Form 8-K
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 1, 2010 (February 24, 2010)
 
(GREIF LOGO)
GREIF, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
         
Delaware   001-00566   31-4388903
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)       Identification No.)
     
425 Winter Road, Delaware, Ohio   43015
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (740) 549-6000
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o      Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 

 


 

Section 2 — Financial Information
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On February 24, 2010, Greif, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release (the “Earnings Release”) announcing the financial results for its first quarter ended January 31, 2010. The full text of the Earnings Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The Earnings Release included the following non-GAAP financial measures (the “non-GAAP Measures”):
  (i)   net income before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs on a consolidated basis, which is equal to GAAP net income plus restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs, each item net of tax, on a consolidated basis;
 
  (ii)   diluted earnings per Class A share and per Class B share before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs on a consolidated basis, which is equal to GAAP diluted earnings per Class A share and per Class B share plus restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs, each item net of tax, on a consolidated basis;
 
  (iii)   operating profit before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs on a consolidated basis, which is equal to GAAP operating profit plus restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs on a consolidated basis;
 
  (iv)   operating profit before restructuring charges with respect to the Company’s Paper Packaging segment and Land Management segment, which is equal to that segment’s GAAP operating profit plus that segment’s restructuring charges; and
 
  (v)   operating profit before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs with respect to the Company’s Industrial Packaging segment, which is equal to that segment’s GAAP operating profit plus that segment’s restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs.
The Company discloses the non-GAAP Measures described in Items (i) through (v), above, because management believes that these non-GAAP Measures are a better indication of the Company’s operational performance than GAAP net income, diluted earnings per Class A share and per Class B share and operating profit since they exclude restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges, and acquisition-related costs, which are not representative of ongoing operations. These non-GAAP Measures provide a more stable platform on which to compare the historical performance of the Company.
The full text of the Earnings Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Section 7 — Regulation FD
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 25, 2010, management of the Company held a conference call with interested investors and financial analysts to discuss the Company’s financial results for its first quarter ended January 31, 2010. The file transcript is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

 


 

Section 9 — Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)   Exhibits.
     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
99.1
  Press release issued by Greif, Inc. on February 24, 2010 announcing the financial results for its first quarter ended January 31, 2010.
99.2
  File transcript of conference call held by management of Greif, Inc. on February 25, 2010.

 

 


 

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 hereunto duly authorized.
         
  GREIF, INC.
 
 
Date: March 1, 2010  By   /s/ Donald S. Huml    
    Donald S. Huml,   
    Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
 

 

 


 

         
EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
99.1
  Press release issued by Greif, Inc. on February 24, 2010, announcing the financial results for its first quarter ended January 31, 2010.
 
   
99.2
  File transcript of conference call held by management of Greif, Inc. on February 25, 2010.

 

 

Exhibit 99.1
EXHIBIT 99.1
Greif, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2010 Results
  Net sales were $709.7 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $666.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. The 7 percent increase was due to higher sales volumes (16 percent or 11 percent excluding acquisitions) and foreign currency translation (5 percent), partially offset by lower selling prices (14 percent) due to the pass-through of lower input costs.
 
  Net income before special items, as defined below, was $37.6 million ($0.65 per diluted Class A share) in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $21.7 million ($0.38 per diluted Class A share) in the first quarter of 2009. GAAP net income was $24.8 million ($0.43 per diluted Class A share) in the first quarter of 2010 and GAAP net loss was $2.3 million ($0.03 loss per diluted Class A share) in the first quarter of 2009.
DELAWARE, Ohio (Feb. 24, 2010) — Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, today announced results for its first fiscal quarter, which ended Jan. 31, 2010.
Michael J. Gasser, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Our sales volumes have significantly improved across all businesses and geographic regions from the same quarter last year with particular strength in emerging markets. The improved gross profit margins were led by Industrial Packaging margin expansion. We continue to focus on the disciplined execution of the Greif Business System and maintaining the permanent cost savings that were achieved during fiscal 2009.”
Gasser continued, “During the first quarter, we completed an industrial packaging acquisition that expanded our footprint in Scandinavia. We continue to pursue our pipeline of consolidation and product line extension opportunities.”
Special Items and GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
Special items are as follows: (i) for the first quarter of 2010, restructuring charges of $5.9 million ($4.8 million net of tax) and acquisition-related costs of $10.1 million ($8.0 million net of tax) pursuant to the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R), as described below; and (ii) for the first quarter of 2009, restructuring charges of $27.2 million ($22.6 million net of tax) and restructuring-related inventory charges of $1.8 million ($1.5 million net of tax). A reconciliation of the differences between all non-GAAP financial measures used in this release with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the financial schedules that are a part of this release.

 

 


 

Recent Accounting Changes
In the first quarter of 2010, the Company changed from using a combination of first-in, first-out (FIFO) (approximately 80 percent of total inventory) and last-in, first-out (LIFO) (approximately 20 percent of total inventory) inventory accounting methods to the FIFO method for all of its businesses. The Company believes this change is preferable because the FIFO method:
    Provides better matching of sales and expenses
 
    Better reflects the current value of inventories on hand
 
    Presents a uniform inventory method across all operations
 
    Allows for easier comparisons with peer companies
 
    Reduces complexity in financial reporting
Financial information in this press release for the first quarter of 2009 has been adjusted for presentation under the FIFO accounting method.
In the first quarter of 2010, the Company adopted SFAS No. 141(R) (codified under ASC 805, “Business Combinations”), which requires it to expense acquisition costs in the period incurred. Previously, these costs were capitalized as part of the purchase price of the acquisition. Under this new guidance, there were $10.1 million of acquisition-related costs recognized in the first quarter of 2010 included in selling, general and administrative expenses. This amount included $6.1 million for acquisition costs incurred prior to November 1, 2009 that were previously accumulated to the balance sheet for acquisitions not consummated by October 31, 2009, and $4.0 million for acquisition costs incurred during the first quarter of 2010.
Consolidated Results
Net sales were $709.7 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $666.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. The 7 percent increase was due to higher sales volumes (16 percent or 11 percent excluding acquisitions) and foreign currency translation (5 percent), substantially offset by lower selling prices (14 percent) due to the pass-through of lower input costs. The $43.4 million increase was due to Industrial Packaging ($35.3 million increase) and Paper Packaging ($9.1 million increase), slightly offset by Land Management ($1.0 million decrease).
Operating profit before special items was $66.7 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $40.5 million for the first quarter of 2009. The $26.2 million increase was due to Industrial Packaging ($38.8 million increase), principally offset by a decrease in Paper Packaging ($12.4 million decrease). GAAP operating profit was $50.7 million and $11.5 million in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The improvement in GAAP operating profit was partially offset by the impact resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R), as described above.
Net income before special items was $37.6 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $21.7 million for the first quarter of 2009. Diluted earnings per share before special items were $0.65 compared to $0.38 per Class A share and $0.96 compared to $0.56 per Class B share for the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company had GAAP net income of $24.8 million, or $0.43 per diluted Class A share and $0.63 per diluted Class B share, in the first quarter of 2010 compared to GAAP net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.03 loss per diluted Class A share and $0.06 loss per diluted Class B share, in the first quarter of 2009.

 

 


 

Business Group Results
Industrial Packaging net sales were $564.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $529.5 million in the first quarter of 2009. The 7 percent increase in net sales was due to higher sales volumes (14 percent or 11 percent excluding acquisitions) and foreign currency translation (6 percent), substantially offset by lower selling prices (13 percent) due to the pass-through of lower input costs. Operating profit before special items increased to $57.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $18.6 million in the first quarter of 2009. The $38.8 million increase was primarily due to higher sales volumes, margin expansion principally due to lower input costs and the disciplined execution of the Greif Business System, and benefits from permanent cost savings achieved during fiscal 2009. GAAP operating profit was $41.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to GAAP operating loss of $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2009.
Paper Packaging net sales were $139.5 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $130.4 million in the first quarter of 2009. The 7 percent increase in net sales was due to higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower containerboard selling prices. The Company initiated a $50 per ton containerboard price increase at the end of the first quarter of 2010 that should be fully implemented during the second quarter of 2010. Operating profit before special items decreased to $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $18.7 million in the first quarter of 2009. This decline was primarily due to higher raw material costs (especially old corrugated containers) and lower selling prices, which were partially offset by higher sales volumes. GAAP operating profit was $6.3 million and $16.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Land Management net sales were $5.4 million and $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Operating profit before special items was $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2009. Included in these amounts were profits from the sale of special use properties (surplus, higher and better use, and development properties) of $0.3 million in the first quarters of 2010 and 2009. GAAP operating profit was $3.0 million in the first quarters of 2010 and 2009.
Other Cash Flow Information
In the first quarter of 2010, the Company’s debt increased primarily due to seasonal factors and cash payments related to the acquisition of an industrial packaging company, capital expenditures, quarterly dividends and performance-based incentives.
Capital expenditures were $33.7 million, excluding timberland purchases of $0.1 million, for the first quarter of 2010 compared with capital expenditures of $26.8 million, excluding timberland purchases of $0.4 million, for the first quarter of 2009. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $125 million, excluding timberland purchases, for fiscal 2010.
On Feb. 22, 2010, the Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.38 per share of Class A Common Stock and $0.57 per share of Class B Common Stock. These dividends are payable on April 1, 2010 to stockholders of record at close of business on March 17, 2010.
Greif Business System (GBS) and Accelerated Initiatives
During fiscal 2009, the Company implemented specific plans to address the adverse impact to its businesses resulting from the sharp decline of the global economy, which began at the end of fiscal 2008. These plans included accelerated GBS initiatives, contingency actions and active portfolio management. An additional $30 million, net, of savings from these plans are anticipated during fiscal 2010.
Company Outlook
The Company’s management continues to anticipate a gradual improvement in sales volumes and the full realization of the fiscal 2009 permanent cost reductions. In addition, it expects to mitigate the impact of the temporary margin contraction for Paper Packaging with other actions including full implementation of the January containerboard price increase. As such, the Company reaffirms its earnings guidance before special items of $4.00 to $4.25 per Class A share for fiscal 2010.

 

 


 

Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter of 2010 results on Feb. 25, 2010, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). To participate, domestic callers should call 877-485-3107 and ask for the Greif conference call. The number for international callers is +1 201-689-8427. Phone lines will open at 9:50 a.m. ET. The conference call will also be available through a live webcast, including slides, which can be accessed at www.greif.com in the Investor Center. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website approximately one hour following the call.
About Greif
Greif is a world leader in industrial packaging products and services. The Company produces steel, plastic, fibre, corrugated and multiwall containers, packaging accessories and containerboard, and provides blending and packaging services for a wide range of industries. Greif also manages timber properties in North America. The Company is strategically positioned in more than 45 countries to serve global as well as regional customers. Additional information is on the Company’s website at www.greif.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this news release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, goals and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “believe,” “continue,” “on track” or “target” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. All forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on information currently available to management. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements have a reasonable basis, the Company can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. Such risks and uncertainties that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to: general economic and business conditions, including a prolonged or substantial economic downturn; the availability of the credit markets to our customers and suppliers, as well as the Company; changing trends and demands in the industries in which the Company competes, including industry over-capacity; industry competition; the continuing consolidation of the Company’s customer base for its industrial packaging, containerboard and corrugated products; political instability in those foreign countries where the Company manufactures and sells its products; foreign currency fluctuations and devaluations; availability and costs of raw materials for the manufacture of the Company’s products, particularly steel, resin and old corrugated containers; price fluctuations in energy costs; costs associated with litigation or claims against the Company pertaining to environmental, safety and health, product liability and other matters; work stoppages and other labor relations matters; property loss resulting from wars, acts of terrorism or natural disasters; the Company’s ability to integrate its newly acquired operations effectively with its existing business; the Company’s ability to achieve improved operating efficiencies and capabilities; the Company’s ability to effectively embed and realize improvements from the Greif Business System; the frequency and volume of sales of the Company’s timber, timberland and special use timberland; and the deviation of actual results from the estimates and/or assumptions used by the Company in the application of its significant accounting policies. These and other risks and uncertainties that could materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial results are further discussed in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2009. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

 

 


 

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

UNAUDITED
(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)
                 
    Quarter ended  
    January 31,  
    2010     2009  
          (As Adjusted)(1)  
Net sales
  $ 709.7     $ 666.3  
Cost of products sold
    572.0       571.5  
 
           
Gross profit
    137.7       94.8  
 
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses(2)
    82.4       58.4  
Restructuring charges
    5.9       27.2  
Asset gains, net
    1.3       2.3  
 
           
Operating profit
    50.7       11.5  
 
               
Interest expense, net
    14.9       12.2  
Other income (expense), net
    (2.8 )     (1.8 )
 
           
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) and equity earnings and minority interests, net
    33.0       (2.5 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    6.7       (1.2 )
 
           
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest
    26.3       (1.3 )
Net income (loss) attributable to equity earnings and minority interests, net
    (1.5 )     (1.0 )
 
           
 
               
Net income (loss)
  $ 24.8     $ (2.3 )
 
           
 
               
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
               
Class A Common Stock
  $ 0.43     $ (0.03 )
Class B Common Stock
  $ 0.63     $ (0.06 )
 
               
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
               
Class A Common Stock
  $ 0.43     $ (0.03 )
Class B Common Stock
  $ 0.63     $ (0.06 )
 
               
Shares used to calculate basic earnings (loss) per share:
               
Class A Common Stock
    24.5       24.1  
Class B Common Stock
    22.5       22.5  
 
               
Shares used to calculate diluted earnings (loss) per share:
               
Class A Common Stock
    24.9       24.3  
Class B Common Stock
    22.5       22.5  
     
(1)   In the first quarter of 2010, the Company changed from using a combination of first-in, first-out (FIFO) and last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory accounting methods to the FIFO method for all of its businesses. Financial information in any tables included herein has been adjusted for presentation under the FIFO accounting method.
 
(2)   In the first quarter of 2010, the Company adopted SFAS No. 141(R) (codified under ASC 805, “Business Combinations”), which requires it to expense acquisition costs in the period incurred. Previously, these costs were capitalized as part of the purchase price of the acquisition. Under this new guidance, there were $10.1 million of acquisition-related costs recognized in the first quarter of 2010 included in selling, general and administrative expenses. This amount included $6.1 mln for acquisition costs incurred prior to November 1, 2009 which were previously accumulated to the balance sheet for acquisitions not consummated by October 31, 2009, and $4.0 million for acquisition costs incurred during the first quarter of 2010.

 

 


 

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

UNAUDITED
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                                                 
    Quarter ended January 31, 2010     Quarter ended January 31, 2009  
            Diluted per share amounts             Diluted per share amounts  
            Class A     Class B           Class A     Class B  
                        (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)  
GAAP — operating profit
  $ 50.7                     $ 11.5                  
Restructuring charges
    5.9                       27.2                  
Restructuring-related inventory charges
                          1.8                  
Acquisition-related costs
    10.1                                        
 
                                           
Non-GAAP — operating profit before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs
  $ 66.7                     $ 40.5                  
 
                                           
GAAP — net income (loss)
  $ 24.8     $ 0.43     $ 0.63     $ (2.3 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.06 )
Restructuring charges, net of tax
    4.8       0.08       0.12       22.5       0.38       0.58  
Restructuring-related inventory charges, net of tax
                      1.5       0.03       0.04  
Acquisition-related costs, net of tax
    8.0       0.14       0.21                    
 
                                   
Non-GAAP — net income (loss) before restructuring charges, restructuring- related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs
  $ 37.6     $ 0.65     $ 0.96     $ 21.7     $ 0.38     $ 0.56  
 
                                   

 

 


 

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
SEGMENT DATA

UNAUDITED
(Dollars in millions)
                 
    Quarter ended  
    January 31,  
    2010     2009  
          (As Adjusted)  
Net sales
               
Industrial Packaging
  $ 564.8     $ 529.5  
Paper Packaging
    139.5       130.4  
Land Management
    5.4       6.4  
 
           
Total
  $ 709.7     $ 666.3  
 
           
 
               
Operating profit
               
Operating profit before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs:
               
Industrial Packaging
  $ 57.4     $ 18.6  
Paper Packaging
    6.3       18.7  
Land Management
    3.0       3.2  
 
           
Operating profit before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs
    66.7       40.5  
 
           
Restructuring charges:
               
Industrial Packaging
    5.9       25.1  
Paper Packaging
          1.9  
Land Management
          0.2  
 
           
Restructuring charges
    5.9       27.2  
 
           
Restructuring-related inventory charges:
               
Industrial Packaging
          1.8  
Acquisition-related costs:
               
Industrial Packaging
    10.1        
 
           
Total
  $ 50.7     $ 11.5  
 
           
 
               
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense
               
Industrial Packaging
  $ 21.3     $ 17.5  
Paper Packaging
    7.3       6.7  
Land Management
    0.9       1.1  
 
           
Total
  $ 29.5     $ 25.3  
 
           

 

 


 

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
GEOGRAPHIC DATA

UNAUDITED
(Dollars in millions)
                 
    Quarter ended  
    January 31,  
    2010     2009  
          (As Adjusted)  
Net sales
               
North America
  $ 360.9     $ 394.0  
Europe, Middle East and Africa
    224.3       182.3  
Other
    124.5       90.0  
 
           
Total
  $ 709.7     $ 666.3  
 
           
 
               
Operating profit
               
Operating profit before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charged and acquisition- related costs:
               
North America
  $ 32.2     $ 48.0  
Europe, Middle East and Africa
    26.6       0.5  
Other
    7.9       (8.0 )
 
           
Operating profit before restructuring charges and timberland disposals, net
    66.7       40.5  
Restructuring charges
    5.9       27.2  
Restructuring-related inventory charges
          1.8  
Acquisition-related costs
    10.1        
 
           
Total
  $ 50.7     $ 11.5  
 
           

 

 


 

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
SEGMENT DATA

UNAUDITED
(Dollars in millions)
                 
    Quarter ended  
    January 31,  
    2010     2009  
          (As Adjusted)  
Industrial Packaging
               
GAAP — operating profit (loss)
  $ 41.4     $ (8.3 )
Restructuring charges
    5.9       25.1  
Restructuring-related inventory charges
          1.8  
Acquisition-related costs
    10.1        
 
           
Non-GAAP — operating profit before restructuring charges, restructuring-related inventory charges and acquisition-related costs
  $ 57.4     $ 18.6  
 
           
 
               
Paper Packaging
               
GAAP — operating profit
  $ 6.3     $ 16.8  
Restructuring charges
          1.9  
 
           
Non-GAAP — operating profit before restructuring charges
  $ 6.3     $ 18.7  
 
           
 
               
Land Management
               
GAAP — operating profit
  $ 3.0     $ 3.0  
Restructuring charges
          0.2  
 
           
Non-GAAP — operating profit before restructuring charges
  $ 3.0     $ 3.2  
 
           

 

 


 

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

UNAUDITED
(Dollars in millions)
                 
    January 31, 2010     October 31, 2009  
          (As Adjusted)  
ASSETS
               
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS
  $ 89.4     $ 111.9  
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 89.4     $ 111.9  
Trade accounts receivable
    337.2       337.1  
Inventories
    253.8       238.8  
Other current assets
    150.7       157.3  
 
           
 
    831.1       845.1  
 
           
 
               
LONG-TERM ASSETS
               
Goodwill
    606.8       592.1  
Intangible assets
    133.0       131.4  
Assets held by special purpose entities
    50.9       50.9  
Other long-term assets
    88.2       112.1  
 
           
 
    878.9       886.5  
 
           
 
               
PROPERTIES, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT
    1,122.0       1,092.3  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 2,832.0     $ 2,823.9  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable
  $ 228.6     $ 335.8  
Short-term borrowings
    62.2       37.1  
Other current liabilities
    161.7       189.2  
 
           
 
    452.5       562.1  
 
           
 
               
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
               
Long-term debt
    879.4       721.1  
Liabilities held by special purpose entities
    43.3       43.3  
Other long-term liabilities
    381.1       390.8  
 
           
 
    1,303.8       1,155.2  
 
           
 
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    1,075.7       1,106.6  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 2,832.0     $ 2,823.9  
 
           

 

 

Exhibit 99.2
EXHIBIT 99.2
FINAL TRANSCRIPT
(GRAPHIC)
GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Event Date/Time: Feb. 25. 2010 / 3:00PM GMT
     
 
   
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
CORPORATE PARTICIPANTS
Deb Strohmaier
Greif Inc. — VP of Communications
Mike Gasser
Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Don Huml
Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
CONFERENCE CALL PARTICIPANTS
Christopher Chun
Deutsche Bank — Analyst
Chris Manuel
KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Steve Chercover
D.A. Davidson & Co. — Analyst
Mike Worley
Janney Montgomery Scott — Analyst
PRESENTATION
Operator
Greetings and welcome to the Greif Incorporated first quarter of 2010 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A brief question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. (Operator Instructions). As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.
It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Deb Strohmaier for Greif Inc. Thank you. Ms. Strohmaier, you may begin.
Deb Strohmaier — Greif Inc. — VP of Communications
Thank you, Melissa, and good morning. As a reminder, you may follow this presentation on the Web at greif.com in the Investor Center under Conference Calls. If you don’t already have the earnings release, it is also available on our website. We are on slide two.
The information provided during this morning’s call contains forward-looking statements. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied. Some factors that could cause the results or outcomes to differ are on slide two of this presentation and the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K, and in other Company SEC filings as well as the Company earnings news releases.
As noted on slide three, this presentation uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including those that exclude special items, such as restructuring charges and Timberland disposals, and acquisition-related costs. Management believes the non-GAAP measures provide a better indication of operational performance and a more stable platform on which to compare the historical performance of the Company than the most nearly equivalent GAAP data.
All non-GAAP data in this presentation are indicated by footnotes. Tables showing the reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP measures are available at the end of this presentation and in the first quarter 2010 earnings release.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
I will now turn the call over to Chairman and CEO, Mike Gasser.
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Thank you, Deb. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining our conference call today. For those of you following this presentation on the Web, we are on slide four.
Sales volumes improved significantly across all businesses and geographic regions compared to the first quarter last year. As our results improve, however, we remain focused on the disciplined execution of the Greif Business System and maintaining the permanent cost savings we achieved last year.
On slide five, our organic growth was supplemented in the quarter with an Industrial Packaging acquisition in Scandinavia. We strengthened our footprint in Sweden and expanded into Denmark, Norway, and contiguous countries. After the quarter’s end, we closed on the acquisition of the world’s largest producer of flexible intermediate bulk containers.
The addition of woven polypropylene FIBCs to our product portfolio expands our offerings to our customers. Conversely, it allows the new company to expand its Industrial Packaging product offerings to its customers. It also enables us to diversify more deeply into stable end segments such as food and pharmaceutical industries.
We anticipate that we will close on additional Industrial and Paper Packaging acquisitions this quarter and throughout the remainder of the year. With these and with all our acquisitions, we will leverage our global footprint in the Greif Business System to deliver value to our customers and shareholders. Our pipeline of consolidation and product line extension opportunities is still robust and we continue to aggressively pursue growth through this channel.
Now to slide six. During the quarter, and after meeting our first energy use reduction target, we issued a new challenge to Greif worldwide to reduce our energy and carbon footprint on a per-unit basis by 15% by 2015. Also of note, our Riverville and Massillon containerboard mills, and our multiwall bags business qualified for a Sustainable Forest Initiative certification. Certification helps their customers who are looking for more sustainable resources for their own markets.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Don Huml will now provide you with an update of our financial results.
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
Thank you, Mike. If you would go to slide seven. Despite some headwinds, we were able to deliver strong first quarter results. As Mike mentioned, sales volumes were significantly improved for all of our products and geographies. In addition, the margin expansion in Industrial Packaging more than offset the price cost squeeze in Paper Packaging. And finally, we are on track to achieve the $120 million of permanent cost savings that were implemented last year.
Net sales for the quarter were $710 million compared to $666 million last year. The increase was due to higher sales volumes of 16% or 11% excluding acquisitions, and foreign currency translation of 5%, offset by lower selling prices of 14% due to the pass-through of lower input costs. Industrial Packaging accounted for $35 million and Paper Packaging for $9 million of the increase.
Operating profit before special items was $67 million compared to $41 million last year. The increase was due to Industrial Packaging at $39 million, primarily offset by a decrease in Paper Packaging of $13 million.
The effective tax rate was 20.2%. Based on current expectations and earnings mix projections, this is a reasonable estimate for 2010. Net income before special items was $38 million compared to $22 million last year. Diluted earnings per share before special items were $0.65 per Class A share.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
In the first quarter of 2010, seasonal factors and cash payments related to the acquisition of an Industrial Packaging company, capital expenditures, quarterly dividends, and performance-based incentives caused our debts to increase.
On slide eight — Industrial Packaging net sales were $565 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $530 million in the first quarter of 2009. Higher sales volumes of 14%, or 11% excluding acquisitions, and foreign currency translation of 6%, offset by lower selling prices of 13% due to the pass-through of lower input costs, accounted for the increase.
Sales volumes were particularly strong in the emerging markets. Operating profit before special items increased three times to $57 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $19 million last year. This increase was primarily due to higher sales volumes, margin expansion, primarily from improved value-added, and lower costs resulting from the discipline execution of the Greif Business System, and benefits from permanent cost savings achieved during 2009.
Now on slide nine. Paper Packaging net sales were $140 million compared to $130 million last year. The increase was due to higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower selling prices. We initiated a $50 per ton containerboard price increase at the end of the first quarter of 2010, that should be fully implemented during the second quarter.
Operating profit before special items decreased to $6 million from $19 million. This decline was primarily due to higher raw material costs, especially old corrugated containers, and lower selling prices, which were partially offset by higher sales volumes.
As shown on slide 10, our Land Management business continues to perform as planned. Net sales were $5 million and $6 million in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Operating profit before special items was $3 million, which was the same as last year.
On slide 11, capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $125 million for 2010. We continue to anticipate a gradual improvement in sales volumes. In addition, we implemented specific plans to address the adverse impact to our business resulting from a sharp decline of the global economy during 2009. These plans included accelerated GBS initiatives, contingency actions, and active portfolio management. We are on track to fully realize the permanent cost savings of $120 million from the 2009 initiatives and an additional $30 million from GBS activities this year.
Finally, we expect to mitigate the impact of the temporary margin contraction for Paper Packaging with other actions, including the full implementation of the January containerboard price increase. Therefore, we reaffirm our earnings guidance before special items of $4.00 to $4.25.
That concludes my remarks and you should now go to slide 12. Mike and I will be pleased to answer your questions.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Operator
(Operator Instructions). Christopher Chun, Deutsche Bank.
Christopher Chun - Deutsche Bank — Analyst
Can you just give us some more information on the two acquisitions that you mentioned earlier? It seems like especially the polywoven one may have been fairly significant in size.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Yes, Chris, I’ll try to bracket the acquisitions. I’ll start with the first one. It was the acquisition up in the Scandinavian region. We had disclosed that in our 10-K. It’s a company called Hannells; private label company; had three locations in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. It really complements our existing business.
We had a very small interest in that region and it’s an exciting opportunity for us. You could find this out — sales were around $100 million for that business. And we don’t disclose purchase prices for any of these, but both of these were less than $100 million apiece on the purchase price.
The polywoven business that we talked about is an opportunity — they are the leading producer of polywoven FIBCs. They have about 18 facilities in North America, Asia, and Europe. It tightly fits our growth strategy as a product line extension. We are currently a small distributor in polywoven bags, so we do know this business.
We did acquire the leading company for this product. There’s significant customer overlap, and it really does increase our participation in a much more stable end market, which would be the food and feed market. A significantly higher percent of their business goes into those products than the industrial — the drum business does. And it’s very similar customers. So, their sales would be around $200 million in sales. And again, purchase price would be less than $100 million. That hopefully will bracket what we’ve done.
Christopher Chun — Deutsche Bank — Analyst
Okay. Can you give us an idea of the kind of EBIT, EBITDA multiples that you take?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
We stayed in the range on both of those, which we said in the past would be five to seven times. So both of them were in that range.
Christopher Chun — Deutsche Bank — Analyst
Okay. And do you expect these deals to be accretive in the near-term? Or will that take some time?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Well, our anticipation is that they will be slightly accretive this year. So it’d be very marginal — slightly accretive for 2010.
Christopher Chun — Deutsche Bank — Analyst
And would the accretion increase in ‘11?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Yes. I mean, the margin of these businesses with synergies, the FIBC business we anticipate will be equal to or greater than the margins of the existing business after we implement all the synergies that we’re going to put into it.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Christopher Chun — Deutsche Bank — Analyst
Okay. And then can you remind us what’s still in the acquisition pipeline?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Yes, we have — well, last quarter, we talked about having eight acquisitions in the pipeline. We closed on two of them, which we just talked about. We still have eight in the pipeline, so we added two more. We’re still looking in the range of five to seven times multiple.
Aggregate purchase price, if we did all eight — and again, you know, these are just round numbers — would be less than $350 million. And the sales for these eight would be around two times the purchase price.
The distribution would be — probably one-third of these would be core consolidation plays. One-third would be product line extension and one-third would be into new markets. So just to give you a flavor of what direction they’re looking at. And they’re spread pretty evenly geographically around the world at this point.
Christopher Chun — Deutsche Bank — Analyst
Okay, great. And if I can just switch topics. It seems like the paper side is where you’re facing some margin challenges at the moment, due to the high OCC costs. Do you have any visibility into what those OCC costs will be going forward?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Well, you know, that — you’re absolutely right, and I’ll let Don jump in here in a second, but you’re absolutely right. Our challenges have truly been with the headwinds of the OCC costs. And it was compounded by the severe weather we’ve experienced in the Midwest and the Northeast. That eliminates collection quite a bit too.
Right now, OCC prices on the spot market we’re hearing of 160 to 170 a ton. We anticipate that they will come down once the weather breaks, but we really don’t know for sure at this point in time. And as we said in the prepared remarks, the price increase that we have announced in January, and is being implemented, will help us offset those increases and allow us to get to the guidance range that we talked about at the beginning of the year.
Christopher Chun — Deutsche Bank — Analyst
Right. And then in terms of your guidance range, can you tell us what average OCC level for fiscal 2010 that assumes?
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
Yes, Chris, we basically anticipated a spike in February of about $30. And then, as Mike had mentioned, some improved availability, so that we would see some moderation of OCC, perhaps $10 a ton in the months following, the two months following, but remaining at a fairly elevated level.
Christopher Chun — Deutsche Bank — Analyst
Okay. I’ll go ahead and turn it over. Thanks for your help, guys.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Operator
Chris Manuel, KeyBanc Capital Markets.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
A couple of questions for you. Let’s start — if I could — I know you want to be a bit cautious with information you’re talking about with some of these deals you’ve completed, but just to give us a sense of where these fall — a couple hundred million of revenue from the — it looks like Storsack, and another $100 million from the Hannells piece in Scandinavia. I mean, some of these start to sound kind of chunky.
With respect to contribution as the year goes on, help me with how this fits. I guess, maybe I’ll come back to the question this way. As you — Don, if you’re building your bridge from 2009 to 2010 in your guidance, could you re-go through that bridge for us in how these components all fit in? And then I guess I’ll come back to the acquisition question.
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
Yes, I’d be happy to, Chris. We provided a bridge during our last conference call, which basically remains intact. We indicated at an operating profit level that we would have a contribution from higher volume levels that we estimated at 9%; very consistent with what we’re reporting. We actually achieved a little bit more. And that was a $75 million impact.
We then stated that the Paper Packaging price cost squeeze would be a step down in the bridge, primarily based on higher OCC cost. And that was a $15 million deduction that we have basically seen play out.
We then talked about the Greif Business System — net of the returning costs, the non-permanent cost reduction from 2009 of $30 million. We also discussed the pension expense step-down of $10 million, based on the lower discount rate. And then we had an offset for acquisitions, the contribution from acquisitions at $10 million.
We also indicated that below the line, interest expense would be a bit higher, based on the financing transactions and extending maturities last year. So we indicated that that would be a $15 million pretax impact — negative impact. So that basically got you to the $400 million range in operating profit and the $4.00 to $4.25 in earnings per share.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Okay. So as I’m looking through the old bridge to — well, essentially what amounts to what’s going to be a new component, it looks like the base came down from $3.30-ish to $3.00 as you adjusted some accounting. I’m just kind of trying — as I look through some of the puts and takes, it sounds like you’ve done a couple more sizable acquisitions that weren’t included in there before.
Are those within your new — so, two components — one, is that within your new bridge? It looks like the tax rate is becoming more — I guess, as I’m looking, it seems as though there’s a discrepancy here that we may be missing some components. And that’s what I (multiple speakers) —
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
No, I — well, I don’t think so. I would say the Paper Packaging — I think we highlighted a risk. It turned out being a little bit worse than we had expected. I think, I mean, the OCC situation was — we were looking for an increase but it has been more of an impact than we had considered.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
We have offsets in terms of other actions that we’re taking. And we would also expect, based on an earnings mix shift, to have a bit lower effective tax rate. We had provided a broad range, 20% to 25% during our last call. It now is looking like it’s going to be more toward the lower end of the range.
In terms of the acquisition contribution, as Mike had mentioned, the initial year, our focus is really embedding the Greif Business System and really shrinking to a profitable core. So, we are anticipating a positive contribution and accretion, but the first year is really focused on solidifying the platform. We would expect in the second year to get much more of a contribution, and by the third year, to be at a targeted return of a 25% return on net assets.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Okay. So is there — when you embedded this into your $4.00 to $4.25 number, is there any contribution assumed from these two new transactions? It’s sounding like no.
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
Modest. A modest contribution.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Okay. And then separately with the — could you help us by, maybe over the next few weeks, releasing — it looks like you’re making an adjustment for accounting — to give us the historical financials so that we can make the adjustments? And for this quarter, what — well, two questions — one is, what impact, if any, did that have on your — what was your guidance number? And what would the quarter have looked like, had you not done this?
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
Well, starting with the second question last, we have not computed LIFO, since we have adopted FIFO. I would say that, based on the relative stability of commodity prices, there would not likely have been a significant impact. It will not have any effect on the guidance.
And in terms of the amendments, we will — by the close of business today, we will be posting on our website the quarterly data for 2009. I would expect by tomorrow we would have five years worth of data. We’ll then be filing an 8-K with the audited amendments, I would say, really, by the end of the second quarter.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Okay. That’s helpful. I’ll turn it over. Thank you.
Operator
(Operator Instructions). Steve Chercover, D.A. Davidson & Co.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Steve Chercover — D.A. Davidson & Co. — Analyst
First, I wanted just to start with timber. Some of your peers — and I think timber is a much more important component than revenue — have been giving us directional information on harvest volumes and pricing. Are you also holding back on your harvest levels? Can you give us a little color, please?
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
We have actually had a fairly good harvest activity. Our properties tend to be a little higher on higher ground and more accessible during adverse weather. So we were actually able to realize full and fair prices. And so I would characterize the harvesting activity as up slightly.
Steve Chercover — D.A. Davidson & Co. — Analyst
And skewed towards saw logs or pulp logs, given your —?
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
Saw logs.
Steve Chercover — D.A. Davidson & Co. — Analyst
Okay, thanks for that, Don. And switching to regional trends, can you discuss the US versus Europe, which I assume might have some problems in Asia?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Yes, Steve. I’ll give you some volume trends from the first quarter this year to the first quarter last year. So, year-over-year comparison. And we’ll use large steel drums as the proxy because that’s the one that we have around the world.
Asia is up over 50%. So we’ll start with that, because that’s by far the biggest increase. Latin America is basically flat. And that’s to be expected because Latin America really had started the downturn later than everyone else did last year, so they really hadn’t started. So they’re basically flat year-over-year.
Europe is up 20 plus percent, in the higher range of that, and North America is around 20%. So, our — actually, Europe is a little bit better than North America, which is contrary to what you’re hearing, but in our case. But all regions are up on large steel drums, which we would use as the best proxy because it is the universal product.
Steve Chercover — D.A. Davidson & Co. — Analyst
And so to have a volume across the Company up just over 9%, is that a function of pricing?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Yes, the volumes were up 16%; 11% on a same structure basis, if you take out the acquisitions. So, volumes around the Company are up 11%. Steel drums — we had 20 in a couple of regions; flat in one region; 15 in other regions. And then the other products
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
were up a little bit different percentages. And when we showed total units, it’s all the paper volumes in corrugated. So 11% would be the volume increase corporate-wide.
Steve Chercover — D.A. Davidson & Co. — Analyst
Okay. And final question, just philosophically — the returns, obviously, in Paper Packaging aren’t acceptable in the current quarter and I agree that OCC will probably come down when availability is better. But would you be philosophically in favor of another price increase, just given where OCC is today and Don’s comments that it comes down to $10 a ton or so?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Well, we constantly are evaluating our price/cost relationships and the margins that we experienced in that business. And we did implement the increase in January. We’ll analyze the costs as they go forward and analyze them, make a decision whether we should have another increase later in the year.
Steve Chercover — D.A. Davidson & Co. — Analyst
Great. Thanks, Mike.
Operator
Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I’d like to turn the floor back over to management for — I’m sorry. We have a follow-up from Chris Manuel, KeyBanc Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
I just wanted to, if I could, follow-up on the volume question, because I’m a little confused.
So if we looked at 11% same structure across the system — you went through some numbers for large steel that, up 50 Asia, I think 20 Europe, 20 North America, flat Latin America. Were there other components that must have been negatives to kind of help us get to industrial piece that would have been up —?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
No, not really, Chris. Other pieces were up single digits or low single digits. We didn’t really have any products that were negative year-over-year. So, on an average, if you averaged the rest of them — to get to 11%, there were some that was single digits, low single digits up.
Don Huml — Greif Inc. — EVP and CFO
(multiple speakers) Yes, Chris, one of the factors is — what Mike had referred to — we have several product lines, for example, fibre drums, that serve primarily food, agricultural and pharmaceutical end markets. So those markets have been very stable. So the low single digit growth rates are understandable.
When we’re — when Mike was giving you that regional review of volume changes for large steel drum, recall that those served really the chemical and petrochemical and petroleum markets that were impacted so significantly at the same time last year. So it’s sort of illustrative. It allows you to eliminate mix effect, but it’s not necessarily representative of the portfolio.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Okay. And have you seen any adjustments with respect to substitution across the system?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
No, Chris. We constantly are looking at that. You know, you do get customers looking at different products at different times based upon different cost structures. But we have not seen a trend this past quarter that makes one product a favorite at the expense of another.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Okay. And then a couple more questions along these lines. On the blending/filling side, how have activity levels there been?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Activity levels recently have improved quite a bit, so that’s positive. We did announce that we are opening up a blending/filling operation — or starting to build one in China, so that will be an expansion into the Asian market. So that activity level is pretty good right now. So that’s a good encouraging sign.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Okay. And then with respect to the 11% whole Company core, I think in your — either in your prepared remarks or in the press release, you talked about seeing that gradually improve over the course of the year through time. Can you talk maybe a little bit about the trajectory through the quarter? Basically the 9% for the full year, is that —?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
This is a tough quarter to look at that, Chris, because we go from a holiday season in November to a holiday — a real holiday season in December to January. So, the trajectory in January is always much better than December. So that is consistent.
Our business right now is still very good; still continue to track. We haven’t stated what we think the volumes would do, but we are cautiously optimistic that they’ll continue to grow and get better as the year goes on. We haven’t seen any signs yet that says that that will not be the case.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Okay, that’s helpful. I guess as I’m looking at the balance of the year, your comps obviously get tougher as the year goes on. Or I guess, maybe said differently, that the biggest negative variance was earlier in the year. So from a — and I know it’s very difficult to see into your customers, but from a — the higher activity levels we’re seeing now, could you maybe comment a little on how you feel that that may coincide with their end demand, i.e., not versus restocking or something of that nature?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Yes, we have a — we’ve had a lot of conversations on whether the volume increase has been inventory build, restocking; we have no indications that that’s the case today. We judge this by the frequency of the order, the urgency of the order. And we
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
also believe that most companies probably still have a long memory of last year. And so having a large inventory is not something most companies are probably going to want to sign up for right now.
So we don’t think this is a restocking effort. Customers are generally positive right now — cautiously positive, I would say. And the chemical business is generally positive, cautiously. I don’t think anyone says we’re completely out of the woods yet, but it’s a heck of a lot better than it was a year ago, Chris, as you know.
Chris Manuel — KeyBanc Capital Markets — Analyst
Yes. Okay, that’s all I had, gentlemen. Thank you.
Operator
[Mike Worley], Janney Montgomery Scott.
Mike Worley — Janney Montgomery Scott — Analyst
I was just going to ask you about the chemical end market and you just answered my question. But I was wondering over the course in the last year, since some of these end markets have been hurt worse than others, has the Company’s exposure to various end markets changed dramatically?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Well, that’s a good question, Mike. We have — in the past, the way we’ve described it has been about one-third chemical, one-third lube and oil, and one-third other, which is food and agriculture. It’s pretty consistent. I would tell you our volume is probably a little bit higher in chemical today just because the chemical business is a little bit better than it was a year ago.
The acquisition that we did on the flexible IBC is — it was our intent to get into more stable end markets, and there, have a higher concentration into the food and feed business. So we believe, in addition to being the leading producer, that it does help stabilize the end market — which has been our objective, which we’ve stated over the last year, year and a half. So we anticipate in the future, as this becomes a part of our operation, that our end market relationship will change a little bit.
Mike Worley — Janney Montgomery Scott — Analyst
Okay. And just as far as looking at those acquisitions that are in the pipeline, are they more — are any of them in chemical? Or are they all in the other two?
Mike Gasser — Greif Inc. — Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO
Well, in the announcements, I gave one-third consolidation, one-third new market, and one-third product extension. The core consolidation would be normally the same relationship we had in the Industrial business. The other two could be a mix — that could be a little bit different.
Mike Worley — Janney Montgomery Scott — Analyst
Okay. Thanks a lot.
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Feb. 25. 2010/3:00PM, GEF — Q1 2010 Greif Inc. Earnings Conference Call
Operator
Thank you, gentlemen. There are no further questions in the queue. I would like to turn the floor back over to management for closing comments.
Deb Strohmaier — Greif Inc. — VP of Communications
Thanks, Melissa. And thank you all again for joining us this morning. A digital replay of the conference call will be available in approximately one hour on the Company’s website at www.greif.com. We appreciate your joining us this morning.
Operator
Thank you. This concludes today’s teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.
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