OfficeMax Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- OfficeMax® Incorporated (NYSE:OMX), a leading provider of office and facility supplies, technology and services, today announced the results for its fiscal second quarter ended June 29, 2013. 

Consolidated Results

Reported Results

Total sales were $1,533.0 million in the second quarter of 2013, as compared to $1,602.4 in the second quarter of 2012.  For the second quarter of 2013, OfficeMax reported an operating loss of $0.9 million compared to operating income of $23.1 million in the second quarter of 2012, and a net loss available to OfficeMax common shareholders of $10.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to net income of $10.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2012.  

Adjusted Results

"Sales declined in the second quarter, which impacted profitability compared to the prior year period.  We continue to implement cost reduction measures to align our expenses with our revenue base and expect second-half profit performance to improve versus the first half.  Further, we're pleased to have received additional cash proceeds from our Boise investment in July, bolstering our strong balance sheet," said Ravi Saligram, President and CEO of OfficeMax.  "In spite of secular challenges and an uneven economic recovery, we remain committed to restoring sales growth by evolving our business model to focus more on services, innovating new products and categories, growing our adjacencies, and building our omnichannel capabilities."

*Adjusted sales, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating income margin, adjusted net income available to OfficeMax common shareholders, and adjusted diluted income per share are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the effect of certain items and charges described in the footnotes to the accompanying financial statements.  A reconciliation to the company's GAAP financial results is included in this press release.

Excluding the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, the impact of stores closed and opened, and the difference in the number of business days in the quarter compared to the same quarter last year, adjusted sales for the second quarter of 2013 decreased 4.1% from the second quarter of 2012. 

For the second quarter of 2013, adjusted operating income was $10.8 million, or 0.7% of sales, compared to $21.0 million, or 1.3% of sales, in the second quarter of 2012; and adjusted net income available to OfficeMax common shareholders was $1.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to $9.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2012. 

The second quarter of 2013 adjusted figures in the preceding paragraph exclude income of $4.5 million for the recognition of deferred gains related to OfficeMax's investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C. reflected in the Corporate and Other segment, as well as charges of $11.7 million in our Corporate and Other segment for certain costs related to our pending merger with Office Depot, and severance charges of $4.5 million primarily related to reorganizations in our Contract segment sales and supply chain operations.  The second quarter of 2012 adjusted figures exclude $2.1 million of dividend income from the investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C. Series A Units, which were subsequently redeemed in the first quarter of 2013.  The net effect of these items decreased net income by $11.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2013, and increased net income by $1.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2012.

Contract Segment Results

Contract segment sales decreased 3.3% compared to the prior year period to $849.7 million in the second quarter of 2013.  This decrease reflected a U.S. Contract operations sales decrease of 2.5% and an international Contract operations sales decrease of 5.2% in U.S. dollars (a decrease of 5.0% on a local currency basis).  The U.S. Contract performance reflects weaker sales to existing corporate accounts.

Contract segment gross profit margin decreased to 21.8% in the second quarter of 2013 from 22.3% in the second quarter of 2012, reflecting lower International Contract gross margins and flat U.S. Contract gross margins.  Contract segment operating, selling and general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased to 19.8% in the second quarter of 2013 from 19.4% in the second quarter of 2012, primarily due to deleveraging of expenses from lower sales and continued investments in growth and profitability initiatives.  Contract segment income was $17.1 million, or 2.0% of sales, in the second quarter of 2013 compared to $25.7 million, or 2.9% of sales, in the second quarter of 2012.

Retail Segment Results

Retail segment sales in the second quarter of 2013 decreased 5.6% to $683.4 million compared to the second quarter of 2012, reflecting a same-store sales decrease on a local currency basis of 3.6% primarily due to decreased traffic and lower technology product category sales.  The decrease reflected a U.S. Retail operations same-store sales decrease of 3.7%, and a Mexico retail operations same-store sales decrease of 3.4% on a local currency basis.

Retail segment gross profit margin was 29.5% in both the second quarter of 2013 and the second quarter of 2012 due to higher customer margins, offset by deleveraging of occupancy costs due to lower sales and an expiration of favorable purchase accounting for leases.  Retail segment operating, selling and general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 29.3% in the second quarter of 2013 and 29.1% in the second quarter of 2012, primarily due to deleveraging of expenses due to lower sales.  Retail segment income was $1.9 million, or 0.3% of sales, in the second quarter of 2013 compared to $2.8 million, or 0.4% of sales, in the second quarter of 2012. 

OfficeMax ended the second quarter of 2013 with a total of 932 Retail stores, consisting of 842 Retail stores in the U.S. and 90 Retail stores in Mexico.  During the second quarter of 2013, OfficeMax closed four stores in the U.S.; and opened one store and closed one in Mexico.  

Corporate and Other Segment Results

The Corporate and Other segment includes support staff services and certain other expenses that are not fully allocated to the Contract and Retail segments.  Corporate and Other segment operating, selling and general and administrative expenses were $8.2 million in the second quarter of 2013 compared to $7.5 million in the second quarter of 2012. 

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of June 29, 2013, OfficeMax had total debt of $235.4 million, excluding $735.0 million of non-recourse debt related to the Wells Fargo-backed timber notes. 

During the first six months of 2013, OfficeMax generated $20.7 million of cash flow from operations and invested $48.3 million in capital expenditures. This cash flow from operations did not include the recently announced $72 million of proceeds received from Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C. in July 2013.   

Outlook

Third Quarter 2013

Based on the current environment, OfficeMax anticipates that total company sales for the third quarter will be lower than the third quarter of 2012, including the projected unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation.  Additionally, OfficeMax anticipates that for the third quarter of 2013, operating income margin will be lower than the adjusted margin rate for the prior year period, but higher than the 1.0% adjusted margin rate for the first half of 2013.   

Full Year 2013

For the full year 2013, OfficeMax anticipates total company sales will be lower than the prior year period, including the projected unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation.  For the full year 2013, OfficeMax anticipates adjusted operating income margin will be lower than the adjusted margin rate for the prior year, but higher than the 1.0% adjusted margin rate for the first half of 2013.

Outlook for operating income margin for both the third quarter and full year 2013 includes the negative impact from the expiration of the favorable purchase accounting for leases related to the 2003 acquisition of the U.S. Retail business, and discontinuation of dividend income due to the redemption of the Boise Cascade Holdings L.L.C. units.  Together the discontinuation of these items reduce adjusted operating income by approximately $5 million in the third quarter and $18 million for the full year 2013. 

The company's full year 2013 outlook also includes the following:

• Capital expenditures of approximately $80-90 million, primarily related to investments in IT, ecommerce, infrastructure improvements, and maintenance
• Depreciation & amortization of approximately $75-80 million
• Pension expense of approximately $2-3 million, and cash contributions to the frozen pension plans of approximately $3 million
• Interest expense of approximately $66-68 million and interest income of approximately $42-44 million
• Adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 34%
• Cash flow from operations, excluding costs related to our pending merger with Office Depot, to exceed capital expenditures
• A net reduction in total Retail square footage for the year, with U.S. activity including the expected closing of 25-30 stores, selective relocation and downsizing of stores, and selective openings of smaller store concepts; Mexico activity including an expected five store openings and two closures

Merger Update

On February 20, 2013, OfficeMax and Office Depot announced their entry into an agreement to combine their companies in a merger of equals. On July 10, 2013, stockholders of both companies approved the merger.  On July 29, 2013, based on integration planning work to date, the companies reaffirmed confidence in the ability to realize $400-600 million of total annual cost synergies by the end of the third year following the close of merger.  The companies continue to work cooperatively with the FTC as it conducts its review of the proposed combination, and remain optimistic that the merger will close by the end of calendar year 2013.

"We are extremely pleased with the progress of our joint integration planning teams, which will facilitate a smooth transition for all of our stakeholders and allow us to begin capturing identified cost synergies immediately following the close of our pending merger transaction," said Saligram.

Additional information about the merger process can be found in the "Investors" section of the OfficeMax website.

Conference Call Information

OfficeMax will host a webcast and conference call with analysts and investors to review its second quarter 2013 financial results today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time).  The live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed via the Internet by visiting the OfficeMax website at investor.officemax.com.  The webcast and a podcast will be archived and available online for one year following the call and will be posted on the "Quarterly Earnings" page located within the "Investors" section of the OfficeMax website.

About OfficeMax

OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in integrating products, solutions and services for the workplace, whether for business or at home.  The OfficeMax mission is simple: We provide workplace innovation that enables our customers to work better.  The company provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions, and furniture to businesses and consumers.  OfficeMax consumers and business customers are served by approximately 28,000 associates through OfficeMax.com; OfficeMaxWorkplace.com and Reliable.com; more than 900 stores in the U.S. and Mexico; and direct sales and catalogs. OfficeMax has been named one of the 2013 World's Most Ethical Companies, and is the only company in the office supply industry to receive Ethics Inside^® Certification by the Ethisphere Institute.  To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX.  For more information, visit www.OfficeMax.com.

All trademarks, service marks and trade names of OfficeMax Incorporated used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of OfficeMax Incorporated. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made in this document and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of OfficeMax and Office Depot constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding both companies' future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future.  OfficeMax and Office Depot cannot guarantee that the macroeconomy will perform within the assumptions underlying their respective projected outlook; that their respective initiatives will be successfully executed and produce the results underlying their respective expectations, due to the uncertainties inherent in new initiatives, including customer acceptance, unexpected expenses or challenges, or slower-than-expected results from initiatives; or that their respective actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on them.  In addition, forward-looking statements could be affected by the following additional factors, among others, related to the business combination: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement or the failure to satisfy closing conditions; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals or third-party approvals for the transaction and the timing and conditions for such approvals; the risk that the synergies from the transaction may not be realized, may take longer to realize than expected, or may cost more to achieve than expected; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the ability to successfully integrate the businesses; unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities that may arise from the transaction, whether or not consummated; the inability to retain key personnel; future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely affect OfficeMax and Office Depot; and business plans of the customers and suppliers of OfficeMax and Office Depot.  The forward-looking statements made herein are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date they are made.  OfficeMax and Office Depot undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.  Important factors regarding OfficeMax and Office Depot that may cause results to differ from expectations are included in the companies' respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, under 1A "Risk Factors", and in the companies' other filings with the SEC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities in any jurisdiction in connection with the proposed merger of OfficeMax with Office Depot or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Office Depot has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a definitive Joint Proxy Statement of Office Depot and OfficeMax that also constitutes a definitive prospectus of Office Depot.  The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on June 7, 2013.  OfficeMax and Office Depot mailed the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to their respective shareholders in connection with the transaction on or about June 10, 2013.  INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OFFICE DEPOT, OFFICEMAX, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders are able to obtain free copies of the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by OfficeMax and Office Depot through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders are able to obtain free copies of the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed by OfficeMax by contacting OfficeMax Investor Relations at 263 Shuman Blvd., Naperville, Illinois 60563 or by calling 630-864-6800, and are able to obtain free copies of the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed by Office Depot with the SEC by contacting Office Depot Investor Relations at 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33496 or by calling 561-438-7878.

Reconciliation of non-GAAP Measures to GAAP Measures

In addition to assessing our operating performance as reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we evaluate our results of operations before non-operating legacy items, certain legacy operating items such as income associated with our Boise Investment, and certain other operating items such as store closure costs, costs related to our pending merger with Office Depot, and severance charges, all of which are not indicative of our core operations. We believe our presentation of financial measures before, or excluding, these items, which are non-GAAP measures, enhances our investors' overall understanding of our operational performance and provides useful information to both investors and management to evaluate the ongoing operations and prospects of OfficeMax by providing better comparisons. Whenever we use non-GAAP financial measures, we designate these measures as "adjusted" and provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most closely applicable GAAP financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. In the following tables, we reconcile our non-GAAP financial measures to our reported GAAP financial results.

Although we believe the non-GAAP financial measures enhance an investor's understanding of our performance, our management does not itself, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures we use may not be consistent with the presentation of similar companies in our industry. However, we present such non-GAAP financial measures in reporting our financial results to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate our operating results in a manner that focuses on what we believe to be our ongoing business operations.

SOURCE OfficeMax Incorporated