Richards Packaging Income Fund announces 2010 First Quarter Results

TORONTO, May 3 /CNW/ - Richards Packaging Income Fund (TSX: RPI.UN) (the "Fund") announced today results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

The first quarter performance continued the rebound that began during the fourth quarter of 2009 with organic revenue growth at 5.4%, as our customers replenished their inventories. Total revenue was down 2.7% driven by the appreciation of the Cdn. dollar by U.S./Cdn. 16 cents. EBITDA(1) was up $0.6 million, or 11.7%, due to higher production, and therefore overhead absorption, at our plants. "Gross profit and EBITDA as a percent of sales continued to run at strong levels of 18.2% and 12.5% respectively" commented Gerry Glynn, Chief Executive Officer. Net income was up $2.1 million, or 21 cents per Unit, reflecting higher EBITDA and lower interest costs at $0.7 million.

Richards Packaging deployed the $2.1 million of cash on hand at year end to invest in working capital, mainly in receivables (flat on a days sales basis) $1.5 million and in inventory $2.0 million. "Over the next six months we expect this investment to be realized as higher sales(4), added Mr. Glynn. Although payables increased in line with the higher inventory levels, this was offset by the 2009 bonuses outlined in our 2009 annual report.

The Fund paid monthly distributions of 6.55 cents per Unit during the first quarter, which represented an annualized yield of 10.8% on the March 31st closing price of $7.25 per Unit. The payout ratio(3) for the first quarter was 60%, an improvement from 74% during the fourth quarter of 2009. During the first quarter, an additional 42,136 Units were purchased for cancellation at an average price of $7.14 per Unit.

Details of the Fund's results are currently available on Richards Packaging's website at www.richardspackaging.com and on May 4th on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Richards Packaging Income Fund

The Fund owns 85% of Richards Packaging Inc. ("Richards Packaging"), the leading packaging distributor in Canada, and third largest in North America. Richards Packaging is a full-service packaging distributor targeting small- and medium-sized North American businesses. Richards Packaging has operated for over 97 years and currently serves over 10,000 regional food, wine and spirits, cosmetic, specialty chemical, pharmaceutical and other companies from 20 locations throughout North America.

    
    (1) Management defines EBITDA as earnings before amortization, interest,
        unrealized losses (gains) on financial instruments and taxes. EBITDA
        is the same as income before under noted items, income taxes and
        non-controlling interests as outlined in the interim consolidated
        financial statements. Management believes that in addition to net
        income, EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure for investors of
        earnings available for distribution prior to debt service, capital
        expenditures and taxes. Management uses this measure as a starting
        point in the determination of earnings available for distribution to
        unitholders and exchangeable shareholders. In addition, EBITDA is
        intended to provide additional information on operating performance.
        This earnings measure should not be construed as an alternative to
        net income or as an alternative to cash flow from operating,
        investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity and cash
        flows. EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP
        and therefore the method of calculating EBITDA may not be comparable
        to similar measures presented by other companies or income trusts.

    (2) Management defines distributable cash flow, in accordance with the
        Company's credit agreement, as EBITDA less interest, cash income tax
        expense, maintenance capital expenditures and loan payments. The
        objective of presenting this measure is to calculate the amount which
        is available for distribution to unitholders and exchangeable
        shareholders. Investors are cautioned that distributable cash flow
        should not be construed as an alternative to cash flow from
        operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of
        liquidity and cash flows. Distributable cash flow does not have a
        standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore the method of
        calculating distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similar
        measures presented by other income trusts.

    (3) Management defines payout ratio as distributions and dividends
        declared over distributable cash flow(2). The objective of presenting
        this measure is to calculate the percentage of actual distributions
        in comparison to the amount available for distribution. Payout ratio
        does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. The method
        of calculating the payout ratio may not be comparable to similar
        measures presented by other income trusts.

    (4) This release contains certain forward looking information and
        statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws
        (collectively "Statements") regarding future growth potential,
        results of operations, performance and business prospects and
        opportunities of the Fund. The Statements are frequently identified
        by the use of such words as "will", "may", "could", "expect", "plan",
        "anticipate", "believe" and other similar terminology. These
        Statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on
        information currently available to the management of Richards
        Packaging. A number of factors could cause actual events or results
        to differ materially from those predicted, expressed or implied in
        the Statements. Factors that could cause such differences include,
        among other things, changes in customer and supplier relationships,
        the extent and duration of the worldwide recession and the impact on
        order volumes and pricing, competition in the industry, inventory
        obsolescence, trade risks in respect to foreign suppliers and
        fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates. Although the
        Statements contained in this release are based upon what management
        believes to be reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that
        actual results will be consistent with these Statements. These
        Statements are made as of the date of this release and the Fund
        assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events
        or circumstances.
    

For further information: Gerry Glynn, Chief Executive Officer, Richards Packaging Inc., [phone], [email protected]; Enzio Di Gennaro, Chief Financial Officer, Richards Packaging Inc., [phone], [email protected]