UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 |
Commission File Number 1-7107 |
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 93-0609074 | |
| (State of Incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 414 Union Street, Suite 2000 Nashville, TN 37219 |
615-986-5600 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | Registrant’s telephone number (including area code) | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | |
| Common Stock, $1 par value | New York Stock Exchange | |
| Preferred Stock Purchase Rights | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes ¨ No x
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $334,854,000
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: 126,870,668 shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, outstanding as of February 28, 2010.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Definitive Proxy Statement for 2010 Annual Meeting: Part III
Except as otherwise specified and unless the context otherwise requires, references to "LP", the “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and its subsidiaries.
ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provide a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their businesses and other matters as long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the statements. This report contains, and other reports and documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission may contain, forward-looking statements. These statements are or will be based upon the beliefs and assumptions of, and on information available to, our management.
The following statements are or may constitute forward-looking statements: (1) statements preceded by, followed by or that include words like “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue” or “future” or the negative or other variations thereof and (2) other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, including without limitation, plans for product development, forecasts of future costs and expenditures, possible outcomes of legal proceedings, capacity expansion and other growth initiatives and the adequacy of reserves for loss contingencies.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following:
| • | changes in general economic conditions; |
| • | changes in the cost and availability of capital; |
| • | changes in the level of home construction activity; |
| • | changes in competitive conditions and prices for our products; |
| • | changes in the relationship between supply of and demand for building products; |
| • | changes in the relationship between supply of and demand for raw materials, including wood fiber and resins, used in manufacturing our products; |
| • | changes in the cost of and availability of energy, primarily natural gas, electricity and diesel fuel; |
| • | changes in other significant operating expenses; |
| • | changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies, particularly the Canadian dollar, EURO, Brazilian real and the Chilean peso; |
| • | prolonged illiquidity in the market for auction-rate securities held by us for investment; |
| • | changes in general and industry-specific environmental laws and regulations; |
| • | changes in tax laws, and interpretations thereof; |
| • | changes in circumstances giving rise to environmental liabilities or expenditures; |
| • | the resolution of existing and future product-related litigation and other legal proceedings; and |
| • | acts of God or public authorities, war, civil unrest, fire, floods, earthquakes and other matters beyond our control. |
In addition to the foregoing and any risks and uncertainties specifically identified in the text surrounding forward-looking statements, any statements in the reports and other documents filed by us with the Commission that warn of risks or uncertainties associated with future results, events or circumstances identify important factors that could cause actual results, events and circumstances to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.
ABOUT THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION
In this report, we rely on and refer to information regarding industry data obtained from market research, publicly available information, industry publications, U.S. government sources and other third parties. Although we believe the information is reliable, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and have not independently verified it.
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PART I
| ITEM 1. | Business |
General
Our company, founded in 1973 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is a leading manufacturer of building products. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately 4,000 employees. We currently own 21 modern, strategically located facilities in the U.S. and Canada. We also own two facilities in Chile and a 75% ownership interest in a Brazilian facility. We also operate three facilities through joint ventures, for which we are the exclusive provider of product distribution for North America. Additionally, we participate in a joint venture operation that produces cellulose insulation. Our focus is on delivering innovative, high-quality commodity and specialty building products to retail, wholesale, home building and industrial customers. Our products are used primarily in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and manufactured housing.
Business Segments
We operate in three segments: Oriented Strand Board (OSB); Siding; and Engineered Wood Products (EWP). In general, our businesses are affected by the level of housing starts; the level of home repairs; the availability and cost of financing; changes in industry capacity; changes in the prices we pay for raw materials and energy; changes in foreign exchange rates (primarily the Canadian dollar); and other operating costs.
OSB
Our OSB segment manufactures and distributes OSB structural panel products.
OSB is an innovative, affordable and environmentally smart product made from wood strands arranged in layers and bonded with resin. OSB serves many of the same uses as plywood, including roof decking, sidewall sheathing and floor underlayment, but can be produced at a significantly lower cost. In the past decade, land use regulations, endangered species and environmental concerns have resulted in reduced supplies and higher costs for domestic timber, causing many plywood mills to close or divert their production to other uses. OSB has replaced most of the volume lost from these mills. It is estimated for 2009 that OSB accounted for approximately 59% of the structural panel consumption in North America with plywood accounting for the remainder. We estimate that the overall North American structural panel market (based upon 2009 housing starts) was 25.6 billion square feet with the OSB market comprising an estimated 15.0 billion square feet of this market. Based upon our production in 2009 of 2.7 billion square feet (including our joint venture OSB mill with Canfor Corporation), we account for 17% of the North American OSB market and 10% of the overall North American structural panel market. We believe we have the largest installed capacity and are one of the most efficient producers of OSB in North America.
Siding
Our siding offerings fall into two categories: SmartSide® siding products and related accessories; and Canexel siding and accessory products. Our SmartSide® products consist of a full line of wood-based sidings, trim, soffit and fascia. These products have quality and performance characteristics similar to solid wood at more attractive prices due to lower raw material and production costs. Our Canexel siding and accessory product offerings include a number of mainly pre-finished lap, panel and trim products in a variety of patterns and textures.
Additionally, as market demand warrants, amounts of commodity OSB are produced and sold in this segment.
Engineered Wood Products
Our Engineered Wood Products (EWP) segment manufactures and distributes laminated veneer lumber (LVL), I-Joists, laminated strand lumber (LSL) (which began production in the first half of 2008) and other
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related products. This segment also includes the sale of I-Joist and LVL products produced by our joint venture with AbitibiBowater or under a contract manufacturing arrangement. We believe that in North America we are one of the top three producers (including our joint venture production) of I-Joists, LVL and LSL. A plywood mill associated with our LVL operations in British Columbia is also included in this segment.
We believe that our engineered I-joists, which are used primarily in residential and commercial flooring and roofing systems and other structural applications, are stronger, lighter and straighter than conventional lumber joists. Our LVL and LSL are high-grade, value-added structural products used in applications where extra strength and quality is required, such as headers and beams. It is also used, together with OSB and lumber, in the manufacture of engineered I-joists.
Other Products
Our other products category includes our decorative moulding, South American OSB operations (including our Chile and Brazil operations) and our joint venture that produces cellulose insulation. Additionally, our other products category includes our remaining timber and timberlands, and other minor products, services and closed operations.
Sales, Marketing and Distribution
Our sales and marketing efforts are primarily focused on traditional two-step distribution, professional building products dealers, home centers, third-party wholesale buying groups and other retailers. The wholesale distribution channel includes a variety of specialized and broad-line wholesale distributors and dealers focused primarily on the supply of products for use by professional builders and contractors. The retail distribution channel includes large retail chains catering to the do-it-yourself (DIY) and repair and remodeling markets as well as smaller independent retailers.
Customers
We seek to maintain a broad customer base and a balanced approach to national distribution through both wholesale and retail channels. In 2009, our top 10 customers accounted for approximately 51% of our sales, with our two largest customers, Home Depot, Inc. accounting for 10.9% and Taiga Buildings Products, Ltd. accounting for 10.1% of our sales. Because a significant portion of our sales are from OSB, a commodity product sold primarily on the basis of price and availability, we are not dependent on any one customer. Our principal customers include the following:
| • | Wholesale distribution companies, which supply building materials to retailers on a regional, state or local basis; |
| • | Two-step distributors, who provide building materials to smaller retailers, contractors and others; |
| • | Building materials professional dealers, that specialize in sales to professional builders, remodeling firms and trade contractors that are involved in residential home construction and light commercial building; |
| • | Retail home centers, that provide access to consumer markets with a broad selection of home improvement materials and increasingly serve professional builders, remodelers and trade contractors; and |
| • | Manufactured housing producers, who design, construct and distribute prefabricated residential and light commercial structures, including fully manufactured, modular and panelized structures, for consumer and professional markets. |
Seasonality
Our business is subject to seasonal variances, with demand for many of our products tending to be greater during the building season, which occurs in the second and third quarters. From time to time, we engage in
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promotional activities designed to stimulate demand for our products, such as reducing our selling prices and providing extended payment terms, particularly at times when demand is otherwise relatively soft. We do this in an effort to better balance our inventory levels with demand, manage the logistics of our product shipments, allow our production facilities to run efficiently, be competitive, and/or obtain initial orders from customers.
Competitors / Competition
The building products industry is highly competitive. We compete internationally with several thousand forest and building products firms, ranging from very large, fully integrated firms to smaller enterprises that may manufacture only one or a few items. We also compete less directly with firms that manufacture substitutes for wood building products. Some competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do that could, in some instances, give them a competitive advantage over us.
In terms of our commodity OSB, we compete based upon price, quality and availability of products. In terms of our specialty products, including EWP, siding and various value added OSB products, we compete based upon price, quality, and availability of products as well as features offered.
Raw Materials
Wood fiber is the primary raw material used in most of our operations, and the primary source of wood fiber is timber. The primary end-markets for timber harvested in the U.S. are manufacturers who supply: (1) the housing market, where it is used in the construction of new housing and the repair and remodeling of existing housing; (2) the pulp and paper market; (3) commercial and industrial markets; and (4) export markets. The supply of timber is limited by access to timber and by the availability of timberlands. The availability of timberlands, in turn, is limited by several factors, including forest management policies, alternate uses of land, and loss to urban or suburban real estate development.
In Canada, we harvest enough timber annually under long-term harvest rights with various Canadian governments and other third parties to support our Canadian production facilities. The weighted average remaining life of our Canadian timber rights is 13.8 years, without taking into account provisions for renewal.
We purchase approximately 79% of our wood fiber requirements on the open market, through either private cutting contracts or purchased wood arrangements. Our remaining wood fiber requirements (21%) are fulfilled through government contracts, principally in Canada. Because wood fiber is subject to commodity pricing, the cost of various types of timber that we purchase in the market has at times fluctuated greatly due to weather, governmental, economic or other industry conditions. However, our mills are generally located in areas that are in close proximity to large and diverse supplies of timber. Our mills generally have the ability to procure wood fiber at competitive prices from third-party sources.
Recently, there has been substantial focus by various organizations on the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which provides financial assistance to producers or entities that deliver eligible biomass material (including wood fiber) to designated biomass conversion facilities for use in the production of heat, power, biobased products or biofuels. We are currently unable to predict the potential impact, if any, of this program on the cost or the availability of our raw materials.
In addition to wood fiber, we use a significant quantity of various resins in our manufacturing processes. Resin product costs are influenced by changes in the prices of raw materials used to produce resin, primarily petroleum products, as well as competing demand for resin products. Currently, we purchase the majority of our resin from three major suppliers and believe our relationships with those suppliers to be good. However there can be no assurance that pricing or availability of resins will not be impacted based upon competing demand.
While the majority of our energy requirements are generated at our plants through the conversion of wood waste, we also purchase substantial amounts of energy in our operations, primarily electricity and natural gas. Energy prices have experienced significant volatility in recent years, particularly in deregulated markets. We
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attempt to mitigate our exposure to energy price changes through the selective use of long-term supply agreements.
Environmental Compliance
Our operations are subject to many environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, discharges of pollutants and other emissions on or into land, water and air, the disposal of hazardous substances or other contaminants, the remediation of contamination and the restoration and reforestation of timberlands. In addition, certain environmental laws and regulations impose liability and responsibility on present and former owners, operators or users of facilities and sites for contamination at such facilities and sites without regard to causation or knowledge of contamination. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations can significantly increase the costs of our operations and otherwise result in significant costs and expenses. In some cases, plant closures can result in more onerous compliance requirements becoming applicable to a facility or a site. Violations of environmental laws and regulations can subject us to additional costs and expenses, including defense costs and expenses and civil and criminal penalties. We cannot assure you that the environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject will not become more stringent, or be more stringently implemented or enforced, in the future.
Our policy is to comply fully with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. We devote significant management attention to achieving full compliance. In addition, from time to time, we undertake construction projects for environmental control equipment or incur other environmental costs that extend an asset’s useful life, improve its efficiency or improve the marketability of certain properties.
Additional information concerning environmental matters is set forth under item 3, Legal Proceedings, and in Note 20 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report.
Employees
We employ approximately 4,000 people, about 1,000 of whom are members of unions. We consider our relationship with our employees generally to be good. As of December 31, 2009, we were operating on expired collective bargaining agreements at two facilities in Canada. While we do not currently anticipate any work stoppage, there can be no assurance that work stoppages will not occur.
Available Information
We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
In addition, we will make available our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act free of charge through our internet website at http://www.lpcorp.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
Segment and Price Trend Data
The following table sets forth, for each of the last three years: (1) our production volumes; (2) the estimated average wholesale price of OSB sold in the United States; and (3) our logs procured by source. In addition, information concerning our: (1) consolidated net sales by business segment; (2) consolidated profit (loss) by business segment; (3) identifiable assets by segment; (4) depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested;
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(5) capital expenditures; and (6) geographic segment information is included at Note 26 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report and information concerning our sales by product line is included in item 7 of this report.
Product Information Summary
For Years Ended December 31
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per unit)
| 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||
| PRODUCTION VOLUMES 1 |
|||||||||
| OSB, 3/8” basis, million square feet 2 |
2,741 | 4,026 | 5,534 | ||||||
| Wood-based siding, 3/8” basis, million square feet |
707 | 758 | 794 | ||||||
| Engineered I-joists, million lineal feet |
60 | 84 | 130 | ||||||
| Laminated veneer lumber, thousand cubic feet |
4,029 | 5,683 | 8,319 | ||||||
| COMMODITY PRODUCT PRICE TRENDS 3 |
|||||||||
| OSB, MSF, 7/16” - 24/16” span rating (North Central price) |
$ | 163 | $ | 172 | $ | 161 | |||
| % LOGS BY SOURCES 4 |
|||||||||
| Private cutting contracts |
13 | 24 | 16 | ||||||
| Government contracts |
21 | 26 | 39 | ||||||
| Purchased logs |
66 | 50 | 45 | ||||||
| Total volumes—million board feet |
833 | 1,562 | 2,221 | ||||||
| 1 | Includes production at joint ventures |
| 2 | Includes production at both our commodity and specialty mills in North America, excluding South American production. |
| 3 | Prices represent yearly averages stated in dollars per thousand square feet (MSF). Source: Random Lengths. |
| 4 | Stated as a percentage of total log volume. |
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| ITEM 1A. | Risk Factors |
You should be aware that the occurrence of any of the events described in this Risk Factors section and elsewhere in this report or in any other of our filings with the SEC could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In evaluating us, you should consider carefully, among other things, the risks described below and the matters described in “About Forward-Looking Statements.”
Cyclical industry conditions and commodity pricing have and may continue to adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our operating results reflect the general cyclical pattern of the building products industry. Demand for our products correlates to a significant degree to the level of residential construction activity in North America, which historically has been characterized by significant cyclicality. This cyclicality is influenced by a number of factors, including the supply of new and existing homes on the market, of which existing homes are currently at above average levels, the level of unemployment, which has been increasing in recent periods, longer-term interest rates, which in recent years have been at relatively low levels, the availability of mortgage financing, which has recently declined, and mortgage foreclosure rates, which are higher than normal. A significant increase in longer-term interest rates, a prolonged decline in the availability of mortgage financing, or the occurrence of other events that reduce levels of residential construction activity could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our primary product, OSB, and a significant portion of our raw materials are globally traded commodity products. In addition, our products are subject to competition from manufacturers worldwide. Historical prices for our products have been volatile, and we, like other participants in the building products industry, have limited influence over the timing and extent of price changes for our products. Product pricing is significantly affected by the relationship between supply and demand in the building products industry. Product supply is influenced primarily by fluctuations in available manufacturing capacity. Demand is affected by the state of the economy in general and a variety of other factors. The level of new residential construction activity and home repair and remodeling activity primarily affects the demand for our building products. Demand is also subject to fluctuations due to changes in economic conditions, interest rates, population growth, weather conditions and other factors. We are not able to predict with certainty market conditions and selling prices for our products. In this competitive environment with so many variables for which we do not control, we cannot assure you that prices for our products will not decline from current levels. A prolonged and severe weakness in the markets for one or more of our principal products, particularly OSB, could seriously harm our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to satisfy our cash requirements, including the payment of interest and principal on our debt.
We have a high degree of product concentration. OSB accounted for about 45% of our North American sales in 2009 and 50% of our North American sales in 2008 and we expect OSB sales to continue to account for a substantial portion of our revenues and profits in the future. Concentration of our business in the OSB market further increases our sensitivity to commodity pricing and price volatility. In this competitive environment with so many variables for which we do not control, we cannot assure you that pricing for OSB or our other products will not decline from current levels.
Intense competition in the building products industry could prevent us from increasing or sustaining our net sales and profitability. The markets for our products are highly competitive. Our competitors range from very large, fully integrated forest and building products firms to smaller firms that may manufacture only one or a few types of products. We also compete less directly with firms that manufacture substitutes for wood building products. Many of our competitors have greater financial and other resources than we do, and certain of the mills operated by our competitors may be lower-cost producers than the mills operated by us.
Our results of operations may be harmed by potential shortages of raw materials and increases in raw material costs. The most significant raw material used in our operations is wood fiber. We currently obtain about 79% of our wood fiber requirements in the open market. Wood fiber is subject to commodity pricing, which fluctuates on the basis of market factors over which we have no control. In addition, the cost of various types of
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wood fiber that we purchase in the market has at times fluctuated greatly because of governmental, economic or industry conditions, and may be affected by increased demand resulting from initiatives to increase the use of biomass materials in the production of heat, power, biobased products and biofuels. In addition to wood fiber, we also use a significant quantity of various resins in our manufacturing processes. Resin product costs are influenced by changes in the prices or availability of raw materials used to produce resins, primarily petroleum products, as well as demand for and availability of resin products. Selling prices of our products have not always increased in response to raw material cost increases. We are unable to determine to what extent, if any, we will be able to pass any future raw material cost increases through to our customers through product price increases. Our inability to pass increased costs through to our customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Many of the Canadian forestlands also are subject to the constitutionally protected treaty or common-law rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada. Most of British Columbia is not covered by treaties and, as a result, the claims of British Columbia’s aboriginal peoples relating to forest resources are largely unresolved, although many aboriginal groups are actively engaged in treaty discussions with the governments of British Columbia and Canada. Final or interim resolution of claims brought by aboriginal groups are expected to result in additional restrictions on the sale or harvest of timber and may increase operating costs and affect timber supply and prices in Canada. It is possible that, over the long term, such claims could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations require substantial capital. Capital expenditures for expansion or replacement of existing facilities or equipment or to comply with future changes in environmental laws and regulations may be substantial. Although we maintain our production equipment with regular periodic and scheduled maintenance, we cannot assure you that key pieces of equipment in our various production processes will not need to be repaired or replaced or that we will not incur significant additional costs associated with environmental compliance. The costs of repairing or replacing such equipment and the associated downtime of the affected production line could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. If for any reason we are unable to provide for our operating needs, capital expenditures and other cash requirements on economic terms, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are subject to significant environmental regulation and environmental compliance expenditures and liabilities. Our businesses are subject to many environmental laws and regulations, particularly with respect to discharges of pollutants and other emissions on or into land, water and air, and the disposal and remediation of hazardous substances or other contaminants and the restoration and reforestation of timberlands. Compliance with these laws and regulations is a significant factor in our business. We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant expenditures to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Moreover, some or all of the environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject could become more stringent in the future. Our failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations and permit requirements could result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or enforcement actions, including regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of pollution control equipment or remedial actions.
Some environmental laws and regulations impose liability and responsibility on present and former owners, operators or users of facilities and sites for contamination at such facilities and sites without regard to causation or knowledge of contamination. In addition, we occasionally evaluate various alternatives with respect to our facilities, including possible dispositions or closures. Investigations undertaken in connection with these activities may lead to discoveries of contamination that must be remediated, and closures of facilities may trigger compliance requirements that are not applicable to operating facilities. Consequently, we cannot assure you that existing or future circumstances or developments with respect to contamination will not require significant expenditures by us.
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We are involved in various environmental matters, product liability and other legal proceedings. The outcome of these matters and proceedings and the magnitude of related costs and liabilities are subject to uncertainties. The conduct of our business involves the use of hazardous substances and the generation of contaminants and pollutants. In addition, the end-users of many of our products are members of the general public. We currently are and from time to time in the future will be involved in a number of environmental matters and legal proceedings, including legal proceedings involving anti-trust, warranty or non-warranty product liability claims, negligence and other claims, including claims for wrongful death, personal injury and property damage alleged to have arisen out of the use by others of our or our predecessors’ products or the release by us or our predecessors of hazardous substances. Environmental matters and legal matters and proceedings, including class action settlements relating to certain of our products, have in the past caused and in the future may cause us to incur substantial costs. We have established contingency reserves in our consolidated financial statements with respect to the estimated costs of existing environmental matters and legal proceedings to the extent that our management has determined that such costs are both probable and reasonably estimable as to amount. However, such reserves are based upon various estimates and assumptions relating to future events and circumstances, all of which are subject to inherent uncertainties. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to environmental and litigation loss contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly. However, no estimate of the range of any such change can be made at this time. We may incur costs in respect of existing and future environmental matters and legal proceedings as to which no contingency reserves have been established. We cannot assure you that we will have sufficient resources available to satisfy the related costs and expenses associated with these matters and proceedings.
The valuation of our investment in auction-rate securities (ARS) is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. With the liquidity issues experienced in global credit and capital markets, the ARS held by us have experienced multiple failed auctions as the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. Given the failed auctions, the values of our ARS have been adversely affected. Factors that may further impact the valuation of our ARS include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, counterparty risk and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity. If uncertainties in the credit and capital markets continue, these markets deteriorate further or we experience additional ratings downgrades on any investments in our portfolio (including our ARS), we may incur additional impairments to our investment portfolio, which could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Settlements of tax exposures may exceed the amounts we have established for known estimated tax exposures. We maintain reserves for known estimated tax exposures in federal, state and international jurisdictions and uncertain tax positions. Significant income tax exposures may include potential challenges to intercompany pricing, the treatment of financing, acquisition and disposition transactions, the use of hybrid entities and other matters. These exposures are settled primarily through the closure of audits with the taxing jurisdictions and, on occasion, through the judicial process, either of which may produce a result inconsistent with past estimates. We believe that we have established appropriate reserves for estimated exposures; however, if actual results differ materially from our estimates we could experience a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in currency exchange losses. A significant portion of our operations are conducted through foreign subsidiaries. The functional currency for our Canadian subsidiary is the U.S. dollar. The financial statements of this foreign subsidiary are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the historical exchange rate for property, plant and equipment, timber and timberlands, goodwill, equity and certain other non-monetary assets and liabilities and related depreciation and amortization on these assets and liabilities. These transaction gains or losses are recorded in foreign exchange gains (losses) in the income statement. The functional currency of our Chilean subsidiary is the Chilean peso and the functional currency in our Brazil subsidiary is the Brazilian real. Translation adjustments, which are based upon the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the weighted average rate for the income statement, are
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recorded in the Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) section of Stockholders’ Equity. Therefore, a strengthening of the Canadian dollar, the Chilean peso or the Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to service our indebtedness, to refinance our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs is subject to various risks. Our ability to make scheduled payments on and to refinance our indebtedness depends on and is subject to our financial and operating performance, which in turn is affected by general and regional economic, financial, competitive, business and other factors, including the availability of financing in the banking and capital markets as well as the other risks described herein. In particular, demand for our products correlates to a significant degree to the level of residential construction activity in North America, which historically has been characterized by significant cyclicality. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, single-family and multi-family housing starts for 2009 were approximately 39% lower than 2008 and were approximately 59% lower than 2007. This reduced level of building was caused, in part, by an increase in the inventory of homes for sale, a more restrictive mortgage market and a slowing economy. Although home building activity has improved in recent months, there can be no assurance that such improvement will continue at recent rates or at all. We have experienced significant losses from operations and significant net cash used in operating activities in recent periods, and any continuation of the improvement in our operating performance that we experienced in 2009 as compared to 2008 is subject to continuing improvement in the factors referred to above. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our debt, to refinance our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to service our debt obligations or to fund our other liquidity needs, we could be forced to curtail our operations, reorganize our capital structure or liquidate some or all of our assets in a manner that could cause the holders of our securities to experience a partial or total loss of their investment in us.
We have not independently verified the results of third-party research or confirmed assumptions or judgments upon which it may be based, and the forecasted and other forward-looking information contained therein is subject to inherent uncertainties. We refer in this report and other documents that we file with the SEC to historical, forecasted and other forward-looking information published by sources such as RISI, Random Lengths and the U.S. Census Bureau that we believe to be reliable. However, we have not independently verified this information and, with respect to the forecasted and forward-looking information, have not independently confirmed the assumptions and judgments upon which it is based. Forecasted and other forward looking information is necessarily based on assumptions regarding future occurrences, events, conditions and circumstances and subjective judgments relating to various matters, and is subject to inherent uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by, or based upon, such forecasted and forward-looking information.
| ITEM 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
None.
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| ITEM 2. | Properties |
Information regarding our principal properties and facilities is set forth in the following tables. Information regarding production capacities is based on normal operating rates and normal production mixes under current market conditions, taking into account known constraints such as log supply. Market conditions, fluctuations in log supply, and the nature of current orders may cause actual production rates and mixes to vary significantly from the production rates and mixes shown.
ORIENTED STRAND BOARD
Oriented Strand Board Panel Plants 1
10 plants—4,935 million square feet annual capacity, 3/8” basis
| Square feet in millions | ||
| Carthage, TX |
450 | |
| Chambord, Quebec, Canada 2 |
470 | |
| Dawson Creek, BC, Canada |
390 | |
| Hanceville, AL |
375 | |
| Jasper, TX |
450 | |
| Maniwaki, Quebec, Canada |
650 | |
| Roxboro, NC |
470 | |
| Sagola, MI |
410 | |
| Swan Valley, Manitoba, Canada |
520 | |
| Thomasville, AL 2 |
750 |
SIDING
Siding and Specialty Plants
6 plants—1,320 million square feet annual capacity, 3/8” basis
| Square feet in millions | ||
| Newberry, MI |
150 | |
| Hayward, WI 3 |
475 | |
| Tomahawk, WI |
140 | |
| Two Harbors, MN |
155 | |
| Roaring River, NC |
300 | |
| East River, Nova Scotia, Canada |
100 |
ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS
I-joist Plants 4
1 plant—80 million lineal feet annual capacity
| 1 to 3 shifts per day, 5 days per week |
Lineal feet in millions | |
| Red Bluff, CA |
80 |
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LVL Plants
2 plants—9,400 thousand cubic feet annual capacity
| Cubic feet in thousands | ||
| Golden, BC, Canada |
4,800 | |
| Wilmington, NC |
4,600 |
LSL Plant
1 plant—7,000 thousand cubic feet annual capacity
| Cubic feet in thousands | ||
| Houlton, ME 5 |
7,000 |
OTHER 6
Plastic Mouldings Plant
1 plant—300 million lineal feet annual capacity
| Lineal feet in millions | ||
| Middlebury, IN |
300 |
South American Operations
3 plants—680 million square feet annual capacity. 3/8” basis
| Square feet in millions | ||
| Panguipulli, Chile |
130 | |
| Lautaro, Chile |
160 | |
| Ponta Grossa, Brazil |
390 |
| Plywood |
Golden, BC, Canada |
| 1 | In addition to the plants described, our 50/50 joint venture with Canfor Corporation owns and operates a plant in Ft. St. John, British Columbia, Canada, that has an annual production capacity of 820 million square feet of OSB. |
| 2 | Facility indefinitely curtailed as of December 31, 2009. |
| 3 | The Hayward, WI siding facility produces both commodity OSB and OSB siding. |
| 4 | In addition to the plant described, our 50/50 joint venture with AbitibiBowater owns and operates a plant in St. Prime, Quebec, Canada and a plant in La Rouche, Quebec, Canada. The combined annual production capacity of these facilities is 140 million lineal feet. |
| 5 | The Houlton, ME LSL facility can produce both commodity OSB and LSL. |
| 6 | The above table does not reflect the 12 cellulose insulation facilities that are operated by U.S. GreenFiber, LLC, our 50/50 joint venture with Casella Waste Systems. |
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CANADIAN TIMBERLAND LICENSE AGREEMENTS
| Location |
Acres | |
| British Columbia |
9,200,000 | |
| Manitoba |
8,900,000 | |
| Quebec |
27,600,000 | |
| Total timberlands under license agreements in Canada |
45,700,000 | |
We also have timber-cutting rights on 31,126 acres on government and privately owned timberlands in the U.S.
Our Canadian subsidiary has arrangements with four Canadian provincial governments which give our subsidiary the right to harvest a volume of wood off public land from defined forest areas under supply and forest management agreements, long-term pulpwood agreements, and various other timber licenses. The acreage noted above is the gross amount of the licenses and is not reflective of the amount of timber acreage that we currently manage. We also obtain wood from private parties in certain cases where the provincial governments require us to obtain logs from private parties prior to harvesting from the licenses to meet our raw materials needs. The timberland licenses above do not include the timber we have under license associated with our joint venture OSB mill with Canfor Corporation located in British Columbia.
| ITEM 3. | Legal Proceedings |
Certain environmental matters and legal proceedings are discussed below.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
We are involved in a number of environmental proceedings and activities, and may be wholly or partially responsible for known or unknown contamination existing at a number of other sites at which we have conducted operations or disposed of wastes. Based on the information currently available, management believes that any fines, penalties or other costs or losses resulting from these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity.
ANTITRUST LITIGATION
On December 1, 2008, we were named as one of a number of defendants in Bailey Lumber & Supply and 84 Lumber Company v. Georgia-Pacific Corporation et. al. (Civil Action No. 1:08cv1394) filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi Southern Division. The plaintiffs, who opted out of a class action settlement of substantially identical claims that was implemented in 2008, seek treble damages alleged to have resulted from a conspiracy among the defendants to fix, raise, maintain and stabilize the prices at which OSB and Plywood are sold in the United States during the period of 2002 into 2006, in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §1, together with costs and attorneys’ fees. We believe these allegations are without merit and intend to vigorously defend this suit.
Although the complaint in this opt-out case does not specify the amount of damages sought, a damages model subsequently filed by the plaintiffs suggests that they may be seeking damages in a range from $149 million to $174 million (or $447 million to $524 million if trebled). We have not increased our reserves for this opt-out case as a result of the filing of the damages model and believe that our reserves are adequate.
ARS LITIGATION
On July 31, 2009, we filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California captioned., Louisiana Pacific Corporation v. Money Market 1 Institutional Investment Dealer; Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated; and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
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(Civil Action No.09cv3529). This matter arose out of our acquisition of certain ARS structured and underwritten by Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank with an approximate par value of $145.9 million. In the lawsuit, we allege that the defendants made misrepresentations and omissions of material facts in connection with the issuance of and the auctions for the ARS which constitute a violation of both state and federal securities laws, as well as common law fraud. We seek recovery of compensatory damages, rescission of the purchase of the securities at par value, consequential damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and any other damages the court deems appropriate under the circumstances.
OTHER PROCEEDINGS
We are parties to other legal proceedings. Based on the information currently available, we believe that the resolution of such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity.
CONTINGENCY RESERVES
We maintain reserves for the estimated cost of the legal and environmental matters referred to above. However, as with any estimate, there is uncertainty of predicting the outcomes of claims and litigation and environmental investigations and remediation efforts that could cause actual costs to vary materially from current estimates. Due to various uncertainties, we cannot predict to what degree actual payments will exceed the recorded liabilities related to these matters. However, it is possible that, in either the near term or the longer term, revised estimates or actual payments will significantly exceed the recorded liabilities.
For information regarding our financial statement reserves for the estimated costs of the environmental and legal matters referred to above, see Note 20 of the Notes to financial statements included in item 8 in this report.
| ITEM 4. |
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PART II
| ITEM 5. | Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
The common stock of LP is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol “LPX.” The Dow-Jones newspaper quotations symbol for the common stock is “LaPac.” Information regarding the high and low sales prices for the common stock for each quarter of the last two years is as follows:
| 1ST QTR | 2ND QTR | 3RD QTR | 4TH QTR | |||||||||
| HIGH AND LOW STOCK PRICES |
||||||||||||
| 2009 High |
$ | 2.50 | $ | 4.91 | $ | 7.77 | $ | 7.36 | ||||
| Low |
$ | 1.19 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 3.03 | $ | 5.17 | ||||
| 2008 High |
$ | 15.79 | $ | 12.74 | $ | 11.33 | $ | 9.17 | ||||
| Low |
8.38 | 8.45 | 7.64 | 1.41 | ||||||||
As of January 30, 2010, there were approximately 9,191 holders of record of our common stock. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we paid $0.30 per share during the first six months and subsequently suspended further dividend payments indefinitely. Our ability to pay dividends in the future is subject to limitations set forth in the agreement governing our bank credit facilities and the indenture governing our Senior Notes due in 2017.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
None.
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PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the total cumulative return to investors, including dividends paid (assuming reinvestment of dividends) and appreciation or depreciation in stock price, from an investment in LP Common Stock for the period December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009, to the total cumulative return to investors from the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Standard & Poor’s Paper and Forest Products Index for the same period. Stockholders are cautioned that the graph shows the returns to investors only as of the dates noted and may not be representative of the returns for any other past or future period.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, S&P 500, S&P Paper & Forest Products
December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2009
| Dec-04 | Dec-05 | Dec-06 | Dec-07 | Dec-08 | Dec-09 | ||||||||
| LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION |
$ | 100 | 104.63 | 84.18 | 55.24 | 6.46 | 28.92 | ||||||
| S&P 500 INDEX |
$ | 100 | 104.91 | 121.48 | 128.16 | 80.74 | 102.11 | ||||||
| PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS |
$ | 100 | 97.97 | 103.73 | 107.78 | 43.54 | 85.13 | ||||||
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ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data
| Dollar amounts in millions, except per share Year ended December 31 |
2009 | 2008 | 2007(3) | 2006 (2) | 2005(1) | |||||||||||||||
| SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT DATA |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales |
$ | 1,054.7 | $ | 1,376.2 | $ | 1,704.9 | $ | 2,187.4 | $ | 2,528.4 | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
(117.0 | ) | (565.3 | ) | (155.3 | ) | 133.9 | 474.9 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
(5.3 | ) | (13.7 | ) | (24.6 | ) | (10.2 | ) | (18.3 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) |
(122.3 | ) | (579.0 | ) | (179.9 | ) | 123.7 | 455.5 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss attributed to Louisiana-Pacific Corporation |
(121.4 | ) | (578.8 | ) | (179.9 | ) | 123.7 | 455.5 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share—basic |
($1.07 | ) | ($5.49 | ) | ($1.50 | ) | $1.27 | $4.36 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share—basic |
($1.12 | ) | ($5.62 | ) | ($1.73 | ) | $1.18 | $4.18 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share—diluted |
($1.07 | ) | ($5.49 | ) | ($1.50 | ) | $1.27 | $4.33 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share— diluted |
($1.12 | ) | ($5.62 | ) | ($1.73 | ) | $1.17 | $4.15 | ||||||||||||
| Average shares of common stock outstanding (millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic |
108.5 | 102.9 | 103.7 | 105.1 | 109.0 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted |
108.5 | 102.9 | 103.7 | 105.5 | 109.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared per common share |
— | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.475 | |||||||||||
| SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets |
$ | 2,247.4 | $ | 2,188.7 | $ | 3,229.3 | $ | 3,428.7 | $ | 3,598.0 | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt, excluding current portion |
$ | 337.6 | $ | 472.6 | $ | 485.8 | $ | 644.6 | $ | 734.8 | ||||||||||
| Contingency reserves, excluding current portion |
$ | 30.8 | $ | 30.5 | $ | 15.8 | $ | 25.6 | $ | 31.4 | ||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity |
$ | 1,249.5 | $ | 1,182.3 | $ | 1,819.5 | $ | 2,067.4 | $ | 2,042.9 | ||||||||||
| 1 | As of December 31, 2005, LP adopted FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143”. See Note 1 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report for further information. |
| 2 | As of January 1, 2006, LP adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) and as of December 31, 2006, LP adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)”. See Note 1 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report for further information. |
| 3 | As of January 1, 2007, LP adopted FASB Staff Position AUG AIR-1, “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities” (FSP AUG AIR-1) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). See Note 1 and 11 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report for further information. |
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| ITEM 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
OVERVIEW
General
Our products are used primarily in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and manufactured housing. We also market and sell our products in light industrial and commercial construction and have a modest export business for some of our specialty building products. Our manufacturing facilities are primarily located in the U.S. and Canada, but we also operate facilities in Chile and Brazil.
To serve these markets, we operate in three segments: Oriented Strand Board (OSB); Siding; and Engineered Wood Products (EWP). OSB is the most significant segment, accounting for 39% of continuing sales in 2009, 45% in 2008 and 48% in 2007.
Our most significant product, OSB, is sold as a commodity for which sales prices fluctuate daily based on market factors over which we have little or no control. We cannot predict whether the prices of our products will remain at current levels, increase or decrease in the future.
2009 was characterized by extremely low demand for all of our products. The housing market continued to decline for most of the year, the market channel experienced numerous site closures and location consolidations, the disruption in the credit market forced inventory liquidations by our customers, and the overall economic pessimism lowered the sales of our products. In response, we took significant production curtailments across our operations.
Factors Affecting Our Results
Revenues and Operating Costs.
We derive our revenues from sales of our products. The unit volumes of products sold and the prices at which sales are made determine the amount of our revenues. These volumes and prices are affected by the overall level of demand for, and supply of, products of the type we sell and comparable or substitute products, and by competitive conditions in our industry.
Our operating results reflect the relationship between the amount of our revenues and our costs of production and other operating costs and expenses. Our costs of production are affected by, among other factors, costs of raw materials (primarily wood fiber and various petroleum-based resins) and energy costs, which in turn are affected by the overall market supply of and demand for these manufacturing inputs. The Canadian dollar weakened against the U.S. dollar in 2009, reducing our costs, as reported in U.S. dollars, at our Canadian operations.
Demand for Building Products
Demand for our products correlates to a significant degree to the level of residential construction activity in North America, which historically has been characterized by significant cyclicality. This activity can be further delineated into three areas: (1) new home construction; (2) repair and remodeling; and (3) manufactured housing.
New Home Construction. Demand for our products correlates to a significant degree to the level of new home construction activity in North America, which historically has been characterized by significant cyclicality. The U.S. Department of Census reported that actual single and multi-family housing starts in 2009 were about 39% lower than 2008 and 59% lower than 2007. We believe that the reduced level of building is due to the increase in the inventory of unoccupied homes for sale coupled with a much more restrictive mortgage market. Additionally, the current recession and related job losses, the reduction in home values and the large amount of variable rate mortgages that have reset at higher rates of interest have increased the number of foreclosures,
18
which has added to the stock of homes for sale. Building activity is unlikely to improve until the number of homes available for sale is reduced, foreclosure activity subsides, the level of unemployment stabilizes and housing prices stop declining. During 2009, the U.S. federal government initiated several programs to stimulate short term demand, including first home and repeat home buyer credits to stimulate the housing market.
While near term residential construction is constrained in the U.S., positive long-term fundamentals persist. Increased immigration, the changing age distribution of the population, additional minority home ownership and historically low interest rates are expected to lead to more household formations. The chart below, which is based on data published by Resource International Systems, Inc (RISI), provides a graphical summary of new housing starts for single and multi-family in the U.S. showing actual and rolling five and ten year averages for housing starts in thousands.
Repair and Remodeling. Demand for building materials to support home improvement projects is largely tied to the size and age of the existing housing stock in North America. In this regard, the 1970s and 1980s had some of the highest levels of building activity. This puts these homes at an age of approximately 30-40 years, which has been shown to be consistent with the highest per home expenditure rate on repair and remodeling. With the rise in the number and scale of home improvement stores in North America, individuals now have ready and convenient access to obtain the building materials needed for repair and remodeling, as well as increased access to installation services. Although this market weakened in 2008 and 2009 due to reduced home sales and reduced financing to fund repair and remodel expenditures, it did not decline as significantly as new home construction activity.
Manufactured Housing. Over the last several years, manufactured housing has suffered. There are several factors that have led to the decline in the number of manufactured housing units produced, including a lack of available financing, increased ability of potential customers to purchase site-built starter homes and financial difficulties at some of the larger manufactured housing producers.
Supply of Building Products
OSB is a commodity product, and it is, along with all of our products, subject to competition from manufacturers worldwide. Product supply is influenced primarily by fluctuations in available manufacturing capacity and imports. According to RISI, total North American OSB annual production capacity is projected to increase by approximately 8.2 billion square feet in the period from 2009 to 2014 while plywood production capacity is projected to decline by 1.2 billion square feet for the same period. According to RISI, OSB accounted for approximately 61% of North American structural panel production capacity in 2009, with plywood accounting for the remainder. Going forward, it is expected that OSB will continue to capture market share from
19
plywood. RISI forecasts, as of December 2009, that OSB will comprise approximately 69% of the structural panel market by 2014. The chart below, which is based on data and forecasts published by RISI, depicts past and forecasted North America structural wood production capacities in billions of square feet.
Putting Demand and Supply Together
As noted above, demand for building products is influenced by the general economy, demographics and need for houses. In the case of OSB, generally, lower demand coupled with higher production capacity will result in lower pricing. The below chart, as calculated by RISI (as of December 2009), shows the demand capacity (demand divided by supply) for OSB in 2005 through 2009 as well as RISI’s forecast through 2014 based upon estimated future demand and supply.
Product Pricing.
Historical prices for our products have been volatile, and we, like other participants in the building products industry, have limited influence over the timing and extent of price changes for our products. The estimated average North Central wholesale price for OSB (per thousand square feet 7/16” basis) from 2005 through 2009, as published by Random Lengths, an industry publication, is presented below. RISI’s forecast (as of December 2009) for average North Central wholesale price for OSB (per thousand square feet 7/16” basis) through 2014 is also shown.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES
A discussion of our significant accounting policies and significant accounting estimates and judgments is presented in Note 1 of the Notes to the financial statements in item 8 of this report. Throughout the preparation of the financial statements, we employ significant judgments in the application of accounting principles and methods. These judgments are primarily related to the assumptions used to arrive at various estimates. For 2009, these significant accounting estimates and judgments include:
Auction Rate Securities: Our auction-rate securities represent interests in collateralized debt obligations, a portion of which are supported by pools of residential and commercial mortgages, credit-linked notes and bank trust preferred notes. Liquidity for these auction-rate securities was typically provided by an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at pre-determined intervals, usually every 7, 28, 35 or 90 days. As of December 31, 2009, auction-rate securities that we hold had experienced multiple failed auctions as the amount of securities for sale exceeded the amount of purchase orders. Consequently, we have classified $26.3 million ($96.8 million, par value) of auction-rate securities as long-term available-for-sale securities.
Our estimates of the valuation of our current holdings of auction rate securities are based upon our evaluation of the structure of our auction rate securities and current market estimates of fair value, including fair value estimates from the issuing banks. We review several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include but are not limited to: (i) the length of time a security is in an unrealized loss position, (ii) the extent to which fair value is less than cost, (iii) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, and (iv) our intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Due to the numerous variables associated with these judgments, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related valuation allowance are subject to substantial uncertainties. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to these investments and, as additional information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly.
Legal Contingencies. Our estimates of loss contingencies for legal proceedings are based on various judgments and assumptions regarding the potential resolution or disposition of the underlying claims and associated costs. In making judgments and assumptions regarding legal contingencies for ongoing class action settlements, we consider, among other things, discernible trends in the rate of claims asserted and related damage estimates and information obtained through consultation with statisticians and economists, including statistical analyses of potential outcomes based on experience to date and the experience of third parties who have been subject to product-related claims judged to be comparable. Due to the numerous variables associated with these judgments and assumptions, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related loss contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to these contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly.
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Environmental Contingencies. Our estimates of loss contingencies for environmental matters are based on various judgments and assumptions. These estimates typically reflect judgments and assumptions relating to the probable nature, magnitude and timing of required investigation, remediation and/or monitoring activities and the probable cost of these activities, and in some cases reflect judgments and assumptions relating to the obligation or willingness and ability of third parties to bear a proportionate or allocated share of the cost of these activities, including third parties who purchased assets from us subject to environmental liabilities. We consider the ability of third parties to pay their apportioned cost when developing our estimates. In making these judgments and assumptions related to the development of our loss contingencies, we consider, among other things, the activity to date at particular sites, information obtained through consultation with applicable regulatory authorities and third-party consultants and contractors and our historical experience at other sites that are judged to be comparable. Due to the numerous variables associated with these judgments and assumptions, and the effects of changes in governmental regulation and environmental technologies, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to environmental loss contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly. At December 31, 2009, we excluded from our estimates approximately $1.0 million of potential environmental liabilities that we estimate will be allocated to third parties pursuant to existing and anticipated future cost sharing arrangements.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We review the long-lived assets held and used by us (primarily property, plant and equipment and timber and timberlands) for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. We consider the necessity of undertaking such a review at least quarterly, and also when certain events or changes in circumstances occur. Events and changes in circumstances that may necessitate such a review include, but are not limited to: a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets; a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets is being used or in its physical condition; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets, including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator; an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets; current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets; current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. Identifying these events and changes in circumstances, and assessing their impact on the appropriate valuation of the affected assets under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates.
In general, for assets held and used in our operations, impairments are recognized when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or groups of long-lived assets is not recoverable and exceeds it fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset or groups of long-lived assets is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets or group of assets. The key assumptions in estimating these cash flows relate to future production volumes, pricing of commodity or specialty products and future estimates of expenses to be incurred as reflected in our long-range internal planning models. Our assumptions regarding pricing are based upon the average pricing over the commodity cycle (generally five years) due to the inherent volatility of commodity product pricing, and reflect our assessment of information gathered from industry research firms, research reports published by investment analysts and other published forecasts. Our assumptions regarding expenses reflect our expectation that we will continue to reduce production costs to offset inflationary impacts.
When impairment is indicated for assets held and used in our operations, the book values of the affected assets are written down to their estimated fair value, which is generally based upon discounted future cash flows associated with the affected assets. When impairment is indicated for assets to be disposed of, the book values of the affected assets are written down to their estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs. Consequently, a
22
determination to dispose of particular assets can require us to estimate the net sales proceeds expected to be realized upon such disposition, which may be less than the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows associated with such assets prior to such determination, and thus require an impairment charge. In situations where we have experience in selling assets of a similar nature, we may estimate net sales proceeds on the basis of that experience. In other situations, we hire independent appraisers to estimate net sales proceeds.
Due to the numerous variables associated with our judgments and assumptions relating to the valuation of assets in these circumstances, and the effects of changes in circumstances affecting these valuations, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related impairment charges are subject to substantial uncertainties and, as additional information becomes known, we may change our estimates significantly.
Income Taxes. The determination of the provision for income taxes, and the resulting current and deferred tax assets and liabilities, involves significant management judgment, and is based upon information and estimates available to management at the time of such determination. The final income tax liability to any taxing jurisdiction with respect to any calendar year will ultimately be determined long after our financial statements have been published for that year. We maintain reserves for known estimated tax exposures in federal, state and international jurisdictions; however, actual results may differ materially from our estimates.
Judgment is also applied in determining whether deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in part. When we consider it to be more likely than not that all or some portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established for the amount of the deferred tax asset that is estimated not to be realizable. As of December 31, 2009, we had established valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets, primarily related to state and foreign carryovers of net operating losses, credits and capital losses. We have not established valuation allowances against other deferred tax assets based upon tax strategies planned to mitigate the risk of impairment of these assets. Accordingly, changes in facts or circumstances affecting the likelihood of realizing a deferred tax asset could result in the need to record additional valuation allowances.
Goodwill. Goodwill and other intangible assets that are deemed to have an indefinite life are no longer amortized. However, these indefinite life assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis, and otherwise when indicators of impairment are determined to exist, by applying a fair value based test. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is highly subjective and requires significant judgments at many points during the analysis. In testing for potential impairment, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, as determined based upon cash flow forecasts, is compared to the book value of the reporting unit. The key assumptions in estimating these cash flows include future production volumes and pricing of commodity products and future estimates of expenses to be incurred. Our assumptions regarding pricing are based upon the average pricing over the commodity cycle (generally five years) due to the inherent volatility of commodity product pricing. These prices are estimated from information gathered from industry research firms, research reports published by investment analysts and other published forecasts. Our estimates of expenses are based upon our long-range internal planning models and our expectation that we will reduce product costs that will offset inflationary impacts. During the fourth quarter of 2008, we wrote off the entire balance of our goodwill.
Pension Plans. Most of our U.S. employees and many of our Canadian employees participate in defined benefit pension plans sponsored by LP. We account for the consequences of our sponsorship of these plans in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., which require us to make actuarial assumptions that are used to calculate the related assets, liabilities and expenses recorded in our financial statements. While we believe we have a reasonable basis for these assumptions, which include assumptions regarding long-term rates of return on plan assets, life expectancies, rates of increase in salary levels, rates at which future values should be discounted to determine present values and other matters, the amounts of our pension related assets, liabilities and expenses recorded in our financial statements would differ if we used other assumptions. See further discussion related to pension plans below under the heading “Defined Benefit Pension Plans” and in Note 15 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report.
23
Workers’ Compensations. We are self insured for most of our U.S. employees’ workers compensation claims. We account for these plans in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., which require us to make actuarial assumptions that are used to calculate the related assets, liabilities and expenses recorded in our financial statements. While we believe we have a reasonable basis for these assumptions, which include assumptions regarding rates at which future values should be discounted to determine present values, expected future health care costs and other matters. The amounts of our liabilities and related expenses recorded in our financial statements would differ if we used other assumptions.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In evaluating our business, we utilize several non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is generally defined by the SEC as one that purports to measure historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows, but excludes or includes amounts that would not be so excluded or included under applicable GAAP guidance. In this report on Form 10-K, we disclose continuing earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA from continuing operations”) which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Additionally, we disclose Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations which further adjusts EBITDA from continuing operations to exclude stock based compensation expense, (gain) loss on sales or impairment of long lived assets, other operating charges and credits, other than temporary investment impairment, early debt extinguishment, investment income and realized gain on sale of long-term investments and goodwill impairment. Both EBITDA from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations are not a substitute for the GAAP measure of net income or operating cash flows or other GAAP measures of operating performance or liquidity.
We have included EBITDA from continuing operations and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations in this report on Form 10-K because we use them as important supplemental measures of our performance and believe that they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested persons in the evaluation of companies in our industry, some of which present EBITDA when reporting their results. We use EBITDA from continuing operations and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations to evaluate our performance as compared to other companies in our industry that have different financing and capital structures and/or tax rates. It should be noted that companies calculate EBITDA differently and, therefore, our EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA measures may not be comparable to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA reported by other companies. Our EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA measures have material limitations as performance measures because they exclude interest expense, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation and amortization which are necessary to operate our business or which we otherwise incurred or experienced in connection with the operation of our business.
24
The following table represents significant items by operating segment and reconciles results from continuing operations to EBITDA from continuing operations and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2009 |
OSB | Siding | EWP | Other | Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Sales |
$ | 406.2 | $ | 373.8 | $ | 157.7 | $ | 117.0 | $ | — | $ | 1,054.7 | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
35.2 | 18.5 | 12.2 | 10.7 | 3.4 | 80.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales and selling and administrative |
427.9 | 326.0 | 177.8 | 104.1 | 73.1 | 1,108.9 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale or impairment of long lived assets |
(2.5 | ) | (2.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating credits and charges, net |
1.6 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs |
463.1 | 344.5 | 190.0 | 114.8 | 75.6 | 1,188.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations |
(56.9 | ) | 29.3 | (32.3 | ) | 2.2 | (75.6 | ) | (133.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total non-operating income (expense) |
(36.1 | ) | (36.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates |
(56.9 | ) | 29.3 | (32.3 | ) | 2.2 | (111.7 | ) | (169.4 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
(63.4 | ) | (63.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates |
8.7 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 11.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(65.6 | ) | 29.3 | (33.2 | ) | 0.8 | (48.3 | ) | (117.0 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(65.6 | ) | 29.3 | (33.2 | ) | 0.8 | (48.3 | ) | (117.0 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit |
(63.4 | ) | (63.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest |
71.6 | 71.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
35.2 | 18.5 | 12.2 | 10.7 | 3.4 | 80.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA from continuing operations |
(30.4 | ) | 47.8 | (21.0 | ) | 11.5 | (36.7 | ) | (28.8 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation expense |
0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | — | 5.6 | 7.4 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale or impairment of long lived assets |
(2.5 | ) | (2.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on long term investments |
(18.7 | ) | (18.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income |
(26.1 | ) | (26.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating credits and charges, net |
1.6 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other than temporary investment impairment |
2.0 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Early debt extinguishment |
20.7 | 20.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
$ | (29.7 | ) | $ | 48.4 | $ | (20.5 | ) | $ | 11.5 | $ | (54.1 | ) | $ | (44.4 | ) | ||||||
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| Year Ended December 31, 2008 |
OSB | Siding | EWP | Other | Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Sales |
$ | 621.5 | $ | 423.8 | $ | 234.5 | $ | 96.4 | $ | — | $ | 1,376.2 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
49.6 | 20.5 | 15.8 | 9.0 | 5.5 | 100.4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales and selling and administrative |
715.8 | 400.5 | 259.4 | 91.1 | 79.8 | 1,546.6 | |||||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale or impairment of long lived assets |
9.0 | 9.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment |
273.5 | 273.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating credits and charges, net |
90.3 | 90.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs |
765.4 | 421.0 | 275.2 | 100.1 | 458.1 | 2,019.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations |
(143.9 | ) | 2.8 | (40.7 | ) | (3.7 | ) | (458.1 | ) | (643.6 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total non-operating income (expense) |
(109.7 | ) | (109.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates |
(143.9 | ) | 2.8 | (40.7 | ) | (3.7 | ) | (567.8 | ) | (753.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
(202.0 | ) | (202.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates |
11.3 | (0.5 | ) | 3.2 | 14.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(155.2 | ) | 2.8 | (40.2 | ) | (6.9 | ) | (365.8 | ) | (565.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(155.2 | ) | 2.8 | (40.2 | ) | (6.9 | ) | (365.8 | ) | (565.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit |
(202.0 | ) | (202.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest |
49.1 | 49.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
49.6 | 20.5 | 15.8 | 9.0 | 5.5 | 100.4 | |||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA from continuing operations |
(105.6 | ) | 23.3 | (24.4 | ) | 2.1 | (513.2 | ) | (617.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation expense |
1.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 7.0 | 9.7 | |||||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale or impairment of long lived assets |
9.0 | 9.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating credits and charges, net |
90.3 | 90.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income |
(38.4 | ) | (38.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other than temporary investment impairment |
118.6 | 118.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment |
273.5 | 273.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
$ | (104.3 | ) | $ | 24.0 | $ | (23.8 | ) | $ | 2.2 | $ | (53.2 | ) | $ | (155.1 | ) | |||||||
26
| Year Ended December 31, 2007 |
OSB | Siding | EWP | Other | Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Sales |
$ | 823.8 | $ | 448.9 | $ | 331.6 | $ | 100.6 | $ | — | $ | 1,704.9 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
62.5 | 17.7 | 15.7 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 107.9 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales and selling and administrative |
938.5 | 397.6 | 307.6 | 97.1 | 78.4 | 1,819.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale or impairment of long lived assets |
56.8 | 56.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating credits and charges, net |
(12.5 | ) | (12.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs |
1,001.0 | 415.3 | 323.3 | 103.6 | 128.2 | 1,971.4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations |
(177.2 | ) | 33.6 | 8.3 | (3.0 | ) | (128.2 | ) | (266.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Total non-operating income (expense) |
(4.1 | ) | (4.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates |
(177.2 | ) | 33.6 | 8.3 | (3.0 | ) | (132.3 | ) | (270.6 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Benefit for income taxes |
(133.4 | ) | (133.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates |
17.5 | (2.7 | ) | 3.3 | 18.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(194.7 | ) | 33.6 | 11.0 | (6.3 | ) | 1.1 | (155.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(194.7 | ) | 33.6 | 11.0 | (6.3 | ) | 1.1 | (155.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit |
(133.4 | ) | (133.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest |
35.3 | 35.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
62.5 | 17.7 | 15.7 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 107.9 | |||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA from continuing operations |
(132.2 | ) | 51.3 | 26.7 | 0.2 | (173.2 | ) | (227.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation expense |
0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 5.5 | 7.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale or impairment of long lived assets |
56.8 | 56.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income |
(81.7 | ) | (81.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating credits and charges, net |
(12.5 | ) | (12.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other than temporary investment impairment |
20.9 | 20.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
$ | (131.4 | ) | $ | 51.7 | $ | 27.0 | $ | 0.3 | $ | (102.5 | ) | $ | (154.9 | ) | ||||||||
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We reported a net loss attributable to LP of $121.4 million ($1.12 per diluted share) in 2009, which was comprised of a loss from continuing operations of $116.1 million ($1.07 per diluted share) and a loss from discontinued operations of $5.3 million ($0.05 per diluted share). This compares to a net loss of $578.8 million ($5.62 per diluted share) in 2008, which was comprised of a loss from continuing operations of $565.1 million ($5.49 per diluted share) and a loss from discontinued operations of $13.7 million ($0.13 per diluted share). We reported a net loss of $179.9 million ($1.73 per diluted share) in 2007, which was comprised of loss from continuing operations of $155.3 million ($1.50 per diluted share) and a loss from discontinued operations of $24.6 million ($0.23 per diluted share).
Sales in 2009 were $1.1 billion, a decrease of 23% from 2008 sales of $1.4 billion. Sales in 2008 as compared to 2007 were lower by 19%. The decrease in 2009 was primarily due to significantly reduced volumes across all product lines as the North America housing market slowed significantly as compared to 2008. The
27
decreases in 2008 were largely attributable the slowing housing market and changes in OSB pricing, which is discussed further below.
Our results of operations for each of our segments are discussed below, as are results of operations for the “other” category which comprises other products that are not individually significant. See Note 26 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report for further information regarding our segments.
OSB
Our OSB segment manufactures and distributes OSB structural panel products. OSB is an innovative, affordable and environmentally smart product made from wood strands arranged in layers and bonded with resin. We believe we are the largest and one of the most efficient producers of OSB in North America.
It is estimated for 2009 that OSB accounted for approximately 59% of the structural panel consumption in North America with plywood accounting for the remainder. We estimate that the overall North American structural panel market (based upon 2009 housing starts) was 25.6 billion square feet with the OSB market comprising an estimated 15.0 billion square feet of this market. Based upon our production in 2009 of 2.7 billion square feet (including our joint venture OSB mill with Canfor Corporation), we account for 17% of the North American OSB market and 10% of the overall North American structural panel market.
To enhance our industry leading position in the OSB business, we plan to: (1) leverage our expertise in OSB to capitalize on new opportunities for revenue growth through new product lines; (2) improve net realizations relative to weighted-average OSB regional pricing; (3) reduce costs and improve throughput and recovery by continuing to focus on efficiency, raw materials cost reductions and logistics; and (4) manage capacity to meet expected OSB demand.
OSB is manufactured through the use of wood strands arranged in layers and bonded with resins and wax. Significant cost inputs to produce OSB and approximate breakdown percentages (for the year ended December 31, 2009) include wood (31%), resin and wax (18%), labor and burden (18%), utilities (8%) and manufacturing and other (25%).
Segment sales, operating profits (losses) and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for this segment were as follows:
| (in millions) | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2009 – 2008 | 2008 – 2007 | |||||||||||||
| Sales |
$ | 406.2 | $ | 621.5 | $ | 823.8 | (35 | %) | (25 | %) | ||||||||
| Operating profits (losses) |
$ | (65.6 | ) | $ | (155.2 | ) | $ | (194.7 | ) | 58 | % | 20 | % | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
$ | (29.7 | ) | $ | (104.3 | ) | $ | (131.4 | ) | 72 | % | 21 | % | |||||
Percent changes in average sales prices and unit shipments for the year ended 2009 compared to 2008 and 2008 compared to 2007 were as follows:
| 2009 versus 2008 | 2008 versus 2007 | |||||||||||
| Average Net Selling Price |
Unit Shipments |
Average Net Selling Price |
Unit Shipments |
|||||||||
| OSB |
(1 | %) | (31 | %) | 5 | % | (29 | %) | ||||
2009 compared to 2008
OSB prices remained relatively flat in 2009 as compared to 2008; however the pricing is significantly below cycle average pricing due to dramatically lower demand from housing. The decrease in selling prices unfavorably
28
impacted net sales and operating losses by about $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the corresponding period of 2008. As compared to 2008, the decline in sales volume was primarily due to our decision to operate our facilities to maximize cash flow, and accordingly, to set minimum pricing levels in various regions which we would not sell below. In order to manage to our lower sales demand, we continued the curtailment of our Silsbee, TX; Athens, GA; Chambord, Quebec, and Thomasville, AL operations as well as other production curtailments throughout our system to balance supply and demand. Prior to year end, we decided to permanently shutdown the Silsbee, TX and Athens, GA operations and now hold those facilities for sale for non-OSB production. Operations at the other indentified non-operating locations are expected to remain curtailed throughout 2010.
Compared to 2008, the primary factors for decreased operating losses were reductions in operating costs due to reduced sales volumes, lower prices on petroleum based raw materials used in manufacturing and a decrease in our Canadian dollar denominated manufacturing costs.
2008 compared to 2007
OSB prices increased slightly during 2008 as compared to 2007; however the pricing remains weak as compared to cycle average pricing due to dramatically lower demand for housing. The increase in selling price favorably impacted net sales and operating losses by approximately $25 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the corresponding period of 2007. As compared to 2007, the decline in sales volume was primarily due to the curtailment of our Silsbee, TX operation in the fourth quarter of 2007, Athens, GA, Chambord, Quebec, and Thomasville, AL operations in the fourth quarter of 2008, as well as other production curtailments to balance supply and demand.
Compared to 2007, the primary factors, along with the increased sales prices, for decreased operating losses were reduced sales volumes since we were in a loss position. While costs increased due to higher prices for petroleum based products used in manufacturing and less absorption of fixed costs due to curtailed operations, we improved the overall financial results by curtailing certain operations.
Siding
Our siding segment produces and markets wood-based siding and related accessories, interior hardboard (exited in mid-2009) and commodity OSB products. We believe that we are a leading wood composite exterior siding producer in North America. We manufacture exterior siding and other cladding products for the residential and commercial building markets. Additionally, we are seeking to optimize our current capacity by extending the hardboard lifecycle through innovative new products and features.
Our strategy is to drive product innovation by utilizing our technological expertise in wood and wood composites to better address the needs of our customers. We intend to increase our product offerings and production capacity of higher margin, value-added products through the addition of lower cost plants or the conversion of OSB plants from commodity structural panel production to OSB-based exterior siding products.
Segment sales, operating profits and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for this segment were as follows:
| (in millions) | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2009 – 2008 | 2008 – 2007 | ||||||||||
| Sales |
$ | 373.8 | $ | 423.8 | $ | 448.9 | (12 | %) | (6 | %) | |||||
| Operating profits (losses) |
$ | 29.3 | $ | 2.8 | $ | 33.6 | 946 | % | (92 | %) | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
$ | 48.4 | $ | 24.0 | $ | 51.7 | 102 | % | (54 | %) | |||||
29
Sales in this segment by product line were as follows:
| (in millions) | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2009 – 2008 | 2008 – 2007 | ||||||||||
| SmartSide® siding |
$ | 294.0 | $ | 315.5 | $ | 345.7 | (7 | %) | (9 | %) | |||||
| Commodity OSB |
28.1 | 34.6 | 23.8 | (19 | %) | 45 | % | ||||||||
| Canexel siding and other hardboard related products |
51.7 | 73.7 | 79.4 | (30 | %) | (7 | %) | ||||||||
| Total |
$ | 373.8 | $ | 423.8 | $ | 448.9 | (12 | %) | (6 | %) | |||||
Percent changes in average sales prices and unit shipments for the year ended 2009 compared to 2008 and 2008 compared to 2007 are as follows:
| 2009 versus 2008 | 2008 versus 2007 | |||||||||||
| Average Net Selling Price |
Unit Shipments |
Average Net Selling Price |
Unit Shipments |
|||||||||
| SmartSide® siding |
3 | % | (8 | %) | 2 | % | (10 | %) | ||||
| Commodity OSB |
(2 | %) | (15 | %) | 7 | % | 40 | % | ||||
| Canexel siding |
(4 | %) | (20 | %) | (2 | %) | (11 | %) | ||||
2009 compared to 2008
Sales volumes were lower across SmartSide® siding, commodity OSB and Canexel siding due to significantly reduced housing starts. Our SmartSide business was able to partially offset these declines through improvements in the repair and remodel markets. Our Canexel sales were also adversely affected by our decision to exit our doorskin and 16’ siding business in early 2009. Sales prices in our SmartSide® siding product line for 2009 as compared to 2008 were slightly higher due to changes in product mix with specific product prices remaining generally constant. In our Canexel product line, sales prices decreased in 2009 as compared to 2008 due to the impact of the weakening Canadian dollar as a majority of these sales are made in Canada, as well as the changing product mix as we exited the doorskin and 16’ siding lines.
Overall, the improvement in operating results for our siding segment for 2009 compared to 2008 was primarily due to reductions in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials, optimized production scheduling and efficiencies in other manufacturing costs.
2008 compared to 2007
Sales volumes declined for both our SmartSide® and Canexel siding lines due to reduced demand caused by significantly reduced housing starts. Sales prices in our SmartSide® siding product line increased due to changes in product mix, with specific product prices remaining generally constant. Sales declined for our Canexel product line in 2008 as compared to 2007 due to the impact of the weakening Canadian dollar as a majority of these sales are made in Canada.
Overall, the decline in operating results for our siding segment for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to losses on OSB sales, higher input costs (mainly wood, resins and energy) and increased manufacturing costs incurred at one of our siding mills due to challenges encountered in making technological changes in our manufacturing processes.
Engineered Wood Products
Our EWP segment manufactures and distributes LVL, I-Joists, LSL (which began production in the second quarter of 2008) and other related products. This segment also includes the sale of I-Joist and LVL products produced by our joint venture with AbitibiBowater and under a sales and marketing arrangement with Murphy
30
Plywood. Included in this segment is a plywood mill, which primarily produces plywood as a by-product from the LVL production process.
Our strategy is to strengthen our brand name recognition in the EWP market by enhancing our product mix and quality, providing superior technical support to our customers and leveraging our sales and marketing relationships to cross-sell our EWP products. Additionally, we are seeking to drive costs down by rationalizing our production capacity across geographic areas and improving operating efficiencies in our manufacturing facilities. We introduced a new product line, LSL, to our customers in 2008.
Segment sales, operating profits (losses) and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for this segment were as follows:
| (in millions) | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2009 – 2008 | 2008 – 2007 | ||||||||||||
| Sales |
$ | 157.7 | $ | 234.5 | $ | 331.6 | (33 | %) | (29 | %) | |||||||
| Operating profits (losses) |
$ | (33.2 | ) | $ | (40.2 | ) | $ | 11.0 | 17 | % | (465 | %) | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
$ | (20.5 | ) | $ | (23.8 | ) | $ | 27.0 | 14 | % | (188 | %) | |||||
Sales in this segment by product line were as follows:
| (in millions) | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2009 – 2008 | 2008 – 2007 | ||||||||||
| LVL / LSL |
$ | 74.0 | $ | 96.2 | $ | 137.4 | (23 | %) | (30 | %) | |||||
| I-joist |
63.6 | 92.1 | 136.1 | (31 | %) | (32 | %) | ||||||||
| Related products |
20.1 | 46.2 | 58.1 | (56 | %) | (20 | %) | ||||||||
| Total |
$ | 157.7 | $ | 234.5 | $ | 331.6 | (33 | %) | (29 | %) | |||||
Percent changes in average sales prices and unit shipments for the year ended 2009 compared to 2008 and 2008 compared to 2007 are as follows:
| 2009 versus 2008 | 2008 versus 2007 | |||||||||||
| Average Net Selling Price |
Unit Shipments |
Average Net Selling Price |
Unit Shipments |
|||||||||
| LVL/LSL |
(7 | %) | (18 | %) | (10 | %) | (21 | %) | ||||
| I-joist |
(4 | %) | (28 | %) | (4 | %) | (29 | %) | ||||
2009 compared to 2008
Sales volumes declined in both LVL/LSL and I-joist products during 2009 as compared to 2008. These declines were attributed to significantly reduced level of housing starts. Net average selling prices declined as we continued to see price pressure caused by lower demand. Additionally, during the second half of 2008, we introduced LSL which is a lower priced substitute for LVL in certain applications.
Results of operations for EWP for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the prior year improved primarily due to continued improvements at our LSL mill and reductions in segment selling and administrative costs. Offsetting these improvements were the reductions in sales prices.
2008 compared to 2007
Sales volumes declined in both LVL and I-Joist products. These declines were attributed to a significant slowdown in the housing market. Net average selling prices declined as we continued to see price pressure caused by lower demand. Our focus in the EWP segment continues to be on reductions in conversion costs, better
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geographic manufacturing and distribution, and maintaining key customer relationships. Additionally during 2008, this segment absorbed the start-up losses attributable to the Houlton, Maine LSL mill as we incurred all the expenses associated with the start-up but produced minimal saleable product.
Results of operations for EWP for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the prior year were lower primarily due to much lower sales volume which increased our conversion costs, reductions in sales prices and start-up costs associated with our Houlton LSL mill. Additionally, we saw increases in raw material costs for veneer while OSB and lumber cost remained relatively consistent with the prior year.
Other
Our other products category includes our moulding business, South American operations (including our Brazilian and Chilean OSB facilities) and our joint venture that produces and sells cellulose insulation. This category also includes our remaining timber and timberlands and other minor products, services and operations closed prior to January 1, 2002.
Segment sales, operating profits (losses) and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for this segment were as follows:
| (in millions) | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2009 – 2008 | 2008 – 2007 | ||||||||||||
| Sales |
$ | 117.0 | $ | 96.4 | $ | 100.6 | 21 | % | (4 | %) | |||||||
| Operating profits (losses) |
$ | 0.8 | $ | (6.9 | ) | $ | (6.3 | ) | 115 | % | (10 | %) | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations |
$ | 11.5 | $ | 2.2 | $ | 0.3 | 423 | % | 633 | % | |||||||
Sales in this segment by product line were as follows:
| (in millions) | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2009 – 2008 | 2008 – 2007 | ||||||||||
| Mouldings |
$ | 29.3 | $ | 31.2 | $ | 35.6 | (6 | %) | (12 | %) | |||||
| Chilean operations |
46.3 | 49.5 | 41.7 | (6 | %) | 19 | % | ||||||||
| Brazilian operation |
32.8 | 4.3 | — | 663 | % | ||||||||||
| Other |
8.6 | 11.4 | 23.3 | (25 | %) | (51 | %) | ||||||||
| Total |
$ | 117.0 | $ | 96.4 | $ | 100.6 | 21 | % | (4 | %) | |||||
2009 compared to 2008
In our moulding business, we saw a slight decline in sales due to several one-time charges associated with customer incentives related to development of a new business relationship with Home Depot. In our Chilean operations, we saw lower volumes and pricing as compared to 2008 due to increased imports into Chile, however operating results increased significantly due to one of our Chilean operations being curtailed during 2009 which reduced our costs and allowed us to maximize the production at the one operating facility. For the Brazil operations, this was our first full year of operations. In our joint venture that produces and sells cellulose insulation, operations improved from the previous year as there was increased demand through retail channels. Overall, operating results associated with these activities were positively impacted by improvements in our Chilean operations, the performance of our U.S. Greenfiber joint venture and reductions in carrying costs of our non-operating facilities.
2008 compared to 2007
In our moulding business, we saw a decline in sales volumes due to reduced retail demand as a result of the general softening in the economy. In our South American operations, sales pricing as well as volumes increased
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as we continued to penetrate the South American markets with the addition of a second mill in Chile as well as our acquisition of a 75% interest in a Brazilian OSB facility. In the later portion of 2008, the South American markets began to experience similar economic issues as the rest of our operations and saw dramatic reductions in sales volumes. In our joint venture that produces and sells cellulose insulation, we saw increases in our paper and chemical costs, the primary raw materials. We also experienced reduced sales due to the overall decline in new home construction. Offsetting these declines was a reduction in legal expenses associated with a matter at one of our non-operating facilities which was settled in the fourth quarter of 2007. Overall, the operating results of this category were lower primarily due to softening demand caused by a declining housing market and a worsening global economy.
GENERAL CORPORATE AND OTHER EXPENSE, NET
Net general corporate expense was $76.5 million in 2009 as compared to $85.3 million in 2008 and $83.9 million in 2007. General corporate and other expenses primarily consist of corporate overhead such as wages and benefits for corporate personnel, professional fees, insurance, travel costs, non-product specific marketing and other expenses. The decrease in 2009 as compared to 2008 was due to the “right sizing” initiatives implemented in the later portion of 2008 which reduced management headcount, eliminated corporate aircraft operations, limited corporate research and development and significantly reduced discretionary spending. Offsetting these decreases, were accruals for management incentive pay as we substantially exceeded plan targets for 2009. No management incentive pay was accrued in either 2008 or 2007 due to weaker financial performance. Additionally, we saw higher health care costs in 2009 as compared to 2008. The increase in 2008 as compared to 2007 was primarily due to increases in sales and marketing.
OTHER OPERATING CREDITS AND CHARGES, NET
For a discussion of other operating credits and charges, net, see Notes 1 and 18 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report.
GAIN (LOSS) ON SALES OF AND IMPAIRMENTS OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
For a discussion of gain (loss) on sales of and impairments of long-lived assets, see Notes 1 and 19 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report.
NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
In 2009, net non-operating expense was $36.1 million compared to $109.7 million in 2008 and $4.1 million in 2007. Components of non-operating income (expenses) were as follows:
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||
| Foreign currency gains (losses) |
$ | 13.4 | $ | 19.6 | $ | (29.6 | ) | |||||
| Investment income (loss) |
26.1 | 36.7 | 79.8 | |||||||||
| Realized gains and losses from investments |
18.7 | — | — | |||||||||
| Dividends from cost investments |
— | 1.7 | 1.9 | |||||||||
| Other than temporary impairment |
(2.0 | ) | (118.6 | ) | (20.9 | ) | ||||||
| Interest expense |
(68.7 | ) | (52.1 | ) | (53.6 | ) | ||||||
| Amortization of debt charges |
(3.0 | ) | (0.6 | ) | (0.6 | ) | ||||||
| Capitalized interest |
0.1 | 3.6 | 18.9 | |||||||||
| Early debt extinguishment |
(20.7 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| $ | (36.1 | ) | $ | (109.7 | ) | $ | (4.1 | ) | ||||
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EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
Over the last several years, we have entered into several joint venture arrangements. These include: (1) a joint venture with Casella Waste Management Systems, Inc. to produce cellulose insulation; (2) a joint venture with Canfor Corporation to construct and operate an OSB mill in British Columbia; and (3) a joint venture with AbitibiBowater Inc. to construct and operate two I-joist facilities in Quebec.
In August 2000, we and Casella Waste Management Systems, Inc., each contributed most of the assets of our respective cellulose insulation operations to a joint venture, U.S. GreenFiber, LLC (GreenFiber). Pursuant to the Limited Liability Company Agreement, each company owns 50% of GreenFiber. GreenFiber elected to be treated as a partnership for income tax purposes and therefore the entity is not taxed directly. The results of this operation are included within Other Products.
In 2003, we and Canfor Corporation, entered into an agreement to jointly construct an 820 million square foot OSB facility in British Columbia, Canada. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, each company owns 50% of the venture with LP being responsible for all North America sales from this facility. The joint venture with Canfor commenced operations as of November 2005. The results of this operation are included in our OSB segment.
In November 2002, we sold some of our I-joist manufacturing equipment to our joint venture with AbitibiBowater Inc. to construct and operate an I-joist facility in Eastern Canada. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, each company owns 50% of the venture. This venture commenced operations during 2003. In 2004, we initiated the construction of a second I-joist facility with AbitibiBowater, Inc. that commenced operations in October 2005. The results of these operations are included in the EWP segment.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Included in discontinued operations for 2009, 2008 and 2007 are the results of the operations of mills that have been closed and plan to be divested under our various restructuring plans. These operations include our decking facilities and residual losses of mills divested in past years. The results of operations were as follows:
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||
| Sales |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 28.3 | ||||||
| Operating losses |
$ | (8.6 | ) | $ | (22.3 | ) | $ | (40.1 | ) | |||
All sales shown in LP’s discontinued operations are attributable to our decking operations.
2009 compared to 2008
Included in the loss on discontinued operations for 2009 is an increase in our warranty reserves associated with discontinued products of $4.9 million as well as residual costs associated with mills that have been previously discontinued and sold.
2008 compared to 2007
Included in the loss on discontinued operations for 2008 is an increase in our decking warranty reserves of $17.2 million based upon significant increases in recent warranty claim activity as well as residual costs associated with mills that have been previously discontinued and sold.
INCOME TAXES
In total, we recorded a tax benefit in continuing operations of $63.4 million in 2009, $202.0 million in 2008, $133.4 million in 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the primary difference between the U.S. statutory
34
rate of 35% and the effective rate on our continuing operations related to our foreign debt structure and state income taxes. Additionally, during 2009, we established a $7.5 million valuation allowance on certain state tax net operating loss carry forwards. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the primary difference between the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and the effective rate on our continuing operations related to our foreign debt structure, state income taxes and the write-off of our goodwill. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the primary differences between the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and the effective rate on our continuing operations related to our foreign debt structure, state income taxes, a reduction in our Canadian deferred tax liabilities due to an enacted decrease in the statutory income tax rate and the favorable resolution of an outstanding state tax contingency. We paid $11.8 million of cash taxes and received $91.1 million in cash tax refunds in 2009 and expect to receive $52.7 million in related refunds from prior years in 2010.
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS
We maintain several qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and Canada that cover a substantial portion of our employees. See Note 15 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report. We estimate that our net periodic pension cost for 2010 will be approximately $6.4 million. This estimate assumes that we will have no curtailment or settlement expenses in 2010. If a curtailment or settlement does occur in 2010, this estimate may change significantly. We estimate that we will contribute approximately $10 to $12 million to our defined benefit pension plans in 2010.
At December 31, 2009, we had a net actuarial loss of $104.2 million ($64.7 million, net of tax) in accumulated other comprehensive loss that had not yet been recognized as components of net periodic pension cost. Of the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2009, we expect to recognize a net actuarial loss of $4.7 million ($2.9 million, net of tax) as components of net periodic pension cost in 2010, which will account for approximately 73% of our estimated 2010 net periodic pension cost.
The calculation of our net periodic pension cost is based on numerous actuarial assumptions. Our pension expense is most sensitive to changes in our assumptions regarding the long-term rate of return on assets and the discount rate.
For our U.S. plans, which account for approximately 82% of the total assets of our defined benefit pension plans, we used a long-term rate of return assumption of 7.5% to calculate the 2009 net periodic pension cost. This assumption is based on information supplied by the plan advisors for our U.S. plans based on the expected returns on the portfolio of assets in those plans. We will continue to monitor the expected long-term rate of return of our pension plan investments and adjust our assumed rate of return as necessary. Additionally, to reduce the impact of market value fluctuations on net periodic pension cost, we use an asset smoothing method that recognizes annual investment gains and losses over four years. We used a long-term rate of return assumption of 7.5% to calculate our 2010 estimated pension expense. A change of 0.5% in the long-term rate of return assumption would change our estimated 2010 net periodic pension cost by approximately $1.3 million.
For our U.S. plans, which account for more than 85% of the total benefit obligations of our defined benefit pension plans, we used a discount rate assumption of 5.75% at our December 31, 2009 measurement date. This rate is intended to reflect the rates at which the obligations could be effectively settled at that date. We use corporate bond yields published by a recognized financial institution as an indicator of potential settlement rates. The projected payment for each year is discounted using the rates specified by the yield curve. The sum of these discounted payments is the benefit obligation. The discount rate disclosed is the single rate applied to all projected payments that creates an equivalent obligation. The discount rate from the December 31, 2008 measurement date of 6.2% was used in the determination of the 2009 net periodic pension cost. A change of 0.5% in the discount rate would change our estimated 2010 net periodic pension cost by approximately $0.9 million.
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LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
For a discussion of legal and environmental matters involving us and the potential impact thereof on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, see Item 3 in this report as well as Note 20 in the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report.
Hardboard Siding Settlement Update
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the discussion of our hardboard siding litigation set forth in Note 20 in the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report.
Cumulative statistics as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 under hardboard settlements were as follows:
| December 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
December 31, 2007 | ||||
| Requests for claims |
96,000 | 81,500 | 64,700 | |||
| Completed claims received |
80,900 | 66,800 | 50,200 | |||
| Completed claims pending |
2,100 | 3,500 | 1,000 | |||
| Claims dismissed |
12,900 | 12,100 | 10,200 | |||
| Claims paid |
65,900 | 51,200 | 39,000 |
The average payment amount for settled claims as of December 31, 2009 was approximately $1,000 and for December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $1,100. Dismissal of claims is typically the result of claims for products not produced by LP or claims that lack sufficient information or documentation after repeated efforts to correct those deficiencies.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are existing cash and investment balances, cash generated by our operations and our ability to borrow under such credit facilities as we may have in effect from time to time. We may also from time to time issue and sell equity, debt or hybrid securities or engage in other capital market transactions.
Our principal uses of liquidity are paying the costs and expenses associated with our operations, servicing outstanding indebtedness and making capital expenditures. We may also from time to time prepay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness, repurchase shares of our common stock and acquire assets or businesses that are complementary to our operations. Any such repurchases may be commenced, suspended, discontinued or resumed, and the method or methods of effecting any such repurchases may be changed, at any time or from time to time without prior notice.
Operating Activities
During 2009, we generated $60.8 million of cash from operations as compared to a use of cash of $142.5 million in 2008. The increase in cash provided by operations was related to an intense focus on cash generation as well as lower operating losses. During 2009, due to the depressed new construction market, we curtailed operating production schedules at many of our facilities and reduced inventories throughout our process which allowed us to reduce our inventories by $57.2 million. During the year, we received tax refunds of $79.3 million (net of payments). Trade receivables increased by $20.0 million due to higher sales in December of 2009 as compared to the same period of 2008. As of December 31, 2009, our trade receivables balance was 99% current, which is comparable with prior years with no substantial changes in terms of sales. Non-trade receivables decreased by $51.9 million due to lower income tax receivable due to lower losses. Our accounts payable increased from the prior year primarily due to the increases in interest payable associated with the debt issued in 2009 and accruals for management incentive programs, with minimal increases in trade payables. During the year, we made $12.9 million in contingency payments.
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During 2008, we used $142.5 million of cash in operations as compared to $9.6 million in 2007. The increase in cash used in operations was due to continued operating losses and increases in cash payments for contingencies. During 2008, inventories decreased by $29.9 million resulting from the reductions in demand caused by slowing new construction activities offset by an increase in inventories associated with the inclusion of the Brazil operation in late 2008. Accounts receivable declined by $35.4 million due to significantly reduced sales during December 2008 compared to 2007, with the percentage current remaining consistent with prior years. During 2008, we received $124.5 million in tax refunds and paid $73 million in legal settlements.
During 2007, we used $9.6 million of cash from operations compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $191.9 million in 2006. The decrease in cash provided by operations in 2007 was primarily a result of operating losses due to reduced commodity OSB pricing in our OSB business compared to the same period of 2006. This reduction adversely affected our results from operations by approximately $307 million for the year or approximately $188 million after tax. During 2007, inventories decreased by $32.6 million due to the reductions in demand resulting from the slowing new construction market. Accounts receivable declined by $42.1 million due to significantly reduced sales during December 2007 with the percentage current remaining consistent with prior years. During 2007, we received $44.3 million in tax refunds and paid $14 million associated with contingencies.
Investing Activities
During 2009, we generated $125.6 million in cash from investing activities. Capital expenditures for 2009 were $9.6 million primarily related to maintenance capital. We received $50.3 million on the sale of investments with maturities in excess of 90 days. We also generated $57.5 million in cash from the release of restricted cash related to the resolution of certain litigation matters as well as the refinancing of certain long-term obligations which no longer required cash collateralization. We received $20.0 million in principal payments on our notes receivable from asset sales and $7.8 million on the sale of assets. Additionally, included in accounts payable is $1.2 million related to capital expenditures that had not yet been paid as of December 31, 2009.
During 2008, we generated approximately $111.0 million in cash from investing activities. Capital expenditures for 2008 were $99.4 million and related primarily to the costs associated with our LSL facility in Houlton, Maine. We also paid $56.5 million to purchase a 75% interest in an OSB mill in Brazil. Additionally, we contributed $5.5 million to our joint ventures for working capital requirements. We also used approximately $216.0 million to purchase investments with maturities in excess of 90 days and received $421.6 million on the sale of these types of investments. We received $74.4 million in principal payments on our notes receivable from asset sales. Additionally, included in accounts payable is $2.0 million related to capital expenditures that had not yet been paid as of December 31, 2008.
During 2007, we generated approximately $122.9 million of cash from investing activities. Capital expenditures for 2007 were $335.5 million and related primarily to the costs associated with our OSB mill in Alabama and LSL facility in Houlton, Maine that were under construction. Additionally, we contributed $5.8 million to our joint venture with Canfor Corporation for working capital requirements. We also used approximately $2.0 billion to purchase investments with maturities in excess of 90 days and received $2.5 billion on the sale of these types of investments. During the year, we recognized proceeds from asset sales of approximately $19.5 million. Additionally, included in accounts payable is $30.3 million related to capital expenditures that were not paid for as of December 31, 2007.
Capital expenditures in 2010 are expected not to exceed $25 million related to projects critical for continuing operations.
Financing Activities
In 2009, net cash provided by financing activities was $115.9 million. During 2009, we borrowed $320.5 million in long-term debt which was comprised of $281.3 million from the sale of 375,000 units (discussed
37
below) and $39.0 million of Chilean long-term debt and various other debt and capital lease obligations. We also repaid $318.8 million in long-term debt which included $20.0 million associated with our limited recourse notes payable, $39 million outstanding under a credit facility associated with our Chilean facility, $139.8 million associated with our Senior Notes due in 2010, $95.3 million associated with Senior Secured Notes due in 2017 and $7.6 million associated with an industrial revenue bond. Additionally, we received net proceeds of $132.3 million from the issuance and sale of 20.7 million shares of stock through a public offering and paid $15.8 million in transaction costs associated with the various financing activities.
In March 2009, we issued and sold 375,000 Units consisting of (1) $375 million principal amount at maturity of 13% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 and (2) warrants to purchase 18,395,963 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.39 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances and to mandatory cashless exercise provisions. The units were issued at a discount to the principal amount at maturity of the notes included therein resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of $281.3 million. Simultaneous with the closing of the unit sale, we used a portion of the proceeds to retire $126.6 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.875% Senior Notes due 2010 for $126.0 million. Under the terms of the indenture governing our Senior Secured Notes due in 2017, we were permitted, with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of such Notes at a redemption price equal to 113% of their accreted value, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In September 2009, we completed a public offering of 20.7 million shares of common stock, which included the exercise of the overallotment option of 2.7 million shares, at a per share price of $6.75, raising $139.7 million before offering costs. In connection with the offering, we paid $7.0 million in underwriting discounts and commissions and approximately $0.4 million in expenses. The net proceeds of the offering were $132.3 million a portion of which were used (in November 2009) to redeem 35% of our Senior Secured Notes due in 2017 ($131.3 million principal amount at maturity) at a price of $858.14 per $1,000 principal amount at maturity or $112.6 million. In connection with this repurchase, we recorded a loss on early debt extinguishment of $21.1 million which included $3.7 million associated with the write-off of the related financing costs.
In 2008, net cash used in financing activities was $230.5 million. During 2008, we repaid our $125 million Canadian term loan (equivalent to $100.8 million in U.S. dollars at the time of payment) at maturity and also terminated and paid all amounts outstanding under our Canadian demand facility. We also repaid $74.0 million of our limited recourse notes payable and paid cash dividends of $31.0 million. Additionally, we borrowed $14.0 million under a long term credit facility to fund our Chilean expansion.
In 2007, net cash used by financing activities was $19.6 million as compared to $278.5 million in 2006. In 2007, we borrowed $41.0 million under a revolving credit facility to support general operating requirements in our Canadian locations and borrowed $23.0 million under a secured long-term credit facility to fund our Chilean expansion. We paid cash dividends of $62.4 million and repurchased stock at a cost of $23.6 million.
CREDIT AGREEMENTS
During 2009, we entered into a new credit facility, which provides for a committed asset-based borrowing capacity of up to $100 million, with a $60 million sublimit for U.S. letters of credit and a $10 million sublimit for Canadian letters of credit. The credit facility will end in September of 2012, so long as we maintain on deposit with the agent for the credit facility at all times until our 8.875% Senior Notes due August 15, 2010 have been paid in full an amount of cash or cash equivalents sufficient to pay all principal of and interest on such Notes when due and satisfy certain other conditions (with any failure to do so being an event of default under the credit facility). As of December 31, 2009, the principal amount outstanding under such Notes was $60.0 million.
The availability of credit under the credit facility is subject to a borrowing base, which is calculated based on certain percentages of accounts receivable and inventory and at any given time may limit the amount of borrowings and letters of credit otherwise available under the facility. In addition, the credit facility contains a covenant requiring us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.1 to 1.0 at any time that our unused
38
borrowing base capacity after adjustment to exclude certain past due trade payables falls below $50 million. At December 31, 2009, we had $50.9 million of unused borrowing base capacity under the credit facility, resulting from a borrowing base of $65.2 million less $14.3 million of outstanding non-cash collateralized letters of credit. However, because our fixed charge coverage ratio at December 31, 2009 was less than 1.1 to 1.0 we were effectively precluded from utilizing $50 million of this capacity (other than cash-collateralized letters of credit, as described below, subject to the applicable letter of credit sublimits). The credit facility allows LP to pledge, as security for its reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit issued under the facility, cash collateral in an amount not less than 105% of the of the stated amount of such letters of credit. The above-described preclusion to our utilization of $50 million of the capacity otherwise available under the facility does not apply to such cash collateralized letters of credit. At December 31, 2009, we had no borrowings outstanding under the facility. In addition to the $14.3 million of non-cash collateralized letters of credit mentioned above, there were outstanding under the facility at December 31, 2009, $17.5 million letters of credit which were collateralized by $18.4 million of cash. Based upon our available cash balances, we do not currently anticipate using this facility except to obtain and maintain letters of credit. Additionally, we expect our fixed charge coverage ratio to be less than 1.1 to 1.0 at December 31, 2009 and throughout 2010, and, accordingly to remain subject to the limitation on our ability to fully utilize our adjusted borrowing base capacity as described above. As a result, our ability to obtain and maintain non-cash collateralized letters of credit under this facility will continue to be constrained to an amount that does not exceed the excess of our adjusted borrowing base over $50 million.
Subject to certain exceptions, obligations under the credit facility are secured by, among other things, a first-priority lien on our present and future receivables, inventory and certain general intangibles, and by a second-priority lien on substantially all of our domestic property, plant and equipment, and are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries.
The credit facility contains customary covenants applicable to us and our subsidiaries, other than certain unrestricted subsidiaries, including certain financial covenants as well as restrictions on, among other things, our ability to: incur debt; incur liens; declare or make distributions to our stockholders; make loans and investments; repay debt; enter into mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations; form or acquire subsidiaries; amend or modify our governing documents; enter into hedging arrangements; engage in other businesses other than our business as currently conducted; and enter into transactions with affiliates. The credit facility also contains customary events of default, the occurrence of which could result in the acceleration of our obligation to repay the indebtedness outstanding thereunder.
Obligations under the indenture governing our Senior Secured Notes due 2017 are, in general, secured by a first-priority lien on the collateral that secures obligations under the credit facility on a second-priority basis, and by a second-priority lien on the collateral that secures obligations under the credit facility on a first-priority basis, subject to the terms of an intercreditor agreement, and are guaranteed by the subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under the credit facility.
The indenture contains customary covenants applicable to us and our subsidiaries, other than certain unrestricted subsidiaries, including restrictions on actions and activities that are restricted under the credit facility. The indenture also contains customary events of defaults, the occurrence of which could result in acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness outstanding thereunder.
During 2009, in connection with the entering into the Loan Agreement mentioned below, Louisiana Pacific Chile SA (LP Chile), our wholly owned subsidiary, terminated its committed term credit facility with a Chilean bank, which provided for up to $40 million of borrowings. The ability to draw from this facility ended in December 2008 and repayment was to begin in March 2010. The outstanding amount of this loan was $39 million as of the date of termination and was secured by $39 million of restricted cash.
As part of our refinancing strategy, LP Chile entered into a term loan agreement with Banco de Credito e Inversiones for UF 943,543.7391 (equivalent to $39 million). The loan agreement has a term of 10 years with
39
semi annual principal payments beginning in June of 2012. The loan bears interest at UF plus 5.50% per annum, and is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the real property owned by LP Chile. Additionally, LP is required to maintain a letter of credit for the benefit of the lender in an amount equal to approximately 45% of the outstanding balance, subject to reduction based upon attainment of certain financial tests. LP established such letter of credit in the amount of $17.5 million, which is cash collateralized by approximately $18.4 million of cash. The loan contains various restrictive covenants and requires the maintenance by LP Chile of a debt to equity ratio of less than or equal to 1. If LP Chile is late in making payments, it will also be required to maintain a ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of less than or equal to 5.5 for 2010, 3.2 for 2011 and 2.5 for the remainder of the loan period and a ratio of EBITDA to financial costs of at least 3. The loan agreement also contains customary events of default, the occurrence of which could result in acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness outstanding thereunder.
OTHER LIQUIDITY MATTERS
As of December 31, 2009, we had $26.3 million ($96.8 million, par value) of principal invested in auction rate securities (ARS). The ARS held by us are securities with long-term nominal maturities for which the interest rates were historically reset through a Dutch auction each month. These auctions historically have provided a liquid market for these securities. Since the auctions began failing in August 2007, interest is reset at stipulated rates. Our investments in ARS represent interests in collateralized debt obligations supported by pools of residential and commercial mortgages, credit linked notes and bank trust preferred notes.
The ARS investments held by us all had ratings consistent with our investment policy guidelines at the time of purchase, all had AAA or equivalent credit ratings (except for one corporate ARS rated AA). With the liquidity issues experienced in global credit and capital markets, the ARS held by us at December 31, 2009 have experienced multiple failed auctions as the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. As of December 31, 2009, all but one of our ARS securities continue to pay interest according to their stated terms. One of the investments has been accelerated resulting in LP receiving no further interest payments on this security unless and until a more senior tranche is paid. This investment was fully written off in 2009. The table below provides additional detail as to the composition of our auction rate securities as well as the year of issue.
| (dollars in millions) | |||||
| As of December 31, 2009 |
Original cost | Year of Issue | |||
| Bank Trust Preferred notes |
$ | 30.0 | 2003 - 2004 | ||
| Collateriazed Debt Obligations |
25.6 | 2003 - 2004 | |||
| Credit Linked Notes |
35.3 | 2007 | |||
| Corporate |
5.9 | 2006 | |||
| $ | 96.8 | ||||
During 2009, we sold $55.0 million (par value) of our ARS to Deutsche Bank (DB) pursuant to a tender offer for $21.5 million plus accrued interest. As part of this transaction, we recorded a gain on sale of securities of $18.7 million, which represents a recovery of losses previously recorded as other than temporary impairments. The sale to DB does not affect our ability to pursue the ARS-related legal action initiated in 2009.
The estimated market value of our ARS holdings at December 31, 2009 was $26.3 million, which reflects a $70.5 million adjustment to the par value of $96.8 million. Based upon our evaluation of the structure of our ARS holdings and current market estimates of fair value from issuing banks, we recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $2.0 million ($1.2 million after tax) as a non-operating income (expense). In addition, at December 31, 2009, the value of the remaining credit linked notes and bank trust preferred notes were determined to be higher than the value at December 31, 2008 by $18.8 million ($11.8 million after tax). This
40
increase was recorded as other comprehensive income in 2009. We intend to continue to offer our ARS at auction and to consider other options, including alternative buyers and other potential transactions. We do not currently require our ARS to be liquidated in order to fund our day-to-day operations and we are prepared to hold them until maturity, if necessary.
We review our marketable securities routinely for other-than-temporary impairment. The primary factors we use to determine if an impairment charge must be recorded because a decline in value of the security is other than temporary include (i) whether the fair value of the investment is significantly below its cost basis, (ii) the financial condition of the issuer of the security (including its credit rating) and the underlying collateral, (iii) the length of time that the cost of the security has exceeded its fair value and (iv) our intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
If uncertainties in the credit and capital markets continue, these markets deteriorate further or we experience any ratings downgrades on any investments in our portfolio (including ARS), we may incur additional impairments to our investment portfolio, which could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
Contingency Reserves
Contingency reserves, which represent an estimate of future cash needs for various contingencies (principally, payments for siding litigation settlements), totaled $40.8 million at December 31, 2009, of which $10 million is estimated to be payable within one year. As with all accounting estimates, there is inherent uncertainty concerning the reliability and precision of such estimates. As described above and in Note 20 of the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report, the amounts ultimately paid in resolving these contingencies could exceed the current reserves by a material amount.
Contractual Obligations
The table below summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009 over the next several years. See discussion above concerning provisions that could accelerate the due dates on our long-term debt.
| Dollars amounts in millions | Payments due by period | ||||||||||||||
| Contractual obligations |
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt1 |
$ | 224.3 | $ | 42.5 | $ | 55.0 | $ | 133.2 | $ | 39.6 | |||||
| Operating leases |
6.4 | 6.1 | 5.5 | 2.4 | 2.5 | ||||||||||
| Purchase obligations2 |
1.0 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||
| Other long-term obligations3 |
2.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual cash obligations |
$ | 233.7 | $ | 49.6 | $ | 60.5 | $ | 135.6 | $ | 42.1 | |||||
| 1 | Includes expected interest payments as well as debt maturities. |
| 2 | The majority of our purchase obligations are take-or-pay contracts made in the ordinary course of business related to raw materials. Purchase orders made in the ordinary course of business are excluded from the above table and are cancelable without significant penalty. |
| 3 | Represents other long-term liability amounts reflected in our consolidated balance sheet that have known payment streams including items such as pension contributions. Current pension funding regulations require LP to contribute $1 to $2 million in 2010 to its defined benefit pension plans, and we have included $2 million in the table above. However, LP anticipates contributing approximately $10 million to $12 million in 2010. Future years are not estimable due to the large number of factors involved in determining minimum pension funding. |
41
Off-Balance Sheet and Other Financing Arrangements
In connection with the sale of southern timber and timberlands in 2003, we received $26 million in cash and $410 million in notes receivable from the purchasers of such timber and timberlands. In order to borrow funds in a cost-effective manner: (i) the notes receivable were contributed by us to a Qualified Special Purpose Entity (QSPE) as defined under SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,” (ii) the QSPE issued to unrelated third parties bonds supported by a bank letter of credit and the QSPE’s reimbursement obligations which are secured by the notes receivable, and (iii) the QSPE distributed to LP, as a return of capital, substantially all of the proceeds realized by the QSPE from the issuance of its bonds. The QSPE has no sources of liquidity other than the notes receivable. Generally the cash flow generated by the notes receivable will be dedicated to the payment of the bonds issued by the QSPE, and the QSPE’s creditors generally will have no recourse to us for the QSPE’s obligations (subject to the limited exception described below).
Pursuant to the arrangement described above, during 2003, we contributed $410.0 million of the notes receivable to the QSPE, the QSPE issued $368.7 million of its bonds to unrelated third parties and distributed $365.8 million to LP as a return of capital.
The principal amount of the QSPE’s borrowings is approximately 90% of the principal amount of the notes receivable contributed by LP to the QSPE. Our retained interest in the excess of the notes receivable contributed to the unconsolidated subsidiary over the amount of capital distributed by the unconsolidated subsidiary, in the form of an investment in the QSPE, represented $44.5 million of the “Investments in and advances to affiliates” reflected on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009.
In accordance with SFAS No. 140, the QSPE is not included in our consolidated financial statements and the assets and liabilities of the QSPE are not reflected on our consolidated balance sheet. The QSPE’s assets have been removed from our control and are not available to satisfy claims of our creditors (except to the extent of our retained interest, if any, remaining after the claims of QSPE’s creditors are satisfied). In general, the creditors of the QSPE have no recourse to our assets, other than our retained interest. However, under certain circumstances, we may be liable for certain liabilities of the QSPE (including liabilities associated with the marketing or remarketing of its bonds and reimbursement obligations, which are fully cash collateralized, associated with the letter of credit supporting the bonds) in an amount not to exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes receivable pledged by the QSPE. Our maximum exposure in this regard was approximately $41 million as of December 31, 2009.
In response to the adoption of ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing” (ASC 860) and ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation” 810. Under ASC 860, the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity is no longer relevant for accounting purposes, and formerly qualifying special-purpose entities need to be evaluated for consolidation. We are still evaluating the impact of this adoption and we may be required to reconsolidate this entity as of January 1, 2010. If we are required, the impact on our consolidated financial statements would be an increase to our assets of approximately $368 million, an increase to our liabilities of approximately $369 million and a reduction in our net equity of approximately $1 million. Specifically our assets would increase $410 million in “Notes receivable from asset sales”, a decrease in our “Advances to and investments in affiliates” of $45 million; an increase in our “Restricted cash” of $2 million and an increase in our “Deferred debt cost” of $1 million. Our liabilities would change by an increase in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” of $0.2 million, and an increase in “Long-term debt” of $369 million. Our equity would change by a reduction in “Retained earnings” of $0.8 million.
In connection with the sales of timberlands in California in 1997 and 1998, we received notes from the purchasers totaling $403.8 million. The notes receivable were monetized through the issuance of notes payable in a private placement secured by the notes. Proceeds from the notes receivable from the purchasers are used to fund payments required for the notes payable. To date, all installments (2006, 2008 and 2009) under these notes have been received and the corresponding installments under the notes payable have been paid. The next
42
installment is due in 2010. The notes receivable are classified as current and long-term “Notes receivable from asset sales” and the notes payable are classified as current and long-term “Limited recourse notes payable” on the financial statements included in item 8 of this report.
DIVIDEND
For 2008, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.15 in February and May for a total of $31 million and thereafter suspended further dividend payments indefinitely. For 2007, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.15 each quarter for a total of $62.4 million.
POTENTIAL IMPAIRMENTS
We continue to review several mills and investments for potential impairments. Management currently believes we have adequate support for the carrying value of each of these assets based upon the anticipated cash flows that result from our estimates of future demand, pricing and production costs assuming certain levels of planned capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2009, the undiscounted cash flows for the facilities indefinitely curtailed support the conclusion that the carrying value of those facilities was not impaired. However, should the markets for our products continue to remain at levels significantly below cycle average pricing or should we decide to invest capital in alternative projects, it is possible that we will be required to record further impairment charges.
We also review from time to time possible dispositions of various assets in light of current and anticipated economic and industry conditions, our strategic plan and other relevant factors. Because a determination to dispose of particular assets can require management to make assumptions regarding the transaction structure of the disposition and to estimate the net sales proceeds, which may be less than previous estimates of undiscounted future net cash flows, we may be required to record impairment charges in connection with decisions to dispose of assets.
PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 for discussion of prospective accounting pronouncements in the Notes to the financial statements included in item 8 of this report.
43
| ITEM 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
As of December 31, 2009, our outstanding debt bears interest at fixed rates and accordingly is not sensitive to interest rate changes.
Our international operations have exposure to foreign currency rate risks, primarily due to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar, Brazilian real and the Chilean peso. Although we have in the past entered into foreign exchange contracts associated with certain of our indebtedness and may continue to enter into foreign exchange contracts associated with major equipment purchases to manage a portion of the foreign currency rate risk, we historically have not entered into material currency rate hedges with respect to our exposure from operations, although we may do so in the future.
Some of our products are sold as commodities and therefore sales prices fluctuate daily based on market factors over which we have little or no control. The most significant commodity product we sell is OSB. Based upon an assumed annual production capacity (including our joint venture operation) of 4.9 billion square feet ( 3/8” basis) or 4.2 billion square feet ( 7/16” basis), a $1 change in the annual average price on 7/16” basis would change annual pre-tax profits by approximately $4.2 million. Because of the decline in the housing market and related indefinitely curtailed facilities in our OSB business, expected volumes will be significantly below our capacity.
We historically have not entered into material commodity futures and swaps, although we may do so in the future.
44
| ITEM 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, stockholders’ equity, and comprehensive income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted accounting guidance related to accounting and reporting for non-controlling interests in a subsidiary codified under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 “Consolidation” on January 1, 2009 and accounting guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes codified under ASC 740 “Income Taxes” on January 1, 2007.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 1, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Nashville, Tennessee
March 1, 2010
45
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Dollar amounts in millions
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2009 | 2008 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 394.1 | $ | 97.7 | ||||
| Short-term investments |
— | 21.4 | ||||||
| Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.2 million at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 |
59.8 | 43.8 | ||||||
| Income tax receivable |
52.7 | 94.2 | ||||||
| Inventories |
140.4 | 190.4 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
6.2 | 9.9 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes |
1.4 | 25.3 | ||||||
| Current portion of notes receivable from asset sales |
115.1 | 20.0 | ||||||
| Assets held for sale |
69.1 | 34.4 | ||||||
| Total current assets |
838.8 | 537.1 | ||||||
| Timber and timberlands |
50.6 | 55.6 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, at cost: |
||||||||
| Land, land improvements and logging roads, net of road amortization |
123.4 | 130.6 | ||||||
| Buildings |
283.0 | 287.8 | ||||||
| Machinery and equipment |
1,671.3 | 1,817.6 | ||||||
| Construction in progress |
3.4 | 6.2 | ||||||
| 2,081.1 | 2,242.2 | |||||||
| Accumulated depreciation |
(1,116.6 | ) | (1,197.3 | ) | ||||
| Net property, plant and equipment |
964.5 | 1,044.9 | ||||||
| Notes receivable from asset sales |
123.5 | 238.6 | ||||||
| Investments in and advances to affiliates |
178.2 | 186.9 | ||||||
| Deferred debt costs |
12.3 | 3.3 | ||||||
| Long-term investments |
26.3 | 19.3 | ||||||
| Restricted cash |
19.2 | 76.7 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net of amortization |
3.0 | 4.1 | ||||||
| Other assets |
23.6 | 22.2 | ||||||
| Long-term deferred tax asset |
7.4 | — | ||||||
| Total assets |
$ | 2,247.4 | $ | 2,188.7 | ||||
See Notes to the Financial Statements.
46
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
Dollar amounts in millions, except per share
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2009 | 2008 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: |
||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 60.3 | $ | 7.7 | ||||
| Current portion of limited recourse notes payable |
113.4 | 20.0 | ||||||
| Short-term notes payable |
0.4 | 2.0 | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
122.8 | 121.5 | ||||||
| Current portion of deferred tax liabilities |
— | 4.7 | ||||||
| Current portion of contingency reserves |
10.0 | 10.0 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities |
306.9 | 165.9 | ||||||
| Long-term debt, excluding current portion: |
||||||||
| Limited recourse notes payable |
119.9 | 233.3 | ||||||
| Other debt |
217.7 | 239.3 | ||||||
| Total long-term debt |
337.6 | 472.6 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes |
164.3 | 187.9 | ||||||
| Contingency reserves, excluding current portion |
30.8 | 30.5 | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities |
137.2 | 130.8 | ||||||
| Redeemable non-controlling interest |
21.1 | 18.7 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: |
||||||||
| Preferred stock, $1 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued |
— | — | ||||||
| Common stock, $1 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 139,728,584 and 116,938,950 shares issued |
139.7 | 116.9 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital |
562.4 | 441.3 | ||||||
| Retained earnings |
898.1 | 1,019.5 | ||||||
| Treasury stock, 13,156,746 shares and 13,647,440 shares, at cost |
(286.1 | ) | (297.3 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated comprehensive loss |
(64.6 | ) | (98.1 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
1,249.5 | 1,182.3 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ | 2,247.4 | $ | 2,188.7 | ||||
See Notes to the Financial Statements.
47
Consolidated Statements of Income
Amounts in millions, except per share
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||
| Net sales |
$ | 1,054.7 | $ | 1,376.2 | $ | 1,704.9 | ||||||
| Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||
| Cost of sales |
994.5 | 1,404.8 | 1,667.6 | |||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested |
80.0 | 100.4 | 107.9 | |||||||||
| Selling and administrative |
114.4 | 141.8 | 151.6 | |||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill |
— | 273.5 | — | |||||||||
| Other operating credits and charges, net |
1.6 | 90.3 | (12.5 | ) | ||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale of and impairment of long-lived assets, net |
(2.5 | ) | 9.0 | 56.8 | ||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses |
1,188.0 | 2,019.8 | 1,971.4 | |||||||||
| Loss from operations |
(133.3 | ) | (643.6 | ) | (266.5 | ) | ||||||
| Non-operating income (expense): |
||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest |
(71.6 | ) | (49.1 | ) | (35.3 | ) | ||||||
| Investment income |
44.8 | 38.4 | 81.7 | |||||||||
| Other than temporary investment impairment |
(2.0 | ) | (118.6 | ) | (20.9 | ) | ||||||
| Other non-operating expense |
(7.3 | ) | 19.6 | (29.6 | ) | |||||||
| Total non-operating income (expense) |
(36.1 | ) | (109.7 | ) | (4.1 | ) | ||||||
| Loss from continuing operations before taxes and equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates |
(169.4 | ) | (753.3 | ) | (270.6 | ) | ||||||
| Benefit for income taxes |
(63.4 | ) | (202.0 | ) | (133.4 | ) | ||||||
| Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates |
11.0 | 14.0 | 18.1 | |||||||||
| Loss from continuing operations |
(117.0 | ) | (565.3 | ) | (155.3 | ) | ||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations before taxes |
(8.6 | ) | (22.3 | ) | (40.1 | ) | ||||||
| Benefit for income taxes |
(3.3 | ) | (8.6 | ) | (15.5 | ) | ||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations |
(5.3 | ) | (13.7 | ) | (24.6 | ) | ||||||
| Net loss |
(122.3 | ) | (579.0 | ) | (179.9 | ) | ||||||
| Less: Net loss attributed to non-controlling interest |
(0.9 | ) | (0.2 | ) | — | |||||||
| Net loss attributed to Louisiana-Pacific Corporation |
$ | (121.4 | ) | $ | (578.8 | ) | $ | (179.9 | ) | |||
| Amounts attributed to LP Corporation common shareholders: |
||||||||||||
| Loss from continuing operations, net of tax |
$ | (116.1 | ) | $ | (565.1 | ) | $ | (155.3 | ) | |||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |
(5.3 | ) | (13.7 | ) | (24.6 | ) | ||||||
| $ | (121.4 | ) | $ | (578.8 | ) | $ | (179.9 | ) | ||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share: |
||||||||||||
| Loss per share from continuing operations |
$ | (1.07 | ) | $ | (5.49 | ) | $ | (1.50 | ) | |||
| Loss per share from discontinued operations |
(0.05 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.23 | ) | ||||||
| Net loss per share |
$ | (1.12 | ) | $ | (5.62 | ) | $ | (1.73 | ) | |||
| Cash dividends per share of common stock |
$ | — | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.60 | ||||||
| Average shares of common stock used to compute net loss per share: |
||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted |
108.5 | 102.9 | 103.7 | |||||||||
See Notes to the Financial Statements.
48
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Dollar amounts in millions
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
| Net loss |
$ | (122.3 | ) | $ | (579.0 | ) | $ | (179.9 | ) | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested |
80.0 | 100.4 | 109.8 | |||||||||
| Loss from unconsolidated affiliates |
11.0 | 14.0 | 18.1 | |||||||||
| Other operating credits and charges, net |
12.2 | 44.0 | — | |||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale or impairment of long-lived assets |
(2.5 | ) | 9.1 | 78.7 | ||||||||
| Loss on early debt extinguishment |
20.7 | — | — | |||||||||
| Realized gain on sale of long term investments |
(18.7 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Goodwill impairment |
— | 273.5 | — | |||||||||
| Other-than-temporary impairment of investments |
2.0 | 118.6 | 20.9 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation related to stock plans |
7.3 | 9.7 | 7.1 | |||||||||
| Exchange (gain) loss on remeasurement |
(7.0 | ) | (35.7 | ) | 40.6 | |||||||
| Cash settlements of contingencies |
(12.9 | ) | (26.0 | ) | (14.0 | ) | ||||||
| Warranty reserves, net of payments |
(0.9 | ) | 8.6 | (2.7 | ) | |||||||
| Net accretion on available for sale securities |
— | (0.4 | ) | (9.3 | ) | |||||||
| Pension expense, net of payments |
6.6 | 9.7 | 6.2 | |||||||||
| Other adjustments, net |
5.4 | 2.8 | 12.4 | |||||||||
| Decrease (increase) in receivables |
31.9 | 100.6 | (80.6 | ) | ||||||||
| Decrease in inventories |
57.2 | 29.9 | 32.6 | |||||||||
| Decrease in prepaid expenses |
4.0 | 0.3 | 2.0 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
6.2 | (67.3 | ) | (37.6 | ) | |||||||
| Decrease in deferred income taxes |
(19.4 | ) | (155.3 | ) | (13.9 | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
60.8 | (142.5 | ) | (9.6 | ) | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
| Property, plant, and equipment additions |
(9.6 | ) | (99.4 | ) | (335.5 | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from asset sales |
7.8 | 7.9 | 19.5 | |||||||||
| Purchase of a business |
(0.1 | ) | (56.5 | ) | — | |||||||
| Receipt of proceeds from notes receivable |
20.0 | 74.4 | — | |||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in restricted cash under letters of credit |
57.5 | (1.5 | ) | 2.7 | ||||||||
| Cash paid for purchase of investments |
— | (216.0 | ) | (2,010.0 | ) | |||||||
| Proceeds from sale of investments |
50.3 | 421.6 | 2,471.0 | |||||||||
| Investment in and advances to joint ventures |
(0.3 | ) | (5.5 | ) | (5.8 | ) | ||||||
| Other investing activities, net |
— | (14.0 | ) | (19.0 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
125.6 | 111.0 | 122.9 | |||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
| Borrowings of long-term debt |
320.5 | — | — | |||||||||
| Net borrowings (payments) under revolving credit lines and short-term notes payable |
(2.3 | ) | (24.7 | ) | 64.0 | |||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt |
(318.8 | ) | (174.8 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||||
| Payment of debt issuance fees |
(15.8 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Payment of cash dividends |
— | (31.0 | ) | (62.4 | ) | |||||||
| Sale of common stock |
132.3 | — | 2.7 | |||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock |
— | — | (23.6 | ) | ||||||||
| Other financing activities, net |
— | — | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities |
115.9 | (230.5 | ) | (19.6 | ) | |||||||
| Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents |
(5.9 | ) | 7.6 | 0.4 | ||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
296.4 | (254.4 | ) | 94.1 | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
97.7 | 352.1 | 258.0 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
$ | 394.1 | $ | 97.7 | $ | 352.1 | ||||||
49
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Dollar and share amounts in millions, except per share amounts
| Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital |
Retained Earnings |
Accumulated Comprehensive Loss |
Total Stockholders’ Equity |
Redeemable Non Controlling Interest |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006 |
116.9 | $ | 116.9 | 12.7 | $ | (284.0 | ) | $ | 435.8 | $ | 1,872.4 | $ | (71.5 | ) | $ | 2,069.6 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss |
— | — | — | — | — | (179.9 | ) | — | (179.9 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares for employee stock plans and for other purposes and other transactions |
— | — | (0.3 | ) | 5.6 | 1.6 | — | — | 7.2 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of restricted stock grants |
— | — | — | — | 1.5 | — | — | 1.5 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends, $0.60 per share |
— | — | — | — | — | (62.4 | ) | — | (62.4 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of shares for treasury |
— | — | 1.4 | (23.6 | ) | — | — | — | (23.6 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit of employee stock plan transactions |
— | — | — | — | 0.1 | — | — | 0.1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 7.0 | 7.0 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2007 |
116.9 | 116.9 | 13.8 | (302.0 | ) | 439.0 | 1,630.1 | (64.5 | ) | 1,819.5 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss |
— | — | — | — | — | (578.8 | ) | — | (578.8 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares for employee stock plans and for other purposes and other transactions |
— | — | (0.2 | ) | 4.7 | 0.5 | — | — | 5.2 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of restricted stock grants |
— | — | — | — | 2.1 | — | — | 2.1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends, $0.30 per share |
— | — | — | — | — | (31.0 | ) | — | (31.0 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit of employee stock plan transactions |
— | — | — | — | (0.3 | ) | — | — | (0.3 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of redeemable non controlling interest |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of redeemable non controlling interest |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss |
— | — | — | — | — | — | (33.6 | ) | (33.6 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158, net of tax |
— | — | — | — | — | (0.8 | ) | — | (0.8 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 |
116.9 | 116.9 | 13.6 | (297.3 | ) | 441.3 | 1,019.5 | (98.1 | ) | 1,182.3 | 18.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss |
— | — | — | — | — | (121.4 | ) | — | (121.4 | ) | (0.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares for public offering |
20.7 | 20.7 | — | — | 111.6 | — | — | 132.3 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares for employee stock plans and for other purposes and warrants |
2.1 | 2.1 | (0.5 | ) | 11.2 | (2.2 | ) | — | — | 11.1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of restricted stock grants |
— | — | — | — | 1.7 | — | — | 1.7 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock warrants in connection with debt issuance |
— | — | — | — | 11.4 | — | — | 11.4 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit of employee stock plan transactions |
— | — | — | — | (1.4 | ) | — | — | (1.4 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 33.5 | 33.5 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 |
139.7 | $ | 139.7 | 13.1 | $ | (286.1 | ) | $ | 562.4 | $ | 898.1 | $ | (64.6 | ) | $ | 1,249.5 | $ | 21.1 | ||||||||||||||
See Notes to the Financial Statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Dollar amounts in millions
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||
| Net loss |
$ | (122.3 | ) | $ | (579.0 | ) | $ | (179.9 | ) | |||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax |
||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
26.1 | (13.3 | ) | 0.9 | ||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments |
1.2 | (1.8 | ) | 0.1 | ||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax |
11.8 | 19.1 | (19.5 | ) | ||||||||
| Defined benefit pension plans: |
||||||||||||
| Prior service cost (credit) |
0.3 | 1.2 | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||
| Amortization of prior service cost |
0.2 | 0.6 | 1.1 | |||||||||
| Net (loss) gain |
(4.5 | ) | (42.5 | ) | 22.2 | |||||||
| Amortization of net loss |
2.5 | 1.5 | 3.3 | |||||||||
| Change in measurement date |
— | 0.3 | — | |||||||||
| Exchange (loss) gain on remeasurement |
(0.8 | ) | 1.3 | (0.7 | ) | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
36.8 | (33.6 | ) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest |
0.9 | 0.2 | — | |||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments attributed to non-controlling interest |
(3.3 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Comprehensive loss |
$ | (87.9 | ) | $ | (612.4 | ) | $ | (172.9 | ) | |||
See Notes to the Financial Statements.
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Notes to the Financial Statements
| 1. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Nature of Operations
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively LP or the Company) are principally engaged in the manufacture of building products. In addition to its U.S. operations, the Company also maintains manufacturing facilities in Canada, Chile and Brazil through foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures. The principal customers for the Company's building products are retail home centers, manufactured housing producers, distributors and wholesalers in North America and South America, with minor sales to Asia and Europe.
See Note 26 below for further information regarding LP’s products and segments.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. See discussion of specific estimates in this Note under the headings “Asset Impairments,” “Other Operating Credits and Charges, Net” and “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” and in the Notes entitled “Income Taxes,” “Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits,” “Stockholders’ Equity,” “Other Operating Credits and Charges, Net,” “Gain (Loss) on Sale of and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Net” and “Contingencies.”
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LP and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions. The equity method of accounting is used for joint ventures and investments in associated companies over which LP has significant influence but does not have effective control. Significant influence is deemed to exist generally when the Company has an ownership interest in the voting stock of an investee of between 20 percent and 50 percent. The cost method of accounting is used for investments when LP has less than 20 percent ownership interest or the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, and for investments in Qualified Special Purpose Entities, which are not consolidated. Those investments are carried at cost and are adjusted only for other-than temporary declines in their fair value. The carrying value of these investments is recorded in “Investments in and advances to affiliates” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. LP’s equity in the income and losses of these investments is recorded in “Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 9 for further discussion of these investments and advances. Where our ownership interest is less than 100 percent but more than 50 percent, the outside shareholders’ interests are shown as non-controlling interest. See Note 21 for further discussion of this investment.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are based upon the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus all potentially dilutive securities that were assumed to be converted into common shares at the beginning of the period under the treasury stock method. This method requires that the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents (employee stock options, stock settled stock appreciation rights, incentive shares and warrants) be excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the periods in which losses from continuing
52
operations are reported because the effect is anti-dilutive. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| Dollar and share amounts in millions, except per share amounts | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||
| Numerator: |
||||||||||||
| Income (loss) attributed to LP common shares: |
||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (116.1 | ) | $ | (565.1 | ) | $ | (155.3 | ) | |||
| Loss from discontinued operations |
(5.3 | ) | (13.7 | ) | (24.6 | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) |
$ | (121.4 | ) | $ | (578.8 | ) | $ | (179.9 | ) | |||
| Denominator: |
||||||||||||
| Basic—weighted average common shares outstanding |
108.5 | 102.9 | 103.7 | |||||||||
| Dilutive effect of employee stock plans |
— | — | — | |||||||||
| Diluted shares outstanding |
108.5 | 102.9 | 103.7 | |||||||||
| Basic earnings per share: |
||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (1.07 | ) | $ | (5.49 | ) | $ | (1.50 | ) | |||
| Loss from discontinued operations |
(0.05 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.23 | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) per share |
$ | (1.12 | ) | $ | (5.62 | ) | $ | (1.73 | ) | |||
| Diluted earnings per share: |
||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (1.07 | ) | $ | (5.49 | ) | $ | (1.50 | ) | |||
| Loss from discontinued operations |
(0.05 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.23 | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) per share |
$ | (1.12 | ) | $ | (5.62 | ) | $ | (1.73 | ) | |||
Stock options, warrants and stock settled stock appreciation rights (SSARs) to purchase approximately 7.4 million, 5.0 million and 2.8 million common shares for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were considered anti-dilutive for purposes of LP’s earnings per share calculation due to LP’s loss position in continuing operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of money market and other high quality investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. Such investments are stated at cost, which approximates market value.
Investments
LP’s short-term and long-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at estimated fair value. LP may invest in securities including U.S. treasury notes, bank obligations, corporate obligations, auction rate securities and commercial paper. Under LP’s investment criteria, bank, corporate obligations and commercial paper must carry a rating of A or A-1 from one or more rating agencies. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on these investments are reported as a separate component of “Accumulated comprehensive loss” in Stockholders’ Equity until realized. Impairment losses are charged to income for other-than-temporary declines in fair value. Realized gains and losses (including impairments) are recorded in “Non-operating income (expense)” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For purposes of computing realized gains and losses, cost is identified on a specific identification basis. See Note 2 for further discussion.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
LP has, where appropriate, estimated the fair value of financial instruments. These fair value amounts may be significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of cash flows.
53
Accordingly, the estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange. When these estimates approximate carrying value, no separate disclosure is shown.
Inventory
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs include materials, labor and operating overhead. The LIFO (last-in, first-out) method is used for a minor portion of the Company’s log inventories with the remaining inventories valued at FIFO (first-in, first-out) or average cost. See Note 5 for further discussion.
Timber and Timberlands
Timber and timberlands is comprised of timber deeds and allocations of purchase price to Canadian timber harvesting licenses. Timber deeds are transactions in which LP purchases timber, but not the underlying land. The cost of timber deeds are capitalized in timber and timberlands and charged to cost of timber harvested as the volume is removed. Timber that has been severed but has not yet been delivered to a facility is included in timber and timberlands. The values associated with timber licenses were allocated in the purchase price allocations for both Le Groupe Forex (Forex) and the assets of Evans Forest Products ($131 million at the dates of acquisition). During 2007, due to the permanent shutdown of one of the mills acquired from Forex, LP wrote off a significant portion of these rights (see Note 19 for further discussion). These licenses have a life of twenty to twenty-five years and may be renewable every five years. These licenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the license. Cost of timber harvested also includes the amortization of the timber licenses.
Assets Held for Sale
Over the last several years, LP has adopted and implemented plans to sell selected assets in order to improve its operating results. LP is required to classify assets held for sale which are not part of a discontinued business separately on the face of the financial statements outside of “Property, plant and equipment”. As of December 31, 2009, LP included three OSB mills and various non-operating sites in its held for sale category. As of December 31, 2008, LP included one OSB mill and various non-operating sites in its held for sale category. The current book values of assets held for sale by category is as follows:
| Dollars in millions | December 31, | |||||||
| 2009 | 2008 | |||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, at cost: |
||||||||
| Land, land improvements and logging roads, net of road amortization |
$ | 15.9 | $ | 6.3 | ||||
| Buildings |
35.7 | 19.8 | ||||||
| Machinery and equipment |
212.1 | 68.1 | ||||||
| 263.7 | 94.2 | |||||||
| Accumulated depreciation |
(194.6 | ) | (59.8 | ) | ||||
| Net property, plant and equipment |
$ | 69.1 | $ | 34.4 | ||||
LP believes that the net realizable sales value of the aforementioned assets exceeds their carrying values.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, including capitalized interest, are recorded at cost. Depreciation for financial statement purposes is provided principally using the units of production method for machinery and equipment which amortizes the cost of equipment over the estimated units that will be produced during its useful life. Provisions for depreciation of buildings, land improvements and the remaining machinery and equipment have been computed using straight-line rates based on the estimated service lives. The effective straight-line lives for the principal classes of property range from three to twenty years.
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Logging road construction costs are capitalized and included in land and land improvements. These costs are amortized as the timber volume adjacent to the road system is harvested.
LP capitalizes interest on borrowed funds during construction periods. Capitalized interest is charged to machinery and equipment accounts and amortized over the lives of the related assets. Interest capitalized during 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0.1 million, $3.6 million and $18.9 million.
Asset Impairments
Long-lived assets to be held and used by LP (primarily property, plant and equipment and timber and timberlands) are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When impairment is indicated, the book values of the assets are written down to their estimated fair value as calculated by the expected discounted cash flow or estimated net sales price. See Note 19 for a discussion of charges in 2009, 2008 and 2007 related to impairments of property, plant and equipment. Long-lived assets that are held for sale are written down to the estimated sales proceeds less cost to sell unless the estimated net proceeds exceed the carrying value.
Income Taxes
LP accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in LP’s financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, LP generally considers all expected future events other than the enactment of changes in tax laws or rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates will be recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date. Additionally, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. See Note 11 for further discussion of deferred taxes.
Stock-Based Compensation
LP recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, such as stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units and stock settled stock appreciation rights (SSAR), based upon the fair value of those awards at the date of grant over the requisite service period. LP uses the Black-Scholes-Merton (Black- Scholes) option pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock option and SSAR awards. Stock-based compensation plans, related expenses and assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model are more fully described in Note 16.
Treasury Stock
LP records treasury stock purchased at cost. During 2007, LP repurchased 1.4 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $23.6 million. LP did not repurchase stock during 2009 and 2008.
Derivative Financial Instruments
To reduce foreign currency exchange and interest rate risks, LP occasionally utilizes derivative financial instruments. LP has established policies and procedures for risk assessment and for approving, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities. Derivative instruments, which include forward exchange, options and futures contracts, are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. To the extent that a derivative is designated and effective as a cash flow hedge of an exposure to future changes in value, the change in the fair value of the derivative is reported in “Accumulated comprehensive loss”. In general, LP does not utilize financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
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U.S. GreenFiber, LLC (GreenFiber), a fifty percent owned joint venture between LP and Casella Waste Management, Inc. (accounted for under the equity method of accounting), entered into a swap contract for the purchase of raw materials. As of December 31, 2009, GreenFiber recognized $0.2 million in “Other comprehensive income” to adjust these contracts to fair market value and, accordingly, LP has recorded its share, $0.1 million, in LP’s “Other comprehensive income.” Additionally, LP has provided deferred taxes of $0.04 million associated with this swap.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency for the Company's Canadian subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar; however the books and records for these subsidiaries are maintained in the Canadian dollar. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the historical exchange rate for property, plant and equipment, timber and timberlands, goodwill, equity and certain other non-monetary assets and related depreciation and amortization on these assets and liabilities. LP uses the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for the remaining assets and liabilities, including deferred taxes. A weighted-average exchange rate is used for each period for revenues and expenses. These transaction gains or losses are recorded in ”Other non-operating income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The functional currencies of LP’s Chilean, Brazil and Peru subsidiaries are the Chilean Peso, Brazilian Real and Peruvian Nuevo Sol and their books and records are maintained in the local currency (Chilean Peso, Brazilian Real and Peruvian Nuevo Sol). Translation adjustments, which are based upon the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the weighted-average rate for the income statement, are recorded in “Accumulated comprehensive loss” in Stockholders’ equity.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is not amortized. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized generally on a straight-line basis over the periods benefited.
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and whenever events or circumstances change, such as a significant adverse change in business climate or the decision to sell a business, that would make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. See Note 7 for further discussion of LP’s goodwill.
Additionally, goodwill associated with an equity method investee is not amortized; however impairment of the investment (including goodwill) is evaluated when factors indicate impairment may exist.
Restricted Cash
In accordance with LP’s credit facilities, discussed at Note 13, LP has established restricted cash accounts. As of December 31, 2009, a portion of the restricted cash secures a letter of credit that supports outstanding borrowings under a credit facility associated with its Chilean operations.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when customers receive products and title has passed. The following criteria are used to determine that title has passed: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) the collection is reasonably assured. During 2009, LP’s top ten customers accounted for approximately 51% of its sales, with its two largest customers, Home Depot, Inc. accounting for 10.9% and Taiga Buildings Products, Ltd. accounting for 10.1% of our sales. During 2008, LP’s top ten customers accounted for 44% of its sales and 41% in 2007.
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Pricing and Sales Incentives
LP records estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings, including pricing arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives, at the date revenue is recognized. Some of these incentives are negotiated up front with the customer and are redeemable only if the customer achieves a specified cumulative level of sales (may be dollars or units) or sales increase. Under these incentive programs, at the time of sale, LP estimate the anticipated rebate to be paid based upon forecasted sales levels. These forecasts are updated on a regular basis. If the forecasted sales for a customer change significantly, the accrual for rebates is adjusted to reflect the revised estimate.
Asset Retirement Obligations
LP records the fair value of the legal obligations to retire and remove long-lived assets in the period which the obligation is incurred. These obligations primarily consist of monitoring costs on closed landfills and timber reforestation obligations associated with LP’s timber licenses in Canada. When the related liability is initially recorded, LP capitalizes the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its settlement value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, LP recognizes a gain or loss for any difference between the settlement amount and the liability recorded. See Note 17 for further discussion.
Deferred Debt Costs
Deferred debt costs are amortized over the life of the related debt using a straight line basis. If the debt is retired early, the related unamortized deferred financing costs are written off in the period the debt is retired to other non-operating income (expense). LP amortized deferred debt costs of $3.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Additionally, in connection with the retirement of a portion of the Senior Secured Notes due in 2017 in November 2009, LP recorded a charge of $3.8 million which is included in the loss on early debt extinguishment within the “Other non-operating income (expense)”.
Other Operating Credits and Charges, Net
LP classifies significant amounts that management considers unrelated to ongoing core operating activities as “Other operating credits and charges, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Such items include, but are not limited to, amounts related to restructuring charges (including severance charges), charges to establish and maintain litigation or environmental reserves, gains from insurance recoveries and gains or losses from settlements with governmental or other organizations. Due to the nature of these items, amounts in the income statement can fluctuate from year to year. The determination of which items are considered significant and unrelated to core operations is based upon management’s judgment. See Note 18 for a discussion of specific amounts in 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Retirement Benefits
The cost of retiree benefits is recognized over the employees’ service period. LP is required to use actuarial methods and assumptions in the valuation of defined benefit obligations and the determination of expense. Difference between actual and expected results or changes in the values of the obligations and plan assets are not recognized in earnings as they occur but, rather, systematically and gradually over subsequent periods.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that are excluded from net income (loss), including foreign currency translation adjustments, prior service costs and credits, transition assets or obligations associated with pension or other post retirement benefits that
57
have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs, net unrealized gains or losses on securities, and unrealized gains and losses on financial instruments qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting, and is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. See Note 25 for further discussion.
Present and Prospective Accounting Pronouncements
LP adopted ASC Topic 740-10 (formerly FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48)) on January 1, 2007. This interpretation clarifies the accounting and reporting for uncertainties in income tax law and prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. As a result of this adoption, LP recorded a decrease to the beginning balance of retained earnings of $1.1 million after tax as of January 1, 2007. See Note 11 for further discussion.
In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance now codified under ASC Topic 810-10 “Consolidation—Overall” (ASC 810-10). ASC 810-10 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. ASC 810-10 requires that under most circumstances non-controlling interests in subsidiaries be reported in the equity section of the controlling company’s balance sheet. It also changes the manner in which the net income of the subsidiary is reported and disclosed in the controlling company’s income statement. ASC 810-10 is effective on a prospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which are to be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. LP adopted this statement as of January 1, 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance now codified under ASC Topic 805 “Business Combinations” (ASC 805). ASC 805 addresses the recognition and accounting for identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and non-controlling interests in business combinations. ASC 805 also establishes expanded disclosure requirements for business combinations. ASC 805 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008 and should be applied prospectively for all business combinations entered into after the date of adoption.
In March 2008, the FASB issued guidance now codified under ASC Topic 815-10 “Derivatives and Hedging—Overall” (ASC 815-10). ASC 815-10 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of previous standards to provide a better understanding of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and their effect on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. ASC 815-10 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. LP adopted this statement as of January 1, 2009 and it did not have a material effect on LP’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2008, the FASB issued guidance now codified under ASC Topic 715-20 “Compensation—Retirement Benefits” (ASC 715-20). ASC 715-20 amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards “SFAS” 132(R), Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,” to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. LP adopted this statement as of December 31, 2009, and it did not have a material effect on LP’s consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified under ASC Topic 820-10 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Overall” (ASC 820-10) . ASC 820-10 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with ASC 820 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This standard also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. If a market is determined to be inactive and market price is reflective of a distressed price then an alternative method of pricing can be used, such as a present value technique to estimate fair value. ASC 820-10
58
identifies factors to be considered when determining whether or not a market is inactive. ASC 820-10 was effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 and shall be applied prospectively. LP adopted this statement as of April 1, 2009, and it did not have a material effect on LP’s consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified under ASC Topic 825-10 “Financial Instruments—Overall” (ASC 825-10), to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim and annual reporting periods. ASC 825-10 was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. LP adopted these disclosure requirements in the second quarter of 2009.
In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified under ASC Topic 320-10 “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities—Overall” (ASC 320-10) which amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. ASC 320-10 is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. LP adopted these statements as of April 1, 2009 and this did not have a material effect on LP’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified under ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing” (ASC 860) and ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation”. Under ASC 860, the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity is no longer relevant for accounting purposes, and formerly qualifying special-purpose entities need to be evaluated for consolidation. ASC 810 requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest gives it a controlling financial interest. ASC 860 and 810 are effective for the first annual reporting period beginning after November 15, 2009 (including interim periods within the first annual reporting period). LP will adopt this statement as of January 1, 2010 and is currently evaluating the impact of such adoption.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation associated with certain assets that were previously included in discontinued operations which are now being held and used and certain assets that are now being held for sale. Such reclassifications were not considered material in prior years however were reclassified in this report for comparability.
| 2. | INVESTMENTS |
Short-term and long-term investments held by LP are debt securities designated as available for sale and are reported at fair market value using the specific identification method. The following table summarizes unrealized gains and losses related to these investments as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
| Dollar amounts in millions | Amortized Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Gross Unrealized Losses |
Fair Value | ||||||||
| December 31, 2009 |
||||||||||||
| Auction rate securities |
$ | 7.5 | $ | 18.8 | — | $ | 26.3 | |||||
| Total marketable securities |
$ | 7.5 | $ | 18.8 | $ | — | $ | 26.3 | ||||
| December 31, 2008 |
||||||||||||
| Corporate obligations |
$ | 28.9 | $ | — | $ | 0.5 | $ | 28.4 | ||||
| Auction rate securities |
12.3 | — | — | 12.3 | ||||||||
| Total marketable securities |
$ | 41.2 | $ | — | $ | 0.5 | $ | 40.7 | ||||
As of December 31, 2009, LP had $26.3 million ($96.8 million, par value) invested in auction rate securities (ARS). The ARS held by LP are securities with long-term nominal maturities for which the interest rates are
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reset through a Dutch auction each month. These auctions historically have provided a liquid market for these securities. LP’s investments in ARS represent interests in collateralized debt obligations a portion of which are supported by pools of residential and commercial mortgages, credit linked notes and bank trust preferred notes.
The ARS investments held by the Company all had ratings consistent with the Company’s investment policy guidelines at the time of purchase, the ARS investments held by the Company all had AAA or equivalent credit ratings (except for one corporate ARS rated AA). With the liquidity issues experienced in global credit and capital markets, the ARS held by LP at December 31, 2009 have experienced multiple failed auctions as the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. As of December 31, 2009, all but one of LP’s ARS securities continues to pay interest according to their stated terms. One of the investments has been accelerated resulting in LP receiving no further interest payments on this security unless and until a more senior tranche is paid in full. This investment was fully written off during 2009.
During 2009, LP sold $55.0 million (par value) of our ARS to Deutsche Bank (DB) pursuant to a tender offer for $21.5 million plus accrued interest. As part of this transaction, LP recorded a gain on sale of securities of $18.7 million, which represents a recovery of losses previously recorded as an “Other than temporary impairments”. The estimated market value of the Company’s remaining ARS holdings at December 31, 2009 was $26.3 million, which reflects a $70.5 million adjustment to the par value of $96.8 million. Based upon LP’s evaluation of the structure of LP’s ARS holdings and current market estimates of fair value from issuing banks, LP recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $2.0 million ($1.2 million after tax) as of December 31, 2009, that were recorded as non-operating expense. During 2009, LP recorded an unrealized gain on its ARS of $18.8 million ($11.8 million after tax) in other comprehensive income (loss).
LP reviews its marketable securities routinely for other-than-temporary impairment. The primary factors LP used to determine if an impairment charge must be recorded, because a decline in value of the security is other than temporary, include (i) whether the fair value of the investment is significantly below its cost basis, (ii) the financial condition of the issuer of the security (including its credit rating) and the underlying collateral, (iii) the length of time that the cost of the security has exceeded its fair value and (iv) LP’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
The contractual maturities of debt securities classified as available for sale at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:
| Dollar amounts in millions | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||
| Amortized Cost |
Fair Value |
Amortized Cost |
Fair Value | |||||||||
| Due in one year or less |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 21.8 | $ | 21.4 | ||||
| Due in one to five years |
7.5 | 26.3 | 19.4 | 19.3 | ||||||||
| Total marketable securities |
$ | 7.5 | $ | 26.3 | $ | 41.2 | $ | 40.7 | ||||
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments for the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 totaled $50.3 million and $421.6 million. Purchases of short-term and long-term investments for the year ended December 31, 2008 totaled $216.0 million. No purchases occurred during the year ended December 31, 2009. The gross realized gains and losses related to the sales of short-term investments, other than the sale of ARS described above, were not material for the year ended December 31, 2009. Net unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments are reported as a separate component of “Accumulated comprehensive loss” in Stockholders’ equity.
The following table, aggregated by investment category, shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of LP’s marketable securities (both short and long-term) as of December 31, 2008 that are not deemed to be other- than-temporarily impaired. As of December 31, 2009, LP did not have any corporate obligations and therefore no disclosure is required. The fair value of U.S. treasury and government agency securities, commercial paper and
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corporate obligations are based upon the fair value as reported through market prices. The fair value of the auction rate securities has been estimated based upon management expectations of the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset in a current transaction, which could change significantly based upon market conditions. The table provides information about the length of time that the specified group of securities has been in an unrealized loss position.
| Less than 12 months | More than 12 months | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dollar amounts in millions | Fair Value |
Unrealized Losses |
Fair Value |
Unrealized Losses |
Fair Value |
Unrealized Losses |
|||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2008 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate obligations |
$ | 21.4 | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | 7.0 | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | 28.4 | $ | (0.6 | ) | ||||||
| Total marketable securities |
$ | 21.4 | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | 7.0 | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | 28.4 | $ | (0.6 | ) | ||||||
| 3. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
Effective January 1, 2008, LP adopted guidance now codified as ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (ASC 820), for financial assets and liabilities and any other assets and liabilities carried at fair value. This pronouncement defines fair value (FV), provides guidance on how to measure FV under generally accepted accounting principles, and expands FV measurement disclosures. LP’s adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. LP is required to classify these financial assets and liabilities into two groups: recurring—measured on a periodic basis and non-recurring—measured on an as needed basis.
There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
| Level 1 |
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. | |
| Level 2 |
Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. | |
| Level 3 |
Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available and reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use. | |
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Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are summarized in the following tables.
| Dollar amounts in millions | December 31, 2009 |
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||
| Available for sale securities |
$ | 26.3 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 26.3 | ||||
| Trading securities |
2.3 | 2.3 | — | — | ||||||||
| Total |
$ | 28.6 | $ | 2.3 | $ | — | $ | 26.3 | ||||
| Dollar amounts in millions | December 31, 2008 |
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||
| Available for sale securities |
$ | 40.7 | $ | — | $ | 28.4 | $ | 12.3 | ||||
| Trading securities |
1.9 | 1.9 | — | — | ||||||||
| Total |
$ | 42.6 | $ | 1.9 | $ | 28.4 | $ | 12.3 | ||||
Available for sale securities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are recorded in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, long-term investments and restricted cash on LP’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Included in available for sale securities are U.S. government agency securities, commercial paper, corporate debt obligations and auction rate securities.
Government agency securities, commercial paper and corporate obligations are determined by evaluations based on observable market information from broker or dealer quotations, which represent Level 2 inputs.
Due to the lack of observable market quotations on LP’s auction rate securities (ARS) portfolio, LP evaluates the structure of its ARS holdings and current market estimates of fair value, including fair value estimates from issuing banks that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs. These inputs include those that are based on expected cash flow streams and collateral values, including assessments of counterparty credit quality, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital market liquidity. The valuation of LP’s ARS investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact LP’s valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, counterparty risk and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity.
Trading securities consist of rabbi trust financial assets which are recorded in other assets in LP’s consolidated balance sheets. The rabbi trust holds the assets of the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation 2004 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (EDC), a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which allows certain management employees to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation and contribute such amounts to one or more investment funds. The assets of the rabbi trust are invested in mutual funds and are reported at fair value based on active market quotations, which represent Level 1 inputs.
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The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the periods ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009.
| Dollar amounts in millions | Available for sale securities |
|||
| Balance at January 1, 2008 |
$ | 99.5 | ||
| Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) |
||||
| Included in other-than-temporary investment impairment |
(118.6 | ) | ||
| Included in investment income |
— | |||
| Included in other comprehensive income |
31.4 | |||
| Balance at December 31, 2008 |
12.3 | |||
| Sale of ARS |
(21.5 | ) | ||
| Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) |
||||
| Included in other-than-temporary investment impairment |
(2.0 | ) | ||
| Included in investment income |
18.7 | |||
| Included in other comprehensive income |
18.8 | |||
| Balance at December 31, 2009 |
$ | 26.3 | ||
| The amount of total losses for the period included in net loss attributable to the fair value of changes in assets still held at December 31, 2008 |
$ | (118.6 | ) | |
| The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in net loss attributable to the fair value of changes in assets still held at December 31, 2009 |
$ | (2.0 | ) | |
Carrying amounts reported on the balance sheet for cash, cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
| 4. | RECEIVABLES |
Receivables consist of the following:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| Dollar amounts in millions | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
| Trade receivables |
$ | 47.4 | $ | 27.4 | ||||
| Interest receivables |
1.8 | 2.8 | ||||||
| Other receivables |
11.8 | 14.8 | ||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts |
(1.2 | ) | (1.2 | ) | ||||