety incidents among employees and contractors during the second quarter of 2014.

Maine Timberlands

Softwood, hardwood and biomass shipments were 18 thousand m3, 20 thousand m3, and 10 thousand m3, respectively, during the second quarter. This represents a year-over-year increase in sales volume of 12%. Approximately 36% of sales volume was sold as sawlogs, 43% as pulpwood and 21% as biomass during the second quarter. This compares to 37% sold as sawlogs, 43% as pulpwood and 20% as biomass in the second quarter of 2013.

Net sales for the second quarter totaled $2.7 million compared to $2.1 million for the same period last year. The improvement was the result of increased hardwood sales volume and improved pricing across all products, as well as the positive impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. The weighted average log selling price was $68.34 per m3 in the second quarter of 2014, a 19% increase from $57.30 per m3 in the same period of 2013 in Canadian dollar terms. Weighted average log selling prices in U.S. dollar terms increased 11% year-over-year. Net sales for the six months ended June 28, 2014 were $9.5 million, an increase of $1.3 million over the first half of 2013, due to improved log selling prices.

Costs for the second quarter were $2.3 million, compared to $2.0 million during the same period in 2013. Variable costs per m3 increased 14% in Canadian dollar terms and 7% in U.S. dollar terms reflecting a shift in product mix during the period with a greater proportion of the sales being higher cost hardwood sawtimber processed through the woodyard as well as longer hauling distances for softwood pulpwood due to the closure of the paper mill in East Millinocket. For the six months ended June 28, 2014, costs were $6.7 million, $0.7 million higher than during the first half of 2013, due to higher harvest volumes and adverse foreign exchange movements.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $0.4 million, compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2013, while Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 14% from 10% in the prior year. For the six months ended June 28, 2014, Adjusted EBITDA was $2.9 million, an increase of $0.7 million over the first half of 2013.

There were no recordable safety incidents among employees and contractors during the second quarter of 2014.

Market Outlook

U.S. housing market forecasts continue to be adjusted downward despite significant pent up demand. Analysts have concluded that last spring's increase in mortgage rates coupled with increases in home prices and tighter mortgage lending rules explains much more of the current weakness in mortgage applications and new home sales than the harsh winter weather experienced in 2014. Improved economic growth, with further gains in employment and wages, will need to take place before a more robust recovery in housing can be expected. Despite this less robust outlook, most industry watchers continue to forecast year-over-year increases in total housing starts of approximately 10 to 20% in 2014 with increases of the same magnitude in 2015. This optimism has kept North American lumber prices strong throughout 2013 and 2014 encouraging Acadian's key solid wood customers to continue to operate at full capacity. As such, we expect to see ongoing strong demand for softwood sawlogs in the region.

Markets for hardwood sawlogs have been positive and are expected to remain stable and demand and pricing for hardwood pulpwood continues to be strong. While Acadian has been successful in selling its softwood pulpwood production, this market is challenging due to the closure of several regional groundwood mills. Biomass sales have been somewhat slow during the first half of 2014, although we expect to see modest improvements through the remainder of the year as several of the logistical challenges currently constraining export markets are relieved.

July 29, 2014  By Marketwired



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