EX-99.1 3 a04-2971_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

 

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EXHIBIT 99.1

 

[LOGO]

 

Mercer International Inc.

 

MERCER

 



 

Safe Harbour Statement

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this presentation contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to results of operations and financial condition and business development activities, as well as capital spending and financing sources. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Mercer. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties, review Mercer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

March 1, 2004

 

[LOGO]

 

2



 

Mercer International – Investment Merits

 

      Low Cost NBSK Producer with World Class Assets

 

      Ideal Geographic Location Creates Unique Market Dynamics

      Positioned Strategically Relative to Emerging Markets

      Access to Stable, Low-Cost Fiber Sources

 

      Significant Leverage to Pulp Cycle

      Rapid Organic Growth

      Long-Term, Low-Cost Debt Financing in Place

 

      Undervalued Relative to Peer Group

 

3



 

Corporate History and Facilities Corporate History and Facilities

 

[CHART]

 

Stendal

552,000 tpy NBSK pulp (63.6% owned)

Greenfield construction on track

 

Rosenthal

300,000 tpy NBSK pulp

Low cost, high quality

Profitable history

 

Heidenau

35,000 tpy specialty paper

Wallpaper base with new non-wovens products

 

Fährbrücke

33,000 tpy specialty paper

Décor, greaseproof and pre-impregnated papers

 

4



 

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

 



 

Global Market Pulp

 

Global Pulp Demand by Grade

 

[CHART]

 

Global NBSK Pulp Demand

 

[CHART]

 

      Pulp Market at Approximately 44 Million Tonnes

      Total Pulp Demand Growth Averaging Approximately 3% Per Year

      28% is NBSK (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft)

 

6



 

Market Pulp Trade Flows

 

[GRAPHIC]

 

      Europe is a Significant Pulp Importer

 

      Best Markets are in the Center: Germany, Italy

 

7



 

EU Accession Countries

 

      Consumption Growth within these Countries should be Significant

 

      According to Jaakko Pöyry:

      2000-2015 Demand Growth in Eastern Europe Almost Twice Global Average

      Consumption Exceeds Production in Eastern European Accession Countries

      Per Capita Consumption is Currently Lower than Western European Countries – but Growth Rate is Expected to be Faster

 

[GRAPHIC]

 

Source: Paper Market and Paper Industry in Eastern Europe, Jaakko Pöyry, May 2003

 

8



 

Pulp Pricing Cycles

 

NBSK European List Pricing

 

[CHART]

 

      Steady Price Improvements Throughout 2003 with an Optimistic Outlook for 2004 and 2005

 

9



 

BUSINESS DETAILS

 



 

Mercer – A Global Scale NBSK Producer

 

      Rosenthal and Stendal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Total Tonnes (NBSK)

 

852,000

 

 

 

 

 

      Total Investment (millions)

 

 

 

Grants

 

375

 

Project Debt at Completion

 

820

 

Total Construction and Conversion Costs

 

1,176

 

 

 

 

 

      Number of Employees

 

1,090

 

 

 

 

 

      Annual Wood Consumption (millions)

 

 

 

Roundwood

 

2.5 m3

 

Residual Chips

 

2.0 m3

 

 

 

 

 

      Average Mill Production Cost

 

299/tonne

 

 

11



 

Rosenthal – An Unparalleled Success

 

      In 1999, Conversion of Rosenthal Mill to Kraft Pulp Production Created Unique Asset

      Approximately €361 Million Invested (€101 million from grants)

      Fastest Ever Start-up of an NBSK Facility

      Capacity Increased From 160,000 Tonnes to 300,000 Tonnes

 

      Strong Cost Position (€310/tonne*)

      Lowest Quartile From a Global Delivered Cost Perspective

 

[GRAPHIC]

 


* 2003 cash production costs

 

12



 

Stendal Project – Near Term Growth Driver

 

      €1 billion “Greenfield” Project is the Largest Industrial Project Investment in Eastern Germany

      Qualifies for €274 Million of Grants

      Capacity of 552,000 t/a

      Production of Saleable Pulp Scheduled for Q3, 2004

 

      Strong Cost Position (approx. €293/tonne*)

 

      Proximity to Rosenthal Allows for Operating Synergies

 

      Turnkey, Fixed-price EPC Contract (RWE)

 

[GRAPHIC]

 

Sources of Funding:

 

(MM)

 

Equity

 

100

 

Grants

 

274

 

Project debt

 

637

 

Other

 

26

 

Total

 

1,037

 

 


* engineering cost estimate

 

13



 

Stendal Project – On Budget and On Time

 

[GRAPHIC]

 

Percent Complete at December 31/03

 

Average Stage of Completion

 

92

%

Engineering

 

99.2

%

Procurement & Equipment

 

99.4

%

Delivery

 

 

 

Civil Works

 

92.8

%

Mechanical Erection

 

70

%

Start-up

 

Q3 2004

 

 

[GRAPHIC]

 



 

COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

 



 

Competitive Strengths

 

      One of Lowest Cost NBSK Producers in Industry

 

      World Class Assets

 

      Ideal Geographic Location

      Unique End Market Dynamics

      Shipping Cost and Customer Service Advantage

      Strong Fibre Supply

 

      Significant Leverage to Pulp Cycle

 

      Hedging Activities Protect Against Interest Rate and Currency Fluctuations

 

16



 

Low Cost NBSK Pulp Producer

 

DELIVERED CASH COST OF BSKP TO WESTERN EUROPE
ROSENTHAL vs. ALL MARKET PULP PRODUCERS

 

[CHART]

 

17



 

World Class Assets

 

      Highly efficient – Low Production Costs

 

      New facilities – Reduced Capital Requirements, Runability

 

Industry Structure of NBSK Producers

 

[CHART]

 

Source: Jakko Poyry, July 2002

 

18



 

Ideal Geographic Location

 

      Only Manufacturer in Europe’s Largest Pulp Import Market

 

      Bordering on Emerging Markets in Central and Eastern Europe

      Westernization” Will Drive Above Average Growth in Per Capita Consumption

 

      Access to Substantial, High Quality Fibre Supply

      Needs for Stendal Already Secured

 

      Proximity to Customers Reduces Transportation Costs and Provides Unique Customer Service Proposition

 

[GRAPHIC]

 

19



 

Strong Fibre

 

      High Quality Fibre Supply

      Rosenthal – Spruce

      Stendal – Pine

 

      Largest Consumer of Wood Chips in Germany

      Typically 1 Year Contracts

      Numerous Suppliers

 

      Low Historical Volatility in Wood Chip Pricing

      No Contracts Tied to Pulp Prices

 

[GRAPHIC]

 

 

 

Fibre Costs (per tonne)

 

 

 

1998

 

1999

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SFK

 

$

222

 

$

226

 

$

277

 

$

251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mercer

 

 

 

 

 

180

 

184

 

178

 

178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

no volatility

 

 

Notes:

SFK shown as per reported “adjusted fibre cost” representing current contract Dollar amounts shown are in Canadian dollars

 

20



 

Wood Procurement

 

[GRAPHIC]

 

21



 

Significant Leverage to Pulp Cycle

 

Impact on Operating Earnings

(effect of a $20/tonne change in pulp pricing per $100 invested)

 

 

[CHART]

 

Appendix 1 contains supporting data

 

Source: Company Reports

 

22



 

Long Term, Low Cost Debt Financing

 

      Project Financings Benefit Our Equity Holders

      Reduced Dilution

      No Cash Sweep

      Ring Fenced Structure

 

      Government Guarantees, of 80% of Debt, is Maximized

      Resulting in Low Cost Financing Structure

 

 

 

Rosenthal

 

Stendal

 

Size

 

191.7

m(1)

668

m(2)

 

Term

 

15 years
amortizing

 

Financing Cost

 

6.8%

 

5.6%

 

 

 

(cap to ‘07)

 

(est. fixed)

 

EBITDA(3) / Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

1.7

 

 

 

2002

 

1.9

x

 

 

 

2001

 

2.2

x

 

 

 

Notes:

 


1.  Amount outstanding as at December 31, 2003; Rosenthal had €25.1 million of restricted cash at such date

2.  Initial permanent amounts available under the project facility

3. For discussion of EBITDA and limitations see page

 

23



 

Hedging Benefits

 

      Protect Against Currency Movements

      Monetized Currency Hedges in 2003 Fourth Quarter

      Have Opportunity to Enter into New Contracts

 

      Fix Interest Costs

      Interest Rates Fixed at Favorable Levels

 

24



 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS &
VALUATION

 



 

Historical Financial Performance

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

(€ millions)

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

258.9

 

216.4

 

239.1

 

194.6

 

Operating EBITDA(1)

 

73.7

 

36.3

 

24.5

 

19.6

 

Operating Income (loss)

 

49.7

 

13.3

 

(1.1

)

(4.5

)

Net Income (loss)

 

32.0

 

(2.8

)

(6.3

)(2)

(3.6

)(2)

per share

 

1.90

 

(0.17

)

(0.38

)(2)

(0.21

)(2)

Operating Cash Flow

 

43.4

 

30.4

 

40.4

 

31.4

 

per share

 

2.57

 

1.80

 

2.41

 

1.86

 

Operating EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest coverage

 

4.8

2.2

1.8x

 

1.7x

 

 

Note:

 


1.  For discussion of EBITDA and limitations see page 32

2.  Excluding items related to the Stendal project, net income would have been €12.8 million and €3.1 million, or €0.76 and € 0.18 per share for the years ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

26



 

Valuation

 

      Price to book multiples

 

[CHART]

 

Adjusted - adds back the €43.2 million of Stendal non-cash mark-to-market unrealized derivative holding losses

 

Appendix 2 contains supporting data

 

Source: Company Reports

 

27



 

[LOGO]

Mercer International Inc.

 

[CHART]

 

[CHART]

 

 

28



 

Mercer International – Investment Merits

 

      Low Cost NBSK Producer with World Class Assets

 

      Ideal Geographic Location Creates Unique Market Dynamics

      Positioned Strategically Relative to Emerging Markets

      Access to Stable, Low-Cost Fiber Sources

 

      Significant Leverage to Pulp Cycle

      Rapid Organic Growth

      Long-Term, Low-Cost Debt Financing in Place

 

      Management Believes Undervalued Relative to Peer Group

 

29



 

Appendix 1

Significant Leverage to Pulp Cycle

 

Impact on Operating Earnings

(effect of a $20/tonne change in pulp pricing per $100 invested)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pope &
Talbot

 

 

 

Mercer

 

 

 

Aracruz

 

Canfor

 

Tembec

 

 

SFK

 

current

 

2005e(1)

 

Capacity (000 t/a)

 

2,400

 

1,173

 

2,228

 

830

 

338

 

300

 

852

 

Shares Outstanding (mil.)

 

1,030.7

 

81.3

 

85.8

 

15.6

 

59.3

 

17.1

 

27.7

 

Leverage per share

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.52

 

$

1.06

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share price (2)

 

$

3.50

 

$

11.27

 

$

9.43

 

$

17.61

 

$

7.60

 

$

6.35

 

$

6.35

 

Leverage per $100

 

$

1.33

 

$

2.56

 

$

5.51

 

$

6.03

 

$

1.50

 

$

5.53

 

$

9.67

 

 

Notes:

 


1. Assumes a total of 10.645 million underlying shares issued through convertible debentures

2. US dollar prices as of December 31, 2003

 

chart on slide 22

 

Source: Company Reports

 

30



 

Appendix 2

Relative Book Valuation

 

      Price to Book Multiples

 

(US$millions)

 

Aracruz

 

Canfor (1)

 

Tembec (1)

 

Pope & Talbot

 

SFK Pulp (1)

 

Mercer (1)

 

(Adjust’d) (2)

 

Market Cap.

 

3,612

 

709

 

626

 

275

 

348

 

109

 

109

 

Book Equity

 

1,801

 

723

 

904

 

146

 

393

 

167

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Price to Book

 

2.01

 

0.98

 

0.69

 

1.89

 

0.89

 

0.65

 

0.49

 

 

Notes:

 


1. Translated to US dollars based on the December 31, 2003 exchange rate of $1.2597/

2. Adds back the €43.2 million of Stendal mark-to-market unrealized derivative losses.

 

chart on slide 27

 

Source: Company Reports

 

31



 

EBITDA

 

EBITDA as presented herein refers to Operating EBITDA, defined as income from operations plus depreciation and amortization.  Management uses Operating EBITDA as a benchmark measurement of its own operating results, and as a benchmark relative to its competitors.  Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from operations as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.  Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.  Operating EBITDA as calculated by us may differ from Operating EBITDA as calculated by other companies.

 

32



 

EBITDA Reconciliation

 

 

 

For the Year Ended
December 31, 2003

 

For the Year Ended
December 31, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss, per income statement

 

(3,593

)

(6,322

)

Add (less):  Minority interest

 

(5,647

)

(10,965

)

Income taxes (recovery)

 

3,172

 

(264

)

Other expense

 

1,527

 

16,406

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

(4,541

)

(1,145

)

Add:  depreciation and amortization

 

24,105

 

25,614

 

Operating EBITDA

 

19,564

 

24,469

 

 

33