Standard Register Co. (SR) News

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 April 27, 2007 - 05:01 AM PST
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Standard Register Reports First Quarter 2007 Financial Results

DAYTON, Ohio, April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Standard Register (NYSE: SR) today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended April 1, 2007.

Results of Operations

Total Revenue on Continuing Operations was $227.4 million in the first quarter 2007, compared to $228.5 million for the comparable quarter of 2006. Document and Label Solutions (DLS) was down 5.4 percent, reflecting lower unit demand and pricing pressures on some traditional forms products that face slow but steady erosion due to technology. Conversely, Print-On-Demand Services was up 7.6 percent, Document Systems was 16.7 percent ahead of last year, and other operating segments rose a collective 11.4 percent. 'Although our sales were relatively flat overall for the quarter, I am very encouraged by the growth we have experienced in areas where we have made investments and see long-term potential,' said Dennis Rediker, president and chief executive officer.

As previously reported, the Company sold its Digital Solutions start-up business in April for $2.5 million. The results of this business unit are reported as a discontinued operation. Revenue was not material and pre-tax losses were $1.0 million in the first quarter 2007 and $5.2 million for the whole of last year. The Company expects to report a pre-tax gain of approximately $1.5 million in the second quarter. 'We remain bullish on digital writing technology, but we elected to focus our resources on advancing our core document services strategy,' said Rediker.

The Company took action in the quarter to reduce its DLS cost structure, closing its Middlebury, Vermont plant and redistributing most of its output capacity to other manufacturing facilities. Restructuring expense in the quarter was $2.4 million. Impairment charges related to this facility were recorded in the fourth quarter 2006 and were revised downward by $0.4 million in the current quarter based on an offer received for the property.

The Company expects to incur some additional restructuring, training, and relocation-related costs before the realignment actions conclude late in the third quarter; on-going annualized savings are estimated at approximately $4.5 million.

The amortization of prior years' pension gains and losses produced a first quarter expense of $7.0 million. This compares to an amortization expense of $6.0 million for the first quarter of 2006. These amortization expenses relate primarily to the decline in pension assets during the weak stock markets in 2001 and 2002, and the coincident increase in pension liability brought about by lower interest rates.

Operating income on continuing operations before the above expenses for restructuring, impairment, and prior years' pension losses was $9.4 million in the quarter, compared to $14.2 million on a comparable basis for the prior year. The $4.8 million decline is attributed primarily to a $5.9 million drop in the gross margin due to a revenue decrease at a major account in mid-2006 and higher DLS manufacturing costs related in major part to the restructuring action now underway. SG&A expense, excluding the pension amortization, and depreciation expense totaled about $1.0 million lower in the current quarter.

The table below reconciles the preceding non-GAAP figures to the Company's net operating results after tax.



    [$ Millions, rounded]                                1st Quarter
    CONTINUING OPERATIONS                       2007        2006         Chg
    Income from Continuing Operations
     Before Restructuring, Impairment,
     and Amortization of Past Pension
     Losses                                      9.4        14.2        -4.8

    Restructuring Expense                       -2.4        -1.1        -1.3
    Impairment Expense                           0.4        -1.7         2.1
    Amortization of Past Pension Losses         -7.0        -6.0        -1.0
    Income on Continuing Operations              0.4         5.4        -5.1

    Interest & Other Income / (Expense)         -0.7        -0.5        -0.3
    Pretax Income / (Loss)                      -0.4         5.0        -5.3

    Income Taxes                                -0.2         2.1        -2.3
    Net Income / (Loss) on Continuing
     Operations                                 -0.2         2.9        -3.1

    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS                     -0.6        -1.5         0.8

    CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE
     IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE                                 0.1        -0.1

    TOTAL NET INCOME / (LOSS)                   -0.8         1.5        -2.3


Including restructuring, impairment, and amortization of past years' pension losses, the Company reported an income on continuing operations of $0.4 million this year versus $5.4 million last year. After interest and tax, and including the losses on discontinued operations, the net loss in the quarter was $0.8 million or $0.03 per share compared to a prior year net income of $1.5 million or $0.05 per share.

The Company's net debt, total debt less cash and short-term investments, increased $10.0 million in the quarter -- about the same increase as was recorded for the first quarter of 2006. This year's increase reflects seasonal demands on cash, slightly higher capital spending of $8.2 million, $5.0 million in voluntary pension contributions, and dividends of $6.7 million.

Outlook

'We are encouraged by the strong showing in our growth businesses,' said Rediker, 'and we expect our total year to show low-to-mid single digit top- line growth overall. Capital spending should be in the $25 - $28 million range for the year and we continue to plan for $20.0 million in pension contributions.'

Dividend

Standard Register's board of directors declared on April 26, 2007 a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share to be paid on June 8, 2007, to shareholders of record as of May 25, 2007.

Presentation of Information in This Press Release

This press release presents information that excludes restructuring, impairment charges and amortization of past pension losses. These financial measures are considered non-GAAP. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows where amounts are either excluded or included not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This information is intended to enhance an overall understanding of the financial performance due to the non-operational nature of these items and the significant change from period to period. This presentation is consistent with the manner in which the Board of Directors internally evaluates performance.

The presentation of non-GAAP information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with principles generally accepted in the United States.

Conference Call

Standard Register president and chief executive officer Dennis Rediker and chief financial officer Craig Brown will host a conference call at 10 a.m. EDT on April 27, 2007, to review the first quarter results. The call can be accessed via an audio webcast which is accessible at: http://www.standardregister.com/investorcenter.

About Standard Register

Standard Register is a premier document services provider, trusted by companies to manage the critical documents they need to thrive in today's competitive climate. Relying on nearly 100 years of industry expertise, Lean Six Sigma methodologies and leading technologies, the company helps organizations increase efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risks, grow revenue and meet the challenges of a changing business landscape. It offers document and label solutions, e-business solutions, consulting and print supply chain services to help clients manage documents across their enterprise. More information is available at www.standardregister.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This report includes forward-looking statements covered by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results for fiscal year 2007 and beyond could differ materially from the Company's current expectations.

Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as 'anticipates,' 'projects,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'intends,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'targets,' and other similar expressions that indicate trends and future events. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, without limitation, variation in demand and acceptance of the Company's products and services, the frequency, magnitude and timing of paper and other raw-material-price changes, general business and economic conditions beyond the Company's control, timing of the completion and integration of acquisitions, the consequences of competitive factors in the marketplace, cost-containment strategies, and the Company's success in attracting and retaining key personnel. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected is contained in the Company's filing with The Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update forward-looking statements as a result of new information since these statements may no longer be accurate or timely.


    THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

          STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS                            Y-T-D
    (In Thousands, except Per Share Amounts)    13 Weeks Ended  13 Weeks Ended
                                                    1-Apr-07       2-Apr-06


    TOTAL REVENUE                                   $227,431       $228,521

    COST OF SALES                                    151,496        146,718

    GROSS MARGIN                                      75,935         81,803

    COSTS AND EXPENSES
    Selling, General and Administrative               66,918         66,246
    Depreciation and Amortization                      6,655          7,327
    Asset Impairment                                    (409)         1,694
    Restructuring                                      2,406          1,090

    TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES                          75,570         76,357

    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                    365          5,446

    OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
    Interest Expense                                    (797)          (514)
    Other income                                          68             36
    Total Other Expense                                 (729)          (478)

    (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
     BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                (364)         4,968


    Income Tax (Benefit) Expense                        (175)         2,090

    NET (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS        (189)         2,878

    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
    Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes     (639)        (1,458)


    NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A
     CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE                     (828)         1,420

    Cumulative effect of a change in accounting
     principle, net of taxes                               -             78

    NET (LOSS) INCOME                                  ($828)        $1,498


    Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic      28,635         28,738
    Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted    28,635         28,766

    BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE
    (Loss) income from continuing operations          ($0.01)         $0.10
    Loss from discontinued operations                  (0.02)         (0.05)
    Net (loss) income per share                       ($0.03)         $0.05

    Dividends Paid Per Share                           $0.23          $0.23



             BALANCE SHEET
             (In Thousands)                         1-Apr-07      31-Dec-06

    ASSETS
    Cash & Short Term Investments                     $1,688           $488
    Accounts Receivable                              127,274        135,839
    Inventories                                       49,092         49,242
    Other Current Assets                              32,034         32,201
    Total Current Assets                             210,088        217,770

    Plant and Equipment                              119,931        119,339
    Goodwill and Intangible Assets                     8,070          8,168
    Deferred Taxes                                    84,797         86,710
    Other Assets                                      21,646         20,092

    Total Assets                                    $444,532       $452,079

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Portion Long-Term Debt                      $224           $358
    Current Liabilities                               81,728        100,956
    Deferred Compensation                             16,866         17,190
    Long-Term Debt                                    52,355         41,021
    Retiree Healthcare                                20,448         20,398
    Pension Liability                                150,739        153,953
    Other Long-Term Liabilities                        1,294             36
    Shareholders' Equity                             120,878        118,167

    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity      $444,532       $452,079

SOURCE Standard Register