Cinram Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

Tue May 6, 5:38 PM

(All figures in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated)

TORONTO, May 6 /CNW/ - Cinram International Income Fund ("Cinram" or the "Fund") (TSX: CRW-UN.TO) today reported its first quarter financial results. The Fund recorded revenue of $406.6 million, down from $443.9 million in 2007. Earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA(1)) were $39.3 million in 2008 compared with $69.6 million in the first quarter of 2007. Excluding unusual items, first quarter EBITA was $42.7 million, down from $70.6 million in 2007.

"Our first quarter results were consistent with our expectations given the accelerated seasonality of our business," said Cinram chief executive officer Dave Rubenstein. "The decline in our first quarter EBITA compared to the first quarter of 2007 is not indicative of our outlook for the full year given that we were up against an unusually strong comparable period."

The Fund reported a net loss of $3.4 million or $0.06 per unit (basic) for the first quarter of 2008, down from net earnings of $7.2 million or $0.12 per share (basic) in 2007.

Segment revenue

First quarter home video revenue (which includes replication and distribution of DVDs and high-definition discs) was down 19 per cent to $249.0 million from $307.5 million in 2007 as a result of a decline in DVD replication revenue due to lower volumes and prices. We replicated 262 million DVDs in the first quarter of 2008, down 14 per cent from 305 million units in 2007, and we recorded DVD replication revenue of $180.2 million in the first quarter compared with $242.0 million in 2007. High-definition disc replication revenue increased to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $1.9 million in the comparable 2007 period.

    
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                                                 Three months ended March 31
    (in thousands of US$)                           2008                2007
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    Home Video                        $249,033       61%  $307,506       69%
    CD                                  47,432       12%    54,251       12%
    Printing                            51,191       13%    52,631       12%
    Video Game                          21,829        5%         -         -
    Other                               37,163        9%    29,558        7%
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                                      $406,648      100%  $443,946      100%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

CD segment revenue (which includes replication and distribution of CDs) decreased 13 per cent in the first quarter to $47.4 million from $54.3 million in 2007 due to lower replication revenue. Cinram recorded printing revenue for the first quarter of $51.2 million compared with $52.6 million in 2007. In the first quarter of 2008, Cinram finalized plans to close its printing facility in Vernon, California. The Fund incurred total costs of $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 related to this closure, $3.2 million of which was recorded in unusual items.

Cinram reported Video Game segment revenue of $21.8 million in the first quarter of 2008. This segment represents revenue from Ditan, which Cinram acquired in April 2007.

Revenue from our Other segment (which includes Giant Merchandising, the new handset distribution business and revenue from the acquisition of Vision Worldwide Management LLC (Vision)) increased to $37.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $29.6 million in 2007 due to the inception of the handset distribution business and the acquisition of Vision in the third quarter of 2007. This increase was offset by a 36 per cent decline in revenue from Giant Merchandising in the first quarter of 2008 to $18.8 million from $29.2 million in 2007 as a result of lower retail licence sales and the discontinuation of Giant's music tour segment. In December of 2007, Cinram initiated the rationalization of Giant's operations by relocating operations from Giant's facility in Commerce, California, to its existing Mexican facility. On May 2, 2008, the Fund completed the partial sale of Giant Merchandising's assets connected with its retail license business to a division of Li & Fung for cash proceeds of approximately $6.0 million. Giant's remaining operations in Commerce, California, are expected to be liquidated over the second and third quarters of 2008. The Fund is also pursuing a sale of Giant's remaining division.

Geographic revenue

First quarter North American revenue was down 16 per cent to $280.3 million from $333.0 million in 2007, as the increase in revenue from the Ditan acquisition and the new handset distribution business was more than offset by the performance of the core home video business and the decline in Giant Merchandising's sales. North America accounted for 69 per cent of first quarter consolidated revenue compared with 75 per cent in 2007.

European revenue increased 14 per cent in the first quarter to $126.4 million from $110.9 million in 2007, driven by stronger home video sales that were partially offset by lower CD distribution revenue. First quarter European revenue represented 31 per cent of consolidated sales compared with 25 per cent in the first quarter of 2007.

Other financial highlights

Gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, was down 20 per cent to $61.0 million from $76.5 million in 2007, and gross profit margins decreased to 15 per cent from 17 per cent in the first quarter of 2007, mainly as a result of lower volumes and selling prices for DVDs. Amortization expense from capital assets (property, plant and equipment), which is included in the cost of goods sold, decreased to $26.9 million from $35.3 million in the first quarter of 2007. Amortization of intangible assets decreased to $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $16.2 million in 2007 due to a reduction in intangible assets associated with the impairment charge of $16.8 million recorded at the end of 2007 as part of Cinram's annual impairment test.

Balance sheet and liquidity

The Fund had cash and equivalents on hand of $130.2 million and debt of $663.2 million (excluding unamortized transaction costs and loan fees), resulting in a net debt position of $533.0 million at March 31, 2008, compared with a net debt position of $624.1 million at the end of 2007. The Fund repaid all borrowings on its revolving credit facility during the first quarter of 2008. At March 31, 2008, the revolving credit facility has a zero balance. Working capital increased to $144.4 million at March 31, 2008, from $119.0 million at December 31, 2007, due to a higher net cash balance.

Unit data

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, the basic weighted average number of units/shares and exchangeable limited partnership units outstanding was 57.1 million compared with 58.4 million in the prior year.

    
    Reconciliation of EBITA and EBIT to net earnings (loss)

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Three months ended March 31
    (unaudited, in thousands of U.S. dollars)                 2008      2007
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    EBITA excluding unusual items                          $42,709   $70,601
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Unusual items                                            3,371     1,020
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    EBITA(1)                                               $39,338   $69,581
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Amortization of property, plant and equipment           26,907    35,336
    Amortization of intangible assets                       10,600    16,227
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    EBIT(2)                                                 $1,831   $18,018
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Interest expense                                        12,498    12,557
    Foreign exchange gain                                   (3,760)     (496)
    Investment income                                         (646)   (1,615)
    Income taxes (recovery)                                 (2,874)      400
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    Net (loss) earnings                                    $(3,387)   $7,172
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (1) EBITA is defined herein as earnings before interest expense,
        investment income, income taxes, amortization and foreign exchange
        gain. It is a standard measure that is commonly reported and widely
        used in the industry to assist in understanding and comparing
        operating results. EBITA is not a defined term under generally
        accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Accordingly, this measure
        should not be considered as a substitute or alternative for net
        earnings or cash flow, in each case as determined in accordance with
        GAAP. See reconciliation of EBITA to net earnings under GAAP as found
        in the table above.
    (2) EBIT is defined herein as earnings before interest expense,
        investment income, foreign exchange gain and income taxes, and is a
        standard measure that is commonly reported and widely used in the
        industry to assist in understanding and comparing operating results.
        EBIT is not a defined term under GAAP. Accordingly, this measure
        should not be considered as a substitute or alternative for net
        earnings or cash flow, in each case as determined in accordance with
        GAAP. See reconciliation of EBIT to net earnings under GAAP as found
        in the table above.
    

May 7 conference call and webcast

Cinram's management team will host a conference call to discuss its results on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. (ET). To participate, dial 416.644.3422 or 1.800.590.1817. The call will also be webcast live at http://investors.cinram.com/.

May 12 annual meeting of unitholders

Cinram International Income Fund will be holding its annual meeting of unitholders at 10 a.m. ET on Monday, May 12, 2008, at the Ivey ING Leadership Centre in Toronto (130 King St. West, ground floor, amphitheatre 2). Unitholders are welcome to attend. The meeting will also be webcast live from Cinram's website at http://investors.cinram.com/.

About Cinram

Cinram International Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, is the world's largest provider of pre-recorded multimedia products and related logistics services. With facilities in North America and Europe, Cinram International Inc. manufactures and distributes pre-recorded DVDs, audio CDs, and CD-ROMs for motion picture studios, music labels, publishers and computer software companies around the world. Cinram now also provides distribution and logistics services to the telecommunications industry in North America and Europe through its wireless subsidiaries. The Fund's units are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CRW.UN. For more information, visit our website at www.cinram.com.

Certain statements included in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Fund, or results of the multimedia duplication/replication industry, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, impact the demand for the Fund's products and services; multimedia duplication/replication industry conditions and capacity; the ability of the Fund to implement its business strategy; the Fund's ability to retain major customers; the Fund's ability to invest successfully in new technologies and other factors which are described in the Fund's filings with the securities commissions.

    
    INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     March 31    December 31
                                                         2008           2007
                                                   (unaudited)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                  $    130,189   $     68,406
      Accounts receivable                             360,192        588,551
      Inventories                                      48,835         42,822
      Income taxes receivable                          38,473         21,708
      Prepaid expenses                                 23,310         32,478
      Future income taxes                              18,853         19,337
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      619,852        773,302

    Property, plant and equipment                     454,235        463,374
    Goodwill                                           53,796         55,326
    Intangible assets                                 129,556        137,722
    Other assets                                       11,272         11,945
    Future income taxes                                 1,977          2,012
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 $  1,270,688   $  1,443,681
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    LIABILITIES AND UNITHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Bank indebtedness                          $          -   $     27,599
      Accounts payable                                141,738        233,902
      Accrued liabilities                             314,591        364,609
      Distributions payable                                 -          9,488
      Income taxes payable                              9,458          9,485
      Current portion of long-term debt                 6,750          6,750
      Current portion of obligations
       under capital leases                             2,493          2,462
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      475,030        654,295

    Long-term debt                                    650,666        651,778
    Obligations under capital leases                    5,814          6,187
    Other long-term liabilities                        32,093         30,986
    Derivative instruments                             35,305         22,495
    Future income taxes                                 9,815          7,870

    Unitholders' equity:
      Fund units                                      181,350        181,660
      Exchangeable limited partnership
       units                                              194            298
      Contributed surplus                                  87              -
      Deficit                                        (227,556)      (223,854)
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                                         107,890        111,966
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       61,965         70,070
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 $  1,270,688   $  1,443,681
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------



    INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
     AND RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)
    (unaudited, in thousands of U.S. dollars,
     except per unit/exchangeable LP unit amounts)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Three months ended March 31
                                                         2008           2007
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Revenue                                      $    406,648   $    443,946
    Cost of goods sold                                345,620        367,405
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Gross profit                                       61,028         76,541
    Selling, general and administrative
     expenses                                          45,226         41,276
    Amortization of intangible assets                  10,600         16,227
    Unusual items                                       3,371          1,020
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Earnings before the undernoted                      1,831         18,018
    Interest on long-term debt                         11,731         12,272
    Other interest                                        767            285
    Foreign exchange gain                              (3,760)          (496)
    Investment income                                    (646)        (1,615)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Earnings (loss) before income taxes                (6,261)         7,572
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Income taxes (recovery)                            (2,874)           400
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net earnings (loss)                                (3,387)         7,172

    Retained earnings (deficit), beginning of
     period as previously reported                   (223,854)       259,876
    Repurchase of units                                  (315)             -
    Distributions declared                                  -        (40,722)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Retained earnings (deficit), end of period   $   (227,556)  $    226,326
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Earnings (loss) per unit:
      Basic                                      $      (0.06)  $       0.12
      Diluted                                           (0.06)          0.12
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Weighted average number of units and
     exchangeable LP units outstanding,
     (in thousands):
      Basic                                            57,115         58,358
      Diluted                                          57,115         58,411
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------



    INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    (unaudited, in thousands of U.S. dollars)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Three months ended March 31
                                                         2008           2007
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net earnings (loss) for the period           $     (3,387)  $      7,172

    Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
      Unrealized gains on translating
       financial statements of
       self-sustaining foreign operations              18,172            159

      Gain (loss) on hedges of unrealized
       foreign currency translation gains              (9,904)         1,892

      Partial release of cumulative
       translation adjustment                             171              -
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Unrealized foreign exchange translation
       gains, net of hedging activities                 8,439          2,051
      Net unrealized loss on derivatives
       designated as cash flow hedges                 (12,514)        (1,546)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Other comprehensive income (loss)                  (4,075)           505
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Comprehensive income (loss)                  $     (7,462)  $      7,677
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------



    INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (unaudited, In thousands of U.S. dollars)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Three months ended March 31
                                                         2008           2007
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cash provided by (used in):
    Operating Activities:
      Net earnings (loss)                        $     (3,387)  $      7,172
      Items not involving cash:
        Amortization                                   37,507         51,563
        Future income taxes                             2,464         (1,557)
        Release of cumulative translation
         adjustment                                       171              -
        Non-cash interest expense                         444            297
        Other                                             290            (24)
      Change in non-cash operating working
       capital                                         69,083         61,957
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      106,572        119,408

    Financing Activities:
      Transaction costs                                     -         (2,414)
      Repayment of long-term debt
       and bank indebtedness                          (28,311)        (3,608)
      Decrease in obligations under
       capital leases                                    (343)          (169)
      Issuance of units                                     -             93
      Repurchase of units                                (730)             -
      Distributions paid                               (9,246)       (40,722)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      (38,630)       (46,820)

    Investing Activities:
      Purchase of property, plant
       and equipment                                  (11,984)       (13,969)
      Proceeds on disposition of property,
       plant and equipment                                496             53
      Decrease (increase) in other assets                 673        (14,507)
      Decrease in other long-term liabilities           1,107            182
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       (9,708)       (28,241)

    Foreign currency translation gain
     on cash held in foreign currencies                 3,549            312
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Increase in cash and cash equivalents              61,783         44,659
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
     of period                                         68,406        152,681
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period     $    130,189   $    197,340
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Supplemental cash flow information:
      Interest paid                              $     12,435   $     12,423
      Income taxes paid                                11,549         11,274
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

Contacts

Lyne B. Fisher
Tel: (416) 321-7930
lynefisher@cinram.com