Quarterly Report

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 April 30, 2006

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 001-00566

 


LOGO

GREIF, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   31-4388903

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

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, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.

 


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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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 shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock at the close of business on April 30, 2006 was as follows:

 

Class A Common Stock  

11,545,303 shares

Class B Common Stock  

11,521,245 shares

 



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    

Three months ended

April 30,

  

Six months ended

April 30,

     2006    2005    2006     2005

Net sales

   $ 620,107    $ 612,960    $ 1,202,423     $ 1,195,524

Cost of products sold

     510,664      515,042      1,003,308       1,008,880
                            

Gross profit

     109,443      97,918      199,115       186,644

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     62,378      56,068      121,832       115,789

Restructuring charges

     10,287      10,621      15,755       17,807

Gain on sale of assets

     14,786      4,194      47,997       14,538
                            

Operating profit

     51,564      35,423      109,525       67,586

Interest expense, net

     9,794      10,296      18,967       19,954

Debt extinguishment charge

     —        2,828      —         2,828

Other income (expense), net

     288      1,469      (194 )     65
                            

Income before income tax expense

     42,058      23,768      90,364       44,869

Income tax expense

     13,365      7,001      28,319       12,966
                            

Net income

   $ 28,693    $ 16,767    $ 62,045     $ 31,903
                            
Basic earnings per share:           

Class A Common Stock

   $ 0.99    $ 0.58    $ 2.15     $ 1.12

Class B Common Stock

   $ 1.49    $ 0.88    $ 3.22     $ 1.67
Diluted earnings per share:           

Class A Common Stock

   $ 0.97    $ 0.57    $ 2.11     $ 1.09

Class B Common Stock

   $ 1.49    $ 0.88    $ 3.22     $ 1.67

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2


GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

ASSETS

 

    

April 30,

2006

    October 31,
2005
 
     (Unaudited)        
Current assets     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 152,030     $ 122,411  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $8,032 in 2006 and $8,972 in 2005

     283,496       258,636  

Inventories

     170,958       170,533  

Net assets held for sale

     3,272       8,410  

Deferred tax assets

     9,189       10,088  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     86,238       55,874  
                
     705,183       625,952  
                
Long-term assets     

Goodwill, net of amortization

     249,505       263,703  

Other intangible assets, net of amortization

     35,975       25,015  

Assets held by special purpose entities (Note 8)

     50,891       50,891  

Other long-term assets

     53,483       55,706  
                
     389,854       395,315  
                
Properties, plants and equipment     

Timber properties, net of depletion

     172,042       139,372  

Land

     75,374       75,464  

Buildings

     312,176       317,791  

Machinery and equipment

     900,063       852,926  

Capital projects in progress

     47,543       38,208  
                
     1,507,198       1,423,761  

Accumulated depreciation

     (624,551 )     (561,705 )
                
     882,647       862,056  
                
   $ 1,977,684     $ 1,883,323  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3


GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

    

April 30,

2006

    October 31,
2005
 
     (Unaudited)        
Current liabilities     

Accounts payable

   $ 225,423     $ 234,672  

Accrued payrolls and employee benefits

     44,474       45,252  

Restructuring reserves

     6,958       10,402  

Short-term borrowings

     26,459       17,173  

Other current liabilities

     79,069       75,485  
                
     382,383       382,984  
                
Long-term liabilities     

Long-term debt

     459,190       430,400  

Deferred tax liability

     145,604       133,837  

Pension liability

     44,037       45,544  

Postretirement benefit liability

     50,735       47,827  

Liabilities held by special purpose entities (Note 8)

     43,250       43,250  

Other long-term liabilities

     76,475       66,897  
                
     819,291       767,755  
                
Minority interest      4,027       1,696  
                
Shareholders’ equity     

Common stock, without par value

     52,037       49,251  

Treasury stock, at cost

     (81,429 )     (75,956 )

Retained earnings

     841,982       793,669  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

    

- foreign currency translation

     4,219       9,117  

- interest rate derivatives

     (1,861 )     (2,738 )

- energy derivatives

     (508 )     —    

- minimum pension liability

     (42,457 )     (42,455 )
                
     771,983       730,888  
                
   $ 1,977,684     $ 1,883,323  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4


GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

For the six months ended April 30,

   2006     2005  
Cash flows from operating activities:     

Net income

   $ 62,045     $ 31,903  

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

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     47,999       50,174  

Asset impairments

     5,525       3,896  

Deferred income taxes

     12,436       2,832  

Gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net

     (7,190 )     (14,538 )

Gain on significant sales of nonstrategic timberland (Note 8)

     (40,807 )     —    

Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in certain assets and liabilities:

    

Trade accounts receivable

     (28,970 )     25,041  

Inventories

     (3,322 )     (30,829 )

Other current assets

     (32,498 )     (12,609 )

Other long-term assets

     1,353       (200 )

Accounts payable

     7,578       (39,254 )

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

     (176 )     (7,720 )

Restructuring reserves

     (3,297 )     (3,031 )

Other current liabilities

     (10,965 )     (7 )

Postretirement benefit liability

     2,138       3,118  

Other long-term liabilities

     36,645       (12,052 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     48,494       (3,276 )
                
Cash flows from investing activities:     

Purchases of properties, plants, equipment and other assets

     (82,170 )     (26,200 )

Proceeds from the sale of properties, plants, equipment and other assets

     52,282       17,687  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (29,888 )     (8,513 )
                
Cash flows from financing activities:     

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     480,544       965,480  

Payments on long-term debt

     (458,685 )     (954,263 )

Proceeds (payments) on short-term borrowings

     11,141       12,880  

Dividends paid

     (13,732 )     (9,049 )

Acquisitions of treasury stock

     (5,733 )     (5,291 )

Exercise of stock options

     1,916       14,767  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     15,451       24,524  
                
Effects of exchange rates on cash      (4,438 )     1,185  
                
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents      29,619       13,920  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period      122,411       38,109  
                
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period    $ 152,030     $ 52,029  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5


GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2006

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated balance sheets as of April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005 and the consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the three-month and six-month periods ended April 30, 2006 and 2005 of Greif, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”). These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 (the “2005 Form 10-K”).

The Company’s fiscal year begins on November 1 and ends on October 31 of the following year. Any references to the year 2006 or 2005, or to any quarter of those years, relates to the fiscal year or quarter, as the case may be, ending in that year.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

On November 1, 2005, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense, based on estimated fair values, for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and participation in the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. In March 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107 relating to SFAS No. 123(R). The Company has applied the provisions of SAB 107 in its adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

In adopting SFAS No. 123(R), the Company used the modified prospective application transition method, as of November 1, 2005, the first day of the Company’s fiscal year 2006. The Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the first half of 2006 reflect the impact of SFAS No. 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective application transition method, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS No. 123(R). Share-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS No. 123(R) for the first half of 2006 was $0.5 million.

 

6


Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company accounted for share-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” as interpreted by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, an Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25,” as allowed under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Because the exercise price of the Company’s stock options granted to employees and directors equaled the fair market value of the underlying stock at the grant date, under the intrinsic value method, no share-based compensation expense was otherwise recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the first half of 2005. If compensation cost had been determined based on fair values at the date of grant under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” pro forma net income and earnings per share would have been as follows (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three months end
April 30,
   Six months ended
April 30,
     2005    2005

Net income as reported

   $ 16,767    $ 31,903

Deduct total stock option expense determined under fair value method, net of tax

     331      604
             

Pro forma net income

   $ 16,436    $ 31,299
             

Earnings per share:

     

Class A Common Stock:

     

Basic – as reported

   $ 0.58    $ 1.12

Basic – pro forma

   $ 0.57    $ 1.10

Diluted – as reported

   $ 0.57    $ 1.09

Diluted – pro forma

   $ 0.56    $ 1.07

Class B Common Stock

     

Basic – as reported

   $ 0.88    $ 1.67

Basic – pro forma

   $ 0.86    $ 1.63

Diluted – as reported

   $ 0.88    $ 1.67

Diluted – pro forma

   $ 0.86    $ 1.63

SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income over the requisite service periods. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the first half of 2006 includes compensation expense for share-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of October 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123. No options have been granted in 2006. For any options granted subsequent to October 31, 2005, compensation expense will be based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R).

Compensation expense for all share-based awards granted on or prior to October 31, 2005 will continue to be recognized using the straight-line single option method. Compensation expense for all share-based awards granted subsequent to October 31, 2005 will be recognized using the straight-line single-option method. It should be noted that, in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2006 under Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company mistakenly indicated another type of approach was used for recognizing the compensation expense for stock options; however, the Company has always used the straight-line single option method of expensing stock options for pro forma disclosure purposes prior to 2006 and has and will continue to utilize this method to recognize compensation expense in its consolidated statements of income for all stock options, including those granted prior to October 31, 2005. Because share-based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, share-based compensation expense will be reduced to account for estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. In the Company’s pro forma information required under SFAS No. 123 for periods prior to 2006, the Company accounted for forfeitures as they occurred.

 

7


To calculate option-based compensation under SFAS No. 123(R), the Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which it had previously used for valuation of option-based awards for its pro forma information required under SFAS No. 123 for periods prior to 2006. The Company’s determination of fair value of option-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.

NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” SFAS No. 154 replaces APB Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes”, and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” It applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and requires that they be reported via retrospective application. It is effective for all accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005 (2007 for the Company). The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations,” was issued by the FASB in March 2005. FIN 47 provides guidance relating to the identification of and financial reporting for legal obligations to perform an asset retirement activity. The Interpretation requires recognition of a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005 (2006 for the Company). The Company does not expect the adoption of this interpretation to have a material impact on consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3 – SALE OF EUROPEAN ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Pursuant to the terms of a Receivable Purchase Agreement (the “RPA”) dated October 28, 2004 between Greif Coordination Center BVBA (the “Seller”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc., and a major international bank (the “Buyer”), the Seller agreed to sell trade receivables meeting certain eligibility requirements that Seller had purchased from other indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Greif, Inc., including Greif Belgium BVBA, Greif Germany GmbH, Greif Nederland BV, Greif Spain SA and Greif UK Ltd, under discounted receivables purchase agreements and from Greif France SAS under a factoring agreement. The RPA was amended on October 28, 2005 to include receivables originated by Greif Portugal Lda, also an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc. In addition, on October 28, 2005, Greif Italia S.P.A., also an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc., entered into the Italian Receivables Purchase Agreement with the Italian branch of the major international bank (the “Italian RPA”) with Greif Italia S.P.A., agreeing to sell trade receivables that meet certain eligibility criteria to the Italian branch of the major international bank. The Italian RPA is similar in structure and terms as the RPA. The maximum amount of receivables that may be sold under the RPA and the Italian RPA is €90.0 million ($113.1 million) at April 30, 2006.

The structure of the transaction provides for a legal true sale, on a revolving basis, of the receivables transferred from the various Greif, Inc. subsidiaries to Seller and from Seller to Buyer. The Buyer funds an initial purchase price of a certain percentage of eligible receivables based on a formula with the initial purchase price approximating 70 percent to 80 percent of eligible receivables. The remaining deferred purchase price is settled upon collection of the receivables. At the balance sheet reporting dates, the Company removes from accounts receivable the amount of proceeds received from the initial purchase price since they meet the applicable criteria of SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,” and continues to recognize the deferred purchase price in its accounts receivable. The receivables are sold on a non-recourse basis with the total funds in the servicing collection accounts pledged to Buyer between the semi-monthly settlement dates. At April 30, 2006, €57.6 million ($72.4 million) of accounts receivable were sold under the RPA and Italian RPA.

At the time the receivables are initially sold, the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets sold are included as a loss on sale in the consolidated statements of income. Expenses, primarily related to the loss on sale of receivables, associated with the RPA and Italian RPA totaled €0.5 million ($0.6 million) and €0.3 million ($0.4 million) for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Expenses associated with the RPA and Italian RPA totaled €0.9 million ($1.1 million) and €0.6 million ($0.8 million) for the six months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Additionally, the Company performs collections and administrative functions on the receivables sold similar to the procedures it uses for collecting all of its receivables, including receivables that are not sold under the RPA and Italian RPA. The servicing liability for these receivables is not material to the consolidated financial statements.

 

8


NOTE 4 – INVENTORIES

Inventories are summarized as follows (Dollars in thousands):

 

     April 30,
2006
    October 31,
2005
 

Finished goods

   $ 54,617     $ 57,924  

Raw materials and work-in-process

     150,005       143,168  
                
     204,622       201,092  

Reduction to state inventories on last-in, first-out basis

     (33,664 )     (30,559 )
                
   $ 170,958     $ 170,533  
                

NOTE 5 – NET ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Net assets held for sale represent land, buildings and land improvements less accumulated depreciation for locations that meet the classification requirements of net assets held for sale as defined in SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” As of April 30, 2006, there were three facilities held for sale. The net assets held for sale are being marketed for sale and it is the Company’s intention to complete the sales within the upcoming year.

NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company periodically reviews goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment as required by SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The Company has concluded that no indicators of impairment exists at this time.

Changes to the carrying amount of goodwill for the six-month period ended April 30, 2006 are as follows (Dollars in thousands):

 

     Industrial
Packaging &
Services
    Paper,
Packaging &
Services
   Total  

Balance at October 31, 2005

   $ 230,875     $ 32,828    $ 263,703  

Goodwill adjustments

     (13,872 )     —        (13,872 )

Currency translation

     (326 )     —        (326 )
                       

Balance at April 30, 2006

   $ 216,677     $ 32,828    $ 249,505  
                       

The goodwill adjustments of $13.9 million primarily represents the recording of intangible assets of $13.6 million related to two separate acquisitions of industrial packaging companies in October 2005 which were originally recorded in goodwill pending the completion of the Company’s valuation and $1.1 million represents the recognition of a deferred tax asset related to the Van Leer Industrial Packaging acquisition closed in March 2001. The adjustments to goodwill described in the Note were made in accordance with accounting pronouncements and described in this Note relate principally to adjustments to deferred taxes or estimates for income tax contingencies existing at the acquisition date.

All other intangible assets for the periods presented, except for $3.4 million, net, related to the Tri-Sure Trademark, are subject to amortization and are being amortized using the straight-line method over periods that range from two to 20 years. The detail of other intangible assets by class as of April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005 are as follows (Dollars in thousands):

 

    

Gross

Intangible

Assets

   Accumulated
Amortization
  

Net

Intangible

Assets

April 30, 2006:

        

Trademarks and patents

   $ 17,290    $ 7,308    $ 9,982

Non-compete agreements

     6,733      3,600      3,133

Customer relationships

     18,415      1,631      16,784

Other

     9,148      3,071      6,077
                    

Total

   $ 51,586    $ 15,611    $ 35,975
                    

October 31, 2005:

        

Trademarks and patents

   $ 18,510    $ 7,411    $ 11,099

Non-compete agreements

     9,625      8,978      647

Customer relationships

     7,815      1,015      6,800

Other

     9,229      2,760      6,469
                    

Total

   $ 45,179    $ 20,164    $ 25,015
                    

 

9


During the first six months of 2006, there were no acquisitions of other intangible assets. However, intangible assets of $13.6 million relating to the acquisition of industrial packaging companies in North America during 2005 were recorded in connection with the finalization of purchase price allocation relating to the acquisitions as described above. Amortization expense for the six months ended April 30, 2006 was $2.2 million. Amortization expense for the next five years is expected to be $4.1 million in 2006, $3.6 million in 2007, $3.5 million in 2008, $3.5 million in 2009 and $3.4 million in 2010.

NOTE 7 — RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

During the first six months of 2006, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $15.8 million, consisting of $6.8 million in employee separation costs, $5.5 million in asset impairments, $0.3 million of professional fees, and $3.1 million in other restructuring costs. One company-owned plant in the Paper, Packaging & Services segment was closed. The Industrial Packaging & Services segment is in the process of reducing the number of plants in the United Kingdom from five to three; merged operations of eight facilities purchased in October 2005 into existing North American plants; and consolidating one plant in France. In addition, severance costs were incurred due to the elimination of certain operating and administrative positions throughout the world. The remaining restructuring charges for the above activities are anticipated to be $10.1 million for the remainder of 2006.

For each business segment, costs incurred in 2006 are as follows (Dollars in thousands):

 

     

Amounts

Incurred

Current Period

   

Amounts

Incurred

Year-

to-Date

   

Total

Amounts

Expected

to be

Incurred

Industrial Packaging & Services:

      

Employee separation costs

   $ 2,824     $ 4,869     $ 8,800

Asset impairments

     3,538       4,420       8,000

Professional fees

     137       244       500

Other restructuring costs

     1,766       2,953       5,200
                      
     8,265       12,486       22,500
                      

Paper, Packaging & Services:

      

Employee separation costs

     1,051       1,914       1,925

Asset impairments

     815       1,105       1,125

Professional fees

     47       84       90

Other restructuring costs

     109       155       160
                      
     2,022       3,258       3,300
                      

Timber:

      

Employee separation costs

     —         9       9

Asset impairments

     —         —         —  

Professional fees

     2       3       3

Other restructuring costs

     (2 )     (1 )     —  
                      
     —         11       12
                      

Total

   $ 10,287     $ 15,755     $ 25,812
                      

During 2003, the Company began the transformation to the Greif Business System, which continues to generate productivity improvements and achieve permanent cost reductions. As a result, the Company incurred restructuring charges of $146.7 million through 2005 related to the transformation to the Greif Business System. The Company is continuing to evaluate future rationalization options based on the progress of the transformation to the Greif Business System to-date.

As part of the transformation to the Greif Business System, the Company closed two company-owned plants and a distribution center in the Industrial Packaging & Services segment during 2005. The two plants and distribution center were located in North America. Five company-owned plants (four in the Industrial Packaging & Services segment and one in the Paper, Packaging & Services segment) were closed in 2004, and seven company-owned plants (four in the Industrial Packaging & Services segment and three in the Paper, Packaging & Services segment) were closed in 2003. In addition, corporate and administrative staff reductions have been made throughout the world. As a result of the transformation to the Greif Business System, during 2005, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $31.8 million, consisting of $15.7

 

10


million in employee separation costs, $2.5 million in asset impairments, $3.7 million in professional fees directly related to the transformation to the Greif Business System and $9.9 million in other costs which primarily represented moving and lease termination costs. During 2005, the Company also recorded $3.9 million of restructuring charges related to the impairment of two facilities that were closed during previous restructuring programs.

A total of 1,574 employees have been terminated in connection with the transformation to the Greif Business System since 2003.

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances for the six-month period ended April 30, 2006 (Dollars in thousands):

 

     Balance at
October 31,
2005
   Costs
Incurred
and
Charged to
Expense
   Costs Paid
or
Otherwise
Settled
    Balance at
April 30,
2006

Cash charges:

          

Employee separation costs

   $ 8,841    $ 6,792    $ (8,775 )   $ 6,858

Other restructuring costs

     1,561      3,437      (4,898 )     100
                            
     10,402      10,229      (13,673 )     6,958

Non-cash charges:

          

Asset impairments

     —        5,526      (5,526 )     —  
                            

Total

   $ 10,402    $ 15,755    $ (19,199 )   $ 6,958
                            

NOTE 8 — SIGNIFICANT NONSTRATEGIC TIMBERLAND TRANSACTIONS AND CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

On March 28, 2005, Soterra LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary) entered into two real estate purchase and sale agreements with Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. (“Plum Creek”) to sell approximately 56,000 acres of timberland and related assets located primarily in Florida for an aggregate sales price of approximately $90 million, subject to closing adjustments. In connection with the closing of one of these agreements, Soterra LLC sold approximately 35,000 acres of timberland and associated assets in Florida, Georgia and Alabama for $51.0 million, resulting in a pretax gain of $42.1 million, on May 23, 2005. The purchase price was paid in the form of cash and a $50.9 million purchase note payable by an indirect subsidiary of Plum Creek (the “Purchase Note”). Soterra LLC contributed the Purchase Note to STA Timber LLC (“STA Timber”), one of the Company’s indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. The Purchase Note is secured by a Deed of Guarantee issued by the London branch of a major bank in an amount not to exceed $52.3 million (the “Deed of Guarantee”), as a guarantee of the due and punctual payment of principal and interest on the Purchase Note. In the first quarter, the Company completed the second phase of its previously reported $90 million sale of timberland, timber and associated assets. In this phase, the Company sold 15,300 acres of timberland holdings in Florida for $29.3 million in cash, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $27.4 million. On April 28, 2006 the Company completed the final phase of this transaction, selling approximately 5,700 acres for $9.7 million in cash resulting in a pretax gain of $9.0 million.

On May 31, 2005, STA Timber issued in a private placement its 5.20 percent Senior Secured Notes due August 5, 2020 (the “Monetization Notes”) in the principal amount of $43.3 million. In connection with the sale of the Monetization Notes, STA Timber entered into note purchase agreements with the purchasers of the Monetization Notes (the “Note Purchase Agreements”) and related documentation. The Monetization Notes are secured by a pledge of the Purchase Note and the Deed of Guarantee. The Monetization Notes may be accelerated in the event of a default in payment or a breach of the other obligations set forth therein or in the Note Purchase Agreements or related documents, subject in certain cases to any applicable cure periods, or upon the occurrence of certain insolvency or bankruptcy related events. The Monetization Notes are subject to a mechanism that may cause them, subject to certain conditions, to be extended to November 5, 2020. The proceeds from the sale of the Monetization Notes were primarily used for the repayment of indebtedness.

The Company has consolidated the assets and liabilities of STA Timber in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities Interpretation.” Because STA Timber is a separate and distinct legal entity from Greif, Inc. and its other subsidiaries, the assets of STA Timber are not available to satisfy the liabilities and obligations of these entities and the liabilities of STA Timber are not liabilities or obligations of these entities. In addition, Greif, Inc. and its other subsidiaries have not extended any form of guaranty of the principal or interest on the Monetization Notes. Accordingly, Greif, Inc. and its other subsidiaries will not become directly or contingently liable for the payment of the Monetization Notes at any time.

 

11


The Company has also consolidated the assets and liabilities of the buyer-sponsored special purpose entity (the “Buyer SPE”) involved in these transactions as the result of Interpretation 46R. However, because the Buyer SPE is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Company, the assets of the Buyer SPE are not available to satisfy the liabilities and obligations of the Company and the liabilities of the Buyer SPE are not liabilities or obligations of the Company.

Assets of the Buyer SPE at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005 consist of restricted bank financial instruments of $50.9 million. STA Timber had long-term debt of $43.3 million as of April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005. STA Timber is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the issuer of the Deed of Guarantee, but the Company does not expect that issuer to fail to meet its obligations. The accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the six month period ended April 30, 2006 includes interest expense on STA Timber debt of $1.3 million and interest income on Buyer SPE investments of $1.1 million. No comparable activity is included in interest income or interest expense in the comparable 2005 period.

NOTE 9 — LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt is summarized as follows (Dollars in thousands):

 

    

April 30,

2006

   October 31,
2005

Credit Agreement

   $ 109,240    $ 85,655

Senior Subordinated Notes

     242,098      241,889

Trade accounts receivable credit facility

     101,227      95,711

Other long-term debt

     6,625      7,145
             
   $ 459,190    $ 430,400
             

Credit Agreement

The Company and certain of its international subsidiaries, as borrowers, have entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of financial institutions that provides for a $350.0 million revolving multicurrency credit facility. The revolving multicurrency credit facility is available for ongoing working capital and general corporate purposes. Interest is based on a euro currency rate or an alternative base rate that resets periodically plus a calculated margin amount. As of April 30, 2006, $109.2 million was outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The weighted average interest rate on the Credit Agreement was 4.80 percent and 3.97 percent for the six months ended April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005, respectively. The interest rate was 5.27 percent at April 30, 2006 and 4.83 percent at October 31, 2005.

The Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, which include financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a certain leverage ratio and a minimum coverage of interest expense. At April 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Senior Subordinated Notes

The Company has issued Senior Subordinated Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million, receiving net proceeds of approximately $248.0 million before expenses. During 2005, the Company purchased $2.0 million of the Senior Subordinated Notes. At April 30, 2006, the outstanding balances, which included losses on fair value hedges the Company had in place to hedge interest rate risk, were $242.1 million. Interest on the Senior Subordinated Notes is payable semi-annually at the annual rate of 8.875 percent. The Senior Subordinated Notes do not have required principal payments prior to maturity on August 1, 2012. However, the Senior Subordinated Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company beginning August 1, 2007, at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed as percentages of principal amount), plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date:

 

Year

   Redemption
Price
 

2007

   104.438  %

2008

   102.958  %

2009

   101.479  %

2010 and thereafter

   100.000  %

In addition, prior to August 1, 2007, the Company may redeem the Senior Subordinated Notes by paying a specified “make-whole” premium.

 

12


The fair value of the Senior Subordinated Notes was approximately $259.5 million and $259.3 million at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively, based on quoted market prices. The Indenture pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes were issued contains certain covenants. At April 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

A description of the guarantees of the Senior Subordinated Notes by the Company’s United States subsidiaries is included in Note 18.

Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility

The Company entered into a $120.0 million credit facility with an affiliate of a bank in connection with the securitization of certain of the Company’s trade accounts receivable in the United States. The credit facility is secured by certain of the Company’s trade accounts receivable in the United States and bears interest at a variable rate based on London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin or other agreed upon rate (5.36 percent and 4.59 percent interest rate as of April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively). The Company can terminate this facility at any time upon 60 days prior written notice. In connection with this transaction, the Company established Greif Receivables Funding LLC (“GRF”), which is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, because GRF is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Company, the assets of GRF are not available to satisfy the liabilities and obligations of the Company and the liabilities of GRF are not liabilities or obligations of the Company. This entity purchases and services the Company’s trade accounts receivable that are subject to this credit facility. There was a total of $101.2 million and $95.7 million outstanding under the trade accounts receivable credit facility at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively.

The trade accounts receivable credit facility provides that in the event the Company breaches any of its financial covenants under the Credit Agreement, and the majority of the lenders consent to a waiver, but the provider of the trade accounts receivable credit facility does not consent to any such waiver, then the Company must within 90 days of providing notice of the breach, pay all amounts outstanding under the trade accounts receivable credit facility.

Other

In addition to the amounts borrowed against the Credit Agreement and proceeds from the Senior Subordinated Notes and the trade accounts receivable credit facility, the Company had outstanding debt of $33.1 million and $24.3 million, comprised of $6.6 million and $7.1 million in long-term debt and $26.5 million and $17.2 million in short-term borrowings, at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively.

NOTE 10 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, current liabilities and short-term borrowings at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005 approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these items.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt was $476.5 million and $447.8 million as compared to the carrying amounts of $459.2 million and $430.4 million at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively. The fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations are estimated based on either the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or the current interest rates offered for debt of the same remaining maturities.

The Company uses derivatives from time to time to partially mitigate the effect of exposure to interest rate movements, exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, and energy cost fluctuations. The Company records derivatives based on SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and related amendments. This Statement requires that all derivatives be recognized as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in either net income or in other comprehensive income, depending on the designated purpose of the derivative.

The Company had interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $130.0 million and $280.0 million at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively, with various maturities through 2012. The interest rate swap agreements are used to fix a portion of the interest on the Company’s variable rate debt. Under certain of these agreements, the Company receives interest quarterly from the counterparties equal to LIBOR and pays interest at a fixed rate (5.56 percent at April 30, 2006) over the life of the contracts. The Company was also party to agreements in which it received interest semi-annually from the counterparties equal to a fixed rate of 8.875 percent and pays interest based on LIBOR plus a margin. These agreements were terminated during the first quarter of 2006. In conjunction with this termination, the Company paid $4.8 million to the counterparties, which will be amortized over the remaining term of the Senior Subordinated Notes. A liability for the loss on interest rate swap contracts, which represented their fair values, in the amount of $0.8 million and $6.6 million was recorded at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively.

 

13


At April 30, 2006, the Company had cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge its net investment in its European subsidiaries. Under these agreements, the Company receives interest semi-annually from the counterparties equal to a fixed rate of 8.875 percent on $248.0 million and pays interest at a fixed rate of 6.80 percent on €206.7 million. Upon maturity of these swaps on August 1, 2007, the Company will be required to pay €206.7 million to the counterparties and receive $248.0 million from the counterparties. A liability for the loss on these agreements of $11.7 million, representing their fair values, was recorded at April 30, 2006.

At April 30, 2006, the Company had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts in the notional amount of $37.3 million ($21.5 million at October 31, 2005). The purpose of these contracts is to hedge the Company’s exposure to foreign currency translation and short-term intercompany loan balances with its international businesses. The fair value of these contracts resulted in a gain of $0.9 million recorded in other comprehensive income and $0.3 million recorded in the consolidated statements of income at April 30, 2006. The fair value of similar contracts resulted in a loss of $0.5 million recorded in the consolidated statements of income at April 30, 2005.

The Company has entered into certain cash flow hedges to mitigate its exposure to cost fluctuations in natural gas prices through April 30, 2007. The fair value of the energy hedges was an unfavorable position of $0.5 million ($0.3 million net of tax) at April 30, 2006. As a result of the high correlation between the hedged instruments and the underlying transactions, ineffectiveness has not had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the quarter ended April 30, 2006.

While the Company may be exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to its derivative financial instrument contracts, its counterparties are established banks and financial institutions with high credit ratings. The Company has no reason to believe that such counterparties will not be able to fully satisfy their obligations under these contracts.

The fair values of all derivative financial instruments are estimated based on current settlement prices of comparable contracts obtained from dealer quotes or published market prices. The values represent the estimated amounts the Company would pay or receive to terminate the agreements at the reporting date.

During the next six months, the Company expects to reclassify into earnings a net gain from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of approximately $0.3 million after tax at the time the underlying hedge transactions are realized.

NOTE 11 — CAPITAL STOCK

Class A Common Stock is entitled to cumulative dividends of 1 cent a share per year after which Class B Common Stock is entitled to non-cumulative dividends up to one half cent per share per year. Further distribution in any year must be made in proportion of one cent a share for Class A Common Stock to one and a half cents a share for Class B Common Stock. The Class A Common Stock has no voting rights unless four quarterly cumulative dividends upon the Class A Common Stock are in arrears. The Class B Common Stock has full voting rights. There is no cumulative voting for the election of directors.

The following table summarizes the Company’s Class A and Class B common and treasury shares at the specified dates:

 

     Authorized
Shares
  

Issued

Shares

   Outstanding
Shares
   Treasury
Shares

April 30, 2006:

           

Class A Common Stock

   32,000,000    21,140,960    11,545,303    9,595,657

Class B Common Stock

   17,280,000    17,280,000    11,521,245    5,758,755

October 31, 2005:

           

Class A Common Stock

   32,000,000    21,140,960    11,532,356    9,608,604

Class B Common Stock

   17,280,000    17,280,000    11,538,645    5,741,355

 

14


NOTE 12 — STOCK OPTIONS

In 2001, the Company adopted the 2001 Management Equity Incentive and Compensation Plan (the “2001 Plan”). The provisions of the 2001 Plan allow the awarding of incentive and nonqualified stock options and restricted and performance shares of Class A Common Stock to key employees. The maximum number of shares that may be issued each year is determined by a formula that takes into consideration the total number of shares outstanding and is also subject to certain limits. In addition, the maximum number of incentive stock options that will be issued under the 2001 Plan during its term is 2,500,000 shares.

Prior to 2001, the Company had adopted a Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the “2000 Plan”) that provides the discretionary granting of nonstatutory options to key employees, and an Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”) that provides the discretionary granting of incentive stock options to key employees and nonstatutory options for non-employees. The aggregate number of the Company’s Class A Common Stock options that may be granted under the 2000 Plan and Option Plan may not exceed 200,000 shares and 1,000,000 shares, respectively.

Under the terms of the 2001 Plan, the 2000 Plan and the Option Plan, stock options are granted at exercise prices equal to the market value of the common stock on the date options are granted and become fully vested two years after date of grant. Options expire 10 years after date of grant.

In 2005, the Company adopted the 2005 Outside Directors Equity Award Plan (the “2005 Directors Plan”), which provides the granting of stock options, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights to directors who are not employees of the Company. Prior to 2005, the Directors Stock Option Plan (the “Directors Plan”) provided the granting of stock options to directors who are not employees of the Company. The aggregate number of the Company’s Class A Common Stock options that may be granted may not exceed 100,000 shares under each of these plans. Under the terms of both plans, options are granted at exercise prices equal to the market value of the common stock on the date options are granted and become exercisable immediately. Options expire 10 years after date of grant.

No stock options were granted during 2006.

In 2005, 109,575 stock options were granted under the 2001 Plan with option prices of $48.13 per share. Under the 2005 Directors Plan, 14,000 options were granted to outside directors in 2005 with option prices of $64.35 per share.

The fair value for each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, as allowed under SFAS No. 123(R), with the following assumptions:

 

     2005  

Dividend yield

   1.14 %

Volatility rate

   34.00 %

Risk-free interest rate

   3.88 %

Expected option life

   6 years  

The fair value of shares granted in 2005 was $17.63 per share as of the grant date.

Stock option activity was as follows (Shares in thousands):

 

    

Six months ended

April 30, 2006

  

Year ended

October 31, 2005

     Shares    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Shares    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Beginning balance

   979    $ 32.48    1,483    $ 28.24

Granted

   —        —      124    $ 49.97

Forfeited

   —        —      35    $ 26.75

Exercised

   73    $ 31.70    593    $ 28.83
               

Ending balance

   906    $ 32.54    979    $ 30.68
               

 

15


As of April 30, 2006, outstanding stock options had exercise prices and contractual lives as follows:

 

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number
Outstanding
   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

$18-$28

   396,170    6 years

$28-$38

   389,430    4 years

$48-$58

   108,825    9 years

$58-$68

   12,000    9 years

There are 797,600 options that were exercisable at April 30, 2006 and 870,370 options that were exercisable at October 31, 2005.

NOTE 13 — DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

The following dividends per share were paid during the periods indicated:

 

     Three months ended
April 30
   Six months ended
April 30
     2006    2005    2006    2005

Class A Common Stock

   $ 0.24    $ 0.16    $ 0.48    $ 0.32

Class B Common Stock

   $ 0.36    $ 0.24    $ 0.71    $ 0.47

NOTE 14 — CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company has two classes of common stock and, as such, applies the “two-class method” of computing earnings per share as prescribed in SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” In accordance with the Statement, earnings are allocated first to Class A and Class B Common Stock to the extent that dividends are actually paid and the remainder allocated assuming all of the earnings for the period have been distributed in the form of dividends.

The following is a reconciliation of the average shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

     Three months ended
April 30
   Six months ended
April 30
     2006    2005    2006    2005

Class A Common Stock:

           

Basic shares

   11,543,093    11,377,891    11,542,626    11,248,592

Assumed conversion of stock options

   314,927    435,858    310,017    387,701
                   

Diluted shares

   11,858,020    11,813,749    11,852,643    11,636,293
                   

Class B Common Stock:

           

Basic and diluted shares

   11,530,487    11,561,189    11,534,566    11,600,974
                   

There were no stock options and 12,000 stock options that were antidilutive for the three-month and six-month periods ended April 30, 2006, respectively, and no stock options that were antidilutive for the three-month and six-month periods ended April 30, 2005.

NOTE 15 — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other charges and credits to equity that are not the result of transactions with the Company’s owners. The components of comprehensive income, net of tax, are as follows (Dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
April 30
    Six months ended
April 30
     2006     2005     2006     2005

Net income

   $ 28,693     $ 16,767     $ 62,045     $ 31,903

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (7,847 )     (2,716 )     (4,903 )     7,972

Change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of tax

     452       1,017       877       2,698

Change in fair value of energy derivatives, net of tax

     74       —         (508 )     —  

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax

     —         —         (2 )     —  
                              

Comprehensive income

   $ 21,372     $ 15,068     $ 57,509     $ 42,573
                              

 

16


NOTE 16 — RETIREMENT PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

The components of net periodic pension cost include the following (Dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
April 30
    Six months ended
April 30
 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Service cost

   $ 3,629     $ 3,169     $ 7,258     $ 6,334  

Interest cost

     6,208       6,608       12,417       13,227  

Expected return on plan assets

     (7,361 )     (7,383 )     (14,723 )     (14,770 )

Amortization of prior service cost, initial net asset and net actuarial gain

     1,533       1,161       3,066       2,324  
                                
   $ 4,009     $ 3,555     $ 8,018     $ 7,115  
                                

The Company made payments of $3.6 million in the first half of 2006. Based on minimum funding requirements, $17.8 million of pension contributions are estimated for the entire 2006 fiscal year.

The components of net periodic cost for postretirement benefits include the following (Dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
April 30
    Six months ended
April 30
 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Service cost

   $ 8     $ 6     $ 17     $ 11  

Interest cost

     586       784       1,171       1,571  

Amortization of net prior service cost and recognized actuarial gain

     (163 )     (57 )     (326 )     (116 )
                                
   $ 431     $ 733     $ 862     $ 1,466  
                                

NOTE 17 — BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company operates in three business segments: Industrial Packaging & Services; Paper, Packaging & Services; and Timber.

Operations in the Industrial Packaging & Services segment involve the production and sale of industrial packaging and related services. These products are manufactured and sold in over 40 countries throughout the world.

Operations in the Paper, Packaging & Services segment involve the production and sale of containerboard, both semi-chemical and recycled, corrugated sheets, corrugated containers and multiwall bags and related services. These products are manufactured and sold in North America.

 

17


Operations in the Timber segment involve the management and sale of timber in the southeastern United States (approximately 251,500 acres of land were owned at April 30, 2006) the sale of timber in Canada (approximately 37,000 acres of land were owned at April 30, 2006) and the sale of timberland, certain higher and better use property, surplus property, and development property.

The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are substantially the same as those described in the “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” note (see Note 1) in the 2005 Form 10-K.

 

18


The following segment information is presented for the periods indicated (Dollars in thousands):

 

    

Three months ended

April 30,

  

Six months ended

April 30,

     2006    2005    2006    2005

Net sales:

           

Industrial Packaging & Services

   $ 459,008    $ 458,404    $ 888,728    $ 887,446

Paper, Packaging & Services

     156,483      150,034      303,522      298,239

Timber

     4,616      4,522      10,173      9,839
                           

Total net sales

   $ 620,107    $ 612,960    $ 1,202,423    $ 1,195,524
                           

Operating profit:

           

Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains:

           

Industrial Packaging & Services

   $ 34,205    $ 29,411    $ 58,445    $ 47,090

Paper, Packaging & Services

     14,425      10,372      18,682      19,963

Timber

     3,983      2,868      7,346      6,875
                           

Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains

     52,613      42,651      84,473      73,928
                           

Restructuring charges:

           

Industrial Packaging & Services

     8,265      8,809      12,487      15,607

Paper, Packaging & Services

     2,022      1,764      3,258      2,141

Timber

     —        48      10      59
                           

Total restructuring charges

     10,287      10,621      15,755      17,807
                           

Timberland gains:

           

Timber

     9,238      3,393      40,807      11,465
                           

Total

   $ 51,564    $ 35,423    $ 109,525    $ 67,586
                           

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:

           

Industrial Packaging & Services

   $ 15,143    $ 16,176    $ 30,225    $ 32,312

Paper, Packaging & Services

     7,201      8,322      15,210      16,774

Timber

     981      694      2,564      1,088
                           

Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense

   $ 23,325    $ 25,192    $ 47,999    $ 50,174
                           
              

April 30,

2006

   October 31,
2005

Assets:

           

Industrial Packaging & Services

         $ 1,150,853    $ 1,103,648

Paper, Packaging & Services

           268,701      278,869

Timber

           236,454      194,880
                   

Total segments

           1,656,008      1,577,397

Corporate and other

           321,676      305,926
                   

Total assets

         $ 1,977,684    $ 1,883,323
                   

 

19


The following table presents net sales to external customers by geographic area (Dollars in thousands):

 

    

Three months ended

April 30,

  

Six months ended

April 30,

     2006    2005    2006    2005

Net sales:

           

North America

   $ 366,338    $ 332,515    $ 705,479    $ 649,691

Europe

     167,079      191,316      323,108      367,486

Other

     86,690      89,129      173,836      178,347
                           

Total net sales

   $ 620,107    $ 612,960    $ 1,202,423    $ 1,195,524
                           

The following table presents total assets by geographic area (Dollars in thousands):

 

    

April 30,

2006

   October 31,
2005

Assets:

     

North America

   $ 1,287,667    $ 1,243,054

Europe

     479,028      426,062

Other

     210,989      214,207
             
   $ 1,977,684    $ 1,883,323
             

NOTE 18 — SUMMARIZED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Senior Subordinated Notes, more fully described in Note 9 — Long-Term Debt, are fully guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Company’s United States subsidiaries (“Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The Company’s non-United States subsidiaries are not guaranteeing the Senior Subordinated Notes (“Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). Presented below are summarized condensed consolidating financial statements of Greif, Inc. (the “Parent”), which includes certain of the Company’s operating units, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Company on a consolidated basis.

Presented below are condensed consolidating financial statements of the Parent, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the non-Guarantor Subsidiaries at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, and for the three-month and six-month periods ended April 30, 2006 and 2005. These summarized condensed consolidating financial statements are prepared using the equity method. Separate financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented based on management’s determination that they do not provide additional information that is material to investors.

 

20


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

For the three months ended April 30, 2006

 

     Parent    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ 1,401     $ 311,106     $ 281,959     $ 25,641     $ 620,107  

Cost of products sold

     834       256,184       228,005       25,641       510,664  
                                        

Gross profit

     567       54,922       53,954       —         109,443  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     380       32,676       29,322       —         62,378  

Restructuring charges

     (36 )     3,173       7,149       1       10,287  

Gain on sale of assets

     —         13,013       1,773       —         14,786  
                                        

Operating profit

     223       32,086       19,256       (1 )     51,564  

Interest expense, net

     14,468       (5,924 )     1,174       75       9,793  

Other income (expense), net (1)

     3       (5,016 )     6,199       (1 )     1,185  

Equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interests

     38,520       —         (898 )     (38,520 )     (898 )
                                        

Income before income tax expense and equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interests

     24,278       32,994       23,383       (38,597 )     42,058  

Income tax expense

     (4,415 )     10,259       7,545       (24 )     13,365  
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 28,693     $ 22,735     $ 15,838     $ (38,573 )   $ 28,693  
                                        

(1) Includes amounts that relate to intercompany royalty arrangements.

 

21


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Six months ended April 30, 2006

 

     Parent    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ 2,555     $ 661,641     $ 578,130     $ (39,903 )   $ 1,202,423  

Cost of products sold

     1,670       565,149       476,392       (39,903 )     1,003,308  
                                        

Gross profit

     885       96,492       101,738       —         199,115  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     579       62,773       58,480       —         121,832  

Restructuring charges

     (36 )     5,417       10,373       1       15,755  

Gain on sale of assets

     —         45,407       2,590       —         47,997  
                                        

Operating profit

     342       73,709       35,475       (1 )     109,525  

Interest expense, net

     14,468       2,244       2,180       75       18,967  

Other income (expense), net (1)

     7       (8,066 )     8,853       (1 )     793  

Equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interests

     71,787       —         (987 )     (71,787 )     (987 )
                                        

Income before income tax expense and equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interests

     57,668       63,399       41,161       (71,864 )     90,364  

Income tax expense

     (4,377 )     19,654       13,066       (24 )     28,319  
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 62,045     $ 43,745     $ 28,095     $ (71,840 )   $ 62,045  
                                        

(1) Includes amounts that relate to intercompany royalty arrangements.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Three months ended April 30, 2005

 

     Parent   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ 1,326    $ 328,866     $ 311,844     $ (29,076 )   $ 612,960  

Cost of products sold

     994      279,135       263,989       (29,076 )     515,042  
                                       

Gross profit

     332      49,731       47,855       —         97,918  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     304      30,650       25,114       —         56,068  

Restructuring charges

     —        4,670       5,951       —         10,621  

Gain on sale of assets

     —        3,029       1,165       —         4,194  
                                       

Operating profit

     28      17,440       17,955       —         35,423  

Interest expense, net

     —        8,707       1,986       —         10,693  

Debt extinguishment charge

     —        2,828       —         —         2,828  

Other income (expense), net (1)

     4      (3,494 )     5,463       —         1,973  

Equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interests

     16,744      —         (107 )     (16,744 )     (107 )
                                       

Income before income tax expense and equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interests

     16,776      2,411       21,325       —         23,768  

Income tax expense

     9      754       6,238       —         7,001  
                                       

Net income (loss)

   $ 16,767    $ 1,657     $ 15,087     $ (16,744 )   $ 16,767  
                                       

(1) Includes amounts that relate to intercompany royalty arrangements.

 

22


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Six months ended April 30, 2005

 

     Parent   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ 2,592    $ 646,223     $ 607,240     $ (60,531 )   $ 1,195,524  

Cost of products sold

     1,929      551,509       515,973       (60,531 )     1,008,880  
                                       

Gross profit

     663      94,714       91,267       —         186,644  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     605      60,733       54,451       —         115,789  

Restructuring charges

     —        9,155       8,652       —         17,807  

Gain on sale of assets

     —        13,453       1,085       —         14,538  
                                       

Operating profit

     58      38,279       29,249       —         67,586  

Interest expense, net

     —        17,682       3,104       —         20,786  

Debt extinguishment charge

     —        2,828       —         —         2,828  

Other income (expense), net (1)

     6      (6,542 )     7,743       —         1,207  

Equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interests

     31,857      —         (310 )     (31,857 )     (310 )
                                       

Income before income tax expense and equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interests

     31,921      11,227       33,578       (31,857 )     44,869  

Income tax expense

     18      3,222       9,726       —         12,966  
                                       

Net income (loss)

   $ 31,903    $ 8,005     $ 23,852     $ (31,857 )   $ 31,903  
                                       

(1) Includes amounts that relate to intercompany royalty arrangements.

 

23


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

As of April 30, 2006

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations     Consolidated
ASSETS             
Current assets             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —       $ 39,033    $ 112,997    $ —       $ 152,030

Trade accounts receivable

     726       8,922,089      231,372      (8,870,691 )     283,496

Inventories

     329       59,338      111,292      (1 )     170,958

Other current assets

     2,194       30,078      66,427      —         98,699
                                    
     3,249       9,050,538      522,088      (8,870,692 )     705,183
                                    
Long-term assets             

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     —         179,815      105,667      (2 )     285,480

Assets held by special purpose entities (Note 8)

     —         50,891      —        —         50,891

Other long-term assets

     1,219,082       215,956      8,851      (1,390,406 )     53,483
                                    
     1,219,082       446,662      114,518      (1,390,408 )     389,854
                                    
Properties, plants and equipment, net      (638 )     659,563      223,721      1       882,647
                                    
   $ 1,221,693     $ 10,156,763    $ 860,327    $ (10,261,099 )   $ 1,977,684
                                    
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY             
Current liabilities             

Accounts payable

   $ 206     $ 8,529,772    $ 620,262    $ (8,924,817 )   $ 225,423

Short-term borrowings

     —         —        26,459      —         26,459

Other current liabilities

     4,553       25,644      46,180      54,124       130,501
                                    
     4,759       8,555,416      692,901      (8,870,693 )     382,383
                                    
Long-term liabilities             

Long-term debt

     444,841       —        14,349      —         459,190

Liabilities held by special purpose entities (Note 8)

     —         43,250      —        —         43,250

Other long-term liabilities

     110       284,033      32,708      —         316,851
                                    
     444,951       327,283      47,057      —         819,291
                                    
Minority interest      —         —        4,027      —         4,027
                                    
Shareholders’ equity      771,983       1,274,064      116,342      (1,390,406 )     771,983
                                    
   $ 1,221,693     $ 10,156,763    $ 860,327    $ (10,261,099 )   $ 1,977,684
                                    

 

24


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

As of October 31, 2005

 

     Parent    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   Eliminations     Consolidated
ASSETS              
Current assets              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —      $ 29,513    $ 92,898    $ —       $ 122,411

Trade accounts receivable

     718      140,050      117,868      —         258,636

Inventories

     284      54,803      115,446      —         170,533

Other current assets

     1,381      24,748      48,243      —         74,372
                                   
     2,383      249,114      374,455      —         625,952
                                   
Long-term assets              

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     —        178,782      109,936      —         288,718

Assets held by special purpose entities (Note 8)

     —        50,891      —        —         50,891

Other long-term assets

     1,146,989      618,851      9,399      (1,719,533 )     55,706
                                   
     1,146,989      848,524      119,335      (1,719,533 )     395,315
                                   
Properties, plants and equipment, net      —        586,813      275,243      —         862,056
                                   
   $ 1,149,372    $ 1,684,451    $ 769,033    $ (1,719,533 )   $ 1,883,323
                                   
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY              
Current liabilities              

Accounts payable

   $ 127    $ 101,755    $ 132,790    $ —       $ 234,672

Short-term borrowings

     —        747      16,426      —         17,173

Other current liabilities

     1,620      37,694      91,825      —         131,139
                                   
     1,747      140,196      241,041      —         382,984
                                   
Long-term liabilities              

Long-term debt

     416,409      —        13,991      —         430,400

Liabilities held by special purpose entities (Note 8)

        43,250      —        —         43,250

Other long-term liabilities

     328      250,981      42,796      —         294,105
                                   
     416,737      294,231      56,787      —         767,755
                                   
Minority interest      —        —        1,696      —         1,696
                                   
Shareholders’ equity      730,888      1,250,024      469,509      (1,719,533 )     730,888
                                   
   $ 1,149,372    $ 1,684,451    $ 769,033    $ (1,719,533 )   $ 1,883,323
                                   

 

25


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

For the six months ended April 30, 2006

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations    Consolidated  
Cash flows from operating activities:            

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (4,310 )   $ 29,687     $ 23,117     $ —      $ 48,494  
                                       
Cash flows from investing activities:            

Purchases of properties, plants and equipment

     —         (68,324 )     (13,846 )     —        (82,170 )

Proceeds from the sale of properties, plants and equipment

     —         48,157       4,125       —        52,282  
                                       

Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (20,167 )     (9,721 )     —        (29,888 )
                                       
Cash flows from financing activities:            

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     480,544       —         —         —        480,544  

Payments on long-term debt

     (458,685 )     —         —         —        (458,685 )

Proceeds on short-term borrowings

     —         —         11,141       —        11,141  

Other, net

     (17,549 )     —         —         —        (17,549 )
                                       

Net cash provided by financing activities

     4,310       —         11,141       —        15,451  
                                       
Effects of exchange rates on cash      —         —         (4,438 )     —        (4,438 )
                                       
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents      —         9,520       20,099       —        29,619  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period      —         29,513       92,898       —        122,411  
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period    $ —       $ 39,033     $ 112,997     $ —      $ 152,030  
                                       

 

26


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

For the six months ended April 30, 2005

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations    Consolidated  
Cash flows from operating activities:            

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (11,644 )   $ 3,893     $ 4,475     $ —      $ (3,276 )
                                       
Cash flows from investing activities:            

Purchases of properties, plants and equipment

     —         (8,857 )     (17,343 )     —        (26,200 )

Proceeds on disposals of properties, plants and equipment

     —         16,620       1,067       —        17,687  
                                       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     —         7,763       (16,276 )     —        (8,513 )
                                       
Cash flows from financing activities:            

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     965,480       —         —         —        965,480  

Payments on long-term debt

     (954,263 )     —         —         —        (954,263 )

Proceeds on short-term borrowings

     —         —         12,880       —        12,880  

Other, net

     427       —         —         —        427  
                                       

Net cash provided by financing activities

     11,644       —         12,880       —        24,524  
                                       
Effects of exchange rates on cash      —         —         1,185       —        1,185  
                                       
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents      —         11,656       2,264       —        13,920  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period      —         13,784       24,325       —        38,109  
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period    $ —       $ 25,440     $ 26,589     $ —      $ 52,029  
                                       

 

27


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

GENERAL

The discussion and analysis presented below relates to the material changes in financial condition and results of operations for our consolidated balance sheets as of April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, and for the consolidated statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended April 30, 2006 and 2005. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements which appear elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 (the “2005 Form 10-K”). Readers are encouraged to review the entire 2005 Form 10-K, as it includes information regarding Greif not discussed in this Form 10-Q. This information will assist in your understanding of the discussion of our current period financial results. The terms “Greif,” “our company,” “we,” “us” and “our” as used in this discussion refer to Greif, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year begins on November 1 and ends on October 31 of the following year. Any references in this Form 10-Q to the years 2006 or 2005, or to any quarter of those years, relates to the fiscal year or quarter, as the case may be, ending in that year.

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Form 10-Q, including without limitation, statements regarding our 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 Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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” or “target” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. All forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q are based on information presently available to our management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements have a reasonable basis, we 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. For a discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties that could cause Greif’s actual results to differ materially from those projected, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the 2005 Form 10-K, which information is incorporated in this Form 10-Q by reference, updated by Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to such risk factors. Except to the limited extent required by applicable law, Greif undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

OVERVIEW

We operate in three business segments: Industrial Packaging & Services; Paper, Packaging & Services; and Timber.

We are a leading global provider of industrial packaging products such as steel, fibre and plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers, closure systems for industrial packaging products and polycarbonate water bottles. We seek to provide complete packaging solutions to our customers by offering a comprehensive range of products and services on a global basis. We sell our products to customers in industries such as chemicals, paint and pigments, food and beverage, petroleum, industrial coatings, agricultural, pharmaceutical and mineral, among others.

We sell our containerboard, corrugated sheets and other corrugated products and multiwall bags to customers in North America in industries such as packaging, automotive, food and building products. Our corrugated container products are used to ship such diverse products as home appliances, small machinery, grocery products, building products, automotive components, books and furniture, as well as numerous other applications. Our full line of multiwall bag products is used to ship a wide range of industrial and consumer products, such as fertilizers, chemicals, concrete, flour, sugar, feed, seed, pet foods, popcorn, charcoal and salt, primarily for the agricultural, chemical, building products and food industries.

As of April 30, 2006, we owned approximately 251,500 acres of timberland in the southeastern United States, which is actively managed, and approximately 37,000 acres of timberland in Canada. Our timber management is focused on the active harvesting and regeneration of our timber properties to achieve sustainable long-term yields on our timberland. While timber sales are subject to fluctuations, we seek to maintain a consistent cutting schedule, within the limits of available merchantable acreage of timber, market and weather conditions. We also sell, from time to time, timberland and special use land, which consists of surplus land, higher and better use (“HBU”) land, and development land.

In 2003, we began a transformation to become a leaner, more market-focused/performance-driven company, a transformation to what we call the “Greif Business System.” We believe the Greif Business System has and will continue to generate productivity improvements and achieve permanent cost reductions. The Greif Business System continues to focus on opportunities such as improved labor productivity, material yield and other manufacturing efficiencies, along with further

 

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plant consolidations. In addition, as part of the Greif Business System, we have begun implementing a strategic sourcing initiative to more effectively leverage our global spending and lay the foundation for a world-class sourcing and supply chain capability.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements, in accordance with these principles, require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements.

A summary of our significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2005 Form 10-K. We believe that the consistent application of these policies enables us to provide readers of the consolidated financial statements with useful and reliable information about our results of operations and financial condition. The following are the accounting policies that we believe are most important to the portrayal of our results of operations and financial condition and require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

Allowance for Accounts Receivable. We evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific allowance for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. In addition, we recognize allowances for bad debts based on the length of time receivables are past due with allowance percentages, based on our historical experiences, applied on a graduated scale relative to the age of the receivable amounts. If circumstances change (e.g., higher than expected bad debt experience or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to us), our estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to us could change by a material amount.

Inventory Reserves. Reserves for slow moving and obsolete inventories are provided based on historical experience and product demand. We continuously evaluate the adequacy of these reserves and make adjustments to these reserves as required.

Net Assets Held for Sale. Net assets held for sale represent land, buildings and land improvements less accumulated depreciation for locations that have been closed. We record net assets held for sale in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” at the lower of carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. Fair value is based on the estimated proceeds from the sale of the facility utilizing recent purchase offers, market comparables and/or data obtained from our commercial real estate broker. Our estimate as to fair value is regularly reviewed and subject to changes in the commercial real estate markets and our continuing evaluation as to the facility’s acceptable sale price.

Properties, Plants and Equipment. Depreciation on properties, plants and equipment is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of our assets.

We own timber properties in the southeastern United States and in Canada. With respect to our United States timber properties, which consisted of approximately 251,500 acres at April 30, 2006, depletion expense is computed on the basis of cost and the estimated recoverable timber acquired. Our land costs are maintained by tract. Merchantable timber costs are maintained by five product classes, pine sawtimber, pine chip-n-saw, pine pulpwood, hardwood sawtimber and hardwood pulpwood, within a “depletion block,” with each depletion block based upon a geographic district or subdistrict. Currently, we have 12 depletion blocks. These same depletion blocks are used for pre-merchantable timber costs. Each year, we estimate the volume of our merchantable timber for the five product classes by each depletion block. These estimates are based on the current state in the growth cycle and not on quantities to be available in future years. Our estimates do not include costs to be incurred in the future. We then project these volumes to the end of the year. Upon acquisition of a new tract, we record separate amounts for land, merchantable timber and pre-merchantable timber allocated as a percentage of the values being purchased. These acquisition volumes and costs acquired during the year are added to the totals for each product class within the appropriate depletion block(s). The total of the beginning, one-year growth and acquisition volumes are divided by the total undepleted historical cost to arrive at a depletion rate, which is then used for the current year. As timber is sold, we multiply the volumes sold by the depletion rate for the current year to arrive at the depletion cost. Our Canadian timberland, which consisted of approximately 37,000 acres at April 30, 2006, did not have any depletion expense since it is not actively managed at this time.

We believe that the lives and methods of determining depreciation and depletion are reasonable; however, using other lives and methods could provide materially different results.

 

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Restructuring Reserves. Restructuring reserves are determined in accordance with appropriate accounting guidance, including SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” and Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 100, “Restructuring and Impairment Charges,” depending upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the situation. Restructuring reserves are further discussed in Note 7 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits. Pension and postretirement benefit expenses are determined by our actuaries using assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increase and health care cost trend rates. Further discussion of our pension and postretirement benefit plans and related assumptions is contained in Note 16 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement included in this Form 10-Q. The results would be different using other assumptions.

Income Taxes. Our effective tax rate is based on income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining our effective tax rate and in evaluating its tax positions. We establish reserves when, despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable, we believe that certain positions are likely to be challenged and that we may not succeed. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. Our effective tax rate includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that we consider appropriate as well as related interest.

A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which we have established a reserve, is audited and finally resolved. The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we believe that our reserves reflect the probable outcome of known tax contingencies. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue would require use of our cash. Favorable resolution would be recognized as a reduction to our effective tax rate in the period of resolution.

Valuation allowances are established where expected future taxable income does not support the realization of the deferred tax assets.

Environmental Cleanup Costs. We expense environmental costs related to existing conditions caused by past or current operations and from which no current or future benefit is discernable. Expenditures that extend the life of the related property, or mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination, are capitalized.

Our reserves for environmental liabilities at April 30, 2006 amounted to $8.9 million, which included a reserve of $4.0 million related to our facility in Lier, Belgium and $4.9 million for asserted and unasserted environmental litigation, claims and/or assessments at several manufacturing sites and other locations where we believe the outcome of such matters will be unfavorable to us. The environmental exposures for those sites included in the $4.9 million reserve were not individually significant. The reserve for the Lier, Belgium site is based on environmental studies that have been conducted at this location. The Lier, Belgium site is being monitored by the Public Flemish Waste Company (“PFWC”), which is the Belgian body for waste control. PFWC must approve all remediation efforts that are undertaken by us at this site. Environmental expenses were $0.5 million and insignificant for the six months ending April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Environmental cash expenditures were insignificant in the six months ended April 30, 2006 and $0.5 million in the six months ended April 30, 2005.

We anticipate that cash expenditures in future periods for remediation costs at identified sites will be made over an extended period of time. Given the inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental exposures, actual costs may vary from those estimated at April 30, 2006. Our exposure to adverse developments with respect to any individual site is not expected to be material. Although environmental remediation could have a material effect on results of operations if a series of adverse developments occur in a particular quarter or fiscal year, we believe that the chance of a series of adverse developments occurring in the same quarter or fiscal year is remote. Future information and developments will require us to continually reassess the expected impact of these environmental matters.

Self-Insurance. We are self-insured for certain of the claims made under our employee medical and dental insurance programs. We had recorded liabilities totaling $4.2 million and 4.0 million of estimated costs related to outstanding claims at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively. These costs include an estimate for expected settlements on pending claims, administrative fees and an estimate for claims incurred but not reported. These estimates are based on our assessment of outstanding claims, historical analysis and current payment trends. We record an estimate for the claims incurred but not reported using an estimated lag period based upon historical information. This lag period assumption has been consistently applied for the periods presented. If the lag period were hypothetically adjusted by a period equal to a half month, the impact on earnings would be approximately $1 million. However, we believe the liabilities recorded are adequate based upon current facts and circumstances.

 

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We have certain deductibles applied to various insurance policies including general liability, product, auto and workers’ compensation. Deductible liabilities are insured through our captive insurance subsidiary, which had recorded liabilities totaling $13.4 million and $12.5 million for anticipated costs related to general liability, product, auto and workers’ compensation at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively. These costs include an estimate for expected settlements on pending claims, defense costs and an estimate for claims incurred but not reported. These estimates are based on our assessment of outstanding claims, historical analysis, actuarial information and current payment trends.

Contingencies. Various lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against us, including those pertaining to environmental, product liability, and safety and health matters. We are continually consulting legal counsel and evaluating requirements to reserve for contingencies in accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the ultimate liability cannot currently be determined because of the considerable uncertainties that exist. Based on the facts currently available, we believe the disposition of matters that are pending will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer amortized, but instead are periodically reviewed for impairment as required by SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The costs of acquired intangible assets determined to have definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives of two to 20 years. Our policy is to periodically review other intangible assets subject to amortization and other long-lived assets based upon the evaluation of such factors as the occurrence of a significant adverse event or change in the environment in which the business operates, or if the expected future net cash flows (undiscounted and without interest) would become less than the carrying amount of the asset. An impairment loss would be recorded in the period such determination is made based on the fair value of the related assets.

Other Items. Other items that could have a significant impact on the financial statements include the risks and uncertainties listed in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors, of the 2005 Form 10-K, and updated by Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q. Actual results could differ materially using different estimates and assumptions, or if conditions are significantly different in the future.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following comparative information is presented for the three-month and six-month periods ended April 30, 2006 and 2005. Historically, revenues or earnings may or may not be representative of future operating results due to various economic and other factors.

The financial measure of operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains, is used throughout the following discussion of our results of operations (except with respect to the segment discussions for Industrial Packaging & Services and Paper, Packaging & Services, where timberland gains are not applicable). Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains, is equal to the operating profit plus restructuring charges less timberland gains. We use operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains, because we believe that this measure provides a better indication of our operational performance than the corresponding GAAP financial measure because it excludes restructuring charges, which are not representative of ongoing operations, and timberland gains, which are volatile from period to period, and it provides a more stable platform on which to compare our historical performance.

Second Quarter Results

Overview

Net sales were $620.1 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $613.0 million in the second quarter of 2005. The $7.1 million increase was primarily due to the Paper, Packaging & Services segment. Net sales increased 3 percent, after excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, for the second quarter of 2006 from the same quarter last year. This increase is primarily due to generally higher sales volumes in all three of our business segments. Net sales changes for each of our business segments are discussed in more detail below. We previously announced and implemented price increases since the first quarter of 2006 for certain of our products due to higher raw material costs.

Operating profit was $51.6 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $35.4 million in the second quarter of 2005. Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains, was $52.6 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $42.7 million in the second quarter of 2005. The $10.0 million increase was due to the Industrial Packaging & Services segment ($4.8 million), the Paper, Packaging & Services segment ($4.1 million) and the Timber segment ($1.1 million). There were $10.3 million and $10.6 million of restructuring charges and $9.2 million and $3.4 million of timberland gains during the second quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

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The following table sets forth the net sales and operating profit for each of our business segments (Dollars in thousands):

 

For the three months ended April 30,

   2006    2005

Net sales:

     

Industrial Packaging & Services

   $ 459,008    $ 458,404

Paper, Packaging & Services

     156,483      150,034

Timber

     4,616      4,522
             

Total net sales

   $ 620,107    $ 612,960
             

Operating profit:

     

Operating profit, before restructuring charges and timberland gains:

     

Industrial Packaging & Services

   $ 34,205    $ 29,411

Paper, Packaging & Services

     14,425      10,372

Timber

     3,983      2,868
             

Total operating profit, before restructuring charges and timberland gains

     52,613      42,651
             

Restructuring charges:

     

Industrial Packaging & Services

     8,265      8,809

Paper, Packaging & Services

     2,022      1,764

Timber

     —        48
             

Total restructuring charges

     10,287      10,621
             

Timberland gains:

     

Timber

     9,238      3,393
             

Operating profit:

     

Industrial Packaging & Services

     25,940      20,602

Paper, Packaging & Services

     12,403      8,608

Timber

     13,221      6,213
             

Total operating profit

   $ 51,564    $ 35,423
             

 

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Segment Review

Industrial Packaging & Services

The Industrial Packaging & Services segment offers a comprehensive line of industrial packaging products, such as steel, fibre and plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers, closure systems for industrial packaging products and polycarbonate water bottles throughout the world. The key factors influencing profitability in the Industrial Packaging & Services segment are:

 

    Selling prices and sales volumes;

 

    Raw material costs, primarily steel, resin and containerboard;

 

    Benefits from the Greif Business System;

 

    Restructuring charges; and

 

    Impact of foreign currency translation.

In this segment, net sales were $459.0 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $458.4 million in the second quarter of 2005. Net sales increased 2 percent, after excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, for the second quarter of 2006 from the same quarter last year. The improvement in net sales was primarily due to organic growth in steel drums and increased volume in fibre and plastic drums, which benefited from two tuck-in acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2005. This improvement was partially offset by lower steel drum selling prices resulting from lower steel costs on a year-over-year comparison.

The Industrial Packaging & Services segment’s gross profit margin improved to 17.6 percent in the second quarter of 2006 from 15.6 percent in the second quarter of 2005. This improvement was due to lower raw material costs, primarily steel, and the Greif Business System compared to the same period last year.

Operating profit was $25.9 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared with $20.6 million in the second quarter of 2005. Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges, increased to $34.2 million in the second quarter of 2006 from $29.4 million in the second quarter of 2005. Restructuring charges were $8.3 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared with $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2005.

Paper, Packaging & Services

The Paper, Packaging & Services segment sells containerboard, corrugated sheets and other corrugated products and multiwall bags in North America. The key factors influencing profitability in the Paper, Packaging & Services segment are:

 

    Selling prices and sales volumes;

 

    Raw material costs, primarily old corrugated containers (“OCC”);

 

    Energy and transportation costs;

 

    Benefits from the Greif Business System; and

 

    Restructuring charges.

In this segment, net sales were $156.5 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $150.0 million in the second quarter of 2005, an increase of 4.3 percent. The increase in net sales was primarily due to improved sales volumes of containerboard and corrugated sheets and higher containerboard selling prices.

The Paper, Packaging & Services segment’s gross profit margin improved to 16.5 percent in the second quarter of 2006 from 15.7 percent in the second quarter of 2005. This improvement was due to improved sales volumes and increasing sales prices.

Operating profit was $12.4 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $8.6 million in the second quarter of 2005. Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges, was $14.4 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $10.4 million in the second quarter of 2005. Restructuring charges were $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2005. The increase in operating profit was primarily due to the improvement in net sales, lower OCC costs and gain on sale of a warehouse ($2.0 million), partially offset by higher energy and transportation costs ($5.3 million) as compared to the second quarter of 2005.

 

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Timber

The Timber segment consists of approximately 251,500 acres of timber properties in southeastern United States, which are actively harvested and regenerated, and approximately 37,000 acres in Canada, which are harvested. The key factors influencing profitability in the Timber segment are:

 

    Planned level of timber sales;

 

    Gains on sale of timberland; and

 

    Gains on sale of special use land (surplus, HBU, and development properties).

In this segment, net sales were $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $4.5 million in the second quarter of 2005. Operating profit was $13.2 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $6.2 million in the second quarter of 2005. Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains, was $4.0 million (including $1.4 million resulting from the sale of surplus as well as HBU properties) in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2005. Restructuring charges were insignificant in both periods and timberland gains were $9.2 million in the second quarter of 2006 and $3.4 million in the second quarter of 2005.

We also completed the final phase of our previously reported $90 million sale of timberland, timber and associated assets in the second quarter of 2006. In this phase, we sold 5,700 acres of timberland holdings in Florida for $9.7 million, resulting in a gain of $9.0 million.

In order to maximize the value of our timber properties, we have been reviewing our current portfolio and exploring the development of certain of these properties in Canada and the United States. This process has led us to characterize our properties as follows:

 

    Surplus, meaning land that cannot be efficiently or effectively managed, whether due to parcel size, lack of productivity, location, access limitations, or for other reasons.

 

    Higher and better use or HBU, meaning land that in its current state has a higher market value for uses other than growing and selling timber.

 

    Development, meaning HBU land that with additional investment may have a significantly higher market value than its HBU market value.

 

    Timberland, meaning land that is best suited for growing and selling timber.

We intend to report the sale of surplus and HBU land in our consolidated statement of income under “gain on sale of assets” and to report the sale of development land under “net sales” and “cost of products sold.” All HBU and development land (sometimes referred to as “higher value”), together with surplus land, will continue to be used by us to productively grow and sell timber until sold.

Whether timberland has a higher value for uses other than growing and selling timber is a determination based upon several variables, such as: proximity to population centers; anticipated population growth in the area; the topography of the land; aesthetic considerations, including access to lakes or rivers; the condition of the surrounding land; availability of utilities; markets for timber; and economic considerations both nationally and locally. Given these considerations, the characterization of land is not a static process, but requires an ongoing review and re-characterization as circumstances change.

As of April 30, 2006, we have initially identified approximately eight to ten percent of our acreage in Canada and the United States as having a higher value for sale or development in the next five to seven years. We recently completed the development of a seven-acre tract in the Province of Ontario, Canada, with sales anticipated in the third and fourth quarters of 2006. The development activities generally consist of surveying, obtaining government approvals, subdivision of the land and infrastructure improvements, such as roads and utilities. It should be noted that approximately ten percent of the higher value acreage in Canada is located in the Province of Quebec in an area that the Quebec government has, as of April 2006, reserved for acquisition as part of a national park. Accordingly, we are currently prohibited from making improvements thereon and anticipate negotiating the sale of those lands to the Quebec government in the next two years.

Other Income Statement Changes

Cost of Products Sold

The cost of products sold, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 82.4 percent for the second quarter of 2006 compared to 84.0 percent for the second quarter of 2005. The gross profit margin benefited from positive contributions due to the Greif Business System and generally lower raw material costs compared to the same quarter of 2005. These benefits were partially offset by higher energy and transportation costs compared to the second quarter of 2005.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses

SG&A expenses were $62.4 million, or 10.1 percent of net sales, in the second quarter of 2006 compared to $56.1 million, or 9.1 percent of net sales, in the second quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily due to higher accruals for performance-based incentive plans resulting from improvements in our current and planned results.

Restructuring Charges

During the second quarter of 2006, we recorded restructuring charges of $10.3 million, consisting of $3.9 million in employee separation costs, $4.3 million in asset impairments, $0.2 million of professional fees, and $1.9 million in other costs. One company-owned plant in the Paper, Packaging & Services segment was closed. The Industrial Packaging & Services segment is in the process of reducing the number of plants in the United Kingdom from five to three; merging operations of eight facilities purchased in October 2005 into existing North American plants; and consolidating one plant in France. In addition, severance costs were incurred due to the elimination of certain administrative positions. The remaining restructuring charges for the above activities are anticipated to be $10.1 million for the remainder of 2006.

During the second quarter of 2005, we recorded restructuring charges of $10.7 million, consisting of $3.8 million in employee separation costs, $3.9 million of restructuring costs related to the impairment of two facilities that were closed during previous restructuring programs, $1.2 million in professional fees directly related to the transformation initiatives and $1.8 million in other restructuring costs.

Gain on Sale of Assets

Gain on sale of assets increased to $14.8 million in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to $4.2 million in the second quarter of 2005. This increase was primarily due to $5.8 million higher gains on sale of timber properties and the sale of two held for sale properties in the current quarter.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net was $9.8 million and $10.3 million for the second quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. This decrease was primarily due to lower average debt outstanding during the second quarter of 2006 compared to the second quarter of 2005.

Debt Extinguishment Charge

During the second quarter of 2005, we entered into a new revolving credit facility to improve pricing and financial flexibility. As a result, we recorded a $2.8 million debt extinguishment charge.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income, net, decreased $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to the second quarter of 2005 primarily due to a higher provision for minority interests.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate was 31.8 percent and 29.5 percent in the second quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The higher effective tax rate resulted from a change in the mix of income outside the United States, including the impact of a large timberland gain in the United States, during the second quarter of 2006.

Net Income

Based on the foregoing, our net income was $28.7 million for the second quarter of 2006 compared to $16.8 million in the same period last year.

Year-to-Date Results

Overview

Net sales were $1.2 billion for the first half of 2006 compared to $1.2 billion for the first half of 2005. Net sales increased 3 percent, after the impact of foreign currency translation. The net sales change was attributable to the Paper, Packaging & Services segment ($5.3 million increase), Industrial Packaging & Services segment ($1.3 million increase), and the Timber segment ($0.3 million increase).

 

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Operating profit was $109.5 million for the first half of 2006 compared with $67.6 million for the same period last year. Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains, increased 14 percent to $84.5 million for the first half of 2006 compared to $73.9 million for the first half of 2005. This increase was primarily attributable to the Industrial Packaging & Services segment ($11.4 million increase) and by the Timber segment ($0.5 million increase), partially offset by the Paper, Packaging & Services segment ($1.3 million decrease). There were $15.8 million and $17.8 million of restructuring charges and $40.8 million and $11.5 million of timberland gains during the first half of 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The following table sets forth the net sales and operating profit for each of our business segments (Dollars in thousands):

 

For the six months ended April 30,

   2006    2005

Net sales:

     

Industrial Packaging & Services

   $ 888,728    $ 887,446

Paper, Packaging & Services

     303,522      298,239

Timber

     10,173      9,839
             

Total net sales

   $ 1,202,423    $ 1,195,524
             

Operating profit:

     

Operating profit, before restructuring charges and timberland gains:

     

Industrial Packaging & Services

   $ 58,445    $ 47,090

Paper, Packaging & Services

     18,682      19,963

Timber

     7,346      6,875
             

Total operating profit, before restructuring charges and timberland gains

     84,473      73,928
             

Restructuring charges:

     

Industrial Packaging & Services

     12,487      15,607

Paper, Packaging & Services

     3,258      2,141

Timber

     10      59
             

Total restructuring charges

     15,755      17,807
             

Timberland gains:

     

Timber

     40,807      11,465
             

Operating profit:

     

Industrial Packaging & Services

     45,958      31,483

Paper, Packaging & Services

     15,424      17,822

Timber

     48,143      18,281
             

Total operating profit

   $ 109,525    $ 67,586
             

Segment Review

Industrial Packaging & Services

In the Industrial Packaging & Services segment, we offer a comprehensive line of industrial packaging products, such as steel, fibre and plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers, closure systems for industrial packaging products and polycarbonate water bottles throughout the world. The key factors influencing profitability in the first half of 2006 compared to the first half of 2005 in the Industrial Packaging & Services segment were:

 

    Selling prices and sales volumes;

 

    Raw material costs, primarily steel, resin and containerboard;

 

    Benefits from the Greif Business System;

 

    Restructuring charges; and

 

    Impact of foreign currency translation.

In this segment, net sales were $888.7 million for the first half of 2006 compared to $887.4 million for the same period last year, an increase of 3 percent, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation. The improvement in net sales was

 

36


primarily due to increased volume in fibre and plastic drums, which benefited from two tuck-in acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2005, partially offset by lower steel drum selling prices resulting from lower steel costs on a year-over-year comparison.

The Industrial Packaging & Services segment’s gross profit margin improved to 16.9% for the first half of 2006 from 15.0% in the first half of 2005. This improvement was due to lower raw material costs, primarily steel, and the Greif Business Systems compared to the same period last year.

Operating profit was $46.0 million for the first half of 2006 compared with $31.5 million for the first half of 2005. Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges, rose to $58.4 million for the first half of 2006 from $47.1 million for the same period a year ago. Restructuring charges were $12.5 million for the first half of 2006 compared with $15.6 million a year ago. The Industrial Packaging & Services segment’s gross profit was 16.3 percent and 15.0 percent in the first half of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The improvement is due to generally lower raw material costs and operational efficiencies achieved under the Greif Business System, partially offset by higher energy and transportation costs.

Paper, Packaging & Services

In the Paper, Packaging & Services segment, we sell containerboard, corrugated sheets and other corrugated products and multiwall bags in North America. The key factors influencing profitability in the first half of 2006 compared to the first half of 2005 in the Paper, Packaging & Services segment were:

 

    Selling prices and sales volumes;

 

    Raw material costs, primarily OCC;

 

    Benefits from the Greif Business System; and

 

    Restructuring charges;

In this segment, net sales were $303.5 million for the first half of 2006 compared to $298.2 million for the same period last year, an increase of 2 percent. The increase in net sales was due to improved selling prices for this segment’s products. Sales volumes for containerboard and corrugated sheets were up, while corrugated containers were down versus the same period last year.

The Paper, Packaging & Services segment’s gross profit margin decrease to 14.0 percent during the first half of 2006, compared to 15.5 percent for the same period last year. This change was due to containerboard price trends, in 2005 these prices were trending down, and in 2006 prices are trending up and have not made it to an equilibrium.

Operating profit was $15.4 million for the first half of 2006 compared with $17.8 million for the first half of 2005. Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges, was $18.7 million for the first half of 2006 compared with $20.0 million the prior year. Restructuring charges were $3.3 million for the first half of 2006 versus $2.1 million a year ago. The decrease in operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges, was primarily due to lower containerboard prices in the first quarter 2006 compared to the first quarter 2005, as well as, higher transportation and energy costs partially offset by lower OCC cost.

Timber

As of April 30, 2006, we owned approximately 251,500 acres of timber properties in southeastern United States, which are actively harvested and regenerated, and approximately 37,000 acres in Canada, which are harvested. The key factors influencing profitability in the first half of 2006 compared to the first half of 2005 in the Timber segment were:

 

    Planned level of timber sales;

 

    Gains on sale of timberland; and

 

    Gains on sale of special use land (surplus, HBU, and development properties).

In this segment, net sales were $10.2 million for the first half of 2006 compared to $9.8 million for the first half of 2005. Operating profit was $48.1 million for the first half of 2006 compared with $18.3 million for the first half of 2005. Operating profit, before the impact of restructuring charges and timberland gains, was $7.3 million for the first half of 2006 compared to $6.9 million a year ago. Restructuring charges were insignificant for the first half in both years. Timberland gains were $40.8 million for the first half of 2006 and $11.5 million for the same period last year.

We completed the second and final phases of our previously reported $90 million sales of timber, timberland and associated assets in the first half of 2006. In these phases, we sold 21,000 acres of timberland holdings in Florida for $39.0 million, resulting in a gain of $36.4 million.

 

37


Other Income Statement Changes

Cost of Products Sold

The cost of products sold, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 83.4 percent for the first half of 2006 from 84.4 percent for the first half of 2005. The principal factors impacting this decrease were generally lower raw material costs partially offset by higher energy and transportation costs compared to the first half of 2005.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses were $121.8 million, or 10.1 percent of net sales, for the first half of 2006 compared to $115.8 million, or 9.7 percent of net sales, for the same period a year ago. The increase was primarily due to higher accruals for performance-based incentive plans resulting from improvements in our current and planned results.

Restructuring Charges

During the first half of 2006, we recorded restructuring charges of $15.8 million, consisting of $6.8 million in employee separation costs, $5.5 million in asset impairments, $0.3 million of professional fees, and $3.1 million in other costs. One company-owned plant in the Paper, Packaging & Services segment was closed. The Industrial Packaging & Services segment is in the process of reducing the number of plants in the United Kingdom from five to three; merging operations of eight facilities purchased in October 2005 into existing North American plants; and consolidating one plant in France. In addition, severance costs were incurred due to the elimination of certain administrative positions.

During the first half of 2005, we recorded restructuring charges of $14.0 million, consisting of $7.0 million of in employee separation costs, $0.1 million in asset impairments, $2.3 million in professional fees directly related to the transformation initiatives and $4.6 million in other restructuring costs.

Gain on Sale of Assets

Gain on sale of assets increased to $48.0 million in the first half of 2006 as compared to $14.5 million in the first half of 2005. This increase primarily resulted from $36.4 million of gains from the sale of the second and final phases of the Florida timber properties, which began in the third quarter of 2005.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net declined to $19.0 million for the first half of 2006 from $20.0 million for the same period last year. Lower average debt outstanding was partially offset by higher interest rates during the first half of 2006 compared to the same period last year.

Debt Extinguishment Charge

During the second quarter of 2005, we entered into a new revolving credit facility to improve pricing and financial flexibility. As a result, we recorded a $2.8 million debt extinguishment charge.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other expense, net, was $0.2 million in the first half of 2006 compared to other income, net, of $0.1 million in the first half of 2005.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate was 31.3% and 28.9% in the first half of 2006 and 2005, respectively, resulting in an income tax expense of $28.3 million for the first half of 2006 and an income tax expense of $13.0 million for the first half of 2005. The higher effective tax rate resulted from a change in the mix of income outside the United States, including the impact of two large timberland gains in the United States, during the first half of 2006.

Net Income

Based on the foregoing, our net income was $62.0 million for the first half of 2006 compared to net income of $31.9 million in the same period last year.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity are operating cash flows, the proceeds from our trade accounts receivable credit facility, proceeds from the sale of our European accounts receivable and borrowings under our Credit Agreement, further discussed below. We have used these sources to fund our working capital needs, capital expenditures, cash dividends, common stock repurchases and acquisitions. We anticipate continuing to fund these items in a like manner. We currently expect that operating cash flows, the proceeds from our trade accounts receivable credit facility, proceeds from the sale of our European accounts receivable and borrowings under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our working capital, capital expenditures, debt repayment and other liquidity needs for the foreseeable future.

Capital Expenditures

During the first half of 2006, we invested $45.5 million in capital expenditures, excluding timberland purchases of $36.7 million, compared with capital expenditures of $24.9 million, excluding timberland purchases of $1.3 million, during the same period last year.

We expect capital expenditures excluding timberland purchases to be approximately $75 million in 2006, which would be approximately $25 million below our anticipated annual depreciation expense of approximately $100 million.

Balance Sheet Changes

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance, increased by $24.9 million, primarily due to higher sales in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2005 and also the impact of foreign currency translation.

The $30.4 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets is primarily due to prepaid taxes, insurance claims receivable from a closure facility fire and other receivables.

Goodwill decreased $14.2 million, primarily due to reclassification of $13.6 million related to the recording of intangible assets related to two separate acquisitions of industrial packaging companies in October 2005, which were originally recorded in goodwill pending the completion of our valuation and $1.1 million represents the recognition of a deferred tax asset related to the Van Leer Industrial Packaging acquisition closed in March 2001.

Properties, plants and equipment, net, increased $20.6 million primarily due to the December 2005 purchase of timberland in Alabama for $35.5 million and $45.5 million in capital expenditures, partially offset by depreciation and depletion expense of $45.8 million.

The $9.2 million decrease in accounts payable was primarily due to generally lower cost of raw materials in the second quarter of 2006 compared to the fourth quarter of 2005 and the timing of payments made to our suppliers, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency translation.

Long-term debt increased $28.8 million primarily due to the increase in cash and cash equivalents.

The deferred tax liability increased by $11.8 million primarily due to the second and final phases of the Florida timberland transaction during the first half of 2006.

Other long-term liabilities increased $9.6 million primarily due to increases in a swap liability related to hedging our net investment in our European subsidiaries.

Borrowing Arrangements

Credit Agreement

We and certain of our international subsidiaries, as borrowers, entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of financial institutions that provides for a $350.0 million revolving multicurrency credit facility. The revolving multicurrency credit facility is available for ongoing working capital and general corporate purposes. Interest is based on a euro currency rate or an alternative base rate that resets periodically plus a calculated margin amount. There was $109.2 million and $85.7 million outstanding under the Credit Agreement at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively.

The Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, which include financial covenants that require us to maintain a certain leverage ratio and a minimum coverage of interest expense. The leverage ratio generally requires that at the end of any fiscal quarter we will not permit the ratio of (a) our total consolidated indebtedness less cash and cash equivalents to (b) our consolidated net income plus depreciation, depletion and amortization, interest expense (including capitalized interest), income taxes, and minus certain extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains (or plus certain extraordinary losses and non-

 

39


recurring losses) for the preceding twelve months (“EBITDA”) to be greater than 3.5 to 1. The interest coverage ratio generally requires that at the end of any fiscal quarter we will not permit the ratio of (a) our EBITDA to (b) our interest expense (including capitalized interest) for the preceding twelve months to be less than 3 to 1. As of April 30, 2006, we were in compliance with these covenants. The terms of the Credit Agreement limit our ability to make “restricted payments,” which include dividends and purchases, redemptions and acquisitions of our equity interests. The repayment of this facility is secured by a pledge of the capital stock of substantially all of our United States subsidiaries and, in part, by the capital stock of the international borrowers.

Senior Subordinated Notes

We have issued Senior Subordinated Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million, receiving net proceeds of approximately $248.0 million before expenses. During 2005, we purchased $2.0 million of the Senior Subordinated Notes. As of April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, the outstanding balances, which included losses on fair value hedges we had in place to hedge interest rate risk, were $242.1 million and $241.9 million, respectively, under the Senior Subordinated Notes. Interest on the Senior Subordinated Notes is payable semi-annually at the annual rate of 8.875 percent. The Senior Subordinated Notes do not have required principal payments prior to maturity on August 1, 2012. The Indenture pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes were issued contains certain covenants. At April 30, 2006, we were in compliance with these covenants. The terms of the Senior Subordinated Notes also limit our ability to make “restricted payments,” which include dividends and purchases, redemptions and acquisitions of equity interests.

Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility

We entered into a $120.0 million credit facility with an affiliate of a bank in connection with the securitization of certain of our United States trade accounts receivable. The facility is secured by certain of our United States trade accounts receivable and bears interest at a variable rate based on the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin or other agreed upon rate. We also pay a commitment fee. We can terminate this facility at any time upon 60 days prior written notice. In connection with this transaction, we established Greif Receivables Funding LLC (“GRF”), which is included in our consolidated financial statements. However, because GRF is a separate and distinct legal entity from us, the assets of GRF are not available to satisfy our liabilities and obligations and the liabilities of GRF are not our liabilities or obligations. This entity purchases and services our trade accounts receivable that are subject to this credit facility. There was a total of $101.2 million and $95.7 million outstanding under the trade accounts receivable credit facility at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively.

The trade accounts receivable credit facility provides that in the event we breach any of our financial covenants under the Credit Agreement, and the majority of the lenders consent to a waiver, but the provider of the trade accounts receivable credit facility does not consent to any such waiver, then we must within 90 days of providing notice of the breach, pay all amounts outstanding under the trade accounts receivable credit facility.

Sale of European Accounts Receivable

Pursuant to the terms of a Receivable Purchase Agreement (the “RPA”) dated October 28, 2004 between Greif Coordination Center BVBA (the “Seller”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc., and a major international bank (the “Buyer”), the Seller agreed to sell trade receivables meeting certain eligibility requirements that Seller had purchased from other indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Greif, Inc., including Greif Belgium BVBA, Greif Germany GmbH, Greif Nederland BV, Greif Spain SA and Greif UK Ltd, under discounted receivables purchase agreements and from Greif France SAS under a factoring agreement. The RPA was amended on October 28, 2005 to include receivables originated by Greif Portugal Lda, also an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc. In addition, on October 28, 2005, Greif Italia S.P.A., also an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc., entered into the Italian Receivables Purchase Agreement with the Italian branch of the major international bank (the “Italian RPA”) with Greif Italia S.P.A., agreeing to sell trade receivables that meet certain eligibility criteria to the Italian branch of the major international bank. The Italian RPA is similar in structure and terms as the RPA. The maximum amount of receivables that may be sold under the RPA and the Italian RPA is €90.0 million ($113.1 million) at April 30, 2006.

The structure of the transaction provides for a legal true sale, on a revolving basis, of the receivables transferred from the various Greif, Inc. subsidiaries to Seller and from Seller to Buyer. The Buyer funds an initial purchase price of a certain percentage of eligible receivables based on a formula with the initial purchase price approximating 70 percent to 80 percent of eligible receivables. The remaining deferred purchase price is settled upon collection of the receivables. At the balance sheet reporting dates, we remove from accounts receivable the amount of proceeds received from the initial purchase price since they meet the applicable criteria of SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,” and continues to recognize the deferred purchase price in its accounts receivable. The receivables are sold on a non-recourse basis with the total funds in the servicing collection accounts pledged to Buyer between the semi-monthly settlement dates. At April 30, 2006, €57.6 million ($72.4 million) of accounts receivable were sold under the RPA and Italian RPA.

 

40


At the time the receivables are initially sold, the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets sold are included as a loss on sale in the consolidated statements of income. Expenses, primarily related to the loss on sale of receivables, associated with the RPA and Italian RPA totaled €0.5 million ($0.6 million) and €0.3 million ($0.4 million) for the three months ended April 30, of 2006 and 2005, respectively. Expenses associated with the RPA and Italian RPA totaled €0.9 million ($1.1 million) and €0.6 million ($0.8 million) for the six months ended April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Additionally, we perform collections and administrative functions on the receivables sold similar to the procedures it uses for collecting all of its receivables, including receivables that are not sold under the RPA and Italian RPA. The servicing liability for these receivables is not material to the consolidated financial statements.

SIGNIFICANT NONSTRATEGIC TIMBERLAND TRANSACTIONS

In connection with one of our 2005 timberland transactions with Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. (“Plum Creek”), Soterra LLC (one of our wholly owned subsidiaries) received cash and a $50.9 million purchase note payable by an indirect subsidiary of Plum Creek (the “Purchase Note”). Soterra LLC contributed the Purchase Note to STA Timber LLC (“STA Timber”), one of our indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. The Purchase Note is secured by a Deed of Guarantee issued by the London branch of a major bank, in an amount not to exceed $52.3 million (the “Deed of Guarantee”). STA Timber has issued in a private placement 5.20 percent Senior Secured Notes due August 5, 2020 (the “Monetization Notes”) in the principal amount of $43.3 million. The Monetization Notes are secured by a pledge of the Purchase Note and the Deed of Guarantee. Greif, Inc. and its other subsidiaries have not extended any form of guaranty of the principal or interest on the Monetization Notes. Accordingly, Greif, Inc. and its other subsidiaries will not become directly or contingently liable for the payment of the Monetization Notes at any time.

Contractual Obligations

As of April 30, 2006, we had the following contractual obligations (Dollars in millions):

 

     Payments Due By Period
     Total    Less than 1 year    1-3 years    3-5 years    After 5 years

Long-term debt

   $ 642.8    $ 32.2    $ 306.1    $ 43.0    $ 261.5

Short-term borrowings

     26.5      26.5      —        —        —  

Non-cancelable operating leases

     42.9      6.9      26.0      6.9      3.1

Timber note securitized

     45.5      0.1      0.3      .2      44.9
                                  

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 757.7    $ 65.7    $ 332.4    $ 50.1    $ 309.5
                                  

Stock Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors has authorized us to purchase up to two million shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or any combination of the foregoing. During the first half of 2006, we repurchased 73,800 shares of Class A Common Stock and 17,400 shares of Class B Common Stock. As of April 30, 2006, we had repurchased 1,068,424 shares, including 650,276 shares of Class A Common Stock and 418,148 shares of Class B Common Stock, under this program. The total cost of the shares repurchased from 1999 through April 30, 2006 was approximately $40.4 million.

Recent Accounting Standards

In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” SFAS No. 154 replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” It applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and requires that they be reported via retrospective application. It is effective for all accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005 (2007 for us). We do not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on its financial statements.

FASB Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations,” was issued by the FASB in March 2005. FIN 47 provides guidance relating to the identification of and financial reporting for legal obligations to perform an asset retirement activity. The Interpretation requires recognition of a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005 (2006 for us). We do not expect the adoption of this interpretation to have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

41


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

There has not been a significant change in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about our market risk from the disclosures contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2005, except as follows:

We had interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $130.0 million and $280.0 million at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively, with various maturities through 2012. The interest rate swap agreements are used to fix a portion of the interest on our variable rate debt. Under certain of these agreements, we receive interest quarterly from the counterparties equal to London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and pays interest at a fixed rate over the life of the contracts. We were also party to agreements in which we receive interest semi-annually from the counterparties equal to a fixed rate and pays interest based on LIBOR plus a margin that were terminated during the first quarter of 2006. In conjunction with this termination, we paid $4.8 million to the counterparties, which will be amortized over the remaining term of the Senior Subordinated Notes. A liability for the loss on interest rate swap contracts, which represented their fair values, in the amount of $0.8 million and $6.6 million was recorded at April 30, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively.

At April 30, 2006, we had cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge its net investment in its European subsidiaries. Under these agreements, we receive interest semi-annually from the counterparties equal to a fixed rate on $248.0 million and pays interest at a fixed rate on €206.7 million. Upon maturity of these swaps, August 1, 2007, we will be required to pay €206.7 million to the counterparties and receive $248.0 million from the counterparties. A liability for the loss on these agreements of $11.7 million, representing their fair values, was recorded at April 30, 2006.

At April 30, 2006, we had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts in the notional amount of $37.3 million ($21.5 million at October 31, 2005). The purpose of these contracts is to hedge our exposure to foreign currency translation and short-term intercompany loan balances with its international businesses. The fair value of these contracts resulted in a gain of $0.9 million recorded in other comprehensive income and $0.3 million recorded in the consolidated statements of income of April 30, 2006. The fair value of similar contracts resulted in a loss of $0.5 million recorded in the consolidated statements of income at April 30, 2005.

We are a purchaser of commodities such as steel, resin, containerboard, pulpwood, old corrugated containers and energy. We do does not currently engage in material hedging of commodities, other than energy, because there is usually a high correlation between the commodity cost and the ultimate selling price of our products.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

With the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, Greif’s management has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report:

 

    Information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

    Information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and

 

    Our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There has been no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in the 2005 Form 10-K under Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors.

 

42


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

Issuer Purchases of Class A Common Stock

 

Period

  

Total
Number

of Shares
Purchased

   Average
Price
Paid Per
Share
   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(1)
  

Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value)

of Shares that

May Yet Be

Purchased under
the Plans

or Programs(1)

November 2005

   —        —      —      1,022,776

December 2005

   —        —      —      1,022,776

January 2006

   50,000    $ 64.01    50,000    972,776

February 2006

   —        —      —      972,776

March 2006

   23,800    $ 61.28    23,800    933,076

April 2006

   —        —      —      931,576
               

Total

   73,800       73,800   
               
Issuer Purchases of Class B Common Stock

Period

  

Total
Number

of Shares
Purchased

   Average
Price
Paid Per
Share
   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(1)
  

Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value)

of Shares that

May Yet Be
Purchased under
the Plans

or Programs(1)

November 2005

   —        —      —      1,022,776

December 2005

   —        —      —      1,022,776

January 2006

   —        —      —      972,776

February 2006

   —        —      —      972,776

March 2006

   15,900    $ 61.68    15,900    933,076

April 2006

   1,500    $ 62.15    1,500    931,576
               

Total

   17,400       17,400   
               

 


(1) The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program which permits the Company to purchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, or any combination thereof. As of April 30, 2006, the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased is 931,576, which may be any combination of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

  (a.) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.  

Description of Exhibit

10.1   Greif, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan.
10.2   Greif, Inc. Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a - 14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a - 14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

  Greif, Inc.
  (Registrant)
Date: June 7, 2006  

/s/ Donald S. Huml

  Donald S. Huml, Executive Vice
  President and Chief Financial Officer
  (Duly Authorized Signatory)

 

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GREIF, INC.

Form 10-Q

For Quarterly Period Ended April 30, 2006

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.  

Description of Exhibit

10.1   Greif, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan.
10.2   Greif, Inc. Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a - 14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a - 14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

 

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Greif, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan

EXHIBIT 10.1

GREIF, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

Article 1. Establishment and Purpose

1.1. Establishment of Plan. The Greif, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) amends, restates and continues the previously established Greif Bros. Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Prior Plan”). The Prior Plan became effective as of May 1, 2001. No Performance Period under this Plan shall end after October 31, 2015, and this Plan shall remain in effect until the payment of any Final Award in connection therewith; provided, however, that this Plan may be terminated by the Board or the Committee.

The Plan shall become effective as of January 1, 2006, subject to approval of the Plan by holders of a majority of the securities of the Company present, or represented, and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders duly held in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware within 12 months following adoption of the Plan by the Board. If the Plan is not approved by stockholders, as described in the preceding sentence, within 12 months following its adoption by the Board, then the Prior Plan shall continue in full force and effect without change thereto.

1.2. Purpose. The primary purposes of the Plan are to:

(a) Retain, motivate and attract top caliber executives;

(b) Focus management on key measures that drive superior performance and thus, creation of value for the Company;

(c) Provide compensation opportunities that are externally competitive and internally consistent with the Company’s total compensation strategies; and

(d) Provide award opportunities that are comparable in both character and magnitude to those provided through stock-based plans.

Article 2. Definitions

Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below and, when the defined meaning is intended, the term is capitalized:

2.1. “Adopted Child” or “Adopted Children” means one or more persons adopted by court proceedings, the finality of which is not being contested at the time of the Participant’s death.

2.2. “Award Opportunity” means the various levels of incentive compensation, payable in cash and/or Shares, which a Participant may earn under the Plan, as established by the Committee pursuant to Article 4 herein.

2.3 “Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4

2.4. “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.


2.5. “Child” or “Children” means a Participant’s natural and Adopted Children living or deceased on the date of the Participant’s death. A Child who was conceived but not yet born on the date of the Participant’s death shall be regarded for purposes of the Plan as though such Child were living on that date, but only if such Child survives birth.

2.6. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

2.7. “Committee” means the Special Subcommittee on Incentive Compensation, comprised of two (2) or more individuals appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, in accordance with Article 8.

2.8. “Company” means Greif, Inc., formerly known as Greif Bros. Corporation, or any successor thereto.

2.9. “Covered Employee” means any Participant who is, or who is determined by the Committee to be likely to become, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Code 162(m).

2.10. “Descendants” mean legitimate descendants of whatever degree, including descendants both by blood and Adopted Children.

2.11. “Disability” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the long term disability plan maintained by the Participant’s employer at the time that the determination regarding Disability is made hereunder.

2.12. “Effective Date” means May 1, 2001, as to the Prior Plan and January 1, 2006, as to this Amended and Restated Plan.

2.13. “Employee” means any employee of the Company. Directors who are not employed by the Company shall not be considered Employees under the Plan.

2.14. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.15. “Final Award” means the actual incentive compensation earned during a Performance Period by a Participant, as determined by the Committee following the end of the Performance Period.

2.16. “Final Award Document” means the document given by the Company to a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to such Participant’s Final Award, determined in accordance with Articles 4 and 5.

2.17. “Participant” means an Employee who meets the eligibility requirements of Article 3 with respect to one or more Performance Periods.

2.18. “Performance Criteria” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 4.

2.19. “Performance Period” means the consecutive and overlapping three-year cycles beginning on each November 1st during the term of the Plan.

2.20. “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Restricted Shares is limited based on the passage of time, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

2.21. “Plan” means this Greif, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, as hereafter amended from time to time.


2.22. “Restricted Shares” means the portion of a Final Award granted to a Participant in accordance with Article 4, which is payable in Shares in accordance with Article 5.

2.23. “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act.

2.24. “Share” means a share of the Company’s no par value Class A and/or Class B common stock.

2.25. “Target Incentive Award” means the incentive compensation amount, or formula to determine such amount, to be paid to Participants when the Performance Criteria designated as the “100% Award Level” are met, as established by the Committee for a Performance Period.

Article 3. Eligibility and Participation

3.1. Eligibility. All Employees who are designated by the Committee to be key Employees shall be eligible to receive an Award Opportunity under the Plan. In general, an Employee may be designated as a key Employee if such Employee is responsible for or contributes to the management, growth, and/or profitability of the business of the Company in a material way.

3.2. Participation. Participation in the Plan shall be determined annually or for each Performance Period by the Committee based upon the criteria set forth in Section 3.1 herein. Employees who are chosen to participate in the Plan for any given Performance Period shall be so notified in writing, and shall be apprised of the Performance Criteria and related Award Opportunities determined for them for the relevant Performance Period, as soon as is practicable after such Award Opportunities are established.

3.3. Partial Performance Period Participation. An Employee who becomes eligible after the beginning of a Performance Period may participate in the Plan for that Performance Period. Such situations may include, but are not limited to (a) new hires; or (b) when an Employee is promoted from a position which did not previously meet the eligibility criteria.

The Committee, in its sole discretion, retains the right to prohibit or allow participation in the initial Performance Period of eligibility for any of the aforementioned Employees.

3.4. No Right to Participate. No Participant or other Employee shall at any time have a right to be selected for participation in the Plan for any Performance Period, whether or not he or she previously participated in the Plan.

Article 4. Award Determination

4.1. Performance Criteria. Prior to the beginning of each Performance Period, or as soon as practicable thereafter (but in no event later than 90 days following the first day of the Performance Period), the Committee shall select and establish performance goals for that Performance Period, which, if met, will entitle Participants to the payment of the Award Opportunities. Such performance goals shall be established without regard to length of service with the Company, and shall be based on targeted levels of increase in (a) earnings per share, and (b) free cash flow, as hereinafter defined, or (c) such other measures of performance success as the Committee may determine. For purposes of the Plan, “free cash flow” means the Company’s net cash provided by operating activities for the Performance Period, subject to such adjustments that the Committee determines are necessary or proper to reflect accurately the free cash flow of the Company.


For each Performance Period, the Committee may, in its discretion, establish a range of performance goals which correspond to, and will entitle Participants to receive, various levels of Award Opportunities based on percentage multiples of the Target Incentive Award. Each performance goal range shall include a level of performance designated as the “100% Award Level” at which the Target Incentive Award shall be earned. In addition, each range may include levels of performance above and below the one hundred percent (100%) performance level, ranging from a minimum of 0% to a maximum of 200% of the Target Incentive Award.

After the performance goals are established, the Committee will align the achievement of the performance goals with the Award Opportunities (as described in Section 4.2 herein), such that the level of achievement of the pre-established performance goals at the end of the Performance Period will determine the Final Awards.

4.2. Award Opportunities. As soon as practicable after establishing Performance Criteria in accordance with Section 4.1 above, but in no event later than 90 days following the first day of each Performance Period, the Committee shall establish, in writing, Award Opportunities, which correspond to various levels of achievement of the pre-established Performance Criteria. The established Award Opportunities shall vary in relation to the job classification of each Participant. In the event a Participant changes job levels during a Performance Period, the Participant’s Award Opportunity may, subject to Section 4.3 below, be adjusted to reflect the amount of time at each job level during the Performance Period.

4.3. Adjustment of Performance Criteria. Once established, the Performance Criteria normally shall not be changed during the Performance Period. However, if the Committee determines that external changes or other unanticipated business conditions have materially affected the fairness of the goals, or that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, or the manner in which it conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render the Performance Criteria unsuitable, then the Committee may approve appropriate adjustments to the Performance Criteria (either up or down) during the Performance Period as such criteria apply to the Award Opportunities of specified Participants; provided, however, that no modification shall be made in the case of any award to a Participant who is, or is determined by the Committee to be likely to become, a Covered Employee if the effect would be to cause the award to fail to qualify for the performance-based exception to Code Section 162(m). In addition, at the time the award subject to Performance Criteria is made and Performance Criteria are established, the Committee is authorized to determine the manner in which the Performance Criteria will be calculated or measured to take into account certain factors over which Participants have no or limited control, including market related changes in inventory value, changes in industry margins, changes in accounting principles, and extraordinary charges to income.

4.4. Final Award Determinations. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.3, at the end of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing the extent to which the Performance Criteria were met during the Performance Period. Thereafter, the Committee shall determine and compile Final Awards for each Participant. Final Award amounts shall be described in the Final Award Documents, and may vary above or below the Target Incentive Award based on the level of achievement of the pre-established corporate, divisional, and/or individual performance goals, provided, however, that the range of such variance shall be between 0% and 200% of the Target Incentive Award in accordance with the pre-established performance goal ranges.

The Target Incentive Award for each Participant will be a percentage of that Participant’s average base salary (exclusive of any bonus and other benefits) (the “Base Salary”) during the


Performance Period; provided, however, that in the event that a Covered Employee’s average Base Salary during the Performance Period exceeds by more than 130% the Base Salary of that Covered Employee on the first day of the Performance Period, such Covered Employee’s average Base Salary for purposes of calculating the Final Award shall be capped at 130% of such Covered Employee’s Base Salary on the first day of the Performance Period. In addition, in no event shall the Final Award paid to any Employee under the Plan for any Performance Period exceed $6,000,000.

4.5. Threshold Levels of Performance. The Committee may establish minimum levels of performance goal achievement under the Performance Criteria, below which no payouts of Final Awards shall be made to any Participant.

4.6. Performance Criteria Applicable to Covered Employees. Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Performance Criteria applicable to any Participant who is, or who is determined by the Committee to be likely to become, a Covered Employee shall be limited to growth, improvement or attainment of certain levels of:

(a) return on capital, equity, or operating costs;

(b) economic value added;

(c) margins;

(d) total stockholder return on market value;

(e) operating profit or net income;

(f) cash flow, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

(g) sales, throughput, or product volumes; and/or

(h) costs or expenses.

Such Performance Criteria may be expressed either on an absolute basis or relative to other companies selected by the Committee. This Section 4.6 is intended to ensure compliance with the exception from Code Section 162(m) for qualified performance-based compensation, and shall be construed, applied and administered accordingly.

Article 5. Payment of Final Awards

5.1. Form and Timing of Payment.

(a) Generally. Each Participant’s Final Award shall be paid in a combination of cash, in one lump sum, and Restricted Shares, as determined by the Committee no later than the time the relevant Performance Criteria and Award Opportunities were established , no sooner than 75 days after the end of each Performance Period and no later than the 15th day of the third month after the end of the taxable year of the Participant in which the Final Award was earned. The number of Restricted Shares awarded shall be based on the average closing price of such Restricted Shares during the ninety (90) day period preceding the last trading day that precedes the day that the Performance Criteria for the applicable Performance Period were established, rounded down to the next nearest whole share. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether an award of Restricted Shares shall be Class A, Class B, or a combination of Class A and Class B Shares.


(b) Transfer of Restricted Shares. A Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, assign, or otherwise alienate or hypothecate Restricted Shares granted hereunder until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction, as set forth in the Participant’s Final Award Document. All rights with respect to Restricted Shares granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant. The Company shall retain the certificates representing Restricted Shares in the Company’s possession until such time as the applicable Periods of Restriction have expired. Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day of the applicable Period of Restriction, subject to any applicable securities laws.

5.2. Unsecured Interest. No Participant or any other party claiming an interest in amounts earned under the Plan shall have any interest whatsoever in any specific asset of the Company. To the extent that any party acquires a right to receive cash or Restricted Shares under the Plan, such right shall be equivalent to that of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.

Article 6. Termination of Employment

6.1. Termination of Employment Due to Death, Disability, or Retirement. In the event a Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of death, Disability, or “retirement” (as determined by the Committee), the Final Award determined in accordance with Section 4.4 herein shall be reduced to reflect participation prior to termination only. The reduced award shall be determined by multiplying said Final Award by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of employment in the Performance Period through the date of employment termination, and the denominator of which is the number of days in the Performance Period. In the case of a Participant’s Disability, the employment termination shall be deemed to have occurred on the date that the Committee determines the definition of Disability to have been satisfied. The Final Award thus determined shall be paid as soon as practicable and reasonable following the end of the Performance Period in which employment termination occurs, but in no event shall such amount be paid sooner than 75 days after the end of such Performance Period nor later than the 15th day of the third month after the end of the taxable year of the Participant in which the Final Award was earned.

6.2. Beneficiary Designations.

(a) General. Each Participant under the Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before such Participant receives any or all of such benefit. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Committee, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Committee during his or her lifetime.

(b) Invalidity of Powers of Attorney. The Plan shall not recognize beneficiary designations made on a Participant’s behalf by the Participant’s attorney in fact, or by any person acting under a power of attorney or any instrument by which the Participant has appointed another person as his or her agent, thereby conferring upon him or her the authority to perform certain specified acts on the Participant’s behalf.


(c) Failure of Beneficiary Designation. In the absence of a beneficiary designation made by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.2(a), or if the beneficiary named by a Participant predeceases him or her, then the Committee shall pay any benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death to the Participant’s surviving spouse. If the Participant has no surviving spouse at his or her date of death, then the Committee shall pay the remaining benefit hereunder to the Participant’s Children per capita and to any deceased Child’s Descendants per stirpes. If no spouse, Children or Descendants survive the Participant, then the Committee shall pay any remaining benefits hereunder to the Participant’s estate.

6.3. Termination of Employment for Other Reasons. In the event a Participant’s employment is terminated before the date payment of the Final Award is made for any reason other than death, Disability, or “retirement” as described in Section 6.1, all of the Participant’s rights to any unpaid Final Award shall be forfeited.

Article 7. Rights of Participants

7.1. Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company.

7.2. Nontransferability. No right or interest of any Participant in the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, or subject to any lien, directly, by operation of law or otherwise, including, but not limited to, execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, and bankruptcy.

7.3. Stockholder Rights. No Participant shall be deemed for any purpose to be or to have the rights and privileges of the owner of any Restricted Shares to be awarded under the Plan until such Participant shall have become the holder thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a Participant who has received a Final Award shall have the following rights during the Period of Restriction:

(a) Voting Rights. Such Participants may exercise full voting rights with respect to Restricted Shares.

(b) Dividends and Other Distributions. Such Participants shall receive regular cash dividends paid by the Company with respect to the underlying Shares while they are so held.

7.4. Foreign Participants. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.3, the Committee may, in order to fulfill the Plan purposes and without amending the Plan, modify Award Opportunities granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States to the extent necessary to recognize differences in local law, tax policy or custom.

Article 8. Administration

8.1. The Committee. The Committee, as defined in Section 2.6, shall administer the Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board. All Committee members shall be members of the Board, and must be “non-employee directors,” as such term is described in Rule 16b-3, if and as such Rule is in effect, and “outside directors” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m). Appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board. The Board shall fill vacancies in the Committee.


8.2. Authority of the Committee.

(a) General. Except as limited by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, and subject to the provisions herein, the Committee shall have full power to select Employees who shall participate in the Plan; determine the size and types of Award Opportunities and Final Awards; determine the terms and conditions of Award Opportunities in a manner consistent with the Plan; construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and (subject to the provisions of Article 4 herein) amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award Opportunity to the extent such terms and conditions are within the discretion of the Committee as provided in the Plan. Further, the Committee shall make all other determinations, which may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. As permitted by law, the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board, and the Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers and other persons, and may delegate as appropriate its authorities as identified hereunder. The Committee, the Company and its officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or evaluations of any such persons.

(b) Facility of Payment. If the Committee deems any person entitled to receive any amount under the provisions of the Plan to be incapable of receiving or disbursing the same by reason of minority, illness or infirmity, mental incompetency, or incapacity of any kind, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, take any one or more of the following actions:

(i) apply such amount directly for the comfort, support and maintenance of such person;

(ii) reimburse any person for any such support theretofore supplied to the person entitled to receive any such payment;

(iii) pay such amount to any person selected by the Committee to disburse it for such comfort, support and maintenance, including without limitation, any relative who has undertaken, wholly or partially, the expense of such person’s comfort, care and maintenance, or any institution in whose care or custody the person entitled to the amount may be; or

(iv) with respect to any amount due to a minor, deposit such amount to his or her credit in any savings or commercial bank of the Committee’s choice, direct that such distribution be paid to the legal guardian, or if none, to a parent of such person or a responsible adult with whom the minor maintains his or her residence, or to the custodian for such person under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act or Gift to Minors Act, if such payment is permitted by the laws of the state in which the minor resides.

Payment pursuant to this Section 8.2(b) shall fully discharge the Company, the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board, the Committee, and the Plan from further liability on account thereof.

8.3. Majority Rule. The Committee shall act by a majority of its members.

8.4. Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions of the Committee as to any disputed question arising under the Plan, including questions of construction and interpretation, shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all parties.


8.5. Indemnification. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, the Compensation Committee of the Board, or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party, or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan, and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf.

The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

Article 9. Amendments

The Board or the Committee, without notice, at any time and from time to time, may modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan, or suspend or terminate it entirely; provided, however, that:

(a) no such modification, amendment, suspension, or termination may, without the consent of a Participant materially reduce the right of a Participant to a payment or distribution hereunder to which he or she has already become entitled, as determined under Sections 4.4 and 6.3; and

(b) no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes eligible to be cast at a meeting of stockholders of the Company held within twelve (12) months of the date of adoption of such amendment and prior to payment of any compensation pursuant to such amendment, where such amendment will make any change which may require stockholder approval under the rules of any exchange on which Shares are traded, or in order for awards granted under the Plan to qualify for an exception from Code Section 162(m).

No Award Opportunity may be granted during any period of suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan, and in no event may any Award Opportunities be granted for any Performance Period ending after October 31, 2015 .

Article 10. Miscellaneous

10.1. Regulations and Other Approvals; Governing Law.

(a) The obligation of the Company to deliver Shares with respect to any Final Award granted under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including all applicable federal and state securities laws, and the obtaining of all such approvals by governmental agencies as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.

(b) The portion of each Final Award payable in Restricted Shares is subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in


connection with the issuance of Restricted Shares, no such Shares will be issued unless such consent or approval has been effected or obtained free of any conditions and as acceptable to the Committee.

(c) In the event that the disposition of Restricted Shares acquired under the Plan is not covered by a then current registration statement under the Exchange Act and is not otherwise exempt from registration, such Shares shall be restricted against transfer to the extent required by the Exchange Act or regulations thereunder, and the Committee may require any individual receiving Shares pursuant to the Plan, as a condition precedent to receipt of such Shares, to represent to the Company in writing that the Shares acquired by such individual are acquired for investment only and not with a view to distribution. The certificate for any Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan shall include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.

10.2. Choice of Law. The Plan and all agreements hereunder, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without reference to principles of conflicts of law.

10.3. Withholding Taxes. The Company shall have the right to deduct from all cash payments under the Plan any federal, state, or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any Final Award.

10.4. Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.

10.5. Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

10.6. Costs of the Plan. All costs of implementing and administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company.

10.7. Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.


10.8. Titles; Construction. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan. The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and neuter and the singular shall include the plural, when the context so indicates. Any reference to a section (other than to a section of the Plan) shall also include a successor to such section.

Executed on February 28, 2006

 

GREIF, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Gasser

Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Greif, Inc. Amended and Restated Directors Deferred Compensation Plan

EXHIBIT 10.2

GREIF, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

DIRECTORS DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

(the “Plan”)

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

Greif, Inc. (the “Company”) is willing to provide members of its Board of Directors (the “Board”) with supplemental retirement benefits out of its general assets and the opportunity to defer the payment of their Board fees for retirement savings purposes. The Company’s goal is to retain and reward its Board members by helping them to accumulate benefits for a comfortable retirement. The Plan was originally effective as of September 5, 1996. This Plan document is the amendment and restatement of the original Plan and is effective as of January 1, 2005. This Plan has been drafted to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as created by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

ARTICLE II

ELIGIBILITY

All non-employee members of the Board are eligible to participate in the Plan. If you elect to participate in the Plan with respect to cash compensation earned in the form of retainer fees, regular fees and meeting fees (including committee fees) (collectively “Board Fees”), you must execute a Cash Compensation Deferral Agreement and Election Form (attached to this Plan as Exhibit A). If you elect to defer the receipt of a restricted stock award, you must execute a Restricted Stock Deferral Agreement and Election Form (attached to this Plan as Exhibit B).

ARTICLE III

DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCUMULATIONS

A. Unfunded Nature of Plan

The Plan is considered to be an “unfunded” arrangement as amounts generally will not be set aside or held by the Company in a trust, escrow, or similar account or fiduciary relationship on your behalf. If you elect to defer receipt of a restricted stock award, the restricted stock initially will be held in a so-called “rabbi” trust established by the Company. Each participant’s rights to benefits under the Plan are equivalent to the rights of any unsecured general creditor of the Company. If the Company makes any investment of funds in conjunction with this Plan, all such investments shall at all times continue to be part of the Company’s general assets for all purposes, including any amounts held in a rabbi trust.

B. Accumulations

To measure the amount of the Company’s obligations to a participant in this Plan, the Company will maintain one or more bookkeeping records or accounts of each participant’s deferred amounts (the “Accumulations”). Credits of Cash Compensation Deferrals, adjusted for changes in capitalization and dividends, as described below, are known as the “Cash Deferral Value.”


1. Elections to Participate - Generally.

You may elect (within 30 days of when you first become eligible to participate in the Plan for your initial calendar year of participation or, for subsequent calendar years, not later than the December 31 prior to each such year) to defer payment of a portion or all of your (1) Board Fees earned as a director to be earned during the balance of the current or next calendar year, as applicable, as a credit to your Accumulations, and (2) restricted stock awarded to you as a director during the balance of the current or next calendar year under the 2005 Outside Director Equity Award Plan, as applicable, as a credit to your Accumulations. Once made, any such elections (including without limitation the percentage of Board Fees and/or restricted stock to be deferred) shall be irrevocable for all such amounts earned during the calendar year for which the election is made. Elections to defer restricted stock may first be made for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2006.

2. Cash Compensation Deferrals.

Once an election to defer Board Fees (“Cash Compensation Deferrals”) is made, such election will continue in effect from year to year until you change it, but any change will be effective only as of the January 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you change your election. The minimum amount you may defer is 25% and the maximum is 100% of all Board Fees expected to be paid to you as cash compensation as a director of the Company.

3. Restricted Stock Deferrals.

Effective for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2006, you may elect to defer the receipt of restricted stock awarded after the effective date of your election (“Restricted Stock Deferrals”). A separate election must be made each year to defer the next year’s award of restricted stock. The minimum amount you may defer is 25% and the maximum is 100% of all restricted stock (rounded down to the next lowest whole share) expected to be awarded to you as a director of the Company.

C. Value of Accumulations

The amount payable to you under the Plan will be based on the value credited to your Accumulations account. For Cash Compensation Deferrals, your Cash Deferral Value will be credited as “Phantom Shares. “Phantom Shares” shall have a value equal to the market value from time to time of the Company’s Class A common stock, without par value. The number of Phantom Shares credited to your account will be based on the dollar amount of the Cash Compensation Deferrals, divided by the then current per share value of the Company’s Class A common stock, without par value. For example, if you are deferring $1,000 of Cash Compensation Deferrals at a time when the per share value of the Company’s Class A common stock is $60, your account will be credited with 16.66 Phantom Shares ($1,000 divided by $60 per share = 16.66 Phantom Shares).

The value of your Accumulations related to Cash Compensation Deferrals will be based on the value of the Company’s Class A common stock, without par value, as determined from time to time. If there is a change in the capitalization structure of the Company (e.g., due to a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, etc.), then a corresponding equitable adjustment will be made in the number of Phantom Shares credited to your account. If a dividend is declared and credited on Phantom Shares, such dividend shall be credited within 60 days of the date on which the comparable common stock dividends are declared. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed as interfering with that discretion or as creating an obligation on the part of the Company to declare dividends on common stock or Phantom Shares.


The Company also reserves the right to adjust the earnings or other amounts credited to your Accumulations and to determine the value of your Accumulations as of any date by adjusting such earnings or fair market value for the Company’s tax and other costs of providing this Plan.

For Restricted Stock Deferrals, the restricted stock shall be distributed at the selected time of payment (with adjustments as made to other, unrestricted shares of the Company’s Class A common stock). Restricted Stock Deferrals under this Plan shall be held in a rabbi trust subject to the general creditors of the Company. Dividends paid on shares of restricted stock are contributed to the rabbi trust and shall be paid from the rabbi trust to you as soon as administratively practicable after the dividend payment date and shall not be retained in the Plan as Accumulations.

Under current federal income tax rules, the amounts credited to your Accumulations, including earnings, will not be taxable income to you in the year they are credited to your account. You, or your beneficiaries in the event of your death, will generally be taxable on these amounts and the credited earnings only if and when benefits are actually paid to you. Thus, this program provides the opportunity to defer income and the payment of income taxes.

ARTICLE IV

BENEFITS

A. Vesting

All contributions to the Plan will always be 100% “vested”. This means you will always be entitled to receive benefits from your Accumulations.

B. Payment of Benefits

 

  1. Termination of Board Membership. Unless you elect otherwise, as discussed in paragraph 3(A) below, you will receive your Cash Deferral Value as retirement benefits under the Plan upon your termination from Board membership (for any reason other than death, as discussed below) as an annual benefit payable in installments over ten (10) years. The amount of your benefit will equal the amount necessary to amortize your total Cash Deferral Value over the 10-year period. The amount payable each year will either be based on an approximately equal amortization based on either an assumed interest rate declared by the Company from time to time during the period of distribution. Alternatively, the Company may elect to amortize your Cash Deferral Value based on its actual earnings, gains, or losses on the investment of a like sum, in which event the monthly benefit payable during a calendar year shall equal the fair market value of the Company’s investments as of the preceding December 31, divided by the number of monthly installments remaining to be paid. If the Company elects to purchase investments from which its obligations hereunder will be satisfied, such investments shall remain general assets of the Company for all purposes, subject to the claims of the Company’s general creditors. The Company may also elect, in its discretion, to pay benefits in quarterly or annual installments, computed under one of the foregoing methods, rather than monthly installments. You must give the Company at least 30 days advance written notice of your intention to terminate membership on the Board and receive retirement benefits. Actual benefit payments will begin on the first day of the second month following your satisfaction of all requirements for payment. In no event, however, shall distribution be made of amounts credited to the Participant’s Accumulations before six months have elapsed from the date of crediting as Phantom Shares to the date of conversion to cash for payment.


  2. Death Benefits. In the event of your death while receiving benefit payments under the Plan, the Company will pay the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by you any remaining payments due under this Plan, using the same method of distribution in effect at the date of your death. In the event of death prior to beginning to receive benefits under the Plan, the Company will pay benefits to your beneficiary or beneficiaries, beginning as soon as practicable after your death. Such benefits shall be paid as a single lump sum or as monthly installments of Cash Deferral Value, in accordance with the Participant’s original election. If installments were elected, the monthly amount payable shall equal the amount necessary to amortize the Participant’s Cash Deferral Value as a monthly benefit computed under one of the methods provided for retirement benefits under paragraph B(1), above. The Company will provide you with the form for designating your beneficiary or beneficiaries. If you fail to make a beneficiary designation, or if your designated beneficiary predeceases you or cannot be located, any death benefits will be paid to your estate.

 

  3. Payment Form and Timing. You may elect, at the time of your execution of a Cash Compensation Deferral Election and Restricted Stock Deferral Election, the time and a form (for Accumulations related to Cash Compensation Deferrals only) as described herein. The regular form of distribution for your Cash Deferral Value is 10-years of installment payments as described in paragraph 1, above.

 

  A. Payment Form.

 

  1. Accumulations Related to Cash Compensation Deferrals. In addition to the ten (10) years of installments designated above, you may elect to receive your Accumulation related to Cash Compensation Deferrals (credited as Phantom Shares) in a single lump sum payment or annual installments over a period of five (5) years. Such election must be made at the time of your execution of the Compensation Deferral Agreement and Election Form.

 

  2. Payment Form for Accumulations Related to Restricted Stock Deferrals. All Restricted Stock Deferrals shall be distributed by one or more stock certificates in a single distribution.

 

  3. Payment Form for Dividends Related to Restricted Stock Deferrals. All dividends paid by the Company attributable to restricted stock shall be paid from the rabbi trust as a single lump sum in cash.

 

  B. Payment Timing.

 

  1. Accumulations Related to Cash Compensation Deferrals. In addition to payment upon termination of Board membership or death, you may elect to receive payment of the Cash Deferral Value (A) upon a fixed date, or (B) the earlier of (1) a fixed date, or (2) termination of Board membership for any reason. Such election must be made at the time of your execution of the Compensation Deferral Agreement and Election Form.


  2. Accumulations Related to Restricted Stock Deferrals. In addition to distribution upon termination of Board membership or death, you may elect to receive distribution (A) upon a fixed date that is at least three (3) years after the date of the restricted stock award, or (B) the earlier of (1) a fixed date that is at least three (3) years after the date of the restricted stock award, or (2) termination of Board membership for any reason. Such election must be made at the time of your execution of the Compensation Deferral Agreement and Election Form.

 

  3. Dividends Related to Restricted Stock Deferrals. Dividends attributable to Restricted Stock Deferrals shall be distributed to you as soon as administratively practicable after the dividend payment date but in no event later than the March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year of the dividend payment date. Such dividend amounts shall not be deferred further under this Plan. The payment of dividends attributable to restricted stock is intended to satisfy the short-term deferral exception to Code Section 409A.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

A. No Right to Company Assets

As explained previously, this Plan is an unfunded arrangement and does not create a trust of any kind (other than the rabbi trust) or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and you, your designated beneficiaries or any other person. To the extent you, your designated beneficiaries, or any other person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under this Plan, that right is no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.

B. Modification or Revocation

This Plan will continue in effect until revoked, terminated, or all benefits are paid. However, the Plan may be amended or revoked at any time, in whole or in part, by the Company in its sole discretion. Unless you agree otherwise, you will still be entitled to the benefit, if any, that you have earned through the date of any amendment or revocation. Such benefits will be payable or distributable at the times and in the amounts provided for in this Plan.

C. Rights Preserved

Nothing in this Plan gives any director the right to continue to hold such office. The relationship between you and the Company shall continue to be determined by the applicable provisions of the governing documents of the Company and by applicable law.

D. Interpretation

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or his designee, shall have full power and authority to interpret, construe, and administer this Plan, and the interpretation and construction thereof and actions thereunder by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or his designee, including any valuation of Accumulations or the amount or recipient of the payments to be


made therefrom, shall be binding and conclusive on all persons for all purposes. Neither the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer nor any designee shall be liable to any person for any action taken or omitted in connection with the interpretation and administration of this Plan, provided that the foregoing shall not relieve any person of liability for any action taken or omitted in bad faith. Whenever under this Plan monthly benefits may be payable in substantially equal monthly installments computed using an interest rate declared by the Company in its sole discretion from time to time during such period of distribution, the calculation of such monthly benefit payments shall be made under any method deemed reasonable by the Company, in its sole discretion.

E. Delayed Payments

In the event of a genuine dispute regarding the amount or timing of payments under the Plan, a delay in the payment of amounts under this Plan shall not cause a violation of Code Section 409A to the extent that such delay satisfies the conditions set forth in Code Section 409A and applicable regulations thereunder

F. Governing Law

Greif, Inc. has its principal offices in the State of Ohio. This Plan has been adopted in the State of Ohio and the parties hereby agree that the validity and meaning of this Plan are to be determined, governed, and enforced under the laws of the State of Ohio, except that any applicable conflict or choice of laws principles of Ohio law that would result in the application of the laws of any other state or jurisdiction to the validity, meaning, or performance of this agreement shall not apply.

Section 302 CEO Certification

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Michael J. Gasser, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Greif, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: June 7, 2006  

/s/ Michael J. Gasser

  Michael J. Gasser, Chairman
  and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal executive officer)
Section 302 CFO Certification

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Donald S. Huml, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Greif, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: June 7, 2006  

/s/ Donald S. Huml

  Donald S. Huml, Executive Vice
  President and Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal financial officer)
Section 906 CEO Certification

EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification Required by Rule 13a – 14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of

Title 18 of the United States Code

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Greif, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael J. Gasser, the chief executive officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: June 7, 2006  

/s/ Michael J. Gasser

  Michael J. Gasser, Chairman
  and Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Greif, Inc. and will be retained by Greif, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Section 906 CFO Certification

EXHIBIT 32.2

Certification Required by Rule 13a – 14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of

Title 18 of the United States Code

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Greif, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Donald S. Huml, the chief financial officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: June 7, 2006  

/s/ Donald S. Huml

  Donald S. Huml, Executive Vice
  President and Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Greif, Inc. and will be retained by Greif, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.