Document


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 July 1, 2018
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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth 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
 
¨
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
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 20, 2018:
Common stock, no par value: 99,602,101




SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
INDEX
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - July 1, 2018 (unaudited) and December 31, 2017 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income – Three and Six Months Ended July 1, 2018 (unaudited) and July 2, 2017 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and Six Months Ended July 1, 2018 (unaudited) and July 2, 2017 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended July 1, 2018 (unaudited) and July 2, 2017 (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) 
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
December 31,
2017*
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
197,691

 
$
254,912

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances
 
768,338

 
725,251

Other receivables
 
90,954

 
64,561

Inventories, net:
 
 
 
 
Finished and in process
 
162,766

 
196,204

Materials and supplies
 
308,682

 
277,859

Prepaid expenses
 
46,537

 
44,849

 
 
1,574,968

 
1,563,636

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
 
1,167,665

 
1,169,377

Goodwill
 
1,287,839

 
1,241,875

Other Intangible Assets, Net
 
350,415

 
331,295

Deferred Income Taxes
 
49,479

 
62,053

Other Assets
 
192,602

 
189,485

Total Assets
 
$
4,622,968

 
$
4,557,721

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Payable to suppliers
 
$
556,519

 
$
548,309

Accrued expenses and other
 
285,096

 
283,355

Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt
 
177,645

 
159,327

Accrued taxes
 
10,812

 
8,979

 
 
1,030,072

 
999,970

Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion
 
1,274,325

 
1,288,002

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
340,602

 
355,187

Deferred Income Taxes
 
79,891

 
74,073

Other Liabilities
 
107,813

 
110,429

Commitments and Contingencies
 

 

Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Common stock, no par value
 
 
 
 
Authorized 300,000 shares
99,578 and 99,414 shares issued and outstanding at
July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
 
7,175

 
7,175

Capital in excess of stated value
 
332,528

 
330,157

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(692,401
)
 
(666,272
)
Retained earnings
 
2,120,529

 
2,036,006

Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
 
1,767,831

 
1,707,066

Noncontrolling Interests
 
22,434

 
22,994

Total Equity
 
1,790,265

 
1,730,060

Total Liabilities and Equity
 
$
4,622,968

 
$
4,557,721

 
*
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
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
Net sales
 
$
1,366,373

 
$
1,240,674

 
$
2,670,560

 
$
2,412,998

Cost of sales
 
1,089,913

 
1,002,289

 
2,143,498

 
1,951,634

Gross profit
 
276,460

 
238,385

 
527,062

 
461,364

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
141,031

 
125,308

 
278,472

 
250,517

Restructuring/Asset impairment charges
 
3,567

 
7,897

 
6,630

 
12,008

Operating profit
 
131,862

 
105,180

 
241,960

 
198,839

Non-operating pension costs
 
513

 
34,410

 
222

 
38,096

Interest expense
 
16,217

 
13,823

 
31,012

 
26,908

Interest income
 
1,090

 
1,031

 
2,530

 
2,058

Income before income taxes
 
116,222

 
57,978

 
213,256

 
135,893

Provision for income taxes
 
30,293

 
17,167

 
53,649

 
42,706

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
85,929

 
40,811

 
159,607

 
93,187

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
3,716

 
2,845

 
4,963

 
4,799

Net income
 
89,645

 
43,656

 
164,570

 
97,986

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(233
)
 
(531
)
 
(1,103
)
 
(1,128
)
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
89,412

 
$
43,125

 
$
163,467

 
$
96,858

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
100,568

 
100,258

 
100,482

 
100,184

Diluted
 
101,040

 
100,717

 
100,965

 
100,849

Per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Sonoco:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.89

 
$
0.43

 
$
1.63

 
$
0.97

Diluted
 
$
0.88

 
$
0.43

 
$
1.62

 
$
0.96

Cash dividends
 
$
0.41

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.80

 
$
0.76

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
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
Net income
 
$
89,645

 
$
43,656

 
$
164,570

 
$
97,986

Other comprehensive income/(loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(64,587
)
 
29,526

 
(41,604
)
 
60,362

Changes in defined benefit plans, net of tax
 
9,422

 
36,711

 
15,239

 
48,010

Changes in derivative financial instruments, net of tax
 
(2,312
)
 
(518
)
 
(1,265
)
 
(3,467
)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
 
(57,477
)
 
65,719

 
(27,630
)
 
104,905

Comprehensive income
 
32,168

 
109,375

 
136,940

 
202,891

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(233
)
 
(531
)
 
(1,103
)
 
(1,128
)
Other comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
2,107

 
159

 
1,677

 
(521
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
34,042

 
$
109,003

 
$
137,514

 
$
201,242

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
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
164,570

 
$
97,986

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Asset impairment
 
133

 
1,486

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
120,402

 
103,649

Share-based compensation expense
 
6,122

 
5,682

Equity in earnings of affiliates
 
(4,963
)
 
(4,799
)
Cash dividends from affiliated companies
 
2,750

 
2,685

Net (gain)/loss on disposition of assets
 
(833
)
 
285

Pension and postretirement plan expense
 
17,408

 
55,160

Pension and postretirement plan contributions
 
(24,146
)
 
(48,511
)
Net increase/(decrease) in deferred taxes
 
3,926

 
(9,487
)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, dispositions, and foreign currency adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Trade accounts receivable
 
(45,032
)
 
(55,138
)
Inventories
 
(16,741
)
 
(12,795
)
Payable to suppliers
 
16,716

 
11,884

Prepaid expenses
 
(5,602
)
 
(5,258
)
Accrued expenses
 
1,012

 
(29,289
)
Income taxes payable and other income tax items
 
(1,031
)
 
(11,430
)
Other assets and liabilities
 
16,557

 
1,068

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
251,248

 
103,178

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
 
(88,852
)
 
(98,819
)
Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
(141,305
)
 
(217,489
)
Proceeds from the sale of assets
 
6,164

 
1,973

Investment in affiliates and other, net
 
559

 
1,372

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(223,434
)
 
(312,963
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of debt
 
137,272

 
180,363

Principal repayment of debt
 
(93,564
)
 
(34,461
)
Net change in commercial paper
 
(33,000
)
 
87,000

Net (decrease)/increase in outstanding checks
 
(5,749
)
 
1,195

Cash dividends
 
(79,801
)
 
(75,604
)
Shares acquired
 
(4,558
)
 
(5,884
)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities
 
(79,400
)
 
152,609

Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
 
(5,635
)
 
7,541

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(57,221
)
 
(49,635
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
254,912

 
257,226

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
197,691

 
$
207,591

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars and shares 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 July 1, 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018. 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, 2017.
With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information of the Company for the three and six-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017 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 August 1, 2018 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 August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which expands and refines hedge accounting for both financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedge items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The update to the standard is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted in any interim period after issuance of this update. The Company implemented this ASU effective January 1, 2018, and recorded a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings of $176 as of that date in order to remove previously recognized ineffectiveness losses on contracts outstanding as of the date of adoption.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which requires an employer to report service cost in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost as defined are required to be presented separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented, or disclosed. This update also allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments are to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the components of net benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively for the capitalization of the service cost component. The Company implemented this ASU effective January 1, 2018, modifying its income statement presentation of the components of net benefit cost accordingly, including the retrospective application to previously reported results. As a result of the retrospective application, the amounts previously reported in "Cost of sales" and "Selling, general and administrative expenses" for the three months ended July 2, 2017, were reduced by $2,510 and $31,900, respectively, and "Operating profit" increased by $34,410, in order to conform to the current presentation. The comparable changes for the six months ended July 2, 2017, were $5,267, $32,829, and $38,096, for "Cost of sales," "Selling, general and administrative expenses," and "Operating profit," respectively. No change was required to the Company's historical policy regarding the capitalization of such costs.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” eliminating the requirement to determine the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit to measure goodwill impairment. Under ASU 2017-04, goodwill impairment testing is performed by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied on a prospective

7

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

basis. The Company elected early adoption of the standard effective January 1, 2018. Any future goodwill impairment, should it occur, will be determined in accordance with this ASU.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory," which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset upon transfer other than inventory, eliminating the current recognition exception. Prior to this ASU, GAAP prohibited the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfers until the asset was sold to an outside party. The recognition prohibition was an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in GAAP. This guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments," providing clarification on eight cash flow classification issues, including 1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, 2) settlement of relatively insignificant debt instruments, 3) contingent consideration payments, 4) insurance claim settlements, 5) life insurance settlements, 6) distributions received from equity method investees, 7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and 8) separately identifiable cash flows. This guidance, which applies to both interim and annual periods, became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. As a result of the retrospective application, insurance proceeds totaling $1,104 received during the six months ended July 2, 2017 previously reported in "Cash Flows from Operating Activities" were reclassified to "Cash Flows from Investing Activities." Otherwise, adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements, as the Company either did not realize any cash flows from these types of activities, such amounts were immaterial, or the prescribed guidance did not differ from its current practice.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)," which provides guidance on recording revenue on a gross basis versus a net basis based on the determination of whether an entity is a principal or an agent when another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer. The amendments in this update affect the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 and are effective in the same time frame as ASU 2014-09 as discussed below.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases" which changes accounting for leases and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from all leases, including those classified as operating leases under previous accounting guidance on the balance sheet and requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. The accounting for lessors does not fundamentally change except for changes to conform and align guidance to the lessee guidance. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years and requires retrospective application. The Company is still assessing the impact of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements, but expects the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheet for the initial recognition of the right-of-use asset and lease liability associated with operating leases that are not currently recognized on the balance sheet under present U.S. GAAP.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue From Contracts With Customers," which changes the definitions/criteria used to determine when revenue should be recognized from being based on risks and rewards to being based on control. Among other changes, ASU 2014-09 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. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 following the modified retrospective transition method and, as such, recorded a cumulative adjustment of $1,721 to beginning retained earnings for the period. The most significant impacts to the Company's financial statements from the adoption of this ASU are the acceleration of revenue recognition compared to prior standards for arrangements under which the Company is producing customer-specific products without alternative use and would be entitled to payment for work completed, including a reasonable margin, and the recognition of material customer contract rights for certain agreed-upon future price concessions.
During the three- and six-month periods ended July 1, 2018, 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 July 1, 2018, there were no other pronouncements pending adoption that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

8

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


Note 3: Changes in Accounting Policy
Except for the changes below, the Company has consistently applied the accounting policies to all periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Company adopted Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," effective January 1, 2018. As a result, the Company has changed its accounting policy for revenue recognition as detailed in Note 14.
The Company applied Topic 606 using the cumulative effect method by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying Topic 606 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at January 1, 2018. Therefore, the comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under Topic 605. The details of the significant changes and quantitative impact of the changes are set out below.

 
December 31, 2017 As Reported
Adjustments
January 1, 2018 Adjusted
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances
 
725,251

3,636

728,887

Other receivables
 
64,561

41,351

105,912

Inventories:
 
 
 
 
Finished and in process
 
196,204

(37,447
)
158,757

Total Assets
 
$
4,557,721

$
7,540

$
4,565,261

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accrued expenses and other
 
283,355

5,215

288,570


 
999,970

5,215

1,005,185

Deferred Income Taxes
 
74,073

604

74,677

Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
 



Retained earnings
 
2,036,006

1,721

2,037,727

Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
 
1,707,066

1,721

1,708,787

Total Equity
 
1,730,060

1,721

1,731,781

Total Liabilities and Equity
 
$
4,557,721

$
7,540

$
4,565,261


9

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

The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of Topic 606 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 1, 2018:
 
 
July 1,
2018
Adjustments
Balances without Adoption of Topic 606
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances
 
768,338

(5,187
)
763,151

Other receivables
 
90,954

(44,347
)
46,607

Inventories:
 
 
 
 
Finished and in process
 
162,766

40,321

203,087

Total Assets
 
$
4,622,968

$
(9,213
)
$
4,613,755

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accrued expenses and other
 
285,096

(5,737
)
279,359

 
 
1,030,072

(5,737
)
1,024,335

Deferred Income Taxes
 
79,891

(904
)
78,987

Sonoco Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings
 
2,120,529

(2,572
)
2,117,957

Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
 
1,767,831

(2,572
)
1,765,259

Total Equity
 
1,790,265

(2,572
)
1,787,693

Total Liabilities and Equity
 
$
4,622,968

$
(9,213
)
$
4,613,755

The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of Topic 606 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three- and six-months ending July 1, 2018:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
Adjustments
Balances without Adoption of Topic 606
 
July 1,
2018
Adjustments
Balances without Adoption of Topic 606
Net sales
 
$
1,366,373

$
(966
)
$
1,365,407

 
$
2,670,560

$
(4,025
)
$
2,666,535

Cost of sales
 
1,089,913

(252
)
1,089,661

 
2,143,498

(2,874
)
2,140,624

Gross profit
 
276,460

(714
)
275,746

 
527,062

(1,151
)
525,911

Operating profit
 
131,862

(714
)
131,148

 
241,960

(1,151
)
240,809

Income before income taxes
 
116,222

(714
)
115,508

 
213,256

(1,151
)
212,105

Provision for income taxes
 
30,293

(186
)
30,107

 
53,649

(299
)
53,350

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
85,929

(528
)
85,401

 
159,607

(852
)
158,755

Net income
 
89,645

(528
)
89,117

 
164,570

(852
)
163,718

Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
89,412

$
(528
)
$
88,884

 
$
163,467

$
(852
)
$
162,615


10

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

The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of Topic 606 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three- and six-months ending July 1, 2018:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
Adjustments
Balances without Adoption of Topic 606
 
July 1,
2018
Adjustments
Balances without Adoption of Topic 606
Net income
 
$
89,645

$
(528
)
$
89,117

 
$
164,570

$
(852
)
$
163,718

Other comprehensive income/(loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(64,587
)
376

(64,211
)
 
(41,604
)
309

(41,295
)
Other comprehensive income
 
(57,477
)
376

(57,101
)
 
(27,630
)
309

(27,321
)
Comprehensive income
 
32,168

(152
)
32,016

 
136,940

(543
)
136,397

Comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
34,042

$
(152
)
$
33,890

 
$
137,514

$
(543
)
$
136,971

The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of Topic 606 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended July 1, 2018:
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
July 1, 2018 As Reported
Adjustments
Balances without Adoption of Topic 606
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
164,570

$
(852
)
$
163,718

Trade accounts receivable
 
(45,032
)
1,551

(43,481
)
Inventories
 
(16,741
)
(2,874
)
(19,615
)
Other assets and liabilities
 
16,557

2,996

19,553

Accrued expenses
 
1,012

(522
)
490

Income taxes payable and other income tax items
 
(1,031
)
(299
)
(1,330
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
251,248


251,248


Note 4: Acquisitions
On April 12, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Highland Packaging Solutions ("Highland"). Total consideration for this acquisition was $148,805, including cash paid at closing of $141,305 and a contingent purchase liability of $7,500. Final consideration will also be subject to an adjustment for working capital, which is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2018. The contingent purchase liability is based upon a sales metric which the Company expects to meet and is payable in two installments. The first installment of $5,000 is to be paid one year after the closing date and the second installment of $2,500 is to be paid two years after the closing date. The liability for these two payments has been recognized in full on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 1, 2018, with the first installment included in "Accrued expenses and other" and the second in "Other Liabilities." Highland manufactures thermoformed plastic packaging for fresh produce and dairy products from a single production facility in Plant City, Florida, providing total packaging solutions for customers that include sophisticated engineered containers, flexographic printed labels, and inventory management through distribution warehouses in the Southeast and West Coast of the United States. The Company financed the acquisition with proceeds from a new $100,000 term loan, along with proceeds from existing credit facilities. See Note 9 for additional information.

11

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

The preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Highland acquisition are as follows:
Trade accounts receivable
$
6,072

Inventories
25,425

Property, plant and equipment
30,880

Goodwill
48,387

Other intangible assets
45,610

Trade accounts payable
(5,995
)
Other net tangible assets /(liabilities)
(1,574
)
Net assets
$
148,805

 
 
Factors comprising goodwill, all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes, include increased access to certain markets as well as the value of the assembled workforce. Highland's financial results are included in the Company's Consumer Packaging segment and the business will operate within the Company's global plastics division. 
The allocation of the purchase price of Highland to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed was based on the Company's preliminary estimates of their fair value, based on information currently available. Management is continuing to finalize its valuation of certain assets and liabilities including, but not limited to: inventory; property, plant and equipment; other intangible assets; and trade accounts receivable, and expects to complete its valuations within one year of the date of acquisition.
The Company has accounted for its acquisitions as business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with the business combinations subtopic of the Accounting Standards Codification and has included their results of operations in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income from their respective dates of acquisition.
The Company does not believe the Highland acquisition is an individually material transaction subject to the supplemental pro-forma information required by ASC 805. However, the prior year acquisitions of Packaging Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries, including Peninsula Packaging LLC ("Packaging Holdings"), acquired March 14, 2017, and Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. ("Clear Lam"), acquired July 24, 2017, were considered material on a combined basis. The following table presents the Company's estimated unaudited pro forma consolidated results for the three- and six-month periods ended July 2, 2017, assuming both acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2016. This pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisitions had been completed as of the beginning of 2016, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results.
 
(unaudited)
Pro Forma Supplemental Information
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
Consolidated
July 2, 2017
 
July 2, 2017
Net sales
$
1,274,053

 
$
2,511,516

Net income attributable to Sonoco
$
47,711

 
$
99,186

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
  Pro forma basic
$0.48
 
$0.99
  Pro forma diluted
$0.47
 
$
0.98

 
 
 
 
The pro forma information above does not project the Company’s expected results of any future period and gives no effect for any future synergistic benefits that may result from consolidating these subsidiaries or costs from integrating their operations with those of the Company. Pro forma information includes adjustments to depreciation, amortization, interest expense, income taxes, and acquisition-related costs.

12

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

The following table presents the aggregate, unaudited financial results for Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam from their respective dates of acquisition:
 
(unaudited)
Aggregate Supplemental Information
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam
July 2, 2017
 
July 2, 2017
Actual net sales
$
33,379

 
$
68,219

Actual net income
$
4,503

 
$
184

 
 
 
 
During the second quarter of 2018, the Company finalized its valuations of the assets and liabilities acquired in conjunction with the 2017 acquisition of Clear Lam, based on information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. As a result, measurement period adjustments were made to the previously disclosed provisional fair values of Clear Lam's net assets that decreased property, plant and equipment by $1,168, decreased other intangible assets by $1,300, increased other long-term liabilities by $1,385, increased goodwill by $4,341, and decreased other net tangibles assets by $488.
During the first quarter of 2018, the Company finalized its valuations of the assets and liabilities acquired in conjunction with the 2017 acquisition of Packaging Holdings, based on information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. As a result, measurement period adjustments were made to the previously disclosed provisional fair values of Packaging Holding's net assets that decreased deferred tax assets by $6,516, increased long-term debt by $664, and increased goodwill by $7,180. The adjustments were primarily related to a reduction in the Company’s valuation of acquired tax loss carryforwards and the fair value of capital lease obligations.
Acquisition-related costs of $3,091 and $945 were incurred during the three months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, respectively, and $3,636 and $5,270 during the six months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, respectively. Acquisition-related costs consist primarily of legal and professional fees and are included in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
On May 25, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the remaining 70 percent interest in Conitex Sonoco (BVI), Ltd. ("Conitex Sonoco") for approximately $133,000 in cash. The Conitex Sonoco joint venture was formed in 1998 between Texpack, Inc., a Spanish-based global provider of paperboard and paper-based packaging products, and Sonoco’s former North America textile cone business. Conitex Sonoco produces uncoated recycled paperboard and tubes and cones for the global spun yarn industry, as well as adhesives, flexible intermediate bulk containers and corrugated pallets. Conitex Sonoco has approximately 1,250 employees across 13 manufacturing locations in 10 countries, including four paper mills and seven cone and tube converting operations and two other production facilities. The transaction is subject to normal international regulatory reviews and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018. The Company has also entered into an agreement with Texpack, Inc. to acquire a rigid paper facility in Spain for approximately $10,000. This transaction is contingent on completion of the Conitex Sonoco acquisition and will close concurrently with it.
















13

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


Note 5: 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
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
89,412

 
$
43,125

 
$
163,467

 
$
96,858

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
100,568

 
100,258

 
100,482

 
100,184

Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation
 
472

 
459

 
483

 
665

Diluted
 
101,040

 
100,717

 
100,965

 
100,849

Net income attributable to Sonoco per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.89

 
$
0.43

 
$
1.63

 
$
0.97

Diluted
 
$
0.88

 
$
0.43

 
$
1.62

 
$
0.96

Potentially dilutive securities are calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method, which assumes the proceeds from the exercise of all dilutive stock appreciation rights (SARs) are used to repurchase the Company’s common stock. Certain SARs are not dilutive because either the exercise price is greater than the average market price of the stock during the reporting period or assumed repurchases from proceeds from the exercise of the SARs were antidilutive. These SARs may become dilutive in the future if the market price of the Company's common stock appreciates.
The average number of SARs that were not dilutive and therefore not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share during the three- and six-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017 was as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anti-dilutive stock appreciation rights
 
1,043

 
532

 
891

 
444

No adjustments were made to net income attributable to Sonoco in the computations of earnings per share.
Stock Repurchases
On February 10, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000 shares of the Company's common stock. A total of 2,030 were purchased in 2016. No shares were repurchased under this authorization during 2017 or during the six months ended July 1, 2018. Accordingly, a total of 2,970 shares remain available for repurchase at July 1, 2018.
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 87 shares in the six months ended July 1, 2018 at a cost of $4,558, and 111 shares in the six months ended July 2, 2017 at a cost of $5,884.




14

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

Dividend Declarations
On April 18, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share. This dividend was paid on June 8, 2018 to all shareholders of record as of May 11, 2018.
On July 18, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share. This dividend is payable on September 10, 2018 to all shareholders of record as of August 10, 2018. 

Note 6: Restructuring and Asset Impairment
The Company has engaged in a number of restructuring actions over the past several years. Actions initiated in 2018 and 2017 are reported as “2018 Actions” and “2017 Actions,” respectively. Actions initiated prior to 2017, all of which were substantially complete at July 1, 2018, are reported as “2016 and Earlier Actions.”
Following are the total restructuring and asset impairment charges, net of adjustments, recognized by the Company during the periods presented: 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
Second Quarter
 
Six Months
 
Second Quarter
 
Six Months
Restructuring/Asset impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 Actions
 
$
2,708

 
$
4,915

 
$

 
$

2017 Actions
 
1,017

 
1,422

 
3,884

 
6,188

2016 and Earlier Actions
 
(158
)
 
293

 
3,675

 
5,482

Other asset impairments
 

 

 
338

 
338

Restructuring/Asset impairment charges
 
$
3,567

 
$
6,630

 
$
7,897

 
$
12,008

Income tax benefit
 
$
(1,046
)
 
(1,731
)
 
$
(2,338
)
 
(3,636
)
Less: Costs attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
 
(15
)
 
(20
)
 
(12
)
 
(14
)
Restructuring/asset impairment charges attributable to Sonoco, net of tax
 
$
2,506

 
$
4,879

 
$
5,547

 
$
8,358

Pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges are included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
When recognizable in accordance with GAAP, the Company expects to recognize future additional charges totaling approximately $2,350 in connection with previously announced restructuring actions. The Company believes that the majority of these charges will be incurred and paid by the end of 2018. The Company continually evaluates its cost structure, including its manufacturing capacity, and additional restructuring actions are likely to be undertaken.
2018 Actions
During 2018, the Company announced the closure of a flexible packaging plant in North Carolina and a global brand management facility in Canada (both part of the Consumer Packaging segment), a tubes and cores plant in Alabama (part of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment), and a protective packaging plant in North Carolina (part of the Protective Solutions segment). In addition, approximately 55 positions were eliminated in the first half of 2018 in conjunction with the Company's ongoing organizational effectiveness efforts.

15

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

Below is a summary of 2018 Actions and related expenses by segment and by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion. 
2018 Actions
 
Second Quarter 2018
 
Total
Incurred
to Date
 
Estimated
Total Cost
Severance and Termination Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
906

 
$
1,694

 
$
1,994

Display and Packaging
 
556

 
731

 
731

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
301

 
$
1,292

 
1,292

Protective Solutions
 
517

 
776

 
776

Corporate
 
20

 
243

 
243

Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
89

 
75

 
75

Protective Solutions
 
29

 
(243
)
 
(243
)
Other Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
(6
)
 
5

 
105

Display and Packaging
 
3

 
3

 
3

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
293

 
293

 
1,293

Protective Solutions
 

 
46

 
146

Total Charges and Adjustments
 
$
2,708

 
$
4,915

 
$
6,415

The following table sets forth the activity in the 2018 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: 
2018 Actions
 
Severance
and
Termination
Benefits
 
Asset
Impairment/
Disposal
of Assets
 
Other
Costs
 
Total
Accrual Activity
2018 Year to Date
 
 
 
Liability at December 31, 2017
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

2018 charges
 
4,736

 
(168
)
 
347

 
4,915

Cash receipts/(payments)
 
(2,039
)
 
2,049

 
(309
)
 
(299
)
Asset write downs/disposals
 

 
(1,881
)
 

 
(1,881
)
Foreign currency translation
 
(22
)
 

 

 
(22
)
Liability at July 1, 2018
 
$
2,675

 
$

 
$
38

 
$
2,713

Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" above is a net gain of $272 resulting from the sale of a building and land relating to the closure of a protective packaging plant in North Carolina. The Company received proceeds of $2,019 from the sale and wrote off assets of $1,747.
The Company expects to pay the majority of the remaining 2018 Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2018 using cash generated from operations.
2017 Actions
During 2017, the Company announced the closure of an expanded foam protective packaging plant in the United States (part of the Protective Solutions segment) and five tubes and cores plants - three in the United States, one in Belgium, and one in China (all part of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment). In addition, approximately 255 positions were eliminated throughout 2017 in conjunction with the Company's ongoing organizational effectiveness efforts.

16

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

Below is a summary of 2017 Actions and related expenses by segment and by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion. 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Total
Incurred
to Date
 
 Estimated
Total Cost
2017 Actions
 
Second Quarter
 
Six Months
 
Second Quarter
 
Six Months
 
 
Severance and Termination Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
684

 
$
1,056

 
$
349

 
$
1,316

 
$
5,247

 
$
5,247

Display and Packaging
 
(7
)
 
(15
)
 
66

 
172

 
726

 
726

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
(2
)
 
2

 
1,663

 
2,204

 
4,020

 
4,020

Protective Solutions
 
179

 
312

 
899

 
974

 
1,710

 
1,710

Corporate
 

 

 

 
456

 
452

 
452

Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$

 

 

 

 
351

 
351

Display and Packaging
 
27

 
193

 

 

 
193

 
193

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
(599
)
 
(1,264
)
 

 

 
(1,359
)
 
(1,359
)
Protective Solutions
 

 

 
777

 
777

 
871

 
871

Other Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
445

 
552

 
92

 
251

 
1,431

 
1,931

Display and Packaging
 
122

 
(226
)
 

 

 
563

 
813

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
91

 
641

 
38

 
38

 
1,642

 
1,642

Protective Solutions
 
77

 
171

 

 

 
913

 
913

Corporate
 

 

 

 

 
(9
)
 
(9
)
Total Charges and Adjustments
 
$
1,017

 
$
1,422

 
$
3,884

 
$
6,188

 
$
16,751

 
$
17,501

The following table sets forth the activity in the 2017 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
2017 Actions
 
Severance
and
Termination
Benefits
 
Asset
Impairment/
Disposal
of Assets
 
Other
Costs
 
Total
Accrual Activity
2018 Year to Date
 
 
 
 
Liability at December 31, 2017
 
$
3,889

 
$

 
$
213

 
$
4,102

2018 charges
 
1,355

 
(1,071
)
 
1,138

 
1,422

Cash receipts/(payments)
 
(3,052
)
 
1,841

 
(1,434
)
 
(2,645
)
Asset write downs/disposals
 

 
(770
)
 

 
(770
)
Foreign currency translation
 
(12
)
 

 
94

 
82

Liability at July 1, 2018
 
$
2,180

 
$

 
$
11

 
$
2,191

Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" above are gains totaling $1,373 related to the sales of the land and buildings associated with two previously closed tube and core facilities. The Company received proceeds of $1,833 from these sales and wrote off assets with a book value totaling $460.
“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 2017 Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2018 using cash generated from operations. 





17

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

2016 and Earlier Actions
2016 and Earlier Actions are comprised of a number of plant closures and workforce reductions initiated prior to 2017. Charges for these actions in both 2018 and 2017 primarily relate to the cost of plant closures including severance, equipment removal, plant security, property taxes and insurance.
The Company expects to recognize future pretax charges of approximately $100 associated with 2016 and Earlier Actions.
Below is a summary of expenses/(income) incurred by segment for 2016 and Earlier Actions for the three- and six-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
2016 and Earlier Actions
 
Second Quarter
 
Six Months
 
Second Quarter
 
Six Months
Consumer Packaging
 
$
(132
)
 
$
333

 
$
2,619

 
$
2,593

Display and Packaging
 
(24
)
 
(23
)
 
156

 
551

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
(20
)
 
(53
)
 
875

 
2,228

Protective Solutions
 
18

 
36

 
25

 
103

Corporate
 

 

 

 
7

Total (credits)/charges, net of adjustments
 
$
(158
)
 
$
293

 
$
3,675

 
$
5,482

The accrual for 2016 and Earlier Actions totaled $1,577 and $3,044 at July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and is included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The majority of the liability associated with 2016 and Earlier Actions relates to unpaid severance and building lease termination costs and is expected to be paid by the end of 2018 using cash generated from operations.
Other asset impairments
As a result of the continued devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar, the Company recognized impairment charges against inventories and certain long-term nonmonetary assets totaling $338 in the second quarter of 2017. The assets were deemed to be impaired as the U.S. dollar value of the projected cash flows from these assets was no longer sufficient to recover their U.S. dollar carrying values.


















18

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


Note 7: 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 July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017:
 
 
Gains and
Losses on Cash
Flow Hedges
 
Defined
Benefit
Pension Items
 
Foreign
Currency
Items
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Balance at December 31, 2017

$
(641
)

$
(467,136
)

$
(198,495
)

$
(666,272
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications

(1,139
)

1,068


(39,927
)

(39,998
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income

(182
)

14,171




13,989

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets

56






56

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

(1,265
)

15,239


(39,927
)

(25,953
)
Amounts reclassified from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
$
(176
)
 
$

 
$

 
(176
)
Balance at July 1, 2018

$
(2,082
)

$
(451,897
)

$
(238,422
)

$
(692,401
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
1,939

 
$
(453,821
)
 
$
(286,498
)
 
$
(738,380
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications
 
(2,220
)
 
18,117

 
59,841

 
75,738

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income
 
(1,257
)
 
29,893

 

 
28,636

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets
 
10

 

 

 
10

Other comprehensive income/(loss)
 
(3,467
)
 
48,010

 
59,841

 
104,384

Balance at July 2, 2017
 
$
(1,528
)
 
$
(405,811
)
 
$
(226,657
)
 
$
(633,996
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

"Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications" during the six months ended July 2, 2017, includes $5,071 of "Defined Benefit Pension Items" related to the release of a portion of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to the pension plan of a foreign subsidiary.


19

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

The following table summarizes the effects on net income of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three- and six-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017
 
 
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
 
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Loss Components
 
July 1,
2018
July 2,
2017
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
Affected Line Item in 
the Condensed Consolidated 
Statements of Income
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(240
)
$
2,243

$
570

 
$
3,283

 
Net sales
Foreign exchange contracts
 
174

(1,317
)
(353
)
 
(2,042
)
 
Cost of sales
Commodity contracts
 
68

463

10

 
711

 
Cost of sales
 
 
2

1,389

227

 
1,952

 
Income before income taxes
 
 
(1
)
(497
)
(45
)
 
(695
)
 
Provision for income taxes
 
 
$
1

$
892

$
182

 
$
1,257

 
Net income
Defined benefit pension items
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of settlement loss(a)
 
$
(645
)
$
(31,074
)
$
(645
)
 
$
(31,074
)
 
Selling, general and 
administrative expenses
Amortization of defined benefit pension items(a)
 
(8,983
)
(9,668
)
(18,284
)
 
(19,785
)
 
Non-operating pension (income)/cost
 
 
(9,628
)
(40,742
)
(18,929
)
 
(50,859
)
 
Income before income taxes
 
 
2,419

17,224

4,758

 
20,966

 
Provision for income taxes
 
 
$
(7,209
)
$
(23,518
)
$
(14,171
)
 
$
(29,893
)
 
Net income
Total reclassifications for the period
 
$
(7,208
)
$
(22,626
)
$
(13,989
)
 
$
(28,636
)
 
Net income
 
(a) 
See Note 12 for additional details.

The following table summarizes the before and after tax amounts for the various components of other comprehensive income/(loss) for the three-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017:
 
 
 
Three months ended July 1, 2018
 
Three months ended July 2, 2017
 
 
 
Before Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
After Tax Amount
 
Before Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
After Tax Amount
Foreign currency items
 
$
(62,480
)
$

$
(62,480
)
 
$
29,685

$

$
29,685

Defined benefit pension items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
   reclassifications
 
2,635

(422
)
2,213

 
19,168

(5,975
)
13,193

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
   comprehensive income/(loss) to net income
 
9,628

(2,419
)
7,209

 
40,742

(17,224
)
23,518

 
Net other comprehensive income/(loss) from
   defined benefit pension items
 
12,263

(2,841
)
9,422

 
59,910

(23,199
)
36,711

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
   reclassifications
 
(3,106
)
784

(2,322
)
 
602

(196
)
406

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
   comprehensive income/(loss) to net income
 
(2
)
1

(1
)
 
(1,389
)
497

(892
)
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
   comprehensive income/(loss) to fixed assets
 
11


11

 
(32
)

(32
)
 
Net other comprehensive income/(loss) from
   cash flow hedges
 
(3,097
)
785

(2,312
)
 
(819
)
301

(518
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
 
$
(53,314
)
$
(2,056
)
$
(55,370
)
 
$
88,776

$
(22,898
)
$
65,878


20

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

The following table summarizes the before and after tax amounts for the various components of other comprehensive income/(loss) for the six-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017:
 
 
 
Six months ended July 1, 2018
 
Six months ended July 2, 2017
 
 
 
Before Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
After Tax Amount
 
Before Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
After Tax Amount
Foreign currency items
 
$
(39,927
)
$

$
(39,927
)
 
$
59,841

$

$
59,841

Defined benefit pension items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
   reclassifications
 
1,490

(422
)
1,068

 
19,021

(904
)
18,117

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
   comprehensive income/(loss) to net income
 
18,929

(4,758
)
14,171

 
50,859

(20,966
)
29,893

 
Net other comprehensive income/(loss) from
   defined benefit pension items
 
20,419

(5,180
)
15,239

 
69,880

(21,870
)
48,010

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
   reclassifications
 
(1,631
)
492

(1,139
)
 
(3,446
)
1,226

(2,220
)
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
   comprehensive income/(loss) to net income
 
(227
)
45

(182
)
 
(1,952
)
695

(1,257
)
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
   comprehensive income/(loss) to fixed assets
 
56


56

 
10


10

 
Net other comprehensive income/(loss) from
   cash flow hedges
 
(1,802
)
537

(1,265
)
 
(5,388
)
1,921

(3,467
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
 
$
(21,310
)
$
(4,643
)
$
(25,953
)
 
$
124,333

$
(19,949
)
$
104,384


Note 8: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
A summary of the changes in goodwill by segment for the six months ended July 1, 2018 is as follows: 
 
 
Consumer
Packaging
 
Display
and
Packaging
 
Paper and
Industrial
Converted
Products
Protective
Solutions
 
Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2017
 
$
572,716

 
$
203,414

 
$
233,778

$
231,967

 
$
1,241,875

2018 Acquisitions
 
48,387

 

 


 
48,387

Foreign currency translation
 
(8,715
)
 

 
(4,896
)
(333
)
 
(13,944
)
Other
 
11,521

 

 


 
11,521

Goodwill at July 1, 2018
 
$
623,909

 
$
203,414

 
$
228,882

$
231,634

 
$
1,287,839

On April 12, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Highland Packaging Solutions ("Highland") which resulted in the recognition of $48,387 of goodwill. Reflected in "Other" above are measurement period adjustments made in the first six months of 2018 to finalize the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the 2017 acquisitions of Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam, resulting in increases in goodwill of $7,180 and $4,341, respectively. See Note 4 for additional information.
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. The Company completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter of 2017. As part of this testing, the Company analyzed certain qualitative and quantitative factors in determining goodwill impairment. The Company's assessments reflected a number of significant management assumptions and estimates including the Company's forecast of sales volumes and prices, profit margins, income taxes, capital expenditures and changes in working capital requirements. Changes in these assumptions and/or discount rates could materially impact the Company's conclusions. Based on its assessments, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units.

21

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

Although no reporting units failed the assessments noted above, in management’s opinion, the reporting units having the greatest risk of a significant future impairment if actual results fall short of expectations are Display and Packaging, and Paper and Industrial Converted Products - Europe. Total goodwill associated with these reporting units was $203,414 and $91,639, respectively, at July 1, 2018. A large portion of projected sales in the Display and Packaging reporting unit is concentrated in several major customers, the loss of any of which could impact the Company's conclusion regarding the likelihood of goodwill impairment for the unit.
There were no triggering events identified between the most recent annual impairment test and July 1, 2018. Although on April 20, 2018, the Company was advised by one if its Display and Packaging customers that its contract would not be renewed, it has subsequently been able to successfully retain this business through 2021. Because the estimated fair value of this reporting unit is extremely close to its carrying value, it is likely that any significant negative change in assumptions regarding future performance and / or discount rate would result in a goodwill impairment charge being recognized.  

Other Intangible Assets
A summary of other intangible assets as of July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is as follows:         
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Other Intangible Assets, gross:
 
 
 
 
Patents
 
$
21,969

 
$
21,957

Customer lists
 
535,038

 
497,634

Trade names
 
26,987

 
25,148

Proprietary technology
 
20,763

 
20,779

Land use rights
 
289

 
298

Other
 
2,133

 
1,740

Other Intangible Assets, gross
 
$
607,179

 
$
567,556

 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Amortization:
 
 
 
 
Patents
 
(8,231
)
 
(7,187
)
Customer lists
 
(227,296
)
 
(210,212
)
Trade names
 
(5,777
)
 
(4,427
)
Proprietary technology
 
(14,084
)
 
(13,192
)
Land use rights
 
(49
)
 
(47
)
Other
 
(1,327
)
 
(1,196
)
Total Accumulated Amortization
 
$
(256,764
)
 
$
(236,261
)
Other Intangible Assets, net
 
$
350,415

 
$
331,295

The acquisition of Highland in April 2018 resulted in the addition of $45,610 of intangible assets, the vast majority of which related to customer lists. These intangibles will be amortized over a weighted average useful life of approximately 13 years. In addition, measurement period adjustments were made in the second quarter of 2018 to the provisional fair values of the intangible assets acquired in the July 2017 acquisition of Clear Lam resulting in a $1,300 reduction in the value previously attributed to customer lists. See Note 4 for additional information.
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 intangible assets with indefinite lives.
Aggregate amortization expense was $12,401 and $9,378 for the three months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, respectively, and $22,603 and $16,589 for the six months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, respectively. Amortization expense on other intangible assets is expected to total approximately $46,100 in 2018, $45,400 in 2019, $42,300 in 2020, $41,400 in 2021 and $39,500 in 2022.



22

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

Note 9: Debt
On April 12, 2018, the Company entered into a $100,000 term loan with Bank of America, N.A. The full amount was drawn from this facility on April 12, 2018, and the proceeds, along with proceeds from existing credit facilities, were used to fund the acquisition of Highland Packaging Solutions. The loan has a 364-day term and the Company has a one-time option to extend the term for an additional 364 days at its sole discretion. Interest is assessed at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin based on a pricing grid that uses the Company's credit ratings. The current LIBOR margin is 110 basis points. There is no required amortization and repayment can be accelerated at any time at the discretion of the Company. The Company repaid $50,000 of the borrowings from this term loan during the second quarter of 2018.

Note 10: 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. 
 
 
July 1, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Long-term debt, net of current portion
 
$
1,274,325

 
$
1,369,785

 
$
1,288,002

 
$
1,426,862

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.
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2017-12
The Company elected to early adopt Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," as of January 1, 2018. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 was the recognition of a $176 increase in the Company's beginning retained earnings with an offsetting change in accumulated other comprehensive loss in order to remove previously recognized ineffectiveness losses on contracts outstanding as of the date of adoption. See Note 2 for additional information.
Cash Flow Hedges
At July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had derivative financial instruments outstanding to hedge anticipated transactions and certain asset and liability related cash flows. These contracts, which have maturities ranging to December 2019, qualify as cash flow hedges under U.S. GAAP. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and is presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Gains and losses on the derivative instrument representing hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized currently in current earnings and are presented in the same line of the income statement expected for the hedged item.
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 July 1, 2018, natural gas swaps covering approximately 5.0 million MMBTUs were outstanding. These contracts represent approximately 74% and 33% of anticipated U.S. and Canadian usage for the remainder of 2018 and 2019, respectively. Additionally, the Company had swap contracts covering 1,905 metric tons of aluminum, representing approximately 51% of anticipated usage for the remainder of 2018. The fair values of the Company’s commodity cash flow hedges netted to a loss position of $(593) at July 1, 2018, and $(1,713) at December 31, 2017. The amount of the loss included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss at July 1, 2018, that is expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next twelve months is $(233).

23

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

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has entered into forward contracts to hedge certain anticipated foreign currency denominated sales, purchases, and capital spending forecast to occur in 2018. The net positions of these contracts at July 1, 2018 were as follows (in thousands): 
Currency
Action
Quantity
Colombian peso
purchase
3,821,059

Mexican peso
purchase
351,178

Polish zloty
purchase
217,049

Russian ruble
purchase
31,506

Canadian dollar
purchase
26,485

British pound
purchase
5,535

Turkish lira
purchase
5,194

New Zealand dollar
sell
(262
)
Australian dollar
sell
(709
)
Euro
sell
(51,137
)
The fair value of these foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecasted sales and purchases netted to a loss position of $(1,826) at July 1, 2018 and a gain position of $950 at December 31, 2017. In addition, the Company has entered into forward contracts to hedge certain foreign currency cash flow transactions related to construction in progress. As of July 1, 2018 and at December 31, 2017, the net position of these contracts was $(262) and $330, respectively. During the six months ended July 1, 2018, gains from these hedges totaling $56 were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income and included in the carrying value of the related fixed assets acquired. Losses of $(262) are expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income and included in the carrying value of the related fixed assets acquired during the next twelve months. For all cash flow hedges, losses of $(1,564) are expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to the income statement during the next twelve months.
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 July 1, 2018, were as follows (in thousands): 
Currency
Action
Quantity
Colombian peso
purchase
7,353,411

Mexican peso
purchase
151,893

Canadian dollar
sell
(52,228
)
The fair value of the Company’s other derivatives was in a loss position of $(284) and $(581) at July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

24

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

The following table sets forth the location and fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments at July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017
Description
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
July 1,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Contracts
 
Prepaid expenses
 
$
279

 
$
149

Commodity Contracts
 
Accrued expenses and other
 
$
(658
)
 
$
(1,417
)
Commodity Contracts
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(214
)
 
$
(445
)
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Prepaid expenses
 
$
154

 
$
2,232

       Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Accrued expenses and other
 
$
(1,980
)
 
$
(1,282
)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Prepaid expenses
 
$
2

 
$
90

Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Accrued expenses and other
 
$
(286
)
 
$
(671
)
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 July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017
Description
 
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in OCI on
Derivatives

 
Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
Into Income

 
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI Into Income

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
 
 
Three months ended July 1, 2018
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$
(4,407
)
 
Net sales
 
$
(240
)
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
$
174

Commodity Contracts
 
$
1,301

 
Cost of sales
 
$
68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended July 2, 2017
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$
509

 
Net sales
 
$
2,243

 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(1,317
)
Commodity Contracts
 
$
93

 
Cost of sales
 
$
463

 
Description
 
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in
Income Statement
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
 
 
 
 
Three months ended July 1, 2018
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$

 
Cost of sales
 
 
$
1,270

 
Selling, general and administrative
Three months ended July 2, 2017
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$

 
Cost of sales
 
 
$
1,665

 
Selling, general and administrative

25

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

 
Three months ended July 1, 2018
 
Three months ended July 2, 2017
 
Description
Revenue
Cost of sales
 
Revenue
Cost of sales
Total amount of income and expense line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income



$
(240
)
$
242

 
$
2,243

$
(854
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The effects of cash flow hedging:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships in Subtopic 815-20:
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income


$
(240
)
$
174

 
$
2,243

$
(1,317
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income


$

$
68

 
$

$
463

The following tables set forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the six months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017
Description
 
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in OCI on
Derivatives

 
Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
Into Income

 
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI Into Income

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
 
 
Six months ended July 1, 2018
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$
(2,761
)
 
Net sales
 
$
570

 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(353
)
Commodity Contracts
 
$
1,130

 
Cost of sales
 
$
10

Six months ended July 2, 2017
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$
(2,183
)
 
Net sales
 
$
3,283

 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(2,042
)
Commodity Contracts
 
$
(1,263
)
 
Cost of sales
 
$
711

 
Description
 
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in
Income Statement
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
 
 
 
 
Six months ended July 1, 2018
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$

 
Cost of sales
 
 
$
2,024

 
Selling, general and administrative
Six months ended July 2, 2017
 
 
 
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
$

 
Cost of sales
 
 
$
1,098

 
Selling, general and administrative



26

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

 
Six months ended July 1, 2018
 
Six months ended July 2, 2017
 
Description
Revenue
Cost of sales
 
Revenue
Cost of sales
Total amount of income and expense line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income



$
570

$
(343
)
 
$
3,283

$
(1,331
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The effects of cash flow hedging:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships in Subtopic 815-20:
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income


$
570

$
(353
)
 
$
3,283

$
(2,042
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income


$

$
10

 
$

$
711



Note 11: 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
 
July 1,
2018
 
Assets measured at NAV
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Hedge derivatives, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
$
(593
)
 
$

$

 
$
(593
)
 
$

Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(1,826
)
 
$

$

 
$
(1,826
)
 
$

Non-hedge derivatives, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(284
)
 
$

$

 
$
(284
)
 
$

Deferred compensation plan assets
 
$
273

 
$

$
273

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
December 31,
2017
 
Assets measured at NAV
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Hedge derivatives, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
$
(1,713
)
 
$

$

 
$
(1,713
)
 
$

Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
950

 
$

$

 
$
950

 
$

Non-hedge derivatives, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(581
)
 
$

$

 
$
(581
)
 
$

Deferred compensation plan assets
 
$
268

 
$

$
268

 
$

 
$



27

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

As discussed in Note 10, 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 non-financial assets or liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. None of the Company’s financial assets or liabilities are 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 July 1, 2018.

Note 12: Employee Benefit Plans
Retirement Plans and Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
The Company provides non-contributory defined benefit pension plans to certain of its employees in the United States and certain of its employees in Mexico and Belgium. The Company also sponsors contributory defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of its employees in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Netherlands. In addition, the Company 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 Company froze participation in its U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan for newly hired salaried and non-union hourly employees effective December 31, 2003. To replace this benefit, the Company provides non-union U.S. employees hired on or after January 1, 2004, with an annual contribution, called the Sonoco Retirement Contribution (SRC), to their participant accounts in the Sonoco Retirement and Savings Plan. The SRC is equal to 4% of the participant's eligible pay plus 4% of eligible pay in excess of the social security wage base. Also eligible for the SRC are former participants of the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan who elected to transfer out of that plan under a one-time option effective January 1, 2010.
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 eligible for SRC contributions effective January 1, 2019.
The components of net periodic benefit cost include the following: 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
Retirement Plans
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
 
$
4,478

 
$
4,497

 
$
9,150

 
$
9,209

Interest cost
 
13,573

 
13,668

 
27,551

 
28,369

Expected return on plan assets
 
(22,580
)
 
(19,698
)
 
(45,789
)
 
(40,536
)
Amortization of prior service cost
 
242

 
224

 
491

 
455

Amortization of net actuarial loss
 
9,162

 
9,792

 
18,582

 
19,960

Effect of settlement loss
 
645

 
31,074

 
645

 
31,074

Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
5,520

 
$
39,557

 
$
10,630

 
$
48,531

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
 
 
 
 
Service cost
 
$
70

 
$
80

 
$
149

 
$
164

Interest cost
 
110

 
104

 
221

 
224

Expected return on plan assets
 
(218
)
 
(406
)
 
(690
)
 
(820
)
Amortization of prior service credit
 
(123
)
 
(123
)
 
(249
)
 
(250
)
Amortization of net actuarial gain
 
(298
)
 
(225
)
 
(540
)
 
(380
)
Net periodic benefit income
 
$
(459
)
 
$
(570
)
 
$
(1,109
)
 
$
(1,062
)


28

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

The Company made aggregate contributions of $9,995 and $34,445 to its defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans during the six months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, respectively. The Company expects to make additional aggregate contributions of approximately $14,500 to its defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans over the remainder of 2018.

The Company recognized settlement losses totaling $645 during the six months ended July 1, 2018 resulting from payments made to certain participants of the Company's Canadian pension plan who elected the lump sum option of distribution upon retirement. Settlement losses in the prior year totaling $31,074 resulted from the Company's initiative to settle the pension obligation of certain terminated vested participants in the U.S. qualified retirement plans, through a lump sum payment or the purchase of an annuity.

Sonoco Retirement Contribution (SRC)
The SRC, which is funded annually in the first quarter, totaled $14,151 during the six months ended July 1, 2018, and $14,066 during the six months ended July 2, 2017. No additional SRC contributions are expected during the remainder of 2018. The Company recognized expense related to the SRC of $3,855 and $3,820 for the quarters ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, respectively, and $7,887 and $7,691, for the six-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, respectively.

Note 13: Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate for the three- and six-month periods ending July 1, 2018, was 26.1% and 25.2%, respectively, and its effective rate for the three- and six-month periods ending July 2, 2017, was 29.6% and 31.4%, respectively. The rates for the three- and six-month periods ending July 1, 2018 varied from the U.S. statutory rate due primarily to the new international tax regime of the U.S. as part of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act) as well as the effect of state income taxes. The rates for the three- and six-month periods ending July 2, 2017 varied from the U.S. statutory rate due primarily to the favorable effect of certain international operations that were subject to tax rates generally lower than the U.S. rate.
On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. The Company recognized the provisional tax impacts related to deemed repatriated earnings and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and included these amounts in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. The ultimate impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially, due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued, and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Act. No subsequent adjustments were made during the six months ended July 1, 2018, to the provisional amounts recorded in December. Any such adjustments will be recorded to tax expense in 2018 in the quarter the analysis is completed.
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 income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012. The Company is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for the 2012 and 2013 tax years.
The Company’s reserve for uncertain tax benefits has increased by approximately $1,400 since December 31, 2017, due primarily to an increase in reserves related to existing uncertain tax positions. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that the amount reserved for unrecognized tax benefits at July 1, 2018 will decrease by approximately $800 over the next twelve months. This change includes the anticipated increase in reserves related to existing positions offset by settlements of issues currently under examination and the release of existing reserves due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Although 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. The Company has operations and

29

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

pays taxes in many countries outside of the U.S. and taxes on those earnings are subject to varying rates. The Company is not dependent upon the favorable benefit of any one jurisdiction to an extent that the loss of such benefit would have a material effect on the Company’s overall effective tax rate. 
As previously disclosed, the Company received a draft Notice of Proposed Adjustment (“NOPA”) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in February 2017 proposing an adjustment to income for the 2013 tax year based on the IRS's recharacterization of a distribution of an intercompany note made in 2012, and the subsequent repayment of the note over the course of 2013, as if it were a cash distribution made in 2013. In March 2017, the Company received a draft NOPA proposing penalties of $18,000 associated with the IRS’s recharacterization, as well as an Information Document Request (“IDR”) requesting the Company’s analysis of why such penalties should not apply. The Company responded to this IDR in April 2017. On October 5, 2017, the Company received two revised draft NOPAs proposing the same adjustments and penalties as in the prior NOPAs. On November 14, 2017, the Company received two final NOPAs proposing the same adjustments and penalties as in the prior draft NOPAs. On November 20,  2017, the Company received a Revenue Agent's Report (“RAR”) that included the same adjustments and penalties as in the NOPAs.  At the time of the distribution in 2012, it was characterized as a dividend to the extent of earnings and profits, with the remainder as a tax free return of basis and taxable capital gain. As the IRS proposes to recharacterize the distribution, the entire distribution would be characterized as a dividend. The incremental tax liability associated with the income adjustment proposed in the RAR would be approximately $89,000, excluding interest and the previously referenced penalties. On January 22, 2018, the Company filed a protest to the proposed deficiency with the IRS. The Company received a rebuttal of its protest from the IRS on July 10, 2018, and the matter will now be referred to the Appeals Division of the IRS. The Company strongly believes the position of the IRS with regard to this matter is inconsistent with applicable tax laws and existing Treasury regulations, and that the Company's previously reported income tax provision for the year in question is appropriate. However, there can be no assurance that this matter will be resolved in the Company's favor. Regardless of whether the matter is resolved in the Company's favor, the final resolution of this matter could be expensive and time consuming to defend and/or settle. While the Company believes that the amount of tax originally paid with respect to this distribution is correct, and accordingly has not provided additional reserve for tax uncertainty, there is still a possibility that an adverse outcome of the matter could have a material effect on its results of operations and financial condition.

Note 14: Revenue Recognition
The Company adopted ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," as of January 1, 2018. The impact of the adoption was the recognition of a $1,721 increase in the Company's beginning retained earnings. See impact of adoption in Note 3 and additional discussion in Note 2 to these condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Company records revenue when control is transferred to the customer, which is either upon shipment or over time in cases where the Company is entitled to payment for products produced that are customer specific without alternative use. The Company recognizes over time revenue under the output method as goods are produced. Revenue that is recognized at a point in time is recognized when the customer obtains control of the goods. Customers obtain control either when goods are delivered to the customer facility, if the Company is responsible for arranging transportation, or when picked up by the customer's designated carrier. The Company commonly enters into Master Supply Arrangements (MSA) with customers to provide goods and/or services over specific time periods. Customers submit purchase orders with quantities and prices to create a contract for accounting purposes. Shipping and handling expenses are included in "Cost of Sales," and freight charged to customers is included in "Net Sales" in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company has rebate agreements with certain customers. These rebates are recorded as reductions of sales and are accrued using sales data and rebate percentages specific to each customer agreement. Accrued customer rebates are included in "Accrued expenses and other" in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Payment terms under the Company's arrangements are short term in nature, generally no longer than 120 days. The Company does provide prompt payment discounts to certain customers if invoices are paid within a predetermined period. Prompt payment discounts are treated as a reduction of revenue and are determinable within a short period of the sale.

30

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

The following table sets forth information about receivables, contract assets and liabilities from contracts with customers. The balances of the contract assets and liabilities are located in "Other receivables" and "Accrued expenses and other" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
 
July 1, 2018
 
January 1, 2018
As adjusted
Contract Assets
 
$
48,765

 
$
45,877

Contract Liabilities
 
$
(5,737
)
 
$
(5,215
)

Significant changes in the contract assets and liabilities balances during the period were as follows:
 
 
July 1, 2018
 
January 1, 2018 Adjusted
 
 
Contract
Asset
 
Contract
Liability
 
Contract
Asset
 
Contract
Liability
Beginning Balance
$
45,877

 
$
(5,215
)
 
$

 
$

Revenue recognized that was
included in the contract liabilities
balance at the beginning of the period

 
(522
)
 

 

Increases due to rights to consideration for customer specific goods produced, but not billed during the period
48,765

 

 

 

Transferred to receivables from contract assets recognized at the beginning of the period
(45,877
)
 

 

 

Increase as a result of cumulative catch-up arising from changes in the estimate of completion, excluding amounts transferred to receivables during the period

 

 
45,877

 
(5,215
)
Impairment of contract asset

 

 

 

Acquired as part of a business combinations

 

 

 

Ending Balance
$
48,765

 
$
(5,737
)
 
$
45,877

 
$
(5,215
)

Contract assets and liabilities are generally short in duration given the nature of products produced by the Company. Contract assets represents goods produced without alternative use for which the Company is entitled to payment with margin prior to shipment. Upon shipment, the Company is entitled to bill the customer, and therefore amounts included in contract assets will be reduced with the recording of an account receivable as they represent an unconditional right to payment. Contract liabilities represent revenue deferred due to pricing mechanisms utilized by the Company in certain multi-year arrangements. Generally the Company will defer revenue during the initial term of the arrangement, and will release the deferral over the back half of the contract term. The Company's reportable segments are aligned by product nature as disclosed in Note 15.

31

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

The following table sets forth information about revenue disaggregated by primary geographic regions, and timing of revenue recognition for the three-month period ended July 1, 2018. The table also includes a reconciliation of disaggregated revenue with reportable segments.
Three Months Ended
Consumer Packaging
 
Display and Packaging
 
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
Protective Solutions
Primary Geographical Markets:

 

 

 

  United States
$
446,573

 
$
69,180

 
$
279,701

 
$
111,748

  Europe
101,954

 
72,377

 
90,398

 
6,816

  Canada
30,595

 

 
33,762

 

  Other
36,940

 
1,703

 
70,276

 
14,350

Total
$
616,062

 
$
143,260

 
$
474,137

 
$
132,914

 
 

 

 

 

Timing of Revenue Recognition:

 

 

 

  Products transferred at a point in time
$
386,850

 
$
99,233

 
$
452,576

 
$
109,636

  Products transferred over time
229,212

 
44,027

 
21,561

 
23,278

Total
 
$
616,062

 
$
143,260

 
$
474,137

 
$
132,914

The following table sets forth information about revenue disaggregated by primary geographic regions, and timing of revenue recognition for the six-month period ended July 1, 2018. The table also includes a reconciliation of disaggregated revenue with reportable segments.
Six Months Ended
Consumer Packaging
 
Display and Packaging
 
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
Protective Solutions
Primary Geographical Markets:

 

 

 

  United States
$
844,559

 
$
143,064

 
$
545,463

 
$
222,248

  Europe
209,017

 
138,322

 
183,253

 
13,605

  Canada
58,301

 

 
66,635

 

  Other
74,037

 
4,532

 
139,439

 
28,085

Total
$
1,185,914

 
$
285,918

 
$
934,790

 
$
263,938

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Timing of Revenue Recognition:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Products transferred at a point in time
$
732,416

 
$
200,876

 
$
893,667

 
$
221,435

  Products transferred over time
453,498

 
85,042

 
41,123

 
42,503

Total
 
$
1,185,914

 
$
285,918

 
$
934,790

 
$
263,938















32

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

Note 15: 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.
The Consumer Packaging segment includes the following products and services: round and shaped rigid containers and trays (both composite and thermoformed plastic); 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: point-of-purchase displays; supply chain management services; retail packaging, including printed backer cards, thermoformed blisters and heat sealing equipment; and paperboard specialties, 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.
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 “Operating profit” 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
 

July 1,
2018

July 2,
2017

July 1,
2018

July 2,
2017
Net sales:








Consumer Packaging

$
616,062


$
521,262


$
1,185,914


$
1,003,443

Display and Packaging

143,260


115,612


285,918


230,247

Paper and Industrial Converted Products

474,137


469,197


934,790


911,699

Protective Solutions

132,914


134,603


263,938


267,609

Consolidated

$
1,366,373


$
1,240,674


$
2,670,560


$
2,412,998

Intersegment sales:








Consumer Packaging

$
1,122


$
1,353


$
1,861


$
2,576

Display and Packaging

624


824


1,162


1,574

Paper and Industrial Converted Products

33,433


36,680


67,976


65,053

Protective Solutions

282


519


855


918

Consolidated

$
35,461


$
39,376


$
71,854


$
70,121

Operating profit:








Segment operating profit:








Consumer Packaging

$
63,670


$
60,376


$
124,758


$
119,836

Display and Packaging

(570
)

1,479


1,162


4,701

Paper and Industrial Converted Products

61,542


45,437


101,323


72,287

Protective Solutions

13,626


11,016


24,306


21,947

Restructuring/Asset impairment charges

(3,567
)
 
(7,897
)
 
(6,630
)
 
(12,008
)
Other, net

(2,839
)
 
(5,231
)
 
(2,959
)
 
(7,924
)
Consolidated

$
131,862


$
105,180


$
241,960


$
198,839

 



33

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

Note 16: 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.
Spartanburg
In connection with its acquisition of Tegrant in November 2011, the Company identified potential environmental contamination at a site in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The total remediation cost of the Spartanburg site was estimated to be $17,400 at the time of acquisition and an accrual in this amount was recorded on Tegrant’s opening balance sheet. Since the acquisition, the Company has spent a total of $1,116 on remediation of the Spartanburg site. During previous years, the Company has increased its reserves for this site by a total of $17 in order to reflect its best estimate of what it is likely to pay in order to complete the remediation. At July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company's accrual for environmental contingencies related to the Spartanburg site totaled $16,301 and $16,504, respectively. The Company cannot currently estimate its potential liability, damages or range of potential loss, if any, beyond the amounts accrued with respect to this exposure. However, the Company does not believe that the resolution of this matter has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect on the Company's financial statements.

Other environmental matters
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. However, the Company does not believe that the resolution of these matters has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect on the Company's financial statements. At July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company's accrual for these other sites totaled $3,338 and $3,802, respectively.
Summary
As of July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company (and its subsidiaries) had accrued $19,639 and $20,306, respectively, related to environmental contingencies. These accruals are included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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.

34





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Sonoco Products Company,

Results of Review of Financial Statements

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Sonoco Products Company and its subsidiaries as of July 1, 2018, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three-month and six-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017 and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six-month periods ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “interim financial statements”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in total equity and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 28, 2018, 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, 2017, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

Basis for Review Results

These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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 PCAOB, 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.


/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


Charlotte, North Carolina
August 1, 2018

 

35

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,” “assume,” “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, including the impact of potential changes in tariffs;
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;
plans with respect to repatriation of off-shore earnings;
financial results for future periods;
producing improvements in earnings;
profitable sales growth and rates of growth;
market leadership;
research and development spending;
expected impact and costs of resolution of legal proceedings;
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;
expected impact of implementation of new accounting pronouncements;
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, including the impact of potential changes in tariffs, 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;

36

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

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;
ability to maintain or increase productivity levels, contain or reduce costs, and maintain positive price/cost relationships;
ability to negotiate or retain contracts with customers, including in segments with concentration of sales volume;
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 attract and retain talented and qualified employees, managers and executives;
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 interest rates and our borrowing costs;
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 tariffs, tax rates, and tax laws, regulations, interpretations and implementation 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;
ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting;
liability for and anticipated costs of resolution of legal proceedings;
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;
failure of third party transportation providers to deliver our products to our customers or to deliver raw materials to us;
substantially lower than normal crop yields;
loss of consumer or investor confidence;
ability to protect our intellectual property rights;
changes in laws and regulations relating to packaging for food products and foods packaged therein, other actions and public concerns about products packaged in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process;
changing climate, climate change regulations and greenhouse gas effects;
actions of domestic or foreign government agencies and other changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company and increased costs of compliance;
international, national and local economic and market conditions and levels of unemployment; and
economic disruptions resulting from terrorist activities and natural disasters.


37

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

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.

COMPANY OVERVIEW
Sonoco is a leading provider of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services, with approximately 300 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 2018 Compared with Second Quarter 2017
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, pension settlement charges 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. More information about the Company's use of Non-GAAP financial measures is provided in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 under Item 7 - "Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations," under the heading "Use of non-GAAP financial measures."
 
 
For the three months ended July 1, 2018
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
 
GAAP
 
Restructuring/
Asset
Impairment
 
Other
Adjustments
(1)
 
Base
Operating profit
 
$
131,862

 
$
3,567

 
$
2,839

 
$
138,268

Non-operating pension (income)/costs
 
513

 

 
(645
)
 
(132
)
Interest expense, net
 
15,127

 

 

 
15,127

Income before income taxes
 
116,222

 
3,567

 
3,484

 
123,273

Provision for income taxes
 
30,293

 
1,046

 
1,586

 
32,925

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
85,929

 
2,521

 
1,898

 
90,348

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
3,716

 

 

 
3,716

Net income
 
89,645

 
2,521

 
1,898

 
94,064

Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(233
)
 
(15
)
 

 
(248
)
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
89,412

 
$
2,506

 
$
1,898

 
$
93,816

Per diluted common share*
 
$
0.88

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.93

*Due to rounding individual items may not sum across
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)Consists primarily of acquisition-related costs and a pension settlement charge related to the Company's Canadian pension plan, partially offset by a gain from the effect of a change in the U.S. corporate tax rate on deferred tax adjustments and a small insurance settlement gain.

38

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

 
 
For the three months ended July 2, 2017
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
 
GAAP
 
Restructuring/
Asset
Impairment
 
Other
Adjustments
(1)
 
Base
Operating profit
 
$
105,180

 
$
7,897

 
$
5,231

 
$
118,308

Non-operating pension (income)/costs
 
34,410

 

 
(31,074
)
 
3,336

Interest expense, net
 
12,792

 

 

 
12,792

Income before income taxes
 
57,978

 
7,897

 
36,305

 
102,180

Provision for income taxes
 
17,167

 
2,338

 
13,147

 
32,652

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
40,811

 
5,559

 
23,158

 
69,528

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
2,845

 

 

 
2,845

Net income
 
43,656

 
5,559

 
23,158

 
72,373

Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(531
)
 
(12
)
 

 
(543
)
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
43,125

 
$
5,547

 
$
23,158

 
$
71,830

Per diluted common share*
 
$
0.43

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.71

*Due to rounding individual items may not sum across
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes pension settlement charges of $31,074, costs related to acquisitions and potential acquisitions, and certain other charges, partially offset by insurance settlement gains.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion provides a review of results for the three months ended July 1, 2018 versus the three months ended July 2, 2017.
OVERVIEW
Net sales for the second quarter of 2018 increased 10.1% to $1,366 million, compared with $1,241 million in the same period last year. The improvement reflects an increase in sales added by acquisitions, volume growth, the positive impact of foreign exchange and higher selling prices implemented to recover rising costs for raw materials, freight, and other operating expenses.
Net income attributable to Sonoco for the second quarter of 2018 increased 107.3% to $89.4 million, $0.88 per diluted share, compared to $43.1 million, $0.43 per diluted share, reported for the same period of 2017. Current quarter net income includes after-tax, non-base charges totaling $4.4 million, consisting primarily of restructuring and acquisition-related costs. Results for the second quarter of 2017 include non-base, after-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges of $5.5 million and after-tax, non-base pension settlement and other charges of $23.2 million. Adjusted for these items, second-quarter 2018 base net income attributable to Sonoco (base earnings) increased 30.6% to $93.8 million, $0.93 per diluted share, from $71.8 million, $0.71 per diluted share, in 2017.
The higher second quarter 2018 earnings were largely the result of a positive price/cost impact, particularly in the Company's Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment, as the Company was successful in raising prices on tubes, cores and paper that are not tied to an index with all regions of the world reporting a favorable year-over-year spread on price/cost. Additionally, continued improvement in market conditions for corrugating medium benefitted earnings year over year. Strong manufacturing productivity in the Company's Consumer Packaging segment and lower restructuring, asset impairment, and acquisition-related charges also contributed to the overall increase in earnings over the previous year's second quarter. The year-over-year improvement also reflects a lower effective tax rate due to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"). These positive factors were slightly offset by higher management incentives as well as general wage and other inflation.





39

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY


OPERATING REVENUE
Net sales for the second quarter of 2018 increased $126 million from the prior-year quarter.
The components of the sales change were: 
 
($ in millions)
Volume/mix
$
35

Selling prices
11

Acquisitions
62

Foreign currency translation and other, net
18

 
 
Total sales increase
$
126

 
 

COSTS AND EXPENSES
The Company's gross profit margin percentage increased to 20.2% this quarter compared to 19.2% in the prior-year quarter. The 100 basis point increase in gross profit margin was largely attributable to the favorable price/cost relationship driven by stronger market conditions, procurement productivity, and the timing and direction of material cost movements. Margins also benefitted from improved manufacturing cost productivity, partially offset by wage and operating cost inflation. The translation impact of a weaker dollar increased reported cost of goods sold by approximately $17 million compared to the second quarter of 2017.
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") costs for the quarter increased $15.7 million, or 12.5%, year over year due primarily to SG&A expenses incurred by the operations of acquired businesses, higher management incentives and wage inflation.
Second-quarter restructuring costs and asset impairment charges totaled $3.6 million compared with $7.9 million in the same period last year. Additional information regarding restructuring and asset impairment charges is provided in Note 6 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Non-operating pension costs decreased $33.9 million for the quarter due primarily to lower pension settlement costs in the current year and a higher expected return on plan assets resulting from a larger asset base following the strong investment performance in 2017 and the $50 million voluntary contribution made to the Company's U.S. pension plans in October 2017.
Net interest expense for the second quarter increased to $15.1 million, compared with $12.8 million during the second quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher average borrowings in the current-year quarter stemming from acquisition financing.
The effective tax rate on GAAP and base earnings in the second quarter of 2018 was 26.1% and 26.7%, respectively, compared with 29.6% and 32.0%, respectively, for last year's quarter. The Tax Act lowered the year-over-year effective tax rate on both GAAP and base earnings. The prior year's GAAP tax rate benefitted from a favorable distribution of earnings between low and high tax jurisdictions, primarily from the previously discussed pension settlement costs occurring in the United States. This lessened the year-over-year change in the GAAP effective tax rate.

40

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
The following table recaps net sales attributable to each of the Company’s segments for the second quarters of 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
% Change
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
616,062

 
$
521,262

 
18.2
 %
Display and Packaging
 
143,260

 
115,612

 
23.9
 %
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
474,137

 
469,197

 
1.1
 %
Protective Solutions
 
132,914

 
134,603

 
(1.3
)%
Consolidated
 
$
1,366,373

 
$
1,240,674

 
10.1
 %
The following table recaps operating profit attributable to each of the Company’s segments during the second quarters of 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
% Change
Operating profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
63,670

 
$
60,376

 
5.5
 %
Display and Packaging
 
(570
)
 
1,479

 
(138.5
)%
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
61,542

 
45,437

 
35.4
 %
Protective Solutions
 
13,626

 
11,016

 
23.7
 %
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges
 
(3,567
)
 
(7,897
)
 


Other, net
 
(2,839
)
 
(5,231
)
 


Consolidated
 
$
131,862

 
$
105,180

 
25.4
 %
Segment results viewed by Company management to evaluate segment performance do not include restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, acquisition-related charges, or certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves the comparability and analysis of the ongoing operating performance of the business. Accordingly, the term “segment operating profit” is defined as the segment’s portion of “operating profit” excluding those items. All other general corporate expenses have been allocated as operating costs to each of the Company’s reportable segments.

The following table recaps restructuring/asset impairment charges attributable to each of the Company’s segments during the second quarters of 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges:
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
1,986

 
$
3,060

Display and Packaging
 
677

 
222

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
64

 
2,914

Protective Solutions
 
820

 
1,701

Corporate
 
20

 

Consolidated
 
$
3,567

 
$
7,897

Consumer Packaging
The Consumer Packaging segment includes the following products and services: round and shaped rigid containers and trays (both composite and thermoformed plastic); extruded and injection-molded plastic products; printed flexible packaging; global brand artwork management; and metal and peelable membrane ends and closures.

41

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Segment sales increased 18.2% compared to the prior-year quarter due to sales added from acquisitions, the positive impact from changes in foreign exchange rates, and higher selling prices. Sales also benefitted from higher sales volume in flexible packaging and European and Asian composite cans, partially offset by a decline in plastic container sales volume.
Segment operating profit grew 5.5% compared to the prior-year quarter due to a positive price/cost relationship, solid productivity gains, and the benefit of acquisitions, which more than offset higher operating expenses due to inflation and higher management incentives. Segment operating margin declined to 10.3% in the quarter from 11.6% in 2017 due to changes in the mix of business, including changes from acquisitions, and higher operating costs.

Display and Packaging
The Display and Packaging segment includes the following products and services: designing, manufacturing,
assembling, packing and distributing temporary, semi-permanent 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 23.9% compared to last year’s quarter due primarily to volume growth from a new pack center near Atlanta and the positive impact of foreign exchange.
Segment operating profit decreased $2.0 million largely due to inefficiencies and higher operating costs associated with the start up of new production lines at the Atlanta pack center. The Company continues working to resolve these issues.
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.
Reported segment sales increased approximately 1.1% percent from the prior-year quarter as volume/mix growth and the positive impact of foreign exchange more than offset lower selling prices associated with lower recovered paper prices. Volume/mix gains in North American paper operations as well as wire and cable reels were partially offset by declines in North American and European tube and core volumes.
Operating profit increased 35.4% over the prior year driven by a positive price/cost relationship across most of the segment, excluding recycling operations, which also helped drive a 330 basis point improvement in segment operating margin to 13.0%.
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 for the quarter declined 1.3% year over year as the negative impact of foreign exchange transaction losses on foreign currency denominated sales offset higher selling prices. Volume/mix was essentially flat as continued declines in the segment’s automotive components business was offset by growth in temperature-assured packaging.
Operating profits increased 23.7% from the prior-year quarter due primarily to positive price/cost relationship and productivity improvements more than offsetting higher operating inflation. Segment operating margin increased to 10.3% from 8.2% in the prior-year quarter.

42

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY


Six Months Ended July 1, 2018 Compared with Six Months Ended July 2, 2017
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 July 1, 2018
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
 
GAAP
 
Restructuring/
Asset
Impairment
 
Other
Adjustments
(1)
 
Base
Operating profit
 
$
241,960

 
$
6,630

 
$
2,959

 
$
251,549

Non-operating pension (income)/costs
 
222

 

 
(645
)
 
(423
)
Interest expense, net
 
28,482

 

 

 
28,482

Income before income taxes
 
213,256

 
6,630

 
3,604

 
223,490

Provision for income taxes
 
53,649

 
1,731

 
3,498

 
58,878

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
159,607

 
4,899

 
106

 
164,612

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
4,963

 

 

 
4,963

Net income
 
164,570

 
4,899

 
106

 
169,575

Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(1,103
)
 
(20
)
 

 
(1,123
)
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
163,467

 
$
4,879

 
$
106

 
$
168,452

Per diluted common share*
 
$
1.62

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.00

 
$
1.67

*Due to rounding individual items may not sum across
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)Consists primarily of acquisition-related costs and a pension settlement charge related to the Company's Canadian pension plan, partially offset by a gain from the effect of a change in the U.S. corporate tax rate on deferred tax adjustments and a small insurance settlement gain.
 
 
For the six months ended July 2, 2017
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
 
GAAP
 
Restructuring/
Asset
Impairment
 
Other
Adjustments
(1)
 
Base
Operating profit
 
$
198,839

 
$
12,008

 
$
7,924

 
$
218,771

Non-operating pension (income)/costs
 
38,096

 

 
(31,074
)
 
7,022

Interest expense, net
 
24,850

 

 

 
24,850

Income before income taxes
 
135,893

 
12,008

 
38,998

 
186,899

Provision for income taxes
 
42,706

 
3,636

 
12,506

 
58,848

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates
 
93,187

 
8,372

 
26,492

 
128,051

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
 
4,799

 

 

 
4,799

Net income
 
97,986

 
8,372

 
26,492

 
132,850

Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(1,128
)
 
(14
)
 

 
(1,142
)
Net income attributable to Sonoco
 
$
96,858

 
$
8,358

 
$
26,492

 
$
131,708

Per diluted common share*
 
$
0.96

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.26

 
$
1.31

*Due to rounding individual items may not sum across
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes pension settlement charges of $31,074, costs related to acquisitions and potential acquisitions, and certain other costs, partially offset by insurance settlement gains. Also includes net tax charges totaling $2,160 primarily related to the settlement of a tax audit in Canada offset by non-base tax gains of $1,138 related to prior year business dispositions.











43

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion provides a review of results for the six months ended July 1, 2018 versus the six months ended July 2, 2017.
OVERVIEW
Net sales for the first six months of 2018 increased 10.7% to $2,671 million, compared with $2,413 million in the same period last year. The improvement reflects an increase in sales added by acquisitions, volume growth, the positive impact of foreign exchange and higher selling prices implemented to recover certain rising raw material prices, rising freight and other operating inflation.
Net income attributable to Sonoco for the first six months of 2018 increased 68.8% to $163 million, $1.62 per diluted share, compared to $97 million, $0.96 per diluted share, reported for the same period of 2017. Current period net income includes after-tax, non-base charges totaling $5 million. These charges consist primarily of restructuring and acquisition-related costs. Results for the first six months of 2017 include after-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges of $8.4 million and after-tax lump-sum pension settlement charges, acquisition, and non-base tax charges of $26.5 million. Adjusted for these items, six-month base net income attributable to Sonoco (base earnings) increased 27.9% to $168.5 million, $1.67 per diluted share, from $131.7 million, $1.31 per diluted share, in 2017.
The higher earnings in the first half of 2018 were largely the result of a positive price/cost impact, particularly in the Company's Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment. As the Company was successful in raising prices on tubes, cores and paper that are not tied to an index with all regions reporting a favorable year-over-year spread on price/cost. Additionally, continued improvement in market conditions for corrugating medium benefitted earnings year over year. Manufacturing productivity, which was especially strong in the Company's Consumer Packaging segment, together with lower restructuring, asset impairment, and acquisition-related charges also contributed to the increase in year-to-date net income. These positive factors were slightly offset by higher management incentives as well as general wage and other inflation. Finally, year-to-date net income benefitted as lump-sum pension settlement charges of $19.0 million, after tax, in 2017 did not recur in 2018.
OPERATING REVENUE
Net sales for the first six months of 2018 increased $258 million from the same period in 2017.
The components of the sales change were: 
 
($ in millions)
Volume/mix
$
42

Selling prices
34

Acquisitions and Divestitures
122

Foreign currency translation and other, net
60

 
 
Total sales increase
$
258

 
 

COSTS AND EXPENSES
The Company's gross profit margin percentage increased to 19.7% for the first six months compared to 19.1% in the prior-year period. The 60 basis point increase in gross profit margin was largely attributable to the favorable price/cost relationship driven by stronger market conditions, procurement productivity, and the timing and direction of material cost movements. Margins also benefitted from improved manufacturing cost productivity, partially offset by wage and operating cost inflation. The translation impact of a weaker dollar increased reported cost of goods sold by approximately $54 million compared to the first six months of 2017.
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") costs for the first six months increased $28.0 million, or 11.2%, year over year due primarily to SG&A expenses incurred by the operations of acquired businesses, higher management incentives and wage inflation.

44

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Year-to-date restructuring costs and asset impairment charges totaled $6.6 million compared with $12.0 million in the same period last year. Additional information regarding restructuring and asset impairment charges is provided in Note 6 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Non-operating pension costs decreased $37.9 million in the first six months of 2018 due primarily to lower pension settlement costs in the current year and a higher expected return on plan assets resulting from a larger asset base following the strong investment performance in 2017 and the $50 million voluntary contribution made to the Company's U.S. pension plans in October 2017.
Net interest expense for the first six months increased to $28.5 million, compared with $24.9 million during the first six months of 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher average borrowings in the current-year period stemming from acquisition financing.
The effective tax rate on GAAP and base earnings in the first six months of 2018 was 25.2% and 26.3%, respectively, compared with 31.4% and 31.5%, respectively, for last year's periodAlthough the Tax Act lowered the year-over-year effective tax rate on both GAAP and base earnings, it had a greater impact on the GAAP effective tax rate
REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
The following table recaps net sales attributable to each of the Company's segments during the first six months of 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
% Change
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
1,185,914

 
$
1,003,443

 
18.2
 %
Display and Packaging
 
285,918

 
230,247

 
24.2
 %
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
934,790

 
911,699

 
2.5
 %
Protective Solutions
 
263,938

 
267,609

 
(1.4
)%
Consolidated
 
$
2,670,560

 
$
2,412,998

 
10.7
 %
The following table recaps operating profits attributable to each of the Company's segments during the first six months of 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
 
% Change
Operating profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
124,758

 
$
119,836

 
4.1
 %
Display and Packaging
 
1,162

 
4,701

 
(75.3
)%
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
101,323

 
72,287

 
40.2
 %
Protective Solutions
 
24,306

 
21,947

 
10.7
 %
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges
 
(6,630
)
 
(12,008
)
 


Other, net
 
(2,959
)
 
(7,924
)
 


Consolidated
 
$
241,960

 
$
198,839

 
21.7
 %
 
Segment results viewed by Company management to evaluate segment performance do not include restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, acquisition-related charges, or certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves the comparability and analysis of the ongoing operating performance of the business. Accordingly, the term “segment operating profit” is defined as the segment’s portion of “operating profit” excluding those items. All other general corporate expenses have been allocated as operating costs to each of the Company’s reportable segments.


45

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

The following table recaps restructuring/asset impairment charges attributable to each of the Company’s segments during the first six months of 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands): 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2018
 
July 2,
2017
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges:
 
 
 
 
Consumer Packaging
 
$
3,715

 
$
4,160

Display and Packaging
 
663

 
723

Paper and Industrial Converted Products
 
911

 
4,808

Protective Solutions
 
1,098

 
1,854

Corporate
 
243

 
463

Consolidated
 
$
6,630

 
$
12,008

Consumer Packaging
Segment sales increased 18.2% year to date compared to the prior-year period due to acquisitions, higher selling prices and the positive impact of changes in foreign exchange rates.
Year-to-date segment operating profit grew 4.1% due to strong improvement in manufacturing productivity, a positive price/cost relationship, and the benefit of acquisitions, partially offset by a negative change in volume/mix across most businesses, higher wages, management incentives, and operating costs. Segment operating margin declined to 10.5% from 11.9% in the prior-year period due to higher operating costs driven by certain resin material inflation and changes in the mix of business, including the impact from acquisitions.

Display and Packaging
Sales for the segment were up 24.2% year to date compared to last year’s period due primarily to volume growth from a new pack center near Atlanta and the positive impact of foreign exchange.
Segment operating profit decreased $3.5 million, or 75.3%, largely due to inefficiencies and higher operating costs associated with the ramp up of production at the new pack center. The Company continues working to resolve these issues.
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Segment sales increased approximately 2.5% year to date from the prior year period due to the positive impact of foreign exchange and higher selling prices implemented to recover higher freight and other operating costs, partially offset by lower volume/mix. Volume/mix gains in wire and cable reels as well as North American and European paper operations were more than offset by declines in North American tube and core and recycling volumes.
Operating profit increased 40.2% over the prior year period driven by a positive price/cost relationship across most of the segment, including continued improvement in the Company's corrugating medium operations. Segment operating margin improved 290 basis points to 10.8%.
Protective Solutions
Segment sales for the period declined 1.4% year over year as the positive impact of higher selling prices was offset by the negative impact of foreign exchange transaction losses on foreign currency denominated sales and lower volume/mix, primarily in the segment’s automotive components business.
Year-to-date operating profit increased 10.7% from the prior-year period due to manufacturing productivity and a positive price/cost relationship partially offset by lower volume, specifically in automotive components. Segment operating margin was 9.2%, a 100 basis point improvement over the prior-year year to date.






46

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

OTHER ITEMS
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Interim Goodwill Impairment Assessment
Information regarding the interim goodwill impairment assessment and the potential for future charges is included in Note 8 to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Income taxes
As previously disclosed, the Company received a draft Notice of Proposed Adjustment (“NOPA”) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in February 2017 proposing an adjustment to income for the 2013 tax year based on the IRS's recharacterization of a distribution of an intercompany note made in 2012, and the subsequent repayment of the note over the course of 2013, as if it were a cash distribution made in 2013. In March 2017, the Company received a draft NOPA proposing penalties of $18 million associated with the IRS’s recharacterization, as well as an Information Document Request (“IDR”) requesting the Company’s analysis of why such penalties should not apply. The Company responded to this IDR in April 2017. On October 5, 2017, the Company received two revised draft NOPAs proposing the same adjustments and penalties as in the prior NOPAs. On November 14, 2017, the Company received two final NOPAs proposing the same adjustments and penalties as in the prior draft NOPAs. On November 20,  2017, the Company received a Revenue Agent's Report (“RAR”) that included the same adjustments and penalties as in the NOPAs.  At the time of the distribution in 2012, it was characterized as a dividend to the extent of earnings and profits, with the remainder as a tax free return of basis and taxable capital gain. As the IRS proposes to recharacterize the distribution, the entire distribution would be characterized as a dividend. The incremental tax liability associated with the income adjustment proposed in the RAR would be approximately $89 million, excluding interest and the previously referenced penalties. On January 22, 2018, the Company filed a protest to the proposed deficiency with the IRS. The Company received a rebuttal of its protest from the IRS on July 10, 2018, and the matter will now be referred to the Appeals Division of the IRS. The Company strongly believes the position of the IRS with regard to this matter is inconsistent with applicable tax laws and existing Treasury regulations, and that the Company's previously reported income tax provision for the year in question is appropriate. However, there can be no assurance that this matter will be resolved in the Company's favor. Regardless of whether the matter is resolved in the Company's favor, the final resolution of this matter could be expensive and time consuming to defend and/or settle. While the Company believes that the amount of tax originally paid with respect to this distribution is correct, and accordingly has not provided additional reserve for tax uncertainty, there is still a possibility that an adverse outcome of the matter could have a material effect on its results of operations and financial condition.

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating cash flows totaled $251.2 million in the six months ended July 1, 2018 compared with $103.2 million during the same period last year, an increase of $148.1 million. This increase reflects the improvement in GAAP net income of $66.6 million and the following described year-over-year changes. In 2018, year-to-date net cash paid for taxes was $2.9 million less than reported tax expense while in 2017 it was $20.9 million more, a year-over-year benefit of $23.8 million. This difference is largely due to the timing of taxes paid on the 2016 sale of our blowmolding plastics business and normal changes in various deferred tax items. Pension and post-retirement plan contributions, net of non-cash expenses, had a negative year-over-year impact of $13.4 million. This change is composed of a $24.4 million year-over-year decrease in cash contributions that was more than offset by a $37.8 million decrease in non-cash expense which was largely driven by one-time, non-base pension settlement charges of $31.1 million in 2017.
Accounts Receivable consumed $45.0 million of cash in the first half of 2018 compared with $55.1 million in the same period last year as both periods experienced increased business activity during the first six months following seasonally lower year-end activity. Although, business activity increased more in the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 improved collection efforts in the current period mitigated the impact in 2018. Additionally, inventories consumed $16.7 million of cash in the first six months of 2018 compared with $12.8 million last year and trade accounts payable provided $16.7 million of cash during the six months ended July 1, 2018 while providing $11.9 million in the same period last year. Both periods saw increased business activity from the prior year end, but the increase in 2018 was more meaningful than in the prior year period.

47

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Changes in accrued expenses provided $1.0 million of cash in the six months ended July 1, 2018 while using $29.3 million in the same period last year. The greater use of cash in the prior year is primarily due to the payment of management incentives, the amount of which was greater last year than this year, and a non-recurring payment of an environmental settlement in the 2017 period. Changes in other assets and liabilities provided $15.5 million of additional cash in 2018 compared to 2017, largely attributable to the collection of various other receivables outstanding at the end of 2017. Similar levels of miscellaneous receivable items were not outstanding at the end of 2016.
Cash used in investing activities was $223.4 million in the six months ended July 1, 2018, compared with $313.0 million in the same period last year, a lower year-over-year use of cash totaling $89.5 million. The most significant driver of the decrease was lower year-over-year acquisition spending. The first six months of 2017 included the acquisition of Packaging Holdings for $217.5 million while the first six months of 2018 included the acquisition of Highland Packaging Solutions for $141.3 million. Capital spending of $88.9 million was approximately $10 million lower year over year. Capital spending for the remainder of 2018 is expected to total approximately $130 million.
Cash used by financing activities totaled $79.4 million in the six months ended July 1, 2018, compared with a provision of cash totaling $152.6 million in the same period last year. The $232.0 million year-over-year reduction is primarily due to lower proceeds from borrowings for acquisitions in the current year, term loan repayments and net reductions in commercial paper. The Company paid cash dividends of $79.8 million during the six months ended July 1, 2018, an increase of $4.2 million over the same period last year. Cash used to repurchase the Company's common stock was lower year over year by $1.3 million. Total debt outstanding was $1,452 million at July 1, 2018 compared with $1,447 million at December 31, 2017.
The Company operates a $350 million commercial paper program, supported by a $500 million five-year revolving credit facility. In July 2017, the Company entered into a new credit agreement with a syndicate of eight banks for that revolving facility, together with a new $250 million five-year term loan. The revolving bank credit facility is committed through July 2022. If circumstances were to prevent the Company from issuing commercial paper, it has the contractual right to draw funds directly on the underlying revolving bank credit facility. Borrowings under the credit agreement are pre-payable at any time at the discretion of the Company and the term loan has annual amortization payments totaling $12.5 million.
On April 12, 2018, the Company entered into a new $100 million, 364-day term loan facility in conjunction with the purchase of Highland Packaging Solutions. A total of $50 million was subsequently repaid by the Company prior to the end of the second quarter.
The Company continually explores strategic acquisition opportunities which may result in the additional use of cash. Given the nature of acquisitions, the timing and amounts of such utilization are not predictable. The Company expects that acquisitions requiring funding in excess of cash on hand would be financed using available borrowing capacity.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $197.7 million and $254.9 million at July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Of these totals, approximately $183.0 million and $238.4 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 prior law, cash repatriated to the United States was 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, it has generally considered its offshore cash balances to be indefinitely invested outside the United States and had no plans to repatriate these cash balances. However, due to changes in U.S. tax laws as part of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, beginning in 2018 repatriated cash will generally not be subject to federal income taxes. The Company repatriated approximately $110 million in the second quarter of 2018 and will continue to consider opportunities to repatriate additional cash balances in a tax efficient manner. The Company is reviewing its intentions with respect to undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries. This review will be completed by the end of 2018 and, as provided for in SAB 118, the Company will make any necessary adjustments in the financial statements of future periods within the provided time frame.
The Company uses a notional pooling arrangement with an international bank to help manage global liquidity requirements. Under this pooling arrangement, the Company and its participating subsidiaries may maintain either a cash deposit or borrowing position through local currency accounts with the bank, so long as the aggregate position of the global pool is a notionally calculated net cash deposit. Because it maintains a security interest in the cash deposits, and has the right to offset the cash deposits against the borrowings, the bank provides the Company and its participating subsidiaries favorable interest terms on both.

48

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

During the six months ended July 1, 2018, the Company reported a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $5.6 million due to a stronger U.S. dollar relative to certain foreign currencies, most notably the Brazilian real, euro and Canadian dollar.
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 covenants currently require the Company to maintain a minimum level of interest coverage and a minimum level of net worth, as defined in the agreements. As of July 1, 2018, the Company’s interest coverage and net worth were substantially above the minimum levels required under these covenants.
The Company anticipates making additional contributions to its pension and postretirement plans of approximately $15 million during the remainder of 2018, which would result in total 2018 contributions of approximately $39 million. Future funding requirements beyond the current year will vary depending largely on actual investment returns, future actuarial assumptions, and legislative actions.
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 at fair value on a recurring basis 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 operations are located throughout the world, and the Company generally sells in the same countries where it produces with both revenue and costs transacted in the local currency. 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, geopolitical and cultural risks, but the risks are mitigated by diversification and the relative stability of the countries in which the Company has significant operations.
Prior to July 1, 2015, the Company used Venezuela's official exchange rate to report the results of its operations in Venezuela. As a result of significant inflationary increases, and to avoid distortion of its consolidated results from translation of its Venezuelan operations, the Company concluded that it was an appropriate time to begin translating its Venezuelan operations at an alternative exchange rate. Accordingly, effective July 1, 2015, the Company began translating its Venezuelan operating results and all monetary assets and liabilities in Venezuela using the alternative rate known as the SIMADI rate (replaced in 2016 by the DICOM rate). At July 1, 2018, the carrying value of the Company's net investment in its Venezuelan operations was approximately $2.1 million. In addition, at July 1, 2018, the Company's Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss included a translation loss of $3.8 million related to its Venezuelan operations which would need to be reclassified to net income in the event of a complete exit of the business or a deconsolidation of these operations.
At July 1, 2018, 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 an unfavorable position of $(0.6) million and $(1.7) million at at July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Natural gas and aluminum hedge contracts covering an equivalent of 5.0 million MMBTUs and 1,905 metric tons, respectively, were outstanding at July 1, 2018. 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 unfavorable position of $(1.8) million and a net favorable position of $1.0 million at July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. These contracts qualify as cash flow hedges and mature within twelve months of their respective reporting dates.
In addition, at July 1, 2018, 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 unfavorable position of $(0.3) million and $(0.6) million at July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
At July 1, 2018, the U.S. dollar had strengthened against most of the functional currencies of the Company's foreign operations compared to December 31, 2017, resulting in a translation loss of $39.9 million being recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss during the six months ended July 1, 2018.


49

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Restructuring and Impairment
Information regarding restructuring charges and restructuring-related asset impairment charges is provided in Note 6 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Information regarding new accounting pronouncements is provided in Note 2 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
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, 2017, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2018. 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 Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), we conducted an evaluation pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, ("the Exchange Act") of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that such controls and procedures, as of July 1, 2018, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, were effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. For this purpose, disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurring during the three months ended July 1, 2018, that materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


50

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, 2017, and in Part I - Item 1 - “Financial Statements” (Note 16 - “Commitments and Contingencies”) of this report.
Environmental Matters
The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party (PRP) at several environmentally contaminated sites not owned by the Company. All of the sites are also the responsibility of other parties. The Company's liability, if any, is shared with such other parties, but the Company's share has not been finally determined in most cases. In some cases, the Company has cost-sharing arrangements with other PRPs with respect to a particular site. Such agreements relate to the sharing of legal defense costs or cleanup costs, or both. The Company has assumed, for purposes of estimating amounts to be accrued, that the other parties to such cost-sharing agreements will perform as agreed. It appears that final resolution of some of the sites is years away, and actual costs to be incurred for these environmental matters in future periods is likely to vary from current estimates because of the inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental exposures. Accordingly, the ultimate cost to the Company with respect to such sites, beyond what has been accrued at July 1, 2018, cannot be determined. As of July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had accrued $19.6 million and $20.3 million, respectively, related to environmental contingencies. The Company periodically reevaluates the assumptions used in determining the appropriate reserves for environmental matters as additional information becomes available and, when warranted, makes appropriate adjustments.

Other legal matters
Additional information regarding legal proceedings is provided in Note 16 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 

51

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
4/02/18 - 5/06/18
 
5,575

 
$
51.95

 

 
2,969,611

5/07/18 - 6/03/2018
 
758

 
$
52.13

 

 
2,969,611

6/04/18 - 7/01/2018
 
2,529

 
$
52.96

 

 
2,969,611

Total
 
8,862

 
$
52.26

 

 
2,969,611

 
1
A total of 8,862 common shares were repurchased in the second quarter of 2018 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 February 10, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. A total of 2,030,389 shares were repurchased under this authorization during 2016. No shares were repurchased during 2017 or during the six-month period ended July 1, 2018. Accordingly, a total of 2,969,611 shares remain available for repurchase at July 1, 2018.

 
Item 6.
Exhibits.
 
Exhibit Index
 
 
10.
 
 
15.
 
 
31.
 
 
32.
 
 
101.
The following materials from Sonoco Products Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2017, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended July 1, 2018 and July 2, 2017, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

52

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:
August 1, 2018
By:
 
/s/ Barry L. Saunders
 
 
 
 
Barry L. Saunders
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(principal financial officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ James W. Kirkland
 
 
 
 
James W. Kirkland
 
 
 
 
Corporate Controller
 
 
 
 
(principal accounting officer)
 

53
Exhibit


EXHIBIT 15
August 1, 2018

Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549

Commissioners:

We are aware that our report dated August 1, 2018 on our review of interim financial information of Sonoco Products Company, which appears in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (File No. 333-206669, dated August 31, 2015 and as amended on November 1, 2017; File No. 333-206671, dated August 31, 2015; File No. 333-206672, dated August 31, 2015; File No. 333-206673, dated August 31, 2015; File No. 333-206674, dated August 31, 2015; and File No. 333-206675, dated August 31, 2015) and Form S-3 (File No. 333-213559, dated September 9, 2016) of Sonoco Products Company.

Very truly yours,

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina



Exhibit


EXHIBIT 31
I, Robert C. Tiede, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sonoco Products Company;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 1, 2018
 
By:
 
/s/ Robert C. Tiede
 
 
 
           Robert C. Tiede
 
 
 
           Chief Executive Officer





EXHIBIT 31
I, Barry L. Saunders, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sonoco Products Company;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 1, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Barry L. Saunders
 
 
 
 
 
Barry L. Saunders
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Exhibit


EXHIBIT 32
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
The undersigned, who are the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of Sonoco Products Company, each hereby certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, the accompanying Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2018, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the issuer.
August 1, 2018
 
 
 
/s/ Robert C. Tiede
 
 
Robert C. Tiede
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Barry L. Saunders
 
 
Barry L. Saunders
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Sonoco Products Company (the “Company”) and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. This certification accompanies the Form 10-Q and shall not be treated as having been filed as part of the Form 10-Q.