EX-99.02 14 dex9902.htm FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PREMIER BOXBOARD LIMITED LLC Financial Statements of Premier Boxboard Limited LLC

Exhibit 99.02

 

PREMIER BOXBOARD LIMITED LLC

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS


 

     Page

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   1

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002:

    

Balance Sheets

   2

Statements of Operations

   3

Statements of Members’ Equity

   4

Statements of Cash Flows

   5

Notes to Financial Statements

   6-13

 

 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Members of Premier Boxboard Limited LLC:

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Premier Boxboard Limited LLC (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related statements of operations, members’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

As discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for asset retirement obligations to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, which was adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2003.

 

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

March 14, 2005

Atlanta, GA


PREMIER BOXBOARD LIMITED LLC

 

BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003


 

ASSETS    2004

    2003

 

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,847,129     $ 5,240,909  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $85,275 and $104,303, respectively

     5,036,839       1,629,891  

Related-party receivables

     5,858,373       6,895,401  

Inventories

     6,102,817       4,254,370  
    


 


Total current assets

     20,845,158       18,020,571  
    


 


Property, plant, and equipment, at cost:

                

Land

     2,257,924       2,257,924  

Buildings and improvements

     30,203,942       30,167,942  

Machinery and equipment

     154,446,998       154,108,582  

Furniture and fixtures

     549,136       549,136  

Construction in progress

     5,484,867       1,763,402  
    


 


       192,942,867       188,846,986  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (53,802,701 )     (45,743,635 )
    


 


Property, plant, and equipment—net

     139,140,166       143,103,351  

Other assets

     1,293,985       1,551,931  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 161,279,309     $ 162,675,853  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 7,341,264     $ 6,607,316  

Related-party payables

     2,233,024       1,370,910  

Accrued expenses

     4,101,592       3,744,514  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     13,675,880       11,722,740  

Long-term debt

     50,000,000       60,000,000  

Other long-term liabilities

     697,839       624,431  

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 7 and 8)

                

Members’ equity

     96,905,590       90,328,682  
    


 


Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 161,279,309     $ 162,675,853  
    


 


 

See notes to financial statements.

 

- 2 -


PREMIER BOXBOARD LIMITED LLC

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003, AND 2002


 

     2004

   2003

   2002

 

Sales

   $ 109,370,530    $ 89,817,765    $ 74,649,204  

Cost of sales

     81,363,811      66,656,909      66,725,852  
    

  

  


Gross profit

     28,006,719      23,160,856      7,923,352  

Freight and distribution costs

     5,454,922      6,455,778      6,245,603  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     9,602,547      7,689,294      6,232,913  
    

  

  


Income (loss) from operations

     12,949,250      9,015,784      (4,555,164 )

Interest expense

     4,328,352      4,638,928      4,780,164  

Other income, net

     33,348      10,681      —    
    

  

  


Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     8,654,246      4,387,537      (9,335,328 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting for asset retirement obligations (Note 6)

     —        262,181      —    
    

  

  


Net income (loss)

   $ 8,654,246    $ 4,125,356    $ (9,335,328 )
    

  

  


 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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PREMIER BOXBOARD LIMITED LLC

 

STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003, AND 2002


 

     Caraustar
Industries, Inc.


    Inland
Paperboard
and
Packaging, Inc.


    Total

 

MEMBERS’ EQUITY—December 31, 2001

   $ 47,827,782     $ 47,827,782     $ 95,655,564  

Net loss, comprehensive loss

     (4,667,664 )     (4,667,664 )     (9,335,328 )
    


 


 


MEMBERS’ EQUITY—December 31, 2002

     43,160,118       43,160,118       86,320,236  

Net income

     2,062,678       2,062,678       4,125,356  

Minimum pension liability

     (58,455 )     (58,455 )     (116,910 )
                    


Comprehensive income

                     4,008,446  
    


 


 


MEMBERS’ EQUITY—December 31, 2003

     45,164,341       45,164,341       90,328,682  

Net income

     4,327,123       4,327,123       8,654,246  

Minimum pension liability

     (48,669 )     (48,669 )     (97,338 )
                    


Comprehensive income

                     8,556,908  

Contributions from members

     10,000       10,000       20,000  

Distributions

     (1,000,000 )     (1,000,000 )     (2,000,000 )
    


 


 


MEMBERS’ EQUITY—December 31, 2004

   $ 48,452,795     $ 48,452,795     $ 96,905,590  
    


 


 


 

Note: The balance of other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $214,248 and $116,910, respectively. See notes to financial statements.

 

- 4 -


PREMIER BOXBOARD LIMITED LLC

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003, AND 2002


 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 8,654,246     $ 4,125,356     $ (9,335,328 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

                        

Provision (recovery) for allowances and discounts

     (19,028 )     (92,001 )     142,439  

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

     8,300,511       8,170,147       14,231,237  

Losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment—net

             18,913          

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                        

Accounts receivable

     (3,387,920 )     (639,005 )     (732,010 )

Related-party receivables

     1,037,028       1,902,607       (2,522,743 )

Inventories

     (1,848,447 )     (1,049,918 )     790,012  

Other assets

     16,507       (18,616 )     (47,443 )

Accounts payable

     780,427       4,137,648       (620,704 )

Related-party payables

     815,634       934,967       (1,173,626 )

Accrued expenses

     357,078       575,302       1,990,119  

Other long-term liabilities

     (23,936 )     279,971       227,550  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     14,682,100       18,345,371       2,949,503  
    


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

     (4,095,880 )     (3,186,064 )     (2,867,901 )
    


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,095,880 )     (3,186,064 )     (2,867,901 )
    


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Capital contributions from members

     20,000       —         —    

Distributions

     (2,000,000 )     —         —    

Repayments of borrowings under line of credit

     (10,000,000 )     (10,000,000 )     —    
    


 


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (11,980,000 )     (10,000,000 )     —    
    


 


 


NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (1,393,780 )     5,159,307       81,602  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of year

     5,240,909       81,602       —    
    


 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of year

   $ 3,847,129     $ 5,240,909     $ 81,602  
    


 


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION—

 

               

Cash paid for interest

   $ 4,328,352     $ 4,913,920     $ 4,913,920  
    


 


 


 

See notes to financial statements.

 

- 5 -


PREMIER BOXBOARD LIMITED LLC

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003, AND 2002


 

1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND FORMATION

 

Premier Boxboard Limited LLC (“Premier” or the “Company”) was formed during 1999 by Caraustar Industries, Inc. (“Caraustar”) and Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc. (“IPP”) a wholly owned subsidiary of Temple Inland Corporation (“Temple-Inland”). The Company is operated as a joint venture of Caraustar with a 50% ownership and, until December 2004, of IPP with a 50% ownership interest. In December 2004, 0.01% of interest in Premier was issued to Temple Inland Premier Holding Company which reduced IPP’s ownership to 49.99%. On December 31, 2004, IPP was merged into Temple-Inland Forest Products Corporation (“Temple FPC”) and then Temple FPC and Gaylord Container Corporation were merged under the name of TIN Inc. (“TIN”). In connection with these mergers, an Assignment of Limited Liability Company Interest was entered into by IPP, as assignor, TIN, as assignee, and Premier, under which the 49.99% membership interest of IPP in Premier was assigned to and assumed by TIN. The result was Temple-Inland now has a 50% ownership in Premier through two subsidiaries (see Note 5). The Company’s operations are managed by Caraustar. Under the joint venture agreement, Caraustar contributed $50,000,000 to the joint venture and IPP contributed the physical and intangible assets of a paper mill located in Indiana with a fair value of $100,000,000, subject to a $50,000,000 loan assumed by Premier. Additionally, each member contributed certain inventory and operating assets aggregating approximately $1,200,000. Each member’s contribution was made on June 27, 2000 (the “Initial Contribution”), at which time Premier began operations.

 

Premier manufactures and distributes containerboard and lightweight gypsum facing paper.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents—All investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

 

Inventories—Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on an average cost basis. Cost includes materials, labor, and overhead.

 

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2004 and 2003:

 

     2004

   2003

Raw materials

   $ 3,047,031    $ 2,732,490

Finished goods

     3,055,786      1,521,880
    

  

     $ 6,102,817    $ 4,254,370
    

  

 

Property, Plant, and Equipment—Property, plant, and equipment, which were contributed at the Initial Contribution, are stated at the estimated fair value based on the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 98-4, Accounting by a Joint Venture for Business Received at Its Formation. Additions of property, plant and equipment subsequent to the Initial Contribution are recorded at

 

- 6 -


cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation expense was $8,059,067, $7,947,493, and $14,013,467 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, while major additions and improvements are capitalized.

 

The estimated lives used in determining depreciation are as follows:

 

Buildings and improvements

   40 years

Machinery and equipment

   3 –20 years

Furniture and fixtures

   5 years

 

In 2002, the Company completed an assessment of the estimated useful lives of certain production equipment, which resulted in a revision of estimated useful lives of machinery and equipment. The revisions primarily lengthened the production equipment lives from 10 to 20 years. Accordingly, beginning October 1, 2002, the Company began computing depreciation of certain production equipment using revised estimated useful lives. The change in depreciable lives decreased 2002 depreciation expense and decreased the 2002 net loss by approximately $1.9 million and increased the net income by $7.6 million in 2003.

 

Other Assets—In connection with the formation of Premier, intangible assets of $2,000,000 were recorded and are being amortized over 10 years. Amortization expense totaled $217,759 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. Accumulated amortization totaled $802,327, $584,568, and $366,809 at December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. Expected amortization over the next five years is $217,759 per year.

 

Income Taxes—The earnings and losses of Premier are included in the respective tax returns of the members, and accordingly, no provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements.

 

Members’ Equity—Under the terms of the membership agreement, income and distributions of the Company are allocated to the members based on their respective ownership interests.

 

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition—Revenues are recognized upon passage of title which occurs at the time the product is delivered to the customer, the price is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.

 

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are included in sales and the related costs thereof are included in freight and distribution costs.

 

Long-Lived Assets—The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment wherever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by the asset are not sufficient to recover the unamortized balances of the asset.

 

-7-


3. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, Inventory Costs (“SFAS 151”). This statement amends guidance in Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43 (“ARB 43”), Chapter 4, Inventory Pricing to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). Paragraph 5 of ARB 43, Chapter 4, previously stated that “… under some circumstances, items such as idle facility expense, excessive spoilage, double freight, and rehandling costs may be so abnormal as to require treatment as current-period charges…” This Statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal”. In addition, this Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the cost of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company does not believe the adoption of this statement in 2005 will have a material impact with Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others (“FIN 45”). FIN 45 elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. FIN 45 also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of FIN 45 are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

In June 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (“SFAS 143”), which addresses financial accounting and reporting for legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from the legal obligation associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, development and/or the normal operation of a long-lived asset. Under SFAS 143, the retirement obligation is recorded as a liability and a corresponding asset in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made and is allocated to expense over the asset’s useful life. The fair value is calculated as the present value of the retirement obligation, discounted at a credit adjusted risk free rate. The initial adoption of the statement included a “catch-up” to record the asset and liability at the appropriate amount at the date of adoption, with the effect treated as a cumulative effect of an accounting change. The Company adopted SFAS 143 on January 1, 2003. The impact of the adoption of SFAS 143 is disclosed in Note 6.

 

4. PENSION AND PROFIT-SHARING PLANS

 

The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering hourly and salaried employees. Benefits paid under this plan are based generally on employees’ years of service and/or compensation during the final years of employment. The Company makes annual contributions to the plan to the extent indicated by actuarial valuations. Plan assets consist of shares held in collective investment funds and group annuity contracts. The Company’s pension expense is determined in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions.

 

- 8 -


The following tables reflect the status of the Company’s pension plan at December 31, 2004 and 2003:

 

     2004

    2003

 

Change in benefit obligation:

                

Net benefit obligation—beginning of year

   $ 844,385     $ 568,956  

Service cost

     220,453       193,436  

Interest cost

     53,306       39,613  

Actuarial loss

     141,425       93,025  

Benefits paid

     (48,603 )     (50,645 )
    


 


Net benefit obligation—end of year

   $ 1,210,966     $ 844,385  
    


 


Change in plan assets:

                

Fair value of plan assets—beginning of year

   $ 422,585     $ 247,530  

Actual return on plan assets

     58,218       7,332  

Employer contributions

     244,829       218,368  

Benefits paid

     (48,603 )     (50,645 )
    


 


Fair value of plan assets—end of year

   $ 677,029     $ 422,585  
    


 


Funded status:

                

Funded status

   $ (533,937 )   $ (421,800 )

Unrecognized actuarial loss

     359,480       241,932  

Unrecognized prior service cost

     93,864       102,201  
    


 


Accrued pension cost at December 31

   $ (80,593 )   $ (77,667 )
    


 


 

The Company recorded an additional minimum pension liability representing the excess of unfunded accumulated benefit obligations over previously recorded pension liabilities. The Company’s additional minimum liability, which represents accumulated other comprehensive loss within member’s equity, was $214,248 and $116,910 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The cumulative additional liability totaled $385,907 and $257,629 at December 31, 2004, and 2003, respectively, and has been offset by an intangible asset of $93,864 and $102,201 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, to the extent of unrecognized prior service cost.

 

Components of net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 included the following:

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Service cost

   $ 220,453     $ 193,436     $ 176,646  

Interest cost

     53,306       39,613       25,274  

Expected return on plan assets

     (47,530 )     (31,217 )     (11,562 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     8,337       8,337       8,337  

Recognized actuarial loss

     13,189       7,373       2,413  
    


 


 


Net periodic pension cost

   $ 247,755     $ 217,542     $ 201,108  
    


 


 


 

- 9 -


Weighted average assumptions as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 included the following:

 

     2004

    2003

 

Discount rate

   5.75 %   6.25 %

Expected return on plan assets

   8.50 %   9.00 %

 

It is the Company’s policy to adjust, on an annual basis, the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation to approximate rates on high-quality, long-term obligations.

 

The estimated benefits payable for the future ten years are as follows:

 

2005

   $ 21,535

2006

     22,962

2007

     26,371

2008

     30,912

2009

     33,227

2010-2014

     318,379
    

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 453,386
    

 

The Company has a 401(k) plan which provides for voluntary contributions by employees not to exceed 25% of their gross salaries and wages or $13,000 in 2004, whichever is lower. The Company matches 50% of the first 6% of each employee’s contribution. The amounts incurred for the Company’s matching contributions totaled $255,088 and $234,853 in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

5. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

On June 27, 2000, the Company assumed $50,000,000 of obligations of IPP under senior notes, which bear an interest rate of 8.44% per annum and are due on June 1, 2010. A substantial portion of Company’s assets are pledged as security for $50,0000,000 in outstanding principal amount of senior notes under which the Company is the obligor. These notes are guaranteed by Temple-Inland.

 

In December 2004, events of default were triggered under the senior notes as a result of the corporate restructuring (see Note 1). All of the Premier senior noteholders have executed waivers of this technical default and have amended the senior note agreements to allow the current ownership structure. The waiver and amendment are effective as of January 1, 2005.

 

On July 30, 1999, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement with a financial institution, which provided for borrowings of up to $75,000,000. On December 18, 2000, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the same financial institution, which reduced the total available borrowings to a maximum of $40,000,000. Caraustar and IPP each guaranteed one-half of the borrowings. The termination date on the Agreement was June 26, 2005. On January 18, 2002, the total available borrowings were reduced to $30,000,000 at the request of the Company. The Agreement was amended several times in 2002 and 2003 to conform to changes in the credit facilities of Caraustar and IPP.

 

- 10 -


On March 28, 2003, the Agreement was amended to reduce the maximum available borrowings to $20,285,094. Further, any amounts repaid could not be reborrowed and the maximum available borrowings were automatically reduced by the amount of any principal repayments. The termination date was initially revised to January 5, 2004, and on December 22, 2003, the Agreement was amended to extend the termination date to January 5, 2005. Borrowings under the agreement were due at that date; however, the financial institution agreed to continue to provide the letter of credit subfacility in the amount of $614,285, which is secured by a back to back letter of credit from Caraustar in the amount of $307,142 and by a guaranty for a like amount from IPP. The Company had an undrawn letter of credit in the amount of $614,285 and $631,897 at December 31, 2004, and 2003, respectively.

 

The credit facility accrued interest at the London InterBank Offered Rate plus an applicable margin, as defined (2.40% and 1.12% at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively). At December 31, 2004, and 2003, borrowings of $0 and $10,000,000 were outstanding under the facility, respectively.

 

The Company was required, under the above loan agreements, to maintain certain financial ratio levels as well as other nonfinancial covenants. Additionally, as part of the member guarantee of the revolving credit facility, IPP was required to meet certain covenants on behalf of the Company. At December 31, 2004, IPP was in compliance with these certain covenants, as amended.

 

6. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. Under this pronouncement, an asset retirement obligation resulting from the legal obligation associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset that results from acquisition, construction and/or the normal operation of a long-lived asset is recorded as a liability and a corresponding asset (as part of the related asset’s carrying amount) and is allocated to expense over the asset’s useful life. The fair value of the liability for an asset retirement obligation is recorded as the present value of the retirement obligation, discounted at a credit adjusted risk free rate, in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.

 

The Company operates a landfill in Newport, Indiana used to dispose of refuse resulting from the paperboard manufacturing process. This landfill was first permitted in 1985 and will be closed during 2005, with on-going closure costs expected to be incurred through December 31, 2033. The permit to use the landfill by Premier constitutes a legal obligation to incur costs to retire such landfill, including capping and closing costs at the culmination of the landfill use, as well as on-going costs related to periodic inspection reports, ground water monitoring, methane control and maintenance of the final cover.

 

- 11 -


The Company calculated a reasonable estimate of the fair value of these closure costs as of June 1985, the date the legal obligation was incurred. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a liability for the asset retirement obligation adjusted for cumulative accretion to January 1, 2003. Each year accretion expense is recorded based on the credit adjusted risk free rate used to calculate the present value of the liability at January 1, 2003. The following table represents a rollforward of the liability, a component of other long-term liabilities, related to the retirement of the landfill from adoption of SFAS 143 on January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004:

 

BALANCE— recorded upon adoption—January 1, 2003

   $ 267,378

2003 Accretion expense

     21,757
    

BALANCE—December 31, 2003

     289,135

2004 Accretion expense

     22,802
    

BALANCE—December 31, 2004

   $ 311,937
    

 

The adoption of SFAS 143 includes a “catch-up” to record the asset and liability at the appropriate amount as of the initial adoption, which is accounted for as a cumulative effect of an accounting change. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting for asset retirement obligations of $267,378 consists of accretion of the liability and depreciation of the related asset, since the date the legal obligation was incurred.

 

There are no legally restricted assets for purposes of settling this asset retirement obligation.

 

7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, IPP purchased, at market prices, approximately $49,955,000, $57,581,000 and $59,544,000 respectively, of the Company’s production. During 2004, 2003 and 2002, Premier paid marketing fees to IPP of approximately $1,038,000, $1,404,000 and $1,487,000, respectively. Such fees are included as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, Caraustar purchased, at market prices, approximately $4,245,000, $3,853,000 and $2,961,000, respectively, of the Company’s production. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 the Company purchased, at market prices, approximately $2,030,000, $7,804,000 and $3,176,000, respectively, of goods from Caraustar.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 Standard Gypsum, Inc., a 50% owned joint venture of Caraustar and IPP, purchased, at net prices, approximately $10,740,000, $3,367,000 and $1,604,000, respectively, of the Company’s products.

 

In May 1999, Caraustar entered into a marketing agreement with Premier to become the exclusive marketing agent for all non-containerboard products produced by Premier. In July 2000, Caraustar amended its marketing agreement with Premier such that Caraustar, along with Temple-Inland, has the right to market containerboard products (in addition to its exclusive marketing agreement for non-containerboard products), produced by Premier. During 2004, 2003 and 2002, Premier paid total marketing fees to Caraustar of approximately $2,113,000, $1,103,000 and $574,000, respectively. Such fees are included as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004.

 

On May 6, 1999, Premier entered into a management agreement with Caraustar, employing Caraustar as exclusive manager of Premier’s operations. Under the terms of the agreement, Premier incurred and paid Caraustar $500,000 for management services for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $250,000 for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003. Such fees are included as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004.

 

Each of the above agreements expires on the date Caraustar or IPP, or any subsidiary or affiliate of Caraustar or IPP, ceases to own a membership interest in Premier.

 

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8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Insurance—The Company is self-insured for the majority of its workers’ compensation costs and group health insurance costs, subject to specific retention levels. Consulting actuaries and administrators assist the Company in determining its liability for self-insured claims and such liabilities are not discounted.

 

Operating Leases—The Company leases certain of its equipment under noncancelable lease agreements. Minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases for years subsequent to December 31, 2004 are as follows:

 

2005

   $ 261,300

2006

     346,370

2007

     51,350

2008

     50,120

Thereafter

     9,000

 

Total rental expense incurred during 2004 and 2003 was $234,430 and $220,255, respectively.

 

Legal Matters—The Company is subject to certain lawsuits and claims incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, based on its examination of such matters and discussions with counsel, the ultimate resolution of pending or threatened litigation, claims, and assessments will have no material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

 

9. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

 

During 2004, 2003, and 2002 sales to a single customer were $43,328,000, $33,705,000 and $15,100,000, respectively. There were no other customers who individually accounted for more than 10% of total sales (excluding IPP and Caraustar, discussed in Note 7).

 

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