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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration No. 333-187740

PROSPECTUS

16,500,000 Shares

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

This is a public offering of shares of common stock of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus, which include the beneficial owner of a majority of our shares of common stock, are selling 16,500,000 shares. Berry Plastics Group, Inc. will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares in this offering. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “BERY.” The last reported closing sale price of our common stock on April 18, 2013 was $17.02 per share.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

		Per Share				Total
Public offering price		$	17.00			$	280,500,000
Underwriting discount		$	0.595			$	9,817,500
Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders		$	16.405			$	270,682,500

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 2,475,000 shares from the selling stockholders, at the public offering price less the underwriting discount, within 30 days of the day of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock against payment on or about April 24, 2013.

 

 

 

Citigroup		BofA Merrill Lynch

 

Deutsche Bank Securities		Goldman, Sachs & Co.		Credit Suisse		Baird		Barclays

 

 

 

 

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey		Wells Fargo Securities		Apollo Global Securities

 

 

The date of this prospectus is April 18, 2013.

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		Page
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA			ii
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES			iii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
RISK FACTORS			14
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			26
USE OF PROCEEDS			27
DIVIDEND POLICY			28
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK			29
CAPITALIZATION			30
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA			31
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS			32
BUSINESS			50
MANAGEMENT			60
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS			65
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS			75
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS			79
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS			83
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			88
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE			94
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS			96
UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)			99
LEGAL MATTERS			106
EXPERTS			106
AVAILABLE INFORMATION			106
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			F-1

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf that we have referred you to. We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document regardless of its time of delivery or the time of any sales of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows may have changed since the date of the applicable document.

 

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INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

This prospectus includes industry and trade association data, forecasts and information that we have prepared based, in part, upon data, forecasts and information obtained from independent trade associations, industry publications and surveys and other information available to us. Some data are also based on our good-faith estimates, which are derived from management’s knowledge of the industry and independent sources. Industry publications and surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information. In certain of the markets in which we operate, it may be difficult to directly ascertain industry or market data. Unless otherwise noted, statements as to our market share and market position are approximated and based on management experience and estimates using the above-mentioned third-party data combined with our internal analysis and estimates. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding our industry data presented herein, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. Similarly, while we believe our internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent sources.

 

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow, as presented in this prospectus, are supplemental financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are not GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as an alternative to operating or net income or cash flows from operating activities, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

We define “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” as cash flow from operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment. We use Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity because it assists us in assessing our company’s ability to fund its growth through its generation of cash. We believe Adjusted Free Cash Flow is useful to an investor in evaluating our liquidity because Adjusted Free Cash Flow and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in our industry to measure a company’s liquidity without regard to revenue and expense recognition, which can vary depending upon accounting methods. Although we use Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a liquidity measure to assess our ability to generate cash, the use of Adjusted Free Cash Flow has important limitations, including that: (1) Adjusted Free Cash Flow does not reflect the cash requirements necessary to service principal payments on our indebtedness; and (2) Adjusted Free Cash Flow removes the impact of accrual basis accounting on asset accounts and non-debt liability accounts.

We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, income tax expense (benefit), interest expense (net) and certain restructuring and business optimization charges and as adjusted for unrealized cost reductions and acquired businesses, including unrealized synergies, which are more particularly defined in our credit documents and the indentures governing our notes. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our lenders for debt covenant compliance purposes and by our management as one of several measures to evaluate management performance. Adjusted EBITDA eliminates certain charges that we believe do not reflect operations and underlying operational performance. Although we use Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure to assess the performance of our business, the use of Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations, including that (1) Adjusted EBITDA does not represent funds available for dividends, reinvestment or other discretionary uses, or account for one-time expenses and charges; (2) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash outlays for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (3) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital; (4) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on indebtedness; (5) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect income tax expense or the cash necessary to pay income taxes; (6) Adjusted EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization and, although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; and (7) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow may be calculated differently by other companies, including other companies in our industry, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow alongside other performance measures and liquidity measures, including operating income, various cash flow metrics, net income and our other GAAP results.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below as well as the other information contained in this prospectus before investing in our common stock. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such a case, you may lose part or all of your original investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our substantial indebtedness could affect our ability to meet our obligations and may otherwise restrict our activities.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of December 29, 2012, we had total indebtedness (including current portion) of $3,975 million, with cash and cash equivalents totaling $32 million. We would have been able to borrow a further $413 million under the revolving portion of our senior secured credit facilities, subject to the solvency of our lenders to fund their obligations and our borrowing base calculations. We are permitted by the terms of our debt instruments to incur substantial additional indebtedness, subject to the restrictions therein. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:

 

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limit our ability to borrow money for our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements or other corporate purposes;

 

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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to payments on our indebtedness, which would reduce the amount of cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, product development and other corporate requirements;

 

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increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; and

 

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limit our ability to respond to business opportunities, including growing our business through acquisitions.

In addition, the credit agreements and indentures governing our current indebtedness contain, and any future debt instruments would likely contain, financial and other restrictive covenants, which will impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to, among other things:

 

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incur or guarantee additional debt;

 

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pay dividends and make other restricted payments;

 

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create or incur certain liens;

 

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make certain investments;

 

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engage in sales of assets and subsidiary stock;

 

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enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

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transfer all or substantially all of our assets or enter into merger or consolidation transactions; and

 

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make capital expenditures.

As a result of these covenants, we will be limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs. Furthermore, a failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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Increases in resin prices or a shortage of available resin could harm our financial condition and results of operations.

To produce our products, we use large quantities of plastic resins. Plastic resins are subject to price fluctuations, including those arising from supply shortages and changes in the prices of natural gas, crude oil and other petrochemical intermediates from which resins are produced. Over the past several years, we have at times experienced rapidly increasing resin prices. If rapid increases in resin prices continue, our revenue and profitability may be materially and adversely affected, both in the short term as we attempt to pass through changes in the price of resin to customers under current agreements and in the long term as we negotiate new agreements or if our customers seek product substitution.

We source plastic resin primarily from major industry suppliers. We have long-standing relationships with certain of these suppliers but have not entered into a firm supply contract with any of them. We may not be able to arrange for other sources of resin in the event of an industry-wide general shortage of resins used by us, or a shortage or discontinuation of certain types of grades of resin purchased from one or more of our suppliers. In addition, the largest supplier of the company’s total resin material requirements represented approximately 20% of purchases for the twelve months ended December 29, 2012. Any such shortage may materially negatively impact our competitive position versus companies that are able to better or more cheaply source resin.

We may not be able to compete successfully and our customers may not continue to purchase our products.

We face intense competition in the sale of our products and compete with multiple companies in each of our product lines. We compete on the basis of a number of considerations, including price, service, quality, product characteristics and the ability to supply products to customers in a timely manner. Our products also compete with metal, glass, paper and other packaging materials as well as plastic packaging materials made through different manufacturing processes. Some of these competitive products are not subject to the impact of changes in resin prices which may have a significant and negative impact on our competitive position versus substitute products. Our competitors may have financial and other resources that are substantially greater than ours and may be better able than us to withstand higher costs. In addition, our success may depend on our ability to adapt to technological changes, and if we fail to enhance existing products and develop and introduce new products and new production technologies in a timely fashion in response to changing market conditions and customer demands, our competitive position could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, some of our customers do and could in the future choose to manufacture the products they require for themselves. Each of our product lines faces a different competitive landscape. Competition could result in our products losing market share or our having to reduce our prices, either of which would have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations and financial condition. In addition, since we do not have long-term arrangements with many of our customers, these competitive factors could cause our customers to shift suppliers and/or packaging material quickly.

We may pursue and execute acquisitions, which could adversely affect our business.

As part of our growth strategy, we plan to consider the acquisition of other companies, assets and product lines that either complement or expand our existing business and create economic value. We cannot assure you that we will be able to consummate any such transactions or that any future acquisitions will be consummated at acceptable prices and terms.

We continually evaluate potential acquisition opportunities in the ordinary course of business, including those that could be material in size and scope. Acquisitions involve a number of special risks, including:

 

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the diversion of management’s attention and resources to the assimilation of the acquired companies and their employees and to the management of expanding operations;

 

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the incorporation of acquired products into our product line;

 

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problems associated with maintaining relationships with employees and customers of acquired businesses;

 

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the increasing demands on our operational systems;

 

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ability to integrate and implement effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls for financial reporting within the allowable time frame as permitted by Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

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possible adverse effects on our reported operating results, particularly during the first several reporting periods after such acquisitions are completed; and

 

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the loss of key employees and the difficulty of presenting a unified corporate image.

We may become responsible for unexpected liabilities that we failed or were unable to discover in the course of performing due diligence in connection with historical acquisitions and any future acquisitions. We have typically required selling stockholders to indemnify us against certain undisclosed liabilities. However, we cannot assure you that indemnification rights we have obtained, or will in the future obtain, will be enforceable, collectible or sufficient in amount, scope or duration to fully offset the possible liabilities associated with the business or property acquired. Any of these liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we may not be able to successfully integrate future acquisitions without substantial costs, delays or other problems. The costs of such integration could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Although we conduct what we believe to be a prudent level of investigation regarding the businesses we purchase, in light of the circumstances of each transaction, an unavoidable level of risk remains regarding the actual condition of these businesses. Until we actually assume operating control of such businesses and their assets and operations, we may not be able to ascertain the actual value or understand the potential liabilities of the acquired entities and their operations. Furthermore, we may not realize all of the cost savings and synergies we expect to achieve from our current strategic initiatives due to a variety of risks, including, but not limited to, difficulties in integrating shared services with our business, higher than expected employee severance or retention costs, higher than expected overhead expenses, delays in the anticipated timing of activities related to our cost-saving plans and other unexpected costs associated with operating our business. If we are unable to achieve the cost savings or synergies that we expect to achieve from our strategic initiatives, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be successful in protecting our intellectual property rights, including our unpatented proprietary know-how and trade secrets, or in avoiding claims that we infringed on the intellectual property rights of others.

In addition to relying on patent and trademark rights, we rely on unpatented proprietary know-how and trade secrets, and employ various methods, including confidentiality agreements with employees and consultants, customers and suppliers to protect our know-how and trade secrets. However, these methods and our patents and trademarks may not afford complete protection and there can be no assurance that others will not independently develop the know-how and trade secrets or develop better production methods than us. Further, we may not be able to deter current and former employees, contractors and other parties from breaching confidentiality agreements and misappropriating proprietary information and it is possible that third parties may copy or otherwise obtain and use our information and proprietary technology without authorization or otherwise infringe on our intellectual property rights. Additionally, we have licensed, and may license in the future, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and similar proprietary rights to third parties. While we attempt to ensure that our intellectual property and similar proprietary rights are protected when entering into business relationships, third parties may take actions that could materially and adversely affect our rights or the value of our intellectual property, similar proprietary rights or reputation. In the future, we may also rely on litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights and contractual rights, and, if not successful, we may not be able to protect the value of our intellectual property. Any litigation could be protracted and costly and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations regardless of its outcome.

 

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Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain, or license from third parties, patents, trademarks, trade secrets and similar proprietary rights without infringing on the proprietary rights of third parties. Although we believe our intellectual property rights are sufficient to allow us to conduct our business without incurring liability to third parties, our products may infringe on the intellectual property rights of such persons. Furthermore, no assurance can be given that we will not be subject to claims asserting the infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties seeking damages, the payment of royalties or licensing fees and/or injunctions against the sale of our products. Any such litigation could be protracted and costly and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current and future environmental and other governmental requirements could adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to conduct our business.

Our operations are subject to federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, establish standards for the treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and require cleanup of contaminated sites. While we have not been required historically to make significant capital expenditures in order to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations, we cannot predict with any certainty our future capital expenditure requirements because of continually changing compliance standards and environmental technology. Furthermore, violations or contaminated sites that we do not know about (including contamination caused by prior owners and operators of such sites or newly discovered information) could result in additional compliance or remediation costs or other liabilities, which could be material. We have limited insurance coverage for potential environmental liabilities associated with historic and current operations and we do not anticipate increasing such coverage in the future. We may also assume significant environmental liabilities in acquisitions. In addition, federal, state, local, and foreign governments could enact laws or regulations concerning environmental matters that increase the cost of producing, or otherwise adversely affect the demand for, plastic products. Legislation that would prohibit, tax or restrict the sale or use of certain types of plastic and other containers, and would require diversion of solid wastes such as packaging materials from disposal in landfills, has been or may be introduced in the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, and other legislative bodies. While container legislation has been adopted in a few jurisdictions, similar legislation has been defeated in public referenda in several states, local elections and many state and local legislative sessions. Although we believe that the laws promulgated to date have not had a material adverse effect on us, there can be no assurance that future legislation or regulation would not have a material adverse effect on us. Furthermore, a decline in consumer preference for plastic products due to environmental considerations could have a negative effect on our business.

The Food and Drug Administration, which we refer to as the FDA, regulates the material content of direct-contact food and drug packages we manufacture pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Furthermore, some of our products are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which we refer to as the CPSC, pursuant to various federal laws, including the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Both the FDA and the CPSC can require the manufacturer of defective products to repurchase or recall these products and may also impose fines or penalties on the manufacturer. Similar laws exist in some states, cities and other countries in which we sell products. In addition, laws exist in certain states restricting the sale of packaging with certain levels of heavy metals and imposing fines and penalties for noncompliance. Although we use FDA-approved resins and pigments in our products that directly contact food and drug products and we believe our products are in material compliance with all applicable requirements, we remain subject to the risk that our products could be found not to be in compliance with these and other requirements. A recall of any of our products or any fines and penalties imposed in connection with noncompliance could have a materially adverse effect on us. See “Business—Environmental Matters and Government Regulation.”

 

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In the event of a catastrophic loss of one of our key manufacturing facilities, our business would be adversely affected.

While we manufacture our products in a large number of diversified facilities and maintain insurance covering our facilities, including business interruption insurance, a catastrophic loss of the use of all or a portion of one of our key manufacturing facilities due to accident, labor issues, weather conditions, natural disaster or otherwise, whether short or long-term, could have a material adverse effect on us.

Goodwill and other intangibles represent a significant amount of our net worth, and a future write-off could result in lower reported net income and a reduction of our net worth.

As of December 29, 2012, the net value of our goodwill and other intangibles was $2,620 million. We are no longer required or permitted to amortize goodwill reflected on our balance sheet. We are, however, required to evaluate goodwill reflected on our balance sheet when circumstances indicate a potential impairment, or at least annually, under the impairment testing guidelines outlined in the standard. Future changes in the cost of capital, expected cash flows, or other factors may cause our goodwill to be impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge against results of operations to write off goodwill for the amount of impairment. If a future write-off is required, the charge could have a material adverse effect on our reported results of operations and net worth in the period of any such write-off.

Disruptions in the overall economy and the financial markets may adversely impact our business.

Our industry is affected by current economic factors, including the deterioration of national, regional, and local economic conditions, declines in employment levels, and shifts in consumer spending patterns. Disruptions in the overall economy and volatility in the financial markets could reduce consumer confidence in the economy, negatively affecting consumer spending, which could be harmful to our financial position and results of operations. As a result, decreased cash flow generated from our business may adversely affect our financial position and our ability to fund our operations. In addition, macroeconomic disruptions, as well as the restructuring of various commercial and investment banking organizations, could adversely affect our ability to access the credit markets. The disruption in the credit markets may also adversely affect the availability of financing for our operations. There can be no assurance that government responses to the disruptions in the financial markets will restore consumer confidence, stabilize the markets, or increase liquidity and the availability of credit.

The requirements of having a class of publicly traded equity securities may strain our resources and distract management.

Upon completion of our initial public offering in October 2012, we became subject to reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which we refer to as the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act.” The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control for financial reporting. Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our independent public accountants auditing our financial statements must attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In order to continue to maintain the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, significant resources and management oversight have been, and will continue to be, required. Furthermore, if we are unable to conclude that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are effective, or if our independent public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified report as to management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in future years, investors may lose confidence in our financial reports and our stock price may decline.

In addition, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which we refer to as “Dodd-Frank” and which amended the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other federal laws, has created uncertainty for

 

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public companies, and we cannot predict with any certainty the requirements of the regulations that will ultimately be adopted under Dodd-Frank or how such regulations will affect the cost of compliance for a company with publicly traded common stock. There is likely to be continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters because the application of these laws and regulations, which are subject to varying interpretations, may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. Our investment of resources to comply with these evolving laws and regulations may result in increased general and administrative expenses and divert management’s time and attention from other business concerns. Furthermore, if our compliance efforts differ from the activities that regulatory and governing bodies expect or intend due to ambiguities related to interpretation or practice, we may face legal proceedings initiated by such regulatory or governing bodies and our business may be harmed. In addition, new rules and regulations may make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified directors and officers and may make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance.

We are required to pay our existing owners for certain tax benefits, which amounts are expected to be material.

We have entered into an income tax receivable agreement with our pre-initial public offering stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights that provides for the payment by us to such stockholders of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income tax that we and our subsidiaries actually realize as a result of the utilization of our net operating losses attributable to periods prior to our initial public offering.

These payment obligations are our obligations and not obligations of any of our subsidiaries. The actual utilization of net operating losses as well as the timing of any payments under the income tax receivable agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the amount, character and timing of our and our subsidiaries’ taxable income in the future.

We expect that the payments we make under this income tax receivable agreement will be material. Assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law, and that we and our subsidiaries earn sufficient income to realize the full tax benefits subject to the income tax receivable agreement, we expect that future payments under the income tax receivable agreement will aggregate to between $300 and $350 million.

Upon the effective date of the income tax receivable agreement, the company recorded an initial obligation of $300 million ($123 million in Accrued expenses and $177 million in Other long-term liabilities), which is recognized as a reduction of Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 29, 2012.

Any future changes in the realizability of our net operating loss carry forwards that were generated prior to our initial public offering will impact the amount of the liability that will be paid to our pre-initial public offering shareholders, option holders or holders of our stock appreciation rights. Changes in the realizability of these tax assets are recorded in income tax expense (benefit) and any changes in the obligation under the income tax receivable agreement is recorded in other income (expense). Based on our current taxable income estimates, we expect to repay the majority of this obligation by the end of our 2016 fiscal year.

In addition, the income tax receivable agreement provides that upon certain mergers, stock and asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control, the income tax receivable agreement will terminate and we will be required to make a payment equal to the present value of future payments under the income tax receivable agreement, which payment would be based on certain assumptions, including those relating to our and our subsidiaries’ future taxable income. In these situations, our obligations under the income tax receivable agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control.

 

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For tax reasons, special timing rules will apply to payments associated with stock options and stock appreciation rights. Such payments will generally be deemed invested in a notional account rather than made on the scheduled payment dates, and the account will be distributed on the fifth anniversary of the initial public offering.

Our counterparties under this agreement will not reimburse us for any payments previously made under the income tax receivable agreement if such benefits are subsequently disallowed (although future payments would be adjusted to the extent possible to reflect the result of such disallowance). As a result, in certain circumstances, payments could be made under the income tax receivable agreement in excess of our cash tax savings.

Our operating subsidiary Berry Plastics Corporation identified a prior deficiency in its disclosure controls and procedures.

Under applicable SEC regulations, management of a reporting company, with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, must periodically evaluate the company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” which are defined generally as controls and other procedures of a reporting company designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the reporting company in its periodic reports filed with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis. In conjunction with a review of the SEC of our wholly owned subsidiary Berry Plastics Corporation’s fiscal year 2011 annual report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of Berry Plastics Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed was reported at the acceptable level of detail for the period covered by the fiscal year 2011 annual report. We identified deficient disclosure in the section “Critical Accounting Policy and Estimates: Goodwill and Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets.” In that disclosure, we did not provide readers with sufficient information explaining the factors that led to the recognition of the goodwill impairment charge, along with the future implications to our business. We also identified deficient disclosure in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In that disclosure, we did not provide readers with sufficient informative narrative explanations of our financial statements. In addition, we identified deficient disclosure in our condensed consolidating financial statements, in which we did not provide appropriate disclosure and presentation of certain intercompany activity. To remediate these deficiencies, in addition to our historical disclosure controls and procedures, we have begun a more comprehensive review and approval procedure of disclosures related to our “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” to ensure the level of information we disclose provides readers with a sufficient level of detail to understand these policies and estimates. We believe that these actions remediated the weakness in our disclosure controls and procedures; however, we cannot assure you that additional deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures will not occur in the future.

Our international sales and operations are subject to applicable laws relating to trade, export controls, and foreign corrupt practices, the violation of which could adversely affect our operations.

We must comply with all applicable international trade, export and import laws and regulations of the United States and other countries. We are subject to export controls and economic sanctions laws and embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government. Changes in trade sanctions laws may restrict our business practices, including cessation of business activities in sanctioned countries or with sanctioned entities, and may result in modifications to compliance programs. We are also subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws that generally bar bribes or unreasonable gifts to foreign governments or officials. We have implemented safeguards and policies to discourage these practices by our employees and agents. However, our existing safeguards and policies to assure compliance and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective and our employees or agents may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. If employees violate our policies, we may be subject to regulatory sanctions. Violations of these laws or regulations could result in sanctions including fines, debarment from export privileges and penalties and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Risks Related to an Investment in our Common Stock and this Offering

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent you from being able to sell your shares of common stock at or above the price you paid for them. The market price for our common stock may be volatile, in part because our shares have only been traded publicly since October 2012, and such volatility may be exacerbated by our relatively small public float. The market price for our common stock could fluctuate significantly for a number of other reasons, including:

 

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our operating and financial performance and prospects;

 

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our quarterly or annual earnings or those of other companies in our industry;

 

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conditions that impact demand for our products and services;

 

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future announcements concerning our business or our competitors’ businesses;

 

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the public’s reaction to our press releases, other public announcements and filings with the SEC;

 

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changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts who track our common stock;

 

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market and industry perception of our success, or lack thereof, in pursuing our growth strategy;

 

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strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;

 

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changes in government and environmental regulation;

 

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general market, economic and political conditions;

 

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changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

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arrival and departure of key personnel;

 

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the number of shares to be publicly traded after this offering;

 

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sales of common stock by us, the Apollo Funds, Graham Partners or members of our management team;

 

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adverse resolution of new or pending litigation against us;

 

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changes in general market, economic and political conditions in the United States and global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from natural disasters, terrorist attacks, acts of war and responses to such events; and

 

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material weakness in our internal costs over financial reporting.

In addition, in recent years, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of the affected companies. Hence, the price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with the company, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our share price.

We had net losses in recent years and we may not be profitable in the future.

We generated net income in only two of our last five fiscal years. We may not generate net income from operations in the future, and continuing net losses may limit our ability to execute our strategy. Factors contributing to our financial performance include non-cash impairment charges, depreciation/amortization on our long lived tangible and intangible assets, interest expense on our debt obligations as well as other factors more fully disclosed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

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Apollo controls us, and its interests may conflict with or differ from your interests as a stockholder.

After the consummation of this offering, the Apollo Funds will indirectly beneficially own approximately 45.8% of our common stock, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares. If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, the Apollo Funds will indirectly beneficially own approximately 43.8% of our common stock.

The amended and restated stockholders agreement that we entered into in connection with our initial public offering provides that, except as otherwise required by applicable law, if the Apollo Funds hold (a) at least 50% of our outstanding common stock, it will have the right to designate no fewer than that number of directors that would constitute a majority of our Board of Directors, (b) at least 30% but less than 50% of our outstanding common stock, it will have the right to designate up to five director nominees, (c) at least 20% but less than 30% of our outstanding common stock, it will have the right to designate up to four director nominees, and (d) at least 10% but less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, the Apollo Funds will have the right to designate up to three director nominees. The agreement also provides that if the size of the Board of Directors is increased or decreased at any time, Apollo’s nomination rights will be proportionately increased or decreased, respectively, rounded up to the nearest whole number. In addition, the agreement requires the approval of a majority of the directors nominated by the Apollo Funds voting on the matter for certain important matters, including certain mergers and acquisitions, issuance of equity and incurrence of debt, so long as the Apollo Funds beneficially own at least 25% of our outstanding common stock. Therefore, Apollo will, following this offering, continue to be able to significantly influence or effectively control our decisions. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders Agreement,” “Management—Apollo Approval of Certain Matters” and “Description of Capital Stock—Composition of Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors.”

The interests of Apollo could conflict with or differ from your interests as a holder of our common stock. For example, the concentration of ownership held by the Apollo Funds and Apollo’s rights under the amended and restated stockholders agreement could delay, defer or prevent a change of control of the company or impede a merger, takeover or other business combination that you as a stockholder may otherwise view favorably. In addition, a sale of a substantial number of shares of stock in the future by the Apollo Funds or Graham could cause our stock price to decline.

Additionally, Apollo and Graham are in the business of making or advising on investments in companies and hold (and may from time to time in the future acquire) interests in or provide advice to businesses that directly or indirectly compete with certain portions of our business or are suppliers or customers of ours. Apollo and Graham may also pursue acquisitions that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us.

Although we will no longer be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules upon consummation of this offering, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements during a one-year transition period.

After the consummation of this offering, the Apollo Funds will no longer control a majority of our voting common stock. As a result, we will no longer qualify as a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards. The NYSE rules require that we appoint a majority of independent directors to the Board of Directors within one year of the date we no longer qualify as a “controlled company.” The NYSE rules also require that we appoint at least one independent member to each of the compensation and nominating and governance committees prior to the date we no longer qualify as a “controlled company,” at least a majority of independent members within 90 days of such date and compensation and nominating and governance committees composed entirely of independent directors within one year of such date. During these transition periods, we may elect not to comply with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, including:

 

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the requirement that a majority of the Board of Directors consists of independent directors;

 

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the requirement that we have a nominating and corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and

 

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•

the requirement that we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities.

Accordingly, during these transition periods, stockholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such corporate governance requirements. In addition, although we will no longer be a controlled company within the meaning of the NYSE rules following the consummation of this offering, Apollo will continue to be able to significantly influence or effectively control our decisions. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders Agreement,” “Management—Apollo Approval of Certain Matters” and “Description of Capital Stock—Composition of Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors.”

We have no plans to pay regular dividends on our common stock, so you may not receive funds without selling your common stock.

We have no plans to pay regular dividends on our common stock. Any declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock may be limited by restrictive covenants of our debt agreements, will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends and other considerations that our Board of Directors deems relevant.

The terms of our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing our notes may restrict our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock. Our debt instruments contain covenants that restrict our ability to pay dividends on our common stock, as well as the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness” and “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock.” Furthermore, we will be permitted under the terms of our debt instrument to incur additional indebtedness, which may restrict or prevent us from paying dividends on our common stock. Agreements governing any future indebtedness, in addition to those governing our current indebtedness, may not permit us to pay dividends on our common stock.

Future sales or the possibility of future sales of a substantial amount of our common stock may depress the price of shares of our common stock.

Future sales or the availability for sale of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of equity securities.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for 450 million authorized shares, of which 400 million shares, par value $0.01, are designated as common stock and 50 million shares, par value $0.01, are designated as preferred stock. Upon completion of this offering, we will have an aggregate of 113,093,973 shares of our common stock outstanding. Of these shares, all of the 29,411,764 shares of our common stock sold in our initial public offering and the 16,500,000 shares of our common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares which may be acquired by any of our “affiliates” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which will be subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144. The remaining 67,182,209 shares of our common stock outstanding will be restricted securities, as that term is defined in Rule 144, and may in the future be sold without restriction under the Securities Act to the extent permitted by Rule 144 or any applicable exemption under the Securities Act and subject to any applicable lock-up agreements. In addition, we have granted Apollo and Graham demand and incidental registration rights, and we have also granted certain employees and others who own equity in the company incidental registration rights. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale,” “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders Agreement.”

We may issue shares of our common stock or other securities from time to time as consideration for future acquisitions and investments. If any such acquisition or investment is significant, the number of shares of our

 

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common stock, or the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of other securities that we may issue may in turn be substantial. We may also grant registration rights covering those shares of our common stock or other securities in connection with any such acquisitions and investments.

We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares of our common stock issued in connection with an acquisition), or the perception that such sales could occur, including such sales by the Apollo Funds and Graham, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.

Delaware law and our organizational documents may impede or discourage a takeover, which could deprive our investors of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares.

We are a Delaware corporation, and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law impose various impediments to the ability of a third party to acquire control of us, even if a change of control would be beneficial to our existing stockholders. In addition, provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may make it more difficult for, or prevent a third party from, acquiring control of us without the approval of our Board of Directors. Among other things, these provisions:

 

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classify our Board of Directors so that only some of our directors are elected each year;

 

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do not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would otherwise allow less than a majority of stockholders to elect director candidates;

 

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delegate the sole power of a majority of the Board of Directors to fix the number of directors;

 

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provide the power of our Board of Directors to fill any vacancy on our board, whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise;

 

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authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock without any need for action by stockholders;

 

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eliminate the ability of stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders;

 

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prohibit stockholders from acting by written consent if less than 50.1% of our outstanding common stock is controlled by the Apollo Funds; and

 

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establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

In addition, under the amended and restated stockholders agreement, until such time as the Apollo Funds no longer beneficially own at least 25% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding at any time, the approval of a majority of the members of our Board of Directors, which must include the approval of a majority of the directors nominated by the Apollo Funds voting on the matter, is required for certain business combinations and to approve certain other matters. See “Management—Apollo Approval of Certain Matters and Rights to Nominate Certain Directors,” “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders Agreement” and “Description of Capital Stock—Composition of Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors.”

The foregoing factors, as well as the significant common stock ownership by our equity sponsor, could impede a merger, takeover or other business combination or discourage a potential investor from making a tender offer for our common stock, which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market value of our common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders Agreement.”

 

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We may issue shares of preferred stock in the future, which could make it difficult for another company to acquire us or could otherwise adversely affect holders of our common stock, which could depress the price of our common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue one or more series of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors has the authority to determine the preferences, limitations and relative rights of shares of preferred stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Our preferred stock could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to the rights of our common stock. The potential issuance of preferred stock may delay or prevent a change in control of us, discouraging bids for our common stock at a premium to the market price, and materially and adversely affect the market price and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

We are a holding company and rely on dividends and other payments, advances and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations and pay dividends.

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. has no direct operations and no significant assets other than ownership of 100% of the stock of Berry Plastics Corporation. Because Berry Plastics Group, Inc. conducts its operations through its subsidiaries, it depends on those entities for dividends and other payments to generate the funds necessary to meet its financial obligations, and to pay any dividends with respect to our common stock. Legal and contractual restrictions in the agreements governing current and future indebtedness of Berry Plastics Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries, as well as the financial condition and operating requirements of Berry Plastics Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries, may limit Berry Plastics Group, Inc.’s ability to obtain cash from its subsidiaries. The earnings from, or other available assets of, Berry Plastics Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries may not be sufficient to pay dividends or make distributions or loans to enable Berry Plastics Group, Inc. to pay dividends going forward.

If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our company, or if they issue unfavorable commentary about us or our industry or downgrade our common stock, the price of our common stock could decline.

The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that third-party securities analysts publish about our company and our industry. One or more analysts could downgrade our common stock or issue other negative commentary about our company or our industry. In addition, we may be unable or slow to attract research coverage. Alternatively, if one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the market. As a result of one or more of these factors, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” which involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “anticipates” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, plans or intentions. All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results or to our expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this prospectus.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, which we refer to as cautionary statements, are disclosed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus, including, without limitation, in conjunction with the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus. All forward-looking information in this prospectus and subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Some of the factors that we believe could affect our results include:

 

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risks associated with our substantial indebtedness and debt service;

 

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changes in prices and availability of resin and other raw materials and our ability to pass on changes in raw material prices on a timely basis;

 

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performance of our business and future operating results;

 

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risks related to our acquisition strategy and integration of acquired businesses;

 

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reliance on unpatented know-how and trade secrets;

 

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increases in the cost of compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental, safety, production and product laws and regulations;

 

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risks related to disruptions in the overall economy and the financial markets may adversely impact our business;

 

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catastrophic loss of one of our key manufacturing facilities, natural disasters and other unplanned business interruptions;

 

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risks of competition, including foreign competition, in our existing and future markets;

 

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general business and economic conditions, particularly an economic downturn;

 

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the ability of our insurance to cover fully our potential exposures; and

 

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the other factors discussed in the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors.”

We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus may not in fact occur. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on those statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The selling stockholders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sales of shares of our common stock offered by them pursuant to this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares of our common stock, but we will bear the costs associated with this registration in accordance with the amended and restated stockholders agreement. The selling stockholders will bear any underwriting commissions and discounts attributable to their sale of our common stock and the company will bear the remaining expenses. See “Principal and Selling Stockholders.”

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We historically have not paid dividends on our common stock and we do not currently anticipate paying dividends on our common stock. Any declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends and other considerations that our Board of Directors deems relevant. Because we are a holding company and have no direct operations, we will only be able to pay dividends from our available cash on hand and any funds we receive from our subsidiaries. The terms of our indebtedness may restrict us from paying dividends, or may restrict our subsidiaries from paying dividends to us. Under Delaware law, dividends may be payable only out of surplus, which is our net assets minus our liabilities and our capital, or, if we have no surplus, out of our net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness,” and “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock.”

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Our common stock began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “BERY” on October 4, 2012. Prior to that, there was no public market for our common stock. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices per share of our common stock as reported on the NYSE since October 4, 2012:

 

2013		High				Low
First Quarter (beginning October 4, 2012)		$	16.05			$	13.12
Second Quarter		$	20.21			$	15.91
Third Quarter (through April 18, 2013)		$	19.39			$	16.37

On April 18, 2013, the closing price for our common stock as reported on the NYSE was $17.02 per share. As of April 1, 2013, we had approximately 376 holders of record of our common stock.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 29, 2012:

 

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on a historical basis; and

 

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on an as adjusted basis to reflect the incurrence of $1.4 billion of incremental term loans in February 2013 and corresponding repayment of Berry Plastics Corporation’s (i) Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2014, (ii) First Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2015, (iii) 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 and (iv) 8 1/4% First Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2015, as well as a $48 million loss on extinguishment of debt, as described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recent Developments.”

This table should be read together with “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the combined financial statements and notes to those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following table does not include any proceeds from this offering, as the selling stockholders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sales of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus.

 

		(Unaudited) As of  December 29, 2012
($ in millions)		Historical				As Adjusted
Cash and cash equivalents		$	32			$	32
Long-term debt, including current portion:
Term loan			1,134				2,534
Revolving line of credit			44				58
First Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes			681				—
8 1/4% First Priority Notes			370				—
Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes			210				—
9 1/2% Second Priority Notes			500				500
Senior Unsecured Term Loan			18				18
9 3/4% Second Priority Notes			800				800
10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes			127				—
Debt discount, net			(8	)			—
Capital leases and other			99				99
Total debt			3,975				4,009
Stockholders’ deficit:
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 113,038,346 shares issued and outstanding as of December 29, 2012			1				1
Paid-in capital			300				300
Notes receivable—common stock			(2	)			(2	)
Noncontrolling interest			3				3
Accumulated deficit			(571	)			(619	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(44	)			(44	)
Total stockholders’ deficit			(313	)			(361	)
Total capitalization		$	3,662			$	3,648

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents our selected historical consolidated financial data. This information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. and their notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, as well as the other financial information included in this prospectus. We derived the consolidated statement of operations data for fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2012 as well as the consolidated balance sheet data at September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the audited consolidated statement of operations data for fiscal 2008 and 2009 as well as the audited consolidated balance sheet data at October 2, 2010, September 26, 2009 and September 27, 2008 from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus. We derived the unaudited consolidated statement of operations data for the quarterly periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, as well as the unaudited consolidated balance sheet data at December 29, 2012, from our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2011 from our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in any future period, and results for the quarterly period ended December 29, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

 

		Quarterly Periods Ended								Year Ended
($ in millions)		December 29, 2012				December 31, 2011				September 29, 2012				October 1, 2011				October 2, 2010				September 26, 2009				September 27, 2008
Statement of Operations Data:			Unaudited								Audited
Net sales		$	1,072			$	1,137			$	4,766			$	4,561			$	4,257			$	3,187			$	3,513
Cost of sales			895				985				3,949				3,878				3,667				2,641				3,019
Gross profit			177				152				817				683				590				546				494
Selling, general and administrative expenses			77				72				308				275				272				229				247
Amortization of intangibles			27				28				109				106				107				96				93
Restructuring and impairment charges			5				23				31				221				41				11				10
Other operating expenses			—				—				44				39				46				24				33
Operating income			68				29				325				42				124				186				111
Other expense (income)			13				(4	)			(7	)			61				(27	)			(373	)			—
Net interest expense			70				83				328				327				313				304				321
Income (loss) before income taxes			(15	)			(50	)			4				(346	)			(162	)			255				(210	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			(5	)			(19	)			2				(47	)			(49	)			99				(72	)
Loss on discontinued operations			—				—				—				—				—				4				—
Net income (loss)		$	(10	)		$	(31	)		$	2			$	(299	)		$	(113	)		$	152			$	(138	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	(7	)		$	(31	)		$	3			$	(324	)		$	(112	)		$	128			$	(154	)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders:
Basic		$	(0.09	)		$	(0.37	)		$	0.02			$	(3.55	)		$	(1.34	)		$	1.80			$	(1.63	)
Diluted			(0.09	)			(0.37	)			0.02				(3.55	)			(1.34	)			1.79				(1.63	)
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
Cash and cash equivalents		$	32			$	29			$	87			$	42			$	148			$	10			$	190
Property, plant and equipment, net			1,223				1,227				1,216				1,250				1,146				875				863
Total assets			5,050				5,000				5,106				5,217				5,344				4,216				4,766
Long-term debt obligations, excluding current portion			3,932				4,517				4,431				4,581				4,397				3,422				4,124
Total liabilities			5,363				5,480				5,558				5,668				5,474				4,236				4,923
Redeemable shares			—				16				23				16				11				—				—
Total stockholders’ deficit			(313	)			(496	)			(475	)			(467	)			(141	)			(20	)			(157	)
Cash Flow and Other Financial Data:
Net cash from operating activities		$	87			$	89			$	479			$	327			$	112			$	413			$	10
Net cash from investing activities			(63	)			(37	)			(255	)			(523	)			(852	)			(195	)			(656	)
Net cash from financing activities			(79	)			(65	)			(179	)			90				878				(398	)			821

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries and the accompanying notes thereto, which information is included elsewhere herein. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a leading provider of value-added plastic consumer packaging and engineered materials with a 30-year track record of delivering high-quality customized solutions to our customers. Our products utilize our proprietary research and development platform, which includes a continually evolving library of Berry-owned molds, patents, manufacturing techniques and technologies. We sell our solutions predominantly into consumer-oriented end markets, such as food and beverage, healthcare and personal care, which together represented 76% of our sales in the 12 months ended December 29, 2012. We believe our customers look to us for solutions that have high consumer impact in terms of form, function and branding. Representative examples of our products include thermoform drink cups, thin-wall containers, blow-molded bottles, specialty closures, prescription vials, specialty plastic films, adhesives and corrosion protection materials. We have also been one of the most active acquirers of plastic packaging businesses globally, having acquired more than 30 businesses since 1988, including twelve acquisitions completed in the past six years. We believe our focus on delivering unique and customized solutions to our customers and our ability to successfully integrate strategic acquisitions have enabled us to grow at rates in excess of our industry peers, having achieved a compound annual net sales growth rate over the last 12 years of 23%.

We believe that we have created one of the largest product libraries in our industry, allowing us to be a comprehensive solution provider to our customers. We have more than 13,000 customers, which consist of a diverse mix of leading national, mid-sized regional and local specialty businesses. The size and scope of our customer network allow us to introduce new products we develop or acquire to a vast audience that is familiar with, and we believe partial to, our brand. In fiscal year 2012, no single customer represented more than 3% of net sales and our top ten customers represented less than 17% of net sales. We currently supply our customers through 84strategically located manufacturing facilities throughout the United States (70 locations) and select international locations (14 locations). We believe our manufacturing processes and our ability to leverage our scale to reduce expenses on items, such as raw materials, position us as a low-cost manufacturer relative to our competitors. For example, we believe based on management estimates that we are one of the largest global purchasers of plastic resins, at more than 2.5 billion pounds per year, which gives us both unique insight into this market as well as scale purchasing savings.

We enjoy market leadership positions in many of our markets, with 76% of net sales during the 12 months ended December 29, 2012 in markets in which management estimates we held the #1 or #2 market position. We look to build leadership in markets where we have a strategic angle and can achieve attractive profit margins through technology and design leadership and a competitive cost position such as highly decorated plastic packaging. We believe that our product and technology development capabilities are best-in-class, supported by the newly built Berry Research and Design Center and a network of more than 200 engineers and material scientists. We seek to have our product and technology development efforts provide a meaningful impact on sales. An example of our focused new product development is our thermoform plastic drink cup technology. We identified an unfulfilled need in the market with an opportunity for significant return on invested capital and ultimately introduced the technology to the market in 2001. This product line has grown steadily since introduction and generated $397 million of net sales during the 12 months ended December 29, 2012.

 

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Our success is driven by our more than 15,000 employees. Over the past 30 years, we have developed a culture that incorporates both loyalty to best practices and acceptance of new perspectives, which we have often identified from the companies we have acquired. Our employees hold themselves accountable to exceed the expectations of our customers and to create value for our stakeholders.

We believe the successful execution of our business strategy has enabled us to outperform the growth of our industry over the past decade with Adjusted EBITDA increasing from $80 million in 2000 to $812 million for the 12 months ended December 29, 2012, representing a CAGR of 21%. For the 12 months ended December 29, 2012, Berry had pro forma net sales of $4.7 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $812 million, net income of $23 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $271 million. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow to the nearest GAAP measures, see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Executive Summary

Business. We operate in the following four segments: Rigid Open Top, Rigid Closed Top (together our Rigid Packaging business), Engineered Materials, and Flexible Packaging. The Rigid Packaging business sells primarily containers, foodservice items, housewares, closures, overcaps, bottles, prescription containers, and tubes. Our Engineered Materials segment sells specialty tapes, adhesives, pipeline corrosive protection solutions, polyethylene based film products, and waste bags. The Flexible Packaging segment sells primarily high barrier, multilayer film products as well as printed bags and pouches.

Raw Material Trends. Our primary raw material is plastic resin. Polypropylene and polyethylene account for approximately 90% of our plastic resin purchases based on the pounds purchased. Plastic resins are subject to price fluctuations, including those arising from supply shortages and changes in the prices of natural gas, crude oil and other petrochemical intermediates from which resins are produced. The average industry prices, as published in Chem Data, per pound were as follows by fiscal year:

 

		Polyethylene Butene Film												Polypropylene
		2013				2012				2011				2013				2012				2011
1st quarter		$	.69			$	.70			$	.68			$	.76			$	.79			$	.78
2nd quarter							.76				.72								.88				.95
3rd quarter							.72				.79								.85				1.08
4th quarter							.68				.73								.71				.98

Plastic resin prices increased in the second fiscal quarter of 2013. Due to differences in the timing of passing through resin cost changes to our customers on escalator/de-escalator programs, segments are negatively impacted in the short term when plastic resin costs increase and are positively impacted when plastic resin costs decrease. Recently, the company has made progress towards shortening these timing lags, but we still have a number of customers whose prices adjust quarterly or less frequently based on various index prices. This timing lag in passing through raw material cost changes could affect our results as plastic resin costs fluctuate.

Outlook. The company is impacted by general economic and industrial growth, plastic resin availability and affordability, and general industrial production. Our business has both geographic and end market diversity, which reduces the effect of any one of these factors on our overall performance. Our results are affected by our ability pass through raw material cost changes to our customers, improve manufacturing productivity and adapt to volume changes of our customers. We seek to improve our overall profitability by implementing cost reduction programs for our manufacturing, selling and general and administrative expenses. Looking forward to the second fiscal quarter of 2013, we believe overall economic activity will continue to remain sluggish, but modestly positive. Despite the headwinds we will be facing and assuming volumes are in line with GDP forecasts of 2%, we anticipate profitability, as defined as adjusted EBITDA less pro forma adjustments, will improve versus the second fiscal quarter of 2012.

 

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Recent Developments

Initial Public Offering

In October 2012, the company completed an initial public offering and sold 29,411,764 shares of common stock at $16.00 per share. In conjunction with the initial public offering the company executed a 12.25 for one stock split of the company’s common stock. The effect of the stock split on outstanding shares and earnings per share has been retroactively applied to all periods presented. Transaction fees totaling $33 million were included in Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Proceeds, net of transaction fees, of $438 million and cash from operations were used to repurchase $455 million of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due September 2016. As part of the repurchase the company paid premiums of $13 million and wrote-off $3 million of deferred financing fees.

Incremental Term Loan

In February 2013, the company entered into an incremental assumption agreement to increase the commitments under Berry Plastics Corporation’s existing term loan credit agreement by $1.4 billion. Berry Plastics Corporation borrowed loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the full amount of the commitments on such date. The incremental term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, mature in February 2020 and are subject to customary amortization. The proceeds from the incremental term loan, in addition to borrowings under the revolving credit facility, were used to (a) satisfy and discharge all of Berry Plastics Corporation’s outstanding (i) Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2014, (ii) First Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2015, (iii) 10 ¹/₄% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 and (iv) 8 ¹/₄% First Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2015, which, in each case, were called for redemption in February 2013 and the related indentures and (b) pay related fees and expenses. The company recognized a $48 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to this debt refinancing.

Interest expense would have decreased approximately $88 million for the last twelve months ended December 29, 2012 if our initial public offering and this debt refinancing had occurred at the beginning of the period. See “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data.”

Interest Rate Swap

In February 2013, the company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to protect $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt from future interest rate volatility. The agreement swaps the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed three-year rate of 2.355%, with an effective date in May 2016 and expiration in May 2019. The counterparty to the agreement is a financial institution. The company will record changes in fair value in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. A 0.25% change in LIBOR would not have a material impact on the fair value of the interest rate swaps.

Tax Receivable Agreement

In connection with our initial public offering, the company entered into an income tax receivable agreement that provides for the payment to pre-initial public offering stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights, 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income tax that are actually realized (or are deemed to be realized in the case of a change of control) as a result of the utilization of our and our subsidiaries’ net operating losses attributable to periods prior to the initial public offering. The company expects to pay between $300 million and $350 million in cash related to this agreement. This range is based on the company’s assumptions using various items, including valuation analysis and current tax law. Upon the effective date of the income tax receivable agreement, the company recorded an initial obligation of $300 million ($123 million in Accrued expenses and $177 million in Other long-term liabilities), which is recognized as a reduction of Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 29, 2012. Changes in the recorded net deferred income tax assets will result in changes in the income tax receivable agreement obligation, and such changes will be recorded as Other expense (income) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Payments under the income tax receivable agreement are not conditioned upon the parties’ continued ownership of the company’s equity.

 

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Redeemable Common Stock

As of September 29, 2012, the company had entered into agreements with former employees that required the company to redeem their common stock at pre-determined dates. Historical redemption of this redeemable common stock was based on the fair value of the redeemable common stock on the fixed redemption date. This redeemable common stock was recorded at its fair value in temporary equity and changes in the fair value were recorded in additional paid in capital each period. Upon completion of the initial public offering in October 2012, the redemption requirement terminated resulting in the company reclassifying the shares into equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

BP Parallel Investments

In December 2012, BP Parallel, LLC (“BP Parallel”), a non-guarantor subsidiary of the company, invested $21 million to purchase assignments of $21 million of our senior unsecured term loan during the quarter ended December 29, 2012. The purchase did not result in a gain or loss.

Acquisitions

We have a long history of acquiring and integrating companies. We maintain an opportunistic acquisition strategy, which is focused on improving our long-term financial performance, enhancing our market positions and expanding our product lines or, in some cases, providing us with a new or complementary product line. In our acquisitions, we seek to obtain businesses for attractive post-synergy multiples, creating value for our stockholders from synergy realization, leveraging the acquired products across our customer base, creating new platforms for future growth, and assuming best practices from the businesses we acquire.

The company has included the expected benefits of acquisition integrations within our unrealized synergies, which are in turn recognized in earnings after an acquisition has been fully integrated. While the expected benefits on earnings is estimated at the commencement of each transaction, once the execution of the plan and integration occur, we are generally unable to accurately estimate or track what the ultimate effects have been due to system integrations and movements of activities to multiple facilities. As historical business combinations have not allowed us to accurately separate realized synergies compared to what was initially identified, we measure the synergy realization based on the overall segment profitability post integration. In connection with our acquisitions, we have in the past and may in the future incur charges related to reductions and rationalizations.

We also include the expected impact of our restructuring plans within our unrealized synergies which are in turn recognized in earnings after the restructuring plans are completed. While the expected benefits on earnings is estimated at the commencement of each plan, due to the nature of the matters we are generally unable to accurately estimate or track what the ultimate effects have been due to movements of activities to multiple facilities.

Financial Statement Presentation

The following paragraphs provide a brief description of certain items and accounting policies that appear in our financial statements and general factors that impact these items.

Net Sales

Net sales represent gross sales less deductions taken for sales returns and allowances, sales term discounts and incentive rebates programs.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes all costs of manufacturing to bring a product to its sale condition. Such costs include direct and indirect materials, direct and indirect labor costs, including fringe benefits, supplies, utilities,

 

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depreciation, insurance, pension and postretirement benefits, and other manufacturing related costs. The largest component of our costs of sales is the cost of materials, and the most significant component of this is plastic resin.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include sales and marketing, finance and administration, research and development and information technology costs. Our major cost elements include salary and wages, fringe benefits, travel and information technology costs.

Amortization expense

Amortization expense includes the amortization of the company’s definite lived intangible assets.

Restructuring and impairment charges

Restructuring and impairment charges include severance, non-cash impairment charges and other expenses associated with the company’s facility rationalization programs and also includes non-cash impairment charges for goodwill impairments.

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses primarily consists of management fees to our sponsors, acquisition integration expenses and transaction costs associated with acquisitions.

Other expense (income)

Other expense (income) primarily consists of gains or losses on the extinguishment of debt and the changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments.

Interest expense

Interest expense represents the cash and non-cash interest for all of the company’s outstanding indebtedness.

Comparison of the Quarterly Period Ended December 29, 2012 (the “Quarter”) and the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2011 (the “Prior Quarter”)

Net Sales. Net sales decreased from $1,137 million in the Prior Quarter to $1,072 million in the Quarter. This decrease is primarily attributed to lower selling prices of 6% as a result of lower plastic resin costs noted above. The following discussion in this section provides a comparison of net sales by business segment.

 

		Quarterly Period Ended
		December 29, 2012				December 31, 2011				$ Change				% Change
Net sales:
Rigid Open Top		$	259			$	287			$	(28	)			(10	%)
Rigid Closed Top			313				347				(34	)			(10	%)
Rigid Packaging		$	572			$	634			$	(62	)			(10	%)
Engineered Materials			325				328				(3	)			(1	%)
Flexible Packaging			175				175				—				—
Total net sales		$	1,072			$	1,137			$	(65	)			(6	%)

 

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Net sales in the Rigid Open Top business decreased from $287 million in the Prior Quarter to $259 million in the Quarter as a result of net selling price decreases of 11% due to lower resin costs partially offset by volume growth of 1%. Net sales in the Rigid Closed Top business decreased from $347 million in the Prior Quarter to $313 million in the Quarter as a result of net selling price decreases of 7% due to lower resin costs and a volume decline of 3%. The volume decline is primarily attributed to general market softness. The Engineered Materials business net sales decreased from $328 million in the Prior Quarter to $325 million in the Quarter as a result of net selling price decreases of 1% due to lower resin costs. Net sales in the Flexible Packaging business was $175 million in the Prior Quarter and the Quarter as a result of volume growth of 2% offset by net selling price decreases of 2% due to lower resin costs. The volume improvement is primarily due to a modest share gain in our sealant and barrier film.

Operating Income. Operating income increased from $29 million (3% of net sales) in Prior Quarter to $68 million (6% of net sales) in Quarter. This increase is primarily attributed to $2 million from the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $2 million decrease in depreciation expense, $2 million decrease in amortization expense, $13 million decrease in business integration and impairment charges, $8 million of improved manufacturing efficiencies, $1 million from acquisitions and a non-cash impairment charge of $17 million in Prior Quarter partially offset by $1 million from volume declines described above, $7 million of increased selling, general and administrative expenses due to increased spending to accelerate future organic growth. The operating loss from Prior Quarter divestiture includes a non-cash impairment charge of $17 million. The following discussion in this section provides a comparison of operating income by business segment.

 

		Quarterly Period Ended
		December 29, 2012				December 31, 2011				$ Change				% Change
Operating income (loss):
Rigid Open Top		$	27			$	31			$	(4	)			(13	%)
Rigid Closed Top			18				3				15				500	%
Rigid Packaging		$	45			$	34			$	11				32	%
Engineered Materials			24				2				22				1,100	%
Flexible Packaging			(1	)			(7	)			6				86	%
Total operating income		$	68			$	29			$	39				134	%

Operating income for the Rigid Open Top business decreased from $31 million (11% of net sales) in Prior Quarter to $27 million (10% of net sales) in Quarter. This decrease is primarily attributed to a $4 million decline in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs and $2 million increase of selling, general and administrative expenses partially offset by an improvement in manufacturing efficiencies of $2 million. Operating income for the Rigid Closed Top business increased from $3 million (1% of net sales) in Prior Quarter to $18 million (6% of net sales) in Quarter. This increase is primarily attributed to a $11 million decline in business integration expenses, $3 million improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $3 million reduction of depreciation and amortization expense, $1 million of improved operating performance in manufacturing partially offset by $2 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses and $1 million from volume declines described above. Operating income for the Engineered Materials business improved from $2 million (1% of net sales) in Prior Quarter to $24 million (7% of net sales) Quarter. This increase is primarily attributed to a $17 million non-cash impairment in Prior Quarter, $1 million from acquisitions, $4 million improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $4 million of improved operating performance in manufacturing partially offset by $4 million increase in business integration $1 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating loss for the Flexible Packaging business improved from a loss of $7 million (-4% of net sales) in Prior Quarter to a loss of $1 million (-1% of net sales) in Quarter. This improvement is primarily attributed to a $5 million reduction of business integration expense, $1 million reduction of depreciation and amortization expense, and a $2 million improvement in manufacturing efficiencies partially offset by $1 million decline in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs and $1 million increase of selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

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Debt Extinguishment. Debt extinguishment was $16 million during the Quarter. These were related to loss on extinguishment of debt attributed to $3 million of write-off of deferred fees and $13 million of premiums paid related to the debt extinguishment of the company’s 11% Senior Subordinated Notes during the Quarter.

Other Income. Other income decreased from $4 million in the Prior Quarter to $3 million in the Quarter. The change is primarily related to the change in the fair value of derivative instruments.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased from $83 million in the Prior Quarter to $70 million in the Quarter primarily as the result of the debt extinguishment of the company’s 11% Senior Subordinated Notes.

Income Tax Benefit. For the Quarter, we recorded an income tax benefit of $5 million or an effective tax rate of 33% compared to an income tax benefit of $19 million or an effective tax rate of 38% in the Prior Quarter. The effective tax rate for the Quarter is impacted by the relative impact of discrete items.

Net Loss. Net loss improved from $31 million in the Prior Quarter to $10 million in the Quarter for the reasons discussed above.

Discussion of Results of Operations for Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011

Net Sales. Net sales increased from $4,561 million in fiscal 2011 to $4,766 million in fiscal 2012. This increase is primarily attributed to net sales from acquired businesses of 10% partially offset by a volume decline of 6%. The following discussion in this section provides a comparison of net sales by business segment.

 

		Fiscal Year
		2012				2011				$ Change				% Change
Net sales:
Rigid Open Top		$	1,229			$	1,261			$	(32	)			(3	%)
Rigid Closed Top			1,438				1,053				385				37	%
Rigid Packaging		$	2,667			$	2,314			$	353				15	%
Engineered Materials			1,362				1,451				(89	)			(6	%)
Flexible Packaging			737				796				(59	)			(7	%)
Total net sales		$	4,766			$	4,561			$	205				4	%

Net sales in the Rigid Open Top business decreased from $1,261 million in fiscal 2011 to $1,229 million in fiscal 2012 as a result of a volume decline of 4% partially offset by a net selling price increases of 1%. The volume decline is primarily attributed to the company pursuing a strategy to improve profitability in products with historically lower margins. Net sales in the Rigid Closed Top business increased from $1,053 million in fiscal 2011 to $1,438 million in fiscal 2012 primarily as a result of net sales attributed to the Rexam SBC acquisition of 41% partially offset by a volume decline of 4%. The volume decline is primarily attributed to general market softness. The Engineered Materials business net sales decreased from $1,451 million in fiscal 2011 to $1,362 million in fiscal 2012 as a result of a volume decline of 8% partially offset by net selling price increases of 1% and net sales from acquired businesses of 1%. The volume decline is primarily attributed to a decrease in sales volumes due to the strategy we implemented in fiscal 2011 to improve profitability in products with historically lower margins. Net sales in the Flexible Packaging business decreased from $796 million in fiscal 2011 to $737 million in fiscal 2012 as a result of a volume decline of 10% partially offset by 3% net selling price increases. The volume decline is primarily due to a decrease in sales volumes due to the strategy implemented in fiscal 2011 discussed above.

Operating Income. Operating income increased from $42 million (1% of net sales) in fiscal 2011 to $325 million (7% of net sales) in fiscal 2012. This increase, excluding the impact from acquisitions, is primarily attributed to $59 million from the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $29 million decrease of

 

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depreciation expense, $11 million decrease in amortization expense, $188 million decrease in business integration and impairment charges, and $35 million of improved manufacturing efficiencies partially offset by $27 million from volume declines described above, $4 million of increased selling, general and administrative expenses and $8 million of operating loss from acquisitions. The operating income from acquisitions for periods without comparable prior year activity was negative $8 million which includes $29 million of selling, general and administrative expenses, $28 million of business integration expenses, $37 million of depreciation expense and $14 million of amortization expense. The following discussion in this section provides a comparison of operating income by business segment.

 

		Fiscal Year
		2012				2011				$ Change				% Change
Operating income (loss):
Rigid Open Top		$	159			$	155			$	4				3	%
Rigid Closed Top			95				77				18				23	%
Rigid Packaging		$	254			$	232			$	22				9	%
Engineered Materials			70				(71	)			141				199	%
Flexible Packaging			1				(119	)			120				101	%
Total operating income		$	325			$	42			$	283				674	%

Operating income for the Rigid Open Top business increased from $155 million (12% of net sales) in fiscal 2011 to $159 million (13% of net sales) in fiscal 2012. This increase is primarily attributed to a $26 million improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs and $12 million reduction of depreciation and amortization expense partially offset by a decline in manufacturing efficiencies of $6 million, $17 million increase in business integration expenses, volume declines described above of $7 million and $4 million increase of selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating income for the Rigid Closed Top business increased from $77 million (7% of net sales) in fiscal 2011 to $95 million (7% of net sales) in fiscal 2012. This increase is primarily attributed to a $28 million increase of manufacturing efficiencies, $5 million reduction of selling, general and administrative expense, $4 million from acquisition volume and $9 million reduction of depreciation and amortization expense partially offset by $2 million decrease in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $9 million from the volume decline described above and $17 million of increased business integration expense. Operating income for the Engineered Materials business improved from a loss of $71 million (-5% of net sales) in fiscal 2011 to $70 million (5% of net sales) in fiscal 2012. This increase is primarily attributed to a $18 million improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $14 million of improved operating performance in manufacturing, $4 million reduction of depreciation and amortization expense and $127 million decrease in business integration and impairment charges partially offset by $8 million of volume decline described above, $12 million loss from acquisition volume and $2 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating loss for the Flexible Packaging business improved from a loss of $119 million (-15% of net sales) in fiscal 2011 to $1 million (0% of net sales) in fiscal 2012. This improvement is primarily attributed to a $17 million improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $96 million reduction of business integration and impairment charges and $16 million reduction of depreciation and amortization expense partially offset by $4 million from the volume decline described above, $4 million increase of selling, general and administrative expense, and a $1 million decline in manufacturing efficiencies.

Other Expense (Income) Net. Other expense (income) improved from expense of $61 million in fiscal 2011 to income of $7 million in fiscal 2012. Fiscal 2011 other expense is primarily related to the loss on extinguishment of debt of $68 million attributed to the write-off of deferred fees, debt discount and the premiums paid related to the debt extinguishment of the company’s 8 ⁷/₈% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes partially offset by a gain attributed to the fair value adjustment for our interest rate swaps. The fiscal 2012 other income is primarily a contract settlement.

 

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Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense increased slightly from $327 million in fiscal 2011 to $328 million in fiscal 2012.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Fiscal 2012, we recorded an income tax expense of $2 million or an effective tax rate of 50% compared to an income tax benefit of $47 million or an effective tax rate of 14% in fiscal 2011 due to the relative impact of permanent items on the pre-tax income and establishment of valuation allowance for certain foreign losses where benefits are not expected to be realized.

Net Income (Loss). Net income (loss) improved from a net loss of $299 million in fiscal 2011 to net income of $2 million in fiscal 2012 for the reasons discussed above.

Discussion of Results of Operations for Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010

Net Sales. Net sales increased to $4,561 million for fiscal 2011 from $4,257 million for fiscal 2010. This increase is primarily attributed to (1) increased selling prices of 9% as a result of higher plastic resin costs as noted in the “Raw Material Trends” section above and the company pursuing a strategy to improve product profitability in markets with historically lower margins and (2) acquisition volume growth of 5% partially offset by a base volume decline of 7%. The following discussion in this section provides a comparison of net sales by business segment.

 

		Fiscal Year
(in millions)		2011				2010				$ Change				% Change
Net sales:
Rigid Open Top		$	1,261			$	1,160			$	101				9	%
Rigid Closed Top			1,053				970				83				9	%
Rigid Packaging		$	2,314			$	2,130			$	184				9	%
Engineered Materials			1,451				1,457				(6	)			0	%
Flexible Packaging			796				670				126				19	%
Total net sales		$	4,561			$	4,257			$	304				7	%

Net sales in the Rigid Open Top business increased from $1,160 million in fiscal 2010 to $1,261 million in fiscal 2011 as a result of net selling price increases of 10% due to the factors noted above and acquisition growth attributed to Superfos Packaging, Inc. of 1% partially offset by a base volume decline. The base volume decline is primarily attributed to a decrease in sales volumes in various container products due to market softness partially offset by continued volume growth in thermoforming drink cups as capital investments from prior periods provided additional capacity. Net sales in the Rigid Closed Top business increased from $970 million in fiscal 2010 to $1,053 million in fiscal 2011 as a result of net selling price increases of 6% due to the factors noted above and acquisition volume growth attributed to Rexam SBC of 4% partially offset by a base volume decline. The base volume decline is primarily attributed to a decrease in sales volumes in closures and tubes due to softness in the personal care market. Net sales in the Engineered Materials business decreased from $1,457 million in fiscal 2010 to $1,451 million in fiscal 2011 as a result of a base volume decline of 11% partially offset by acquisition volume growth attributed to Pliant Corporation (“Pliant”) and Filmco of 3% and net selling price increases of 8% due to the factors listed above. The base volume decline is primarily attributed to a decrease in sales volumes in bags, sheeting, institutional can liners and stretch film. The bags and sheeting decreases were primarily due to the loss of the private label Wal-Mart waste bag business and our decision to exit certain sheeting businesses during fiscal 2010. The declines in institutional can liners and stretch film were primarily attributed to the company strategically addressing products with profitability that was lower than the value we believed our product provided to our customers. Net sales in the Flexible Packaging business increased from $670 million in fiscal 2010 to $796 million in fiscal 2011 primarily as a result of net selling price increases of 13% due to the factors listed above and acquisition growth attributed to Pliant of 19% partially offset by a base volume decline of 13%. The base volume decline is primarily attributed to a decrease in sales volumes in

 

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personal care films and barrier films. These declines were primarily attributed to the company strategically addressing products with profitability that was lower than the value we believed our products provided to our customers.

Operating Income. Operating income decreased from $124 million in fiscal 2010 to $42 million in fiscal 2011. This decrease is primarily attributed to a $165 million non-cash goodwill impairment, $11 million increase integration and business optimization expenses excluding acquisition activity for periods without comparable prior year activity, $15 million increase in depreciation expense excluding acquisition activity for periods without comparable prior year activity and $13 million from base volume decline described above partially offset by $61 million from the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $5 million decrease in amortization expense excluding acquisition activity for periods without comparable prior year activity, $9 million of operating income from acquisitions for periods without comparable prior year activity and $48 million of improved operating performance. The operating income from acquisition for periods without comparable prior year activity includes $2 million of selling, general and administrative expenses and $4 million of amortization expense. The following discussion in this section provides a comparison of operating income by business segment.

 

		Fiscal Year
(in millions)		2011				2010				$ Change				% Change
Operating income (loss):
Rigid Open Top		$	155			$	124			$	31				25	%
Rigid Closed Top			77				73				4				5	%
Rigid Packaging		$	232			$	197			$	35				18	%
Engineered Materials			(71	)			4				(75	)			(1,875	%)
Flexible Packaging			(119	)			(77	)			(42	)			(55	%)
Total operating income		$	42			$	124			$	(82	)			(66	%)

Operating income for the Rigid Open Top business increased from $124 million (11% of net sales) for fiscal 2010 to $155 (12% of net sales) million in fiscal 2011. This increase is primarily attributed to $19 million of improved operating performance in manufacturing, $22 million from the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs and $4 million reduction of business optimization expense partially offset by $9 million of higher selling, general and administrative expenses and $9 million of higher depreciation and amortization expense. Operating income for the Rigid Closed Top business increased from $73 million (8% of net sales) for fiscal 2010 to $77 million (7% of net sales) in fiscal 2011. This increase is primarily attributed to $16 million of improved operating performance in manufacturing partially offset by a $2 million negative relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $3 million of higher selling, general and administrative costs, $5 million increase in restructuring costs and $4 million decline from base volume partially offset by $4 million of operating income from acquisitions. Engineered Materials operating income declined from $4 million (0% of net sales) of operating income for fiscal 2010 to $71 million (negative 5% of net sales) of operating loss in fiscal 2011. This decline is primarily attributed to an $88 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge in fiscal 2011, $11 million increase of integration and business optimization costs and $2 million from base volume decline described above as the majority of the segment’s costs are variable partially offset by $12 million of improved operating performance, $9 million improvement from the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $6 million of lower selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating loss for the Flexible Packaging business increased from $77 million (negative 11% of net sales) for fiscal 2010 to $119 million (negative 15% of net sales) in fiscal 2011. This increase is primarily attributed to a $77 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge in fiscal 2011 and $7 million from base volume decline partially offset by $1 million of improved operating performance, $32 million improvement in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs, $5 million from acquisitions and $4 million of lower selling, general and administrative expenses.

Other Expense (Income), Net. Other expense of $61 million recorded in fiscal 2011 is primarily attributed to a $68 million loss on extinguishment of debt attributed to the write-off of $14 million of deferred financing fees,

 

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$17 million of non-cash debt discount and $37 million of premiums paid related to the debt extinguishment of the company’s 8- ⁷/₈% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes. Other income recorded in fiscal 2010 is primarily attributed to a $13 million gain related to the repurchase of debt and a $13 million gain attributed to the fair value adjustment for our interest rate swaps. See footnote 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion on debt repurchases and footnote 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of financial instruments and fair value measurements.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased from $313 million in fiscal 2010 to $327 million in fiscal 2011 primarily as a result of increased borrowings to fund acquisitions.

Income Tax Benefit. For fiscal 2011, we recorded an income tax benefit of $47 million or an effective tax rate of 14% compared to an income tax benefit of $49 million or an effective tax rate of 30% in fiscal 2010. The effective tax rate is less than the statutory rate primarily attributed to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge in fiscal 2011 which is not tax deductible and the establishment of a valuation allowance for certain foreign operating losses where the benefits are not expected to be realized.

Net Loss. Net loss was $299 million for fiscal 2011 compared to $113 million for fiscal 2010 for the reasons discussed above.

Income Tax Matters

The company had unused United States federal operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income of $911 million which begin to expire in 2026 through 2031. As of fiscal year end 2012, the company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $129 million, which will be available to offset future taxable income. Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of $9 million are available to the company indefinitely to reduce future years’ U.S. federal income taxes. The net operating losses are subject to an annual limitation under guidance from the Internal Revenue Code, however the annual limitation is in excess of the net operating loss, so effectively no limitation exists. As part of the effective tax rate calculation, if we determine that a deferred tax asset arising from temporary differences is not likely to be utilized, we will establish a valuation allowance against that asset to record it at its expected realizable value. The company has not provided a valuation allowance on its net federal net operating loss carryforwards in the United States because it has determined that future reversals of its temporary taxable differences will occur in the same periods and are of the same nature as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $51 million and $43 million at the end of fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to certain foreign and state operating loss carryforwards.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Berry Plastics Corporation Senior Secured Credit Facility

The company’s senior secured credit facilities consist of a $1,200 million term loan (the “original term loan”), a $1,400 million term loan (the “additional term loan”) and $650 million asset based revolving line of credit (“Credit Facility”). The original term loan matures in April 2015, the additional term loan matures in February 2020 and the revolving line of credit matures in June 2016, subject to certain conditions. The availability under the revolving line of credit is the lesser of $650 million or based on a defined borrowing base which is calculated based on available accounts receivable and inventory. The revolving line of credit allows up to $130 million of letters of credit to be issued instead of borrowings under the revolving line of credit. At December 29, 2012, the company had $44 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility, $48 million outstanding letters of credit and a $145 million borrowing base reserve providing unused borrowing capacity of $413 million under the revolving line of credit. The company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 29, 2012.

 

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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the revolving credit facility, is calculated based on a numerator consisting of Adjusted EBITDA less pro forma adjustments, income taxes paid in cash and capital expenditures, and a denominator consisting of scheduled principal payments in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money, interest expense and certain distributions. We are obligated to sustain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 under the revolving credit facility at any time when the aggregate unused capacity under the revolving credit facility is less than 10% of the lesser of the revolving credit facility commitments and the borrowing base (and for 10 business days following the date upon which availability exceeds such threshold) or during the continuation of an event of default. At December 29, 2012, the company had unused borrowing capacity of $413 million under the revolving credit facility and thus was not subject to the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant. Our fixed charge ratio was 1.7 to 1.0 at December 29, 2012.

Despite not having financial maintenance covenants, our debt agreements contain certain negative covenants. The failure to comply with these negative covenants could restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, effect acquisitions, enter into certain significant business combinations, make distributions or redeem indebtedness. The term loan facility contains a negative covenant first lien secured leverage ratio covenant of 4.0 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis for a proposed transaction, such as an acquisition or incurrence of additional first lien debt. Our first lien secured leverage ratio was 2.8 to 1.0 at December 29, 2012.

A key financial metric utilized in the calculation of the first lien leverage ratio is Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the company’s senior secured credit facilities. The following table reconciles our Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2012 and the four quarters and quarterly period ended December 29, 2012 to net income (loss):

 

						December 29, 2012
		Fiscal 2012				Four Quarters Ended				Quarterly Period Ended
Adjusted EBITDA			803			$	812			$	176
Net interest expense			(328	)			(315	)			(70	)
Depreciation and amortization			(355	)			(353	)			(87	)
Income tax benefit (expense)			(2	)			(16	)			5
Business optimization and other expense			(53	)			(44	)			(10	)
Restructuring and impairment			(31	)			(13	)			(5	)
Extinguishment of debt			—				(16	)			(16	)
Pro forma acquisitions			(6	)			(6	)			—
Unrealized cost savings			(26	)			(26	)			(3	)
Net income (loss)			2			$	23			$	(10	)

 

						December 29, 2012
		Fiscal 2012				Four Quarters Ended				Quarterly Period Ended
Cash flow from operating activities			479			$	477			$	87
Net additions to property, plant, and equipment			(200	)			(206	)			(43	)
Adjusted free cash flow			279			$	271			$	44
Cash flow from investing activities			(255	)			(281	)			(63	)
Cash flow from financing activities			(179	)			(193	)			(79	)

While the determination of appropriate adjustments in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is subject to interpretation under the terms of the Credit Facility, management believes the adjustments described above are in accordance with the covenants in the Credit Facility. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to our net income (loss) or other measures as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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In addition, other companies in our industry or across different industries may calculate bank covenants and related definitions differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA as a comparative measure.

Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Transactions

Our contractual cash obligations at the end of fiscal 2012, giving effect to our initial public offering in October 2012 and the debt restructuring we completed in February 2013, are summarized in the following table.

 

		Payments due by period as of the end of fiscal 2012
		Total				< 1 year				1-3 years				4-5 years				> 5 years
Long-term debt, excluding capital leases		$	3,964			$	23			$	1,189			$	115			$	2,637
Capital leases(a)			104				30				50				17				7
Fixed interest rate payments(b)			1,109				170				256				319				364
Variable interest rate payments(c)			293				52				136				47				58
Operating leases			289				46				68				56				119
Funding of pension and other postretirement obligations(d)			8				8				—				—				—
Total contractual cash obligations		$	5,767			$	329			$	1,699			$	554			$	3,185

 

(a)	Includes anticipated interest of $17 million over the life of the capital leases.

(b)	Includes variable rate debt subject to interest rate swap agreements.

(c)	Based on applicable interest rates in effect end of fiscal 2012.

(d)

Pension and other postretirement contributions have been included in the above table for the next year. The amount is the estimated contributions to our defined benefit plans. The assumptions used by the actuary in calculating the projection includes weighted average return on pension assets of approximately 8% for 2012. The estimation may vary based on the actual return on our plan assets. See Note 9 to the Consolidated or Combined Financial Statements including in this prospectus under “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” for more information on these obligations.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased from $89 million in the Prior Quarter to $87 million in the Quarter. The change is primarily attributed to additional working capital partially offset by improved operating performance.

Net cash from operating activities was $479 million for fiscal 2012 compared to $327 million of cash flows provided by operating activities for fiscal 2011. The change is primarily the result of improved profitability, excluding non-cash charges.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $327 million for fiscal 2011 compared to $112 million of cash flows provided by operating activities for fiscal 2010. The change is primarily the result of an improvement in working capital and improved profitability, excluding non-cash charges.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased from $37 million in the Prior Quarter to $63 million in the Quarter primarily as a result of acquisition of Prime. Our capital expenditures are forecasted at $230 million for fiscal 2013 and will be funded from cash flows from operating activities and existing liquidity.

Net cash used for investing activities was $255 million for fiscal 2012 compared to net cash used of $523 million for fiscal 2011. The change is primarily a result of the acquisitions in fiscal 2011 partially offset by higher capital expenditures fiscal 2012.

 

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Net cash used for investing activities was $523 million for fiscal 2011 compared to net cash used of $852 million for fiscal 2010. The change is primarily a result of the acquisitions and higher capital spending in fiscal 2010 partially offset by the acquisitions of Rexam SBC and Filmco in fiscal 2011.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $65 million in the Prior Quarter compared to $79 million in the Quarter. The Quarter change is primarily attributed to proceeds we raised in our initial public offering, which we utilized to repurchase the 11% Senior Subordinated Notes. In the Prior Quarter, we made $65 million of payments against our outstanding debt obligation.

Net cash used for financing activities was $179 million for fiscal 2012 compared to $90 million of cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2011. This change is primarily attributed to the net cash used for repayment of the revolving line of credit in fiscal 2012.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $90 million for fiscal 2011 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $878 million for fiscal 2010. This change is primarily attributed to the issuance of the 9- ³/₄% Second Priority Notes in fiscal 2010 partially offset by borrowing on the existing line of credit to fund the Rexam SBC acquisition in fiscal 2011.

In connection with the initial public offering, we entered into an income tax receivable agreement that will provide for the payment by us to our existing stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income tax that we actually realize (or are deemed to realize in the case of a change of control) as a result of the utilization of our and our subsidiaries’ net operating losses attributable to periods prior to this offering. We expect to pay between $300 and $350 million in cash related to this agreement, based on our current taxable income estimates, and will record a liability on our consolidated balance sheet for 85% of our net operating losses. We do not expect material payments related to this agreement to occur during fiscal 2013.

Based on our current level of operations, we believe that cash flow from operations and available cash, together with available borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities, will be adequate to meet our short-term liquidity needs over the next twelve months. We base such belief on historical experience and the funds available under the senior secured credit facility. In addition we believe that we have the business strategy and resources to generate free cash flow from operations in the long term. We do not expect this free cash flow to be sufficient to cover all long-term debt obligations and intend to refinance these obligations prior to maturity. However, we cannot predict our future results of operations and our ability to meet our obligations involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors.” In particular, increases in the cost of resin which we are unable to pass through to our customers on a timely basis or significant acquisitions could severely impact our liquidity. At the end of fiscal 2012, our cash balance was $87 million, and we had unused borrowing capacity of $426 million under our revolving line of credit.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We disclose those accounting policies that we consider to be significant in determining the amounts to be utilized for communicating our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the first note to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with these principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results are likely to differ from these estimates, but management does not believe such differences will materially affect our financial position or results of operations. We believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical because they have the greatest impact on the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Revenue Recognition. Revenue from the sales of products is recognized at the time title and risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer (either when the products reach the free-on-board shipping point or destination depending on the contractual terms), there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed and determinable and collection is reasonably assured.

Accrued Rebates. We offer various rebates to our customers in exchange for their purchases. These rebate programs are individually negotiated with our customers and contain a variety of different terms and conditions. Certain rebates are calculated as flat percentages of purchases, while others include tiered volume incentives. These rebates may be payable monthly, quarterly, or annually. The calculation of the accrued rebate balance involves significant management estimates, especially where the terms of the rebate involve tiered volume levels that require estimates of expected annual sales. These provisions are based on estimates derived from current program requirements and historical experience. We use all available information when calculating these reserves. Our accrual for customer rebates was $68 and $60 as of the end of fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Impairments of Long-Lived Assets. In accordance with the guidance from the FASB for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets we review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount. We recognized non-cash asset impairment of long-lived assets of $20 million, $35 million and $19 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets. We are required to perform a review for impairment of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangibles to evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that may indicate a potential impairment, or on an annual basis. Goodwill is measured to determine if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value on an annual basis, and if any potential impairment is warranted at a Step 2 test level. Other indefinite lived intangibles are considered to be impaired if the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

In accordance with our policy, we completed our most recent annual evaluation for impairment of goodwill as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2012. We utilized a six year discounted cash flow analysis with a terminal year in combination with a comparable company market approach to determine the fair value of our reporting units. At the end of fiscal 2012, we had four operating segments, Rigid Open Top, Rigid Closed Top (collectively Rigid Packaging), Engineered Materials and Flexible Packaging. For purposes of conducting our annual goodwill impairment test, we have determined that we have five reporting units, Rigid Open Top, Rigid Closed Top, Engineered Films, Flexible Packaging and Tapes. Engineered Films and Tapes operations comprise the Engineered Materials operating segment. We determined that each of the components within our respective reporting units have similar economic characteristics and therefore should be aggregated and tested at the respective level as one reporting unit. We reached this conclusion because within each of our reporting units, we have similar products and production processes which allow us to share assets and resources across the product lines. We regularly re-align our production equipment and manufacturing facilities in order to take advantage of cost savings opportunities, obtain synergies and create manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, we utilize our research and development centers, design center, tool shops, and graphics center which all provide benefits to each of the reporting units and work on new products that can not only benefit one product line, but can benefit multiple product lines. We also believe that the goodwill is recoverable from the overall operations of the unit given the similarity in production processes, synergies from leveraging the combined resources, common raw materials, common research and development, similar margins and similar distribution methodologies. Our Tapes reporting unit did not have any goodwill until it completed its acquisition of Stopaq in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. There were no indicators of impairment in the fourth quarter that required us to perform a test for the recoverability of goodwill.

 

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The company’s goodwill, fair value and carrying value of our reporting units are as follows:

 

		Fair Value  July 1,  2012				Carrying Value  July 1,  2012				Goodwill as of September 29, 2012
Rigid Open Top		$	2,140			$	1,535			$	681
Rigid Closed Top			2,485				1,628				832
Engineered Materials			785				354				55
Tapes			345				240				18
Flexible Packaging			580				356				40
										$	1,626

In fiscal 2011, we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $165 million related to our operations that are now included in our Engineered Materials and Flexible Packaging reporting units. This impairment was driven by volume declines that we were experiencing in our Flexible Packaging and Engineered Materials operations driven by softness in volumes and strategic decisions by the company to exit non-profitable products across these reporting units along with other products across our entire company. In fiscal 2011, we experienced a base volume declines in our Flexible Packaging and Engineered Materials segments. These volume declines occurred because of a pricing strategy that we implemented in our second fiscal quarter and continued throughout the remainder of fiscal 2011. These price increases drove declines in our overall volumes when comparing fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2010. These declines in net sales volume resulted in an assumed lower sales volume base to grow future earnings during year one through year six of our discounted cash flow model, which resulted in a lower estimated carrying value and ultimately an impairment charge being recognized.

We have completed our annual impairment test for our Open Top, Closed Top, Flexible Packaging and Engineered Materials reporting units, noting no impairment in any of the four reporting units. Our forecasts include overall growth of 3-5% through and including the terminal year, which is 3%. Growth by reporting unit varies from year-to-year between segments. Our Engineered Materials and Flexible Packaging segments both experienced significant growth in 2012. This strong growth in earnings provided significant improvement in our cash flows, was higher than our anticipated results in our prior year impairment tests and will provide a higher base to grow our future operating cash flows. Our Open Top and Closed Top reporting units experienced overall growth rates were higher than our prior year forecasts driven by the successful integration of the Rexam operations in the Closed Top reporting unit and continued operational success in the Open Top reporting unit. Our capital expenditure levels are consistent with the levels that we forecasted in the prior year in the current year. All of our reporting units fair values substantially exceed the carrying value, which we define as the fair value exceeding the carrying value by 30%. A significant decline in our revenue and earnings or a significant decline in the price of common stock could result in an impairment charge in the future. We also performed our annual impairment test for fiscal 2012 of our indefinite lived intangible assets, which primarily relate to our Rigid Packaging business. The cash flow assumptions, growth rates and risks to these cash flows are similar to those used in our analysis to determine the fair value of our combined Rigid Packaging businesses. The annual impairment test did not result in any impairment as the fair value exceeded the carrying value.

Given the uncertainty in economic trends, revenue and earnings growth, the cost of capital and other risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors”, there can be no assurance that when we complete our future annual or other periodic reviews for impairment of goodwill that an additional material impairment charge will not be recorded as a result. In addition, historically we have grown our business by acquiring and integrating companies into our existing operations. We may not, however, achieve the expected benefits of integrating such acquisitions into our business that we anticipated at the time of the transaction or at the time that we performed our annual impairment tests, which may impact the overall recoverability of our goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets in future periods. We believe based on our current forecasts and estimates that we will not recognize any future impairment charge, but given the current uncertainty in the economic trends, our forecasts and estimates could change quickly and materially in future periods and differ substantially from actual results.

 

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Deferred Taxes and Effective Tax Rates. We estimate the effective tax rates (“ETR”) and associated liabilities or assets for each legal entity of ours in accordance with authoritative guidance. We use tax planning to minimize or defer tax liabilities to future periods. In recording ETRs and related liabilities and assets, we rely upon estimates, which are based upon our interpretation of United States and local tax laws as they apply to our legal entities and our overall tax structure. Audits by local tax jurisdictions, including the United States Government, could yield different interpretations from our own and cause the company to owe more taxes than originally recorded. For interim periods, we accrue our tax provision at the ETR that we expect for the full year. As the actual results from our various businesses vary from our estimates earlier in the year, we adjust the succeeding interim periods’ ETRs to reflect our best estimate for the year-to-date results and for the full year. As part of the ETR, if we determine that a deferred tax asset arising from temporary differences is not likely to be utilized, we will establish a valuation allowance against that asset to record it at its expected realizable value. In multiple foreign jurisdictions, the company believes that it will not generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the related tax benefits. The company has provided a full valuation allowance against its foreign net operating losses included within the deferred tax assets in multiple foreign jurisdictions. The company has not provided a valuation allowance on its federal net operating losses in the United States because it has determined that future reversals of its temporary taxable differences will occur in the same periods and are of the same nature as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $51 million and $43 million as of the end of fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Based on a critical assessment of our accounting policies and the underlying judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies, we believe that our consolidated financial statements provide a meaningful and fair perspective of the company and its consolidated subsidiaries. This is not to suggest that other risk factors such as changes in economic conditions, changes in material costs, our ability to pass through changes in material costs, and others could not materially adversely impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in future periods.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Sensitivity

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates primarily through our senior secured credit facilities and second priority senior secured notes. Our senior secured credit facilities are comprised of (i) a $1,200 million term loan (the “original term loan”), (ii) a $1,400 million term loan (the “additional term loan”) entered into in February 2013 and (iii) a $650 million revolving credit facility. At December 29, 2012, the company had $44 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility. The net outstanding balance of the term loan was $1,134 million (excluding the additional term loan entered into in February 2013) at December 29, 2012. Borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities bear interest, at our option, at either an alternate base rate or an adjusted LIBOR rate for a one-, two-, three- or six month interest period, or a nine- or twelve-month period, if available to all relevant lenders (or, in the case of the additional term loan, 1.0%, if greater), in each case, plus an applicable margin. The alternate base rate is the greater of (i) in the case of the original term loan and the additional term loan, Credit Suisse’s prime rate or, in the case of our revolving credit facility, Bank of America’s prime rate, (ii) one-half of 1.0% over the weighted average of rates on overnight Federal Funds as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (iii) in the case of the additional term loan, 2.0%.

At December 29, 2012, the LIBOR rate of 0.36% was applicable to the term loan, first priority senior secured floating rate notes and second priority senior secured floating rate notes. If the LIBOR rate increases 0.25% and 0.50%, we estimate an annual increase in our interest expense of $3 million and $6 million, respectively.

In November 2010, the company entered into two separate interest rate swap transactions to protect $1 billion of the outstanding variable rate term loan debt from future interest rate volatility. The first agreement had a notional amount of $500 and became effective in November 2010. The agreement swaps three month variable LIBOR contracts for a fixed three year rate of 0.8925% and expires in November 2013. The second agreement had a notional amount of $500 and became effective in December 2010. The agreement swaps three

 

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month variable LIBOR contracts for a fixed three year rate of 1.0235% and expires in November 2013. The counterparties to these agreements are with global financial institutions. In August 2011, the company began utilizing 1-month LIBOR contracts for the underlying senior secured credit facility. The company’s change in interest rate selection caused the company to lose hedge accounting on both of the interest rate swaps. The company recorded subsequent changes in fair value in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and will amortize the unrealized losses to Interest expense through the end of the respective swap agreements. A .25% change in LIBOR would not have a material impact on the fair value of the interest rate swaps.

In February 2013, the company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to protect $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt from future interest rate volatility. The agreement swaps the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed three-year rate of 2.355%, with an effective date in May 2016 and expiration in May 2019. The counterparties to the agreement are financial institutions. The company will record changes in fair value in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. A 0.25% change in LIBOR would not have a material impact on the fair value of the interest rate swaps.

Resin Cost Sensitivity

We are exposed to market risk from changes in plastic resin prices that could impact our results of operations and financial condition. Our plastic resin purchasing strategy is to deal with only high-quality, dependable suppliers. We believe that we have maintained strong relationships with these key suppliers and expect that such relationships will continue into the foreseeable future. The resin market is a global market and, based on our experience, we believe that adequate quantities of plastic resins will be available at market prices, but we can give you no assurances as to such availability or the prices thereof. If the price of resin increased or decreased by 5% it would result in a material change to our cost of goods sold.

 

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BUSINESS

General

We are a leading provider of value-added plastic consumer packaging and engineered materials with a 30-year track record of delivering high-quality customized solutions to our customers. Our products utilize our proprietary research and development platform, which includes a continually evolving library of Berry-owned molds, patents, manufacturing techniques and technologies. We sell our solutions predominantly into consumer-oriented end markets, such as food and beverage, healthcare and personal care, which together represented 76% of our sales in the 12 months ended December 29, 2012. We believe our customers look to us for solutions that have high consumer impact in terms of form, function and branding. Representative examples of our products include thermoform drink cups, thin-wall containers, blow-molded bottles, specialty closures, prescription vials, specialty plastic films, adhesives and corrosion protection materials. We have also been one of the most active acquirers of plastic packaging businesses globally, having acquired more than 30 businesses since 1988, including twelve acquisitions completed in the past six years. We believe our focus on delivering unique and customized solutions to our customers and our ability to successfully integrate strategic acquisitions have enabled us to grow at rates in excess of our industry peers, having achieved a compound annual net sales growth rate over the last 12 years of 23%.

We believe that we have created one of the largest product libraries in our industry, allowing us to be a comprehensive solution provider to our customers. We have more than 13,000 customers, which consist of a diverse mix of leading national, mid-sized regional and local specialty businesses. The size and scope of our customer network allow us to introduce new products we develop or acquire to a vast audience that is familiar with, and we believe partial to, our brand. In fiscal year 2012, no single customer represented more than 3% of net sales and our top ten customers represented less than 17% of net sales. We currently supply our customers through 84 strategically located manufacturing facilities throughout the United States (70 locations) and select international locations (14 locations). We believe our manufacturing processes and our ability to leverage our scale to reduce expenses on items, such as raw materials, position us as a low-cost manufacturer relative to our competitors. For example, we believe based on management estimates that we are one of the largest global purchasers of plastic resins, at more than 2.5 billion pounds per year, which gives us both unique insight into this market as well as scale purchasing savings.

We enjoy market leadership positions in many of our markets, with 76% of net sales during the 12 months ended December 29, 2012 in markets in which management estimates we held the #1 or #2 market position. We look to build leadership in markets where we have a strategic angle and can achieve attractive profit margins through technology and design leadership and a competitive cost position such as highly decorated plastic packaging. We believe that our product and technology development capabilities are best-in-class, supported by the newly built Berry Research and Design Center and a network of more than 200 engineers and material scientists. We seek to have our product and technology development efforts provide a meaningful impact on sales. An example of our focused new product development is our thermoform plastic drink cup technology. We identified an unfulfilled need in the market with an opportunity for significant return on invested capital and ultimately introduced the technology to the market in 2001. This product line has grown steadily since introduction and generated $397 million of net sales during the 12 months ended December 29, 2012.

Our success is driven by our more than 15,000 employees. Over the past 30 years, we have developed a culture that incorporates both loyalty to best practices and acceptance of new perspectives, which we have often identified from the companies we have acquired. Our employees hold themselves accountable to exceed the expectations of our customers and to create value for our stakeholders.

We believe the successful execution of our business strategy has enabled us to outperform the growth of our industry over the past decade with Adjusted EBITDA increasing from $80 million in 2000 to $812 million for the 12 months ended December 29, 2012, representing a CAGR of 21%. For the 12 months ended December 29, 2012, Berry had pro forma net sales of $4.7 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $812 million, net income of

 

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$23 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $271 million. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow to the nearest GAAP measures, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Acquisitions

STOPAQ^®

In June 2012, the company acquired 100% of the shares of Frans Nooren Beheer B.V. and its operating companies (“Stopaq”) for a purchase price of $65 million ($62 million, net of cash acquired). Stopaq is the inventor and manufacturer of patented visco-elastic technologies for use in corrosion prevention, sealing and insulation applications ranging from pipelines to subsea piles to rail and cable joints. The newly added business is operated in our Engineered Materials segment. To finance the purchase, the company used cash on hand and existing credit facilities. The Stopaq acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the preliminary purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date.

Prime Label

In October 2012, the company acquired 100% of the shares of Prime Label for a purchase price of $20 million. Prime Label is a leader in specialty re-sealable labels, including a patented rigid lens closure system. The newly added business is operated in the company’s Flexible Packaging reporting segment. To finance the purchase, the company used cash on hand and existing credit facilities. The Prime Label acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the preliminary purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The company has not finalized the purchase price allocation to the fair value on fixed assets, deferred income taxes, intangibles and is reviewing all the working capital acquired. The company has recognized goodwill on this transaction as a result of expected synergies. A portion of the goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

Recent Developments

Initial Public Offering

In October 2012, the company completed an initial public offering and sold 29,411,764 shares of common stock at $16.00 per share. In conjunction with the initial public offering the company executed a 12.25 for one stock split of the company’s common stock. The effect of the stock split on outstanding shares and earnings per share has been retroactively applied to all periods presented. Transaction fees totaling $33 million were included in Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Proceeds, net of transaction fees, of $438 million and cash from operations were used to repurchase $455 million of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due September 2016. As part of the repurchase the company paid premiums of $13 million and wrote-off $3 million of deferred financing fees.

Incremental Term Loan

In February 2013, the company entered into an incremental assumption agreement to increase the commitments under Berry Plastics Corporation’s existing term loan credit agreement by $1.4 billion. Berry borrowed loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the full amount of the commitments on such date. The incremental term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, mature in February 2020 and are subject to customary amortization. The proceeds from the incremental term loan, in addition to borrowings under the revolving credit facility, were used to (a) satisfy and discharge all of Berry Plastics Corporation’s outstanding (i) Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2014, (ii) First Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2015, (iii) 10 ¹/₄% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 and (iv) 8 ¹/₄% First Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2015, which, in each case, were called for redemption in February 2013 and the related indentures and (b) pay related fees and expenses. The company recognized a $48 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to this debt refinancing.

 

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Interest expense would have decreased approximately $88 million for the last twelve months ended December 29, 2012 if our initial public offering and this debt refinancing had occurred at the beginning of the period. See “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data.”

Interest Rate Swap

In February 2013, the company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to protect $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt from future interest rate volatility. The agreement swaps the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed three-year rate of 2.355%, with an effective date in May 2016 and expiration in May 2019. The counterparty to the agreement is a financial institution. The company will record changes in fair value in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. A 0.25% change in LIBOR would not have a material impact on the fair value of the interest rate swaps.

Tax Receivable Agreement

In connection with our initial public offering, the company entered into an income tax receivable agreement that provides for the payment to pre-initial public offering stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights, 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income tax that are actually realized (or are deemed to be realized in the case of a change of control) as a result of the utilization of our and our subsidiaries’ net operating losses attributable to periods prior to the initial public offering. The company expects to pay between $300 million and $350 million in cash related to this agreement. This range is based on the company’s assumptions using various items, including valuation analysis and current tax law. Upon the effective date of the income tax receivable agreement, the company recorded an initial obligation of $300 million ($123 million in Accrued expenses and $177 million in Other long-term liabilities), which is recognized as a reduction of Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 29, 2012. Changes in the recorded net deferred income tax assets will result in changes in the income tax receivable agreement obligation, and such changes will be recorded as Other expense (income) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Payments under the income tax receivable agreement are not conditioned upon the parties’ continued ownership of the company’s equity.

Redeemable Common Stock

As of September 29, 2012, the company had entered into agreements with former employees that required the company to redeem their common stock at pre-determined dates. Historical redemption of this redeemable common stock was based on the fair value of the redeemable common stock on the fixed redemption date. This redeemable common stock was recorded at its fair value in temporary equity and changes in the fair value were recorded in additional paid in capital each period. Upon completion of the initial public offering in October 2012, the redemption requirement terminated resulting in the company reclassifying the shares into equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

BP Parallel Investments

In December 2012, BP Parallel, a non-guarantor subsidiary of the company, invested $21 million to purchase assignments of $21 million of our senior unsecured term loan during the quarter ended December 29, 2012. The purchase did not result in a gain or loss.

Product Overview

Rigid Packaging

Our Rigid Packaging business primarily consists of containers, foodservice items, housewares, closures, overcaps, bottles, prescription vials, and tubes. The largest end uses for our packages are consumer-oriented end markets such as food and beverage, retail mass marketers, healthcare, personal care and household chemical. We believe that we offer one of the broadest rigid packaging product line among industry participants and, according to management estimates, we maintained the #1 or #2 market positions in markets representing approximately

 

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79% of rigid plastics sales for the 12 months ended December 29, 2012. Many of our products are manufactured from proprietary molds that we develop and own, which we believe would result in significant costs to our customers to switch to a different supplier. In addition to a complete product line, we have sophisticated decorating capabilities and in-house graphic arts and tooling departments, which allow us to integrate ourselves into, and, we believe, add significant value to, our customers’ packaging design processes. For the 12 months ended December 29, 2012, our Rigid Plastics business had pro forma net sales, operating income and Adjusted EBITDA of $2,605, $265 and $541, respectively. Our primary competitors include Airlite, Letica, Polytainers, Silgan, Aptar Group, and Reynolds. These competitors individually only compete on certain of our products, whereas we offer the entire selection of rigid products described below.

 

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Containers. We manufacture a collection of nationally branded container products and also seek to develop customized container products for niche applications by leveraging of our state-of-the-art design, decoration and graphic arts capabilities. We believe this mix allows us to both achieve significant economies of scale, while also maintaining an attractive portfolio of specialty products. Our container capacities range from four ounces to five gallons and are offered in various styles with accompanying lids, bails and handles, some of which we produce, as well as a wide array of decorating options. We have long-standing supply relationships with many of the nation’s leading food and consumer products companies, including Dannon, Dean Foods, Conagra, Kraft, Kroger, and Unilever.

 

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Foodservice. We believe that we are one of the largest providers of large size thermoformed polypropylene (“PP”) and injection-molded plastic drink cups in the United States. We believe we are the leading producer of 30 ounce or larger thermoformed PP drink cups and offer a product line with sizes ranging from 12 to 52 ounces. Our thermoform process uses PP instead of more expensive polystyrene (“PS”) or polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) in producing deep draw drink cups to generate a cup with a competitive cost advantage versus thermoformed PS or PET drink cups. Additionally, we produce injection-molded plastic cups that range in size from 12 to 64 ounces. Primary markets for our plastic drink cups are quick service and family dining restaurants, convenience stores, stadiums and retail stores. Many of our cups are decorated, often as promotional items, and we believe we have a reputation in the industry for innovative, state-of-the-art graphics. Selected drink cup customers and end users include Hardee’s, McDonald’s, Quik Trip, Starbucks, Subway, Wendy’s, and Yum! Brands.

 

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Housewares. Our participation in the housewares market is focused on producing semi-disposable plastic home and party and plastic garden products. Examples of our products include plates, bowls, pitchers, tumblers and outdoor flowerpots. We sell virtually all of our products in this market through major national retail marketers and national chain stores, such as Walmart. PackerWare is our recognized brand name in these markets and PackerWare branded products are often co-branded by our customers. Our strategy in this market has been to provide high value to consumers at a relatively modest price, consistent with the key price points of the retail marketers. We believe outstanding service and the ability to deliver products with timely combination of color and design further enhance our position in this market.

 

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Closures and Overcaps. We believe we are a leading producer of closures and overcaps across several of our product lines, including continuous-thread and child-resistant closures, as well as aerosol overcaps. We currently sell our closures into numerous end markets, including vitamin/nutritional, chemical, healthcare, food/beverage, specialty and personal care. In addition to traditional closures, we are a provider of a wide selection of custom closure solutions including fitments and plugs for medical applications, cups and spouts for liquid laundry detergent, and dropper bulb assemblies for medical and personal care applications. Further, we believe that we are the leading domestic producer of injection-molded aerosol overcaps. Our aerosol overcaps are used in a wide variety of consumer goods including spray paints, household and personal care products, insecticides and numerous other commercial and consumer products. We believe our technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities provide us a low-cost position that has allowed us to become a leading provider of high-quality closures and overcaps to a diverse set of leading companies. We believe our manufacturing advantage is driven by

 

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our position on the forefront of various technologies, including the latest in single- and bi-injection processes, precise reproduction of colors, automation and vision technology, and proprietary packing technology that minimizes freight cost and warehouse space. A majority of our overcaps and closures are manufactured from proprietary molds, which we design, develop, and own. In addition to these molds, we utilize state-of-the art lining, assembly, and decorating equipment to enhance the value and performance of our products in the market. Our closure and aerosol overcap customers include McCormick, Bayer, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Shell Oil, Johnson and Johnson, Pepsico, Wyeth, Kraft, Sherwin-Williams, and S.C. Johnson.

 

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Bottles and Prescription Containers. Our bottle and prescription container businesses target markets similar to our closure business. We believe, based on management estimates, that we are the leading supplier of spice containers in the United States and have a leadership position in various food and beverage, vitamin and nutritional markets, as well as selling bottles into prescription and pharmaceutical applications. Additionally, we believe we are a leading supplier in the prescription container market, supplying a complete line of amber containers with both one-piece and two-piece child-resistant closures. We offer an extensive line of stock polyethylene (“PE”) and PET bottles for the vitamin and nutritional markets. Our design capabilities, along with internal engineering strength give us the ability to compete on customized designs to provide desired differentiation from traditional packages. We also offer our customers decorated bottles with hot stamping, silk screening and labeling. We sell these products to personal care, pharmaceutical, food and consumer product customers, including McCormick, Pepsico, Carriage House, Perrigo, CVS, NBTY, Target Stores, John Paul Mitchell, and Novartis.

 

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Tubes. We believe that we are one of the largest suppliers of extruded plastic squeeze tubes in the United States. We offer a complete line of tubes in a wide variety of sizes. We have also introduced laminate tubes to complement our extruded tube business. Our focus and investments are made to ensure that we are able to meet the increasing trend towards large diameter tubes with high-end decoration. We have several proprietary designs in this market that combine tube and closure that we believe are viewed as very innovative both in appearance and functionality, as well as from a sustainability standpoint. The majority of our tubes are sold in the personal care market, focusing on products like facial/cold creams, shampoos, conditioners, bath/shower gels, lotions, sun care, hair gels, and anti-aging creams. We also sell our tubes into the pharmaceutical and household chemical markets. We believe that our ability to provide creative package designs, combined with a complementary line of closures, makes us a preferred supplier for many customers in our target markets including Kao Brands, L’Oreal, Avon, and Procter & Gamble.

Engineered Materials

Our Engineered Materials business primarily consists of pipeline corrosion protection solutions, specialty tapes and adhesives, polyethylene based film products and can liners. We believe that we offer one of the broadest product lines among industry participants and, according to management estimates, we maintained the #1 or #2 market position in markets representing approximately 64% of divisional sales for the 12 months ended December 29, 2012. For the 12 months ended December 29, 2012, our Engineered Materials division had revenue, operating income and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,371, $92 and $193, respectively. Our primary competitors include AEP, Sigma and 3M. The Engineered Materials business primarily includes the following product groups:

 

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Corrosion Protection Products. We believe we are a leading global producer of anti-corrosion products to infrastructure, rehabilitation and new pipeline projects throughout the world. We believe our products deliver superior performance across all climates and terrains for the purpose of sealing, coupling, and rehabilitation and corrosion protection of pipelines. Products include heat-shrinkable coatings, single- and multi-layer sleeves, pipeline coating tapes, anode systems for cathodic protection, visco-elastic, and epoxy coatings. These products are used in oil, gas, and water supply and construction applications. Our customers primarily include contractors managing discrete construction

 

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projects around the world as well as distributors and applicators. Our corrosion protection products customers include Tyco Electronics, Northwest Pipe, Stopaq, and Midwestern Pipeline Products.

 

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Tape Products. We believe we are a leading North American manufacturer of cloth and foil tape products. Other tape products include high-quality, high-performance liners of splicing and laminating tapes, flame-retardant tapes, vinyl-coated and carton sealing tapes, electrical, double-faced cloth, masking, mounting, OEM, and medical and specialty tapes. These products are sold under the National™, Nashua®, and Polyken® brands in the United States. Tape products are sold primarily through distributors and directly to end users and are used predominantly in industrial, HVAC, automotive, construction, and retail market applications. In addition to serving our core tape end markets, we believe we are also a leading producer of tapes in the niche aerospace, construction and medical end markets. We believe that our success in serving these additional markets is principally due to a combination of technical and manufacturing expertise leveraged in favor of customized applications. Our tape products customers include Home Depot and RH Elliott.

 

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Retail Bags. We manufacture and sell a diversified portfolio of PE-based film products to end users in the retail markets. These products are sold under leading brands such as Ruffies® and Film-Gard®. Our products include drop cloths and retail trash bags. These products are sold primarily through wholesale outlets, hardware stores and home centers, paint stores, and mass merchandisers. Our retail trash bag customers include, Walmart, True Value, and ACE.

 

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FIBC. We manufacture customized PP-based, woven and sewn containers for the transportation and storage of raw materials such as seeds, titanium dioxide, clay, and resin pellets. Our FIBC customers include Texene LLC and Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl.

 

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PVC Films. We believe, based on management estimates, that we are a world leader in PVC films offering a broad array of PVC meat film. Our products are used primarily to wrap fresh meats, poultry, and produce for supermarket applications. In addition, we offer a line of boxed products for food service and retail sales. We service many of the leading supermarket chains, club stores, and wholesalers including Kroger, Publix, Walmart/Sams, Costco, and SuperValu. We believe we are a leading innovator and specialize in lighter gauge sustainable solutions like our recent Revolution™ product line offering.

 

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Institutional Can Liners. We sell trash-can liners and food bags for offices, restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels, municipalities, and manufacturing facilities. We also sell products under the Big City®, Hospi-Tuff®, Plas-Tuff®, Rhino-X®, and Steel-Flex® brands. Our institutional customers include Unisource and Gordon Food Service.

 

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Stretch Films. We produce both hand and machine-wrap stretch films, which are used by end users to wrap products and packages for storage and shipping. We sell stretch film products to distributors and retail and industrial end users under the MaxTech® and PalleTech® brands. Our stretch films customers include XPEDX and Unisource.

Flexible Packaging

Our Flexible Packaging division consists of high barrier, multilayer film products as well as finished flexible packages such as printed bags and pouches. The largest end uses for our flexible products are consumer-oriented end markets such as food and beverage, medical, and personal care. We believe that we offer one of the broadest product lines among industry participants and, according to management estimates, we maintained the #1 or #2 market position in markets representing approximately 88% of divisional sales for the 12 months ended December 29, 2012. For the 12 months ended December 29, 2012, our Flexible Packaging division had pro forma net sales, operating income and Adjusted EBITDA of $747, $7 and $78, respectively. Our primary competitors include Printpak, Tredegar, and Bemis. The Flexible Packaging division includes the following product groups:

 

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Barrier/Sealant Films. We manufacture and sell a wide range of highly specialized, made-to-order film products ranging from mono layer to coextruded films having up to nine layers, lamination films sold

 

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primarily to flexible packaging converters and used for peelable lid stock, stand-up pouches, pillow pouches, and other flexible packaging formats. We also manufacture barrier films used for cereal, cookie, cracker, and dry mix packages that are sold directly to food manufacturers like Kraft and Ralcorp. We also manufacture films for specialized industrial applications ranging from lamination film for carpet padding to films used in solar panel construction.

 

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Personal Care Films. We believe we are a major supplier of component and packaging films used for personal care hygiene applications predominantly sold in North America and Latin America. The end use applications include disposable baby diapers, feminine care, adult incontinence, hospital and tissue, and towel products. Our personal care customers include Kimberly Clark, SCA, Johnson and Johnson, First Quality, and other leading private label manufacturers. Our “Lifetime of Solutions™” approach promotes an innovation pipeline that seeks to integrate both product and equipment design into leading edge customer and consumer solutions.

 

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Printed Products. We are a converter of printed bags, pouches, and rollstock. Our manufacturing base includes integrated extrusion that combines with printing, laminating, bagmaking, Innolok®, and laser-score converting processes. We believe we are a leading supplier of printed film products for the fresh bakery, tortilla, and frozen vegetable markets with brands such as SteamQuick® Film, Freshview™ bags, and Billboard™ SUPs. Our customers include Mission Foods and Kellogg’s.

 

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Coated and Laminated Packaging. We manufacture specialty coated and laminated products for a wide variety of packaging applications. The key end markets and applications for our products include food, consumer, healthcare, industrial and military pouches, roll wrap, multi-wall bags, and fiber drum packaging. Our products are sold under the MarvelGuard™ and MarvelSeal™ brands and are predominately sold to converters who transform them into finished goods. Our coated and laminated packaging customers include Covidien and Morton Salt.

Marketing and Sales

We reach our large and diversified base of over 13,000 customers through our direct field sales force of dedicated professionals and the strategic use of distributors. Our field sales, production and support staff meet with customers to understand their needs and improve our product offerings and services. Our scale enables us to dedicate certain sales and marketing efforts to particular products, customers or geographic regions, when applicable, which enables us to develop expertise that we believe is valued by our customers. In addition, because we serve common customers across segments, we have the ability to efficiently utilize our sales and marketing resources to minimize costs. Highly skilled customer service representatives are strategically located throughout our facilities to support the national field sales force. In addition, telemarketing representatives, marketing managers and sales/marketing executives oversee the marketing and sales efforts. Manufacturing and engineering personnel work closely with field sales personnel and customer service representatives to satisfy customers’ needs through the production of high-quality, value-added products and on-time deliveries.

We believe that we have differentiated ourselves from competitors by building a reputation for high-quality products, customer service and innovation. Our sales team monitors customer service in an effort to ensure that we remain the primary supplier for our key accounts. This strategy requires us to develop and maintain strong relationships with our customers, including end users as well as distributors and converters. We have a technical sales team with significant knowledge of our products and processes, particularly in specialized products. This knowledge enables our sales and marketing team to work closely with our research and development organization and our customers to co-develop products and formulations to meet specific performance requirements. This partnership approach enables us to further expand our relationships with our existing customer base, develop relationships with new customers and increase sales of new products.

Research, Product Development and Design

We believe our technology base and research and development support are among the best in the plastics packaging industry. Using three-dimensional computer-aided design technologies, our full-time product

 

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designers develop innovative product designs and models for the packaging market. We can simulate the molding environment by running unit-cavity prototype molds in small injection-molding, thermoform, compression and blow molding machines for research and development of new products. Production molds are then designed and outsourced for production by various companies with which we have extensive experience and established relationships or built by our in-house tooling division located in Evansville, Indiana. Our engineers oversee the mold-building process from start to finish. Many of our customers work in partnership with our technical representatives to develop new, more competitive products. We have enhanced our relationships with these customers by providing the technical service needed to develop products combined with our internal graphic arts support. We also utilize our in-house graphic design department to develop color and styles for new rigid products. Our design professionals work directly with our customers to develop new styles and use computer-generated graphics to enable our customers to visualize the finished product.

Additionally, at our major technical centers, including the Berry Research and Design Center in Evansville, Indiana, as well as facilities in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Homer, Louisiana; and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; we prototype new ideas, conduct research and development of new products and processes, and qualify production systems that go directly to our facilities and into production. We also have a technical center, complete product testing and quality laboratories at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility. At our pilot plant in Homer, Louisiana, we are able to experiment with new compositions and processes with a focus on minimizing waste and improving productivity. With this combination of manufacturing simulation and quality systems support we are able to improve time to market and reduce cost. We spent $25 million, $20 million, and $21 million on research and development in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

The most important raw material purchased by us is plastic resin. Our plastic resin purchasing strategy is to conduct business with only high-quality, dependable suppliers. We believe that we have maintained strong relationships with our key suppliers and expect that such relationships will continue into the foreseeable future. The resin market is a global market and, based on our experience, we believe that adequate quantities of plastic resins will be available at market prices, but we can give you no assurances as to such availability or the prices thereof.

We also purchase various other materials, including natural and butyl rubber, tackifying resins, chemicals and adhesives, paper and packaging materials, polyester staple, raw cotton, linerboard and kraft, woven and non-woven cloth, and foil. These materials are generally available from a number of suppliers.

Employees

As of December 29, 2012, we employed over 15,000 employees. Approximately 11% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Four of our 12 agreements, covering approximately 1,200 employees, were scheduled for renegotiation in the 2013 calendar year, and two of them have been renegotiated as of March 31, 2013. The other two agreements expire in April and May, with the remaining agreements expiring after the 2013 calendar year. Our relations with employees remain satisfactory and there have been no significant work stoppages or other labor disputes during the past three years.

Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of patents, trade secrets, unpatented know-how, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, nondisclosure agreements and other protective measures to protect our proprietary rights. While we consider our intellectual property to be important to our business in the aggregate, we do not believe that any individual item of our intellectual property portfolio is material to our current business. The remaining duration of our patents ranges from one to approximately 20 years (generally, the expiration date of a patent is 20 years from the filing date of the patent application from which such patent issues).

 

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We employ various methods, including confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with third parties, employees and consultants, to protect our trade secrets and know-how. We have licensed, and may license in the future, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and similar proprietary rights to and from third parties.

Environmental Matters and Government Regulation

Our past and present operations and our past and present ownership and operations of real property are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, handling and disposition of wastes, and cleanup of contaminated soil and ground water, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. However, we cannot predict with any certainty that we will not in the future incur liability, which could be significant under environmental statutes and regulations with respect to noncompliance with environmental laws, contamination of sites formerly or currently owned or operated by us (including contamination caused by prior owners and operators of such sites) or the off-site disposal of regulated materials, which could be material.

We may from time to time be required to conduct remediation of releases of regulated materials at our owned or operated facilities. None of our pending remediation projects are expected to result in material costs. Like any manufacturer, we are also subject to the possibility that we may receive notices of potential liability in connection with materials that were sent to third-party recycling, treatment, and/or disposal facilities under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), and comparable state statutes, which impose liability for investigation and remediation of contamination without regard to fault or the legality of the conduct that contributed to the contamination, and for damages to natural resources. Liability under CERCLA is retroactive, and, under certain circumstances, liability for the entire cost of a cleanup can be imposed on any responsible party. No such notices are currently pending which are expected to result in material costs.

The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) regulates the material content of direct-contact food and drug packages, including certain packages we manufacture pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. Certain of our products are also regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) pursuant to various federal laws, including the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Both the FDA and the CPSC can require the manufacturer of defective products to repurchase or recall such products and may also impose fines or penalties on the manufacturer. Similar laws exist in some states, cities and other countries in which we sell our products. In addition, laws exist in certain states restricting the sale of packaging with certain levels of heavy metals, imposing fines and penalties for noncompliance. Although we use FDA approved resins and pigments in our products that directly contact food and drug products and believe they are in material compliance with all such applicable FDA regulations, and we believe our products are in material compliance with all applicable requirements, we remain subject to the risk that our products could be found not to be in compliance with such requirements.

The plastics industry, including us, is subject to existing and potential federal, state, local and foreign legislation designed to reduce solid wastes by requiring, among other things, plastics to be degradable in landfills, minimum levels of recycled content, various recycling requirements, disposal fees and limits on the use of plastic products. In particular, certain states have enacted legislation requiring products packaged in plastic containers to comply with standards intended to encourage recycling and increased use of recycled materials. In addition, various consumer and special interest groups have lobbied from time to time for the implementation of these and other similar measures. We believe that the legislation promulgated to date and such initiatives to date have not had a material adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance that any such future legislative or regulatory efforts or future initiatives would not have a material adverse effect on us.

Properties

We lease or own our principal offices and manufacturing facilities. We believe that our property and equipment is well-maintained, in good operating condition and adequate for our present needs. The locations of

 

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our principal manufacturing facilities, by country, are as follows: United States—70 locations (39 Rigid Packaging, 19 Engineered Materials, 12 Flexible Packaging); Canada—4 locations (1 Rigid Packaging, 2 Engineered Materials, 1 Flexible Packaging); Mexico—3 locations (2 Engineered Materials, 1 Flexible Packaging); India, The Netherlands and Belgium (Engineered Materials); Germany and Australia (Engineered Materials); and Brazil and Malaysia (Rigid Packaging). The Evansville, Indiana facility serves as our world headquarters.

We lease our facilities in the following locations: Evansville, IN; Louisville, KY; Lawrence, KS; Peosta, IA; Phoenix, AZ; Quad Cities, IA; Phillipsburg, NJ; Bloomington, IN; Chicago, IL; Bowling Green, KY; Syracuse, NY; Jackson, TN; Anaheim, CA; Pewaukee, WI; Aurora, IL; Cranbury, NJ; Easthampton, MA; Lathrop, CA; Hanover, MD; Tacoma, WA; Baltimore, MD; Chippewa Falls, WI; Atlanta, GA; Mexico City, Mexico; and Dunkirk, NY.

Legal Proceedings

We are party to various legal proceedings involving routine claims that are incidental to our business. Although our legal and financial liability with respect to such proceedings cannot be estimated with certainty, we believe that any ultimate liability would not be material to the business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table provides information regarding the executive officers and members of the Board of Directors of Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

 

Name		Age				Class				Title
Jonathan D. Rich(3)(4)			57				2015			Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Randall J. Becker			57				—			Chief Operating Officer and President
James M. Kratochvil			56				—			Chief Financial Officer
B. Evan Bayh(4)			57				2014			Director
Anthony M. Civale(1)			38				2014			Director
Donald C. Graham(1)			80				2016			Director
Steven C. Graham			54				2014			Director
Joshua J. Harris			48				2015			Director
David B. Heller(2)			46				2016			Director
Carl J. (Rick) Rickertsen(2)			52				2016			Director
Robert V. Seminara(1)(2)(3)(4)			41				2015			Director

 

(1)	Member of the Compensation Committee.

(2)	Member of the Audit Committee.

(3)	Member of the Executive Committee.

(4)	Member of Nominating and Governance Committee.

Jonathan D. Rich assumed the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. in October 2010. Prior to becoming CEO, Dr. Rich served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. from June 2007 until October 2010. Prior to Momentive, Dr. Rich held executive positions at Goodyear Tire and Rubber from 2000 until 2007, including President of Goodyear North American Tire and President of Goodyear Chemical. Dr. Rich began his career at General Electric in 1982, where he was employed for 18 years in a variety of R&D, operational and executive roles. Dr. Rich’s position as Chief Executive Officer, his extensive management experience and his skills in business leadership and strategy qualify him to serve as a director of the company.

Randall J. Becker was named President and Chief Operating Officer of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. in December 2009. Mr. Becker formerly served as an Executive Vice President of Operations and has served in a variety of operational and executive roles over his 22 years of service with the company.

James M. Kratochvil has been Chief Financial Officer of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. since 1991. Mr. Kratochvil was formerly employed by our predecessor company from 1985 to 1991 as Controller.

B. Evan Bayh has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2011. Mr. Bayh is a former U.S. Senator and Indiana Governor. He was a member of the U.S. Senate from the state of Indiana from 1998 until his retirement in 2011. While in the Senate, he served on a variety of committees, including the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Prior to serving in the Senate, Mr. Bayh served as Indiana Governor from 1988 to 1997. Mr. Bayh’s many years of service in elected office, including as the chief executive of a large Midwestern state, qualifies him to serve as a director of the company.

Anthony M. Civale has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2006. Mr. Civale is the Lead Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Apollo Capital Management, LLC and co-founded Apollo’s senior credit and structured credit businesses. He joined Apollo in 1999. Prior to that time, Mr. Civale was employed by Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. in the Financial Sponsors Group within its Corporate Finance Division. Mr. Civale also serves on the Board of Directors of HFA Holdings Limited, a multi-billion hedge fund of funds

 

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operator. In addition to these corporate boards, Mr. Civale also serves on the Board of Directors of Youth INC, a non-profit organization serving New York City children, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Middlebury College. Mr. Civale has previously served on the boards of directors of Harrah’s Entertainment, Goodman Global, Inc. Prestige Cruises and Covalence Specialty Materials. Mr. Civale graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Political Science. Mr. Civale’s extensive financial and business experience qualify him to serve as a director of the company.

Donald C. Graham founded “The Graham Group,” an alliance of independently owned and operated industrial businesses and investment management firms, and has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2006. Over nearly half a century, Mr. Graham built a substantial family industrial concern—founding consumer packaging, capital equipment and building products businesses, and investing in companies serving a wide range of consumer and industrial sectors. Mr. Graham founded Graham Packaging Company, in which he sold a controlling interest in 1998 and retained a minority ownership position until the company was sold in 2011; as of that point, The Graham Group’s three legacy industrial businesses operated in more than 90 locations worldwide. Mr. Graham participates on several advisory boards of The Graham Group’s independently owned and managed investment concerns and continues to provide guidance as an active board member of, and investor in, many underlying portfolio companies. Mr. Graham is Steven C. Graham’s father. Mr. Graham’s leadership of The Graham Group and his extensive financial and business experience, including in the packaging industry, qualify him to serve as a director of the company.

Steven C. Graham serves as Senior Managing Principal of Graham Partners and has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2006. Graham Partners is an independent private investment firm focused on investing in business with proprietary technologies, advanced manufacturing know-how, innovative product development capabilities, and strong growth potential. Prior to founding Graham Partners in 1988, Mr. Graham worked in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York and as an Acquisition Officer for the RAF Group, a private investment firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Graham serves on the boards of numerous portfolio companies of Graham Partners and on the firm’s Investment Committee; he also serves on the Advisory Board of certain unaffiliated private investment funds managed by other general partners. Mr. Graham also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Center for Private Equity and Entrepreneurship at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Williams College Endowment’s Non-marketable Assets Advisory Committee, and other charitable and for-profit advisory boards. Mr. Graham earned his B.A. with a double major in Philosophy and English from Williams College in 1982 and his M.B.A. from Dartmouth College’s Amos Tuck School of Business in 1986. Mr. Graham is Donald C. Graham’s son. Mr. Graham’s extensive financial and business experience qualify him to serve as a director of the company.

Joshua J. Harris has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2006. Mr. Harris is a Senior Managing Director of Apollo Global Management, LLC and Managing Partner of Apollo Management, L.P., which he co-founded in 1990. Prior to 1990, Mr. Harris was a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions Group of Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated. Mr. Harris also currently serves on the boards of directors of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Lyondell Basell Industries, CEVA Group plc, Momentive Performance Materials, EP Energy, LLC and the holding company for Constellium. Mr. Harris has previously served on the boards of directors of Verso Paper, Metals USA, Nalco, Allied Waste Industries, Pacer International, General Nutrition Centers, Furniture Brands International, Compass Minerals Group, Alliance Imaging, NRT Inc., Covalence Specialty Materials, United Agri Products, Quality Distribution, Whitmire Distribution, and Noranda Aluminum. Mr. Harris graduated summa cum laude and Beta Gamma Sigma from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and received his M.B.A. from the Harvard School of Business, where he graduated as a Baker and Loeb Scholar. Mr. Harris’ leadership of Apollo and his extensive financial and business experience qualify him to serve as a director of the company.

Robert V. Seminara has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2006. Mr. Seminara joined Apollo Management, L.P. in 2003. Prior to that time, Mr. Seminara was a member of the Private Equity Group at Evercore Partners from 1996 to 2003. Prior to his tenure at Evercore, Mr. Seminara was employed by Lazard

 

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Frères & Co. in the firm’s Media & Communications Group. Mr. Seminara also is a member of the Board of Managers of Momentive Performance Materials Holdings LLC. Mr. Seminara graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Mr. Seminara’s extensive financial and business experience qualify him to serve as a director of the company.

David B. Heller became a member of our Board of Directors in October 2012. Mr. Heller is the former Global Co-Head of the Securities Division at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he also served on the Management Committee. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1989 in New York and also spent significant time living and working in Tokyo and London during his career with the firm. He retired from Goldman in March of 2012. Currently he serves as a Trustee for the Acumen Fund, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, Project Morry, and Third Way. He earned a B.A. from Harvard College and continues to be involved with the university as Co-Chair of his class fundraising efforts. Mr. Heller’s extensive financial experience qualifies him to serve as a director of the company.

Carl J. (Rick) Rickertsen became a member of our Board of Directors in January 2013. Mr. Rickertsen is currently managing partner of Pine Creek Partners, a private equity investment firm, a position he has held since January 2004. From January 1998 to January 2004, Mr. Rickertsen was chief operating officer and partner of Thayer Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm. From September 1994 to January 1998, Mr. Rickertsen was a managing partner at Thayer. Mr. Rickertsen was a founding partner of three Thayer investment funds totaling over $1.4 billion and is a published author. Mr. Rickertsen has been a member of the Board of Directors of MicroStrategy, a publicly-traded software firm, since October 2002; Apollo Senior Floating Rate Fund, a closed-end senior bank debt fund since 2011; Noranda Aluminum, a U.S.-based aluminum producer, since 2012, and Berry Plastics, a large packaging manufacturer, since 2013. Mr. Rickertsen was formerly a board member of publicly-traded companies Convera Corporation, a search-engine software company, UAP Holding Corp., a distributor of agriculture products, and Homeland Security Capital Corporation, a specialized technology provider to government and commercial customers. Mr. Rickertsen received a BS from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mr. Rickertsen’s extensive financial experience qualifies him to serve as a director of the company.

Composition of Board of Directors

The company currently has nine directors. We currently avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exception under applicable stock exchange rules, which eliminates the requirements that we have a majority of independent directors on our Board of Directors and that we have compensation and nominating and governance committees composed entirely of independent directors. In addition, we are currently subject to a transition period that does not require us to have an audit committee composed entirely of independent directors until October 3, 2013.

Following this offering, we expect that we will no longer be a “controlled company” under NYSE rules. The Board of Directors will take all action necessary to comply with the applicable stock exchange rules, including appointing a majority of independent directors to the Board of Directors within one year of the date we no longer qualify as a “controlled company” and appointing at least one independent member to each of the compensation and nominating and governance committees prior to the date we no longer qualify as a “controlled company,” at least a majority of independent members within 90 days of such date and compensation and nominating and governance committees composed entirely of independent directors within one year of such date.

Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. The members of each class serve staggered, three-year terms (other than with respect to the current terms of the Class II directors, which will be two years). Upon the expiration of the term of a class of directors, directors in that class will be elected for three-year terms at the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which their term expires. Currently:

 

•

Mr. Donald C. Graham, Mr. Heller and Carl J. (Rick) Rickertsen serve as Class I directors, whose current terms will expire at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders;

 

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•

Mr. Bayh, Mr. Civale and Mr. Steven C. Graham serve as Class II directors, whose terms expire at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders; and

 

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Mr. Rich, Mr. Harris and Mr. Seminara serve as Class III directors, whose terms will expire at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of our directors. This classification of our Board of Directors may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control.

At each annual meeting, our stockholders elect the successors to our directors. Our executive officers and key employees serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Directors may be removed for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our common stock.

Apollo Approval of Certain Matters

Under the amended and restated stockholders agreement that we entered into with the Apollo Funds and certain stockholders in connection with our initial public offering, until such time as the Apollo Funds no longer beneficially own at least 25% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding at any time, the approval of a majority of the members of our Board of Directors, which must include the approval of a majority of the directors nominated by the Apollo Funds voting on the matter, is required for amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, certain business combinations, the incurrence of certain indebtedness, certain capital expenditures, the declaration of dividends or other distributions other than intra-company dividends or distributions, changes in the size of the Board of Directors and to approve certain other matters. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders Agreement” and “Description of Capital Stock—Composition of Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors.”

Director Independence

Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Heller and Rickertsen satisfy the independence standards established by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the rules of the NYSE. Dr. Rich is not considered independent under any general listing standards due to his current and past employment relationship with us, and Messrs. Civale, Donald C. Graham, Steven C. Graham, Harris, Bayh and Seminara are not considered independent under any general listing standards due to their relationships with the Apollo Funds and Graham Partners, our largest stockholders.

Board Committees

Our Board of Directors comprises a Compensation Committee, an Audit Committee, an Executive Committee, and a Nominating and Governance Committee. The charter for each Board committee is available on our website at www.berryplastics.com.

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Seminara, Heller (Chair) and Rickertsen. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Heller and Rickertsen satisfy the requirements for independence and financial literacy under the rules and regulations of the NYSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission, qualify as audit committee financial experts as defined under Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, and satisfy the financial sophistication requirements of the NYSE. Under the rules of the NYSE, a listed company must have at least one independent member of the audit committee at the time of listing, a majority of independent members within 90 days of its registration statement being declared effective and a fully independent audit committee within one year of its registration statement being declared effective. The Board of

 

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Directors will take all action necessary to comply with the applicable stock exchange rules, including appointing an audit committee composed entirely of independent directors, subject to the above-described transition period.

The principal duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee are to oversee and monitor the following:

 

•

the annual appointment of auditors, including the independence, qualifications and performance of our auditors and the scope of audit and non-audit assignments and related fees;

 

•

the accounting principles we use in financial reporting;

 

•

our financial reporting process and internal auditing and control procedures;

 

•

our risk management policies;

 

•

the integrity of our financial statements; and

 

•

our compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory matters.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Civale, Donald C. Graham and Seminara (Chair).

The principal duties and responsibilities of our Compensation Committee are the following:

 

•

approval and recommendation to our Board of Directors of all compensation plans for the CEO of the company, all employees of the company and its subsidiaries who report directly to the CEO, and other members of the Senior Management Group, as well as all compensation for our Board of Directors;

 

•

approval of short-term compensation of the Senior Management Group and recommendation of short-term compensation for members of our Board of Directors;

 

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approval and authorization of grants under the company’s or its subsidiaries’ incentive plans, including all equity plans and long-term incentive plans; and

 

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the preparation of any report on executive compensation required by SEC rules and regulations, if any.

Nominating and Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Governance Committee consists of Messrs. Rich, Seminara (Chair) and Bayh. The Committee was formed in connection with our initial public offering, after the end of fiscal year 2012. The principal duties and responsibilities of our Nominating and Governance Committee are the following:

 

•

implementation and review of criteria for membership on our Board of Directors and its committees;

 

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recommendation of proposed nominees for election to our Board of Directors and membership on its committees; and

 

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recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding governance and related matters.

Executive Committee

Our Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Rich and Seminara. The principal duties and responsibilities of our Executive Committee are the following:

 

•

the exercise of the powers and duties of the Board of Directors between board meetings and while the Board is not in session, subject to applicable law and our organizational documents; and

 

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the implementation of the policy decisions of our Board of Directors.

Code of Ethics

We have a Code of Business Ethics that applies to all employees, including our Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers. These standards are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote the highest ethical, moral and legal conduct of all employees. Our Code of Business Ethics can be obtained on our website.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The Compensation Committee makes all final compensation decisions for our executive officers (which we collectively refer to as the “Senior Management Group”), including each of our “named executive officers” identified in our Summary Compensation Table, and established the annual salaries and bonuses paid to vice presidents and above for fiscal 2012. Below is a discussion of the principles outlining our executive compensation program.

Compensation Philosophy and Analysis

Our goal as an employer is to ensure that our pay practices are equitable as compared to market practice, facilitate appropriate retention, and reward exceptional performance. We have conducted studies to better understand compensation programs of other manufacturing companies similar in size to the company. Our studies have reviewed base salary, bonus, and a time based option value for one year, and based on such studies, we believe that our compensation levels generally fall at the lower end of other comparable companies.

The company believes that executive compensation should be designed to align closely the interests of its executive officers and stockholders and to attract, motivate, reward and retain superior management talent. The company utilizes the following guidelines pertaining to executive compensation:

 

•

pay compensation that is competitive with the practices of other manufacturing businesses that are similar in size to the company;

 

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wage enhancements aligned with the performance of the company;

 

•

pay for performance by:

 

•

setting performance goals determined by our CEO and the Board of Directors for our officers and providing a short-term incentive award opportunity through a bonus plan that is based upon achievement of these goals; and

 

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providing long-term incentive opportunities in the form of stock options, in order to retain those individuals with the leadership abilities necessary for increasing long-term stockholder value while aligning their interests with those of our investors and stockholders.

Role of Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee’s specific roles are to:

 

•

approve and recommend to our Board of Directors all compensation plans for (1) the CEO of the company, (2) all employees of the company and its subsidiaries who report directly to the CEO, and (3) other members of the Senior Management Group, as well as all compensation for our Board of Directors;

 

•

approve the short-term compensation of the Senior Management Group and to recommend short-term compensation for members of our Board of Directors;

 

•

approve and authorize grants under the company’s or its subsidiaries’ incentive plans, including all equity plans and long-term incentive plans; and

 

•

prepare any report on executive compensation required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations for inclusion in our annual proxy statement, if any.

Role of Executive Officers

The performance goals of each of our executive officers are reviewed annually. This information, along with the performance of the company and market data, determines the wage adjustment recommendation presented to

 

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the Compensation Committee. All other compensation recommendations with respect to executive officers of the company are made by the CEO pursuant to policies established in consultation with the Compensation Committee and recommendations from the Human Resource Department.

The Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of the CEO and determines the CEO’s compensation in light of the goals and objectives of the compensation program. The Compensation Committee expects to review, on at least an annual basis, the performance of the CEO as compared with the achievement of the company’s goals and any individual goals. The CEO, together with the Human Resource Department, will assess the performance and compensation of the other named executives officers annually. The CEO, together with the Human Resource Department, will review annually the performance of each member of the Senior Management Group as compared with the achievement of the company or operating division goals, as the case may be, together with each executive’s individual goals and make compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee can exercise its discretion in modifying any recommended adjustments or awards to the executives. Both performance and compensation are evaluated to ensure that the company is able to attract and retain high quality executives in vital positions and that their compensation, taken as a whole, is competitive and appropriate compared to that of similarly situated executives in other corporations within the company’s industry.

Executive Compensation Program

The compensation of our executive officers is generally classified into the following three categories: (1) base salary, (2) annual bonus, and (3) long-term equity awards in the form of company stock options. The company has selected these elements because each is considered useful and/or necessary to meet one or more of the principal objectives of the company’s business. Base salary and bonus targets are set with the goal of motivating our named executive officers and adequately compensating and rewarding them on a day-to-day basis for the time spent and the services they perform. Our equity programs are geared toward providing an incentive and reward for the achievement of long-term business objectives, retaining key talent and more closely aligning the interests of management with our stockholders.

The compensation program for our named executive officers is reviewed on an annual basis. In setting individual compensation levels for a particular executive, the total compensation package is considered, along with the executive’s past and expected future contributions to our business.

Base Salary

Our executive officers’ base salaries depend on their position within the company and its subsidiaries, the scope of their responsibilities, the period during which they have been performing those responsibilities and their overall performance. Base salaries are reviewed annually and are generally adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience.

Annual Bonus

The company has a long history of sharing profits with employees. This philosophy is embedded in our corporate culture and is one of many practices that has enabled the company to continually focus on improvement and be successful.

Our named executive officers participate in our Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Program, which is subject to approval by our Board of Directors every year. Depending on our overall business performance, which for calendar year 2012 was specifically related to our attainment of Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the impact of current-year acquisitions and dispositions) and our growth, each named executive officer was eligible to receive a bonus ranging from zero to 108% of his or her annual base salary. These target ranges were the same for all members of the Senior Management Group and were subject to change at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Performance objectives are generally set on an annual basis. The applicable performance period is the calendar year in which the bonus award opportunity is granted.

 

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In determining the amount each named executive officer earned under the Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Program, 75% of the target value of the award was earned based on attaining 100% of the applicable annual Adjusted EBITDA target, and 25% was based on attaining a pre-established level of growth in the equity value of the company. By meeting both targets, named executive officers qualified to earn 68.5% of their annual base salary. Bonus payments were thus directly tied to the performance of the company. Upon approval by our Board of Directors, bonuses were, to the extent earned, generally paid on an annual basis on a date determined by the Compensation Committee.

In connection with our initial public offering, we adopted the Berry Plastics Group, Inc. Executive Bonus Plan. The Executive Bonus Plan is intended to provide an incentive for superior work and to motivate covered key executives toward even greater achievement and business results, to tie their goals and interests to those of ours and our stockholders and to enable us to attract and retain highly qualified executives. Under the Executive Bonus Plan, we may pay bonuses (including, without limitation, discretionary bonuses) to key executives, including executive officers, based upon such terms and conditions as our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee may in its discretion determine. The Executive Bonus Plan is administered by our Board of Directors and/or Compensation Committee.

Beginning in calendar year 2013, in determining the amount each covered executive officer earns under the Executive Bonus Plan, each covered executive officer, other than Dr. Rich, is eligible to receive a bonus ranging from zero to 137% of his or her annual base salary. Dr. Rich is eligible to receive a bonus ranging from zero to 200% of his annual base salary. The determination of the target values under the Executive Bonus Plan is consistent with the determination of such target values under the Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Program. By meeting both targets, covered executive officers, other than Dr. Rich, qualify to earn 68.5% of their annual base salary. By meeting both targets, Dr. Rich qualifies to earn 100% of his annual base salary. Bonus payments under the Executive Bonus Plan thus continue to be directly tied to the performance of the company. Upon approval by our Board of Directors, bonuses are, to the extent earned, generally paid on an annual basis on a date determined by the Compensation Committee.

Equity Compensation Plans

In 2006, we adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan permits us to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, and rights to purchase shares to employees, directors or consultants of the company or any of its subsidiaries. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan is administered by our Board of Directors or, if designated by our Board of Directors, by the Compensation Committee. Approximately 12.3 million shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, after giving effect to the 12.25-for-one stock split that we executed in October 2012.

As discussed below, we have awarded stock options to members of our management, including our named executive officers. However, the Compensation Committee has not established a formal program or practice regarding the amount or timing of equity award grants to our employees. We do not have a program, plan or practice for selecting grant dates for awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan in coordination with the release of material nonpublic information. Under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, the exercise price for option awards is the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Historically, the fair market value of a share of our common stock was determined by the Board of Directors by applying industry-appropriate multiples to our then-current Adjusted EBITDA. This valuation took into account a level of net debt that excluded cash required for working capital purposes. Going forward, we expect that the fair market value of a share of our common stock will be determined for this purpose by reference to the public trading price of a share of our common stock on the date of grant of the option (e.g., using a weighted average or closing price). The Compensation Committee is not prohibited from granting awards at times when it is in possession of material nonpublic information. However, no inside information was taken into account in determining the number of options previously awarded or the exercise price for those awards, and we did not “time” the release of any material nonpublic information to affect the value of those awards.

 

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From time to time, we have granted management participants stock options or stock appreciation rights under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. In connection with the grants, we have entered into stock option or stock appreciation right award agreements with management participants. The Compensation Committee believes that the granting of awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan promotes, on a short- and long-term basis, an enhanced personal interest for our executives and an alignment of those interests with the goals and strategies of the company and the interests of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee also believes that the equity grants provide not only financial rewards to such executives for achieving company goals but also provide additional incentives for executives to remain with the company.

Generally, options granted under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and the Berry Plastics Group, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the “2012 Plan”), become vested and exercisable over a five-year period. Unless set forth otherwise in the applicable award agreement, time-based options generally vest in 20% increments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. Performance-based options generally vest upon achievement of certain EBITDA or IRR targets, and all options granted and outstanding under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan vest on the ninth anniversary of the date of grant regardless of the achieving of the defined targets. In each case, the vesting of options is generally subject to the grantee’s continued employment at the company or at one of its subsidiaries as of the applicable vesting date (subject to certain exceptions, as described below).

The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (as supplemented by a side letter) provides for payment to holders of vested outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights of special dividends and a pro rata share of transaction fees that may be paid to Apollo and Graham Partners in connection with certain extraordinary transactions. Absent an agreement otherwise, dividends and transaction fees in respect of unvested options and stock appreciation rights are credited to an account (and funded through the use of a “rabbi” trust) and paid to the option or stock appreciation right holder upon the earlier of the second anniversary of the date of payment of dividends or transaction fees generally (as the case may be), the holder’s death, disability, retirement, termination without cause or resignation for good reason or a change of control of us (as such terms are defined in the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan). The above terms and conditions regarding payments and credits in the event of special dividends expired upon the consummation of our initial public offering.

The maximum term of options granted under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and options granted under the 2012 Plan is ten years. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the applicable stock option award agreement, unvested options granted under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan will automatically be forfeited upon termination. With respect to options granted under the 2012 Plan, upon a termination for any reason other than for cause, the death or disability of the participant, or a voluntary termination of employment by the participant, an additional 5% of the participant’s options will vest for each full three-month period lapsed from the prior vesting date or, in the case of such a termination prior to the first anniversary of the grant date, the grant date. In the case of a termination for cause, vested options are forfeited. All vested options held by the participant upon a termination of employment (other than for cause) will expire 90 days after termination (or one year after termination in the case of termination due to death or disability). In the case of a termination of employment due to death or disability, an additional 20% of a participant’s options will vest and, with respect to options granted under the 2012 Plan, an additional 5% of the participant’s options will vest for each full three-month period lapsed from the prior vesting date or, in the case of such a termination prior to the first anniversary of the grant date, the grant date.

With respect to options granted under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, 20% of each grantee’s option grants become vested upon a “change in control” of us, and 40% of each grantee’s option grants become vested if such change in control results in the achievement of a targeted internal rate of return. In the case of Dr. Jonathan Rich, our Chief Executive Officer, different vesting terms and conditions apply to his unvested stock options in the event his employment is terminated under certain circumstances or there is a change of control of us. With respect to options granted under the 2012 Plan, if the employment of the participant is terminated at any time following a “change in control” of us for any reason other than for cause, the death or disability of the

 

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participant, or the voluntary termination of employment by the participant, 40% of each grantee’s options become vested.

The 2012 Plan permits us to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards to employees, directors and consultants of the company or any of its subsidiaries. The 2012 Plan is administered by our Board of Directors or, if designated by our Board of Directors, by the Compensation Committee. Subject to adjustment, the 2012 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 9,297,750 shares of common stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity-based awards. The maximum number of shares of common stock issued pursuant to incentive stock options will be 929,775 shares of common stock.

In connection with our initial public offering, we granted under the 2012 Plan stock option awards with respect to approximately 2.72 million shares in the aggregate to non-employee directors, employees and officers, including our named executive officers as follows: Dr. Rich—720,000 options, Mr. Kratochvil—180,000 options, Mr. Unfried—100,000 options, Mr. Salmon—100,000 options and Mr. Becker—45,000 options. Such options granted to our named executive officers have a per-share exercise price equal to our initial public offering price of $16 and are subject to the time-based vesting conditions described above.

Compensation Programs and Risk Management

We have determined that any risks arising from our compensation programs and policies are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company. Our compensation programs and policies mitigate risk by combining performance-based, long-term compensation elements with payouts that are highly correlated to the value delivered to the company and its stockholders. The combination of performance measures applicable to annual bonuses and equity compensation awards granted to our executive officers and the multi-year vesting schedules applicable to equity awards granted to our executives encourages our executives to maintain both a short- and long-term view with respect to company performance.

Post-Employment Compensation

We provide post-employment compensation to our employees, including our named executive officers, as a continuance of the post-retirement programs sponsored by prior owners of the company. The Compensation Committee believes that offering such compensation allows us to attract and retain qualified employees and executives in a highly competitive marketplace and rewards our employees and executives for their contribution to the company during their employment.

A principal component of our post-employment executive officer compensation program is a qualified defined contribution 401(k) plan and a retirement health plan, which plans apply to all of our employees generally. Additionally, as described in more detail below, certain of our named executive officers are party to employment agreements with us that provide for termination rights and benefits. Under the 401(k) plan, the company awards a $200 lump sum contribution annually for participating in the plan and matches dollar-for-dollar the first $300 contributed by participants, with an additional match equal to 10% of the applicable participant’s elective deferrals made during the plan year (subject to the limits set forth under the Internal Revenue Code). Participants who contribute at least $1,000 will also receive an additional $150 lump sum deposit at the end of the year. Company matching contributions are immediately vested upon contribution.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the perquisites provided to our executive officers to ensure that they are reasonable, competitive and consistent with the overall compensation program. Such perquisites include for certain of our executive officers (as set forth in more detail in the Summary Compensation Table and accompanying footnotes) use of a company-provided car and financial planning and tax assistance.

 

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Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code

From and after the time that our compensation programs become subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, we intend to consider the structure of base salary, annual bonus and equity award compensation in order to maintain the deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m), to the extent we believe it is in the best interests of our stockholders to do so. However, the Board of Directors will take into consideration other factors, together with Section 162(m) considerations, in making executive compensation decisions and could, in certain circumstances, approve and authorize compensation that is not fully tax deductible. Transition provisions under Section 162(m) may apply for a period of approximately three to four years to certain compensation arrangements that were entered into by us prior to being publicly traded.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and the other three most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”) during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

Name and Principal Position		Fiscal Year				Salary				Bonus				Stock Awards				All Other Compensation				Total
Jonathan D. Rich			2012			$	864,716			$	776,687			$	—			$	5,560			$	1,646,963
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer			2011				834,329				30,740				733,239	(1)			25,993				1,624,301
			2010				—				—				—				—				—
Randall J. Becker			2012			$	516,113			$	456,875			$	—			$	9,468			$	982,456
Chief Operating Officer			2011				522,729				75,000				—				2,325				600,054
			2010				422,617				143,331				—				2,736				568,684
James M. Kratochvil			2012			$	503,809			$	443,225			$	—			$	22,513	(2)			969,547
Chief Financial Officer			2011				512,552				72,759				—				14,171				599,482
			2010				448,688				313,864				—				—				762,552
Thomas E. Salmon			2012			$	429,066			$	429,988			$	—			$	13,430	(3)		$	872,484
President—Engineered Materials Division			2011				408,910				60,633				—				2,263				471,806
			2010				376,595				261,553				—				12,449				650,597
G. Adam Unfried			2012			$	358,134			$	311,749			$	—			$	4,426			$	674,309
President—Rigid Packaging—Open Top			2011				357,032				51,176				—				2,333				410,541
			2010				312,609				204,705				—				2,185				519,499

 

(1)

Equals the aggregate grant date fair value, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of the grants of nonqualified stock options to Dr. Rich under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. For a description of the assumptions used to value these options, please refer to Note 1 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

(2)

Equals the sum of (1) $13,163 in costs incurred by the company for the executive’s use of a company-provided vehicle, (2) $1,871 in costs of group life insurance coverage provided to the executive, (3) $4,430 in costs incurred by the company for the executive’s tax return preparation, (4) $229 in costs of individual disability coverage provided to the executive and (5) $2,820 in matching contributions made by the company to the executive’s account under the company 401(k) plan.

(3)

Equals the sum of (1) $10,585 in costs incurred by the company for the executive’s use of a company provided vehicle, (2) $543 in costs of group life insurance coverage provided to the executive, and (3) $2,302 in matching contributions made by the company to the executive’s account under the company 401(k) plan.

Employment and Consulting Agreements

Messrs. Becker and Kratochvil were party to employment agreements with the company that expired in December 2011 (although the severance provisions of such agreements remain in effect, as described below), and Messrs. Unfried and Salmon are party to agreements that remain in effect unless terminated according to the agreements’ terms. The employment agreements provide for base salary as disclosed in the “Summary Compensation Table” above. Salaries are subject in each case to annual adjustment at the discretion of the

 

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company. The employment agreements generally entitle each executive to participate in all incentive compensation and welfare plans established by the company for executive officers.

The company may terminate the employment agreements for “cause” or due to a “disability” (as such terms are defined in the agreements). Specifically, if Mr. Salmon or Mr. Unfried is terminated by the company without “cause” (as such term is defined in their respective agreements), each is entitled to: (1) a pro rata portion of the annual bonus awarded to the executive for the year in which termination occurs, and (2) (A) if terminated prior to January 1, 2015, continuation of base salary for one year after termination, and (B) if terminated on or after January 1, 2015, severance benefits pursuant to the provisions of the Berry Plastics Corporation Severance Pay Plan in effect on the date of termination. Notwithstanding the termination of their employment agreements on December 31, 2011, if Mr. Kratochvil or Mr. Becker is terminated without “cause,” which, in the case of Mr. Kratochvil, includes a termination by reason of death or “disability” (as such terms are defined in their respective agreements), each is entitled to: (1) the greater of (A) continuation of base salary for one year after termination or (B) 1/12 of one year’s base salary for each year of employment (subject to a maximum of 30 years) with the company and its predecessors, and (2) a pro rata portion of the annual bonus awarded to him for the year in which termination occurs. Each employment agreement also includes customary noncompetition, nondisclosure and nonsolicitation provisions.

In October 2010, the company and Dr. Rich entered into an employment agreement. The employment agreement provides for base salary as disclosed in the “Summary Compensation Table” above. Salary is subject to annual adjustment at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The agreement generally entitles Dr. Rich to an annual performance-based target bonus determined based on a defined percentage of his then-current annual base salary and to participate in all welfare plans established for executive officers. If Dr. Rich’s employment is terminated by the company without “cause,” if Dr. Rich resigns for “good reason,” or if his employment is terminated by reason of death or disability, in each case (other than death) subject to his execution of a release of claims and compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in his agreement, he is entitled to (1) cash severance equal to 18 months’ base salary, payable in monthly installments, (2) a prorated bonus based on actual performance for the year in which termination occurs and (3) for the severance continuation period, a monthly amount equal to the amount by which the monthly COBRA continuation coverage premium exceeds the active employee monthly premium under the company’s group medical plans. The employment agreement also includes customary noncompetition, nondisclosure and nonsolicitation provisions.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

The following table shows the number of outstanding equity awards held by each of our named executive officers as of September 29, 2012.

 

Name		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable				Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable				Option Exercise Price ($/sh)				Option Expiration Date
Jonathan D. Rich			102,085				1,122,914	(1)			6.12				10/04/20
James M. Kratochvil			255,558				—				8.16				9/20/16
Randall J. Becker			127,779				—				8.16				9/20/16
Randall J. Becker			23,951				39,919	(2)			6.18				1/01/20
G. Adam Unfried			167,580				—				8.16				9/20/16
Thomas E. Salmon			26,814				6,702	(3)			8.16				6/04/17
Thomas E. Salmon			62,215				29,953	(4)			9.21				1/01/18

 

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(1)	The executive’s unvested options vest as follows: (i) with respect to 306,256 options, 25% vest on October 4 of each of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and (ii) 816,658 options vest upon the attainment of certain performance criteria.

(2)

The executive’s unvested options vest as follows: (i) with respect to 14,371 options, approximately 1,597 vest at the end of each calendar quarter beginning with the calendar quarter ending December 31, 2012, (ii) with respect to 19,161 options, approximately 6,387 vest at the end of each calendar year beginning with the 2012 calendar year based on the attainment of performance criteria, and (iii) approximately 6,387 options vest on January 1, 2019.

(3)	The executive’s unvested options vest on June 4, 2016.

(4)

The executive’s unvested options vest as follows: (i) approximately 2,303 options vest at the end of the calendar quarter ending December 31, 2012, (ii) 9,216 options vest at the end of calendar year 2012 based on the attainment of performance criteria, and (iii) approximately 18,434 options vest on January 1, 2017.

Option Exercises for the 2012 Fiscal Year

No options were exercised by our named executive officers in fiscal 2012.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

As discussed above, Messrs. Unfried, Salmon and Dr. Rich are party to employment agreements with the company. Messrs. Becker and Kratochvil were party to employment agreements with the company that expired in December 2011 that, notwithstanding their termination, provide the severance benefits described below. If Mr. Becker or Mr. Kratochvil is terminated without “cause,” which, in the case of Mr. Kratochvil, includes a termination by reason of death or “disability” (as such terms are defined in their respective agreements), each is entitled to: (1) the greater of (A) continuation of base salary for one year after termination and (B) 1/12 of one year’s base salary for each year of employment (subject to a maximum of 30 years) with the company and its predecessors, and (2) a pro rata portion of the annual bonus awarded to him for the year in which termination occurs. If Mr. Salmon or Mr. Unfried is terminated by the company without “cause” (as such term is defined in their respective agreements), the executive is entitled to: (1) a pro rata portion of the annual bonus awarded to the executive for the year in which termination occurs, and (2) (A) if terminated prior to January 1, 2015, continuation of base salary for one year after termination, and (B) if terminated on or after January 1, 2015, severance benefits pursuant to the provisions of the Berry Plastics Corporation Severance Pay Plan in effect on the date of termination. If Dr. Rich is terminated by the company without “cause,” he resigns for “good reason” or if his employment is terminated by reason of death or disability, in each case (other than death) subject to his execution of a release of claims and compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in his agreement, he is entitled to (1) cash severance equal to 18 months’ base salary, payable in monthly installments, (2) a prorated bonus based on actual performance for the year in which termination occurs, and (3) for the severance continuation period, a monthly amount equal to the amount by which the monthly COBRA continuation coverage premium exceeds the active employee monthly premium under the company’s group medical plans.

Under the company’s form of option award agreements under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as described above, unvested options will automatically be forfeited upon a termination without cause (in the case of a termination for cause, vested options are also forfeited). In the case of a termination of employment due to death or disability, an additional 20% of an executive’s options will vest. Twenty percent of each executive’s option grants becomes vested upon a “change in control” of us, and 40% becomes vested if such change in control results in the achievement of a targeted internal rate of return. In the case of Dr. Rich, different vesting terms and conditions apply to his unvested stock options in the event his employment is terminated under certain circumstances or there is a change of control of us. Assuming the initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, and that the employment of each of our named executive officers had been terminated without “cause” on September 29, 2012, the “in the money” value of any vested options held by Messrs. Kratochvil, Becker, Salmon, Unfried and Dr. Rich as of such date would have been approximately $2,259,133, $1,388,716, $721,691,

 

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$1,481,407 and $1,110,685, respectively. (These figures do not reflect values attributable to option awards granted to such officers under the 2012 Plan after September 29, 2012, in connection with our offering because such officers did not hold such options as of such date.)

If each of our named executive officers had been terminated without “cause” on September 29, 2012, Messrs. Kratochvil, Becker, Salmon, Unfried and Dr. Rich would have received cash severance amounts of approximately $1,392,000, $1,254,000, $650,000, $542,000 and $1,741,000, respectively.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During fiscal 2012, no officer or employee served as a member of the Compensation Committee. Messrs. Seminara, Donald Graham and Civale, members of our Compensation Committee, have relationships with our equity sponsors, Apollo and Graham Partners. We paid fees during fiscal 2012 to our equity sponsors for providing management, consulting, or other advisory services. As such, Messrs. Seminara, Donald Graham and Civale may be indirect beneficiaries of the relationship between our equity sponsors and us.

Compensation for Directors

For fiscal 2012, non-employee directors received $12,500 per quarter plus $2,000 for each meeting they attended. Effective October 3, 2012, non-employee directors receive $21,250 per quarter plus $10,000 annually for serving as Chair of a Board committee. Non-employee directors are also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their duties as directors. For fiscal 2012, we paid non-employee directors’ fees on a combined basis as shown in the following table.

 

Name		Fees Earned or Paid				Option Awards				Total
Anthony M. Civale		$	60,000			$	—			$	60,000
Patrick J. Dalton(1)			52,000				—				52,000
Donald C. Graham			58,000				—				58,000
Steven C. Graham			64,000				—				64,000
B. Evan Bayh			58,000				—				58,000
Joshua J. Harris			56,000				—				56,000
Robert V. Seminara			68,000				—				68,000

 

(1)	Mr. Dalton resigned from the Board of Directors effective February 8, 2012.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of the end of our 2012 fiscal year regarding shares of common stock of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plan, the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, which is the only plan under which equity awards have been granted.

 

Plan category		Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights				Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights				Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plan (excluding securities referenced in column (a))
		(a)				(b)				(c)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(1)(2)			10,741,090				7.76				1,597,240
Total			10,741,090				7.76				1,597,240

 

(1)	Includes the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, which our Board of Directors adopted in September 2006, and for which there were 7,327,612 options exercisable at the end of our 2012 fiscal year.

 

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(2)	Does not include shares of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. Common Stock already purchased as such shares are already reflected in the company’s outstanding shares.

2006 Equity Incentive Plan

In 2006, we adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The purpose of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan is to further our growth and success, to enable our directors, executive officers and employees to acquire shares of our common stock, thereby increasing their personal interest in our growth and success, and to provide a means of rewarding outstanding performance by such persons. Options granted under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan may not be assigned or transferred, except to us or by will or the laws of descent or distribution. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan terminates ten years after adoption and no options may be granted under the plan thereafter. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan allows for the issuance of non-qualified options, options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code, stock appreciation rights and other rights to purchase shares of our common stock.

The employees participating in the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan receive options and stock appreciation rights under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to individual option and stock appreciation rights agreements, the terms and conditions of which (subject to certain exceptions) are substantially identical. Each option agreement provides for the issuance of options to purchase common stock of the company.

At the end of the 2012 fiscal year, there were outstanding options to purchase 10,697,823 shares of our common stock and stock appreciation rights with respect to 43,267 shares of our common stock.

 

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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

Principal Stockholders

The following table sets forth certain information, as of April 1, 2013, regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. with respect to:

 

•

each person that is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of its outstanding common stock;

 

•

each director and each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table; and

 

•

all directors and executive officers as a group.

Upon the completion of this offering, investment funds affiliated with Apollo will own, in the aggregate, approximately 45.8% of our common stock, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock from the selling stockholders. As a result, we will no longer qualify as a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. See “Management—Composition of Board of Directors.”

 

		Shares Beneficially Owned
Name and Address of Owner(1)		Number(1)				% of Class
Apollo Funds(2)			66,915,477				59.2	%
Graham Berry Holdings, L.P.(3)			6,125,000				5.4	%
James M. Kratochvil(4)			1,097,948				*
Jonathan Rich(4)			657,487				*
Randall J. Becker(4)			484,390				*
G. Adam Unfried(4)			321,025				*
Thomas E. Salmon(4)			212,158				*
B. Evan Bayh(5)(6)			40,000				*
Anthony M. Civale(5)(6)			58,753				*
Donald C. Graham(5)(7)			39,999				*
Steven C. Graham(5)(7)			39,999				*
Joshua J. Harris(5)(6)			58,753				*
Robert V. Seminara(5)(6)			58,753				*
David B. Heller(4)			15,500				*
Carl J. Rickertsen			15,500				*
All directors and executive officers as a group (18 persons)			4,015,717				3.5	%

 

*	Less than 1% of common stock outstanding.

(1)

The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Except as otherwise indicated in these footnotes, each of the beneficial owners has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of common stock.

(2)

The amount reported includes shares held of record by Apollo V Covalence Holdings, L.P. (“Covalence V”), Apollo Investment Fund V, L.P. (“AIF V”), Covalence Co-Investment Holdings LLC (“Covalence Co-Invest”), Apollo Investment Fund VI, L.P. (“AIF VI”), AP Berry Holdings, L.P. (“AP Holdings”) and BPC Co-Investment Holdings LLC (“BPC Co-Investment LLC,” and together with Covalence V, AIF V, Covalence Co-Invest, AIF VI and AP Holdings, the “Apollo Funds”). Apollo V Covalence Holdings, LLC (“Covalence LLC”) is the general partner of Covalence V, and Apollo Advisors V, L.P. (“Advisors V”) is

 

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the general partner of AIF V. AP Berry Holdings, LLC (“AP Holdings LLC”) is the general partner of AP Holdings and the fiduciary of Apollo Overseas Partners (Germany) VI, L.P. (“Overseas Germany”), which is a limited partner of AP Holdings, with respect to Overseas Germany’s investment in our common stock. Apollo Advisors VI, L.P. (“Advisors VI”) is the general partner of AIF VI and the managing general partner of Overseas Germany. Apollo Capital Management V, Inc. (“ACM V”) is the general partner of Advisors V, and Apollo Capital Management VI, LLC (“ACM VI”) is the general partner of Advisors VI. Apollo Principal Holdings I, L.P. (“Principal I”) is the sole stockholder of ACM V and the sole member of ACM VI. Apollo Principal Holdings I GP, LLC (“Principal I GP”) is the general partner of Principal I. Apollo Management V, L.P. (“Management V”) is the manager of Covalence LLC and Covalence Co-Invest, and the investment manager of AIF V. Apollo Management VI, L.P. (“Management VI”) is the manager of AP Holdings LLC, BPC Co-Investment LLC and Overseas Germany, and the investment manager of AIF VI. AIF V Management, LLC (“AIF V LLC”) is the general partner of Management V and AIF VI Management, LLC (“AIF VI LLC”) is the general partner of Management VI. Apollo Management, L.P. (“Apollo Management”) is the sole member and manager of AIF V LLC and AIF VI LLC, and Apollo Management GP, LLC (“Apollo Management GP”) is the general partner of Apollo Management. Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. (“Management Holdings”) is the sole member and manager of Apollo Management GP, and Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC (“Management Holdings GP”) is the general partner of Management Holdings. Leon Black, Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan are the managers of Principal I GP, and the managers, as well as executive officers, of Management Holdings GP, and as such may be deemed to have voting and dispositive control of the shares of our common stock held by the Apollo Funds. Each of the Apollo Funds disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of our common stock held of record by any of the other Apollo Funds, and each of Covalence LLC, Overseas Germany, Advisors V, AP Holdings LLC, Advisors VI, ACM V, ACM VI, Principal I, Principal I GP, Management V, Management VI, AIF V LLC, AIF VI LLC, Apollo Management, Apollo Management GP, Management Holdings, Management Holdings GP, and Messrs. Black, Harris and Rowan, disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of our common stock held of record by the Apollo Funds. The address of Covalence V, AP Holdings, AIF V, AIF VI, Covalence LLC, AP Holdings LLC, Advisors V, Advisors VI, ACM V, ACM VI, Principal I and Principal I GP is One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201, Purchase, New York 10577. The address of Overseas Germany is c/o Intertrust Corporate Services (Cayman) Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, KY1-9005 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. The address of each of Covalence Co-Invest, BPC Co-Investment LLC, Management V, Management VI, AIF V LLC, AIF VI LLC, Apollo Management, Apollo Management GP, Management Holdings and Management Holdings GP, and Messrs. Black, Harris and Rowan, is 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10019.

(3)

Graham Partners II, L.P., as the sole member of the general partner of Graham Berry Holdings, L.P., has the voting and investment power over the shares held by Graham Berry Holdings, L.P. Each of Messrs. Steven Graham and Donald Graham, who have relationships with Graham Partners II, L.P. and/or Graham Berry Holdings, L.P., disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. that may be deemed beneficially owned by Graham Partners II, L.P. or Graham Berry Holdings, L.P. except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. Each of Graham Partners II, L.P. and its affiliates disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which it does not have a pecuniary interest. The address of Graham Partners II, L.P. and Graham Berry Holdings, L.P. is 3811 West Chester Pike, Building 2, Suite 200, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073.

(4)	The address of Messrs. Kratochvil, Becker, Unfried, Salmon, Heller, Rickertsen and Dr. Rich is c/o Berry Plastics Group, Inc., 101 Oakley Street, Evansville, Indiana 47710. Total includes underlying options that are vested or scheduled to vest within 60 days.

(5)	Total represents underlying options that are vested or scheduled to vest within 60 days for each of Messrs. Bayh, Civale, Donald Graham, Steven Graham, Harris and Seminara. Options for 24,500 shares beneficially owned by Steven Graham are held of record by Graham Partners, Inc.

(6)	The address of Messrs. Bayh, Civale, Harris and Seminara is c/o Apollo Management, L.P., 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.

(7)	The address of Messrs. Steven Graham and Donald Graham is c/o Graham Partners, Inc. is 3811 West Chester Pike, Building 2, Suite 200, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073.

 

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Selling Stockholders

The following table sets forth certain information, as of April 1, 2013, regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. with respect to the selling stockholders, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock from the selling stockholders.

 

		Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to this Offering								Number of Offered in this Offering				Shares Beneficially  Owned Upon Completion of this Offering
Name and Address of Owner(1)		Number(1)				% of Class								Number(1)				% of Class
Apollo Funds(2)			66,915,477				59.2	%			15,116,349				51,799,128				45.8	%
Graham Berry Holdings, L.P.(3)			6,125,000				5.4	%			1,383,651				4,741,349				4.2	%

 

(1)

The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Except as otherwise indicated in these footnotes, each of the beneficial owners has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of common stock.

(2)

The amount reported includes shares held of record by Apollo V Covalence Holdings, L.P. (“Covalence V”), Apollo Investment Fund V, L.P. (“AIF V”), Covalence Co-Investment Holdings LLC (“Covalence Co-Invest”), Apollo Investment Fund VI, L.P. (“AIF VI”), AP Berry Holdings, L.P. (“AP Holdings”) and BPC Co-Investment Holdings LLC (“BPC Co-Investment LLC,” and together with Covalence V, AIF V, Covalence Co-Invest, AIF VI and AP Holdings, the “Apollo Funds”). Of the number of shares beneficially owned prior to this offering, 3,137,702 shares are held by Covalence V, 18,943,216 shares are held by AIF V, 1,225,416 shares are held by Covalence Co-Invest, 22,026,884 shares are held by AIF VI, 20,357,258 shares are held by AP Holdings and 1,225,000 shares are held by BPC Co-Investment LLC. Apollo V Covalence Holdings, LLC (“Covalence LLC”) is the general partner of Covalence V, and Apollo Advisors V, L.P. (“Advisors V”) is the general partner of AIF V. AP Berry Holdings, LLC (“AP Holdings LLC”) is the general partner of AP Holdings and the fiduciary of Apollo Overseas Partners (Germany) VI, L.P. (“Overseas Germany”), which is a limited partner of AP Holdings, with respect to Overseas Germany’s investment in our common stock. Apollo Advisors VI, L.P. (“Advisors VI”) is the general partner of AIF VI and the managing general partner of Overseas Germany. Apollo Capital Management V, Inc. (“ACM V”) is the general partner of Advisors V, and Apollo Capital Management VI, LLC (“ACM VI”) is the general partner of Advisors VI. Apollo Principal Holdings I, L.P. (“Principal I”) is the sole stockholder of ACM V and the sole member of ACM VI. Apollo Principal Holdings I GP, LLC (“Principal I GP”) is the general partner of Principal I. Apollo Management V, L.P. (“Management V”) is the manager of Covalence LLC and Covalence Co-Invest, and the investment manager of AIF V. Apollo Management VI, L.P. (“Management VI”) is the manager of AP Holdings LLC, BPC Co-Investment LLC and Overseas Germany, and the investment manager of AIF VI. AIF V Management, LLC (“AIF V LLC”) is the general partner of Management V and AIF VI Management, LLC (“AIF VI LLC”) is the general partner of Management VI. Apollo Management, L.P. (“Apollo Management”) is the sole member and manager of AIF V LLC and AIF VI LLC, and Apollo Management GP, LLC (“Apollo Management GP”) is the general partner of Apollo Management. Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. (“Management Holdings”) is the sole member and manager of Apollo Management GP, and Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC (“Management Holdings GP”) is the general partner of Management Holdings. Leon Black, Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan are the managers of Principal I GP, and the managers, as well as executive officers, of Management Holdings GP, and as such may be deemed to have voting and dispositive control of the shares of our common stock held by the Apollo Funds. Each of the Apollo Funds disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of our common stock held of record by any of the other Apollo Funds, and each of Covalence LLC, Overseas Germany, Advisors V, AP Holdings LLC, Advisors VI, ACM V, ACM VI, Principal I, Principal I GP, Management V, Management VI, AIF V LLC, AIF VI LLC, Apollo Management, Apollo Management GP, Management Holdings, Management Holdings GP, and Messrs. Black,

 

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Harris and Rowan, disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of our common stock held of record by the Apollo Funds. The address of Covalence V, AP Holdings, AIF V, AIF VI, Covalence LLC, AP Holdings LLC, Advisors V, Advisors VI, ACM V, ACM VI, Principal I and Principal I GP is One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201, Purchase, New York 10577. The address of Overseas Germany is c/o Intertrust Corporate Services (Cayman) Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, KY1-9005 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. The address of each of Covalence Co-Invest, BPC Co-Investment LLC, Management V, Management VI, AIF V LLC, AIF VI LLC, Apollo Management, Apollo Management GP, Management Holdings and Management Holdings GP, and Messrs. Black, Harris and Rowan, is 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10019.

(3)

Graham Partners II, L.P., as the sole member of the general partner of Graham Berry Holdings, L.P., has the voting and investment power over the shares held by Graham Berry Holdings, L.P. Each of Messrs. Steven Graham and Donald Graham, who have relationships with Graham Partners II, L.P. and/or Graham Berry Holdings, L.P., disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. that may be deemed beneficially owned by Graham Partners II, L.P. or Graham Berry Holdings, L.P. except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. Each of Graham Partners II, L.P. and its affiliates disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares in which it does not have a pecuniary interest. The address of Graham Partners II, L.P. and Graham Berry Holdings, L.P. is 3811 West Chester Pike, Building 2, Suite 200, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Stockholders Agreement

Apollo, Graham Partners and certain of our employees who invested in Berry Plastics Group, Inc. entered into a stockholders agreement in 2007 that was amended and restated upon completion of our initial public offering in October 2012. The amended and restated stockholders agreement provides for, among other things, a restriction on the transferability of the equity ownership of the company of each employee and certain other stockholders that are parties thereto, piggyback registration rights, repurchase rights by the company and Apollo in certain circumstances, demand registration rights for Apollo and Graham Partners and board and information rights for Apollo.

In addition, the amended and restated stockholders agreement provides that, except as otherwise required by applicable law, if the Apollo Funds hold (a) at least 50% of our outstanding common stock, it will have the right to designate no fewer than that number of directors that would constitute a majority of our Board of Directors, (b) at least 30% but less than 50% of our outstanding common stock, it will have the right to designate up to five director nominees, (c) at least 20% but less than 30% of our outstanding common stock, it will have the right to designate up to four director nominees, and (d) at least 10% but less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, the Apollo Funds will have the right to designate up to three director nominees. The agreement provides that if the size of the Board of Directors is increased or decreased at any time, the Apollo Funds’ nomination rights will be proportionately increased or decreased, respectively, rounded up to the nearest whole number. The amended and restated stockholders agreement provides that, except as otherwise required by applicable law, the company must take all action within its power to cause all persons nominated by the Apollo Funds pursuant to the provisions described above to be included in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board of Directors to our stockholders for election as directors at each annual meeting of our stockholders and must use all reasonable efforts to cause the election of each such nominee, including soliciting proxies in favor of the election of such nominees. In addition, except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Apollo Funds have the right to designate a replacement to fill a vacancy on our Board of Directors that was designated by the Apollo Funds and we are required to take all action within our power to cause such vacancy to be filled by the replacement designated by the Apollo Funds (including by promptly appointing such designee to the Board of Directors). Once the Apollo Funds own less than 10% of our outstanding common stock, they will have no right to designate director nominees under the amended and restated stockholders agreement.

Under the amended and restated stockholders agreement, the approval of a majority of the members of our Board of Directors, which must include the approval of a majority of the directors nominated by the Apollo Funds voting on the matter, is required under certain circumstances. These include, as to us and, to the extent applicable, each of our subsidiaries:

 

•

the amendment, modification or repeal of any provision of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents in a manner that adversely affects Apollo;

 

•

the issuance of additional shares of any class of our capital stock (other than any award under any stockholder approved equity compensation plan or any intra-company issuance among us and our subsidiaries);

 

•

a merger or consolidation of us with or into any other entity, or transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise) of all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole, to another entity, the entry into or agreement to undertake any transaction that would constitute a “Change of Control” as defined in our or our subsidiaries’ principal credit facilities or note indentures;

 

•

the consummation of any acquisition of the stock or assets of any other entity (other than any of our subsidiaries), in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, involving consideration in excess of $75 million in the aggregate, or the entry into any joint venture requiring a capital contribution in excess of $75 million;

 

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•

the incurrence of indebtedness, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, aggregating to more than $75 million, except for borrowings under a revolving credit facility that has previously been approved or is in existence (with no increase in maximum availability);

 

•

making a single or series of related capital expenditures in excess of $25 million in any fiscal year;

 

•

the declaration of any dividends or other distributions (other than intra-company dividends or distributions of any of our subsidiaries);

 

•

the termination of the Chief Executive Officer or designation of a new Chief Executive Officer;

 

•

a change in the size of the Board of Directors; and

 

•

the creation of any non-wholly owned subsidiary of us or any of our subsidiaries.

These approval rights terminate at such time as the Apollo Funds no longer beneficially own at least 25% of our outstanding common stock. See “Management—Apollo Approval of Certain Matters and Rights to Nominate Certain Directors” and “Description of Capital Stock—Composition of Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors.”

The amended and restated stockholders agreement provides that Apollo may make one or more written demands of us to require us to register the shares of our common stock owned by the Apollo Funds, and Graham may make up to three such demands with respect to the shares of common stock owned by Graham. In addition, the Apollo Funds, Graham and the stockholders that are parties to the agreement have piggyback rights entitling them to require us to register shares of our common stock owned by them in connection with any registration statements filed by us, subject to certain exceptions. We have agreed to indemnify the Apollo Funds and such stockholders (to the extent they are selling stockholders in any such registration) against losses suffered by them in connection with any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading, except insofar as the same may be caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to us by such selling stockholder for use therein.

Management and Transaction Fees

Prior to our initial public offering on October 3, 2012, the company was charged a management fee by Apollo and Graham Partners, for the provision of management consulting and advisory services provided each year. The management fee was the greater of $3 million or 1.25% of Adjusted EBITDA per year. The company paid $9 million of total management fees to Apollo and Graham Partners in fiscal 2012.

As a result of our initial public offering, the management services agreement with Apollo and Graham Partners was terminated.

Income Tax Receivable Agreement

Following our initial public offering, we expect to be able to utilize net operating losses that arose prior to the initial public offering and are therefore attributable to our existing stockholders, option holders and holders of stock appreciation rights (i.e., the Apollo Funds, management and other investors). These net operating loss carryforwards will reduce the amount of tax that we and our subsidiaries would otherwise be required to pay in the future.

We have entered into an income tax receivable agreement and thereby distributed to our existing stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights the right to receive payment by us of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income tax that we and our

 

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subsidiaries actually realize (or are deemed to realize in the case of a change of control and certain subsidiary dispositions, as discussed below) as a result of the utilization of our and our subsidiaries’ net operating losses attributable to periods prior to this offering.

For purposes of the income tax receivable agreement, cash savings in income tax are computed by reference to the reduction in the liability for income taxes resulting from the utilization of the tax benefits subject to the income tax receivable agreement. The term of the income tax receivable agreement commenced upon consummation of our initial public offering in October 2012 and will continue until all relevant tax benefits have been utilized or have expired.

Our counterparties under the income tax receivable agreement will not reimburse us for any payments previously made if such tax benefits are subsequently disallowed (although future payments would be adjusted to the extent possible to reflect the result of such disallowance). As a result, in such circumstances we could make payments under the income tax receivable agreement that are greater than our actual cash tax savings.

While the actual amount and timing of any payments under the income tax receivable agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the amount and timing of the taxable income we and our subsidiaries generate in the future, and our and our subsidiaries’ use of net operating loss carryforwards, we expect that during the term of the income tax receivable agreement, the payments that we may make could be material. Assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law and that we and our subsidiaries earn sufficient taxable income to realize the full tax benefits subject to the income tax receivable agreement, we would expect that payments under the income tax receivable agreement will aggregate to approximately $300 million to $350 million.

Upon the effective date of the income tax receivable agreement, the company recorded an initial obligation of $300 million ($123 million in Accrued expenses and $177 million in Other long-term liabilities), which is recognized as a reduction of Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 29, 2012. Any future changes in the realizability of our net operating loss carry forwards that were generated prior to our initial public offering, will impact the amount of the liability that will be paid to our shareholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights. Changes in the realizability of these tax assets will be recorded in income tax expense (benefit) and any changes in the obligation under the income tax receivable agreement will be recorded in other income (expense). Based on our current taxable income estimates, we expect to repay the majority of this obligation by the end of our 2016 fiscal year. We expect to pay between $300 million and $350 million in cash related to this agreement, based on our current taxable income estimates. We plan to use cash flow from operations and availability under our line of credit to fund this obligation.

If we undergo a change of control, the income tax receivable agreement will terminate and we will be required to make a payment equal to the present value of future payments under the income tax receivable agreement, which payment would be based on certain assumptions, including those relating to our and our subsidiaries’ future taxable income. Additionally, if we sell or otherwise dispose of any of our subsidiaries in a transaction that is not a change of control, we will be required to make a payment equal to the present value of future payments under the income tax receivable agreement attributable to the tax benefits of such subsidiary that is sold or disposed of, applying the assumptions described above. Under limited circumstances, payments in connection with stock options and stock appreciation rights may, for tax reasons, need to be deferred following a change of control until the fifth anniversary of this offering.

The income tax receivable agreement provides that in the event that we breach any of our material obligations under it, whether as a result of our failure to make any payment when due (subject to a specified cure period), failure to honor any other material obligation under it or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of it in a case commenced under the United States Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, then all our payment and other obligations under the income tax receivable agreement will be accelerated and will become due and payable applying the same assumptions described above. Such payments could be substantial and could exceed our actual cash tax savings under the income tax receivable agreement.

 

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Because we are a holding company with no operations of our own, our ability to make payments under the income tax receivable agreement is dependent on the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us. Our credit agreement and Berry Plastics Corporation’s outstanding notes restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us, which could affect our ability to make payments under the income tax receivable agreement. To the extent that we are unable to make payments under the income tax receivable agreement for any reason, such payments will be deferred and will accrue interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 5.00% per annum until paid.

Other Related Party Transactions

Certain of our management, stockholders and related parties and their affiliates have independently acquired and held financial debt instruments of the company. During fiscal 2012, interest expense included $2 million related to this debt.

BP Parallel, a non-guarantor subsidiary of the Company, invested $21 million to purchase assignments of $21 million of unsecured term loan during the quarter ended December 29, 2012. Of the $21 million assignments purchased, $14 million were purchased from third parties affiliated with Apollo.

In connection with our initial public offering in October 2012, we paid a $1 million underwriting fee to Apollo Global Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Apollo that served as a manager of the offering.

In connection with the incremental assumption agreement Berry Plastics Corporation entered into in February 2013, we paid a $1 million underwriting fee to Apollo Global Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Apollo that served as a manager of the offering.

Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions

In connection with our initial public offering, our Board of Directors adopted a written policy for the review and approval or ratification of any transaction with any related party where the aggregate amount involved is expected to exceed $120,000 and any related party had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, with the exception of (i) certain transactions involving another company in which the related party’s only relationship is as a non-executive employee, director or less-than-10% equity owner or limited partner and (ii) certain additional exemptions. Under the policy, the Audit Committee shall review such related party transactions and may approve or ratify them only if it is determined that they are fair as to, and not inconsistent with the best interests of, the company, considering all relevant facts and circumstances. When reviewing a related party transaction, the Audit Committee may take into consideration all of the relevant facts and circumstances available to it, including, to the extent relevant and feasibly provided: (a) the material terms and conditions of the transaction; (b) the related party’s relationship to the company; (c) the related party’s interest in the transaction; (d) the approximate dollar value of the transaction and of the related party’s interest in the transaction; (e) the aggregate amount of all payments or installments to be made, in the case of a transaction providing for periodic payments or installments; (f) the aggregate amount of principal to be outstanding and interest rate payable, in the case of indebtedness; and (g) any other material information.

The policy requires any officer, director or employee of the company or its subsidiaries who becomes aware of a potential related party transaction to notify the Chief Financial Officer or an Executive Vice President of the company, who shall then review the proposed transaction and, if it is expected to fall within the policy, present it to the Audit Committee for review. Under the policy, the Audit Committee must approve any related party transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of its disinterested members. If advance approval is not feasible, then the Audit Committee must ratify the related party transaction at its next regularly scheduled meeting or the transaction must be rescinded. In addition, the Chair of the Audit Committee may pre-approve or ratify any related party transaction in which the aggregate amount involved is reasonably expected to be less than $100,000.

Other than as described above, the company has not entered into any related party transactions required to be disclosed under SEC rules during fiscal 2012.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

Berry Plastics Corporation is a party to senior secured credit facilities that include a term loan in the principal amount of $1,200 million (the “original term loan), a term loan in the principal amount of $1,400 million (the “additional term loan”) and a revolving credit facility which provides borrowing availability equal to the lesser of (a) $650 million or (b) the borrowing base, which is a function, among other things, of Berry Plastics Corporation’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ accounts receivable and inventory. The original term loan matures on April 3, 2015, the additional term loan matures on February 8, 2020 and the revolving credit facility matures on the earlier of June 28, 2016 and the date that is 45 days prior to the earliest scheduled maturity of Berry Plastics Corporation’s first lien notes, second lien notes (other than the second priority floating rate notes in certain circumstances) or term loan, except to the extent such debt is refinanced according to certain requirements.

The borrowing base is, at any time of determination, an amount (net of reserves) equal to the sum of:

 

•

85% of the net amount of eligible accounts receivable; and

 

•

85% of the net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory.

The revolving credit facility includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and for borrowings on same-day notice, referred to as swingline loans.

At December 29, 2012, we had unused borrowing capacity of $413 million under the revolving credit facility after giving effect to outstanding letters of credit and borrowing base reserve.

The borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, as determined at our option, either (a) a base rate (“Base Rate”) determined by reference to the higher of (1) the prime rate of Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent, in the case of the original term loan or additional term loan or Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, in the case of the revolving credit facility, (2) the U.S. federal funds rate plus  ¹/₂ of 1% and (3) in the case of the additional term loan, 2.00% or (b) a eurodollar rate (“LIBOR”) determined by reference to the costs of funds for eurodollar deposits in dollars in the London interbank market for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs (or, in the case of the additional term loan, 1.00%, if higher). The initial applicable margin for LIBOR rate borrowings under the revolving credit facility as amended on June 28, 2011 was 1.75% to 2.25%, under the original term loan is 2.00%, and under the additional term loan is 2.50%. The initial applicable margin for base rate borrowings under the revolving credit facility as amended was 0.00%, under the original term loan was 1.00% and under the additional term loan was 1.50%. The applicable margin for such borrowings under the revolving credit facility is adjusted depending on quarterly average daily unused borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility.

The original term loan requires minimum quarterly principal payments of $3 million for the first eight years, commencing in June 2007, with the remaining amount payable on April 3, 2015. The additional term loan requires minimum quarterly principal payments of $3.5 million, commencing in June 2013 through December 2019, with the remaining amount payable on February 8, 2020. In addition, Berry Plastics Corporation must prepay the outstanding original term loans and additional term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with:

 

•

50% (which percentage is (a) subject to a minimum of 0% upon the achievement of certain leverage ratios and (b) will automatically be reduced to 0% as and from the date upon which no amounts of principal or interest with respect to the original term loan is outstanding) of excess cash flow (as defined in the term loan credit agreement); and

 

•

100% of the net cash proceeds of all non-ordinary course asset sales and casualty and condemnation events, if Berry Plastics Corporation does not reinvest or commit to reinvest those proceeds in assets to be used in its business or to make certain other permitted investments within 15 months, subject to certain limitations.

 

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In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the senior secured credit facilities, Berry Plastics Corporation is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the revolving credit facilities in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder at a rate equal to 0.375% to 0.50% per annum depending on the average daily available unused borrowing capacity. Berry Plastics Corporation also pays a customary letter of credit fee, including a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum of the stated amount of each outstanding letter of credit, and customary agency fees.

Berry Plastics Corporation may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the senior secured credit facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to eurodollar loans, except that Berry Plastics Corporation would be required to pay a 1.0% premium on any principal amount of the additional term loan prepaid on or prior to February 8, 2014 in connection with certain repricing transactions (as described in greater detail in the credit agreement relating to the original term loan and the additional term loan).

The senior secured credit facilities contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, Berry Plastics Corporation’s ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to:

 

•

sell assets;

 

•

incur additional indebtedness;

 

•

repay other indebtedness;

 

•

pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock;

 

•

create liens on assets;

 

•

make investments, loans, guarantees or advances;

 

•

make certain acquisitions;

 

•

engage in mergers or consolidations;

 

•

enter into sale leaseback transactions;

 

•

engage in certain transactions with affiliates;

 

•

amend certain material agreements governing our indebtedness;

 

•

amend organizational documents;

 

•

change the business conducted by Berry Plastics Corporation and its subsidiaries;

 

•

change Berry Plastics Corporation’s fiscal year end; and

 

•

enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries.

In addition, the revolving credit facility requires Berry Plastics Corporation to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio at any time when the aggregate unused revolver capacity falls below either 10% of the lesser of the revolving credit facility commitments and the borrowing base (and for ten consecutive days following the date upon which availability exceeds such threshold) or during the continuation of an event of default. In that event, Berry Plastics Corporation must satisfy a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio requirement of 1.0:1.0. The term loan facility also requires Berry Plastics Corporation to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain corporate ratings from each of Moody’s and S&P for the term loan facility. The senior secured credit facilities also contain certain other customary affirmative covenants and events of default.

All obligations under the senior secured credit facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by Berry Plastics Group, Inc. and, subject to certain exceptions, each of Berry Plastics Corporation’s existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries. The guarantees of those obligations are secured by substantially all of Berry Plastics Corporation’s assets and those of each domestic subsidiary guarantor as well as the equity interests in Berry Plastics Corporation held by Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

 

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Second Priority Senior Secured Notes

In connection with the issuance of $800 million of second priority notes (the “November 2010 second priority notes”) in November 2010, Berry Plastics Corporation conducted tender offers to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 2006 second priority fixed rate notes and 2009 second priority fixed rate notes. Berry Plastics Corporation also redeemed all such notes not validly tendered in the tender offers, and satisfied and discharged the indenture relating to the 2009 second priority fixed rate notes. Berry Plastics Corporation used the proceeds from the issuance of the November 2010 second priority notes along with cash on hand to fund the repurchase of the 2006 second priority fixed rate notes and the 2009 second priority fixed rate notes pursuant to the tender offers and subsequent redemption of such notes.

In April 2010, Berry Plastics Corporation issued $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 9 ¹/₂% second priority senior secured notes due 2018 (the “April 2010 second priority fixed rate notes”), and in November 2010, Berry Plastics Corporation issued $800 million of second priority notes due 2018 (the “November 2010 second priority notes, and together with the April 2010 second priority notes, the “existing second priority senior secured notes”). The April 2010 second priority fixed rate notes will mature on May 15, 2018, and the November 2010 second priority notes will mature on January 15, 2021. All of Berry Plastics Corporation’s existing second priority senior secured notes are secured, senior obligations and are guaranteed on a second priority secured, senior basis by each of Berry Plastics Corporation’s subsidiaries that guarantees its senior secured credit facilities. The existing second priority senior secured notes are also guaranteed on an unsecured basis by Berry Plastics Group, Inc. No principal payments are required with respect to the existing second priority senior secured notes prior to maturity.

The April 2010 second priority fixed rate notes may be redeemed, at Berry Plastics Corporation’s option, prior to May 15, 2014, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the April 2010 second priority fixed rate notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus an applicable premium. On or after May 15, 2014, Berry Plastics Corporation may redeem some or all of the April 2010 second priority fixed rate notes at redemption prices set forth in the indenture relating to the April 2010 second priority fixed rate notes. The November 2010 second priority notes may be redeemed, at Berry Plastics Corporation’s option, prior to January 15, 2016, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2010 second priority fixed rate notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus an applicable premium. On or after January 15, 2016, Berry Plastics Corporation may redeem some or all of the November 2010 second priority notes at redemption prices set forth in the indenture relating to the November 2010 second priority notes. If a change of control occurs, Berry Plastics Corporation must give holders of the existing second priority senior secured notes an opportunity to sell their notes at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The indentures relating to the existing second priority senior secured notes contain a number of covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, restrict the ability of Berry Plastics Corporation and its restricted subsidiaries to incur indebtedness or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock, pay dividends or redeem or repurchase stock, make certain types of investments, sell assets, incur certain liens, enter into agreements restricting dividends or other payments from subsidiaries, enter into certain transactions with affiliates and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets.

The indentures relating to the existing second priority senior secured notes provide that Berry Plastics Corporation may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not Berry Plastics Corporation is the surviving person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any person unless certain requirements in the applicable indenture are met.

Each indenture relating to the existing second priority senior secured notes also provides for events of default, which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then-outstanding existing second priority senior secured notes under such indenture to be due and payable immediately.

 

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Covenant Compliance

Berry Plastics Corporation’s fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the revolving credit facility, is calculated based on a numerator consisting of Adjusted EBITDA less income taxes paid in cash and capital expenditures, and a denominator consisting of scheduled principal payments in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money, interest expense and certain distributions. Berry Plastics Corporation’s fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the indentures relating to the existing first priority senior secured notes, existing second priority senior secured notes and senior subordinated notes, is calculated based on a numerator consisting of Adjusted EBITDA, and a denominator consisting of interest expense and certain distributions. Berry Plastics Corporation is required, under its debt incurrence covenant, to use a rolling four quarter Adjusted EBITDA in its calculations.

Berry Plastics Corporation is required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0:1.0 under the revolving credit facility at any time when the aggregate unused capacity under the revolving credit facility is less than either 10% of the lesser of the revolving credit facility commitments and the borrowing base (and for 10 consecutive days following the date upon which availability exceeds such threshold) or during the continuation of an event of default. At December 29, 2012, Berry Plastics Corporation had unused borrowing capacity of $413 million under the revolving credit facility subject to a borrowing base.

Failure to maintain a first lien secured indebtedness ratio of 4.0 to 1.0 under the credit facility relating to the original term loan and the additional term loan, a fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.0:1.0 under the indentures relating to the existing second priority senior secured notes, and unused borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility of at least 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base and the aggregate revolving commitments (the “minimum amount”), or, if between $45 million and such minimum amount, a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0:1.0 under the revolving credit facility, can result in limiting our long-term growth prospects by hindering Berry Plastics Corporation’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, effect acquisitions, enter into certain significant business combinations, make distributions or redeem indebtedness.

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. Term Loan Credit Agreement

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. entered into a term loan credit facility on June 5, 2007, providing for term loans of $500 million in original principal amount. The term loans mature on June 5, 2014, are unsecured senior obligations of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. and are not guaranteed by any of its subsidiaries.

The borrowings under the Berry Plastics Group, Inc. term loan facility bear interest at