10.26.18
Packaging Corporation of America reported third-quarter 2018 net income of $207 million, or $2.18 per share, and net income of $211 million, or $2.23 per share, excluding special items. Third quarter net sales were $1.8 billion in 2018 and $1.6 billion in 2017.
“Our containerboard and corrugated products price increases continued to be implemented as planned, and demand in our Packaging segment remained strong,” Mark Kowlzan, chairman and CEO, said, “Our containerboard mills ran very well, and we set an all-time quarterly containerboard sales volume record. Our containerboard inventory levels were higher due to the addition of our Sacramento Container acquisition, along with the need to maintain appropriate inventory in certain areas of the country to help minimize the transportation and freight challenges we continue to experience. Market conditions in our Paper segment remained very tight as we continue to have good volume along with low inventories, and our prices and mix were slightly better than anticipated.
“Looking ahead to the fourth quarter,” Kowlzan added, “we expect Packaging segment demand to remain strong although there will be two less shipping days, and we expect a seasonally less rich mix in corrugated products, compared to the third quarter. In our Paper segment, we will continue implementing our recently announced price increases, but expect a seasonally less rich mix.”
“Our containerboard and corrugated products price increases continued to be implemented as planned, and demand in our Packaging segment remained strong,” Mark Kowlzan, chairman and CEO, said, “Our containerboard mills ran very well, and we set an all-time quarterly containerboard sales volume record. Our containerboard inventory levels were higher due to the addition of our Sacramento Container acquisition, along with the need to maintain appropriate inventory in certain areas of the country to help minimize the transportation and freight challenges we continue to experience. Market conditions in our Paper segment remained very tight as we continue to have good volume along with low inventories, and our prices and mix were slightly better than anticipated.
“Looking ahead to the fourth quarter,” Kowlzan added, “we expect Packaging segment demand to remain strong although there will be two less shipping days, and we expect a seasonally less rich mix in corrugated products, compared to the third quarter. In our Paper segment, we will continue implementing our recently announced price increases, but expect a seasonally less rich mix.”