01.31.18
Packaging Corporation of America reported fourth quarter 2017 net income of $269 million, or $2.84 per share and $1.56 per share excluding special items. Fourth quarter net sales were $1.7 billion in 2017 and $1.5 billion in 2016. Full year 2017 net income was $669 million, or $7.07 per share and $6.02 per share excluding special items. Full year 2017 net sales were $6.4 billion compared to 2016 net sales of $5.8 billion.
“Demand in our Packaging segment remained very strong as sales volumes in both our containerboard mills and our corrugated products plants set all-time records,” said Mark Kowlzan, chairman and CEO. “Record production in our containerboard mills allowed us to build some inventory to prepare for scheduled first quarter outages at three of our mills when our production volume will be significantly reduced.
“Looking ahead as we move from the fourth and into the first quarter,” Kowlzan added, “we expect continued strong demand in our Packaging segment, although our containerboard volumes will be lower due to scheduled outages at three of our mills during the quarter. We will continue to implement our recently announced price increases in our Paper segment and expect volume to be slightly lower. We expect inflation in almost all areas across our entire cost base. We anticipate continued higher freight costs as well as higher labor and benefits costs with annual wage increases and other timing-related expenses.”
“Demand in our Packaging segment remained very strong as sales volumes in both our containerboard mills and our corrugated products plants set all-time records,” said Mark Kowlzan, chairman and CEO. “Record production in our containerboard mills allowed us to build some inventory to prepare for scheduled first quarter outages at three of our mills when our production volume will be significantly reduced.
“Looking ahead as we move from the fourth and into the first quarter,” Kowlzan added, “we expect continued strong demand in our Packaging segment, although our containerboard volumes will be lower due to scheduled outages at three of our mills during the quarter. We will continue to implement our recently announced price increases in our Paper segment and expect volume to be slightly lower. We expect inflation in almost all areas across our entire cost base. We anticipate continued higher freight costs as well as higher labor and benefits costs with annual wage increases and other timing-related expenses.”