Q2 2014 10-Q


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 FORM 10-Q
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 29, 2014
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 No. 001-11261
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
 
Incorporated under the laws
of South Carolina
 
I.R.S. Employer Identification
No. 57-0248420
1 N. Second St.
Hartsville, South Carolina 29550
Telephone: 843/383-7000
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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
  
Accelerated filer
 
¨
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨(do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock at July 17, 2014:
Common stock, no par value: 101,736,119




SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
INDEX
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 29, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 6.

2



Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements.
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands) 
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
December 31, 2013*
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
199,780

 
$
217,567

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances
 
705,465

 
614,053

Other receivables
 
37,265

 
38,995

Inventories:
 
 
 
 
Finished and in process
 
155,358

 
158,256

Materials and supplies
 
268,382

 
252,531

Prepaid expenses
 
54,479

 
57,666

Deferred income taxes
 
41,727

 
39,406

 
 
1,462,456

 
1,378,474

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
 
1,028,814

 
1,021,920

Goodwill
 
1,100,978

 
1,099,207

Other Intangible Assets, Net
 
233,418

 
243,920

Long-term Deferred Income Taxes
 
40,581

 
67,364

Other Assets
 
172,702

 
168,406

Total Assets
 
$
4,038,949

 
$
3,979,291

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Payable to suppliers
 
$
520,532

 
$
491,809

Accrued expenses and other
 
319,931

 
331,566

Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt
 
90,067

 
35,201

Accrued taxes
 
5,050

 
8,649

 
 
935,580

 
867,225

Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion
 
947,081

 
946,257

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
228,013

 
263,718

Deferred Income Taxes
 
123,805

 
128,006

Other Liabilities
 
47,011

 
48,760

Commitments and Contingencies
 

 

Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Common stock, no par value
 
 
 
 
Authorized 300,000 shares
101,760 and 102,147 shares issued and outstanding at
June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
 
7,175

 
7,175

Capital in excess of stated value
 
441,605

 
457,190

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(360,046
)
 
(358,520
)
Retained earnings
 
1,653,954

 
1,604,892

Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
 
1,742,688

 
1,710,737

Noncontrolling Interests
 
14,771

 
14,588

Total Equity
 
1,757,459

 
1,725,325

Total Liabilities and Equity
 
$
4,038,949

 
$
3,979,291

 
*
The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3



SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands except per share data)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
Net sales
 
$
1,247,380

 
$
1,226,256

 
$
2,433,006

 
$
2,405,469

Cost of sales
 
1,015,643

 
1,003,692

 
1,988,966

 
1,977,189

Gross profit
 
231,737

 
222,564

 
444,040

 
428,280

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
126,455

 
121,848

 
250,205

 
241,859

Restructuring/Asset impairment charges
 
3,671

 
8,678

 
5,663

 
12,967

Income before interest and income taxes
 
101,611

 
92,038

 
188,172

 
173,454

Interest expense
 
13,670

 
15,136

 
26,954

 
30,281

Interest income
 
535

 
729

 
1,176

 
1,606

Income before income taxes
 
88,476

 
77,631

 
162,394

 
144,779

Provision for income taxes
 
29,993

 
26,409

 
53,162

 
47,661

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
58,483

 
51,222

 
109,232

 
97,118

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
3,126

 
3,824

 
4,602

 
5,721

Net income
 
$
61,609

 
$
55,046

 
$
113,834

 
$
102,839

Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(125
)
 
(58
)
 
(48
)
 
288

Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
61,484

 
$
54,988

 
$
113,786

 
$
103,127

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
102,461

 
102,640

 
102,614

 
102,461

Diluted
 
103,446

 
102,977

 
103,590

 
102,988

Per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Sonoco:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.60

 
$
0.54

 
$
1.11

 
$
1.01

Diluted
 
$
0.59

 
$
0.53

 
$
1.10

 
$
1.00

Cash dividends
 
$
0.32

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.63

 
$
0.61

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

4



SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
Net income
 
$
61,609

 
$
55,046

 
$
113,834

 
$
102,839

Other comprehensive income/(loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
8,523

 
(21,090
)
 
1,164

 
(40,699
)
Changes in defined benefit plans, net of tax
 
(8,173
)
 
6,239

 
(3,999
)
 
12,725

Changes in derivative financial instruments, net of tax
 
1,073

 
(1,770
)
 
1,309

 
2,890

Other comprehensive income/(loss)
 
1,423

 
(16,621
)
 
(1,526
)
 
(25,084
)
Comprehensive income
 
63,032

 
38,425

 
112,308

 
77,755

Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(125
)
 
(58
)
 
(48
)
 
288

Other comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(254
)
 
332

 
(135
)
 
626

Comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
62,653

 
$
38,699

 
$
112,125

 
$
78,669

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5



SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
113,834


$
102,839

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Asset impairment
 
791

 
6,850

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
95,516

 
98,254

Share-based compensation expense
 
9,245

 
5,030

Equity in earnings of affiliates
 
(4,602
)

(5,721
)
Cash dividends from affiliated companies
 
3,527

 
3,660

Gain on disposition of assets
 
(940
)
 
(1,100
)
Pension and postretirement plan expense
 
19,431

 
31,366

Pension and postretirement plan contributions
 
(53,592
)
 
(24,812
)
Tax effect of share-based compensation exercises
 
2,030

 
3,989

Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation
 
(2,130
)
 
(1,749
)
Net increase in deferred taxes
 
5,584

 
14,874

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, dispositions, and foreign currency adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Trade accounts receivable
 
(84,127
)
 
(64,135
)
Inventories
 
(10,666
)
 
(14,717
)
Payable to suppliers
 
21,039

 
68,500

Prepaid expenses
 
(10,624
)
 
(6,400
)
Accrued expenses
 
10,066

 
(14,685
)
Income taxes payable and other income tax items
 
10,584

 
33,184

Fox River environmental reserves
 
(14,934
)
 
(1,428
)
Other assets and liabilities
 
(4,498
)
 
10,681

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
105,534

 
244,480

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
 
(85,886
)
 
(98,978
)
Cost of acquisitions, exclusive of cash
 
(10,964
)
 

Proceeds from the sale of assets
 
3,588

 
8,017

Investment in affiliates and other, net
 
138

 
(3,571
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(93,124
)
 
(94,532
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of debt
 
26,946

 
8,630

Principal repayment of debt
 
(23,411
)
 
(137,987
)
Net increase/(decrease) in commercial paper
 
51,000

 
(152,000
)
Net increase/(decrease) in outstanding checks
 
3,915

 
(1,283
)
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation
 
2,130

 
1,749

Cash dividends
 
(64,353
)
 
(61,721
)
Shares acquired
 
(29,739
)
 
(1,961
)
Shares issued
 
2,508

 
9,940

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(31,004
)
 
(334,633
)
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
 
807

 
(9,038
)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(17,787
)
 
(193,723
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
217,567

 
373,084

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
199,780

 
$
179,361

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)


Note 1: Basis of Interim Presentation
In the opinion of the management of Sonoco Products Company (the “Company” or “Sonoco”), the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise stated) necessary to state fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods reported herein. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 29, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
Effective January 1, 2014, the Company began reporting Sonoco Alloyd, the Company’s retail packaging business and previously part of the Protective Solutions segment, as part of the Display and Packaging segment. Prior period results for the affected segments have been retrospectively revised to reflect this change.
Results for the three and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014, include an out-of-period adjustment to record a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets primarily related to the pension plan of a foreign subsidiary. This valuation allowance should have been established in prior years when the deferred tax assets were recognized. The cumulative adjustment made to correct this error resulted in a reduction of reported long-term deferred income tax assets of $11,771, with a corresponding increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss through a decrease in current period comprehensive income. The effect of this error was not considered material to any of the Company's previously issued financial statements or to the current year consolidated financial statements.
With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information of the Company for the three- and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013 included in this Form 10-Q, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate report dated July 29, 2014 appearing herein, states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
 
Note 2: New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue From Contracts With Customers." ASU 2014-09 changes the definitions/criteria used to determine when revenue should be recognized from being based on risks and rewards to being based on control. It also changes the manner in which variable consideration is recognized, requires recognition of the time value of money when payment terms exceed one year, provides clarification on accounting for contract costs, and expands disclosure requirements. ASU 2014-09 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Due to the nature of the Company's business and its standard terms of sale, there is likely to be little practical difference for Sonoco between the current transfer of risks and rewards model and the new transfer of control model. In addition, few of the Company's sales, if any, contain an element of variable consideration or have payment terms exceeding one year. Accordingly, we do not expect the implementation of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on Sonoco's financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists." ASU 2013-11 clarified guidance and eliminated diversity in practice on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This new guidance became effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013; accordingly, the Company implemented ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014. The impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements from applying this new guidance was immaterial.
During the three- and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014, there have been no other newly issued nor newly applicable accounting pronouncements that have had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Further, at June 29, 2014, there were no other pronouncements pending adoption that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. 

7

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Note 3: Acquisitions
The Company completed the acquisition of Dalton Paper Products, Inc., a manufacturer of tubes and cores, on May 2, 2014 for a net cash cost of $11,286. The acquisition consists of a single manufacturing facility located in Dalton, Georgia, and is expected to generate annual sales of approximately $20,000 for the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment. In connection with this acquisition, the Company recorded net tangible assets of $6,894, identifiable intangible assets of $3,380, and goodwill of $1,012. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.
The Company has accounted for this acquisition as a purchase and, accordingly, has included their results of operations in consolidated net income from the date of acquisition. Pro forma results have not been provided, as the acquisition was not material to the Company's financial statements individually, or in the aggregate.
The Company also received cash totaling $322 during the second quarter of 2014 in connection with the final working capital settlement related to its 2013 acquisition of Imagelinx, a global brand artwork management business in the United Kingdom.

Note 4: Shareholders' Equity
Earnings per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
61,484

 
$
54,988

 
$
113,786

 
$
103,127

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
102,461,000

 
102,640,000

 
102,614,000

 
102,461,000

Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation
 
985,000

 
337,000

 
976,000

 
527,000

Diluted
 
103,446,000

 
102,977,000

 
103,590,000

 
102,988,000

Reported net income attributable to Sonoco per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.60

 
$
0.54

 
$
1.11

 
$
1.01

Diluted
 
$
0.59

 
$
0.53

 
$
1.10

 
$
1.00

Certain stock appreciation rights to purchase shares of the Company's common stock are not dilutive because the exercise price is greater than the market price of the stock at the end of the reporting period. The average number of stock appreciation rights that were not dilutive and therefore not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share was 640,717 and 642,272 during the three- and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014, respectively, and 1,149,157 and 1,665,709 for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013. No adjustments were made to reported net income attributable to Sonoco in the computations of earnings per share.
Stock Repurchases
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. A total of 132,500 shares were repurchased under this authorization in 2013. During the six months ended June 29, 2014, an additional 649,237 shares were purchased at a cost of $27,103; accordingly, at June 29, 2014, a total of 4,218,263 shares remain available for repurchase.
The Company frequently repurchases shares of its common stock to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations in association with certain share-based compensation awards. These repurchases, which are not part of a publicly announced plan or program, totaled 62,883 shares in the first six months of 2014 at a cost of $2,636, and 63,757 shares in the first six months of 2013 at a cost of $1,961.

8

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Dividend Declarations
On April 16, 2014 , the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share. This dividend was paid on June 10, 2014 to all shareholders of record as of May 16, 2014.
On July 16, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share. This dividend is payable September 10, 2014 to all shareholders of record as of August 15, 2014. 

Note 5: Restructuring and Asset Impairment
The Company has engaged in a number of restructuring actions over the past several years. Actions initiated in 2014 and 2013 are reported as “2014 Actions” and “2013 Actions,” respectively. Actions initiated prior to 2013, all of which were substantially complete at June 29, 2014, are reported as “2012 and Earlier Actions.”
Following are the total restructuring and asset impairment charges/(credits), net of adjustments, recognized by the Company during the periods presented: 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Second Quarter
 
Six Months
 
Second Quarter
 
Six Months
Restructuring/Asset impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 Actions
 
$
2,929

 
$
4,328

 
$

 
$

2013 Actions
 
690

 
1,965

 
8,486

 
9,802

2012 and Earlier Actions
 
52

 
(630
)
 
192

 
3,165

Restructuring/Asset impairment charges
 
$
3,671

 
$
5,663

 
$
8,678

 
$
12,967

Income tax benefit
 
(977
)
 
(1,388
)
 
(2,913
)
 
(4,196
)
Cost attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
 
(13
)
 
(15
)
 
(27
)
 
(54
)
Total impact of restructuring/asset impairment
     charges, net of tax
 
$
2,681

 
$
4,260

 
$
5,738

 
$
8,717

Pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges are included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company expects to recognize future additional charges totaling approximately $1,300 in connection with announced restructuring actions, when recognizable in accordance with GAAP, and believes that the majority of these charges will be incurred and paid by the end of 2014. The Company continually evaluates its cost structure, including its manufacturing capacity, and additional restructuring actions may be undertaken.

2014 Actions
During 2014, the Company announced the closure of two recycling facilities - one in the United States and one in Brazil, a tube and core plant in Canada (parts of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment), and a molded foam plant in the United States (part of the Protective Solutions segment). In addition, the Company continued its manufacturing rationalization efforts in its blow-molding business (part of the Consumer Packaging segment), and realigned its cost structure, resulting in the elimination of approximately 53 positions.
Below is a summary of 2014 Actions and related expenses by segment and by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion. 

9

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

2014 Actions
 
Second
Quarter
2014
 
Total
Incurred
to Date
 
Estimated
Total Cost
Severance and Termination Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
38

 
$
688

 
$
738

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
2,317

 
2,582

 
2,583

Protective Solutions
 
$
188

 
$
188

 
$
188

Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
$
220

 
$
693

 
$
693

Other Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
9

 
$
20

 
$
70

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
(28
)
 
(28
)
 
72

Protective Solutions
 
$
185

 
$
185

 
$
285

Total Charges and Adjustments
 
$
2,929

 
$
4,328

 
$
4,629

The following table sets forth the activity in the 2014 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: 
2014 Actions
 
Severance
and
Termination
Benefits
 
Asset
Impairment/
Disposal
of Assets
 
Other
Costs
 
Total
Accrual Activity
2014 Year to Date
 
 
 
Liability at December 31, 2013
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

2014 charges
 
3,458

 
693

 
177

 
4,328

Cash receipts/(payments)
 
(1,819
)
 
150

 
81

 
(1,588
)
Asset write downs/disposals
 

 
(843
)
 

 
(843
)
Foreign currency translation
 
(6
)
 

 
1

 
(5
)
Liability at June 29, 2014
 
$
1,633

 
$

 
$
259

 
$
1,892


The Company expects to pay the majority of the remaining 2014 Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2014 using cash generated from operations.
2013 Actions
During 2013, the Company announced the closures of a thermoforming plant in Ireland and a rigid paper packaging plant in the United States (parts of the Consumer Packaging segment), a small tube and core operation in Europe (part of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment), and a fulfillment service center in the United States (part of the Display and Packaging segment). The Company also sold a small corrugated box operation in the United States (part of the Protective Solutions segment) and realigned its cost structure, resulting in the elimination of approximately 120 positions.
Below is a summary of 2013 Actions and related expenses by segment and by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion. 

10

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Total
Incurred
to Date
 
 Estimated
Total Cost
2013 Actions
 
Second Quarter
 
Six
Months
 
Second Quarter
 
Six
Months
 
 
Severance and Termination Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
(251
)
 
$
111

 
$
1,070

 
$
1,505

 
$
5,020

 
$
5,020

Display and Packaging
 
153

 
318

 
514

 
514

 
1,347

 
1,347

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
258

 
868

 
409

 
909

 
4,215

 
4,215

Protective Solutions
 
(223
)
 
(215
)
 
88

 
128

 
376

 
376

Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 

 

 
5,231

 
5,231

 
5,926

 
5,926

Display and Packaging
 

 

 

 

 
165

 
165

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
(55
)
 
(597
)
 
163

 
414

 
(105
)
 
(105
)
Protective Solutions
 
191

 
185

 
414

 
414

 
847

 
847

Other Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
399

 
885

 
552

 
552

 
1,906

 
2,006

Display and Packaging
 
18

 
108

 
6

 
12

 
205

 
305

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
158

 
211

 
6

 
96

 
659

 
759

Protective Solutions
 
42

 
91

 
33

 
27

 
225

 
325

Total Charges and Adjustments
 
$
690

 
$
1,965

 
$
8,486

 
$
9,802

 
$
20,786

 
$
21,186

The following table sets forth the activity in the 2013 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
2013 Actions
 
Severance
and
Termination
Benefits
 
Asset
Impairment/
Disposal
of Assets
 
Other
Costs
 
Total
Accrual Activity
2014 Year to Date
 
 
 
 
Liability at December 31, 2013
 
$
3,258

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,258

2014 charges
 
1,674

 
315

 
1,370

 
3,359

Adjustments
 
(592
)
 
(727
)
 
(75
)
 
(1,394
)
Cash receipts/(payments)
 
(2,457
)
 
855

 
(1,295
)
 
(2,897
)
Asset write downs/disposals
 

 
(443
)
 

 
(443
)
Foreign currency translation
 
(4
)
 

 

 
(4
)
Liability at June 29, 2014
 
$
1,879

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,879

Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" above is a gain from the sale of a previously closed facility in New Zealand. “Other costs” consist primarily of costs related to plant closures including equipment removal, utilities, plant security, property taxes and insurance. The Company expects to pay the majority of the remaining 2013 Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2014 using cash generated from operations.
 
2012 and Earlier Actions
2012 and Earlier Actions are comprised of a number of plant closures and workforce reductions initiated prior to 2013. Charges for these actions in both 2014 and 2013 relate primarily to the cost of plant closures including severance, equipment removal, plant security, property taxes and insurance. Offsetting these charges in the first quarter of 2014 were gains from the sales of a former blow-molding facility in Canada and a former rigid paper facility in the United States, closed in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company expects to recognize future pretax charges of approximately $700 associated with 2012 and Earlier Actions.

11

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Below is a summary of expenses/(income) incurred by segment for 2012 and Earlier Actions for the three- and six--month periods ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013
 
 
2014
 
2013
2012 and Earlier Actions
 
Second Quarter
 
Six
Months
 
Second Quarter
 
Six
Months
Consumer Packaging
 
$
(369
)
 
$
(1,218
)
 
$
(661
)
 
$
147

Display and Packaging
 

 
(8
)
 
90

 
218

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
421

 
596

 
726

 
1,889

Protective Solutions
 

 

 
37

 
911

Total Charges/(Income) and Adjustments
 
$
52

 
$
(630
)
 
$
192

 
$
3,165


The accrual for 2012 and Earlier Actions totaled $3,186 and $4,547 at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and is included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accrual relates primarily to a pension withdrawal liability associated with a former paper mill in the United States and unpaid severance. The Company expects the majority of both the liability and the future costs associated with 2012 and Earlier Actions to be paid in 2014 using cash generated from operations.
 
Note 6: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as applicable, for the six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013:
 
 
Gains and
Losses on Cash
Flow Hedges
 
Defined
Benefit
Pension Items
 
Foreign
Currency
Items
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Balance at December 31, 2013

$
(262
)

$
(333,106
)

$
(25,152
)

$
(358,520
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications

2,194


(12,138
)

1,164


(8,780
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income

(899
)

8,139




7,240

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets

14






14

Net current-period other comprehensive
income/(loss)

1,309


(3,999
)

1,164


(1,526
)
Balance at June 29, 2014

$
1,047


$
(337,105
)

$
(23,988
)

$
(360,046
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
(6,727
)
 
$
(472,333
)
 
$
3,234

 
$
(475,826
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications
 
2,092

 
(2,360
)
 
(40,699
)
 
(40,967
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income
 
709

 
15,085

 

 
15,794

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets
 
89

 

 

 
89

Net current-period other comprehensive
income/(loss)
 
2,890

 
12,725

 
(40,699
)
 
(25,084
)
Balance at June 30, 2013
 
$
(3,837
)
 
$
(459,608
)
 
$
(37,465
)
 
$
(500,910
)








12

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)


The following table summarizes the effects on net income of significant amounts classified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013
 
 
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
 
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Loss Components
 
June 29,
2014
June 30,
2013
June 29,
2014
June 30,
2013
 
Affected Line Item in 
the Condensed Consolidated 
Statements of Net Income
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(911
)
$
1,798

$
(1,910
)
$
2,242

 
Net sales
Foreign exchange contracts
 
249

(647
)
2,111

(1,050
)
 
Cost of sales
Commodity contracts
 
408

(733
)
1,125

(2,389
)
 
Cost of sales
 
 
(254
)
418

1,326

(1,197
)
 
Total before tax
 
 
28

(118
)
(427
)
488

 
Tax (provision)/benefit
 
 
$
(226
)
$
300

$
899

$
(709
)
 
Net of tax
Defined benefit pension items
 

 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of defined benefit pension items(a)
 
$
(4,961
)
$
(9,306
)
$
(9,614
)
$
(16,950
)
 
Cost of sales
Amortization of defined benefit pension items(a)
 
(1,654
)
(3,102
)
(3,204
)
(5,650
)
 
Selling, general and 
administrative
 
 
(6,615
)
(12,408
)
(12,818
)
(22,600
)
 
Total before tax
 
 
2,630

3,838

4,679

7,515

 
Tax benefit
 
 
$
(3,985
)
$
(8,570
)
$
(8,139
)
$
(15,085
)
 
Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period
 
$
(4,211
)
$
(8,270
)
$
(7,240
)
$
(15,794
)
 
Net of tax
 
(a)
See Note 10 for additional details.
At June 29, 2014, the Company had commodity contracts outstanding to fix the costs of certain anticipated purchases of natural gas and aluminum, and foreign currency contracts to hedge certain anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases. These contracts, which have maturities ranging from July 2014 to December 2015, qualify as cash flow hedges under U.S. GAAP. The amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to these cash flow hedges were net gains of $1,505 ($1,047 after tax) at June 29, 2014, and losses of $427 ($262 after tax) at December 31, 2013.
The cumulative tax (provision)/benefit on Cash Flow Hedges included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss was $(458) at June 29, 2014, and $165 at December 31, 2013. During the three- and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014, the tax benefit on Cash Flow Hedges changed by $(528) and $(623), respectively.
The cumulative tax benefit on Defined Benefit Pension Items was $175,237 at June 29, 2014, and $189,668 at December 31, 2013. During the three- and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014, the tax benefit on Defined Benefit Pension Items decreased by $(12,382) and $(14,431), respectively.
During the three- and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014, changes in noncontrolling interests included foreign currency translation adjustments of $254 and $135, respectively.







13

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Note 7: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
A summary of the changes in goodwill by segment for the six months ended June 29, 2014 is as follows:
 
 
 
Consumer
Packaging
 
Display
and
Packaging
 
Paper and
Industrial
Converted
Products
Protective
Solutions
 
Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2013
 
$
418,765

 
$
204,629

 
$
254,648

$
221,165

 
$
1,099,207

Acquisitions
 

 

 
1,012


 
1,012

Foreign currency translation
 
464

 

 
350


 
814

Other
 
(55
)
 

 


 
(55
)
Goodwill at June 29, 2014
 
$
419,174

 
$
204,629

 
$
256,010

$
221,165

 
$
1,100,978

The Company recorded $1,012 of goodwill in connection with the May 2014 acquisition of Dalton Paper Products, a tube and core business located in Dalton, Georgia.
The Company assesses goodwill for impairment annually and from time to time when warranted by the facts and circumstances surrounding individual reporting units or the Company as a whole. As part of this testing, the Company analyzes certain qualitative and quantitative factors in determining goodwill impairment. For most of its reporting units, only a qualitative analysis is required for management to reach a conclusion that it is not more likely than not that goodwill has been impaired.
For any reporting unit where management is not able to reach this conclusion based on its qualitative assessment, a more detailed analysis (i.e., step 1 analysis) is performed. In this analysis, the fair values of the reporting units are estimated utilizing both an income approach and a market approach. A number of significant management assumptions and estimates were reflected in the Company's forecast of future results and cash flows, such as: sales volumes and prices, profit margins, income taxes, capital expenditures and changes in working capital requirements. Changes in these assumptions, along with the discount rate could materially impact the estimated fair values.
When the Company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit, it does so using a discounted cash flow model based on projections of future years' operating results and associated cash flows, together with comparable trading and transaction multiples. The Company's model discounts projected future cash flows, forecasted over a ten-year period, with an estimated residual growth rate. The Company's projections incorporate management's best estimates of the expected future results, which include expectations related to new business, and, where applicable, improved operating margins. Management’s projections related to revenue growth and/or margin improvements arise from a combination of factors, including expectations for volume growth with existing customers, product expansion, improved price/cost, productivity gains, fixed cost leverage, improvement in general economic conditions, increased operational capacity and customer retention. Projected future cash flows are then discounted to present value using a discount rate management believes is commensurate with the risks inherent in the cash flows.
The Company completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter of 2013. Based on the results of its qualitative and quantitative assessments, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. Because the Company’s assessments, whether qualitative or quantitative, incorporate management’s expectations for the future, including forecasted growth rates and/or margin improvements, if there are changes in the relevant facts and circumstances and/or expectations, management’s assessment regarding goodwill impairment may change as well. In considering the level of uncertainty regarding the potential for goodwill impairment, management has concluded that any such impairment would likely be the result of adverse changes in more than one assumption.
Although no reporting units failed the qualitative or quantitative assessments noted above, in management’s opinion, the reporting units with significant goodwill having the greatest risk of future impairment if actual results in the future are not as expected are Plastics – Blowmolding and Plastics – Thermoforming. Total goodwill associated with these reporting units was approximately $126,500 and $53,200, respectively, at June 29, 2014. Although management believes that goodwill of the Display and Packaging reporting unit is not currently at risk for impairment, a large portion of sales in this unit is concentrated in one customer and will be up for negotiation over the next few years. Management

14

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

expects to retain this business; however, if a significant amount is lost and not replaced, it is possible that a goodwill impairment charge may be incurred. Total goodwill associated with this reporting unit was approximately $196,700 at June 29, 2014.
There were no triggering events between the most recent annual impairment test and June 29, 2014. However, the Plastics – Blowmolding business referenced above experienced some short-term performance issues during the first quarter of 2014, but began to perform more in line with management's expectations during the second quarter. The goodwill for this unit could become impaired should the business not exhibit the sustained improvements expected or if management’s outlook changes.

Other Intangible Assets
A summary of other intangible assets as of June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is as follows:         
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Other Intangible Assets, gross
 
 
 
 
Patents
 
$
2,220

 
$
2,221

Customer lists
 
342,019

 
339,911

Trade names
 
21,216

 
21,232

Proprietary technology
 
17,845

 
17,866

Land use rights
 
323

 
323

Other
 
4,787

 
4,731

Other Intangible Assets, gross
 
$
388,410

 
$
386,284

Accumulated Amortization
 
$
(154,992
)
 
$
(142,364
)
Other Intangible Assets, net
 
$
233,418

 
$
243,920

Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives, which generally range from three to forty years. The Company has no intangibles with indefinite lives.
The Company recorded $3,380 of identifiable intangibles in connection with the acquisition of a small tubes and cores business in May 2014. These intangibles, primarily related to customer lists, will be amortized over a period of ten years.
Aggregate amortization expense was $6,960 and $7,141 for the three months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively, and $13,823 and $14,316 for the six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. Amortization expense on other intangible assets is expected to approximate $27,900 in 2014, $26,800 in 2015, $26,500 in 2016, $26,100 in 2017 and $25,800 in 2018.

Note 8: Financial Instruments and Derivatives
The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s significant financial instruments for which the carrying amount differs from the fair value. 
 
 
June 29, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Long-term debt, net of current portion
 
$
947,081

 
$
1,059,236

 
$
946,257

 
$
999,247

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term debt and long-term variable-rate debt approximates fair value. The fair value of long-term debt is determined based on recent trade information in the financial markets of the Company’s public debt or is determined by discounting future cash flows using interest rates available to the Company for issues with similar terms and maturities. It is considered a Level 2 fair value measurement.
Cash Flow Hedges
At June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had derivative financial instruments outstanding to hedge anticipated transactions and certain asset and liability related cash flows. To the extent considered effective, the changes

15

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

in fair value of these contracts are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to income or expense in the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. The Company has determined all hedges to be highly effective and as a result no material ineffectiveness has been recorded.
Commodity Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has entered into certain derivative contracts to manage the cost of anticipated purchases of natural gas and aluminum. At June 29, 2014, natural gas swaps covering approximately 6.8 million MMBTUs were outstanding. These contracts represent approximately 75% and 75% of anticipated U.S. and Canadian usage for the remainder of 2014 and 2015, respectively. Additionally, the Company had swap contracts covering 2,363 metric tons of aluminum representing approximately 34% of anticipated usage for the remainder of 2014. The fair values of the Company’s commodity cash flow hedges were in a gain position of $1,349 and a loss position of $(330) at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The amount of the gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 29, 2014, that is expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next twelve months is $1,008.
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has entered into forward contracts to hedge certain anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases forecast to occur in 2014. The net positions of these contracts at June 29, 2014 were as follows (in thousands): 
Currency
Action
Quantity
Colombian peso
purchase
7,473,788

Mexican peso
purchase
131,927

Canadian dollar
purchase
25,776

British pound
purchase
3,842

Turkish lira
purchase
3,363

Polish zloty
purchase
1,332

New Zealand dollar
sell
(1,636
)
Australian dollar
sell
(3,038
)
Euro
sell
(4,439
)
Russian ruble
sell
(21,384
)
The fair value of these foreign currency cash flow hedges netted to a gain position of $200 at June 29, 2014 and a net loss at $(97) at December 31, 2013. During the second three months of 2014, certain foreign currency cash flow hedges related to construction in progress were settled as the related capital expenditures were made. Losses from these hedges totaling $14 were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included in the carrying value of the assets acquired. During the next twelve months, a gain of $1,197 is expected to be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to the income statement.
Other Derivatives
The Company routinely enters into forward contracts or swaps to economically hedge the currency exposure of intercompany debt and existing foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. The Company does not apply hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815 for these instruments. As such, changes in fair value are recorded directly to income and expense in the periods that they occur. The net positions of these contracts at June 29, 2014, were as follows (in thousands): 
Currency
Action
Quantity
Colombian peso
purchase
17,018,056

Mexican peso
purchase
324,705

Canadian dollar
purchase
15,322

Euro
sell
(3,550
)
Thai baht
sell
(194,489
)

16

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The fair value of the Company’s other derivatives was $225 and $415 at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
 The following table sets forth the location and fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013
Description
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
June 29,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Contracts
 
Prepaid expenses
 
$
1,232

 
$
535

Commodity Contracts
 
Other assets
 
$
357

 
$
363

Commodity Contracts
 
Accrued expenses and other
 
$
(189
)
 
$
(1,228
)
Commodity Contracts
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(51
)
 
$

Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Prepaid expenses
 
$
827

 
$
896

Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Accrued expenses and other
 
$
(627
)
 
$
(993
)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Prepaid expenses
 
$
468

 
$
468

Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Accrued expenses and other
 
$
(243
)
 
$
(53
)
While certain of the Company’s derivative contract arrangements with its counterparties provide for the ability to settle contracts on a net basis, the Company reports its derivative positions on a gross basis. There are no collateral arrangements or requirements in these agreements.
The following tables set forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the three months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013
Description
 
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in OCI on
Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
Into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI Into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Location of Gain 
or (Loss)  Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain 
or (Loss)
Recognized
in Income on
Derivative (Ineffective 
Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 29, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
$
1,251

 
Net sales
 
$
(911
)
 
Net sales
 
$

 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
$
249

 
 
 
 
Commodity Contracts
$
93

 
Cost of sales
 
$
408

 
Cost of sales
 
$
(24
)
Three months ended June 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
$
267

 
Net sales
 
$
1,798

 
Net sales
 
$

 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(647
)
 
 
 
 
Commodity Contracts
$
(2,666
)
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(733
)
 
Cost of sales
 
$
66

 
Description
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in
Income Statement
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
 
Three months ended June 29, 2014
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Cost of sales
$
(473
)
 
Selling, general and administrative
$
97

Three months ended June 30, 2013
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Cost of sales
$
(975
)
 
Selling, general and administrative
$
(129
)

17

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The following tables set forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013
Description
 
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in OCI on
Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
Into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI Into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Location of Gain 
or (Loss) 
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain
or (Loss) Recognized
in Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective 
Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 29, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$
475

 
Net sales
 
$
(1,910
)
 
Net sales
 
$

 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
$
2,111

 
 
 
 
Commodity Contracts
 
$
2,769

 
Cost of sales
 
$
1,125

 
Cost of sales
 
$
(44
)
Six months ended June 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$
4,523

 
Net sales
 
$
2,242

 
Net sales
 
$

 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(1,050
)
 
 
 
 
Commodity Contracts
 
$
(928
)
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(2,389
)
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(61
)
 
Description
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in
Income Statement
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
 
Six months ended June 29, 2014
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Cost of sales
$
(436
)
 
Selling, general and administrative
$
153

Six months ended June 30, 2013
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Cost of sales
$
(1,171
)
 
Selling, general and administrative
$
(140
)





















 


18

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Note 9: Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:
 
Level 1 –
Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets;
Level 2 –
Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3 –
Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities, excluding retirement and postretirement plan assets, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
Description
 
June 29,
2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Hedge derivatives, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
$
1,349

 
$

 
$
1,349

 
$

Foreign exchange contracts
 
200

 

 
200

 

Non-hedge derivatives, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
225

 

 
225

 

Deferred compensation plan assets
 
905

 
905

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
December 31,
2013
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Hedge derivatives, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
$
(330
)
 
$

 
$
(330
)
 
$

Foreign exchange contracts
 
(97
)
 

 
(97
)
 

Non-hedge derivatives, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
415

 

 
415

 

Deferred compensation plan assets
 
859

 
859

 

 

As discussed in Note 8, the Company uses derivatives to mitigate the effect of raw material and energy cost fluctuations, foreign currency fluctuations and, from time to time, interest rate movements. Fair value measurements for the Company’s derivatives are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are estimated based on observable inputs such as interest rates, yield curves, spot and future commodity prices and spot and future exchange rates.
Certain deferred compensation plan liabilities are funded by assets invested in various exchange traded mutual funds. These assets are measured using quoted prices in accessible active markets for identical assets.
The Company does not currently have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. None of the Company’s financial assets or liabilities is measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 fair value measurements during the three- and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014.





 



19

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Note 10: Employee Benefit Plans
Retirement Plans and Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
The Company provides non-contributory defined benefit pension plans for a majority of its employees in the United States and certain of its employees in Mexico and Belgium. Effective December 31, 2003, the Company froze participation for newly hired salaried and non-union hourly U.S. employees in its qualified defined benefit pension plan. At that time, the Company adopted a defined contribution plan, the Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan (SIRP), which covers its non-union U.S. employees hired on or after January 1, 2004. The Company also sponsors contributory defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of its employees in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Netherlands.
On February 4, 2009, the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan was amended to freeze plan benefits for all active participants effective December 31, 2018. Remaining active participants in the U.S. qualified plan will become participants of the SIRP effective January 1, 2019.
The Company also provides postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to a limited number of its retirees and their dependents in the United States and Canada, based on certain age and/or service eligibility requirements.
The components of net periodic benefit cost include the following:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
Retirement Plans
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
 
$
5,625

 
$
6,354

 
$
10,792

 
$
12,489

Interest cost
 
18,411

 
16,828

 
36,308

 
33,432

Expected return on plan assets
 
(23,299
)
 
(21,570
)
 
(46,052
)
 
(42,962
)
Amortization of net transition obligation
 
102

 
110

 
201

 
220

Amortization of prior service cost
 
166

 
180

 
329

 
283

Amortization of net actuarial loss
 
6,794

 
10,967

 
13,096

 
21,680

Effect of settlement loss
 

 
1,893

 

 
1,893

Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
7,799

 
$
14,762

 
$
14,674

 
$
27,035

Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
 
$
185

 
$
224

 
$
358

 
$
446

Interest cost
 
253

 
247

 
510

 
491

Expected return on plan assets
 
(402
)
 
(377
)
 
(789
)
 
(748
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(344
)
 
(741
)
 
(681
)
 
(1,474
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
 
(103
)
 
(1
)
 
(127
)
 
(2
)
Net periodic benefit income
 
$
(411
)
 
$
(648
)
 
$
(729
)
 
$
(1,287
)

During the second quarter of 2013 the Company recognized a $1,893 settlement loss associated with settling the retirement liabilities of approximately 100 participants in one of its Canadian pension plans. Approximately 75% of the loss is included in “Cost of sales” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income with the remainder in “Selling, general and administrative expenses.”
The Company made aggregate contributions of $41,543 and $15,522 to its defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans during the six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. The Company anticipates that it will make additional aggregate contributions of approximately $12,000 to its defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans in 2014.

Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan (SIRP)
The Company recognized SIRP expense totaling $2,930 and $3,537 for the quarters ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively, and $5,486 and $5,618 for the six month periods ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. Contributions to the SIRP, funded annually in the first quarter, totaled $12,049 during the six months ended June 29, 2014, and $9,290 during the six months ended June 30, 2013. No additional SIRP contributions are expected during the remainder of 2014. 


20

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Note 11: Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate for the three- and six-month periods ending June 29, 2014, was 33.9% and 32.7%, respectively, and its effective tax rate for the three- and six-month periods ending June 30, 2013, was 34.0% and 32.9%, respectively. The rates for both years were favorable to the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to the favorable effect of international operations that are subject to tax rates generally lower than the U.S. rate and the favorable effect of the manufacturer’s deduction. 
The Company and/or its subsidiaries file federal, state and local income tax returns in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, or non-U.S., income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009. With respect to state and local income taxes, the Company is no longer subject to examination prior to 2008, with few exceptions.
The Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions has not changed significantly since December 31, 2013. The Company’s estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is highly judgmental. Management believes that any reasonably foreseeable outcomes related to these matters have been adequately provided for. However, future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are made or resolved or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. Additionally, the jurisdictions in which earnings or deductions are realized may differ from current estimates. As a result, the Company’s effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis.
 
Note 12: Segment Reporting
The Company reports its financial results in four reportable segments: Consumer Packaging, Display and Packaging, Paper and Industrial Converted Products, and Protective Solutions. Effective January 1, 2014, the Company began reporting Sonoco Alloyd, the Company’s retail packaging business and previously part of the Protective Solutions segment, as part of the Display and Packaging segment. This change reflects the evolving integration of these businesses, which enables them to better leverage the Company’s capabilities, products and services to provide complete solutions to our retail merchandising customers. Prior period results for the affected segments have been recast to reflect this change.
The Consumer Packaging segment includes the following products and services: round and shaped rigid containers and trays (both composite and thermoformed plastic); blow-molded plastic bottles and jars; extruded and injection-molded plastic products; printed flexible packaging; global brand artwork management; and metal and peelable membrane ends and closures.
The Display and Packaging segment includes the following products and services: designing, manufacturing, assembling, packing and distributing temporary, semipermanent and permanent point-of-purchase displays; supply chain management services, including contract packing, fulfillment and scalable service centers; retail packaging, including printed backer cards, thermoformed blisters and heat sealing equipment; and paper amenities, such as coasters and glass covers. 
The Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment includes the following products: paperboard tubes and cores; fiber-based construction tubes and forms; wooden, metal and composite wire and cable reels and spools; and recycled paperboard, linerboard, corrugating medium, recovered paper and material recycling services.
The Protective Solutions segment includes the following products: custom-engineered, paperboard-based and expanded foam protective packaging and components; and temperature-assured packaging.








21

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The following table sets forth net sales, intersegment sales and operating profit for the Company’s reportable segments. “Segment operating profit” is defined as the segment’s portion of “Income before interest and income taxes” excluding restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, acquisition-related costs, and certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves comparability and analysis of the financial performance of the business. General corporate expenses have been allocated as operating costs to each of the Company’s reportable segments.
SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended
 

June 29,
2014

June 30,
2013

June 29,
2014

June 30,
2013
Net sales:








Consumer Packaging

$
473,666


$
475,013


$
938,591


$
938,313

Display and Packaging

162,515


157,516


315,537


302,091

Paper and Industrial Converted Products

490,016


473,217


945,626


927,424

Protective Solutions

121,183


120,510


233,252


237,641

Consolidated

$
1,247,380


$
1,226,256


$
2,433,006


$
2,405,469

Intersegment sales:








Consumer Packaging

$
875


$
1,446


$
1,908


$
2,806

Display and Packaging

397


519


780


1,174

Paper and Industrial Converted Products

26,653


25,017


52,998


48,472

Protective Solutions

820


727


1,386


1,400

Consolidated

$
28,745


$
27,709


$
57,072


$
53,852

Income before interest and income taxes:








Segment operating profit:








Consumer Packaging

$
42,831


$
47,366


$
91,014


$
89,706

Display and Packaging

7,514


6,071


12,871


9,574

Paper and Industrial Converted Products

46,543


35,991


76,293


66,995

Protective Solutions

9,640


11,376


14,927


21,100

Restructuring/Asset impairment charges

(3,671
)

(8,678
)

(5,663
)

(12,967
)
Other, net

(1,246
)

(88
)

(1,270
)

(954
)
Consolidated

$
101,611


$
92,038


$
188,172


$
173,454

 


Note 13: Commitments and Contingencies
Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, accruals for estimated losses are recorded at the time information becomes available indicating that losses are probable and that the amounts are reasonably estimable. As is the case with other companies in similar industries, the Company faces exposure from actual or potential claims and legal proceedings from a variety of sources. Some of these exposures, as discussed below, have the potential to be material.
Environmental Matters
The Company is subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which it operates.
During the fourth quarter of 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified U.S. Paper Mills Corp. (U.S. Mills), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, that U.S. Mills and NCR Corporation (NCR), an unrelated party, would be jointly held responsible to undertake a program to remove and dispose of certain PCB-contaminated sediments at a particular site on the lower Fox River in Wisconsin (the “Site”) which is now labeled by the EPA as Phase 1. U.S. Mills and NCR reached an agreement between themselves that each would fund 50% of the costs of remediation. The Company has expensed a total of $17,650 for its estimated share of the total cleanup cost of the Site, and through June 29, 2014, has spent a total of $14,467. The remaining accrual of $3,183 represents the Company’s best estimate of what it is likely to pay to complete the Site project. However, the actual costs associated with cleanup of the Site are dependent upon many factors and it is possible that remediation costs could be higher than the current estimate of project costs. The Company acquired U.S. Mills in 2001, and the alleged contamination predates the acquisition.

22

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The EPA and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) have also issued a general notice of potential liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and a request to participate in remedial action implementation negotiations relating to a stretch of the lower Fox River, including the bay at Green Bay, (Operating Units 2 – 5) to eight potentially responsible parties, including U.S. Mills. Operating Units 2 – 5 include, but also comprise a vastly larger area than, the Site. A detailed description of the claims and proceedings associated therewith appears in Part II – Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Note 14 - “Commitments and Contingencies”) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
On October 14, 2010, the EPA and WDNR filed suit against NCR, API, U.S. Mills and nine other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (District Court) (No. 10-CV-910-WCG) pursuant to Sections 106 and 107 of CERCLA. The plaintiffs seek to recover unreimbursed costs incurred for activities undertaken in response to the release and threatened release of hazardous substances from facilities at or near the Lower Fox River and Green Bay as well as damages for injury to, loss of, and destruction of natural resources resulting from such releases. The plaintiffs also seek a ruling that the defendants are liable for future response costs of the plaintiffs and requiring the defendants to comply with the unilateral Administrative Order for Remedial Action discussed in prior filings. The Company does not believe that the remedies sought in the suit materially expand the Company’s potential liability beyond what has been disclosed in this report or in the Company’s prior filings with the SEC. U.S. Mills has entered into a stipulation with the plaintiffs that, in exchange for U.S. Mills’ admitting that it is liable for discharging wastewater containing PCBs into the river, the plaintiffs would not seek an injunction in this proceeding against U.S. Mills requiring it to participate in the completion of the Fox River remediation. In June 2013 the court ordered some of the other defendants, including NCR but not U.S. Mills, to complete the remediation and the order has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (7th Circuit). As described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014, U.S. Mills and five other defendants have reached a conditional agreement with the EPA and WDNR to settle various issues in the litigation. U.S. Mills' portion of the proposed settlement is $14,700. However, finalization of the proposed settlement is subject to a number of contingencies including approval by the District Court, and will not be effective unless and until it has been approved by the District Court. The proposed settlement could be withdrawn by the United States if, in its opinion, comments received in conjunction with a mandatory 30-day public comment period which ended on May 1, 2014, disclosed facts or considerations that indicate that the settlement is improper, inappropriate, inadequate, or not in the public interest. If consent is not withdrawn, the EPA will request the District Court’s approval and entry of a consent decree relating to the settlement. If this request occurs before a decision is reached by the 7th Circuit with respect to pending appeals of certain other orders in this case, then the EPA will further seek an indicative ruling on the request from the District Court and an appropriate remand by the 7th Circuit to ensure the District Court possesses clear authority to approve and enter the consent decree. As a result of the above required actions and the unpredictability of court decisions, the timing and eventual outcome of the proposed settlement, as well as the financial statement impact to the Company, are uncertain. U.S. Mills plans to continue to defend its interests in both suits vigorously.
Since 2007, U.S. Mills has expensed a total of $60,825 for potential liabilities associated with the Fox River contamination (not including amounts expensed for remediation at the Site) and through June 29, 2014, has spent a total of $26,818, primarily on legal fees and the funding of the proposed settlement with the EPA and WDNR, leaving a reserve of $34,007 remaining at June 29, 2014 for potential liabilities associated with the Fox River contamination (not including amounts accrued for remediation at the Site). Because of the continuing uncertainties in the estimated costs of remediation and continuing uncertainties surrounding U.S. Mills’ allocable share, including a potentially favorable resolution, it is impossible to state with any reasonable degree of confidence that any estimate is a better estimate than the amount recorded. However, because the discharges of hazardous materials into the environment occurred before the Company acquired U.S. Mills, and U.S. Mills has been operated as a separate subsidiary of the Company, the Company does not believe that it bears financial responsibility for these legacy environmental liabilities of U.S. Mills. Therefore, the Company continues to believe that the maximum additional exposure to its consolidated financial position beyond what has been reserved is limited to the equity position of U.S. Mills, which was approximately $97,000 at June 29, 2014.
On November 8, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Tegrant Holding Corporation. During its due diligence, the Company identified several potential environmentally contaminated sites. The total remediation cost of these sites was preliminarily estimated to be $18,850 at the time of acquisition and an accrual in this amount was recorded on Tegrant’s opening balance sheet.

23

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party at several other environmentally contaminated sites. All of the sites are also the responsibility of other parties. The potential remediation liabilities are shared with such other parties, and, in most cases, the Company’s share, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at the current time.
As of June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company (and its subsidiaries) had accrued $57,991 and $73,032, respectively, related to environmental contingencies. Of these, a total of $37,190 and $52,124 relate to U.S. Mills and $18,390 and $18,429 relate to Tegrant at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These accruals are included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. U.S. Mills recognized a $40,825 benefit in 2008 from settlements reached and proceeds received on certain insurance policies covering the Fox River contamination. U.S. Mills’ two remaining insurance carriers are in liquidation. It is possible that U.S. Mills may recover from these carriers a small portion of the costs it ultimately incurs. U.S. Mills may also be able to reallocate some of the costs it incurs among other parties. There can be no assurance that such claims for recovery or reallocation would be successful and no amounts have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for such potential recovery or reallocation.
Other Legal Matters
In addition to those matters described above, the Company is subject to other various legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from management’s expectations, the Company does not believe the resolution of these matters has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

24



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Directors of Sonoco Products Company:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Sonoco Products Company and its subsidiaries as of June 29, 2014, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013 and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of changes in total equity, and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated March 3, 2014, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina
July 29, 2014
 

25

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the Company and its representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements that are also "forward-looking statements." Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “consider,” “plan,” “strategy,” “opportunity,” "commitment," “target,” “anticipate,” “objective,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “future,” "re-envision," “will,” “would,” "can," "could," "may," "might," “aspires,” "potential," or the negative thereof, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:

availability and supply of raw materials, and offsetting high raw material costs;
improved productivity and cost containment;
improving margins and leveraging strong cash flow and financial position;
effects of acquisitions and dispositions;
realization of synergies resulting from acquisitions;
costs, timing and effects of restructuring activities;
adequacy and anticipated amounts and uses of cash flows;
expected amounts of capital spending
refinancing and repayment of debt;
financial strategies and the results expected of them;
financial results for future periods;
producing improvements in earnings;
profitable sales growth and rates of growth;
market leadership;
research and development spending;
extent of, and adequacy of provisions for, environmental liabilities;
adequacy of income tax provisions, realization of deferred tax assets, outcomes of uncertain tax issues and tax rates;
goodwill impairment charges and fair values of reporting units;
future asset impairment charges and fair values of assets;
anticipated contributions to pension and postretirement benefit plans, fair values of plan assets, long-term rates of return on plan assets, and projected benefit obligations and payments;
creation of long-term value and returns for shareholders;
continued payment of dividends; and
planned stock repurchases.

Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such information includes, without limitation, discussions as to guidance and other estimates, perceived opportunities, expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, goals and objectives concerning our future financial and operating performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, without limitation:

availability and pricing of raw materials, energy and transportation, and the Company's ability to pass raw material, energy and transportation price increases and surcharges through to customers or otherwise manage these commodity pricing risks;
costs of labor;
work stoppages due to labor disputes;
success of new product development, introduction and sales;
consumer demand for products and changing consumer preferences;
ability to be the low-cost global leader in customer-preferred packaging solutions within targeted segments;
competitive pressures, including new product development, industry overcapacity, and changes in competitors' pricing for products;

26

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

ability to maintain or increase productivity levels, contain or reduce costs, and maintain positive price/cost relationships;
ability to improve margins and leverage cash flows and financial position;
continued strength of our paperboard-based tubes and cores and composite can operations;
ability to manage the mix of business to take advantage of growing markets while reducing cyclical effects of some of the Company's existing businesses on operating results;
ability to maintain innovative technological market leadership and a reputation for quality;
ability to profitably maintain and grow existing domestic and international business and market share;
ability to expand geographically and win profitable new business;
ability to identify and successfully close suitable acquisitions at the levels needed to meet growth targets, and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into the Company's operations;
the costs, timing and results of restructuring activities;
availability of credit to us, our customers and suppliers in needed amounts and on reasonable terms;
effects of our indebtedness on our cash flow and business activities;
fluctuations in obligations and earnings of pension and postretirement benefit plans;
accuracy of assumptions underlying projections of benefit plan obligations and payments, valuation of plan assets, and projections of long-term rates of return;
cost of employee and retiree medical, health and life insurance benefits;
resolution of income tax contingencies;
foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate and commodity price risk and the effectiveness of related hedges;
changes in U.S. and foreign tax rates, and tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof;
accuracy in valuation of deferred tax assets;
accuracy of assumptions underlying projections related to goodwill impairment testing, and accuracy of management's assessment of goodwill impairment;
accuracy of assumptions underlying fair value measurements, accuracy of management's assessments of fair value and fluctuations in fair value;
liability for and anticipated costs of environmental remediation actions;
effects of environmental laws and regulations;
operational disruptions at our major facilities;
failure or disruptions in our information technologies;
loss of consumer or investor confidence;
ability to protect our intellectual property rights;
actions of domestic or foreign government agencies and changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company;
international, national and local economic and market conditions and levels of unemployment; and
economic disruptions resulting from terrorist activities and natural disasters.

More information about the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements is provided in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A - "Risk Factors" and throughout other sections of that report and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these various risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are, however, advised to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects, and about new or additional risks, uncertainties and assumptions, in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.











27

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY


COMPANY OVERVIEW
Sonoco is a leading provider of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services, with approximately 335 locations in 33 countries.
Sonoco competes in multiple product categories, with its operations organized and reported in four segments: Consumer Packaging, Display and Packaging, Paper and Industrial Converted Products, and Protective Solutions. The majority of the Company’s revenues are from products and services sold to consumer and industrial products companies for use in the packaging of their products for sale or shipment. The Company also manufactures paperboard, primarily from recycled materials, for both internal use and open market sale. Each of the Company’s operating units has its own sales staff and maintains direct sales relationships with its customers.
Second Quarter 2014 Compared with Second Quarter 2013

RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles are referred to as GAAP financial measures. The following tables reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the periods presented. These non-GAAP financial measures (referred to as “base”) are the GAAP measures adjusted to exclude (dependent upon the applicable period) restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, acquisition charges, specifically identified tax adjustments and certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves comparability and analysis of the underlying financial performance of the business. 
 
 
For the three months ended June 29, 2014
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
 
GAAP
 
Restructuring/
Asset
Impairment
 
Other
Adjustments(1)
 
Base
Income before interest and income taxes
 
$
101,611

 
$
3,671

 
$
1,246

 
$
106,528

Interest expense, net
 
13,135

 

 

 
13,135

Income before income taxes
 
88,476

 
3,671

 
1,246

 
93,393

Provision for income taxes
 
29,993

 
977

 
46

 
31,016

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
58,483

 
2,694

 
1,200

 
62,377

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
3,126

 

 

 
3,126

Net income
 
61,609

 
2,694

 
1,200

 
65,503

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(125
)
 
(13
)
 

 
(138
)
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
61,484

 
$
2,681

 
$
1,200

 
$
65,365

Per diluted common share
 
$
0.59

 
$
0.03

 
$
0.01

 
$
0.63

 

(1)Consists primarily of acquisition-related costs and non-base income tax charges. 
 
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2013
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
 
GAAP
 
Restructuring/
Asset
Impairment
 
Other
Adjustments
 
Base
Income before interest and income taxes
 
$
92,038

 
$
8,678

 
$
88

 
$
100,804

Interest expense, net
 
14,407

 

 

 
14,407

Income before income taxes
 
77,631

 
8,678

 
88

 
86,397

Provision for income taxes
 
26,409

 
2,913

 
28

 
29,350

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
51,222

 
5,765

 
60

 
57,047

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
3,824

 

 

 
3,824

Net income
 
55,046

 
5,765

 
60

 
60,871

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(58
)
 
(27
)
 

 
(85
)
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
54,988

 
$
5,738

 
$
60

 
$
60,786

Per diluted common share
 
$
0.53

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.59


28

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY




RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion provides a review of results for the three months ended June 29, 2014 versus the three months ended June 30, 2013.
OVERVIEW
Net sales for the second quarter of 2014 were $1,247 million, compared with $1,226 million in the same period last year. This 1.7% increase was driven by sales from businesses acquired during the past twelve months along with higher selling prices.
Net income attributable to Sonoco for the second quarter of 2014 was $61.5 million, compared to $55.0 million reported for the same period of 2013. Second quarter 2014 results include $2.7 million in after-tax restructuring charges and $1.2 million in after-tax acquisition costs and non-base tax charges. Results for the prior year quarter include after-tax charges of $5.7 million stemming from asset impairment and restructuring costs associated with the closure of the Company’s former thermoforming plant in Ireland and other restructuring activities. Second quarter 2014 base net income attributable to Sonoco (base earnings) was $65.4 million ($0.63 per diluted share) versus $60.8 million ($0.59 per diluted share) in 2013.

Strong performances in the Paper and Industrial Converted Products and Display and Packaging segments were partially offset by lower than expected results in the Consumer Packaging and Protective Solutions segments. Overall in the quarter, the Company benefited from improvements in manufacturing productivity, a favorable price/cost relationship and lower pension expense. Partially offsetting these gains were higher labor, maintenance and other operating costs. Although overall volume was essentially flat compared to the prior year, current quarter earnings benefited from a 50 basis point increase in the Company's overall gross profit margin percentage due largely to a positive price / cost relationship. The bulk of the year-over-year improvement in quarterly base earnings was driven by a 29.3% increase in operating profit in Paper and Industrial Converted Products.
OPERATING REVENUE
Net sales for the second quarter of 2014 increased $21 million over the prior year period.
The components of the sales change were: 
 
 
($ in millions)
 
Volume/mix
$
(1
)
Selling prices
11

Acquisitions
13

Foreign currency translation and other, net
(2
)
 
 
Total sales increase
$
21

 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES
A positive price/cost relationship (the relationship of the change in sales prices to the change in costs of materials, energy and freight), lower pension expense and productivity improvements benefited gross margin, but were partially offset by higher maintenance, labor, and other costs.
Second quarter selling, general and administrative costs increased 3.8%, primarily due to increased acquisition costs, normal labor rate increases, general inflation and higher management incentive provisions.
Restructuring and restructuring-related asset impairment charges totaled $3.7 million in the second quarter of 2014 compared with $8.7 million in last year's second quarter. Additional information regarding restructuring actions and impairments is provided in Note 5 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

29

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Net interest expense for the second quarter decreased to $13.1 million, compared with $14.4 million during the same period in 2013. The decrease was due to lower average debt levels, primarily resulting from the repayment of the Company's 6.5% debentures which matured in November 2013.
The 2014 second quarter effective tax rate on GAAP and base earnings was 33.9 percent and 33.2 percent, respectively, compared with 34 percent on both GAAP and base earnings for the prior year’s quarter.
REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
Effective January 1, 2014, the Company began reporting Sonoco Alloyd, the Company’s retail packaging business and previously part of the Protective Solutions segment, as part of the Display and Packaging segment. This change reflects the evolving integration of these businesses, which enables them to better leverage the Company’s capabilities, products and services to provide complete solutions to our retail merchandising customers. Prior period results for the affected segments have been retrospectively revised to reflect this change.
The following table recaps net sales for the second quarters of 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
 
% Change
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
473,666

 
$
475,013

 
(0.3
)%
Display and Packaging
 
162,515

 
157,516

 
3.2
 %
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
490,016

 
473,217

 
3.5
 %
Protective Solutions
 
121,183

 
120,510

 
0.6
 %
Consolidated
 
$
1,247,380

 
$
1,226,256

 
1.7
 %
Consolidated operating profits, also referred to as “Income before interest and income taxes” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, are comprised of the following ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
 
% Change
Income before interest and income taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
42,831

 
$
47,366

 
(9.6
)%
Display and Packaging
 
7,514

 
6,071

 
23.8
 %
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
46,543

 
35,991

 
29.3
 %
Protective Solutions
 
9,640

 
11,376

 
(15.3
)%
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges
 
(3,671
)
 
(8,678
)
 
(57.7
)%
Other, net
 
(1,246
)
 
(88
)
 
1,315.9
 %
Consolidated
 
$
101,611

 
$
92,038

 
10.4
 %
 
The following table recaps restructuring/asset impairment charges attributable to each of the Company’s segments during the second quarter of 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges:
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
(175
)
 
$
6,192

Display and Packaging
 
171

 
609

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
3,292

 
1,304

Protective Solutions
 
383

 
573

Total
 
$
3,671

 
$
8,678


30

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Segment results viewed by Company management to evaluate segment performance do not include restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, acquisition-related charges, interest expense, income taxes, or certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves the comparability and analysis of the underlying financial performance of the business. Accordingly, the term “segment operating profit” is defined as the segment’s portion of “Income before interest and income taxes” excluding those items. All other general corporate expenses have been allocated as operating costs to each of the Company’s reportable segments.
Consumer Packaging
The Consumer Packaging segment includes the following products and services: round and shaped rigid containers and trays (both composite and thermoformed plastic); blow-molded plastic bottles and jars; extruded and injection-molded plastic products; printed flexible packaging; global brand artwork management; and metal and peelable membrane ends and closures.
Segment sales during the quarter were essentially flat as slightly lower volume and a negative impact from foreign exchange were partially offset by higher selling prices and additional sales from the prior-year acquisition of a small graphics management business in the U.K.
Segment operating profit decreased 9.6 percent, driven by lower volumes in composite cans in North America due to weak consumer demand for packaged food and inventory destocking by several of our customers, a negative mix of business and higher labor and other costs, partially offset by modest productivity improvements and lower pension expense. Productivity, although positive for the segment as a whole, was negatively impacted by approximately $3 million during the quarter as a result of an isolated production issue in a flexible packaging plant related to a material specification variance. The Company is working to resolve this issue.

Display and Packaging
The Display and Packaging segment includes the following products and services: designing, manufacturing, assembling, packing and distributing temporary, semipermanent and permanent point-of-purchase displays; supply chain management services, including contract packing, fulfillment and scalable service centers; retail packaging, including printed backer cards, thermoformed blisters and heat sealing equipment; and paper amenities, such as coasters and glass covers. 
Sales for the quarter were up 3.2 percent year over year due to volume growth in U.S. display and packaging fulfillment activity.
Operating profits improved 23.8 percent from the prior-year quarter due primarily to volume growth in domestic display and fulfillment activity along with a favorable price/cost relationship.
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
The Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment includes the following products: paperboard tubes and cores; fiber-based construction tubes and forms; wooden, metal and composite wire and cable reels and spools; and recycled paperboard, linerboard, corrugating medium, recovered paper and material recycling services.
Segment sales were up 3.5 percent due to additional sales from businesses acquired in the past twelve months and higher selling prices, partially offset by a negative impact from foreign exchange.
Operating profits increased 29.3 percent year over year as a positive price/cost relationship, strong productivity improvements and lower pension expense were only partially offset by higher labor, maintenance and other operating costs. Management believes that a portion of the price/cost benefit seen in the second quarter was temporary and expects it to dissipate as material costs and selling prices are reset going into the third quarter.
Protective Solutions
The Protective Solutions segment includes the following products: custom-engineered, paperboard-based and expanded foam protective packaging and components; and temperature-assured packaging.
Segment sales were up slightly for the quarter primarily due to a favorable sales mix, while operating profits were down 15.3 percent due to a negative price/cost relationship, increased overhead charges and continued start up costs related to a new facility in Mexico.


31

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY



Six Months Ended June 29, 2014 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The following tables reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the periods presented.
 
 
For the six months ended June 29, 2014
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
 
GAAP
 
Restructuring/
Asset
Impairment
 
Other
Adjustments(1)
 
Base
Income before interest and income taxes
 
$
188,172

 
$
5,663

 
$
1,270

 
$
195,105

Interest expense, net
 
25,778

 

 

 
25,778

Income before income taxes
 
162,394

 
5,663

 
1,270

 
169,327

Provision for income taxes
 
53,162

 
1,388

 
55

 
54,605

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
109,232

 
4,275

 
1,215

 
114,722

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
4,602

 

 

 
4,602

Net income
 
113,834

 
4,275

 
1,215

 
119,324

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(48
)
 
(15
)
 

 
(63
)
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
113,786

 
$
4,260

 
$
1,215

 
$
119,261

Per diluted common share
 
$
1.10

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.01

 
$
1.15

 

(1)Consists primarily of acquisition-related costs and non-base income tax charges. 

 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2013
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
 
GAAP
 
Restructuring/
Asset
Impairment
 
Other
Adjustments(2)
 
Base
Income before interest and income taxes
 
$
173,454

 
$
12,967

 
$
954

 
$
187,375

Interest expense, net
 
28,675

 

 

 
28,675

Income before income taxes
 
144,779

 
12,967

 
954

 
158,700

Provision for income taxes
 
47,661

 
4,196

 
323

 
52,180

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
97,118

 
8,771

 
631

 
106,520

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
5,721

 

 

 
5,721

Net income
 
102,839

 
8,771

 
631

 
112,241

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
288

 
(54
)
 

 
234

Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
103,127

 
$
8,717

 
$
631

 
$
112,475

Per diluted common share
 
$
1.00

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.01

 
$
1.09


(2)Consists primarily of the impact of the February 2013 devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar fuerte. 


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion provides a review of results for the six months ended June 29, 2014 versus the six months ended June 30, 2013.
OVERVIEW
Net sales for the first half of 2014 were $2,433 million, compared with $2,405 million in the same period last year. This 1.1% increase was driven by higher selling prices and sales from businesses acquired, which were partially offset by

32

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

negative changes in foreign currency translation. Volumes were up in some businesses and down in others, but overall volume was essentially flat.
Net income attributable to Sonoco for the first half of 2014 was $113.8 million, compared to $103.1 million reported for the same period of 2013. Results for 2014 include after-tax restructuring and other non-base charges of $5.5 million, consisting of $4.3 million related to previously announced restructuring actions and $1.2 million of acquisition-related expenses and non-base tax charges. Results for 2013 include non-base after-tax charges of $9.3 million, consisting primarily of costs associated with restructuring activities. Base net income attributable to Sonoco (base earnings) in the first half of 2014 was $119.3 million ($1.15 per diluted share) versus $112.5 million ($1.09 per diluted share) in 2013.

In January and February of 2014, severe winter weather significantly disrupted our customers’ operations as well as our own, resulting in lost production and sales along with higher operating costs, particularly in our industrial-related businesses. March saw a significant rebound in demand followed by a return to a more normal and expected level of sales orders. Although overall volume was essentially flat year over year, 2014 first-half earnings benefited from a 50 basis point increase in the Company's overall gross profit margin percentage due to a positive price/cost relationship and lower pension expense. The bulk of the year-over-year improvement in year-to-date base earnings was driven by a 13.9% increase in operating profit in our Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment.
OPERATING REVENUE
Net sales for the first six months of 2014 increased $28 million over the same period last year. The components of the sales change were: 
 
 
($ in millions)
 
Volume/mix
$
3

Selling prices
24

Acquisitions
17

Foreign currency translation and other, net
(16
)
 
 
Total sales increase
$
28

 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES
A positive price/cost relationship, lower pension expense and productivity improvements benefited gross margin, but were partially offset by higher maintenance, labor, and other costs.
First-half selling, general and administrative costs increased 3.5%, reflecting normal labor rate increases, general inflation and higher management incentive provisions.
Restructuring and restructuring-related asset impairment charges totaled $5.7 million in the first half of 2014 compared with $13.0 million last year. Additional information regarding restructuring actions and impairments is provided in Note 5 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Net interest expense for the first half of 2014 decreased to $25.8 million, compared with $28.7 million during the same period in 2013. The decrease was due to lower average debt levels, primarily resulting from the repayment of the Company's 6.5% debentures which matured in November 2013.
The effective tax rate on GAAP and base earnings for the first half of 2014 was 32.7 percent and 32.2 percent, respectively, compared with a 32.9 percent rate on both GAAP and base earnings in the prior year period.





33

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY


REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
The following table recaps net sales for the first six months of 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014

June 30,
2013
 
% Change
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
938,591

 
$
938,313

 
 %
Display and Packaging
 
315,537

 
302,091

 
4.5
 %
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
945,626

 
927,424

 
2.0
 %
Protective Solutions
 
233,252

 
237,641

 
(1.8
)%
Consolidated
 
$
2,433,006

 
$
2,405,469

 
1.1
 %
Consolidated operating profits, also referred to as “Income before interest and income taxes” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, are comprised of the following ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014

June 30,
2013
 
% Change
Income before interest and income taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
91,014

 
$
89,706

 
1.5
 %
Display and Packaging
 
12,871

 
9,574

 
34.4
 %
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
76,293

 
66,995

 
13.9
 %
Protective Solutions
 
14,927

 
21,100

 
(29.3
)%
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges
 
(5,663
)
 
(12,967
)
 
(56.3
)%
Other, net
 
(1,270
)
 
(954
)
 
33.1
 %
Consolidated
 
$
188,172

 
$
173,454

 
8.5
 %
 
The following table recaps restructuring/asset impairment charges attributable to each of the Company’s segments during the first six months of 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 29,
2014
 
June 30,
2013
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges:
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
485

 
$
7,435

Display and Packaging
 
418

 
744

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
4,326

 
3,308

Protective Solutions
 
434

 
1,480

Total
 
$
5,663

 
$
12,967

Consumer Packaging
Year-to-date segment sales were essentially unchanged as higher selling prices and additional sales from the 2013 acquisition of a small graphics management business were offset by lower volume and the negative impact of foreign exchange. Segment operating profit increased 1.5 percent as improvements in the plastics businesses were largely offset by declines in North America containers and closures and flexible packaging. Overall, operating profit benefited from favorable price/cost, improved productivity and lower pension expenses, which were largely offset by lower volume, primarily in North America rigid containers and closures, and higher labor and other costs. Productivity was impacted by an isolated production issue in one plant related to a material specification variance.



34

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY



Display and Packaging
Sales in the first half of 2014 rose 4.5% to $316 million, compared with $302 million in 2013, due to volume growth in U.S. display and packaging fulfillment activity and higher selling prices. Operating profit improved to $12.9 million from $9.6 million in last year’s period on increased volume and improved productivity, partially offset by higher labor and other costs.
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
In 2014, severe winter weather resulted in lost production at several mills that were forced to cancel multiple shifts due to the conditions and/or partially curtail production. Despite the negative effects of the severe winter weather on volume, segment sales were up slightly as higher selling prices and additional sales from businesses acquired in the past twelve months more than offset the lower volume and a negative impact from foreign exchange.
Operating profits increased 13.9 percent year over year as a positive price/cost relationship, productivity improvements and lower pension expense were only partially offset by lower volume and higher maintenance, labor and other costs. In addition, persistently lower-than-normal temperatures across much of the United States and Canada caused a short-term, but significant, increase in energy costs at many of our facilities.
Protective Solutions
The 1.8 percent decline in segment sales in the first half of 2014 was due to lower volume in the industrial protective and temperature-assured businesses and the divestiture of a small box plant in April 2013. Operating profits in the first half of 2014 declined 29.3 percent due primarily to an unfavorable price/cost relationship and negative productivity and higher operating costs both of which were impacted by the start up of a new facility in Mexico and the severe winter weather experienced in the first quarter.


Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s financial position remained strong during the first six months of 2014. Cash flows provided by operations totaled $105.5 million in the first half of 2014 compared with $244.5 million during the same period last year, a decrease of $139.0 million. Higher year-over-year pension and postretirement plan contributions accounted for a net decrease in operating cash flows of $28.8 million. Trade accounts receivable increased in both the current and prior year periods, reflecting higher levels of business activity from their respective prior year ends; however, the magnitude of the increase was greater in 2014 resulting in an increased use of cash of $20.0 million year over year. Inventories used cash of $10.7 million in the first six months of 2014 compared to a $14.7 million use of cash in the same period last year. Both years reflect increased inventory levels following the normal seasonal slowdown at year end. However, the increase in the first half of 2014 was less than the increase in the first half of 2013 as some of the Company's businesses continued to run at normal production levels during the 2013 holiday season and others made early raw material purchases at the end of 2013 to take advantage of favorable raw material pricing. Trade accounts payable provided $21.0 million of cash in the first six months of 2014 compared with $68.5 million in the first six months of 2013. The $47.5 million decrease is the result of December 2013 accounts payable being significantly higher than December 2012 due to a number of factors, including: certain of the Company’s plants did not reduce production run rates during the 2013 holiday season to the same degree as in 2012; ending 2013 accounts payable include a greater amount of opportunistic raw material inventory purchases made late in the year; extended terms with certain vendors that went into effect in early 2013 were fully reflected in 2013 ending accounts payable, but had no effect in 2012; and timing differences on the payment of certain freight and utility charges. As a result of these factors, accounts payable did not experience a similar level of increase in the first six months of 2014 compared to 2013. Changes in income tax related items were responsible for $33.8 million to the year-over-year decrease in operating cash flows, driven primarily by a combination of lower tax refunds and higher tax payments in 2014 than in 2013. Accrued expenses provided $10.1 million of cash in the first six months of 2014 compared with using $14.7 million of cash in the first six months of 2013. This $24.8 million year-over-year increase is primarily attributable to higher year-over-year payroll accruals due to the timing of salaried payroll funding relative to period end, higher year-over-year management incentive accruals, and lower year-over-year spending on restructuring activities. In addition, operating cash flows were reduced by a $14.7 million payment made in April 2014 to fund a proposed settlement of environmental claims and litigation associated with Fox River.

35

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Cash used by investing activities was $93.1 million in the first six months of 2014, compared with $94.5 million in the same period last year, a net decrease of $1.4 million. The decrease in the net use of cash was driven primarily by a year-over-year reduction in capital spending of $13.1 million largely due to the completion in 2013 of several significant projects, including a biomass boiler at the Company's Hartsville manufacturing complex. This year-over-year decrease was mostly offset by the Company's acquisition of a small tubes and cores business in May 2014 at an all cash cost of $11.0 million. Proceeds from the sale of assets were $3.6 million in the first six months of 2014 compared with $8.0 million in the same period last year. This decrease of $4.4 million year over year is due to the proceeds from the prior year disposition of a small corrugated box operation exceeding proceeds in the current year for the sale of three buildings associated with operations that were closed as part of restructuring actions in previous years. In addition, the prior year included a $3.6 million cash payment to acquire a 12% interest in a recycling and environmental services business in Finland. Additional capital spending of approximately $100 million is expected during the remainder of 2014.
Cash used by financing activities totaled $31.0 million in the first six months of 2014, compared with $334.6 million in the same period last year, a decreased use of cash of $303.6 million. Outstanding debt was $1.0 billion at June 29, 2014 including $51 million of commercial paper. These balances reflect net borrowings of $54.5 million during the first half of 2014, compared with net repayments of $281.4 million during the same period last year. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company completed the repatriation of approximately $254 million of cash from its foreign subsidiaries using the proceeds to pay off the $135 million balance of a term loan entered into in November 2011 to fund the acquisition of Tegrant Holding Corporation and the remainder to pay down commercial paper. During the first six months of 2014, the Company paid cash dividends of $64.4 million, an increase of $2.6 million over the same period last year. Net proceeds from the exercise of stock awards were $2.5 million in the six months ended June 29, 2014, compared with $9.9 million in the same period last year, a decrease of $7.4 million. Cash used to repurchase shares was $27.8 million higher in the current year period. This increase reflects the purchase of approximately 0.7 million shares under a previously announced stock buyback program. The Company expects to repurchase approximately 1.3 million additional shares under this program over the balance of 2014.
The Company operates a $350 million commercial paper program, supported by a bank credit facility of the same amount committed through October 2017. There was $51 million of commercial paper outstanding at June 29, 2014, compared with none at December 31, 2013.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $199.8 million and $217.6 million at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Of these totals, $173.0 million and $163.4 million, respectively, were held outside of the United States by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. Cash held outside of the United States is available to meet local liquidity needs, or for capital expenditures, acquisitions, and other offshore growth opportunities. Under current law, cash repatriated to the United States is subject to federal income taxes, less applicable foreign tax credits. As the Company enjoys ample domestic liquidity through a combination of operating cash flow generation and access to bank and capital markets borrowings, we have generally considered our offshore cash balances to be indefinitely invested outside the United States and, accordingly, have not provided for U.S. federal tax liability on these amounts for financial reporting purposes. The Company currently has no plans to repatriate any of the cash balances held outside the United States. However, if such balances were to be repatriated, additional U.S. federal income tax payments could result. Computation of the potential deferred tax liability associated with unremitted earnings deemed to be indefinitely reinvested is not practicable. The Company utilizes a variety of tax planning and financing strategies to ensure that our worldwide cash is available in the locations where it is needed.
Certain of the Company’s debt agreements impose restrictions with respect to the maintenance of financial ratios and the disposition of assets. The most restrictive covenant currently requires the Company to maintain a minimum level of interest coverage, and a minimum level of net worth, as defined. As of June 29, 2014, the Company’s interest coverage and net worth were substantially above the minimum levels required under these covenants.
The Company anticipates additional contributions to its pension and postretirement plans of approximately $12 million during the remainder of 2014, which would take total 2014 contributions to approximately $66 million. Future funding requirements beyond 2014 will vary depending largely on actual investment returns, future actuarial assumptions, and legislative actions.



36

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Fair Value Measurements, Foreign Exchange Exposure and Risk Management
Certain assets and liabilities are reported in the Company’s financial statements at fair value, the fluctuation of which can impact the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Items reported by the Company on a recurring basis at fair value include derivative contracts and pension and deferred compensation related assets. The valuation of the vast majority of these items is based either on quoted prices in active and accessible markets or on other observable inputs.

As a result of operating globally, the Company is exposed to changes in foreign exchange rates. The exposure is well diversified, as the Company’s facilities are spread throughout the world, and the Company generally sells in the same countries where it produces. The Company monitors these exposures and may use traditional currency swaps and forward exchange contracts to hedge a portion of forecasted transactions that are denominated in foreign currencies, foreign currency assets and liabilities or net investment in foreign subsidiaries. The Company’s foreign operations are exposed to political and cultural risks, but the risks are mitigated by diversification and the relative stability of the countries in which the Company has significant operations.
In January 2003, the Venezuelan government suspended the free exchange of bolivars (BsF) for foreign currency. Since 2003, the only consistent mechanism potentially available to the Company for exchanging currency has been via the central bank at the official rate. The official rate has been devalued significantly from 1.6 BsF/US$ in January 2003 to 6.3 BsF/US$ presently and access to U.S dollars at the official rate is extremely limited. Since January 1, 2010, the Company has considered Venezuela to be a hyperinflationary economy and has accounted for its operations accordingly. Due to actions taken over the past year, in addition to the official rate, the Venezuelan government now supports two alternative foreign exchange mechanisms. However, due to program limitations preventing the Company's participation and/or a lack of transparency, the Company continues to use the official rate to report the results of its operations in Venezuela. At June 30, 2014, the indicated exchange rates available under these alternative mechanisms were 10.8 BsF/US$ and 50.0 BsF/US$ and may represent more realistic rates at which the Company could expect to convert its BsF denominated monetary assets and liabilities into dollars. If the Company were to begin reporting the results of its operations in Venezuela using 10.8 BsF/US$ or 50.0 BsF/US$, it would report a translation loss of approximately $2.0 million or $4.0 million, respectively. In addition, the use of a significantly less advantageous exchange rate mechanism than the official rate may also result in an impairment charge related to non-recoverability of other assets such as inventory and property and equipment. The Company will continue to monitor developments regarding these, or other, alternative mechanisms and assess if a rate other than the official rate would be more appropriate for remeasuring reported financial results. Annual net sales in Venezuela are approximately $14 million. The Company's total net investment in Venezuela is $13 million, of which $5 million is exposed to translation gains/losses due to changes in the exchange rate.
At June 29, 2014, the Company had commodity contracts outstanding to fix the cost of a portion of anticipated raw materials and natural gas purchases. The total net fair market value of these instruments was a favorable position of $1.3 million at June 29, 2014, and an unfavorable position of $0.3 million at December 31, 2013. Natural gas and aluminum contracts covering an equivalent of 6.8 million MMBTUs and 2,363 metric tons, respectively, were outstanding at June 29, 2014. Additionally, the Company had various currency contracts outstanding to fix the exchange rate on certain anticipated foreign currency cash flows. The total market value of these instruments was a net favorable position of $0.2 million at June 29. 2014, compared with a net unfavorable position of $0.1 million at December 31, 2013. These contracts qualify as cash flow hedges and mature within twelve months of their respective reporting dates.
In addition, at June 29, 2014, the Company had various currency contracts outstanding to fix the exchange rate on certain foreign currency assets and liabilities. Although placed as an economic hedge, the Company does not apply hedge accounting to these contracts. The fair value of these currency contracts was a net favorable position of $0.2 million at June 29, 2014 and a net favorable position of $0.4 million at December 31, 2013.
At June 29, 2014, the U.S. dollar had weakened against most of the functional currencies of the Company's foreign operations compared to December 31, 2013, resulting in a translation gain of $1.2 million being recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income during the six months ended June 29, 2014.



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SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Restructuring and Impairment
Information regarding restructuring charges and restructuring-related asset impairment charges is provided in Note 5 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Information regarding new accounting pronouncements is provided in Note 2 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Information about the Company’s exposure to market risk is discussed under Part I, Item 2 in this report and was disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014. There have been no other material quantitative or qualitative changes in market risk exposure since the date of that filing. 

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision, and with the participation, of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that such controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, were effective.
Changes in Internal Controls
The Company is continuously seeking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations and of its internal controls. This results in refinements to processes throughout the Company. However, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.
Information with respect to legal proceedings and other exposures appears in Part I – Item 3 – “Legal Proceedings” and Part II – Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Note 14 - “Commitments and Contingencies”) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and in Part I – Item 1 – “Financial Statements” (Note 13 – “Commitments and Contingencies”) of this report.
Fox River
In April 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) sued U.S. Paper Mills Corp. (U.S. Mills), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and NCR Corporation (NCR), an unrelated company, to recover certain costs incurred for response activities undertaken regarding the release and threatened release of hazardous substances in specific areas of elevated concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay in northeastern Wisconsin (hereinafter the Site). Pursuant to a Consent Decree agreed to by NCR and U.S. Mills as a consequence of the litigation, the Site is to be cleaned up on an expedited basis and NCR and U.S. Mills started removing contaminated sediment in May 2007. The remediation involves removal of sediment from the riverbed, dewatering of the sediment and storage at an offsite landfill. U.S. Mills and NCR reached an agreement between themselves that each would fund 50% of the costs of remediation, which through June 29, 2014, has totaled slightly more than $25 million. U.S. Mills’ environmental reserve at June 29, 2014, includes $3.2 million for its share of the estimated remaining costs under the funding agreement for the remediation of the Site. The actual costs associated with cleanup of the Site, however, are dependent upon many factors and it is possible that remediation costs could be higher or lower than the current estimate of project costs. Under the terms of the agreement, the parties reserved their rights to make claims against each other, as well as third parties, to reallocate the costs of remediating the Site. Accordingly, the Company’s ultimate share of the liability for remediating the Site could be greater or less than 50% of the total cost.
In addition to the Site discussed above, as previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, U.S. Mills faces additional exposure related to potential natural resource damage and environmental remediation costs for a larger stretch of the lower Fox River, including the bay at Green Bay, which includes the Site discussed above (Operating Units 2 – 5). On November 13, 2007, the EPA issued a unilateral Administrative Order for Remedial Action pursuant to Section 106 of CERCLA. The order requires U.S. Mills and the seven other respondents jointly to take various actions to cleanup Operable Units (OUs) 2 – 5. The order covers planning and design work as well as dredging and disposing of contaminated sediments and the capping of dredged and less contaminated areas of the river bottom. The order also provides for a penalty for failure by a respondent to comply with its terms as well as exposing a non-complying respondent to potential treble damages. Even though U.S. Mills has reserved its rights to contest liability for any portion of the work, it is cooperating with the other respondents to comply with the order, although its financial contribution will likely be determined by the lawsuit commenced in June 2008 and discussed below.
On June 12, 2008, NCR and Appleton Papers, Inc. (API), as plaintiffs, commenced suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (No. 08-CV-0016-WCG) against U.S. Mills, as one of a number of defendants, seeking a declaratory judgment allocating among all the parties the costs and damages associated with the pollution and clean up of the Lower Fox River (the Contribution Case). The suit also seeks damages from the defendants for amounts already spent by the plaintiffs, including natural resource damages, and future amounts to be spent by all parties with regard to the pollution and cleanup of the Lower Fox River. The court limited discovery to information regarding when each party knew, or should have known, that recycling NCR brand carbonless paper would result in the discharge of PCBs to a water body, and what action, if any, each party took to avoid the risk of further contamination. On December 16, 2009, the court issued an order which concluded that, under the equities of the case, NCR and API were not entitled to any contributions from U.S. Mills and other defendants, thereby granting the defendant’s motions for summary judgment and denying the plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment. Subsequent to the December 2009 ruling, U.S. Mills and other defendants made motions to have the court rule that, on the same basis as the December 2009 ruling, NCR would be responsible for any costs that U.S. Mills and the other defendants might incur, past, present and future. These motions have been granted by the court. In June 2013 the court entered final, appealable orders in this suit and the orders have been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (7th Circuit).


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SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

On October 14, 2010, the EPA and the WDNR filed suit against NCR, API, U.S. Mills and nine other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (District Court) (No. 10-CV-00910-WCG) pursuant to Sections 106 and 107 of CERCLA. The plaintiffs seek to recover unreimbursed costs incurred for activities undertaken in response to the release and threatened release of hazardous substances from facilities at or near the Lower Fox River and Green Bay as well as damages for injury to, loss of, and destruction of natural resources resulting from such releases. The plaintiffs also seek a ruling that the defendants are liable for future response costs of the plaintiffs and requiring the defendants to comply with the unilateral Administrative Order for Remedial Action discussed above. The Company does not believe that the remedies sought in the suit materially expand the Company’s potential liability beyond what has been previously disclosed in this report or in the Company’s prior filings. U.S. Mills has entered into a stipulation with the plaintiffs that, in exchange for U.S. Mills’ admitting that it is liable for discharging wastewater containing PCBs into the river, the plaintiffs would not seek an injunction in this proceeding against U.S. Mills requiring it to participate in the completion of the Fox River remediation. In June 2013 the court ordered several defendants, including NCR, to comply with the unilateral Administrative Order but, consistent with the stipulation, U.S. Mills was not among those defendants. The court’s order has also been appealed to the 7th Circuit. As described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014, U. S. Mills and five other defendants have reached a conditional agreement with the EPA and WDNR to settle various issues in the litigation. U.S. Mills' portion of the proposed settlement is $14.7 million. Finalization of the proposed settlement, however, is subject to a number of contingencies including approval by the District Court, and will not be effective unless and until it has been approved by the District Court. The proposed settlement could be withdrawn by the United States if comments received in conjunction with a mandatory 30-day public comment period which ended on May 1, 2014, disclosed facts or considerations that indicate that the settlement is improper, inappropriate, inadequate, or not in the public interest. If consent is not withdrawn, the EPA will request the District Court’s approval and entry of a consent decree relating to the settlement. If this request occurs before a decision is reached by the 7th Circuit with respect to the pending appeals of certain other orders in this case, then the EPA will further seek an indicative ruling on the request from the District Court and an appropriate remand by the 7th Circuit to ensure the District Court possesses clear authority to approve and enter the consent decree. In addition, a ruling adverse to the Company in the Contribution Case might reduce the beneficial effects of the proposed settlement to the Company. As a result of the above required actions and the unpredictability of court decisions, the timing and eventual outcome of the proposed settlement, as well as the financial statement impact to the Company, are uncertain. U.S. Mills plans to continue to defend its interests in both suits vigorously.
As of June 29, 2014, U.S. Mills’ environmental reserve for potential liabilities associated with the remediation of OUs 2 -5 (not including amounts accrued for remediation of the Site) totaled $34.0 million. Because of the continuing uncertainties in the estimated costs of remediation and continuing uncertainties surrounding U.S. Mills’ allocable share, including a potentially favorable resolution, it is impossible to state with any degree of confidence that any estimate is a better estimate than the amount recorded. However, because the discharges of hazardous materials into the environment occurred before the Company acquired U.S. Mills, and U.S. Mills has been operated as a separate subsidiary of the Company, the Company does not believe that it bears financial responsibility for these legacy environmental liabilities of U.S. Mills. Therefore, the Company continues to believe that the maximum additional pretax exposure to its consolidated financial position beyond what has been reserved is limited to the equity position of U.S. Mills, which was approximately $97 million at June 29, 2014.
Other Legal Matters
Additional information regarding legal proceedings is provided in Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 

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SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Period
 
(a) Total Number of
Shares Purchased1
 
(b) Average Price
Paid per Share
 
(c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs2
 
(d) Maximum
Number of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased under the
Plans or Programs2
3/31/14 – 5/04/14
 
201,454

 
$
41.57

 
192,000

 
4,467,500

5/05/14 – 6/01/14
 
152,615

 
$
41.82

 
152,000

 
4,315,500

6/01/14 – 6/29/14
 
101,470

 
$
42.49

 
97,237

 
4,218,263

Total
 
455,539

 
$
41.86

 
441,237

 
4,218,263

 
1
A total of 14,302 common shares were repurchased in the second quarter of 2014 related to shares withheld to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations in association with certain share-based compensation awards. These shares were not repurchased as part of a publicly announced plan or program.
2
On April 19, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. This authorization rescinded all previous existing authorizations and does not have a specific expiration date. A total of 132,500 shares were purchased under this authorization in 2013; accordingly, at December 31, 2013, a total of 4,867,500 shares remained available for repurchase. Through June 29, 2014, an additional 649,237 shares were repurchased under the announced buyback at a cost of $27.1 million, leaving 4,218,263 shares remaining available for repurchase at June 29, 2014.
 
Item 6.
Exhibits.
15.
Letter re: unaudited interim financial information
 
 
31.
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 17 C.F.R. 240.13a-14(a)
 
 
32.
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 17 C.F.R. 240.13a-14(b)
 
 
101.
The following materials from Sonoco Products Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

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SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: July 29, 2014
By:
 
/s/ Barry L. Saunders
 
 
Barry L. Saunders
 
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
 

42

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Number
Description
15

Letter re: unaudited interim financial information
 
 
31

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 17 C.F.R. 240.13a-14(a)
 
 
32

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 17 C.F.R. 240.13a-14(b)
 
 
101

The following materials from Sonoco Products Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

43