SEE Reports Q4 and Full Year 2021 Results

Provides 2022 Outlook

Net sales in Q4 of $1.5 billion, up 14% and in 2021 of $5.5 billion, up 13%
Net earnings in Q4 of $169 million, up 23% and in 2021 of $491 million, up 1%
   Adjusted EBITDA in Q4 of $330 million, up 18% and in 2021 of $1,132 million, up 8%
EPS in Q4 of $1.12, up 27% and in 2021 of $3.22, up 4%
   Adjusted EPS in Q4 of $1.12, up 26% and in 2021 of $3.55, up 11%
Cash flow from operations of $710 million, down 4% in 2021
   Accelerating growth investments, CapEx of $213 million, up 18%, in 2021

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2022-- SEE (NYSE: SEE) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2021 and provided its 2022 outlook.

“We delivered strong sales and earnings, overcoming dramatic inflationary, supply, and COVID challenges. Our results are a testament to our culture, people, and powerful SEE Operating Engine.

We are building a world-class, digitally empowered company, acting like a startup to disrupt the markets we serve, our industry, and ourselves.

These are exciting times for us. We are making bold moves - investing in our people, operations, and customers to create significant value for our stakeholders,” said Ted Doheny, SEE’s President and CEO.

Unless otherwise stated, all results compare fourth quarter 2021 results to fourth quarter 2020 results from continuing operations. Year-over-year financial discussions present operating results from continuing operations as reported. Year-over-year comparisons are also made on an organic basis and constant dollar basis, which are non-U.S. GAAP measures. Organic refers to changes in unit volume and price performance and excludes acquisitions in the first year after closing, divestiture activity and the impact of currency translation. Constant dollar refers to changes in net sales and earnings, excluding the impact of currency translation. Additionally, non-U.S. GAAP adjusted financial measures, such as Adjusted Earnings Before Interest Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"), Adjusted Net Earnings, Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share ("Adjusted EPS") and Adjusted Tax Rate, exclude the impact of specified items ("Special Items"), such as restructuring charges, restructuring associated costs, adjustments in the valuation of our "SEE Ventures" portfolio (which may include debt, equity method, or equity investments), gains and losses related to acquisition and divestiture of businesses, special tax items ("Tax Special Items") and certain infrequent or one-time items. Please refer to the supplemental information included with this press release for a reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures.

Fourth Quarter Financial and Business Segment Highlights

Fourth quarter net sales in Food were $877 million, an increase of 16% as reported. Currency had an unfavorable impact of $11 million, or 1.5%. On a constant dollar basis, net sales increased 17%, with favorable price of 11% and volume growth of 6%. Higher volumes, which were experienced across all regions, were mainly led by favorable demand in food service and automated equipment solutions. Adjusted EBITDA of $204 million, or 23.3% of net sales, increased 20% from $170 million, or 22.4% of net sales, in the prior year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to higher volumes and favorable price/cost spread.

Fourth quarter net sales in Protective were $655 million, an increase of 12% as reported. The divestiture of Reflectix, Inc. (“Reflectix”) and currency fluctuation had an unfavorable impact of approximately 1% each. On an organic basis, net sales increased 14%, with favorable price of 13% and volume growth of 1%. EMEA delivered volume growth of 7%, while Americas' volumes were flat and APAC's were down 4%. Adjusted EBITDA of $126 million, or 19.3% of net sales, increased 10% from $115 million, or 19.7% of net sales, in the prior year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to favorable price/cost spread partially offset by higher operating costs.

SEE divested Reflectix in fourth quarter 2021. Cash proceeds of the sale are expected to be approximately $65 million, net of tax payments of approximately $17 million to be paid in 2022. Reflectix was a wholly-owned subsidiary that sells branded reflective insulation solutions, with operations in Markleville, Indiana. The divestiture of Reflectix is part of SEE’s continued strategic realignment of its business portfolio.

U.S. GAAP Summary

Fourth Quarter 2021

Net sales of $1.5 billion increased 14% as reported in fourth quarter 2021. Currency had an unfavorable impact of $16 million, or 1%.

Net earnings were $169 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2021 as compared to net earnings of $138 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2020. Fourth quarter 2021 was favorably impacted by Special Items of $1 million. The after tax gain on the sale of Reflectix was predominantly offset by restructuring costs and Tax Special Items.

The effective tax rate in fourth quarter 2021 was 31.6%, compared to 25.6% in fourth quarter 2020, due to the unfavorable impact from the sale of Reflectix. The prior year effective tax rate was favorably impacted by the benefit of a valuation allowance release.

Full Year 2021

Full year 2021 net sales of $5.5 billion increased 13% as reported. Currency had a favorable impact of $68 million, or approximately 1%.

Full year 2021 net earnings were $491 million, or $3.22 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $484 million, or $3.10 per share, in full year 2020. Special Items had an unfavorable impact of $50 million in 2021, primarily attributable to Tax Special Items, restructuring related costs, and a loss on debt redemption, partially offset by the gain on the sale of Reflectix. Tax Special Items were primarily expense items attributable to increases in uncertain tax positions and revaluation of deferred tax assets. Comparatively, Special Items had an unfavorable impact of $14 million in 2020.

The effective tax rate for full year 2021 was 31.4%, compared to 22.7% for full year 2020. The 2021 effective tax rate included incremental tax expense items associated with the gain on the sale of Reflectix and legislative and administrative changes to enacted foreign statutes. The 2020 effective tax rate included benefits from U.S. GILTI regulations issued in 2020 and a valuation allowance release.

Non-U.S. GAAP Summary

Fourth Quarter 2021

Fourth quarter 2021 net sales increased approximately 15%, on a constant dollar basis benefiting from higher volumes and favorable price across all regions. Sales growth was led by the Americas, which increased 20% on an organic basis, followed by EMEA and APAC, which were up 13% and 4%, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA was $330 million, or 21.5% of net sales for fourth quarter 2021, as compared to $279 million, or 20.8% of net sales for the same period last year. The Adjusted EBITDA performance was primarily due to favorable price/cost spread and higher volumes.

The Adjusted Tax Rate was 26.2% in fourth quarter 2021 compared to 22.3% in fourth quarter 2020. The fourth quarter 2020 Adjusted Tax Rate included the benefit of a valuation allowance release.

Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $1.12 in fourth quarter 2021, as compared to $0.89 in fourth quarter 2020. The increase in adjusted earnings per diluted share was primarily attributable to higher Adjusted EBITDA.

Full Year 2021

Full year 2021 net sales increased 11%, on a constant dollar basis, benefiting from higher volumes and favorable price across all regions. Sales growth was led by the Americas, which increased 13% on an organic basis, followed by EMEA and APAC, which were up 12% and 6%, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA was $1,132 million, or 20.4% of net sales in 2021, compared to $1,051 million, or 21.4% of net sales for full year 2020. The improvement in Adjusted EBITDA was largely due to volume growth, partially offset by unfavorable price/cost spread on input cost inflation.

The Adjusted Tax Rate was 26.1% in 2021, compared to 24.5% in 2020. The 2020 Adjusted Tax Rate was favorably impacted by the issuance of U.S. GILTI regulations.

Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $3.55 for full year 2021 compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of $3.19 for full year 2020.

Cash Flow and Net Debt

Cash flow provided by operating activities during full year 2021 was $710 million, as compared to $737 million during 2020. Capital expenditures increased to $213 million during full year 2021 to support growth initiatives, as compared to $181 million during 2020. Free cash flow, defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, was a source of $497 million during full year 2021, as compared to a source of $556 million, during the prior year.

During full year 2021, the Company spent $403 million to repurchase 7.9 million of its shares, and paid cash dividends of $116 million.

Net Debt, defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents, decreased to $3.1 billion as of December 31, 2021 from $3.2 billion as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2021, SEE had approximately $1.7 billion of available liquidity, comprised of $561 million in cash and $1,141 million of undrawn, committed credit facilities.

Outlook for Full Year 2022

“We are executing on our strategy to achieve world-class performance. We are increasing investments in automation, digital and sustainability to generate attractive returns and drive double-digit EPS growth, while maintaining a strong balance sheet,” said Chris Stephens, SEE’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

For the full year 2022, SEE expects net sales in the range of $5.8 billion to $6.0 billion, or an increase of 5% to 8%, which includes an unfavorable currency impact of approximately 2% and unfavorable divestiture impact of approximately 1%.

Full year Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $1.20 billion to $1.24 billion, which includes an unfavorable currency impact of approximately 2%.

The Company forecasts full year Adjusted EPS to be in the range of $3.95 to $4.15, which is based on approximately 150 million shares outstanding and an anticipated Adjusted Tax Rate of approximately 26%.

Free Cash Flow in 2022 is expected to be in the range of $510 million to $550 million, with capital expenditures in the range of $240 million to $260 million. Cash tax payments are expected to be in the range of $205 million to $215 million, reflecting earnings growth, the unfavorable impact of previous U.S. tax reform, and $17 million on the Reflectix gain.

Conference Call Information

SEE will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss the Company's Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results. The conference call will be webcast live on the Investors homepage at www.sealedair.com/investors. A replay of the webcast will also be available thereafter.

About SEE

Sealed Air (NYSE: SEE) is in business to protect, to solve critical packaging challenges, and to make our world better than we find it. Our automated packaging solutions systems create a safer, more resilient and less wasteful global food supply chain, enable e-commerce, and protect goods transported worldwide.

Our globally recognized brands include CRYOVAC^® brand food packaging, SEALED AIR^® brand protective packaging, AUTOBAG^® brand automated systems, BUBBLE WRAP^® brand packaging, and SEE™ Touchless Automation™ solutions.

SEE’s Operating Model, together with our industry-leading expertise in materials, engineering and technology, create value through more sustainable, automated, and digitally connected packaging solutions.

We are leading the packaging industry in creating a more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable future and have pledged to design or advance 100% of our packaging materials to be recyclable or reusable by 2025, with a bolder goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions in our global operations by 2040. Our Global Impact Report highlights how we are shaping the future of the packaging industry. We are also committed to a diverse workforce and inclusive culture through our 2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pledge.

SEE generated $5.5 billion in sales in 2021 and has approximately 16,500 employees who serve customers in 114 countries/territories. To learn more, visit sealedair.com.

Website Information

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, www.sealedair.com, in the Investors section. We use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Non-U.S. GAAP Information

In this press release and supplement, we have included several non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including Net Debt, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted EPS, net sales on an “organic” and a “constant dollar” basis, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Tax Rate, as our management believes these measures are useful to investors. We present results and guidance, adjusted to exclude the effects of Special Items and their related tax impact that would otherwise be included under U.S. GAAP, to aid in comparisons with other periods or prior guidance. In addition, non-U.S. GAAP measures are used by management to review and analyze our operating performance and, along with other data, as internal measures for setting annual budgets and forecasts, assessing financial performance, providing guidance and comparing our financial performance with our peers and may also be used for purposes of determining incentive compensation. The non-U.S. GAAP information has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for U.S. GAAP information. It does not purport to represent any similarly titled U.S. GAAP information and is not an indicator of our performance under U.S. GAAP. Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures that we present may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by others. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on these non-U.S. GAAP measures. For a reconciliation of these U.S. GAAP measures to non-U.S. GAAP measures and other important information on our use of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, see the attached supplementary information entitled “Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” (under the section entitled “Non-U.S. GAAP Free Cash Flow”), “Reconciliation of Net Earnings and Net Earnings Per Common Share to Non-U.S. GAAP Adjusted Net Earnings and Non-U.S. GAAP Adjusted Net Earnings Per Common Share,” “Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Non-U.S. GAAP Total Company Adjusted EBITDA,” “Components of Change in Net Sales by Segment” and “Components of Change in Net Sales by Region." Information reconciling forward-looking U.S. GAAP measures to non-U.S. GAAP measures is not available without unreasonable effort.

We have not provided guidance for the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, as they are not available without unreasonable effort due to the high variability, complexity, and low visibility with respect to certain Special Items, including restructuring charges, adjustments in the valuation of our "SEE Ventures" portfolio (which may include debt, equity method, or equity investments), gains and losses related to acquisition and divestiture of businesses, the ultimate outcome of certain legal or tax proceedings, and other unusual gains and losses. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to our results computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “assume,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “potential,” “seek,” “predict,” “may,” “will” and similar references to future periods. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding expected future operating results, expectations regarding the results of restructuring and other programs, anticipated levels of capital expenditures and expectations of the effect on our financial condition of claims, litigation, environmental costs, contingent liabilities and governmental and regulatory investigations and proceedings.

The following are important factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements: global economic and political conditions, currency translation and devaluation effects, changes in raw material pricing and availability, competitive conditions, the success of new product offerings, consumer preferences, the effects of animal and food-related health issues, the effects of epidemics or pandemics, including the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), changes in energy costs, environmental matters, the success of our restructuring activities, the success of our financial growth, profitability, cash generation and manufacturing strategies and our cost reduction and productivity efforts, changes in our credit ratings, the tax benefit associated with the Settlement agreement (as defined in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K), regulatory actions and legal matters and the other information referenced in the “Risk Factors” section appearing in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as revised and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement made by us is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether because of new information, future developments or otherwise.

The supplementary information included in this press release for 2021 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The calculation of the non-U.S. GAAP Adjusted income tax rate is as follows: