Western Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2014 Year-End Results

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb 17, 2015) - Western Forest Products Inc. (WEF.TO) ("Western" or the "Company") announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014. The Company reported an adjusted EBITDA of $14.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to an adjusted EBITDA of $24.4 million in the same period of 2013, due primarily to weaker lumber and log markets in China and Japan. The Company reported revenue of $232.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, as compared to $242.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013.

Q4 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

  • Increased Western Red Cedar and Niche lumber volumes by 17% from the prior year

  • Continued our balanced approach to capital allocation, returning $7.8 million in dividends to our shareholders for a total $31.4 million in quarterly dividends in 2014

  • Increased liquidity 6% from prior year to $134.4 million

For the year ended December 31, 2014, Western generated adjusted EBITDA of $108.5 million on record annual revenue of $1,036.9 million. This compares to adjusted EBITDA of $128.8 million on revenue of $977.5 million in the prior year.

"We continued to grow our company in 2014 as we increased sales revenue 6% and surpassed $1 billion in sales for the first time in our history. We achieved these results by utilizing our flexible operating platform to increase sales of Western Red Cedar and Niche products, offsetting the weakness in export markets," said Don Demens, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We also invested an additional $18 million of strategic capital, primarily in our sawmills, to improve our competitiveness."

Net income of $12.9 million ($0.03 per diluted share) was reported for the fourth quarter of 2014, as compared to $49.9 million ($0.13 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2013. Net income of $68.4 million ($0.17 per diluted share) was reported for the year ending December 31, 2014, as compared to $125.4 million ($0.28 per diluted share) for the prior year.

Subsequent to year-end, on February 6, 2015, the Company announced the completion of the sale of its former pulp mill site and related assets in Squamish, B.C. for gross proceeds of $21.8 million. Western will use the proceeds of the sale to pay down outstanding debt and intends to use the added liquidity to further its strategic capital plans.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Three months ended

Year ended

December 31,

December 31,

(millions of dollars except where noted)

2014

2013

2014

2013

Revenue

$ 232.6

$ 242.0

$ 1,036.9

$ 977.5

Adjusted EBITDA

14.8

24.4

108.5

128.8

Adjusted EBITDA margin

6.4%

10.1%

10.5%

13.2%

Operating income prior to restructuring items and other income

11.5

24.9

80.3

105.5

Net income from continuing operations

12.9

49.9

68.4

125.9

Net income for the period

12.9

49.9

68.4

125.4

Basic earnings per share (in dollars)

$ 0.03

$ 0.13

$ 0.17

$ 0.29

Diluted earnings per share (in dollars)

$ 0.03

$ 0.13

$ 0.17

$ 0.28

Net Debt at December 31,

77.9

82.9

Liquidity at December 31,

134.4

125.9

Fourth Quarter 2014

We reported adjusted EBITDA of $14.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, a decrease from the $24.4 million earned in the same quarter last year, but an improvement over the $14.3 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was due to lower commodity lumber and export log pricing in China and reduced sales volumes to Japan. Our results benefitted from continued strength in the North American repair and renovation market which has increased the demand for our Western Red Cedar ("WRC") and Niche products.