10-Q 1 d10q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 1-10239

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Organized in the   I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
State of Delaware   91-1912863

999 Third Avenue, Suite 4300

Seattle, Washington 98104-4096

Telephone: (206) 467-3600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.

Large accelerated filer  x        Accelerated filer    ¨        Non-accelerated filer  ¨        Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, as of October 30, 2009 was 162,813,571.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter ended September 30, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  
Item 1.   

Financial Statements

  
  

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

   2
  

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

   26
Item 2.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   46
Item 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   62
Item 4.   

Controls and Procedures

   63

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

  
Item 1.   

Legal Proceedings

   63
Item 1A.   

Risk Factors

   63
Item 2.   

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   64
Item 6.   

Exhibits

   65

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

   65


Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,  

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

   2009     2008  

REVENUES:

    

Timber

   $ 152      $ 194   

Real Estate

     73        108   

Manufacturing

     65        104   

Other

     4        8   
                

Total Revenues

     294        414   
                

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

    

Cost of Goods Sold:

    

Timber

     120        144   

Real Estate

     51        33   

Manufacturing

     65        105   

Other

     —          1   
                

Total Cost of Goods Sold

     236        283   

Selling, General and Administrative

     20        31   
                

Total Costs and Expenses

     256        314   
                

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          (1
                

Operating Income

     38        99   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     14        —     

Interest Expense, net:

    

Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)

     22        35   

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)

     14        —     
                

Total Interest Expense, net

     36        35   

Income before Income Taxes

     16        64   

Benefit for Income Taxes

     (3     (5
                

Net Income

   $ 19      $ 69   
                

PER SHARE AMOUNTS:

    

Net Income per Share – Basic

   $ 0.12      $ 0.40   

Net Income per Share – Diluted

   $ 0.12      $ 0.40   

Dividends Declared – per Common Share Outstanding

   $ 0.42      $ 0.42   

Weighted-Average Number of Shares Outstanding

    

– Basic

     162.8        171.2   

– Diluted

     162.9        171.8   

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

   2009     2008  

REVENUES:

    

Timber

   $ 414      $ 587   

Real Estate

     419        217   

Manufacturing

     189        330   

Other

     14        19   
                

Total Revenues

     1,036        1,153   
                

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

    

Cost of Goods Sold:

    

Timber

     326        420   

Real Estate

     179        69   

Manufacturing

     205        345   

Other

     1        2   
                

Total Cost of Goods Sold

     711        836   

Selling, General and Administrative

     75        94   
                

Total Costs and Expenses

     786        930   
                

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          2   
                

Operating Income

     250        225   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     43        —     

Interest Expense, net:

    

Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)

     69        105   

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)

     43        —     
                

Total Interest Expense, net

     112        105   

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

     1        —     

Income before Income Taxes

     182        120   

Benefit for Income Taxes

     (26     (18
                

Net Income

   $ 208      $ 138   
                

PER SHARE AMOUNTS:

    

Net Income per Share – Basic

   $ 1.27      $ 0.81   

Net Income per Share – Diluted

   $ 1.27      $ 0.80   

Dividends Declared – per Common Share Outstanding

   $ 1.26      $ 1.26   

Weighted-Average Number of Shares Outstanding

    

– Basic

     163.5        171.3   

– Diluted

     163.6        171.8   

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     September 30,     December 31,  

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

   2009     2008  

ASSETS

    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 351      $ 369   

Accounts Receivable

     32        22   

Like-Kind Exchange Funds Held in Escrow

     —          48   

Taxes Receivable

     6        23   

Inventories

     48        74   

Deferred Tax Asset

     8        11   

Real Estate Development Properties

     1        4   

Assets Held for Sale

     35        137   

Other Current Assets

     15        11   
                
     496        699   

Timber and Timberlands, net

     3,585        3,638   

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

     159        177   

Equity Investment in Timberland Venture

     189        199   

Deferred Tax Asset

     21        —     

Investment in Grantor Trusts (at Fair Value)

     29        25   

Other Assets

     41        42   
                

Total Assets

   $ 4,520      $ 4,780   
                

LIABILITIES

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

   $ 51      $ 158   

Accounts Payable

     35        35   

Interest Payable

     37        30   

Wages Payable

     16        28   

Taxes Payable

     22        18   

Deferred Revenue

     22        17   

Other Current Liabilities

     15        21   
                
     198        307   

Long-Term Debt

     1,696        1,793   

Line of Credit

     264        231   

Note Payable to Timberland Venture

     783        783   

Deferred Tax Liability

     —          4   

Other Liabilities

     83        90   
                

Total Liabilities

     3,024        3,208   
                

Commitments and Contingencies

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Preferred Stock, $0.01 Par Value, Authorized Shares - 75.0, Outstanding – None

     —          —     

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value, Authorized Shares - 300.6, Outstanding (net of Treasury Stock) – 162.8 at September 30, 2009 and 166.0 at December 31, 2008

     2        2   

Additional Paid-In Capital

     2,232        2,225   

Retained Earnings

     150        149   

Treasury Stock, at Cost, Common Shares - 24.8 at September 30, 2009 and 21.5 at December 31, 2008

     (860     (773

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     (28     (31
                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     1,496        1,572   
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 4,520      $ 4,780   
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(In Millions)

   2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net Income

   $      208      $ 138   

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:

    

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (Includes $10 Lumber Impairment Loss in 2009 and 2008)

     85        109   

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     139        49   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     (43     —     

Distributions from Timberland Venture

     53        —     

Expenditures for Real Estate Development

     (1     (6

Deferred Income Taxes

     (21     (11

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

     (1     —     

Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases (Net of Amortization)

     (5     17   

Pension Plan Contributions

     (8     (7

Working Capital Changes Impacting Cash Flow:

    

Like-Kind Exchange Funds

     48        (69

Income Tax Receivable

     17        —     

Other Working Capital Changes

     12        (1

Other

     9        6   
                

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

     492        225   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Capital Expenditures (Excluding Timberland Acquisitions)

     (45     (47

Timberlands Acquired

     (1     (65

Other

     —          (1
                

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

     (46     (113
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Dividends

     (207     (216

Borrowings on Line of Credit

     695        1,275   

Repayments on Line of Credit

     (662     (1,399

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt

     —          250   

Principal Payments and Retirement of Long-Term Debt

     (203     (50

Proceeds from Stock Option Exercises

     —          14   

Acquisition of Treasury Stock

     (87     (51
                

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

     (464     (177
                

Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (18     (65

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

    

Beginning of Period

     369        240   
                

End of Period

   $ 351      $ 175   
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

General. When we refer to “Plum Creek,” “the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” we mean Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., a Delaware Corporation and a real estate investment trust, or “REIT,” and all of its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries.

The consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of Plum Creek and its subsidiaries. At September 30, 2009, the company owned and managed approximately 7.1 million acres of timberlands in the Northwest, Southern, and Northeast United States, and owned and operated six wood product conversion facilities in the Northwest United States. Included in the 7.1 million acres are about 1.5 million acres of higher and better use timberlands, which are expected to be sold and/or developed over approximately the next 15 years for recreational, conservation or residential purposes. In addition, the company has approximately 250,000 acres of non-strategic timberlands, which are expected to be sold over the next five years. In the meantime, all of these timberlands continue to be used productively in our business of growing and selling timber.

Plum Creek has elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the United States Internal Revenue Code and, as such, generally does not pay corporate-level income tax. However, the company conducts certain non-REIT activities through various taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to corporate-level income tax. These activities include our manufacturing operations, the harvesting and selling of logs, and the development and/or sales of some of our higher and better use timberlands. Plum Creek’s overall effective tax rate is lower than the federal statutory corporate rate due to Plum Creek’s status as a REIT.

Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. All transactions are denominated in United States dollars.

The consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q are unaudited and do not contain all of the information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to be included in a full set of financial statements. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The audited financial statements in the company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K include a summary of significant accounting policies of the company and should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of operations for such periods have been included in this Form 10-Q. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year.

New Accounting Pronouncements (Adopted during 2009)

Accounting Standards Codification. In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) approved the Accounting Standards Codification which became the single source of authoritative United States accounting and reporting standards other than guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Accounting Standards Codification is a major restructuring of accounting and reporting standards; however, the codification is not intended to change existing standards. The Accounting Standards Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Subsequent Events. In May 2009, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on Subsequent Events. The new standard establishes principles and requirements for subsequent events and sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management shall evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity shall recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures an entity shall make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The company adopted this new standard in the second quarter of 2009; this adoption did not have any impact on the company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were issued, November 4, 2009, which is the date the financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Fair Value Measurement. In September 2006, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on Fair Value Measurements. The new standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements, but does not require any new fair value measurements. The Fair Value Measurement accounting standard supersedes the definition of fair value in most existing pronouncements under generally accepted accounting principles that require or permit the use of fair value, including (but not limited to) business combinations, impairments and exchanges of nonmonetary assets. The new standard established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level III measurements).

The company adopted the Fair Value Measurement accounting standard for its financial assets and liabilities in the first quarter of 2008 and for its non-financial assets and liabilities in the first quarter of 2009. The adoption did not result in recognition of a transition adjustment to retained earnings or have a material impact on the company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Business Combinations. In December 2007, the FASB issued a revised accounting standard on Business Combinations. In general, the revised accounting standard expands the definition of a business and transactions that are accounted for as business combinations. In addition, the revised accounting standard generally requires all assets and liabilities of acquired entities to be recorded at fair value, and changes the recognition and measurement of related aspects of business combinations. The revised Business Combinations accounting standard is effective for business combinations with an acquisition date within fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The company adopted the revised standard in the first quarter of 2009; this adoption did not have any impact on the company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2007, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. In general, the new accounting standard requires that a noncontrolling interest in a consolidated subsidiary be presented in the consolidated statement of financial position as a separate component of equity and also establishes a framework for recognition of changes in control for a consolidated subsidiary that is not 100% owned. The company adopted the new accounting standard on January 1, 2009. All consolidated subsidiaries of the company are wholly-owned; and therefore, the adoption of the new accounting standard did not have any impact on the company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

New Accounting Pronouncements (Not Yet Adopted)

Transfers of Financial Assets. In June 2009, the FASB issued a revised accounting standard regarding the Transfers of Financial Assets. In general, the revised accounting standard addresses accounting practices that are not consistent with the original intent and key requirements of the prior standard and to address concerns that many financial assets and related obligations that have been derecognized should continue to be reported in the financial statements of the transferors. The revised accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within those fiscal years, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. The company does not expect the adoption of this revised accounting standard will have a material impact on the company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In June 2009, the FASB issued a revised accounting standard regarding the Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. Among other things, the revised standard amends certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), requires a qualitative rather than quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE, requires continuous assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and requires enhanced disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE. The revised standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within those fiscal years, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. The company is in the process of determining the effect the adoption of the revised accounting standard will have on the company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 2. Earnings Per Share

The following tables set forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,
     2009    2008

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders

   $ 19    $ 69
             

Denominator for Basic Earnings per Share

     162.8      171.2

Effect of Dilutive Securities – Stock Options

     0.1      0.5

Effect of Dilutive Securities – Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents and Value Management Plan

     —        0.1
             

Denominator for Diluted Earnings per Share – Adjusted for Dilutive Securities

     162.9      171.8
             

Per Share Amounts:

     

Net Income Per Share – Basic

   $ 0.12    $ 0.40

Net Income Per Share – Diluted

   $ 0.12    $ 0.40

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,
     2009    2008

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders

   $ 208    $ 138
             

Denominator for Basic Earnings per Share

     163.5      171.3

Effect of Dilutive Securities – Stock Options

     0.1      0.4

Effect of Dilutive Securities – Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents and Value Management Plan

     —        0.1
             

Denominator for Diluted Earnings per Share – Adjusted for Dilutive Securities

     163.6      171.8
             

Per Share Amounts:

     

Net Income Per Share – Basic

   $ 1.27    $ 0.81

Net Income Per Share – Diluted

   $ 1.27    $ 0.80

Antidilutive options were excluded for certain periods from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares. Antidilutive options were as follows for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (shares in millions):

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,
     2009    2008

Number of Options

   2.2    0.5

Range of Exercise Prices

   $32.28 to $43.23    $42.22 to $43.23

Expiration on or before

   February 2019    May 2018
     Nine Months Ended September 30,
     2009    2008

Number of Options

   2.2    0.8

Range of Exercise Prices

   $30.70 to $43.23    $39.31 to $43.23

Expiration on or before

   February 2019    May 2018

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 3. Variable Interest Entities

On October 1, 2008, the company contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands located in its Southern Resources Segment to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (“the Timberland Venture”) in exchange for a $705 million preferred interest and a 9% common interest valued at $78 million. Following the contribution, the company borrowed $783 million from the Timberland Venture (“Note Payable to Timberland Venture”).

The Timberland Venture is a variable interest entity in accordance with the consolidation principles in the Accounting Standards Codification. Besides quarterly interest payments on the Note Payable to Timberland Venture, the company has not provided financing or other support to the venture. The venture is financed by a line of credit obtained by the Timberland Venture.

We are not the primary beneficiary of the Timberland Venture. The company does not manage the day-to-day operations of the venture, has only limited protective rights and its involvement is generally limited to receiving distributions on its preferred and common interests. We are not the primary beneficiary because we are not required to absorb the majority of the expected losses. The common interests are required to absorb losses based on positive capital accounts before any losses can be allocated to our preferred interest, and we own a 9% common interest.

The carrying amount of the investment in the venture is $189 million at September 30, 2009 and $199 million at December 31, 2008, and is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Equity Investment in Timberland Venture. The decrease in the investment is a result of recognizing equity earnings of $43 million, offset by preferred cash distributions of $53 million paid by the Timberland Venture to the company during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. Our maximum exposure to loss is $189 million, the carrying amount of the investment in the venture. Generally, losses are first allocated among the common interests based on positive capital accounts in which we hold a 9% common interest. No losses are allocated to our preferred interest ($705 million) until the common interests have absorbed losses of approximately $861 million.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 4. Summarized Income Statement Information of Affiliate

On October 1, 2008, the company contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands to the Timberland Venture (see Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) in exchange for a $705 million preferred interest and a 9% common interest valued at $78 million. Following the contribution, the company borrowed $783 million from the Timberland Venture. The Timberland Venture is accounted for under the equity method. The earnings of the joint venture are a significant component of our consolidated earnings. Equity earnings for the Timberland Venture were $14 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and $43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Equity earnings includes the amortization of the difference between the book value of the company’s investment and its proportionate share of the Timberland Venture’s net assets of $2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Furthermore, interest expense in connection with our loan from the Timberland Venture was $14 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and was $43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Prior to October 1, 2008, the entity did not exist. Summarized income statement information for the Timberland Venture for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 are as follows (in millions):

 

     Quarter Ended
September 30, 2009
    Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 

Revenues

   $ 4      $ 11   

Cost of Goods Sold(A)

     5        15   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     1        2   
                

Operating Income

     (2     (6

Interest Income, net

     14        43   
                

Net Income before Allocation to Preferred and Common Interests

   $ 12      $ 37   
                

 

(A)   Cost of Goods Sold includes Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization of $4 million for the quarter ended and $13 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

Note 5. Inventory

 

Inventories, accounted for using the lower of average cost or market, consisted of the following (in millions):

 

       

  

  

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Raw Materials (primarily logs)

   $ 8      $ 23   

Work-In-Process

     1        3   

Finished Goods

     26        36   
                
     35        62   

Supplies

     13        12   
                

Total

   $ 48      $ 74   
                

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 6. Timber and Timberlands

Timber and Timberlands consisted of the following (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Timber and Logging Roads, net

   $ 2,376      $ 2,443   

Timberlands

     1,209        1,195   
                

Timber and Timberlands, net

   $ 3,585      $ 3,638   
                

 

Note 7. Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, Plant and Equipment consisted of the following (in millions):

 

  

  

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Land, Buildings and Improvements

   $ 87      $ 92   

Machinery and Equipment

     308        310   
                
     395        402   

Accumulated Depreciation

     (236     (225
                

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

   $ 159      $ 177   
                

During the first quarter of 2009, the company conducted an analysis to rationalize and consolidate its lumber operations. The analysis was performed by the company due to the significant and sustained decline in lumber demand along with the company’s expectations for continued weakness in this business. As a result of this analysis, the company concluded that certain of its lumber manufacturing assets were impaired. Consequently, during the first quarter of 2009, the company recorded an impairment charge of $10 million related to these lumber manufacturing assets. During the second quarter of 2008, the company recorded an impairment charge of $10 million related to its lumber manufacturing assets. The impairment losses are reflected in the operating income of the Manufactured Products Segment and included in Cost of Goods Sold for Manufacturing in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The fair value of the impaired assets was determined by the company using expected future cash flows discounted at a risk-adjusted rate of interest. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 8. Income Taxes

Plum Creek has elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the United States Internal Revenue Code. A REIT generally does not pay corporate-level income tax if it distributes 100% of its taxable income to shareholders and satisfies other organizational and operational requirements as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. If a company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

As a consequence of the October 6, 2001 merger with The Timber Company, which involved merging a taxable entity into a nontaxable entity, Plum Creek will generally be subject to corporate-level tax (built-in gains tax) if the company makes a taxable disposition of certain property acquired in the merger within the ten-year period following the merger date. The built-in gains tax applies to gains from such asset sales to the extent that the fair value of the property exceeds its tax basis at the merger date. Built-in gains tax is generally not payable on dispositions of property to the extent the proceeds from such dispositions are reinvested in qualifying like-kind replacement property. The built-in gains tax does not apply to income generated from the harvesting and sale of timber.

In connection with the merger with The Timber Company, Plum Creek wrote-off all of The Timber Company’s deferred income tax liability related to timber and timberlands except for $11 million. The $11 million deferred income tax liability related to the book-tax basis difference of timber and timberlands that were expected to be sold, and subject to, the built-in gains tax during the ten-year period ending October 6, 2011. During the period October 6, 2001 to December 31, 2008, the $11 million deferred income tax liability was reduced by $5 million due to a remeasurement of the amount of deferred income taxes needed and by $2 million due to the payment or accrual of tax in connection with sales of timberlands subject to the built-in gains tax.

At December 31, 2008, the company estimated it needed a deferred tax liability of approximately $4 million based on projected timberland sales subject to the built-in gains tax for the period January 1, 2009 to October 6, 2011, and Plum Creek’s ability to successfully reinvest proceeds in like-kind properties. During the first quarter of 2009, because of a change in tax law, the company estimated it needed a deferred tax liability of $1 million in connection with expected sales of timberlands that are subject to the built-in gains tax. Therefore, in accordance with the remeasurement requirement for deferred tax assets and liabilities under the income tax principles in the Accounting Standards Codification, the company reduced its deferred tax liability by $3 million during the first quarter of 2009. Additionally in the first quarter of 2009, because of the change in tax law, the company reversed $5 million of tax expense related to built-in gains that had been accrued in 2008.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 9. Borrowings

Debt consisted of the following (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Variable Rate Debt

    

Term Credit Agreement (A)

   $ 350      $ 350   

Term Credit Agreement (B)

     250        250   

Revolving Line of Credit (C)

     264        231   

Fixed Rate Debt

    

Senior Notes

     1,147        1,351   

Note Payable to Timberland Venture

     783        783   
                

Total Debt

     2,794        2,965   

Less: Current Portion

     (51     (158
                

Long-Term Portion

   $ 2,743      $ 2,807   
                

 

(A) As of September 30, 2009, the interest rate on the $350 million term credit agreement was 0.69%.

 

(B) As of September 30, 2009, the interest rate on the $250 million term credit agreement was 1.29%.

 

(C) As of September 30, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate for the borrowings on the line of credit was 0.67%. As of September 30, 2009, we had $264 million of borrowings and $11 million of standby letters of credit outstanding; $475 million remained available for borrowing under our $750 million line of credit. As of October 1, 2009, all of the borrowings outstanding under our line of credit were repaid.

During March 2009, the company paid approximately $4 million to retire $5 million of principal for Senior Notes due in 2015. As a result, the company recognized a gain of $1 million which was net of associated unamortized discount and debt issuance costs. The $1 million gain is classified as Gain on Extinguishment of Debt in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine-months ended September 30, 2009.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 10. Stockholders’ Equity

The changes in the company’s stockholders’ equity accounts were as follows during 2009 (in millions):

 

     Common Stock                     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
       
     Shares     Dollars    Paid-in
Capital
   Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
      Total
Equity
 

January 1, 2009

   166.0      $ 2    $ 2,225    $ 149      $ (773   $ (31   $ 1,572   

Net Income

   —          —        —        157        —          —          157   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax

   —          —        —        —          —          (2     (2
                      

Total Comprehensive Income

                   155   
                      

Dividends

   —          —        —        (69     —          —          (69

Shares Issued under Stock Incentive Plans

   0.1        —        1      —          —          —          1   

Share-based Compensation

   —          —        2      —          —          —          2   

Common Stock Repurchased

   (3.3     —        —        —          (87     —          (87
                                                    

March 31, 2009

   162.8        2      2,228      237        (860     (33     1,574   

Net Income

   —          —        —        32        —          —          32   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax

   —          —        —        —          —          3        3   
                      

Total Comprehensive Income

                   35   
                      

Dividends

   —          —        —        (69     —          —          (69

Share-based Compensation

   —          —        2      —          —          —          2   
                                                    

June 30, 2009

   162.8        2      2,230      200        (860     (30     1,542   

Net Income

   —          —        —        19        —          —          19   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax

   —          —        —        —          —          2        2   
                      

Total Comprehensive Income

                   21   
                      

Dividends

   —          —        —        (69     —          —          (69

Share-based Compensation

   —          —        2      —          —          —          2   
                                                    

September 30, 2009

   162.8      $ 2    $ 2,232    $ 150      $ (860   $ (28   $ 1,496   
                                                    

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income, actuarial gains and losses associated with our defined benefit pension plans and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. Comprehensive income was as follows for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Pretax
Amount
    Tax Expense
(Benefit)
    After-Tax
Amount
 

Quarter Ended September 30, 2009

      

Net Income

       $ 19   

Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ 2      $ —          2   

Defined Benefit Plans:

      

Actuarial Loss

     (3     (1     (2

Less: Reclassification to Net Income

     4        2        2   
            

Total Comprehensive Income

       $ 21   
            

 

     Pretax
Amount
    Tax Expense
(Benefit)
   After-Tax
Amount
 

Quarter Ended September 30, 2008

       

Net Income

        $ 69   

Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ (1   $ —        (1
             

Total Comprehensive Income

        $ 68   
             

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Pretax
Amount
    Tax Expense
(Benefit)
    After-Tax
Amount
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

      

Net Income

       $ 208   

Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ 3      $ —          3   

Defined Benefit Plans:

      

Actuarial Loss

     (3     (1     (2

Less: Reclassification to Net Income

     4        2        2   
            

Total Comprehensive Income

       $ 211   
            

 

     Pretax
Amount
    Tax Expense
(Benefit)
   After-Tax
Amount
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

       

Net Income

        $ 138   

Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ (2   $ —        (2
             

Total Comprehensive Income

        $ 136   
             

The actuarial loss of $3 million for the quarter and nine-months ended September 30, 2009, is due to the re-measurement of our benefit obligation and plan assets for our defined benefit pension as of September 1, 2009, in connection with lump-sum settlements. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The reclassification of the net actuarial loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income of $4 million for the quarter and nine-months ended September 30, 2009, represents the portion of the net actuarial loss recognized in Net Income as a result of the lump-sum pension settlements.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, were as follows (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Net Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ 3      $ —     

Defined Benefit Plans:

    

Net Loss

     (31     (31
                
   $ (28   $ (31
                

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 11. Fair Value Measurements

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis. The company’s fair value measurements of its financial instruments, measured on a recurring basis, are categorized as Level 1 measurements under the fair value hierarchy in the Accounting Standards Codification. A Level 1 valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical unrestricted assets or liabilities. Summarized below are the Level 1 assets reported in the company’s financial statements at fair value, measured on a recurring basis (in millions):

 

     Balance at
September 30, 2009
   Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets of Identical Assets
(Level 1 Measurements)

Cash Equivalents (A)

   $ 348    $ 348

Available-for-Sale Securities (B)

     24      24

Trading Securities (B)

     5      5
             

Total

   $ 377    $ 377
             
     Balance at
December 31, 2008
   Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets of Identical Assets
(Level 1 Measurements)

Cash Equivalents (A)

   $ 346    $ 346

Available-for-Sale Securities (B)

     20      20

Trading Securities (B)

     5      5
             

Total

   $ 371    $ 371
             

 

(A) Consists of several money market funds and is included in the $351 million and $369 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

(B) Consists of several mutual funds which are invested in domestic (U.S.) and international equity and debt securities and is included in Investment in Grantor Trusts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Available-for-Sale Securities. Certain investments in the grantor trusts relate to the company’s non-qualified pension plans and are classified as available-for-sale securities. The company has invested in various money market funds and debt and equity mutual funds and plans to use these investments to fund its non-qualified pension obligations. The fair value of these investments was $24 million and $20 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Unrealized holding gains and losses are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, unless an other than temporary impairment has occurred, which is then charged to expense. Unrealized holding gains were $3 million at September 30, 2009 and unrealized holding losses were less than $1 million at December 31, 2008. The company records changes in unrealized holding gains and losses in Other Comprehensive Income. The change in unrealized holding gains and losses was approximately $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Realized gains were less than $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Trading Securities. Certain investments in the grantor trusts relate to the company’s deferred compensation plans and are classified as trading securities. Deferred compensation amounts are invested in various money market funds and debt and equity mutual funds. The company plans to use these investments to fund deferred compensation obligations. The fair value of these investments was $5 million at both September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized gains and losses (and a corresponding amount of compensation expense) are recognized in the company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Unrealized losses were less than $1 million at September 30, 2009 and were $2 million at December 31, 2008. The change in unrealized losses was approximately $1 million (unrealized gains) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Realized losses were $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Deferred compensation obligations are included in Other Liabilities and were $5 million at both September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

Other Instruments. The carrying amount of notes receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the company’s debt was approximately $2.85 billion and $2.69 billion at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and the carrying amount was $2.79 billion and $2.97 billion at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The fair value of the company’s publicly-traded debt (i.e., Senior Notes due 2015) is estimated using market quotes. The fair value of the company’s other Senior Notes is estimated using the same rates adjusted for the different maturities. The fair value of the company’s Note Payable to Timberland Venture is estimated using the same rates as the publicly-traded debt adjusted by an estimated risk premium for holding company debt and the different maturity. The fair value of our Term Credit Agreements was determined by adjusting the spread over LIBOR to a current market spread for comparable debt.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. The company’s fair value measurements of its assets and liabilities, measured on a nonrecurring basis, are categorized as Level 3 measurements under the fair value hierarchy in the Accounting Standards Codification. A Level 3 valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Summarized below are the Level 3 assets and liabilities reported in the company’s financial statements at fair value, measured on a nonrecurring basis, during the nine-month period ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
   Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant
Unobservable

Inputs (Level 3
Measurements)
   Net Gain (Loss)  

Certain Long-Lived Lumber Assets Held and Used (A)

   $ —      $ —      $ (10

Timberlands Held for Sale (B)

   $ 25    $ 25      (1

Liabilities for Road Maintenance (C)

   $ 7    $ 7      —     
              

Total

         $ (11
              

 

(A) During the first quarter of 2009, in accordance with the accounting for impairments of long-lived assets classified as held and used in the Accounting Standards Codification, certain lumber assets with a carrying value of $10 million were written down to their fair value of $0, resulting in an impairment charge of $10 million, which was included in earnings for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. The fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow model based on estimated future lumber prices, log costs and operating expenses using internal projections.

 

(B) During the first quarter of 2009, in accordance with the accounting for impairments of long-lived assets classified as held for sale in the Accounting Standards Codification, timberlands held for sale with a carrying amount of $26 million were written down to their fair value (net of estimated selling costs) of $25 million, resulting in a loss of $1 million, which was included in earnings for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. The fair value was determined based on an external appraisal which was derived from a combination of comparable sales and discounted future cash flows. The discounted future cash flows were based on estimated future timber prices and related operating expenses using internal and external projections.

 

(C) The company has agreements with the federal government under which it is obligated to pay maintenance or replacement costs for certain roads. The company also has obligations under state law to maintain or upgrade certain roads. At March 31, 2009, the company concluded that most of these liabilities could be reasonably estimated. As a result, in accordance with the accounting for asset retirement obligations in the Accounting Standards Codification, the company recorded road maintenance liabilities and related timberland assets with an estimated fair value of $7 million. The fair value was determined using a cost approach based on internal projections.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 12. Employee Pension Plans

The components of pension cost were as follows for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

Service Cost

   $ 2      $ 2   

Interest Cost

     2        2   

Expected Return on Plan Assets

     (2     (2

Recognized Actuarial Loss

     —          —     

Settlement Loss

     4        —     
                

Total Pension Cost

   $ 6      $ 2   
                
     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

Service Cost

   $ 6      $ 6   

Interest Cost

     6        5   

Expected Return on Plan Assets

     (6     (5

Recognized Actuarial Loss

     1        —     

Settlement Loss

     4        —     
                

Total Pension Cost

   $ 11      $ 6   
                

The company provides defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all employees of the company. During 2009, the company permanently closed two lumber mills, indefinitely curtailed a third lumber mill and had additional employee terminations. The majority of the employees terminated elected to receive a lump-sum distribution from the pension plan. In accordance with the accounting for settlements, curtailments and certain termination benefits, we recorded a $4 million settlement loss as a result of the 2009 lump-sum distributions for the quarter and nine-months ended September 30, 2009. The settlement loss represents a partial recognition of the actuarial pension loss reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. It is the company’s accounting policy to recognize a settlement gain or loss when total settlements for the year exceed the sum of the current period interest and service costs.

On September 1, 2009, in connection with meeting the requirement to record a settlement loss, we re-measured the benefit obligation and plan assets for our qualified defined benefits pension plan. The benefit obligation was re-measured using a discount rate of 5.75% as of September 1, 2009 compared to a discount rate of 6.85% that was used in measuring the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2008. As a result of the re-measurement, the unfunded status of our pension plans increased by $3 million. Additionally, the re-measurement resulted in an additional loss recorded to other comprehensive income of $2 million, which was net of the tax effect of $1 million. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

It is the company’s policy to fund its qualified plan annually such that the fair value of plan assets equals or exceeds the actuarially computed accumulated benefit obligation (the approximate actuarially computed current pension obligation if the plan was discontinued) over a market cycle (generally 3 to 5 years). During the third

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

quarter of 2009, the company contributed $8 million to its qualified pension plan and $1 million to its grantor trust associated with its non-qualified plans. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the company expects to contribute between $1 and $3 million to the qualified pension plan and between $1 and $3 million to the non-qualified plans.

Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies. The company is subject to regulations regarding forest and harvest practices and is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings, including environmental and regulatory matters, incidental to its business. Reserves have been established for any probable losses.

Environmental Contingencies. In connection with the October 6, 2001 merger with The Timber Company, Plum Creek agreed to indemnify Georgia-Pacific for substantially all of the liabilities attributed to The Timber Company. During 2003, Georgia-Pacific provided Plum Creek with information about the existence of mine tailings and acidic surface water on approximately 90 acres in Hot Spring County, Arkansas, on former Georgia-Pacific properties. Barite mining and related activities were conducted on the site between 1939 and 1981 in part by lessees of an entity that was acquired by Georgia-Pacific. A remediation plan has not yet been approved. The company believes that it has strong defenses in the matter. Furthermore, to the extent Plum Creek is required to indemnify Georgia-Pacific for its share of the remediation costs, Plum Creek may be able to recover all or a portion of its cost from Georgia-Pacific’s insurance policy, or indemnity obligations of the various lessees that conducted mining operations on the property, or both. The company believes it will be successful in defending the claim. If the company is not successful in defending this claim, we believe that any loss would not be material to our financial position or results of operations.

Unrecorded Contingencies. Management currently believes that resolving other pending legal proceedings against the company, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations. However, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view on these matters may change in the future. Were an unfavorable final outcome in one or multiple legal proceedings to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on our financial position and the results of operations for the period in which any unfavorable outcome becomes reasonably estimable.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 14. Segment Information

The tables below present information about reported segments for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Northern
Resources
    Southern
Resources
   Real
Estate (A)
   Manufactured
Products (B)
    Other    Total (C)

Quarter Ended September 30, 2009

               

External Revenues

   $ 58      $ 94    $ 73    $ 65      $ 4    $ 294

Intersegment Revenues

     5        —        —        —          —        5

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     9        15      —        3        —        27

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     —          —        21      —          —        21

Operating Income (Loss)

     3        21      20      (1     4      47

Quarter Ended September 30, 2008

               

External Revenues

   $ 78      $ 116    $ 108    $ 104      $ 8    $ 414

Intersegment Revenues

     17        —        —        —          —        17

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     10        16      —        6        —        32

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     —          —        27      —          —        27

Operating Income (Loss)

     12        29      73      (4     7      117
     Northern
Resources
    Southern
Resources
   Real
Estate (A)
   Manufactured
Products (B)
    Other    Total (C)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

               

External Revenues

   $ 148      $ 266    $ 419    $ 189      $ 14    $ 1,036

Intersegment Revenues

     7        —        —        —          —        7

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     22        39      1      20        —        82

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     —          —        139      —          —        139

Operating Income (Loss)

     (2     64      234      (23     13      286

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

               

External Revenues

   $ 221      $ 366    $ 217    $ 330      $ 19    $ 1,153

Intersegment Revenues

     42        —        —        —          —        42

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     27        47      1      30        —        105

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     —          —        49      —          —        49

Operating Income (Loss)

     33        103      141      (24     17      270

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

(A) During the third quarter of 2009, the company completed a non-cash exchange of real estate. The Real Estate Segment recognized revenue of $25 million which represents the fair value of the exchange. No operating income was recognized in the transaction as the book value of the timberlands disposed of approximated the exchange value of $25 million. For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Basis of Real Estate Sold does not include the $25 million of basis for the timberlands relinquished in the non-cash exchange.

 

     During 2008, the company negotiated the sale of 310,000 acres in Montana for $489 million, to be closed in three phases. Proceeds of $150 million from the first phase were received during the fourth quarter of 2008. Proceeds of $250 million from the second phase were received during the first quarter of 2009. The third and final phase is expected to close in 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Real Estate Segment includes revenue of $250 million and operating income of $162 million related to the closing of the second phase.

 

(B) For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008, the Manufactured Products Segment depreciation, depletion and amortization, and operating income (loss) include a $10 million lumber manufacturing assets impairment loss. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(C) Consolidated depreciation, depletion and amortization include unallocated corporate depreciation of $1 million and $3 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $1 million and $4 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

A reconciliation of total segment operating income to income before income taxes is presented below for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

Total Segment Operating Income

   $ 47      $ 117   

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses

     (9     (17

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          (1
                

Operating Income

     38        99   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     14        —     

Total Interest Expense, net

     (36     (35
                

Income before Income Taxes

   $ 16      $ 64   
                
     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

Total Segment Operating Income

   $ 286      $ 270   

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses

     (36     (47

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          2   
                

Operating Income

     250        225   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     43        —     

Total Interest Expense, net

     (112     (105

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

     1        —     
                

Income before Income Taxes

   $ 182      $ 120   
                

Note 15. Subsequent Events

Quarterly Dividend. On November 3, 2009, the Board of Directors authorized the company to make a dividend payment of $0.42 per share, or approximately $68 million, which will be paid on November 30, 2009 to stockholders of record on November 16, 2009.

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Included in this item are the consolidated financial statements related to Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. These financial statements are provided pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X in connection with the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed in April of 2009 pursuant to which Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. has registered and from time to time may offer and sell debt securities. As of September 30, 2009, Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. has publicly issued and outstanding $458 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% Senior Notes (debt securities) pursuant to the shelf registration statement.

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,  

(In Millions)

   2009     2008  

REVENUES:

    

Timber

   $ 152      $ 194   

Real Estate

     73        108   

Manufacturing

     65        104   

Other

     4        8   
                

Total Revenues

     294        414   
                

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

    

Cost of Goods Sold:

    

Timber

     120        144   

Real Estate

     51        33   

Manufacturing

     65        105   

Other

     —          1   
                

Total Cost of Goods Sold

     236        283   

Selling, General and Administrative

     20        31   
                

Total Costs and Expenses

     256        314   
                

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          (1
                

Operating Income

     38        99   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     14        —     

Interest Expense, net

     22        35   

Income before Income Taxes

     30        64   

Benefit for Income Taxes

     (3     (5
                

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

     33        69   

Net Income Allocable to Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     (14     —     

Net Income Available to Common Interest Partners

   $ 19      $ 69   
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(In Millions)

   2009     2008  

REVENUES:

    

Timber

   $ 414      $ 587   

Real Estate

     419        217   

Manufacturing

     189        330   

Other

     14        19   
                

Total Revenues

     1,036        1,153   
                

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

    

Cost of Goods Sold:

    

Timber

     326        420   

Real Estate

     179        69   

Manufacturing

     205        345   

Other

     1        2   
                

Total Cost of Goods Sold

     711        836   

Selling, General and Administrative

     75        94   
                

Total Costs and Expenses

     786        930   
                

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          2   
                

Operating Income

     250        225   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     43        —     

Interest Expense, net

     69        105   

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

     1        —     

Income before Income Taxes

     225        120   

Benefit for Income Taxes

     (26     (18
                

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

     251        138   

Net Income Allocable to Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     (43     —     

Net Income Available to Common Interest Partners

   $ 208      $ 138   
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

(In Millions)

   September 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

ASSETS

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 351    $ 369

Accounts Receivable

     32      22

Like-Kind Exchange Funds Held in Escrow

     —        48

Taxes Receivable

     6      23

Inventories

     48      74

Deferred Tax Asset

     8      11

Real Estate Development Properties

     1      4

Assets Held for Sale

     35      137

Other Current Assets

     15      11
             
     496      699

Timber and Timberlands, net

     3,585      3,638

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

     159      177

Equity Investment in Timberland Venture

     189      199

Deferred Tax Asset

     21      —  

Investment in Grantor Trusts ($29 and $25 at Fair Value in 2009 and 2008)

     30      26

Other Assets

     41      42
             

Total Assets

   $ 4,521    $ 4,781
             

LIABILITIES

     

Current Liabilities:

     

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

   $ 51    $ 158

Accounts Payable

     35      35

Interest Payable

     30      23

Wages Payable

     16      28

Taxes Payable

     22      18

Deferred Revenue

     22      17

Other Current Liabilities

     15      21
             
     191      300

Long-Term Debt

     1,696      1,793

Line of Credit

     264      231

Deferred Tax Liability

     —        4

Other Liabilities

     84      91
             

Total Liabilities

     2,235      2,419
             

Commitments and Contingencies

     

PARTNERSHIP CAPITAL

     

Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     790      790

Partners’ Capital (Common Limited Partnership Interests)

     1,496      1,572
             

Total Partnership Capital

     2,286      2,362
             

Total Liabilities and Partnership Capital

   $ 4,521    $ 4,781
             

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(In Millions)

   2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net Income before Allocation to Preferred Partnership Interest and Partners

   $      251      $ 138   

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:

    

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (Includes $10 Lumber Impairment Loss in 2009 and 2008)

     85        109   

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     139        49   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     (43     —     

Distributions from Timberland Venture

     53        —     

Expenditures for Real Estate Development

     (1     (6

Deferred Income Taxes

     (21     (11

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

     (1     —     

Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases (Net of Amortization)

     (5     17   

Pension Plan Contributions

     (8     (7

Working Capital Changes Impacting Cash Flow:

    

Like-Kind Exchange Funds

     48        (69

Income Tax Receivable

     17        —     

Other Working Capital Changes

     12        (1

Other

     9        6   
                

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

     535        225   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Capital Expenditures (Excluding Timberland Acquisitions)

     (45     (47

Timberlands Acquired

     (1     (65

Other

     —          (1
                

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

     (46     (113
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Cash Distributions to Partners

     (294     (253

Cash Distributions for Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     (43     —     

Borrowings on Line of Credit

     695        1,275   

Repayments on Line of Credit

     (662     (1,399

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt

     —          250   

Principal Payments and Retirement of Long-Term Debt

     (203     (50
                

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

     (507     (177
                

Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (18     (65

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

    

Beginning of Period

     369        240   
                

End of Period

   $ 351      $ 175   
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

General. Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. is a Delaware Limited Partnership and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (“Parent”) is a Delaware Corporation and real estate investment trust, or “REIT”. References herein to “the Operating Partnership,” “we,” “us,” or “our” relate to Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and all of its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries; references to “Plum Creek” or “Parent” relate to Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and all of its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries.

At September 30, 2009, the Operating Partnership owned and managed approximately 7.1 million acres of timberlands in the Northwest, Southern, and Northeast United States, and owned and operated six wood product conversion facilities in the Northwest United States. Included in the 7.1 million acres are about 1.5 million acres of higher and better use timberlands, which are expected to be sold and/or developed over approximately the next 15 years for recreational, conservation or residential purposes. In addition, the Operating Partnership has approximately 250,000 acres of non-strategic timberlands, which are expected to be sold over the next five years. In the meantime, all of these timberlands continue to be used productively in our business of growing and selling timber.

The consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership include the accounts of Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and its subsidiaries. The Operating Partnership is 100% owned by Plum Creek. Plum Creek has no assets or liabilities other than its ownership interests in Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and Plum Creek Ventures I, LLC (“PC Ventures”), a 100% owned subsidiary of Plum Creek. The Parent has no operations other than its investment in these subsidiaries and transactions in its own equity, such as the issuance and/or repurchase of common stock and the receipt of proceeds from stock option exercises. Intercompany transactions and accounts between Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. All transactions are denominated in United States dollars.

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. has elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the United States Internal Revenue Code and, as such, generally does not pay corporate-level income tax. However, the Operating Partnership conducts certain non-REIT activities through various taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to corporate-level income tax. These activities include our manufacturing operations, the harvesting and selling of logs, and the development and/or sale of some of our higher and better use timberlands. The Operating Partnership’s tax provision includes the tax expense and/or benefit associated with Plum Creek’s taxable REIT subsidiaries, as well as any tax expense and/or benefit incurred by the REIT. The effective tax rate for the Operating Partnership is lower than the federal statutory corporate rate due to Plum Creek’s status as a REIT.

The consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q are unaudited and do not contain all of the information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to be included in a full set of financial statements. These interim consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. for the three years ended December 31, 2008, which were included on Form 10-K of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and filed with the SEC on February 27, 2009, and which include a summary of significant accounting policies of the Operating Partnership. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of operations for such periods have been included in this Form 10-Q. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

New Accounting Pronouncements (Adopted during 2009)

Accounting Standards Codification. In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) approved the Accounting Standards Codification which became the single source of authoritative United States accounting and reporting standards other than guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Accounting Standards Codification is a major restructuring of accounting and reporting standards; however, the codification is not intended to change existing standards. The Accounting Standards Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.

Subsequent Events. In May 2009, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on Subsequent Events. The new standard establishes principles and requirements for subsequent events and sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management shall evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity shall recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures an entity shall make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The Operating Partnership adopted this new standard in the second quarter of 2009; this adoption did not have any impact on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Operating Partnership has evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were issued, November 4, 2009, which is the date the financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Fair Value Measurement. In September 2006, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on Fair Value Measurements. The new standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements, but does not require any new fair value measurements. The Fair Value Measurement accounting standard supersedes the definition of fair value in most existing pronouncements under generally accepted accounting principles that require or permit the use of fair value, including (but not limited to) business combinations, impairments and exchanges of nonmonetary assets. The new standard established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level III measurements).

The Operating Partnership adopted the Fair Value Measurement accounting standard for its financial assets and liabilities in the first quarter of 2008 and for its non-financial assets and liabilities in the first quarter of 2009. The adoption did not result in recognition of a transition adjustment to retained earnings or have a material impact on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Business Combinations. In December 2007, the FASB issued a revised accounting standard on Business Combinations. In general, the revised accounting standard expands the definition of a business and transactions that are accounted for as business combinations. In addition, the revised accounting standard generally requires all assets and liabilities of acquired entities to be recorded at fair value, and changes the recognition and measurement of related aspects of business combinations. The revised Business Combinations accounting standard is effective for business combinations with an acquisition date within fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Operating Partnership adopted the revised standard in the first quarter of 2009; this adoption did not have any impact on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2007, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. In general, the new accounting standard requires that a noncontrolling interest in a consolidated subsidiary be presented in the consolidated statement of financial position as a separate component of equity and also establishes a framework

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

for recognition of changes in control for a consolidated subsidiary that is not 100% owned. The Operating Partnership adopted the new accounting standard on January 1, 2009. All consolidated subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership are wholly-owned; and therefore, the adoption of the new accounting standard did not have any impact on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

New Accounting Pronouncements (Not Yet Adopted)

Transfers of Financial Assets. In June 2009, the FASB issued a revised accounting standard regarding the Transfers of Financial Assets. In general, the revised accounting standard addresses accounting practices that are not consistent with the original intent and key requirements of the prior standard and to address concerns that many financial assets and related obligations that have been derecognized should continue to be reported in the financial statements of the transferors. The revised accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within those fiscal years, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. The Operating Partnership does not expect the adoption of this revised accounting standard will have a material impact on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In June 2009, the FASB issued a revised accounting standard regarding the Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. Among other things, the revised standard amends certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), requires a qualitative rather than quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE, requires continuous assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and requires enhanced disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE. The revised standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within those fiscal years, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. The Operating Partnership is in the process of determining the effect the adoption of the revised accounting standard will have on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 2. Variable Interest Entities

On October 1, 2008, a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands located in its Southern Resources Segment to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (“the Timberland Venture”) in exchange for a $705 million preferred interest and a 9% common interest valued at $78 million. Following the contribution, Plum Creek Ventures I, LLC (“PC Ventures”), a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., borrowed $783 million from the Timberland Venture. PC Ventures used the proceeds from the borrowing to make a $783 million capital contribution to the Operating Partnership.

The Timberland Venture is a variable interest entity in accordance with the consolidation principles in the Accounting Standards Codification. Besides quarterly interest payments on the loan by PC Ventures, the Operating Partnership has not provided financing or other support to the venture. The venture is financed by a line of credit obtained by the Timberland Venture.

We are not the primary beneficiary of the Timberland Venture. The Operating Partnership does not manage the day-to-day operations of the venture, has only limited protective rights and its involvement is generally limited to receiving distributions on its preferred and common interests. We are not the primary beneficiary because we are not required to absorb the majority of the expected losses. The common interests are required to absorb losses based on positive capital accounts before any losses can be allocated to our preferred interest, and we own a 9% common interest.

The carrying amount of the investment in the venture is $189 million at September 30, 2009 and $199 million at December 31, 2008, and is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Equity Investment in Timberland Venture. The decrease in the investment is a result of recognizing equity earnings of $43 million, offset by

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

preferred cash distributions of $53 million paid by the Timberland Venture to the Operating Partnership during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. Our maximum exposure to loss is $189 million, the carrying amount of the investment in the venture. Generally, losses are first allocated among the common interests based on positive capital accounts in which we hold a 9% common interest. No losses are allocated to our preferred interest ($705 million) until the common interests have absorbed losses of approximately $861 million.

Note 3. Summarized Income Statement Information of Affiliate

On October 1, 2008, a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands to the Timberland Venture (see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) in exchange for a $705 million preferred interest and a 9% common interest valued at $78 million. The Timberland Venture is accounted for under the equity method. The earnings of the joint venture are a significant component of our consolidated earnings. Equity earnings for the Timberland Venture were $14 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and $43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Equity earnings includes the amortization of the difference between the book value of the company’s investment and its proportionate share of the Timberland Venture’s net assets of $2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Prior to October 1, 2008, the entity did not exist. Summarized income statement information for the Timberland Venture for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 are as follows (in millions):

 

     Quarter Ended
September 30, 2009
    Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 

Revenues

   $ 4      $ 11   

Cost of Goods Sold (A)

     5        15   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     1        2   
                

Operating Income

     (2     (6

Interest Income, net

     14        43   
                

Net Income before Allocation to Preferred and Common Interests

   $ 12      $ 37   
                

 

(A)   Cost of Goods Sold includes Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization of $4 million for the quarter ended and $13 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

Note 4. Inventory

 

Inventories, accounted for using the lower of average cost or market, consisted of the following (in millions):

 

       

  

  

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Raw Materials (primarily logs)

   $ 8      $ 23   

Work-In-Process

     1        3   

Finished Goods

     26        36   
                
     35        62   

Supplies

     13        12   
                

Total

   $ 48      $ 74   
                

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 5. Timber and Timberlands

Timber and Timberlands consisted of the following (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Timber and Logging Roads, net

   $ 2,376      $ 2,443   

Timberlands

     1,209        1,195   
                

Timber and Timberlands, net

   $ 3,585      $ 3,638   
                

 

Note 6. Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, Plant and Equipment consisted of the following (in millions):

 

  

  

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Land, Buildings and Improvements

   $ 87      $ 92   

Machinery and Equipment

     308        310   
                
     395        402   

Accumulated Depreciation

     (236     (225
                

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

   $ 159      $ 177   
                

During the first quarter of 2009, the Operating Partnership conducted an analysis to rationalize and consolidate its lumber operations. The analysis was performed by the Operating Partnership due to the significant and sustained decline in lumber demand along with the Operating Partnership’s expectations for continued weakness in this business. As a result of this analysis, the Operating Partnership concluded that certain of its lumber manufacturing assets were impaired. Consequently, during the first quarter of 2009, the Operating Partnership recorded an impairment charge of $10 million related to these lumber manufacturing assets. During the second quarter of 2008, the Operating Partnership recorded an impairment charge of $10 million related to its lumber manufacturing assets. The impairment losses are reflected in the operating income of the Manufactured Products Segment and included in Cost of Goods Sold for Manufacturing in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The fair value of the impaired assets was determined by the Operating Partnership using expected future cash flows discounted at a risk-adjusted rate of interest. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 7. Income Taxes

Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. is a limited partnership and therefore, not subject to income tax. Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P.’s taxable income is allocated 100% to its parent, Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., which has elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the United States Internal Revenue Code. A REIT generally does not pay corporate-level income tax if it distributes 100% of its taxable income to shareholders and satisfies other organizational and operational requirements as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. However, the Operating Partnership conducts certain non-REIT activities through various wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to corporate-level income tax. These activities include our manufacturing operations, the harvesting and sale of logs, and the development and/or sale of some higher and better use timberlands. The Operating Partnership’s tax provision includes the tax expense and/or benefit associated with Plum Creek’s wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries, as well as any tax expense and/or

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

benefit incurred by the REIT. The effective tax rate for the Operating Partnership is lower than the federal corporate statutory rate primarily due to Plum Creek’s status as a REIT. If a company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years.

As a consequence of the October 6, 2001 merger with The Timber Company, which involved merging a taxable entity into a nontaxable entity, Plum Creek will generally be subject to corporate-level tax (built-in gains tax) if Plum Creek makes a taxable disposition of certain property acquired in the merger within the ten-year period following the merger date. The built-in gains tax applies to gains from such asset sales to the extent that the fair value of the property exceeds its tax basis at the merger date. Built-in gains tax is generally not payable on dispositions of property to the extent the proceeds from such dispositions are reinvested in qualifying like-kind replacement property. The built-in gains tax does not apply to income generated from the harvesting and sale of timber.

In connection with Plum Creek’s merger with The Timber Company, Plum Creek wrote-off all of The Timber Company’s deferred income tax liability related to timber and timberlands except for $11 million. The $11 million deferred income tax liability related to the book-tax basis difference of timber and timberlands that were expected to be sold, and subject to, the built-in gains tax during the ten-year period ending October 6, 2011. During the period October 6, 2001 to December 31, 2008, the $11 million deferred income tax liability was reduced by $5 million due to a remeasurement of the amount of deferred income taxes needed and by $2 million due to the payment or accrual of tax in connection with sales of timberlands subject to the built-in gains tax.

At December 31, 2008, it was estimated that Plum Creek needed a deferred tax liability of approximately $4 million based on projected timberland sales subject to the built-in gains tax for the period January 1, 2009 to October 6, 2011, and Plum Creek’s ability to successfully reinvest proceeds in like-kind properties. During the first quarter of 2009, because of a change in tax law, it is estimated that Plum Creek needed a deferred tax liability of $1 million in connection with expected sales of timberlands that are subject to the built-in gains tax. Therefore, in accordance with the remeasurement requirement for deferred tax assets and liabilities under the income tax principles in the Accounting Standards Codification, the deferred tax liability was reduced by $3 million during the first quarter of 2009. Additionally in the first quarter of 2009, because of the change in tax law, $5 million of tax expense related to built-in gains that had been accrued in 2008 was reversed.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 8. Borrowings

Debt consisted of the following (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Variable Rate Debt

    

Term Credit Agreement (A)

   $ 350      $ 350   

Term Credit Agreement (B)

     250        250   

Revolving Line of Credit (C)

     264        231   

Fixed Rate Debt

    

Senior Notes

     1,147        1,351   
                

Total Debt

     2,011        2,182   

Less: Current Portion

     (51     (158
                

Long-Term Portion

   $ 1,960      $ 2,024   
                

 

(A) As of September 30, 2009, the interest rate on the $350 million term credit agreement was 0.69%.

 

(B) As of September 30, 2009, the interest rate on the $250 million term credit agreement was 1.29%.

 

(C) As of September 30, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate for the borrowings on the line of credit was 0.67%. As of September 30, 2009, we had $264 million of borrowings and $11 million of standby letters of credit outstanding; $475 million remained available for borrowing under our $750 million line of credit. As of October 1, 2009, all of the borrowings outstanding under our line of credit were repaid.

During March 2009, the Operating Partnership paid approximately $4 million to retire $5 million of principal for Senior Notes due in 2015. As a result, the Operating Partnership recognized a gain of $1 million which was net of associated unamortized discount and debt issuance costs. The $1 million gain is classified as Gain on Extinguishment of Debt in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine-months ended September 30, 2009.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 9. Partners’ Capital

The changes in the Operating Partnership’s capital accounts were as follows during 2009 (in millions):

 

     Preferred
Partnership
Interest
    Partners’
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total
Partnership
Capital
 

January 1, 2009

   $ 790      $ 1,603      $ (31   $ 2,362   

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

     —          171        —          171   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax

     —          —          (2     (2
              

Total Comprehensive Income

           169   
              

Net Income Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     14        (14     —          —     

Distributions to Partners (Common Limited Partnership Interests)

     —          (156     —          (156

Distributions for Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     (18     —          —          (18

Capital Contributions from Parent

     —          3        —          3   
                                

March 31, 2009

     786        1,607        (33     2,360   

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

     —          47        —          47   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax

     —          —          3        3   
              

Total Comprehensive Income

           50   
              

Net Income Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     15        (15     —          —     

Distributions to Partners (Common Limited Partnership Interests)

     —          (69     —          (69

Distributions for Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     (11     —          —          (11

Capital Contributions from Parent

     —          2        —          2   
                                

June 30, 2009

     790        1,572        (30     2,332   

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

     —          33        —          33   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax

     —          —          2        2   
              

Total Comprehensive Income

           35   
              

Net Income Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     14        (14     —          —     

Distributions to Partners (Common Limited Partnership Interests)

     —          (69     —          (69

Distributions for Series T-1 Preferred Interest

     (14     —          —          (14

Capital Contributions from Parent

     —          2        —          2   
                                

September 30, 2009

   $ 790      $ 1,524      $ (28   $ 2,286   
                                

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income, actuarial gains and losses associated with our defined benefit pension plans and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. Comprehensive income was as follows for the quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Pretax Amount     Tax Expense
(Benefit)
    After-Tax
Amount
 

Quarter Ended September 30, 2009

      

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

       $ 33   

Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ 2      $ —          2   

Defined Benefit Plans:

      

Actuarial Loss

     (3     (1     (2

Less: Reclassification to Net Income

     4        2        2   
            

Total Comprehensive Income

       $ 35   
            

 

     Pretax Amount     Tax Expense
(Benefit)
   After-Tax
Amount
 

Quarter Ended September 30, 2008

       

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

        $ 69   

Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ (1   $ —        (1
             

Total Comprehensive Income

        $ 68   
             

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Pretax Amount     Tax Expense
(Benefit)
    After-Tax
Amount
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

      

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

       $ 251   

Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ 3      $ —          3   

Defined Benefit Plans:

      

Actuarial Loss

     (3     (1     (2

Less: Reclassification to Net Income

     4        2        2   
            

Total Comprehensive Income

       $ 254   
            

 

     Pretax Amount     Tax Expense
(Benefit)
   After-Tax
Amount
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

       

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners

        $ 138   

Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ (2   $ —        (2
             

Total Comprehensive Income

        $ 136   
             

The actuarial loss of $3 million for the quarter and nine-months ended September 30, 2009, is due to the re-measurement of our benefit obligation and plan assets for our defined benefit pension as of September 1, 2009, in connection with lump-sum settlements. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The reclassification of the net actuarial loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income of $4 million for the quarter and nine-months ended September 30, 2009, represents the portion of the net actuarial loss recognized in Net Income as a result of the lump-sum pension settlements.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, were as follows (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Net Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)

   $ 3      $ —     

Defined Benefit Plans:

    

Net Loss

     (31     (31
                
   $ (28   $ (31
                

Note 10. Fair Value Measurements

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis. The Operating Partnership’s fair value measurements of its financial instruments, measured on a recurring basis, are categorized as Level 1 measurements under the fair value hierarchy in the Accounting Standards Codification. A Level 1 valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical unrestricted assets or liabilities. Summarized below are the Level 1 assets reported in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements at fair value, measured on a recurring basis (in millions):

 

     Balance at
September 30, 2009
   Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets of Identical Assets
(Level 1 Measurements)

Cash Equivalents (A)

   $ 348    $ 348

Available-for-Sale Securities (B)

     24      24

Trading Securities (B)

     5      5
             

Total

   $ 377    $ 377
             

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Balance at
December 31, 2008
   Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets of Identical Assets
(Level 1 Measurements)

Cash Equivalents (A)

   $ 346    $ 346

Available-for-Sale Securities (B)

     20      20

Trading Securities (B)

     5      5
             

Total

   $ 371    $ 371
             

 

(A) Consists of several money market funds and is included in the $351 million and $369 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

(B) Consists of several mutual funds which are invested in domestic (U.S.) and international equity and debt securities and is included in Investment in Grantor Trusts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

Available-for-Sale Securities. Certain investments in the grantor trusts relate to the Operating Partnership’s non-qualified pension plans and are classified as available-for-sale securities. The Operating Partnership has invested in various money market funds and debt and equity mutual funds and plans to use these investments to fund its non-qualified pension obligations. The fair value of these investments was $24 million and $20 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Unrealized holding gains and losses are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, unless an other than temporary impairment has occurred, which is then charged to expense. Unrealized holding gains were $3 million at September 30, 2009 and unrealized holding losses were less than $1 million at December 31, 2008. The Operating Partnership records changes in unrealized holding gains and losses in Other Comprehensive Income. The change in unrealized holding gains and losses was approximately $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Realized gains were less than $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Trading Securities. Certain investments in the grantor trusts relate to the Operating Partnership’s deferred compensation plans and are classified as trading securities. Deferred compensation amounts are invested in various money market funds and debt and equity mutual funds. The Operating Partnership plans to use these investments to fund deferred compensation obligations. The fair value of these investments was $5 million at both September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized gains and losses (and a corresponding amount of compensation expense) are recognized in the Operating Partnership’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Unrealized losses were less than $1 million at September 30, 2009 and were $2 million at December 31, 2008. The change in unrealized losses was approximately $1 million (unrealized gains) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Realized losses were $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Deferred compensation obligations are included in Other Liabilities and were $5 million at both September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

Other Instruments. The carrying amount of notes receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Operating Partnership’s debt was approximately $2.04 billion and $2.05 billion at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and the carrying amount was $2.01 billion and $2.18 billion at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The fair value of the Operating Partnership’s publicly-traded debt (i.e., Senior Notes due 2015) is estimated using market quotes. The fair value of the Operating Partnership’s other Senior Notes is estimated using the same rates adjusted for the different maturities. The fair value of our Term Credit Agreements was determined by adjusting the spread over LIBOR to a current market spread for comparable debt.

 

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Table of Contents

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. The Operating Partnership’s fair value measurements of its assets and liabilities, measured on a nonrecurring basis, are categorized as Level 3 measurements under the fair value hierarchy in the Accounting Standards Codification. A Level 3 valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Summarized below are the Level 3 assets and liabilities reported in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements at fair value, measured on a nonrecurring basis, during the nine-month period ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
   Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3 Measurements)
   Net Gain (Loss)  

Certain Long-Lived Lumber Assets Held and Used (A)

   $ —      $ —      $ (10

Timberlands Held for Sale (B)

   $ 25    $ 25      (1

Liabilities for Road Maintenance (C)

   $ 7    $ 7      —     
              

Total

         $ (11
              

 

(A) During the first quarter of 2009, in accordance with the accounting for impairments of long-lived assets classified as held and used in the Accounting Standards Codification, certain lumber assets with a carrying value of $10 million were written down to their fair value of $0, resulting in an impairment charge of $10 million, which was included in earnings for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. The fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow model based on estimated future lumber prices, log costs and operating expenses using internal projections.

 

(B) During the first quarter of 2009, in accordance with the accounting for impairments of long-lived assets classified as held for sale in the Accounting Standards Codification, timberlands held for sale with a carrying amount of $26 million were written down to their fair value (net of estimated selling costs) of $25 million, resulting in a loss of $1 million, which was included in earnings for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. The fair value was determined based on an external appraisal which was derived from a combination of comparable sales and discounted future cash flows. The discounted future cash flows were based on estimated future timber prices and related operating expenses using internal and external projections.

 

(C) The Operating Partnership has agreements with the federal government under which it is obligated to pay maintenance or replacement costs for certain roads. The Operating Partnership also has obligations under state law to maintain or upgrade certain roads. At March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership concluded that most of these liabilities could be reasonably estimated. As a result, in accordance with the accounting for asset retirement obligations in the Accounting Standards Codification, the Operating Partnership recorded road maintenance liabilities and related timberland assets with an estimated fair value of $7 million. The fair value was determined using a cost approach based on internal projections.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 11. Employee Pension Plans

The components of pension cost were as follows for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

Service Cost

   $ 2      $ 2   

Interest Cost

     2        2   

Expected Return on Plan Assets

     (2     (2

Recognized Actuarial Loss

     —          —     

Settlement Loss

     4        —     
                

Total Pension Cost

   $ 6      $ 2   
                
     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

Service Cost

   $ 6      $ 6   

Interest Cost

     6        5   

Expected Return on Plan Assets

     (6     (5

Recognized Actuarial Loss

     1        —     

Settlement Loss

     4        —     
                

Total Pension Cost

   $ 11      $ 6   
                

The Operating Partnership provides defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all employees of the Operating Partnership. During 2009, the Operating Partnership permanently closed two lumber mills, indefinitely curtailed a third lumber mill and had additional employee terminations. The majority of the employees terminated elected to receive a lump-sum distribution from the pension plan. In accordance with the accounting for settlements, curtailments and certain termination benefits, we recorded a $4 million settlement loss as a result of the 2009 lump-sum distributions for the quarter and nine-months ended September 30, 2009. The settlement loss represents a partial recognition of the actuarial pension loss reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. It is the Operating Partnership’s accounting policy to recognize a settlement gain or loss when total settlements for the year exceed the sum of the current period interest and service costs.

On September 1, 2009, in connection with meeting the requirement to record a settlement loss, we re-measured the benefit obligation and plan assets for our qualified defined benefits pension plan. The benefit obligation was re-measured using a discount rate of 5.75% as of September 1, 2009 compared to a discount rate of 6.85% that was used in measuring the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2008. As a result of the re-measurement, the unfunded status of our pension plans increased by $3 million. Additionally, the re-measurement resulted in an additional loss recorded to other comprehensive income of $2 million, which was net of the tax effect of $1 million. See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

It is the Operating Partnership’s policy to fund its qualified plan annually such that the fair value of plan assets equals or exceeds the actuarially computed accumulated benefit obligation (the approximate actuarially computed current pension obligation if the plan was discontinued) over a market cycle (generally 3 to 5 years). During the third quarter of 2009, the Operating Partnership contributed $8 million to its qualified pension plan and $1 million to its grantor trust associated with its non-qualified plans. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Operating Partnership expects to contribute between $1 and $3 million to the qualified pension plan and between $1 and $3 million to the non-qualified plans.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies. The Operating Partnership is subject to regulations regarding forest and harvest practices and is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings, including environmental and regulatory matters, incidental to its business. Reserves have been established for any probable losses.

Environmental Contingencies. In connection with the October 6, 2001 merger with The Timber Company, Plum Creek agreed to indemnify Georgia-Pacific for substantially all of the liabilities attributed to The Timber Company. During 2003, Georgia-Pacific provided Plum Creek with information about the existence of mine tailings and acidic surface water on approximately 90 acres in Hot Spring County, Arkansas, on former Georgia-Pacific properties. Barite mining and related activities were conducted on the site between 1939 and 1981 in part by lessees of an entity that was acquired by Georgia-Pacific. A remediation plan has not yet been approved. The Operating Partnership believes that it has strong defenses in the matter. Furthermore, to the extent the Operating Partnership is required to indemnify Georgia-Pacific for its share of the remediation costs, the Operating Partnership may be able to recover all or a portion of its cost from Georgia-Pacific’s insurance policy, or indemnity obligations of the various lessees that conducted mining operations on the property, or both. The Operating Partnership believes it will be successful in defending the claim. If the Operating Partnership is not successful in defending this claim, we believe that any loss would not be material to our financial position or results of operations.

Unrecorded Contingencies. Management currently believes that resolving other pending legal proceedings against the Operating Partnership, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations. However, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view on these matters may change in the future. Were an unfavorable final outcome in one or multiple legal proceedings to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on our financial position and the results of operations for the period in which any unfavorable outcome becomes reasonably estimable.

 

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Table of Contents

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 13. Segment Information

The tables below present information about reported segments for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Northern
Resources
    Southern
Resources
   Real
Estate (A)
   Manufactured
Products (B)
    Other    Total (C)

Quarter Ended September 30, 2009

               

External Revenues

   $ 58      $ 94    $ 73    $ 65      $ 4    $ 294

Intersegment Revenues

     5        —        —        —          —        5

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     9        15      —        3        —        27

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     —          —        21      —          —        21

Operating Income (Loss)

     3        21      20      (1     4      47

Quarter Ended September 30, 2008

               

External Revenues

   $ 78      $ 116    $ 108    $ 104      $ 8    $ 414

Intersegment Revenues

     17        —        —        —          —        17

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     10        16      —        6        —        32

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     —          —        27      —          —        27

Operating Income (Loss)

     12        29      73      (4     7      117
     Northern
Resources
    Southern
Resources
   Real
Estate (A)
   Manufactured
Products (B)
    Other    Total (C)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

               

External Revenues

   $ 148      $ 266    $ 419    $ 189      $ 14    $ 1,036

Intersegment Revenues

     7        —        —        —          —        7

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     22        39      1      20        —        82

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     —          —        139      —          —        139

Operating Income (Loss)

     (2     64      234      (23     13      286

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

               

External Revenues

   $ 221      $ 366    $ 217    $ 330      $ 19    $ 1,153

Intersegment Revenues

     42        —        —        —          —        42

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     27        47      1      30        —        105

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     —          —        49      —          —        49

Operating Income (Loss)

     33        103      141      (24     17      270

 

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Table of Contents

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

(A) During the third quarter of 2009, the Operating Partnership completed a non-cash exchange of real estate. The Real Estate Segment recognized revenue of $25 million which represents the fair value of the exchange. No operating income was recognized in the transaction as the book value of the timberlands disposed of approximated the exchange value of $25 million. For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Basis of Real Estate Sold does not include the $25 million of basis for the timberlands relinquished in the non-cash exchange.

 

     During 2008, the Operating Partnership negotiated the sale of 310,000 acres in Montana for $489 million, to be closed in three phases. Proceeds of $150 million from the first phase were received during the fourth quarter of 2008. Proceeds of $250 million from the second phase were received during the first quarter of 2009. The third and final phase is expected to close in 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Real Estate Segment includes revenue of $250 million and operating income of $162 million related to the closing of the second phase.

 

(B) For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008, the Manufactured Products Segment depreciation, depletion and amortization, and operating income (loss) include a $10 million lumber manufacturing assets impairment loss. See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(C) Consolidated depreciation, depletion and amortization include unallocated corporate depreciation of $1 million and $3 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $1 million and $4 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

A reconciliation of total segment operating income to income before income taxes is presented below for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

Total Segment Operating Income

   $ 47      $ 117   

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses

     (9     (17

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          (1
                

Operating Income

     38        99   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     14        —     

Interest Expense, net

     (22     (35
                

Income before Income Taxes

   $ 30      $ 64   
                
     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2009     2008  

Total Segment Operating Income

   $ 286      $ 270   

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses

     (36     (47

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          2   
                

Operating Income

     250        225   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     43        —     

Interest Expense, net

     (69     (105

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

     1        —     
                

Income before Income Taxes

   $ 225      $ 120   
                

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statement

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “strategy,” or “anticipates,” or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Some factors include changes in governmental, legislative and environmental restrictions, catastrophic losses from fires, floods, windstorms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, insect infestations or diseases, as well as changes in economic conditions and competition in our domestic and export markets and other factors described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those contemplated by our projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted results as reflected in forward-looking statements relating to our operations and business include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the failure to meet our expectations with respect to our likely future performance;

 

   

an unanticipated reduction in the demand for timber products and/or an unanticipated increase in supply of timber products;

 

   

an unanticipated reduction in demand for higher and better use timberlands or non-strategic timberlands;

 

   

our failure to make strategic acquisitions or to integrate any such acquisitions effectively or, conversely, our failure to make strategic divestitures; and

 

   

our failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT.

It is likely that if one or more of the risks materializes, or if one or more assumptions prove to be incorrect, the current expectations of the company and its management will not be realized. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and neither the company nor its management undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial information and analysis included in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009.

Organization of the Company

In management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (Item 2 of this form), when we refer to “Plum Creek,” “the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” we mean Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., a Delaware Corporation and a real estate investment trust, or “REIT”, for federal income tax purposes, is the parent company of Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), and Plum Creek Ventures I, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (“PC Ventures”). Plum Creek conducts substantially all of its activities through the Operating Partnership and various wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership.

The Operating Partnership has borrowed and has currently outstanding $2.018 billion principal amount (excluding unamortized discount) of debt, including $458 million of publicly issued notes. PC Ventures

 

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has borrowed and has currently outstanding $783 million in principal amount of debt from an entity (the Timberland Venture) in which a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership has an equity interest. PC Ventures has a preferred partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. Interest payments for this borrowing are funded by distributions to PC Ventures directly from the Operating Partnership. PC Ventures has no other activities.

As a result of this structure, “Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)” discussed below is not applicable to the Operating Partnership. Unless otherwise specified, all other discussion and analysis below are applicable to Plum Creek and the Operating Partnership.

Recent Events

Manufactured Products Restructure. As a result of the continuing decline in demand for wood products, during the first nine months of 2009, we announced the permanent closure of two lumber mills and indefinitely suspended production at a third. We have also reduced production at our MDF and plywood facilities. The table below provides information on the status of our current manufacturing operations, by facility, and expected production for 2009.

 

Product and Facility   

2009 Estimated
Production

(in millions)

Operating

  

Lumber – board feet

  

Columbia Falls, MT

   53

Meridian, ID (Remanufacturing)

   68

Plywood – square feet (3/8”)

  

Columbia Falls, MT

   72

Evergreen, MT

   75

MDF – square feet (3/4”)

  

Columbia Falls, MT (Thick Line MDF)

   57

Columbia Falls, MT (Thin Line MDF)

   75

Indefinitely Curtailed

  

Lumber – board feet

  

Evergreen, MT

   9

Evergreen, MT (Remanufacturing)

   8

Permanently Closed

  

Lumber – board feet

  

Pablo, MT

   16

Fortine, MT

   10

A period-to-period comparison for our Manufactured Products Segment is included in the following results of operations discussion.

 

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Results of Operations

Third Quarter 2009 Compared to Third Quarter 2008

The following tables and narrative compare operating results by segment for the quarters ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Quarter Ended September 30,     Change  
     2009     2008    

Operating Income (Loss) by Segment

      

Northern Resources

   $ 3      $ 12      $ (9

Southern Resources

     21        29        (8

Real Estate

     20        73        (53

Manufactured Products

     (1     (4     3   

Other

     4        7        (3
                        

Total Segment Operating Income

     47        117        (70

Other Costs and Eliminations

     (9     (17     8   

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          (1     1   
                        

Operating Income

   $ 38      $ 99      $ (61
                        

Northern Resources Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:

 

     Quarter Ended September 30, 2009    Quarter Ended September 30, 2008
     Harvest Tons
(millions)
   Average Sales
Realization
   Harvest Tons
(millions)
   Average Sales
Realization

Sawlog ($/Ton Delivered)

   0.632    $ 56    0.828    $ 74

Pulpwood ($/Ton Delivered)

   0.691    $ 38    0.725    $ 45
               

Total

   1.323       1.553   
               

Revenues decreased by $32 million, or 34%, to $63 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to lower sawlog harvest volumes ($15 million), lower sawlog prices ($12 million) and lower pulpwood prices ($4 million). Sawlog harvest volumes were 24% lower compared to the third quarter of 2008 due primarily to harvest deferrals as a result of weak demand and recent timberland sales. We intend to realize the harvest of these deferred timber volumes once log prices improve. Sawlog harvest levels for all of 2009 are expected to decrease by approximately 37% compared to the 3.4 million tons harvested during 2008 due primarily to harvest deferrals as a result of weak demand and recent timberland sales. Pulpwood harvest levels for all of 2009 are expected to decrease by approximately 16% compared to the 2.6 million tons harvested during 2008 due primarily to harvest levels in 2008 that were temporarily increased to capture favorable pulpwood prices and recent timberland sales.

Sawlog prices were 25% lower in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008 due primarily to the decline in housing starts as a result of the recession in the U.S. Pulpwood prices declined in the third quarter of 2009 by 15% compared to the third quarter of 2008 as a result of the global recession which has reduced the demand for paper and packaging materials.

Northern Resources Segment operating income was 5% of its revenues for the third quarter of 2009 and 13% for the third quarter of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to weaker sawlog prices and lower sawlog harvest volumes. Segment costs and expenses decreased by $23 million, or 28%, to $60 million

 

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due primarily to lower harvest volumes and lower log and haul rates per ton. Log and haul rates per ton decreased 17% ($8 million) from the third quarter of 2008 due primarily to lower fuel costs.

Southern Resources Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:

 

     Quarter Ended September 30, 2009    Quarter Ended September 30, 2008
     Harvest Tons
(millions)
   Average Sales
Realization
   Harvest Tons
(millions)
   Average Sales
Realization

Sawlog ($/Ton Stumpage)

   1.250    $ 22    1.425    $ 25

Pulpwood ($/Ton Stumpage)

   2.014    $ 9    2.089    $ 10
               

Total

   3.264       3.514   
               

Revenues decreased by $22 million, or 19%, to $94 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to lower sawlog harvest volumes ($7 million), lower sawlog prices ($7 million), lower pulpwood prices ($6 million) and lower pulpwood harvest volumes ($2 million). During the fourth quarter of 2008, we contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands in our Southern Resources Segment to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (“the Timberland Venture”). Excluding the 0.249 million tons of sawlogs harvested in the third quarter of 2008 related to the Timberland Venture properties, sawlog harvest volumes increased by 6% due primarily to a temporary increase in demand as a result of unseasonably wet weather and limited stumpage availability in certain log markets. Excluding the 0.256 million tons of pulpwood harvested in the third quarter of 2008 related to the Timberland Venture properties, pulpwood harvest volumes increased by 10% due primarily to unseasonably wet weather which increased pulpwood demand in certain markets. Sawlog harvest volumes for all of 2009 (excluding the 0.690 million tons of sawlogs harvested during 2008 from the Timberland Venture properties) are expected to decrease by 8% compared to the 4.9 million tons harvested in 2008 due primarily to continuing the deferral of harvests as a result of weak demand. Pulpwood harvest volumes for all of 2009 (excluding the 0.667 million tons of pulpwood harvested during 2008 from the Timberland Venture properties) are expected to decrease by 6% compared to the 7.3 million tons harvested in 2008 due primarily to the temporary increase in harvest levels in 2008 to capture favorable pulpwood prices.

Sawlog prices on a stumpage basis (and on a delivered basis) were 13% lower in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008 due primarily to the decline in housing starts as a result of the recession in the U.S. Pulpwood prices declined in the third quarter of 2009 by 5% on a stumpage basis (lower by 12% on a delivered basis) compared to the third quarter of 2008 as a result of the global recession which has reduced the demand for paper and packaging materials.

Southern Resources Segment operating income was 22% of its revenues for the third quarter of 2009 and 25% for the third quarter of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to weaker sawlog and pulpwood prices. Segment costs and expenses decreased by $14 million, or 16%, to $73 million. This decrease was due primarily to lower harvest levels and lower log and haul rates per ton. Log and haul rates per ton decreased 13% ($6 million) due primarily to lower fuel costs.

 

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Real Estate Segment.

 

     Quarter Ended September 30, 2009    Quarter Ended September 30, 2008

Property

   Acres
Sold
   Revenues
(millions)
   Revenue
per Acre
   Acres
Sold
   Revenues
(millions)
   Revenue
per Acre

Small Non-Strategic

   5,545    $ 5    $ 970    14,800    $ 17    $ 1,145

Conservation

   43,695      15      350    39,880      41      1,035

Higher and Better Use / Recreational

   10,440      22      2,115    15,640      50      3,220

Development Properties

   515      5      9,190    10      —        13,130
                             

Subtotal

   60,195      48       70,330      108   

Revenue from Non-Cash Exchange

   20,600      25      1,205    —        —        —  
                             

Total

   80,795    $ 73       70,330    $ 108   
                             

Revenues decreased by $35 million, or 32%, to $73 million in 2009. Revenues for the third quarter of 2009 include a non-cash exchange valued at $25 million. Excluding the non-cash exchange, revenues decreased $60 million, or 56%, to $48 million in 2009. This decrease is due primarily to lower revenues from sales of conservation properties ($26 million), a decrease in the number of acres of higher and better use / recreational properties and small non-strategic properties sold ($27 million), lower prices from higher and better use / recreational properties ($12 million), offset in part by increased revenue from development properties ($5 million). During the third quarter of 2009, we completed a non-cash exchange with the State of Washington. We recognized $25 million of revenue which represents the fair value of the lands we received. No operating income was recognized in the transaction as the book value of the timberlands we disposed of approximated the exchange value of $25 million.

The number of acres of higher and better use / recreational and small non-strategic properties sold during the third quarter of 2009 decreased compared to the third quarter of 2008 due primarily to a decrease in the demand for rural real estate. The demand for rural real estate fell due to the decline in consumer discretionary capital (e.g., declining home values and stock market losses), declining consumer confidence and the inability of buyers to secure debt financing. Our average sales price per acre for higher and better use / recreational lands decreased approximately 35% compared to the third quarter of 2008 due primarily to selling more lower valued recreational properties. In the latter part of 2008, we changed our focus, and began to list more of our lower valued recreational properties as demand and price for properties with a higher value per acre significantly weakened due to the recession. Conservation sales vary significantly from period to period and are primarily impacted by government and not-for-profit funding, the limited number of conservation buyers, and the timing of our transactions. Additionally, the price per acre for conservation properties can vary significantly due to the geographic location and the rationale for the conservation designation. The lower price per acre for conservation properties in the third quarter of 2009 reflects that nearly all of the acres sold were in Maine and were either associated with the approval of our Concept Plan for the Moosehead Lake region or were properties with diverse ecological value but relatively low timber value.

Real Estate Segment operating income was 27% of its third quarter revenues for 2009 compared to 67% for 2008. This change was due primarily to the non-cash exchange, as the book value of the timberlands we disposed of approximated the exchange value of $25 million, and selling lower value conservation and higher and better use / recreational properties. Real Estate Segment costs and expenses increased by $18 million to $53 million in the third quarter of 2009 due primarily to the non-cash exchange during 2009 ($25 million).

 

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Manufactured Products Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:

 

     Quarter Ended September 30, 2009    Quarter Ended September 30, 2008
     Sales Volume    Sales Realization    Sales Volume    Sales Realization

Lumber

   40,590 MBF    $ 448    74,100 MBF    $ 384

Plywood

   41,479 MSF    $ 361    62,112 MSF    $ 396

Fiberboard

   34,282 MSF    $ 596    44,371 MSF    $ 610

Revenues decreased by $39 million, or 38%, to $65 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to lower lumber sales volume ($11 million), lower plywood sales volume ($9 million), lower MDF sales volume ($6 million) and lower plywood prices ($2 million). Additionally, freight charges (which is a component of both Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold) decreased by $4 million compared to the prior period due to significantly lower sales volume.

Lumber sales volume declined 45% during the third quarter of 2009 due primarily to the weak demand for lumber as a result of declining housing starts. Housing starts for all of 2008 were 905,000 homes compared to average annual starts of 1.7 million earlier in the decade. Housing starts for 2009 are now forecasted to be approximately 550,000. As a result of the weak outlook for housing starts, we have permanently closed two lumber mills during 2009 and have curtailed production at one other lumber mill.

Plywood sales volume was 33% lower during the third quarter of 2009 due primarily to weakness in specialty markets, such as recreational vehicle, transportation and concrete forming applications. The decline in these markets is due primarily to weak economic conditions in the U.S. Plywood sales prices were 9% lower during the third quarter of 2009.

MDF sales volume decreased by 23% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. MDF demand has weakened considerably and is expected to remain weak until the housing market recovers. The weaker demand was due primarily to the significant decline in housing starts and increased competition from foreign MDF manufacturers.

The Manufactured Products Segment operated at approximately break-even for the third quarter of 2009 compared to a $4 million operating loss for the third quarter of 2008. Included in the third quarter of 2009, was a $4 million pension settlement charge resulting from the headcount reductions at our manufacturing operations. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Manufactured Products Segment costs and expenses decreased by $42 million, or 39%, to $66 million for the third quarter of 2009. This decrease was due primarily to lower lumber, plywood and MDF sales volume, partially offset by higher pension expense.

Other Costs and Eliminations. Other costs and eliminations (which consists of corporate overhead and intercompany profit elimination) decreased operating income by $9 million during the third quarter of 2009 and by $17 million during the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in expenses of $8 million was due primarily to lower share-based compensation expense ($5 million), reduced depreciation on information technology assets ($1 million) and higher legal and other advisory costs incurred in the third quarter of 2008 related to the Timberland Venture transaction in 2008 ($1 million).

The decrease in share-based compensation expense is due to a decrease in the fair value of our value management plan awards in the third quarter of 2009. We adjust the fair value of our liability associated with our value management plan quarterly based on our relative total shareholder return compared to the performance of several peer groups.

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture. On October 1, 2008, we contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (“SDT”) in exchange for a common and preferred interest. Both interests are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. During the third quarter

 

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of 2009, we recorded our share of equity earnings from SDT of $14 million, which includes amortization ($2 million increase in equity earnings) of the difference between the book value of the company’s investment and its proportionate share of SDT’s net assets. We received cash distributions of $28 million from SDT during the third quarter of 2009.

Interest Expense, net (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties). Interest expense, net of interest income, for debt obligations to unrelated parties decreased $13 million, or 37%, to $22 million in the third quarter of 2009. This decrease was due primarily to lower borrowings outstanding compared to the third quarter of 2008 ($8 million) and lower interest rates on our variable rate debt ($5 million). During the fourth quarter of 2008, we paid down approximately $420 million of debt, consisting of $219 million of debt principal payments and a $201 million reduction of outstanding borrowings on our line of credit. During the first nine months of 2009, we paid down approximately $203 million of debt, consisting of $108 million of scheduled debt principal payments and $95 million of debt principal prepayments. A portion of the scheduled debt payments in 2009 was funded by an increase of $33 million on our line of credit. As of September 30, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate for the borrowings on the line of credit was 0.67%.

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture). On October 1, 2008, we borrowed $783 million from SDT (a related party) for a ten-year term at a fixed annual interest rate of 7.375%. During the third quarter of 2009, we recorded $14 million of interest expense related to the note.

Benefit for Income Taxes. The benefit for income taxes was $3 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared to a benefit for income taxes of $5 million for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in the tax benefit of $2 million is due primarily to lower losses in our manufacturing business in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

The following tables and narrative compare operating results by segment for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,        
     2009     2008     Change  

Operating Income (Loss) by Segment

      

Northern Resources

   $ (2   $ 33      $ (35

Southern Resources

     64        103        (39

Real Estate

     234        141        93   

Manufactured Products

     (23     (24     1   

Other

     13        17        (4
                        

Total Segment Operating Income

     286        270        16   

Other Costs and Eliminations

     (36     (47     11   

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —          2        (2
                        

Operating Income

   $ 250      $ 225      $ 25   
                        

 

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Northern Resources Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Harvest Tons
(millions)
   Average Sales
Realization
   Harvest Tons
(millions)
   Average Sales
Realization

Sawlog ($/Ton Delivered)

   1.528    $ 55    2.545    $ 70

Pulpwood ($/Ton Delivered)

   1.701    $ 40    1.967    $ 42
               

Total

   3.229       4.512   
               

Revenues decreased by $108 million, or 41%, to $155 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to lower sawlog harvest volumes ($70 million), lower sawlog prices ($24 million), lower pulpwood harvest volumes ($11 million) and lower pulpwood prices ($4 million). Total harvest volumes for the first nine months of 2009 decreased by 29% compared to the same period of 2008. Sawlog harvest volumes were 40% lower compared to 2008 due primarily to harvest deferrals as a result of weak demand and recent timberland sales. We intend to realize the harvest of these deferred timber volumes once log prices improve. Pulpwood harvest volumes were 14% lower due primarily to temporarily increasing harvest levels in 2008 to capture favorable pulpwood prices, harvest deferrals in 2009 as a result of weak markets and recent timberland sales. Sawlog harvest levels for all of 2009 are expected to decrease by approximately 37% compared to the 3.4 million tons harvested during 2008 due primarily to harvest deferrals as a result of weak demand and recent timberland sales. Pulpwood harvest levels for all of 2009 are expected to decrease by approximately 16% compared to the 2.6 million tons harvested during 2008 due primarily to harvest levels in 2008 that were temporarily increased to capture favorable pulpwood prices and recent timberland sales.

Sawlog prices were 22% lower in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008 due primarily to the decline in housing starts as a result of the recession in the U.S. Pulpwood prices were 6% lower in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008 as a result of the global recession which has reduced the demand for paper and packaging materials.

Northern Resources Segment operating loss was $2 million for the first nine months of 2009 compared to operating income of $33 million for the first nine months of 2008. This decrease of $35 million was due primarily to weaker sawlog prices and lower harvest volumes. Segment costs and expenses decreased by $73 million, or 32%, to $157 million due primarily to lower harvest volumes, lower log and haul rates per ton and lower forest management and administrative expenses. Log and haul rates per ton decreased 11% ($13 million) due primarily to lower fuel costs. Various forest management and administrative expenses have decreased by 14% ($6 million) due primarily to cost reduction initiatives and timberland dispositions.

Southern Resources Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Harvest Tons
(millions)
   Average Sales
Realization
   Harvest Tons
(millions)
   Average Sales
Realization

Sawlog ($/Ton Stumpage)

   3.409    $ 23    4.550    $ 27

Pulpwood ($/Ton Stumpage)

   5.350    $ 10    6.286    $ 10
               

Total

   8.759       10.836   
               

Revenues decreased by $100 million, or 27%, to $266 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to lower sawlog harvest volumes ($49 million), lower pulpwood harvest volumes ($23 million), lower sawlog prices ($16 million) and lower pulpwood prices ($11 million). During the fourth quarter of 2008, we contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands in our Southern Resources Segment to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (“the Timberland

 

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Venture”). Excluding the 0.690 million tons of sawlogs harvested in the first nine months of 2008 related to the Timberland Venture properties, sawlog harvest volumes decreased by 12% due primarily to harvest deferrals as a result of weak demand. We intend to realize the harvest of these deferred timber volumes once log prices improve. Excluding the 0.667 million tons of pulpwood harvested in the first nine months of 2008 related to the Timberland Venture properties, pulpwood harvest volumes decreased by 5% due primarily to temporarily increasing harvest levels in 2008 to capture favorable pulpwood prices. Sawlog harvest volumes for all of 2009 (excluding the 0.690 million tons of sawlogs harvested during 2008 from the Timberland Venture properties) are expected to decrease by 8% compared to the 4.9 million tons harvested in 2008 due primarily to continuing the deferral of harvests as a result of weak demand. Pulpwood harvest volumes for all of 2009 (excluding the 0.667 million tons of pulpwood harvested during 2008 from the Timberland Venture properties) are expected to decrease by 6% compared to the 7.3 million tons harvested in 2008 due primarily to the temporary increase in harvest levels in 2008 to capture favorable pulpwood prices.

Sawlog prices on a stumpage basis were 15% lower in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008 due primarily to the decline in housing starts as a result of the recession in the U.S. Sawlog prices on a delivered basis decreased by 13%. Pulpwood prices were 1% lower on a stumpage basis (8% lower on a delivered basis) during the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year as a result of the global recession which has reduced the demand for paper and packaging materials.

Southern Resources Segment operating income was 24% of its revenues for the first nine months of 2009 and 28% for the first nine months of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to weaker sawlog and pulpwood prices and lower harvest volumes, offset in part by lower fuel costs, forest management and administrative expenses. Segment costs and expenses decreased by $61 million, or 23%, to $202 million. This decrease was due primarily to lower harvest levels, lower log and haul rates per ton and lower forest management and administrative expenses. Log and haul rates per ton decreased 11% ($15 million) due primarily to lower fuel costs. Various forest management and administrative expenses have decreased by 14% ($7 million) due primarily to cost reduction initiatives and timberland dispositions.

Real Estate Segment.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Property

   Acres
Sold
   Revenues
(millions)
   Revenue
per Acre
   Acres
Sold
   Revenues
(millions)
   Revenue
per Acre

Small Non-Strategic

   17,050    $ 16    $ 965    45,160    $ 54    $ 1,200

Conservation

   160,945      274      1,700    41,490      42      1,030

Higher and Better Use / Recreational

   23,575      54      2,275    38,060      113      2,975

Development Properties

   2,025      11      5,480    775      7      9,045
                             

Subtotal

   203,595      355       125,485      217   

Large Non-Strategic

   59,160      38      650    —        —        —  

Revenue from Non-Cash Exchange

   20,600      25      1,205    —        —        —  
                             

Total

   283,355    $ 419       125,485    $ 217   
                             

Revenues increased by $202 million to $419 million in the first nine months of 2009. This increase is due primarily to higher revenues from sales of conservation properties ($232 million), revenue of $38 million from selling 59,160 large, non-strategic acres in Wisconsin, revenue from a non-cash exchange valued at $25 million, offset in part by a decrease in the number of acres of higher and better use / recreational and small non-strategic land sales ($76 million) and lower prices from higher and better use / recreational properties ($17 million).

 

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Revenues from the sale of conservation properties increased due primarily to the sale of approximately 112,000 acres in Montana for $250 million during the first quarter of 2009. The $250 million conservation sale during the first quarter of 2009 was the second in a three phase transaction. The third phase of approximately 70,000 acres in Montana is expected to close late in 2010 for approximately $89 million. Conservation sales vary significantly from period to period and are primarily impacted by government and not-for-profit funding, the limited number of conservation buyers, and the timing of our transactions. Additionally, the price per acre for conservation properties can vary significantly due to the geographic location and the rationale for the conservation designation.

From time to time, we may dispose of larger blocks of other timberlands to maximize value such as the 59,160 acres in Wisconsin we sold during the second quarter of 2009. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2009, we completed a non-cash exchange with the State of Washington. We recognized $25 million of revenue which represents the fair value of the lands we received. No operating income was recognized in the transaction as the book value of the timberlands we disposed of approximated the exchange value of $25 million.

The number of acres of higher and better use / recreational and small non-strategic properties sold during the first nine months of 2009 decreased compared to the same period in 2008 due primarily to a decrease in the demand for rural real estate. The demand for rural real estate fell due to the decline in consumer discretionary capital (e.g., declining home values and stock market losses), declining consumer confidence and the inability of buyers to secure debt financing. Additionally, the timing of real estate sales is a function of many factors, including the general state of the economy, demand in local real estate markets, the ability to obtain entitlements, the number of properties listed for sale, the seasonal nature of sales (particularly in the northern states), the plans of adjacent landowners, our expectation of future price appreciation, the timing of harvesting activities, and the availability of government and not-for-profit funding.

Our average sales price per acre for higher and better use / recreational lands decreased approximately 24% compared to the first nine months of 2008 due primarily to selling more lower valued recreational properties. In the latter part of 2008, we changed our focus, and began to list more of our lower valued recreational properties as demand and price for properties with a higher value per acre significantly weakened due to the recession.

We expect revenues during 2009 from real estate sales, including the $38 million large non-strategic sale in Wisconsin (in the second quarter of 2009) and the $25 million non-cash exchange (in the third quarter of 2009), to range between $480 million and $495 million. We expect sales in 2009 will consist of approximately 300,000 acres, excluding acres disposed of in the non-cash exchange. In addition to the aforementioned expected revenues and acres, from time to time, we may dispose of larger blocks of other timberlands to maximize value.

Real Estate Segment operating income was 56% of its revenues for the first nine months of 2009 compared to 65% for 2008. This change was due primarily to the non-cash exchange as the book value of the timberlands we disposed of approximated the exchange value of $25 million. Real Estate Segment costs and expenses increased by $109 million to $185 million for the first nine months of 2009 due primarily to selling more acres during 2009.

Manufactured Products Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Sales Volume    Sales Realization    Sales Volume    Sales Realization

Lumber

   136,084 MBF    $ 381    227,173 MBF    $ 372

Plywood

   117,647 MSF    $ 359    199,474 MSF    $ 399

Fiberboard

   101,128 MSF    $ 597    166,360 MSF    $ 600

 

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Revenues decreased by $141 million, or 43%, to $189 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to lower MDF sales volume ($40 million), lower plywood sales volume ($34 million), lower lumber sales volume ($28 million) and lower plywood prices ($5 million). Additionally, freight charges (which is a component of both Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold) decreased by $16 million compared to the prior period due to significantly lower sales volume.

MDF sales volume decreased by 39% in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008. MDF demand has weakened considerably and is expected to remain weak until the housing market recovers. The weaker demand was due primarily to the significant decline in housing starts and increased competition from foreign MDF manufacturers.

Plywood sales volume was 41% lower during the first nine months of 2009 due primarily to weakness in specialty markets, such as recreational vehicle, transportation and concrete forming applications. The decline in these markets is due primarily to weak economic conditions in the U.S. Plywood sales prices were 10% lower during the first nine months of 2009.

Lumber sales volume declined 40% during the first nine months of 2009 due primarily to the weak demand for lumber as a result of declining housing starts. Housing starts for all of 2008 were 905,000 homes compared to average annual starts of 1.7 million earlier in the decade. Housing starts for 2009 are now forecasted to be approximately 550,000. As a result of the weak outlook for housing starts, we have permanently closed two lumber mills during 2009 and have curtailed production at our other lumber mills.

Manufactured Products Segment operating loss was $23 million for the nine months of 2009 compared to a $24 million operating loss for the first nine months of 2008. Included in 2009, was a $4 million pension settlement charge resulting from the headcount reductions at our manufacturing operations. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. During the first nine months of 2009, we recorded a $12 million charge resulting from a $10 million lumber assets impairment and a $2 million write-down of related spare parts. In the same period of 2008, we recorded a $10 million lumber assets impairment. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Manufactured Products Segment costs and expenses decreased by $142 million, or 40%, to $212 million for the first nine months of 2009. This decrease was due primarily to lower lumber, plywood and MDF sales volume and lower costs for MDF raw materials, partially offset by higher pension expense. MDF raw material costs decreased by $7 million due primarily to lower resin and wood chip prices.

Other Costs and Eliminations. Other costs and eliminations (which consists of corporate overhead and intercompany profit elimination) decreased operating income by $36 million during the first nine months of 2009 and by $47 million during the first nine months of 2008. The decrease in expenses of $11 million was due primarily to lower share-based compensation expense ($7 million), corporate cost reduction initiatives ($2 million), reduced depreciation on information technology assets ($1 million) and higher legal and other advisory costs incurred in the same period of 2008 related to the Timberland Venture transaction in 2008 ($1 million).

The decrease in share-based compensation expense is due to a decrease in the fair value of our value management plan awards in the third quarter of 2009. We adjust the fair value of our liability associated with our value management plan quarterly based on our relative total shareholder return compared to the performance of several peer groups.

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture. On October 1, 2008, we contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (“SDT”) in exchange for a common and preferred interest. Both interests are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. During the first nine months of 2009, we recorded our share of equity earnings from SDT of $43 million, which includes amortization ($6 million increase in equity earnings) of the difference between the book value of the company’s investment and its proportionate share of SDT’s net assets. We received cash distributions of $53 million from SDT during the first nine months of 2009.

 

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Interest Expense, net (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties). Interest expense, net of interest income, for debt obligations to unrelated parties decreased $36 million, or 34%, to $69 million in the first nine months of 2009. This decrease was due primarily to lower borrowings outstanding for the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008 ($23 million) and lower interest rates on our variable rate debt ($13 million). During the fourth quarter of 2008, we paid down approximately $420 million of debt, consisting of $219 million of debt principal payments and a $201 million reduction of outstanding borrowings on our line of credit. During the first nine months of 2009, we paid down approximately $203 million of debt, consisting of $108 million of scheduled debt principal payments and $95 million of debt principal prepayments. A portion of the scheduled debt payments in 2009 was funded by an increase of $33 million on our line of credit. As of September 30, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate for the borrowings on the line of credit was 0.67%.

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture). On October 1, 2008, we borrowed $783 million from SDT (a related party) for a ten-year term at a fixed annual interest rate of 7.375%. During the first nine months of 2009, we recorded $43 million of interest expense related to the note.

Benefit for Income Taxes. The benefit for income taxes was $26 million for the first nine months of 2009 compared to a benefit for income taxes of $18 million for the first nine months of 2008. The increase in the tax benefit of $8 million is due primarily to the reversal of $5 million of previously accrued built-in gains tax and a reduction to our deferred tax liability of $3 million. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

At September 30, 2009, we have recorded deferred tax assets of $72 million and deferred tax liabilities of $43 million. We have not recorded a valuation allowance in connection with our deferred tax asset of $72 million. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management believes that due to either the reversal of various timing differences or the planned execution of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, sufficient taxable income can be generated to fully utilize the company’s deferred tax assets.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our operating cash flows increased $267 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This increase was due primarily to completion of the second phase of our sale of 310,000 acres in Montana for which we received proceeds of $250 million (for 112,000 acres). We have a strong balance sheet and do not foresee any short-term liquidity issues. At September 30, 2009, we had a cash balance of $351 million and had availability of $475 million under our line of credit.

The following table summarizes total cash flows for operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,        
     2009     2008     Change  

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

   $ 492      $ 225      $ 267   

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

     (46     (113     67   

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

     (464     (177     (287
                        

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ (18   $ (65   $ 47   
                        

Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $492 million, compared to $225 million for the same period in 2008. This increase of $267 million is due primarily to higher proceeds from real estate sales of $169 million, favorable working capital changes related to like-kind exchange transactions of $117 million and the receipt of $18 million for income tax refunds. The increase in cash flows from operating activities was

 

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offset in part by lower operating income of $74 million from our Resources Segments. The higher proceeds from real estate sales was due primarily to the $250 million of proceeds received in February 2009 in connection with the second phase of a three phase transaction of 310,000 acres in Montana. The lower operating income from our Resources Segments was due primarily to weaker sawlog prices and lower harvest levels.

The favorable working capital change of $117 million is due primarily to the timing of when proceeds from a like-kind exchange trust are either reinvested in replacement property or distributed to the company. Proceeds associated with a forward like-kind exchange are either reinvested in like-kind property within 180 days or distributed to the company at the end of either the 45-day identification period or the 180-day reinvestment period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we received proceeds of $48 million from our like-kind exchange trust compared to $69 million of proceeds placed in a like-kind exchange trust at September 30, 2008.

Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures (excluding Timberland Acquisitions) were as follows for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,
     2009    2008

Capital Expenditures (Excluding Timberland Acquisitions)

   $ 45    $ 47

Expenditures for Real Estate Development

     1      6
             

Total Capital Expenditures

   $ 46    $ 53
             

Planned capital expenditures for 2009, excluding the acquisition of timberlands, are expected to be approximately $65 million and include approximately $54 million for our timberlands, $4 million for our manufacturing facilities, and $7 million for investments in information technology, primarily for resource accounting system enhancements. The timberland expenditures are primarily for reforestation and other expenditures associated with the planting and growing of trees. Approximately 40% of planned capital expenditures in 2009 are discretionary. Capital expenditures at our manufacturing facilities consist primarily of expenditures to sustain operating activities and improve safety.

Debt Financing. Our financial policy is to maintain a balance sheet that provides the financial flexibility to pursue our strategic objectives. In order to maintain this financial flexibility, our objective is to maintain an investment grade credit rating. This is reflected in our moderate use of debt, good access to credit markets and no material covenant restrictions in our debt agreements that would prevent us from prudently using debt capital.

Line of Credit. The Operating Partnership has a $750 million revolving line of credit agreement that matures in June 2011. As of September 30, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate for the borrowings on the line of credit was 0.67%. The interest rate on the line of credit is based on LIBOR plus 0.425%. This rate can range from LIBOR plus 0.27% to LIBOR plus 1% depending on our debt ratings. Subject to customary covenants, the line of credit allows for borrowings from time to time up to $750 million, including up to $100 million of standby letters of credit. Borrowings on the line of credit fluctuate daily based on cash needs. As of September 30, 2009, we had $264 million of borrowings and $11 million of standby letters of credit outstanding; $475 million remained available for borrowing under our line of credit. As of October 1, 2009, all of the borrowings outstanding under our line of credit were repaid.

Term Credit Agreements. The Operating Partnership has a $250 million and a $350 million term credit agreement, each maturing in June 2012. As of September 30, 2009, the interest rate for the $250 million term credit agreement was 1.29%. The interest rate on this term credit agreement is based on LIBOR plus 1.00%. This rate can range from LIBOR plus 0.5% to LIBOR plus 1.5% depending on our debt ratings. As of September 30, 2009, the interest rate for the $350 million term credit agreement was 0.69%. The interest rate on this term credit agreement is based on LIBOR plus 0.45%. This rate can range from LIBOR plus 0.3% to LIBOR plus 1.15% depending on our debt ratings. Both term credit agreements are subject to covenants that are substantially the same as those of our revolving line of credit, and allow prepayment of the borrowings at any time prior to the maturity date without premium or penalty.

 

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Senior Notes. The Operating Partnership has outstanding Senior Notes with various maturities and fixed interest rates. Most of our Senior Notes are privately placed debt with various lenders (“Private Debt”). The Private Debt matures serially through 2016.

As of September 30, 2009, the Operating Partnership has publicly issued and outstanding $458 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% Senior Notes (“Public Debt”). The notes mature in 2015 and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc.

Senior Notes outstanding, including unamortized discount, consisted of the following (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2009    December 31, 2008

Senior Notes

     

Public Debt

   $ 453    $ 458

Private Debt

     694      893
             

Total Senior Notes

   $ 1,147    $ 1,351
             

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and the Operating Partnership have filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which expires on April 24, 2012. Under the shelf registration statement, Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., from time to time, may offer and sell any combination of preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, warrants and guarantees, and the Operating Partnership may from time to time, offer and sell debt securities.

Debt Principal Payments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we made debt principal payments totaling $203 million. In addition to scheduled debt payments on our Private Debt of $108 million, we prepaid, without prepayment premiums, approximately $91 million of principal on our outstanding private Senior Notes. A portion of the scheduled debt payments in 2009 was funded by an increase of $33 million on our line of credit. The $91 million prepayment consisted of $51 million paid in the first quarter of 2009 on debt that was scheduled to mature in the third quarter of 2009 and $40 million that was scheduled to mature in the fourth quarter of 2011. During the first quarter of 2009, we paid approximately $4 million to retire $5 million of principal for our Public Debt resulting in a $1 million gain reported as a Gain on Extinguishment of Debt in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Debt Covenants. The Term Credit Agreements, Senior Notes and Line of Credit contain various restrictive covenants, including limitations on harvest levels, sales of assets, the incurrence of indebtedness and making restricted payments (such as payments of cash dividends or stock repurchases). The borrowing agreements limit our ability to make restricted payments based on a computation of “available cash,” which is generally our net income (excluding gains on the sale of capital assets) after adjusting for non-cash charges (such as depreciation and depletion), changes in various reserves, less capital expenditures and principal payments on indebtedness that are not financed. Additionally, the amount of available cash may be increased by the amount of proceeds from the sale of higher and better use properties and, under certain circumstances, by 50% of the amount of net proceeds from the sale of other assets. Furthermore, our line of credit and term credit agreements require that we maintain certain interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios. We are in compliance with all of our borrowing agreement covenants as of September 30, 2009.

 

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The following table details our sources and uses of cash for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,        
     2009     2008     Change  

Sources of Cash:

      

Operations (A)

   $ 371      $ 308      $ 63   

Changes in Working Capital

     77        (70     147   

Cash Distributions from Timberland Venture

     53        —          53   

Cash from Stock Option Exercises

     —          14        (14

Increase in Debt Obligations, net

     —          76        (76

Other Cash Changes, net (B)

     —          (1     1   
                        

Total Sources of Cash

     501        327        174   
                        

Uses of Cash:

      

Returned to Stockholders:

      

Dividends

     (207     (216     9   

Common Stock Repurchases

     (87     (51     (36

Reinvest in the Business:

      

Capital Expenditures (C)

     (46     (53     7   

Acquire Timberlands

     (1     (65     64   

Meet our Pension Obligations:

      

Pension Contributions

     (8     (7     (1

Reduce Debt Obligations, net

     (170     —          (170
                        

Total Uses of Cash

     (519     (392     (127
                        

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ (18   $ (65   $ 47   
                        

 

(A) Calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Amount is calculated by adding back non-cash items and other operating activities to Net Income.

 

(B) From the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Other Investing and Financing Activities.

 

(C) Includes Expenditures for Real Estate Development.

Equity. On November 3, 2009, the Board of Directors of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. declared a dividend of $0.42 per share, or approximately $68 million, which will be paid on November 30, 2009 to stockholders of record on November 16, 2009. Future dividends will be determined by our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, based on consideration of a number of factors including, but not limited to, our results of operations, cash flow and capital requirements, economic conditions, tax considerations, debt covenant restrictions that may impose limitations on the company’s ability to make cash payments, borrowing capacity, changes in the prices of and demand for Plum Creek’s products, and changes in our ability to sell timberlands at attractive prices. Other factors that our Board of Directors considers include the appropriate timing of timber harvests, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, stock repurchases, debt repayment and other means by which the company could deliver value to its stockholders.

Plum Creek’s Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program that may be increased from time to time at the Board of Directors’ discretion. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we repurchased approximately 3.3 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $87 million, or an average cost per share of $26.60. At September 30, 2009, $50 million is available for share repurchases under the current authorization.

 

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Future Cash Requirements. Cash required to meet our financial needs will be significant. We believe, however, that cash on hand and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fund planned capital expenditures and principal and interest payments on our indebtedness for the next twelve months. During the next twelve months, the company has approximately $53 million of scheduled long-term debt principal payment requirements. We intend to use a combination of cash and the available borrowing capacity under our $750 million line of credit to fund the $53 million of debt obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

The company has no off-balance sheet debt. For information on contractual obligations, see the table Contractual Obligations in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Approximately $1.9 billion (including $783 million of related party obligations) of Plum Creek’s long-term debt bears interest at fixed rates, and therefore the fair value of these instruments is affected by changes in market interest rates. The following table presents contractual principal cash flows based upon maturity dates of the company’s debt obligations and the related weighted-average contractual interest rates by expected maturity dates for the fixed rate debt (in millions):

 

     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     Thereafter     Total    Fair Value (A)

September 30, 2009

                 

Fixed Rate Debt

                 

Third Party Obligations

                 

Principal Due (B)

     —        $ 56      $ 376      $ 3      $ 250      $ 469      $ 1,154    $ 1,212

Average Interest Rate (C)

     —          6.7     6.6     6.2     6.1     5.9     

Related Party Obligations

                 

Principal Due

             $ 783      $ 783    $ 808

Interest Rate

               7.4     

Variable Rate Debt (D)

     —          —        $ 264      $ 600        —          —        $ 864    $ 828
     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     Thereafter     Total    Fair Value

September 30, 2008

                 

Fixed Rate Debt

                 

Third Party Obligations

                 

Principal Due (B)

   $ 100      $ 200      $ 59      $ 424      $ 4      $ 791      $ 1,578    $ 1,568

Average Interest Rate (C)

     6.9     6.8     6.7     6.6     6.2     6.0     

Variable Rate Debt

     —          —          —        $ 432      $ 600        —        $ 1,032    $ 1,032

 

(A) The fair value of the company’s publicly-traded debt (i.e., Senior Notes due 2015) is estimated using market quotes; the fair value of the company’s other debt with unrelated third parties is estimated using the same rates adjusted for the different maturities. The fair value of the company’s Note Payable to Timberland Venture is estimated using the same rates as the publicly-traded debt adjusted by an estimated risk premium for holding company debt and the different maturity. The decrease in fair value of our fixed rate debt compared to September 30, 2008 (excluding related party debt) was due primarily to the repayment of $219 million of senior notes in the last three months of 2008 and $203 million of senior notes in the first nine months of 2009, offset in part by declining interest rates. In September 2009, interest rates were lower than September 2008 as both the treasury rates and credit spreads have declined. The fair value of our floating rate term loans (variable rate debt) as of September 30, 2009 was determined by adjusting the spread over LIBOR to a current market spread for comparable debt as of September 30, 2009. The fair value of our floating rate term loans as of September 30, 2008 approximated the principal balance.

 

(B) Excludes unamortized discount of $7 million and $8 million at September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

(C) Represents the average interest rate of total fixed rate debt (excluding related party debt) outstanding at the end of the period.

 

(D) As of September 30, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate on the $264 million borrowings under our $750 million revolving line of credit was 0.67%. The interest rate on the line of credit is based on LIBOR plus 0.425%. This rate can range from LIBOR plus 0.27% to LIBOR plus 1.00% depending on our debt ratings. As of October 1, 2009, all of the borrowings outstanding under our line of credit were repaid. As of September 30, 2009, the interest rate for the $350 million term credit agreement was 0.69%. The interest rate on the $350 million term credit agreement is based on LIBOR plus 0.45%. This rate can range from LIBOR plus 0.3% to LIBOR plus 1.15% depending on our debt ratings. As of September 30, 2009, the interest rate for the $250 million term credit agreement was 1.29%. The interest rate on the $250 million term credit agreement is based on LIBOR plus 1.00%. This rate can range from LIBOR plus 0.5% to LIBOR plus 1.5% depending on our debt ratings.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The company’s management, with the participation of the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period.

 

(b) Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None. (See also Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc.).

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the company’s Risk Factors as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table contains information about the company’s purchases of equity securities during the third quarter of 2009:

 

Period

   Total Number of
Shares Purchased (A)
   Average Price Paid per Share    Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced

Plans or
Programs (B)
   Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value)
of Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans
or Programs (B)

July 1, 2009

through

July 31, 2009

   1,374

shares of common

stock

   $ 31.37   

shares of common
stock

   $ 50 million

August 1, 2009

through

August 31, 2009

   13

shares of common stock

   $ 32.34   

shares of common
stock

   $ 50 million

September 1, 2009

through

September 30, 2009

  

shares of common stock

   $ —     

shares of common
stock

   $ 50 million
                   

Total

   1,387

shares of common stock

   $ 31.38   

shares of common
stock

  

 

(A) Represents shares of the company’s common stock purchased from employees in non-open market transactions. The shares of stock were sold by the employees to the company in exchange for cash that was used to pay withholding taxes associated with the vesting of restricted stock unit awards under the company’s stock incentive plan. The price per share surrendered is based on the closing price of the company’s stock on the vesting dates of the awards.

 

(B) No shares were purchased during the period July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 pursuant to the $200 million share repurchase program that was publicly announced on October 21, 2008.

Items 3, 4 and 5 of Part II are not applicable and have been omitted.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

List of Exhibits

Each exhibit set forth below in the Index to Exhibits is filed as a part of this report. All exhibits not filed herewith are incorporated herein by reference to a prior filing as indicated.

The agreements included as exhibits to this report are included to provide information about their terms and not to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the company or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement that were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the agreement and:

 

   

should not be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk among the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;

 

   

may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;

 

   

may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and

 

   

were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Designation

  

Nature of Exhibit

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Georgia-Pacific Corporation, North American Timber Corp., NPI Timber, Inc., GNN Timber, Inc., GPW Timber, Inc., LRFP Timber, Inc., NPC Timber, Inc. and Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (Form 8-K/A, File No. 1-10239, filed July 24, 2000). Amendment No.1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 12, 2001 (Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed June 14, 2001).
  2.2    Third Amendment to Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of January 13, 2009, by and among Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and Plum Creek Land Company, a Delaware corporation, as Sellers, and The Nature Conservancy, a non-profit corporation of the District of Columbia, and The Trust for Public Land, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, as Purchasers (Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed January 15, 2009).
  2.3    Contribution Agreement dated as of August 22, 2008 between Plum Creek Timber Operations I, LLC and TCG Member, LLC (Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed August 27, 2008).
  2.4    Limited Liability Company Agreement of Southern Diversified Timber, LLC dated as of October 1, 2008 between Plum Creek Timber Operations I, LLC and TCG Member, LLC (Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed October 7, 2008).
  3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., as amended (Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q, File No. 1-10239, for the quarter ended June 30, 2009).
  3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., as amended (Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-K, File No. 1-10239, for the year ended December 31, 2007).
  4.1    Indenture (including Form of Note and Guarantee), dated as of November 14, 2005, by and among Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., as issuer, Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, governing the terms of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2015 (Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed November 14, 2005).
  4.2    Officer’s Certificate, dated November 14, 2005, establishing the terms and form of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2015 (Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed November 14, 2005).
  4.3    Officer’s Certificate, dated May 2, 2006, reopening 5.875% Senior Notes due 2015 (Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed on May 2, 2006).

 

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  4.4   

Senior Note Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2001, governing terms of $295,000,000 Series J due October 1, 2011, $75,000,000 Series K due October 1, 2013. (Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K File No. 1-10239, filed October 9, 2001). First Amendment to Senior Note Agreement dated as of December 19, 2002, governing terms of $295,000,000 Series J due

October 1, 2011, $75,000,000 Series K due October 1, 2013 (Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K, File No. 1-10239, for the year ended December 31, 2002). First Omnibus Amendment dated as of August 18, 2008 by and among Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and the lenders party hereto (Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed August 22, 2008).

  4.5    The registrant agrees that it will furnish the Commission a copy of any of its debt nstruments not listed herein upon request.
10.1    Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2006, among Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agent, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., Seattle Branch, Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA and Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank International”, New York Branch, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agents, Banc of America Securities LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, a division of SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers, and the other financial institutions party thereto (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed on July 3, 2006). Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2007, among Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 2006 (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed June 21, 2007).
10.2    Credit Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2007, among Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agent, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., Seattle Branch, and The Royal Bank of Scotland, as Documentation Agents, Banc of America Securities LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, a division of SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers, and the Other Financial Institutions Party Thereto (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed June 21, 2007).
10.3    Credit Agreement and Guarantee dated as of October 1, 2008 by and among Plum Creek Ventures I, LLC, Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed October 7, 2008).
10.4    Pledge Agreement dated as of October 1, 2008 between Plum Creek Ventures I, LLC and Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed October 7, 2008).
12.1    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges and computation of ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.
31.1    Certification of Rick R. Holley, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2    Certification of David W. Lambert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1    Certification of Rick R. Holley, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(b) and 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of David W. Lambert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(b) and 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

(Registrant)

By:

 

/s/ DAVID W. LAMBERT

  DAVID W. LAMBERT
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 4, 2009

 

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