SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 29, 1997
W. R. GRACE & CO.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-12139 65-0654331
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(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.
incorporation)
One Town Center Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33486-1010
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 561/362-2000
Item 5. Other Events.
On October 29, 1997, W. R. Grace & Co. ("Company") announced its
consolidated results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
The Company's October 29, 1997 press release and accompanying financial and
statistical data are filed as an exhibit hereto and are incorporated by
reference herein.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
The Company's October 29, 1997 press release and accompanying
financial and statistical data are filed as an exhibit hereto.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
W. R. GRACE & CO.
-------------------------------------
(Registrant)
By /s/ Kathleen A. Browne
-----------------------------------
Kathleen A. Browne
Vice President and Controller
Dated: November 4, 1997
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W. R. GRACE & CO.
Current Report on Form 8-K
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Press Release dated October 29, 1997 and accompanying
financial and statistical data
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
W. R. Grace & Co.
One Town Center Road
Boca Raton, FL 33486-1010
GRACE NEWS
CONTACT: Mary Lou Kromer
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
561/362-1331 or
Chuck Suits
Media Relations
561/362-2600
GRACE REPORTS THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS
COMPARABLE E.P.S. UP 52%; OPERATING MARGIN ACHIEVES 15%
CRYOVAC PACKAGING EARNINGS UP 23%
CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS REPORTS RECORD SALES AND EARNINGS
GRACE DAVISON EARNINGS UP 14% FROM PREVIOUS QUARTER
BOCA RATON, Florida, October 29, 1997 -- W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA)
reported third quarter comparable earnings from continuing operations,
excluding special items, of $.91 per share, up 52 percent versus $.60 per share
in the prior-year third quarter.
The special items were long-term incentive compensation expenses
related to the pending transaction between Grace and Sealed Air Corporation,
and a partially offsetting gain on a real estate sale. Including the special
items, basic earnings per share from continuing operations were $.80, up 33
percent.
"Grace businesses achieved outstanding performance improvement," said
Larry Ellberger, Grace's Chief Financial Officer. "Grace Construction Products
had an all-time record quarter in sales and earnings, the Cryovac packaging
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business had a record third quarter in sales and earnings, and Grace Davison
earnings were up significantly compared to the second quarter."
"Both Packaging and Construction Products achieved operating income
levels more than 20 percent over the year-ago quarter. Grace Davison reported
an increase of 14 percent versus the second quarter of this year. These
excellent results were achieved notwithstanding the strength of the US dollar
versus currencies of other countries in which Grace operates," he added.
The company continued its emphasis on cost control, which resulted in
an overall operating margin (earnings before interest and tax as a percent of
sales) of 15 percent, excluding the special items, and nearly two percentage
points higher than the prior-year quarter.
Income from continuing operations of $67 million, before special
items, increased 23 percent compared to $54 million in the prior-year quarter,
and was up 28 percent excluding currency translation.
The special expense consisted of an accrual under Grace's long-term
incentive compensation program, which is linked to Grace stock appreciation
relative to the performance of the S&P Industrial 400. "The 34 percent market
appreciation of Grace stock in the quarter was very positive and an indication
of favorable market receptivity to our pending transaction with Sealed Air. It
has impacted third quarter earnings, as Grace share price performance is a key
element of Grace's current long-term incentive compensation program," said
Ellberger.
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Although the company will not pay the compensation until after the
close of the performance period, it recognizes the expense on a "mark to
market" basis, and the payment levels will be based on stock performance by
year-end 1997.
Total sales of $833 million were up nearly four percent compared to
$803 million in the prior-year quarter, excluding sales from divested units.
Sales were up nearly nine percent excluding currency translation. Sales growth
was largely driven by Packaging and Construction Products and double-digit
growth in North America for all Grace businesses, including Grace Davison.
For the nine month period, income from continuing operations of $176
million was up 13 percent before the special items. Excluding divested units,
sales were up four percent. Excluding currency translation, earnings were up 19
percent and sales up eight percent year-to-date. The overall operating margin
was 13.6 percent, up more than two percentage points versus the 1996 nine-month
period.
Net income of $71 million for the 1997 third quarter included $12
million from discontinued operations, primarily relating to the divested Grace
Cocoa unit. 1996 third quarter net income of $2,520 million included $2,466
million from Grace's former health care unit, National Medical Care, and the
gain on its disposal.
Capital expenditures for the company year-to-date were $165 million,
compared to $345 million in the prior nine-month period. Year-to-date operating
free cash flow was in excess of $200 million.
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"For the full year 1997, we expect to meet our previously stated
performance goals of 14 percent EBIT margin, operating free cash flow of $150
million and capital expenditures below $300 million," said Ellberger.
Following are highlights of business unit performance, excluding the
special items:
GRACE PACKAGING
Grace Packaging, a global leader in flexible plastic packaging
(Cryovac(R)) and container sealants (Darex(TM)), reported that pretax income
rose 20 percent to $85 million and sales increased 4.4 percent to $528 million.
Currency translation penalized the unit's sales and earnings by approximately
five percentage points.
CRYOVAC
Cryovac earnings of $78 million were up more than 23 percent and sales
of $461 million rose six percent, compared to the prior-year quarter. Excluding
currency translation, sales were up 11 percent and earnings up 29 percent.
Sales grew at double-digit rates in North America and Latin America,
largely due to increased sales of products serving the fresh red meat and
smoked and processed meats market segments. Growth in the Americas was further
fueled by added sales of cook-in bags, laminates and fresh produce packaging,
primarily from the Schurpack and Cypress acquisitions. Demand for films for
industrial and consumer applications increased globally, particularly in Latin
America and Asia Pacific, and strong reception to recently introduced thinner
gauge, high-performance films continued. Excluding currency
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translation, sales were up nearly eight percent in Europe and 13 percent in
Asia Pacific.
Cryovac achieved an operating margin of 17 percent, a 2.4 percentage
point improvement compared to the prior-year quarter.
"Cryovac is continuing its aggressive cost management efforts,"
Ellberger said, "including its previously announced plan to cut $35 million in
global manufacturing costs on an annualized basis in 1998."
In August, Grace announced that it had entered into a definitive
agreement with Sealed Air Corporation to combine its Cryovac packaging business
with Sealed Air to create a new publicly owned company. The tax-free
transaction, which has been valued by the market at approximately $5 billion
for Grace and its shareholders, will create the world's leading protective and
specialty packaging company. The transaction is expected to be completed in
early 1998 pending approval by both companies' shareholders.
DAREX
Sales of $68 million for Darex container sealants and coatings
declined approximately four percent compared to the prior-year quarter, but
were up about two percent excluding the effect of currency translation.
Earnings were down nine percent.
Reception to the Darex(TM) oxygen scavenging sealants for bottled beer
continues to gain momentum, although sales are still at a modest level.
GRACE DAVISON
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Grace Davison, a leading global supplier of refinery and petrochemical
catalysts and silica products, posted operating income of $24 million, up 14
percent compared to the second quarter of 1997, and nearly seven percent
compared to the year-ago quarter despite lower pricing for fluid cracking
catalysts (FCC). Sales of $176 million were down one percent compared to the
1996 quarter, but up five percent excluding the effect of currency translation.
"Grace Davison's performance has progressively improved through the
year despite the significant impact of currency translation," said Ellberger.
Grace Davison's third quarter results reflected stronger FCC volume in
North America, improved efficiencies in a new silica plant in Malaysia, the
continuing impact of worldwide cost reduction programs and the start-up of a
new petrochemical plant in Asia using Davison polyolefin catalysts, as well as
the overall strength of the plastics industry. The FCC volume increase was
primarily due to higher refinery utilization rates, reflecting refined product
demand.
GRACE CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
Grace Construction Products, a leading global supplier of specialty
construction chemicals and specialty building materials, reported record sales
and earnings. Operating income rose 28 percent to $17 million. Sales of $129
million were up eight percent compared to the prior-year quarter and up 10
percent excluding currency translation.
Sales grew within every product group and in every region of the
world, although sales slowed somewhat in Southeast Asia due to disturbances in
the
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economies of certain countries in the region. The business unit continued to
see strong sales growth of new value-added specialty construction chemicals,
including anti-corrosion and anti-shrinkage concrete admixtures, and specialty
building materials, including new waterproofing products and fireproofing
materials.
Last week, an American Society of Civil Engineers foundation
recognized Grace's Eclipse(TM) shrinkage reducing concrete admixture for its
"Innovative Application" in the construction industry, noting that it provides
a creative and cost-effective solution to improving the design and quality of
concrete.
"By focusing on new value-added products and cost management,
Construction Products has continued to improve its operating performance," said
Ellberger. The business reported an operating margin of 13.2 percent, up two
percentage points from the prior-year quarter.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
As part of its announcement regarding the Cryovac/Sealed Air
transaction, Grace indicated that, prior to the two businesses being merged,
Grace's specialty chemicals businesses will become a new publicly traded
company that will be spun off to Grace shareholders. The new company, to be
called W. R. Grace & Co., will include Grace Davison, Grace Construction
Products and Darex Container Products.
On October 13 the company reported that Chairman, President and CEO
Albert J. Costello had suffered a heart attack and would undergo bypass
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surgery. Ellberger was appointed Acting CEO and will continue in that role
while Costello recuperates from the successful surgery he underwent last week.
Grace indicated that the company expects to take restructuring charges
associated with the Sealed Air/Cryovac merger in the fourth quarter.
Grace is a leading global supplier of flexible packaging and specialty
chemicals with annual sales of approximately $3.5 billion. The company operates
in more than 100 countries.
NOTE: Grace defines "operating free cash flow" as cash flow from continuing
operations, excluding the cash impacts of financing, asbestos, environmental,
restructuring and other such special charges.
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W. R. GRACE & CO.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
($ MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE)
THIRD QUARTER YEAR-TO-DATE
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1997 1996 1997 1996
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Sales $833.1 $ 821.3 $2,460.7 $2,603.2
Other income 12.9 8.2 36.5 26.3
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Total $846.0 $ 829.5 $2,497.2 $2,629.5
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Cost of goods sold and operating expenses $499.2 $ 503.9 $1,492.4 $1,565.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses 163.3 151.6 467.9 546.5
Depreciation and amortization 47.8 43.4 145.5 134.2
Interest expense and related financing costs 19.2 18.2 58.6 54.9
Research and development expenses 23.3 22.5 66.9 75.0
Provision for restructuring -- -- 12.4 53.7
(Gain) on sales of businesses -- -- (103.1) (326.4)
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Total $752.8 $ 739.6 $2,140.6 $2,103.6
Income before income taxes $ 93.2 $ 89.9 $ 356.6 $ 525.9
Provision for income taxes 34.5 35.5 134.1 192.9
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Income from continuing operations $ 58.7 $ 54.4 $ 222.5 $ 333.0
Income from discontinued operations 12.4 2,465.5 12.4 2,584.4
-------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income $ 71.1 $2,519.9 $ 234.9 $2,917.4
======== ========== ========== ==========
Basic Earnings Per Share
Continuing operations before special items $ .80 $ .60 $ 2.27 $ 1.62
Continuing operations $ .80 $ .60 $ 3.01 $ 3.48
Net Income $ .97 $ 27.66 $ 3.18 $ 30.64
Basic Average number of shares (millions) 73.7 91.1 73.9 95.2
Primary Earnings Per Share:
Continuing operations before special items $ .77 $ .58 $ 2.20 $ 1.59
Continuing operations $ .77 $ .58 $ 2.92 $ 3.42
Net income $ .93 $ 26.99 $ 3.08 $ 30.02
Average number of shares (millions) 76.0 93.4 76.2 97.2
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W. R. GRACE & CO.
OPERATING RESULTS
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
($ MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE)
PERCENT
1997 1996 CHANGE
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Sales:
Packaging $528.2 $ 506.1 4.4%
Davison 175.9 177.7 (1.0)
Construction products 128.9 119.1 8.2
Other -- 18.4(b) (100.0)
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Total sales $833.0 $ 821.3 1.4
Operating Income:
Packaging $ 75.0 $ 70.3 6.7
Davison 19.6 22.8 (14.0)
Construction products 14.4 13.4 7.5
Other (1.0) 0.8 (225.0)
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Total operating income $108.0 $ 107.3 0.7
Other Expenses/(Income):
Interest/financing $ 19.2 $ 18.2(c) 5.5
Other (4.4)(a) (0.8) 450.0
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Total other expenses $ 14.8 $ 17.4 (14.9)
Pretax operating earnings $ 93.2 $ 89.9 3.7
Provision for income taxes 34.5 35.5 (2.8)
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Income from continuing operations $ 58.7 $ 54.4 7.9
Income from discontinued operations 12.4 2,465.5(d) (99.5)
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Net Income $ 71.1 $2,519.9 (97.2)%
========== ============
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Continuing Operations $ 0.80 $ 0.60 33.3%
Net Income $ 0.97 $ 27.66 (96.5)%
Basic average number of shares (millions) 73.7 91.1 (19.1)%
Primary Earnings Per Share:
Continuing operations $ 0.77 $ 0.58 32.5%
Net Income $ 0.93 $ 26.99 (96.6)%
Average number of shares (millions) 76.0 93.4 (18.6)%
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(a) Primarily includes income from sale of fixed asset.
(b) Results primarily include Dearborn and Specialty Polymers.
(c) After allocating interest/financing expenses to discontinued
operations.
(d) Includes gain on NMC separation.
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W. R. GRACE & CO.
OPERATING RESULTS
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
($ MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE)
PERCENT
1997 1996 CHANGE
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Sales:
Packaging $1,548.8 $1,474.5 5.0%
Davison 526.0 553.5 (5.0)
Construction products 359.7 317.6 13.3
Other 26.1(a) 257.6(d) (89.9)
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Total sales $2,460.6 $2,603.2 (5.5)
Operating Income:
Packaging $ 220.8 $ 194.4 13.6
Davison 58.6 75.1 (22.0)
Construction products 33.5 21.7 54.4
Other 4.9 8.5 (42.4)
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Total operating income $ 317.8 $ 299.7 6.0
Other Expenses/(Income):
Interest/financing $ 58.6 $ 54.9(e) 6.7
Other (6.7)(b) (8.3)(f) (19.3)
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Total other expenses $ 51.9 $ 46.6 11.4
Pretax operating earnings before special items $ 265.9 $ 253.1 5.1
Provision for income taxes 98.4 97.8 0.6
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Income from continuing operations before
special items $ 167.5 $ 155.3 7.9
Special Items -after-tax
Provision for restructuring (8.0) (32.4) (75.3)
Gain on sale of businesses 63.0(c) 210.1(g) (70.0)
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Income from continuing operations $ 222.5 $ 333.0 (33.2)
Income from discontinued operations 12.4 2,584.4(h) (99.5)
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Net Income $ 234.9 $2,917.4 (91.9)%
========== ============ =========
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Continuing operations before special items $ 2.27 $ 1.62 40.1%
Continuing operations $ 3.01 $ 3.48 (13.5)%
Net Income $ 3.18 $ 30.64 (89.6)%
Basic average number of shares (millions) 73.9 95.2 (22.4)%
Primary Earnings Per Share:
Continuing operations before special items $ 2.20 $ 1.59 38.0%
Continuing operations $ 2.92 $ 3.42 (14.7)%
Net Income $ 3.08 $ 30.02 (89.7)%
Average number of shares (millions) 76.2 97.2 (21.6)%
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(a) Results primarily include Specialty Polymers.
(b) Primarily includes income from sale of fixed asset.
(c) Pretax gain of $103.1 on sale of Specialty Polymers.
(d) Results primarily include Dearborn and Specialty Polymers.
(e) After allocating interest/financing expenses to discontinued
operations.
(f) Primarily as a result of interest income from IRS.
(g) Includes divestments of Dearborn and Biopesticides.
(h) Includes gain on NMC separation.
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W. R. GRACE & CO.
GEOGRAPHIC DATA
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
SALES
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1997 INCL. 1997 DIVESTED 1997 EXCL. 1996 INCL. 1996 DIVESTED 1996 EXCL.
DIVESTED UNITS UNITS DIVESTED UNITS DIVESTED UNITS UNITS (a) DIVESTED UNITS
-------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
North America $446 -- $446 $414 $ 9 $405
Europe 228 -- 228 250 4 246
Latin America 57 -- 57 48 -- 48
Asia Pacific 102 -- 102 109 5 104
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Total $833 -- $833 $821 $18 $803
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OPERATING INCOME
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1997 INCL. 1997 DIVESTED 1997 EXCL. 1996 INCL. 1996 DIVESTED 1996 EXCL.
DIVESTED UNITS UNITS DIVESTED UNITS DIVESTED UNITS UNITS (a) DIVESTED UNITS
-------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
North America $ 67 -- $ 67 $ 55 -- $ 55
Europe 24 -- 24 30 -- 30
Latin America 9 -- 9 7 -- 7
Asia Pacific 8 -- 8 15 1 14
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Total $108 -- $108 $107 $ 1 $106
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(a) Third quarter 1996 divested product line was Specialty Polymers.
W. R. GRACE & CO.
GEOGRAPHIC DATA
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
SALES
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1997 INCL. 1997 DIVESTED 1997 EXCL. 1996 INCL. 1996 DIVESTED 1996 EXCL.
DIVESTED UNITS UNITS (a) DIVESTED UNITS DIVESTED UNITS UNITS (b) DIVESTED UNITS
-------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
North America $1,275 $12 $1,263 $1,265 $100 $1,165
Europe 705 6 699 824 95 729
Latin America 168 -- 168 180 38 142
Asia Pacific 313 7 306 334 23 311
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Total $2,461 $25 $2,436 $2,603 $256 $2,347
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OPERATING INCOME
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1997 INCL. 1997 DIVESTED 1997 EXCL. 1996 INCL. 1996 DIVESTED 1996 EXCL.
DIVESTED UNITS UNITS (a) DIVESTED UNITS DIVESTED UNITS UNITS (b) DIVESTED UNITS
-------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
North America $174 $ 1 $173 $153 $ 4 $149
Europe 84 1 83 80 3 77
Latin America 27 -- 27 22 (3) 25
Asia Pacific 33 2 31 45 1 44
-------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
Total $318 $ 4 $314 $300 $ 5 $295
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(a) 1997 divested product line is Specialty Polymers.
(b) 1996 divested product lines are Specialty Polymers and Dearborn.
