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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 20-F
|_| REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or (g)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
|X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the transition period from to
Commission File Number 333-7238
COPAMEX, S.A. de C.V.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
COPAMEX, INC. THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
(Translation of Registrant's name (Jurisdiction of incorporation or
into English) organization)
Montes Apalaches 101
Residencial San Agustin
San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L. 66260, Mexico
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Act:
11.375% Series B Senior Notes Due 2004
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of
capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report:
Series A Shares, par value Ps.100 per share 6,000
Series B Shares, par value Ps.100 per share 385,248
Series C Shares, par value Ps.100 per share 133,152
Series D Shares, par value Ps.100 per share 625,600
Series E Shares, par value Ps.100 per share 19,322,610
Series F Shares, par value Ps.100 per share 7,981,590
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected
to follow:
Item 17 _ Item 18 X
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Part I ....................................................................1
ITEM 1. Description of Business.......................................1
ITEM 2. Description of Property......................................16
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings............................................17
ITEM 4. Control of Registrant........................................17
ITEM 5. Nature of Trading Market.....................................19
ITEM 6. Exchange Control and Other Limitations Affecting
Security-Holders.............................................19
ITEM 7. Taxation.....................................................20
ITEM 8. Selected Financial Data......................................25
ITEM 9. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations....................................29
ITEM 9-A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk....41
ITEM 10. Directors and Officers of Registrant.........................42
ITEM 11. Compensation of Directors and Officers.......................43
ITEM 12. Options to Purchase Securities from Registrant or Subsidiaries44
ITEM 13. Interest of Management in Certain Transactions...............44
Part II ...................................................................44
ITEM 14. Description of Securities to be Registered...................44
Part III ...................................................................44
ITEM 15. Default Upon Senior Securities...............................44
ITEM 16. Changes in Securities and Changes in Security for Registered
Securities...................................................44
Part IV ...................................................................44
ITEM 17. Financial Statements.........................................44
ITEM 18. Financial Statements.........................................44
ITEM 19. Financial Statements And Exhibits............................45
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Prior to December 2, 1997, Copamex, S.A. de C.V., or Copamex, was a
Mexican holding company whose assets included 72% of the shares of Copamex
Industrias, S.A. de C.V., or COINSA, a Mexican operating company engaged in the
production and sale of paper products. Copamex's assets also consisted of assets
not related to the paper business. On December 2, 1997, Copamex spun off those
assets that were not related to the paper business. In addition, on February 28,
1998, COINSA was merged into Copamex. As a result, the financial information
provided in this annual report from before January 1, 1997 relates only to
COINSA.
Effective January 1, 1996, the Mexican Congress approved the establishment
of a new currency unit, the Peso, which replaced the New Peso at the rate of one
Peso per one New Peso. Unless otherwise specified, all references to "U.S.
dollars," "dollars," "U.S.$" or "$" are to United States dollars, and references
to "Ps." and "pesos" are to Mexican pesos after the currency change. We publish
our financial statements in pesos that are adjusted to reflect changes in
purchasing power due to inflation. Thus, unless otherwise specified, financial
data presented in this annual report on Form 20-F have been restated in constant
pesos of December 31, 1999. Amounts contained in this annual report may not add
up or may be slightly inconsistent due to rounding.
Unless otherwise provided, the U.S. dollar amounts stated in this annual
report have been calculated for the convenience of the reader based on the noon
buying rate for pesos reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at
December 31, 1999, which was Ps.9.480 per U.S. dollar. You should not construe
any currency conversions contained in this annual report as representations that
the peso amounts actually represent such dollar amounts. Additionally, you
should not construe these conversions as representations that these peso amounts
have been, could have been or could be converted into dollars at those or any
other rates of exchange. On June 21, 2000 the noon buying rate was Ps. 9.815 per
U.S. dollar.
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We will provide without charge to each person to whom this annual report
is delivered, on the written or oral request of each such person, a copy of any
or all of the documents incorporated by reference (other than exhibits, unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). You
should direct written requests for such copies to us at Copamex, S.A. de C.V.,
Montes Apalaches 101, Residencial San Agustin, San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L.
66260, Mexico. Attention: Carlos Luis Diaz Saenz or Francisco Javier Elosua
Garza. Telephone requests may be directed to Carlos Luis Diaz Saenz to
011-528-152-6150, fax: 011-528-152-6159; and to Francisco Javier Elosua Garza to
011-528-152-6125, fax: 011-528-152-6129.
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Part I
ITEM 1. Description of Business
We are one of the largest Mexican producers of paper-based consumer
products and industrial paper products, which include packaging and printing and
writing paper products.
o Our consumer products include bathroom and facial tissue, paper towels,
paper napkins, feminine-care products, adult-care products, away-from-home
products and notebooks. Consumer products accounted for approximately 43%
of our net sales for 1999.
o Our packaging products include multi-wall bags, kraft paper, and beginning
around July 2000, will include corrugated containers. Packaging products
accounted for approximately 25% of our net sales for 1999.
o Our printing and writing products include cut-sized, bond and specialty
papers. In 1999, printing and writing paper accounted for approximately
27% of our net sales, while specialty paper accounted for approximately 5%
of our net sales.
We were founded in 1928, when the Maldonado Quiroga family of Monterrey,
our controlling shareholders, started a paper business in Monterrey.
Our business has grown rapidly over the past several years through the
combination of an aggressive capital investment program and strategic
acquisitions. From 1992 to 1999, we completed four significant acquisitions,
invested U.S.$217.6 million in capital expenditure projects and established
leading market positions in Mexico in all of our products categories. From 1995
to 1999, our net sales and EBITDA have grown by an average annual rate of 15.6%
and 20.1%, respectively. In 1999, our net sales were Ps.6,213 million, or
U.S.$655 million, and our EBITDA was Ps.1,191 million, or U.S.$126 million, with
an EBITDA margin of 19.2% of net sales. We define EBITDA as operating income
before amortization expense and depreciation.
The demand for our products has grown rapidly in the last several years,
and well in excess of the growth rate of the Mexican economy. For example,
demand for tissue paper has grown at an average of 5.4% per year from 1994 to
1999, or 1.7 times as fast as Mexican gross domestic product growth. At the same
time, demand for packaging paper has grown at an average of 7.4% per year, or
2.4 times as fast as Mexican gross domestic product growth. We believe that one
of the principal reasons for our growth has been the low relative consumption in
Mexico of the types of products that we produce. For example, per capita
consumption of consumer tissue products in Mexico is 28.9% of the levels in the
United States. We believe that we are well-positioned to benefit from projected
economic growth in Mexico and any associated increase in consumer purchasing
power.
Recent Operating Highlights
In recent years, we have transformed from primarily a producer of
industrial paper products to one of the premier producers of paper-based
consumer products in Mexico. In addition, we have been shifting the focus of our
industrial paper production towards converted, higher value-added products such
as cut-sized paper, multi-wall bags, corrugated containers and specialty papers.
We have also improved our cost structure through a strategy of fiber
self-sufficiency. We have created the largest network of recyclable paper
collection centers in Mexico, with five collection centers, and have established
four collection centers in the southwestern United States. In 1999, we supplied
approximately 59% of our virgin fiber requirements, 63% of our secondary fiber
requirements and 80% of our deinked pulp requirements.
The following are some of the highlights of our development in recent
years:
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o In September 1992, we acquired Consorcio Industrial Papelero, S.A. de
C.V., a major competitor and leading producer of industrial paper products
and tissue paper. This acquisition marked our entry into the consumer
products business, increased our market position in the industrial
products business and also allowed us to improve our profit margins
through our internal supply of kraft paper for multi-wall bag production.
o In December 1994, we acquired Celulosa y Papel Ponderosa, S.A. de C.V.,
also known as Pondercel, the leading bleached hardwood and softwood pulp
manufacturing company in terms of capacity in Mexico, and a producer of
135,000 metric tons of bond paper per year. This acquisition allowed us to
better control raw material costs and increased our position in the
printing and writing market.
o In October 1996, we entered the feminine-care market through our
acquisition of a 51% interest in Sancela, S.A. de C.V., the third largest
producer of feminine-care products in Mexico, in which SCA Hygiene
Products AB (formerly SCA Molnlycker AB) of Sweden is our partner. Since
then, we have nearly doubled our production and are now able to produce
over one billion units per year.
o In June 1997, we consolidated our position as a major tissue company when
we acquired a 67,000-metric ton-per-year tissue manufacturing facility,
the popular tissue brand name Regio and a renewable 25-year license for
the popular facial tissue brand name Scottis. This acquisition, together
with the installation of two tissue production lines between 1993 and
1996, brought our aggregate tissue production capacity to nearly 141,000
metric tons per year.
o In 1996-1998, we strengthened our notebook market share by acquiring the
well-known brand name Shock and installing a 13,840 metric ton-per-year
production plant. We also continued our strategy of diversifying across
consumer product lines by introducing adult-care and away-from-home
products.
o In January 1998, we began to expand our presence in the Central American
market by starting operation of a 4,300 metric ton-per-year tissue
converting machine and a 21.6 million unit-per-year multi-wall bag machine
in Costa Rica. We continued this strategy in the first quarter of 2000 by
acquiring a 70% interest in Industrias Unidas de Centro America, S.A., the
only tissue paper producer in Nicaragua, which has an annual capacity of
4,500 metric tons. We expect this acquisition to result in production and
administrative synergies with our Costa Rican operations.
o On June 1, 2000, one of our affiliates acquired, for approximately U.S.$27
million, all of the assets owned by Drypers Corporation in Mexico. These
assets consisted of equipment and working capital located in Guadalajara,
engaged in the production and sale of diapers in Mexico, and related
contract rights and intellectual property. We intend to enter into an
agreement to operate and manage the plant in Guadalajara where such assets
are located and to distribute such products, which will complement our
product lines. We also intend to acquire all of these assets when our
financial condition allows us to do so, without incurring debt. We cannot
assure you that we will acquire these assets at all or that we will be
able to do so without incurring debt. Drypers Corporation is a
publicly-traded U.S. corporation engaged in the production and sale of
diapers, training pants and baby wipes (quoted on NASDAQ).
o On June 21, 2000,we received from the creditors of Venepal, C.A., or
Venepal, an option to purchase on or before June 21, 2001, all of the
convertible subordinated bonds issued by Venepal. The exercise price of
this option is determined by a formula and will be between approximately
U.S.$1.5 million and U.S.$7.5 million. If we exercise this option, we will
be entitled to receive between approximately 63% and 75% of the shares of
capital stock of Venepal. In order to receive and maintain the right to
this option, we agreed to provide management services to Venepal and to
grant up to U.S.$5 million of credit to an operating subsidiary of
Venepal, which will be secured by accounts receivable and inventory of
that subsidiary. Venepal is a company organized under the laws of
Venezuela, engaged in the production of pulp, paper and paper products.
Its principal products include printing and writing paper, medium and
linerboard kraft paper, coated paper, corrugated containers, multiwall
bags and school and office supplies. Venepal is currently listed on the
Venezuelan stock exchange, and its main offices are located in Caracas,
Venezuela.
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The Mexican Consumer and Industrial Paper Products Market
General
Mexico's paper products market is the second largest in Latin America
after that of Brazil. According to estimates of the Mexican National Chamber of
the Pulp and Paper Industries, the total size of Mexico's paper products market
in 1999, based on apparent demand, was 4,824,091 metric tons. Apparent demand is
calculated on the basis of domestic production reported by Mexican
manufacturers, plus imports and minus exports. Apparent demand is a concept
similar to consumption, except that it does not reflect increases or decreases
in inventories. Apparent demand will not replicate consumption in any given
year; however, over a period of years, the two measures should tend to
approximate one another. The total apparent demand in 1999 was broken down as
follows:
o tissue paper accounted for 12.8%,
o packaging paper accounted for 54.2%,
o printing and writing paper accounted for 28.1%, and
o specialty paper accounted for 4.9%.
In 1999, Mexico had a production capacity of approximately 4,428,000
metric tons of paper. In the same year, 3,796,079 metric tons of paper were
produced, for a capacity utilization efficiency of 85.7% . During 1999, the
Mexican production of paper represented approximately 73.9% of apparent demand,
with imports accounting for the remaining 26.1%. In 1999, paper production grew
by 3.5% while apparent demand increased by 9.2%. Approximately 6.1% of the
Mexican production of paper was exported.
Tissue Paper
The table below shows historical Mexican apparent demand for tissue paper
in metric tons, calculated on the basis of domestic production of tissue paper
reported by Mexican manufacturers, plus imports and minus exports. This data was
derived from industry studies prepared by the Mexican National Chamber of the
Pulp and Paper Industries.
Mexican Apparent Demand for Tissue Paper
(all figures in metric tons)
Period to
Apparent Period
Year Production Imports Exports Demand Growth Rate
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1994........ 463,564 45,981 30,969 478,576 4.8%
1995........ 477,466 22,935 52,052 448,349 (6.3%)
1996........ 493,500 36,686 63,434 466,752 4.1%
1997........ 595,476 19,969 75,987 539,458 15.6%
1998........ 621,566 36,735 79,602 578,699 7.3%
1999........ 661,522 47,019 90,232 618,309 6.8%
Tissue paper includes, among other things, bathroom tissue, facial tissue,
paper towels and paper napkins. Despite a one-year drop in 1995 due to the
Mexican economic crisis, apparent demand has increased at an average of 5.4% per
year from 1994 to 1999. Production and exports have also grown in each of the
last six years as a result of increased demand both in and outside of Mexico. In
1999, tissue paper accounted for 17.4% of Mexico's total paper production.
Packaging Paper
The table below shows historical Mexican apparent demand for packaging
paper, including folding boxboard, in metric tons, calculated on the basis of
domestic production of packaging paper reported by Mexican
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manufacturers, plus imports and minus exports. This data was derived from
industry studies prepared by the Mexican National Chamber of the Pulp and Paper
Industries.
Mexican Apparent Demand for Packaging Paper
(all figures in metric tons)
Period to
Apparent Period
Year Production Imports Exports Demand Growth Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1994........ 1,718,259 223,187 101,441 1,840,005 6.4%
1995........ 1,771,788 170,895 226,740 1,715,943 (6.7%)
1996........ 1,890,565 244,908 118,814 2,016,659 17.5%
1997........ 1,956,656 368,636 65,644 2,259,648 12.0%
1998........ 2,093,492 404,907 58,959 2,439,440 8.0%
1999........ 2,167,651 530,857 82,822 2,615,686 7.2%
Packaging paper includes paper for multi-wall bags, wrapping, linerboard,
corrugated medium, folding boxboard, canes and tubes. Apparent demand for
packaging paper grew at an average annual rate of 7.4% during the period from
1994 to 1999, despite a general contraction during 1995 that affected domestic
demand for such products. However, domestic production increased by 3.1% in
1995, as export volume doubled in comparison with export volume in 1994.
As the Mexican economy began to recover in 1996, apparent demand has
grown, leading to an increase in production and imports through 1999 and a
decline in exports through 1998. For 1999, packaging paper constituted 57.1% of
the total paper production in Mexico. Apparent demand for paper for multi-wall
bags grew at an average annual rate of 1.5%, and for packaging paper at an
average annual rate of 7.4%, during the period from 1994 to 1999.
The consumers of multi-wall bags are primarily cement companies and, to a
lesser extent, lime, flour, pet food and chemical companies. The primary
consumers for corrugated containers are the food, liquor and beer, paper,
cleaning products and home appliance industries.
Printing and Writing Paper and Specialty Paper
Printing and Writing Paper. The table below shows historical Mexican
apparent demand for printing and writing paper in metric tons, calculated on the
basis of domestic production of printing and writing paper reported by Mexican
manufacturers, plus imports and minus exports. This data was derived from
industry studies prepared by the Mexican National Chamber of the Pulp and Paper
Industries. It does not include apparent demand for specialty paper.
Mexican Apparent Demand for Printing and Writing Paper
(all figures in metric tons)
Period to
Apparent Period
Year Production Imports Exports Demand Growth Rate
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1994........ 653,264 581,557 973 1,233,848 14.8%
1995........ 774,009 244,269 106,115 912,163 (26.1%)
1996........ 808,387 244,146 53,978 998,555 9.5%
1997........ 915,949 353,885 45,704 1,224,130 22.6%
1998........ 931,276 352,596 88,324 1,195,548 (2.3%)
1999........ 945,449 463,277 55,056 1,353,670 13.2%
Apparent demand in Mexico for printing and writing paper grew at an
average annual rate of 5.3% during the period from 1994 to 1999. In 1995,
despite the general contraction of domestic apparent demand, production of
printing and writing paper grew by 18.5% due to an increase of exports of paper
rolls and cut-sized
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paper. In 1999, total apparent demand for printing and writing paper increased
as a result of a general increase in private and government sector consumption
of industrial paper products.
In 1999, printing and writing paper accounted for 24.9% of Mexico's total
paper production. Bond and coated paper accounts for much of the apparent demand
for the printing and writing paper. In 1999, exports of such papers represented
5.8% of total printing and writing paper production in Mexico in that year.
In general, Mexico receives more imports of printing and writing paper in
times of low global demand if, after giving effect to the cost of freight and
the value of the peso relative to foreign currencies, foreign producers can
still sell competitively in Mexico.
Specialty Paper. Specialty paper includes paper that has undergone special
additional processes and all other paper products that do not clearly fall under
the other paper classifications. This sector is dominated by imports, which have
represented between 80% and 90% of apparent demand in the last five years.
Production has remained relatively stagnant in the last five years because there
has not been further investment in capacity. In 1999, specialty paper accounted
for 0.6% of Mexico's total paper production. Exports are insignificant. See
"--Our Products--Printing and Writing Products--Specialty Paper."
Pricing
For similar-quality products, Mexican consumer and industrial paper
products prices tend to roughly approximate United States prices plus freight
cost and tariffs. Competition within Mexico also has an effect on prices, and
this effect is most significant on consumer products. The international price of
pulp and paper also affects prices, and this effect is most significant on
printing and writing products. See "Item 9--Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Mexican Economic Factors" and
"--The International Pulp and Paper Products Market."
In addition, because the paper industry is highly capital intensive,
prices may also be affected by industry capacity-utilization rates and by
significant additions of new capacity.
We believe that, because we convert the paper we produce into value-added
products such as bathroom and facial tissue, away-from-home products, notebooks,
multi-wall bags and copying paper, our exposure to industry pricing cycles is
mitigated because, historically, fluctuations in prices for converted products
have been less than fluctuations in prices for unconverted paper.
The prices of our products in Mexico are also affected by a number of
other factors, including:
o brand image,
o customer service,
o quality control,
o proximity to customers and industrial centers,
o printing specifications,
o volume of production runs,
o the cost of transporting converted products, and
o resistance specifications.
NAFTA has reduced trade barriers among the United States, Mexico and
Canada. At the time NAFTA was adopted, multi-wall bags and industrial and tissue
paper in Mexico were protected by a 10% tariff. Under NAFTA, tariff and other
barriers have been gradually disappearing. Mexico maintains a protective tariff
on kraft paper for bags, multi-wall bags, tissue paper and glassine paper of 3%
in 2000, declining 1% per year to 0% in 2003. Mexico does not impose a tariff on
all other paper products originating from the United States.
We do not believe that the elimination of Mexican tariffs under NAFTA has
affected or will affect our competitive position in any meaningful way. We
believe that tariffs on paper products before NAFTA were not significant enough
to deter competition from American and Canadian companies. In addition, we
believe that
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Mexican companies in our industry already had developed international efficiency
and quality standards to compete effectively against foreign products before the
tariffs were reduced. We also believe that NAFTA may tend to shorten the lag
time between price changes in the U.S. and Mexican packaging and paper
industries and provide us with increased opportunities for the export of our
products.
In October 1998, following antidumping investigations on cut-sized bond
paper imports from the United States, Mexico imposed countervailing duties
ranging from 5.3% to 17.7% on imports from U.S. producers. Under Mexican law, a
countervailing duty remains in effect for five years but is subject to annual
review by the Ministry of Commerce and may be increased, reduced, extended or
canceled.
We believe that Mexico will enter into a trade agreement with the European
Union in the second half of 2000. We do not believe that we face significantly
increased competition from any country outside of North or Central America,
because shipping costs represent a significant barrier to enter the Mexican
market from those countries. The tariff imposed by Mexico on the consumer paper
products that we produce is 20% and on the industrial paper products that we
produce is 13% for all countries not having any trade agreement with Mexico.
Our Products
Our production can be divided into three main product groups:
o the consumer products group, which produces bathroom and facial
tissue, paper towels, paper napkins, adult-care products,
feminine-care products, away-from-home products and notebooks,
o the packaging products group, which produces kraft paper and
multi-wall bags and is expected to begin producing corrugated
containers around July 2000, and
o the printing and writing products group, which produces cut-sized
paper, bond paper and specialty paper.
The table below presents our total annual installed capacity as of
December 31, 1999, and actual production for 1999 by product. Annual installed
capacity was calculated on the basis of 24-hour, 365 days' continuous
production. Actual production is expressed in metric tons, unless otherwise
noted.
Installed Actual Operating
Product Category Capacity Production Rate
------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Consumer Products
Tissue products......... 141,000 131,658 93.4%
Feminine-care products(1) 1,363 934 68.5
Away-from-home products.. 4,000 3,677 91.9
Notebooks................ 13,840 7,539 54.5
Packaging Products
Packaging paper......... 242,000 222,501 91.9
Multi-wall bags(1)...... 576 453 78.7
Printing and Writing
Products
Printing and writing paper 230,000 198,469 86.3
Specialty paper.......... 28,000 22,309 79.7
-------------------------
(1) In millions of units.
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Consumer Products
Tissue Products. We are the second largest producer in Mexico of tissue
products such as bathroom and facial tissue, paper towels and paper napkins. We
sell these products primarily under our own or licensed brand names through
retail stores and wholesalers. Our leading brands include Regio, Lovly and Tessy
for bathroom tissue, paper napkins and paper towels, Scottis for facial tissue
and Boreal for paper towels and napkins. We also produce consumer products for
sale by large retail stores under their brand names. Our production of tissue
paper, produced at three of our paper mills, reached 131,658 metric tons in
1999. Of this production, approximately 82.1% was sold under our brands, 9.8%
was sold under the private or generic brand names of our consumer products
customers and 8.1% was sold as jumbo rolls.
Feminine-Care Products. We believe that we are the third largest producer
of feminine-care products in Mexico. We sell our extensive line of products to
the public under the brand name Saba through retail stores in Mexico. In 1999,
we produced 934.3 million units of feminine-care products.
Away-From-Home-Products. We are the third largest producer of
away-from-home products in Mexico. Away-from-home products include bathroom
tissue, rolled towels and folded towels that are typically used in restaurants,
hotels, office buildings and factories. We also sell soap and paper dispensers
to complete our portfolio of away-from-home products. We began selling
away-from-home products in 1998. We currently have an installed capacity of
4,000 metric tons per year.
Notebooks. We are the third largest producer of notebooks in Mexico. We
produce our notebooks using internally-produced bond paper. The notebooks are
then sold to the public through retail stores under our brand names, including
Shock, which is one of the leading brand names. In March 1998, we increased our
production capacity by 10,000 metric tons per year through our capital expansion
plan.
Adult-Care Products. We began to offer adult-care products in 1998 under
the brand name Tena. We sell these products to the public through retail stores
and drugstores in Mexico. We currently import these products from the United
States.
Packaging Products
Packaging Paper. We are the largest producer in Mexico of kraft paper in
terms of production volume for multi-wall bags and third for kraft paper
overall, which is the paper commonly used for packaging. Kraft paper is made
from secondary fiber. We use kraft paper in the production of:
o multi-wall bags for packaging cement, lime, corn flour, gypsum, pet
food and chemical products, and
o natural color bags to use in consumer good stores and white color
bags to pack flour.
We are able to produce a wide variety of kraft paper, in terms of weight,
consistency and resistance to achieve the characteristics required by customers.
Kraft paper is sold in rolls of varying widths, depending on the capacity of the
converting machinery on which it will be used. Our production of kraft paper,
which is produced at two of our paper mills, reached 222,501 metric tons in 1999
and satisfied our entire requirements for the production of multi-wall bags. Of
this production, we sold approximately 54% of our kraft paper to third parties
and we converted the remainder into finished products.
Multi-Wall Bags. We are the leading producer in Mexico in terms of units
produced of multi-wall bags for the largest Mexican cement, pet food, chemical
products, gypsum, corn flour and lime producers. We produce a wide variety of
bags, including pasted valve, sewn open mouth, pinch bottom and laminated bags.
Our multi-wall bags are high-resistance containers that are designed to be
reliable in adverse filling, handling, transportation, warehousing and
distribution conditions. The multi-wall bags are made from kraft paper also
produced by us. Our production of multi-wall bags, produced at five packaging
plants, reached 453.3 million bags in 1999.
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Corrugated Containers. We are planning to start the production of
corrugated containers around July 2000 through the installation of a 36,000
metric ton-per-year production line. We will make our corrugated containers
using internally-produced kraft paper. We will produce corrugated containers of
various grades and sizes, with high quality graphics and design features and
both natural kraft and bleached liners. We expect to use a portion of our
production internally and sell the remainder to Mexican industrial products
companies.
Printing and Writing Products
Printing and Writing Paper. We are the second largest producer in Mexico
in terms of production volume of bond paper, the paper commonly used for
printing, writing and photocopying. Bond paper is made from bleached pulp using
short and long fibers and deinked pulp and has a smooth, fine appearance. We
produce bond paper, mainly for the commercial sector for use in typing and
printing by publishing houses and lithographers in the preparation of books,
continuous forms and lottery tickets, for copying by high-speed copying machines
and for stencil machines. Our bond paper includes notebook paper, white
cardboard paper and copy paper. We believe we are the largest supplier to the
publishing industry in Mexico.
We are also able to produce a wide variety of bond paper in order to
achieve the characteristics required by customers. In 1999, we produced 198,469
metric tons of bond paper at four of our paper mills. Of this production,
approximately 90% was sold to third parties, of which approximately 43% was sold
as cut-sized bond paper.
We have the production capability and technical expertise to produce
high-quality cut-sized bond paper. We are qualified to sell our cut-sized bond
paper to Xerox for resale under the Xerox brand. We also sell bond paper under
our brands Facia, Vision and Fastway.
Specialty Paper. We are the largest producer in Mexico in terms of
production volume of specialty paper products for both industrial and consumer
products companies. Our production of specialty paper, which is produced at two
of our paper mills, reached 22,309 metric tons in 1999. The table below presents
these products and their application. These are niche-market products.
Product Application
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cookie liner Resists humidity and grease; used for packing cookies.
Humidity-resistant For milk containers, milk and cheese paper packaging and
paper paper cones.
Candy cup stock For chocolate, candy and biscuit packing.
Release paper For the back of self-adhering labels.
Wax base paper For the bags in cereal boxes and for packing popsicles.
Opaque glassine Grease-resistant, for printing and lamination.
Full liner Aluminum-laminated paper for packing food products.
Anti-mold paper Treated with anti-fungal agents for wrapping soaps.
Surgical wrap For packaging syringes.
Liner For lining carton cylinders, which are used for nylon
strings.
Carbonless paper For airplane tickets, bank deposit slips and other
types of payment slips.
Sales and Marketing
Our customer base by product category is as follows:
Product Category Customer Base
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Products:
Tissue products For our brands, wholesalers, large Mexican
retail stores, convenience stores and government
stores and, for private label products, large
Mexican retail stores.
Feminine-care products Wholesalers, large Mexican retail stores,
convenience stores and government stores.
Away-from home products Restaurants, hotels, office buildings, and
factories.
Notebooks Wholesalers, large Mexican retail stores,
convenience stores and government stores.
-8-
<PAGE>
Adult-care products Wholesalers, large Mexican retail stores,
convenience stores, government stores and
pharmacies.
Packaging Products:
Packaging paper Industrial sector companies in Mexico that
manufacture bags for the packaging of industrial
products.
Multi-wall bags Companies in Mexico and abroad that manufacture
and pack cement, corn flour, gypsum, lime, pet food
and chemical products.
Corrugated containers Mexican industrial products companies.
Printing and Writing
Products:
Printing and writing Commercial sector companies in Mexico, consisting of
paper (bond paper) printers, editors and lithographers, and
governmental agencies.
Specialty paper Industrial and commercial sector companies in
Mexico depending on the specific use of the product.
In 1999, our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 30.7% of
our net sales. Sales to Grupo Cifra, a retail department store, Grupo Cemex, a
cement conglomerate, and Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales para los
Trabajadores del Estado, or ISSSTE, a government agency that owns and operates
small retail stores, our three largest customers, represented approximately
6.3%, 5.6% and 3.4% of net sales in such period, respectively. We do not believe
that the loss of any single customer would have a material adverse effect on our
business.
We currently use multiple marketing strategies for each of our product
categories, which vary and depend on the particular product line. The focus of
our strategy is to increase our geographic coverage and to increase our market
share.
For our consumer products, we continuously seek to introduce complementary
products. This strategy allows us to leverage our customer base to increase
sales and enhance our name in the marketplace. We are also developing line
extensions for our existing products to allow us to offer products in different
price points. This allows our customers to move up or down the quality spectrum
depending on their economic status.
Our advertising strategy includes:
o television and radio advertising campaigns,
o print advertising campaigns in news print media,
o direct mail campaigns to consumers,
o telephone marketing campaigns via our toll-free numbers, and
o internet-based campaigns through our web site which target younger
consumers.
We also periodically run special promotions for trial and awareness of
certain products, which include bonus packs, back-to-school promotions and
samples. We also license well-known images and brand names for use in our
products, such as Disney characters, to help promote new consumer products.
For our industrial paper products, our focus is to increase market share
through improvements in quality, service and customer orientation. Our emphasis
on quality is exemplified by requirements we have met and surpassed to receive
certain certifications, such as the ISO 9002. We also have the capability to
customize our products to meet specific customer requirements and have a
technical support staff in place to assist our customers after the point of
sale.
The marketing and promotion of our industrial paper products is targeted
to attending and sponsoring various conventions, fairs and expositions and
advertising in trade magazines. We regularly have booths and provide technical
presentations at such events.
-9-
<PAGE>
In addition to our marketing staff, we maintain a specialized sales force
of over 109 people. Our sales force serves the dual purpose of maintaining good
customer relations through constant and direct contact with consumers and
continuing the development of our relationships with key distributors.
Our sales offices in Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara handle the
promotion and sale of our products. We make our sales on the basis of a single
price list, though discounts may be given for clients who meet certain
standards, including volume. We make our sales generally on the basis of
periodic purchase orders at current prices referenced to international market
prices. We do not have long-term supply contracts with our customers.
Distribution
We have a distribution system comprised of distribution centers covering
every principal geographic area of Mexico, including the cities of Mexico City,
Guadalajara, Monterrey, Culiacan, Torreon, Tijuana and Villahermosa. Our
distribution system includes eight distribution centers for our consumer
products and three distribution centers for both our printing and writing
products and packaging products divisions, allowing reliable and prompt
delivery.
All of our consumer products are processed through our distribution
centers. Approximately 79% of our industrial products are received directly by
our major customers while the remaining 21% are processed through our
distribution centers. We also use wholesalers to reach our small customers and
in regions that are far from our distribution centers.
Approximately 92% of our shipments are handled by external freight
transportation service providers and the remaining 8% of the shipments are
handled by our own fleet. Our fleet includes both owned and leased trucks and
trailers. We are currently increasing our fleet selectively in our principal
routes to reduce logistical costs.
We do not have exclusivity arrangements with our distributors except for
Convermat Corporation, which has an exclusive right to sell our jumbo rolls of
tissue outside of Mexico.
In Central America, we use distributors and sales agents to distribute our
products in Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica.
We have one distribution center for packaging products in Costa Rica.
We sell bags, pulp and tissue paper to Empresa de Asistencia y Servicios,
or Union del Cemento, Cubapel and Vibas, respectively. The first two are Cuban
state-owned companies while the third is a private company operating in Cuba.
These sales represent less than 1% of our total net sales. Current information
regarding our business dealing with Cuba may be obtained from the Department of
Banking and Finance of the State of Florida, 101 E. Gaines St., Fletcher
Building, Room 601, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0350, telephone number (904) 488-0286.
Market Share and Competition
The following description of market share and competition factors for our
most significant products excludes pulp and recyclable paper because a
significant portion of the production of these products is destined for internal
consumption in the further manufacturing of paper products.
Consumer Products
Tissue Products. We are the second largest producer of tissue paper in
Mexico in terms of sales volume after Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, known as KCM.
Our tissue paper brands include Regio, one of the most-widely recognized
consumer brand names in the Mexican tissue market and the number two brand
overall for bathroom tissue, Scottis, the number two brand overall for facial
tissue, Tessy, Lovly and Boreal.
Feminine-Care and Adult-Care Products. We believe that we are the third
largest producer and seller of feminine-care products in Mexico after KCM and
Procter & Gamble, known as P&G. Sancela sells feminine-care products under the
brand name Saba and adult-care products under the brand name Tena.
-10-
<PAGE>
Away-From-Home Products. We are relatively new participants in the
away-from-home market. We began selling away-from-home products in 1998. In our
first year of operations, we controlled a 9.5% share of the Mexican market
measured by volume, giving us the number three position in Mexico in this
segment. We have a complete portfolio of products and address all of the
economic segments. We use the Benefit brand in this segment.
Notebooks. We believe that we are the third largest producer of notebooks
in Mexico in terms of production capacity after KCM and Carvajal/Norma. KCM
accounts for a substantial majority of the notebook market. We sell notebooks
under the brand names Shock, which is one of the most widely-recognized brands
in the Mexican notebook market, Wow, Class, Facia and Milenium.
Packaging Products
Packaging Paper. We are the largest Mexican producer in terms of units
produced of kraft paper for multi-wall bags and the third largest producer of
kraft paper overall. The principal competitors in Mexico include Grupo
Industrial Durango, S.A. de C.V. and Smurfit Carton y Papel de Mexico, S.A. de
C.V., both producers with substantial operations in containerboard and
industrial paper. Imports accounted for a significant portion of the remainder
of Mexican sales.
Multi-Wall Bags. We believe we are the largest producer of multi-wall bags
in Mexico in terms of units produced, and estimate that we produce approximately
four times as many multi-wall bags as the next largest producer, Productora de
Bolsas de Papel, S.A. de C.V. This producer, which is a subsidiary of Grupo
Cemex, the leading Mexican cement maker, supplies all of its production to its
affiliates. We also sell multi-wall bags to Grupo Cemex, which is our largest
customer for that product. Imports have not been a significant factor in this
market.
Printing and Writing Products
Printing and Writing Paper. We are the second largest producer of bond
paper in Mexico in terms of production volume after KCM. Imports represented a
significant portion of the remainder of Mexican sales. Our bond paper brands
include Facia, Vision and Fastway, among others.
Specialty Paper. Imports account for the majority of apparent demand for
specialty paper in Mexico. We are the largest producer of specialty paper in
Mexico in terms of production volume. The large presence of imports is primarily
due to the current limited production capacity available in Mexico.
Raw Materials
Raw materials constituted approximately 76.0% of our total cost of sales
in 1999. The principal raw materials used in our paper production processes are
pulp and wood, recyclable paper, chemicals, energy and water.
Pulp
Pulp is the principal raw material used in manufacturing paper products.
As a result of our acquisition of Pondercel in December 1994, the largest
bleached wood pulp mill in Mexico in terms of capacity, we were able to produce
internally approximately 59% of our virgin fiber requirements for the production
of paper in 1999. As our overall production of paper has increased, the
percentage of virgin fiber requirements produced internally has been decreasing.
We obtain the remaining virgin fiber from U.S., Canadian and Brazilian
producers. We believe that it is unlikely that we will have any problems
obtaining pulp because of our long-standing reciprocal relationship with our
suppliers and the general availability of pulp at prevailing international
market prices.
On average, the Pondercel plant produces approximately 144,000 metric tons
per year of short and long fiber depending on our needs. Short fiber, which is
currently made from oak, gives consistency to paper, while long fiber, which is
made from pine, gives the paper strength.
-11-
<PAGE>
We purchase wood, the basis for pulp, from Mexican suppliers and harvest
some trees in our own plantations. We have received permits from the Mexican
government, which are currently in effect, that allow us to produce and harvest
trees.
Energy
We purchase the power requirements for our production facilities from the
Comision Federal de Electricidad, the Mexican state-owned electric company,
except for the Pondercel mill, which generates its own power from an adjacent
energy plant which is powered by the steam generated by the pulp mill.
Chemicals
We use chemicals such as colorants, plastifiers, fungicides and fillers in
the production of paper, particularly specialty paper. These chemicals are
purchased from Mexican suppliers.
Recyclable Paper
Secondary fiber, which is made from recyclable paper, is the raw material
of preference for the production of kraft paper used in packaging and, if the
recyclable paper is of deinking grade quality, for the production of tissue
paper. We believe that we have the largest recyclable paper collection system in
Mexico in terms of tonnage collected and also collect recyclable paper and
cardboard in the states of Texas and New Mexico in the United States. The
recyclable paper we collect represented approximately 63% of our secondary fiber
needs in 1999. We purchase the remaining approximately 37% from a wide number of
suppliers located in Mexico and in different areas of the United States. We also
sell to third parties, from time to time, recyclable paper that does not meet
the specifications required for our production of paper products. We believe
that it is unlikely that we will encounter any problem in obtaining recyclable
paper at reasonable prices because of the large supply currently available in
the United States.
We collect recyclable paper and cardboard from large industrial customers
such as The Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation and from large
retail customers such as Wal-mart and Target. We generally enter into one- or
two-year collection contracts whereby we pick up the recyclable paper and
cardboard at our customers' stores and plants and pay a negotiated price per
metric ton. We have established nine collection centers in Mexico and the United
States for receipt of both collected and unsolicited recyclable paper and
cardboard. See "Item 2--Description of Property."
We believe that recyclable paper should become more available as the
Mexican population is made more aware of the impact of recycling on the
environment. To this effect, we have instituted a program called "Recicla y
Gana," or Recycle and Win, whereby people are encouraged to bring their
recyclable paper to local retail store chains in exchange for coupons for use in
such stores.
Water
The pulp and paper production process requires the use of significant
volumes of water. As some of our mills are located in areas where water is
scarce and therefore expensive, we seek to use it efficiently. We have installed
water recycling facilities in all of our mills. We believe that our water
supplies are sufficient for all existing and contemplated activities. At some of
our plants we have constructed wells to supply our water needs. We have obtained
all necessary permits and concessions for these wells from the National Waters
Commission, or Comision Nacional del Agua. Our other plants use municipal water
supplies.
In Ecatapec, we receive all of the water we use at our plant from KCM, one
of our competitors, pursuant to an agreement that expires in 2003. We believe
that KCM will renew that contract in 2003, because that contract allows KCM to
share its water costs with us. If they do terminate that contract, we will be
required to procure our own water supply in Ecatepec.
Insurance
The following are the most important insurance policies we maintain:
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<PAGE>
o all risk insurance for our plants and machinery for up to U.S.$210
million per event which includes coverage for physical damages and
interruption of operations and is subject to various sub-limits. Our
all risk insurance covers lost profits after the first seven days of
inoperability.
o civil liability insurance of U.S.$6 million combined limit. The
policy covers civil liability in respect of fixed assets and
activities, products sold in Mexico and abroad, including in the
United States and Canada, and leases.
o all risk freight insurance for up to Ps.12.5 million per shipment.
This insurance covers shipments originating from any point in the
world with destinations to any other point in the world.
Since January 1997, we have collected U.S.$6.8 million in insurance
proceeds related to five unrelated machinery breakdowns and other incidents,
none of which caused a significant disruption to our business.
We believe that our insurance coverage is adequate. We do not have any
outstanding or uncollected insurance claims.
Intellectual Property
We own and have duly registered in Mexico all of our 254 brands. We have
also registered our principal brands in Central America and the Caribbean. See
"--Market Share and Competition."
We also license the right to use Disney characters in our promotional
materials and packaging, generally pursuant to one-year agreements that we
regularly renew. We use the Scottis brand for our facial tissue pursuant to a
25-year license from KCM that is royalty free and renewable at our discretion.
We can use the Scottis and Regio brands only in Mexico. For our feminine-care
and adult-care products, we use production technology developed by SCA AB, our
joint venture partner in Sancela, pursuant to a license agreement.
Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to the Ecological Law, which consists of the
Mexican General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, or Ley
General de Equilibrio Ecologico y Proteccion del Ambiente, and the rules
published thereunder, and various state and municipal laws. In accordance with
this ecological law, companies engaged in industrial activities such as ours are
subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of:
o the Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries, or
Secretaria de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Pesca, which has
broad discretion in carrying out its statutory mandate,
o the National Institute of Ecology, or Instituto Nacional de
Ecologia, its regulatory arm, and
o the Office of the Attorney General for Protection of the
Environment, or Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente,
known as Profepa, its enforcement arm.
As part of its enforcement powers, the Ministry of the Environment,
through Profepa, is empowered to bring administrative proceedings against
companies that violate environmental laws, to impose economic sanctions and to
temporarily or permanently close non-complying facilities. Under the ecological
law, the Mexican government has implemented an aggressive program to protect the
environment by promulgating rules concerning water, land, air and noise
pollution and hazardous substances.
In 1988, we agreed with Mexican environmental regulatory authorities to
bring our paper mills into compliance with wastewater discharge regulations. We
have since instituted new procedures and believe that our mills are now in
substantial compliance with both the general standards established by the
Ecological Law and with specific standards promulgated by the regulatory
authorities. Our paper mills are subject to periodic environmental audits by the
Ministry of the Interior.
Historically, Mexico's environmental laws have not been enforced as
vigorously as have environmental laws in the United States. In connection with
the approval of NAFTA, the United States, Mexico and Canada entered into a side
agreement pursuant to which the Mexican government agreed to enhance compliance
with and enforcement of its existing environmental laws and regulations. The
side agreement also created the trilateral
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<PAGE>
Environmental Commission, which is empowered to review submissions from persons
asserting that any of the parties is failing to enforce effectively its
environmental laws. The Environmental Commission must then decide first, whether
a response should be requested from the relevant party and second, whether to
prepare a factual record concerning the submission.
The parties also agreed that persons may request a given country's
authorities to investigate alleged violations of its environmental laws and that
persons with legally recognized interests will have access to administrative,
quasi-judicial or judicial proceedings for the enforcement of environmental
laws, including, in accordance with such country's law, the rights to sue for
damages or to seek sanctions or injunctions. The side agreement also allows any
party to object to another party's persistent pattern of failure to enforce
effectively its environmental law. If such a pattern is established and not
remedied, it may lead under certain circumstances to a monetary assessment
against that party and/or a suspension of NAFTA benefits by the complaining
party or parties. We cannot assure you that our operations will not be subject
to more strict Mexican federal or state environmental laws or more strict
interpretation or enforcement of those laws in the future.
Information Systems
Because we have grown in part through acquisitions, our operating system
platforms and applications include a variety of hardware and software owned by
the companies that we have acquired. While we believe that our current systems
are adequate, we have started to train our employees and upgrade our hardware
and software to implement an integrated, uniform and more reliable information
system. We believe that this system will increase our profitability, improve
customer service and increase employee efficiency. It will be implemented in
phases. We expect to complete the consumer products part of the system by late
2000 and the last phase of implementation in 2003.
Employees
As of December 31, 1999, we employed approximately 6,554 people.
Approximately 53.7% of the workforce is unionized. We negotiate biannual
agreements with each of the seventeen unions that represent our workers, except
that, as required by Mexican law, we renegotiate wages yearly. We have not
experienced a strike in over ten years. We believe that our relations with our
employees and their unions are good.
ITEM 2. Description of Property
Our various Mexican production facilities are located in the Mexican
states of Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Puebla, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan,
Queretaro and in Mexico City. Our production and conversion facilities outside
of Mexico are located in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We own all of our facilities.
The table below sets forth certain information regarding the corporate identity,
location and products of our facilities. Installed capacity is stated in metric
tons per year in the case of tissue, notebooks, away-from-home products, paper,
corrugated containers, pulp and pine oil and in thousands of units per year in
the case of feminine-care products and multi-wall bags. Annual installed
capacity was calculated on the basis of 24-hour, 365 days' continuous
production.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Installed
Capacity at
Plant and Location Activity December 31, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Consumer Products Group
<S> <C> <C>
Papeles Higienicos del Centro, S.A. de Tissue paper production 67,000
C.V., Ecatepec, Estado de M exico Production of away-from-home 4,000
products
Papeles Higienicos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., Tissue paper production 36,000
San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon De-inking of recyclable paper 54,600
Industrial Papelera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., Tissue paper production 38,000
Uruapan, Michoacan De-inking of recyclable paper 88,300
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Installed
Capacity at
Plant and Location Activity December 31, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Consumer Products Group
<S> <C> <C>
Sancela, S.A. de C.V., Ecatepec, Estado de Production of feminine-care 1,363,000(1)
Mexico products
Inpamex Planta Huehuetoca, S.A. de Production of notebooks 13,840
C.V., Huehuetoca, Estado de Mexico Polyethylene-laminated paper
production for the further
production of bags 2,520
Industrias Unidas de Centro America, Tissue paper production 4,500
S.A., Granada, Nicaragua
Productora Internacional de Articulos de Conversion of tissue paper into 4,300
Papel, S.A., San Jose, Costa Rica napkins and bathroom tissue
2. Packaging Products Group
Papelera de Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V., Kraft paper production 100,000
Chihuahua, Chihuahua
Compania Papelera Maldonado, S.A. de C.V., Kraft paper production 142,000
San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon
Sacos y Envases Industriales, S.A. de Glued bags production 240,000
C.V., San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo
Leon
Sacos y Envases Industriales, S.A. de Sewn bags production 90,000
C.V., Guadalajara, Jalisco
Sacos y Envases Industriales, S.A. de Sewn and glued bags production 96,000
C.V., Tehuacan, Puebla
Sacos y Envases Industriales, S.A. de Pet food and pinch bottom bags and
C.V., Tlalnepantla, Mexico, D.F. bags production 60,000
Sacos y Envases Industriales, S.A. de Glued bags production 90,000
C.V., Chihuahua, Chihuahua
Cajas y Empaques Industriales, S.A. de Corrugated containers 36,000(2)
C.V., San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon
Productora Internacional de Articulos de Conversion of kraft paper into 21,600
Papel, S.A., San Jose, Costa Rica multi-wall bags
3. Printing and Writing Products Group
Pondercel, S.A. de C.V., Bond paper production 135,000
Anahuac, Chihuahua Soft and hard wood pulp production 144,000
Papelera de Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V., Bond paper production 26,000
Chihuahua, Chihuahua
Industrial Papelera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., Bond paper production 51,000
Uruapan, Michoacan
Compania Papelera Maldonado, S.A. de C.V., Bond paper production 18,000
San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon Specialty paper production 28,000
Taloquimia, S.A. de C.V., San Juan del Rio, Pine oil production 2,280
Queretaro
</TABLE>
-------------
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(1) Includes certain production lines which operate at a fraction of
their installed capacity because they produce nearly obsolete
products.
(2) Expected to commence operations around July 2000.
We follow a scheduled maintenance program for all plant machinery
involving regular maintenance shutdowns and believe that our plants and
equipment are currently in a good state of repair. We have not experienced any
significant production stoppages due to equipment failure.
In addition to the aforementioned plants and facilities, we have nine
recyclable paper collection and storage sites capable of collecting an aggregate
of approximately 400,000 metric tons of recyclable paper a year. These sites are
located in Chihuahua, Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, San Nicolas de los Garza and
Saltillo in Mexico and El Paso, Albuquerque, McAllen and Arlington in the United
States. We also have a wood reception and storage facility in Chihuahua and
sales offices in Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara.
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
Patent Infringement Claim
On June 24, 1999, we received a cease and desist letter from P&G, claiming
a patent infringement in relation to our Saba Ultra Invisible brand of
feminine-care products. In response, after negotiations with P&G regarding that
product, we made minor modifications to the product and replied to P&G on
November 17, 1999 describing the modifications. There have not been any further
developments since our reply and we believe that P&G will not pursue any claim
against us because we have made those minor modifications in response to their
letter. However, we cannot assure you that P&G will not bring a claim against us
or that we will be successful in a dispute if they do.
Tax Dispute
In April 1999, the Mexican Treasury Department sent us a notice claiming
that we incorrectly took a deduction for losses and underpaid our asset taxes in
fiscal year 1993 in the amount of Ps.51.9 million. As of December 31, 1999, the
amount in restated pesos was Ps.61.3 million.
After receiving this notice, we commenced a proceeding before the Mexican
Federal Tax Tribunal contesting the Treasury Department's claim. In June 2000,
the Mexican Federal Tax Tribunal notified us of its ruling, which was favorable
to us. We are currently awaiting the pronouncement of the Tribunal Colegiado de
Circuito, the court of appeals, with respect to the appeal brought by the
Treasury Department before it. We cannot assure you that we will prevail or that
we will not be required to pay additional taxes.
Other
We are a party to various other legal proceedings in the ordinary course
of our business. We do not expect such proceedings, if determined adversely to
us, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations or financial condition. As a result, we have not set aside
any reserves for these litigation contingencies.
ITEM 4. Control of Registrant
Copamex is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another
corporation or by any foreign government.
Copamex's share capital is currently divided into A, B, C, D, E, and F
Shares. These different series of shares have the same par value, voting rights
and are generally identical to each other in all material respects, with the
exception of their date of issuance. The following table sets forth certain
information concerning ownership of the share capital of Copamex at December 31,
1999 by each stockholder known to Copamex to be the owner of the outstanding A,
B, C, D, E or F Shares, and all directors and principal officers of Copamex as a
group.
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<PAGE>
Number of Shares Owned(1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> Percentage of
Total Capital
Series A Series B Series C Series D Series E Series F Stock Owned
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Maldonado Quiroga
family members 6,000 385,248 133,152 468,026 10,501,808 692,537 42.8%
Dinamica Industrial
Empresarial, S.A.
de C.V.(2)..................... -- -- -- -- 8,820,802 2,760,620 40.7%
Maldonado Gonzalez
family members................ -- -- -- -- -- 2,307,200 8.1%
Milenium Inversiones de
Capital, S.A. de
C.V.(2)........ -- -- -- 157,574 -- 992,150 4.0%
Corporacion
Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V........ -- -- -- -- -- 215,100 0.8%
Consorcio de Bienes Raices del
Norte, S.A. de C.V............ -- -- -- -- -- 693,501 2.4%
Others....................... -- -- -- -- -- 320,482 1.1%
</TABLE>
--------------------------
(1) Immediately prior to the merger on February 28, 1998, the ownership of the
single class of our common stock by each stockholder known to us to be the
owner was the following: Copamex, with 23,028,008 shares, Copamex Turismo,
S.A. de C.V., with 4,220,437 shares, Maldonado Gonzalez family members, with
2,594,722 shares, Corporacion Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V., with 1,291,265
shares, the Maldonado Quiroga family members, with 815,615 shares and
others, with 49,953 shares, representing approximately 72.0%, 13.2%, 8.1%,
4.0%, 2.6% and 0.2%, respectively.
(2) Wholly-owned by members of Maldonado Quiroga family.
ITEM 5. Nature of Trading Market
We have registered U.S.$198,430,000 11.375% Senior Notes due 2004 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. Of these Notes, U.S.$180.3 million remain outstanding. The Notes are
not traded in any stock exchange nor is it practicable for us to determine the
proportion of Notes beneficially owned by U.S. citizens or residents.
Copamex's stock is not traded in any stock exchange nor is it held by any
U.S. citizen or resident.
ITEM 6. Exchange Control and Other Limitations Affecting Security-Holders
From 1982 through November 10, 1991, Mexican residents and companies were
entitled to purchase and were obligated to sell foreign currencies for certain
purposes at a controlled rate of exchange that was set daily by Banco de Mexico.
For all transactions to which the controlled rate did not apply, foreign
currencies could also be purchased, if they were available, or sold at the
free-market rate, which was generally higher than the controlled rate.
The controlled rate and the free market rate were held nearly constant
from December 1987 through December 1988. The price of one dollar at the
controlled rate increased at a regular rate of 0.001 pesos per day from December
1988 through May 28, 1990, 0.0008 pesos per day from May 29 to November 12,
1990, and 0.0004 pesos per day until November 10, 1991. Effective November 11,
1991, the controlled rate was abolished. Between November 1991 and December
1994, Banco de Mexico permitted the free market rate to fluctuate according to
supply and demand within a band, the upper limit of which increased by fixed
daily amounts. Fluctuations outside these limits were to be stabilized through
open market transactions by Banco de Mexico. On December 21, 1994, the Mexican
government announced that it would suspend central bank intervention and allow
the peso to float freely against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies.
This free-floating policy was formalized in the announcement of Mexico's
National Development Plan in March 1995.
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While the Mexican government does not currently restrict the ability of
Mexico or foreign persons or entities to convert pesos into U.S. dollars or
other currencies, we cannot assure you that Banco de Mexico will continue to
make foreign currency available to private sector companies or that the foreign
currency we may need to service our foreign currency obligations could be
purchased in the open market without substantial additional cost. Moreover, we
cannot assure you that the Mexican government will not institute a restrictive
exchange control policy in the future. The imposition of such a policy in the
future may impair our ability to obtain or transfer U.S. dollars in respect of
any interest and principal payments due on our indebtedness, and it could also
have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
The value of the peso has been subject to significant fluctuations with
respect to the U.S. dollar in the past and may be subject to significant
fluctuations in the future. The value of the peso declined by 60.8% against the
U.S. dollar from Ps.3.11 at December 30, 1993 to Ps.5.00 at December 30, 1994.
Between January 3, 1995 and December 29, 1995, the Mexican peso depreciated an
additional 54.8% to Ps.7.74 per U.S. dollar, fluctuating between Ps.5.27 and
Ps.8.05 per U.S. dollar.
In 1996, the peso fluctuated between Ps.7.33 and Ps.8.05 per U.S. dollar,
ending at Ps.7.88 per U.S. dollar on December 31, 1996, a depreciation of 1.8%
from the exchange rate at December 29, 1995. In 1997, the peso depreciated an
additional 2.4%, as compared to 1996, to a level of Ps.8.07 per U.S. dollar at
year end, fluctuating between Ps.7.72 and Ps.8.41 per U.S. dollar. In 1998, the
peso again devalued significantly as compared to the U.S. dollar, closing at
Ps.9.90 per U.S. dollar at December 31, 1998, which represents a 22.7%
devaluation. In 1999, in contrast, the peso appreciated by 4.0% as compared to
1998, to a level of Ps.9.480 per U.S. dollar at year end. On June 21, 2000, the
noon buying rate was Ps.9.815 per U.S. dollar.
Limitations Affecting the Note Holders
Because the Notes are registered pursuant to U.S. federal securities laws
and not those of Mexico, there are no Mexican law limitations on the right of
non-Mexican citizens or residents to hold or, under certain circumstances, vote
the Notes. Additionally, there are no limitations on the right of non-Mexican
citizens or residents to hold or, under certain circumstances, vote the Notes
pursuant to our charter or other constituent documents.
ITEM 7. Taxation
General
The following is a general summary of certain anticipated U.S. federal and
Mexican tax consequences of the ownership of our 11.375% Senior Notes Due 2004
currently outstanding. The tax treatment of a holder of the Notes may vary
depending upon the particular situation of the holder.
The following summary of U.S. federal income tax consequences is limited
to investors who are U.S. Holders (as defined below) (except as explicitly
provided below) who will hold the Notes as "capital assets" within the meaning
of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
and whose "functional currency" within the meaning of Section 985 of the Code is
the U.S. dollar. Certain holders (including, but not limited to, insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, persons subject to
the alternative minimum tax, holders that are not U.S. Holders, brokers-dealers
and holders of 10% or more of the voting shares of Copamex) may be subject to
special rules not discussed below. The discussion below also does not address
the effect of any United States state or local tax law on a holder of the Notes.
As used in this annual report, the term "U.S. Holders" means:
o an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States,
o a partnership, corporation or other entity organized in or under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof,
o an estate or trust that is subject to United States federal income
taxation without regard to the source of its income, or
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o a trust, if both (A) a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust
and (B) one or more United States persons have the authority to
control all substantial decisions of the trust.
The summary is for general information purposes only and is based upon the
tax laws of the United States and Mexico as in effect on the date hereof, which
are subject to change. The summary does not constitute, and should not be
considered as, legal or tax advice to holders of Notes. Prospective purchasers
of Notes should consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S., Mexican or other
tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes,
including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local tax laws.
The following general summary of the principal consequences, under
Mexico's Income Tax Law (the "Mexican Income Tax Law") and rules as currently in
effect, and under the treaty to avoid double taxation entered into between
Mexico and the United States of America (the "Treaty"), is limited to the
purchase, ownership and disposition of Notes by a holder who is not a resident
of Mexico and who will not hold Notes or a beneficial interest in the Notes in
connection with the conduct of a trade or business through a permanent
establishment or fixed base in Mexico (a "Foreign Holder").
For purposes of Mexican taxation, an individual is a resident of Mexico if
such person has established his or her home in Mexico, unless such person has
resided in another country for more than 183 days, whether consecutive or not,
during a calendar year and can demonstrate that such person has become a
resident of that country for tax purposes. A legal entity is a resident of
Mexico if it has been incorporated in Mexico. A Mexican citizen with its
domicile in Mexico is presumed to be a resident of Mexico unless such person can
demonstrate the contrary. A permanent establishment or fixed base of a
non-Mexican person will be regarded as a resident of Mexico, and such permanent
establishment or fixed base will be required to pay taxes in Mexico in
accordance with applicable law. Each Foreign Holder should consult a tax advisor
as to the particular Mexican or other tax consequences to such Foreign Holder of
holding the Notes, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or
foreign tax laws.
Taxation of Interest Payments
U.S. Tax Considerations
Generally, payments of interest on a Note will be taxable to a U.S. Holder
as ordinary interest income at the time such payments are accrued or are
received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Interest paid by Copamex will constitute
income from sources outside the United States, and with certain exceptions, will
be "passive" or "financial services" income, which is treated separately from
other types of income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable
to a U.S. Holder (see "--Foreign Tax Credit" below).
A holder of Notes that, with respect to the United States, is not a U.S.
Holder (a "Non-U.S. Holder") generally will not be subject to U.S. federal
income or withholding tax on dividends received on Notes. Special rules may
apply in the case of Non-U.S. Holders
o that are engaged in a U.S. trade or business,
o that are former citizens or long-term residents of the United
States, "controlled foreign corporations," "foreign personal holding
companies," corporations which accumulate earnings to avoid U.S.
federal income tax, and certain foreign charitable organizations,
each within the meaning of the Code, or
o certain non-resident alien individuals who are present in the United
States for 183 days or more during a taxable year.
Such persons should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States
or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Notes.
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<PAGE>
Foreign Tax Credit. Interest paid on the Notes will constitute income from
sources outside the United States, and, with certain exceptions, will be grouped
together with other items of "passive" income, for purposes of computing the
foreign tax credit allowable to a U.S. Holder. If the interest payments are
subject to a withholding tax imposed by a foreign country at a rate of 5 percent
or more, the interest may be considered "high withholding tax interest" for
purposes of computing the foreign tax credit. If a U.S. Holder is predominantly
engaged in the active conduct of a banking, insurance, financing or similar
business, the interest may be considered "financial services income" for
purposes of computing the foreign tax credit.
Effect of Withholding Taxes. A U.S. Holder will be required to include
foreign withholding taxes, if any, imposed on payments on a Note in gross income
as interest income. Such treatment will be required regardless of whether, as
will generally be true, Copamex is required to pay additional amounts so that
the amount of Mexican withholding taxes does not reduce the net amount actually
received by the Holder of the Note. Subject to certain limitations, a U.S.
Holder may be entitled to a credit against its U.S. federal income tax
liability, or a deduction in computing its U.S. federal taxable income, for
foreign income taxes withheld by Copamex. A U.S. Holder may be required to
provide the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") with a certified copy of the
receipt evidencing payment of withholding tax imposed in respect of payments on
a Note in order to claim a foreign tax credit in respect of such foreign
withholding tax.
Mexican Tax Considerations
Under the Mexican Income Tax Law, payments of interest made by Copamex in
respect of the Notes to a Foreign Holder will generally be subject to a Mexican
withholding tax assessed at a rate of 10% as a result of the Notes being
registered in the Special Section of the Registry maintained by the Comision
Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (the "Special Section of the Registry"). Pursuant
to amendments to the Mexican Income Tax Law, effective as of January 1, 1996,
the withholding tax rate on such interest payments made by Copamex has been
reduced to 4.9% (the "Reduced Rate"), if, besides registering the Notes as set
forth above, the following requirements are satisfied:
o a Foreign Holder is the effective beneficiary of the interest
payment,
o such Foreign Holder resides in a country that has entered into a
treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with Mexico, and
o such Foreign Holder satisfies the conditions and requirements for
obtaining benefits under such treaty (collectively, the "Reduced
Rate Requirements").
Foreign Holders resident in the United States should be aware that Mexico
presently has a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with the United
States under which such Holder may be eligible for purposes of qualifying for
the Reduced Rate. Other Foreign Holders should consult their tax advisors
regarding whether they reside in a country that has entered into a treaty for
avoidance of double taxation with Mexico and, if so, the conditions and
requirements for obtaining benefits under such treaty.
Under Rule 3.31.9 published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on
March 6, 2000, which rule is subject to amendment but is expected to remain in
effect until March 6, 2001 (the "Reduced Rate Rule"), payments of interest made
by Copamex in respect of the Notes to Foreign Holders will be subject to
withholding taxes imposed at the Reduced Rate if
o the Notes, are registered in the Special Section of the Registry,
o Copamex timely files with the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit
certain information relating to the issuance of the Notes,
o Copamex timely files with the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit,
after the date of each interest payment under the Notes, information
representing that no party related to Copamex (as such terms are
detailed in the Reduced Rate Rule) directly or indirectly, is the
effective beneficiary of 5% or more of the aggregate amount of each
such interest payment, and
o Copamex maintains records which evidence compliance with the above.
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<PAGE>
Copamex has met such conditions.
Under the Treaty, the Mexican withholding tax rate applicable to interest
payments made to U.S. Holders which are eligible for benefits under the Treaty
generally will be limited to either
o 15% generally, or
o 10% in the event that the Notes are considered to be "regularly and
substantially traded on a recognized securities market" or "loans
granted by banks, including investment banks and savings banks
within the meaning of the Treaty."
However, as of the date of this annual report, the Treaty is not expected
generally to have any material effect on the Mexican tax consequences described
herein because, as described above, under the Mexican Income Tax Law and general
rules issued thereunder as currently in effect with respect to a U. S. Holder
that meets the Reduced Rate Requirements described above, Copamex will be
entitled to withhold taxes in connection with interest payments under the Notes
at the Reduced Rate.
Under the Mexican Income Tax Law, payments of interest made by Copamex
with respect to the Notes to non-Mexican pension or retirement funds will be
exempt from Mexican withholding taxes, provided that the fund
o is duly organized pursuant to the law of its country of origin
(regardless of the type of organization),
o is exempt from income tax in such country, and
o is registered with the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit for
that purpose.
Copamex has agreed, subject to specified exceptions and limitations, to
gross-up Holders of the Notes in respect of the above-mentioned Mexican
withholding taxes.
Under the Mexican Income Tax Law and the rules thereunder, a Foreign
Holder will not be subject to any Mexican withholding or similar taxes in
respect of payments of principal made by Copamex with respect of the Notes.
This summary is for general information purposes only and is based upon
the tax laws and treaty obligations of the United States and Mexico as in effect
on the date of this annual report, which are subject to change. Prospective
purchasers of Notes should consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S.,
Mexican or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
Notes, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local tax
laws.
Taxation of Capital Gains
U.S. Tax Considerations
Gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of
the Notes will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as capital gain or
loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between such holder's basis
in the Notes and the amount realized on such disposition. Gain realized by a
U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of the Notes generally will be
treated as U.S. source income. Consequently, in the event Mexico imposes a tax
on capital gains realized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of the
Notes (see Mexican Tax Considerations), such U.S. Holder may not be able to
obtain a credit for such taxes against the U.S. Holder's federal income tax
liability unless
o such gains are re-sourced as foreign source income under the Tax
Treaty, or
o such holder can apply the credit against tax due on income from
other foreign sources.
A Non-U.S. Holder of Notes will not be subject to U.S. federal income or
withholding tax on gains realized on the sale of Notes. Special rules may apply
in the case of Non-U.S. Holders
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<PAGE>
o that are engaged in a U.S. trade or business,
o that are former citizens or long-term residents of the United
States, "controlled foreign corporations," "foreign personal holding
companies," corporations which accumulate earnings to avoid U.S.
federal income tax, and certain foreign charitable organizations,
each within the meaning of the Code, or
o certain non-resident alien individuals who are present in the United
States for 183 days or more during a taxable year.
Such persons should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States
or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the
Notes.
Mexican Tax Considerations
Capital gains resulting from the sale or other disposition of notes by a
Foreign Holder will not be subject to Mexican income or other taxes.
Other Mexican Taxes
A Foreign Holder will not be liable for Mexican estate, gift, inheritance
or similar taxes with respect to its holdings of Notes. There are no Mexican
stamp, issue, registration of similar taxes payable by a Foreign Holder with
respect to the Notes.
United States Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Each U.S. payor making payments in respect of the Notes will generally be
required to provide the IRS with certain information, including the name,
address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner of Notes, and
the aggregate amount of dividends paid to such beneficial owner during the
calendar year. Under the backup withholding rules, a holder may be subject to
backup withholding at the rate of 31% with respect to dividends paid unless such
holder
o is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories
(including securities broker-dealers, other financial institutions,
tax-exempt organizations, qualified pension and profit sharing
trusts and individual retirement accounts), and, when required,
demonstrates this fact, or
o provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss
of exemption and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements
of the backup withholding rules.
Non-U.S. Holders are generally exempt from information reporting and
backup withholding, but may be required to provide a properly completed Form W-8
or otherwise comply with applicable certification and identification procedures
in order to prove their exemption. This backup withholding tax is not an
additional tax and any amounts withheld from a payment to a holder of Notes will
be refunded (or credited against such holder's U.S. federal income tax
liability, if any) provided that the required information is furnished to the
IRS.
The United States Treasury has recently issued final regulations (the
"Final Regulations") regarding the withholding and information reporting rules
discussed above. In general, the Final Regulations do not alter the substantive
withholding and information reporting requirements but unify current
certification procedures and modify reliance standards. The Final Regulations
are generally effective for payments made on or after January 1, 2000, subject
to certain transition rules. Purchasers and holders of Notes should consult
their own tax advisors concerning the adoption of the Final Regulations and the
potential effect on their purchase, ownership and disposition of Notes.
ITEM 8. Selected Financial Data
The following tables present selected consolidated financial information
of Copamex, its predecessor, COINSA, and their respective consolidated
subsidiaries. This information has been derived from and should be read in
conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Copamex as of
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997. The consolidated financial statements have
been audited by Mancera, S.C., member of Ernst & Young
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International, independent public accountants. The consolidated financial
statements appear at the back of this annual report.
Peso amounts included in the tables below were converted to U.S. dollars
at the exchange rate of Ps.9.480 per U.S.$1.00, which was the noon buying rate,
at December 31, 1999. You should not construe such conversions as
representations that the peso amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar
amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated, or at
all.
Prior to December 2, 1997, Copamex was a holding company whose assets
included 72% of the shares of COINSA, a Mexican operating company engaged in the
production and sale of paper products. Copamex's assets also consisted of assets
not related to the paper business. On December 2, 1997 Copamex spun off its
assets that were not related to the paper business. In addition, on February 28,
1998, COINSA was merged into Copamex. As a result, the financial information
provided in this annual report from before January 1, 1997 relates only to
COINSA.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Mexican
generally accepted accounting principles, referred to as Mexican GAAP. Mexican
GAAP differs in significant respects from United States generally accepted
accounting principles, referred to as U.S. GAAP. U.S. dollar amounts included in
our financial statements were converted from pesos to dollars using the exchange
rate reported by Banco de Mexico at December 31, 1999, which was Ps.9.4986 per
U.S. dollar. See Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements and
"Item 9-Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operation--Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP" for a discussion of certain
differences between U.S. GAAP and Mexican GAAP.
Pursuant to Mexican GAAP, the financial statements and the selected
financial data presented below have been prepared in accordance with Bulletin
B-10 of the Mexican Institute of Public Accountants, which provides for the
recognition of certain effects of inflation. Bulletin B-10 requires Copamex to
restate the value of inventories to their replacement cost, without exceeding
their net realizable value, and to restate the value of fixed assets using the
National Consumer Price Index, or Indice Nacional de Precios al Consumidor, also
referred to as the NCPI. Until December 31, 1996, Bulletin B-10 required Copamex
to restate fixed assets at current replacement cost.
Bulletin B-10 also requires Copamex to restate non-monetary liabilities
and the components of shareholders' equity using the NCPI and to record gains or
losses in purchasing power from holding monetary liabilities or assets. In
addition, Bulletin B-10 requires restatement of all financial statements to
constant pesos as of the date of the most recent balance sheet presented.
Accordingly, all data in the financial statements and in the selected financial
data set forth below have been restated in constant pesos as of December 31,
1999. The effect of these inflation accounting principles has not been reversed
in the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. Note 16 to the audited consolidated
financial statements contains a reconciliation of Copamex's net income and
stockholders' equity to U.S. GAAP.
Beginning fiscal year 2000, Copamex will be required to comply with
Bulletin D-4. Bulletin D-4, issued by the Mexican Institute of Public
Accountants in January 2000, regulates the accounting treatment of income taxes,
asset taxes and employees' profit sharing, and modifies the rules to determine
deferred income taxes. The new accounting rules require that deferred income
taxes be determined with respect to all temporary differences between the book
value and the taxable value of the assets and liabilities included in the
balance sheet. Such determination must be made by applying the income tax rate
in effect on the date of issue of the financial statements. Until December 31,
1999, deferred income taxes were determined only with respect to temporary
differences in book and taxable values that were deemed to be non-recurring and
whose reversion could be foreseen in a specific period of time. Beginning fiscal
year 2000, the cumulative effect of adopting the new accounting rules must be
reflected in a new stockholders' equity account. Bulletin D-4 does not require
the restatement of financial statements for any fiscal year prior to its
implementation. See "Item 9-Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operation-Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP" for a general
description of the Mexican GAAP treatment of deferred income taxes that was in
effect until the end of fiscal year 1999.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Millions of constant December 31, 1999 As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
pesos and U.S. dollars except per share data 1995 1996 1997
------------ ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income Statement Data
Mexican GAAP:
Net sales....................................... Ps. 5,926 Ps. 5,229 Ps. 5,489
Cost of sales................................... (3,775) (3,534) (3,700)
------------ ---------- -----------
Gross profit.................................... 2,151 1,695 1,789
Selling and administrative expenses............. (684) (711) (973)
------------ ---------- -----------
Operating income................................ 1,467 984 816
Comprehensive cost of financing:
Interest income................................ 91 113 35
Interest expense............................... (1,459) (871) (655)
Exchange gain (loss)............................ (729) (120) (143)
Result from monetary position.................. 1,201 675 554
------------ ---------- -----------
Total comprehensive cost of financing....... (896) (203) (209)
Other income (loss)............................. 24 (6) 57
Income (loss) before income and asset taxes and
employee profit sharing........................ 595 775 664
Income and asset taxes and profit sharing....... (133) (247) (219)
------------ ---------- -----------
Income (loss) before extraordinary items........ 462 528 445
Extraordinary items............................ 32 120 185
------------ ---------- -----------
Income (loss) before minority interest......... 494 648 630
Minority interest.............................. (1) 3 (170)
------------ ---------- -----------
Net income (loss).............................. Ps. 493 Ps. 651 Ps. 460
============ ========== ===========
Net income (loss) per share.................... Ps. 160.1 Ps. 20.4 Ps. 22.4
============ ========== ===========
U.S. GAAP:
Net income..................................... Ps. 496 Ps. 674 Ps. 191
Net income per share............................ Ps. 16.2 Ps. 21.0 Ps. 9.3
Balance Sheet Data
Mexican GAAP:
Property, plant and equipment, net............. Ps. 8,430 Ps. 7,352 Ps. 8,350
Total assets................................... 10,876 9,337 11,674
Total debt..................................... 3,523 3,135 5,162
Stockholders' equity........................... Ps. 6,373 Ps. 5,475 Ps. 5,413
U.S. GAAP:
Stockholders' equity........................... Ps. 4,155 Ps. 3,712 Ps. 2,067
Other Data
Mexican GAAP:
EBITDA(1)...................................... Ps. 1,761 Ps. 1,281 Ps. 1,139
EBITDA margin.................................. 29.7% 24.5% 20.8%
Depreciation and amortization.................. 293 297 344
Capital expenditures........................... (492) (315) (1,168)
Net cash provided (used) by operating
activities(2).................................. Ps. (59) Ps. 1,102 Ps. 423
U.S. GAAP:
EBITDA......................................... Ps. 1,749 Ps. 1,283 Ps. 1,154
Net cash provided (used) by operating
activities(2).................................. Ps. (1,006) Ps. 363 Ps. (143)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Millions of constant December 31, 1999 As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
pesos and U.S. dollars except per share data 1998 1999 1999
----------- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income Statement Data
Mexican GAAP:
Net sales....................................... Ps. 6,010 Ps. 6,213 U.S.$ 655
Cost of sales................................... (4,032) (4,107) (433)
----------- --------- -----------
Gross profit.................................... 1,978 2,106 222
Selling and administrative expenses............. (1,161) (1,285) (135)
----------- --------- -----------
Operating income................................ 817 821 87
Comprehensive cost of financing:
Interest income................................ 45 18 2
Interest expense............................... (578) (533) (56)
Exchange gain (loss)............................ (1,131) 212 22
Result from monetary position.................. 792 511 54
----------- --------- -----------
Total comprehensive cost of financing....... (872) 208 22
Other income (loss)............................. 15 (20) (2)
Income (loss) before income and asset taxes and
employee profit sharing........................ (40) 1,009 106
Income and asset taxes and profit sharing....... (30) (393) (41)
----------- --------- -----------
Income (loss) before extraordinary items........ (70) 616 65
Extraordinary items............................. 298 31
----------- --------- -----------
Income (loss) before minority interest.......... (70) 914 96
Minority interest............................... (28) (49) (5)
----------- --------- -----------
Net income (loss)............................... Ps. (98) Ps. 865 U.S.$ 91
=========== ========= ===========
Net income (loss) per share..................... Ps. (3.6) Ps. 30.4 U.S.$ 3.2
=========== ========= ===========
U.S. GAAP:
Net income...................................... Ps. 227 Ps. 496 U.S.$ 52
Net income per share............................ Ps. 8.4 Ps. 17.4 U.S.$ 2
Balance Sheet Data
Mexican GAAP:
Property, plant and equipment, net.............. Ps. 8,374 Ps. 8,259 U.S.$ 871
Total assets.................................... 11,494 11,425 1,205
Total debt...................................... 5,602 4,780 504
Stockholders' equity............................ Ps. 4,942 Ps. 5,529 U.S.$ 583
U.S. GAAP:
Stockholders' equity............................ Ps. 3,139 Ps. 3,387 U.S.$ 357
Other Data
Mexican GAAP:
EBITDA(1)....................................... Ps. 1,165 Ps. 1,191 U.S.$ 126
EBITDA margin................................... 19.4% 19.2% 19.2%
Depreciation and amortization................... 387 407 43
Capital expenditures............................ (360) (315) (33)
Net cash provided (used) by operating
activities(2).................................. Ps. 170 Ps. 1,210 U.S.$ 128
U.S. GAAP:
EBITDA.......................................... Ps. 1,187 Ps. 1,185 U.S.$ 125
Net cash provided (used) by operating
activities(2).................................. Ps. 409 Ps. 342 U.S.$ 36
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Production Data
Consumer Products:
Tissue products (in thousands of metric tons)(3) 36.0 46.8 93.1 123.9 131.7
Feminine-care products --
(in millions of units)......................... 135.3(4) 524.0 746.0 934.3
Away-from-home products
(in thousands of metric tons) (5) ........... -- -- -- -- 3.7
Notebooks (in thousands of metric tons)......... -- -- 1.5 5.5 7.5
Packaging Products:
Multi-wall paper bags (in millions of units).... 340.6 407.4 437.3 437.5 453.3
Packaging paper (in thousands of metric tons)(6) 203.6 209.9 227.9 224.6 222.5
Printing and Writing Products:
Printing and writing paper (in thousands
of metric tons)............................... 176.9 189.7 204.0 203.5 198.5
Specialty paper (in thousands of metric tons)... 13.5 14.8 18.1 19.0 22.3
</TABLE>
Notes to Selected Financial Data
(1) EBITDA as used in this annual report is operating income (loss) before
amortization expense and depreciation. Amortization of goodwill is not
included in operating income, but instead is recorded in other income
(loss). EBITDA is presented because we believe that EBITDA provides useful
information regarding our debt service ability. EBITDA should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for the consolidated income
statements or the consolidated statements of changes in financial position
prepared in accordance with Mexican GAAP or as a measure of profitability
or liquidity. EBITDA is not (a) a measure determined under U.S. GAAP, (b)
an alternative to U.S. GAAP operating income (loss) and net income (loss),
or (c) a measure of liquidity or cash flows as determined under U.S. GAAP.
EBITDA does not represent discretionary funds. EBITDA, as calculated by
us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other
companies.
(2) Under Mexican GAAP, the cash flow data has been adjusted for inflation and
includes certain non-cash items, such as monetary gains and losses and
foreign exchange gains and losses and, as a result, are not comparable
with the respective U.S. GAAP cash flow data.
(3) Includes bathroom and facial tissue, paper napkins and paper towels. See
"Item 1--Description of Business--Our Products--Consumer Products--Tissue
Paper."
(4) Represents production by Sancela, S.A. de C.V., from October 1, 1996
through December 31, 1996. We acquired a 51% stake in Sancela on October
11, 1996. Sancela produced 531.0 million units of feminine-care products
for the full year 1996.
(5) We began producing away-from-home products in 1999.
(6) Includes kraft paper, corrugating medium and linerboard. See "Item
1--Description of Business--Our Products--Packaging Products."
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ITEM 9. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
General
In recent periods, our financial condition and results of operations have
been significantly influenced by the following three factors:
o the state of the Mexican economy, particularly the rate of economic
growth and its effect on the demand for our products, the value of
the peso against the U.S. dollar and high inflation rates,
o the movements in international pulp and paper prices and their
effect on our cost of producing printing and writing products, and
o our strategic acquisitions.
Mexican Economic Factors
Substantially all of our operations are situated in Mexico. Approximately
93.7% of our revenues in 1998 and 95.3% of our revenues in 1999 resulted from
sales generated within Mexico. Accordingly, Mexican economic conditions and
government policies have a significant impact on our operations and revenues.
Mexican Economic Growth and Demand
Changes in Mexico's gross domestic product generally affect the demand for
industrial paper products. As a result, our industrial paper product prices and
gross margin, which is a measure of our gross profit as a percentage of net
sales, are affected. For example, the 23.3% contraction in construction activity
in 1995 resulting from a significant peso devaluation negatively affected
domestic sales of multi-wall bags, which are sold primarily to cement companies,
resulting in a 12.1% decrease in our sales volume of multi-wall bags. In the
past, we have been able to mitigate the effect of decreased domestic demand
somewhat by accessing export markets.
Changes in Mexico's gross domestic product have a less pronounced effect
on the demand for consumer paper products, as this demand tends to be less
elastic.
Effect of Fluctuations in Currency Value and Inflation
Fluctuations in the value of the peso and high rates of inflation have the
following impact on our results of operations and financial condition:
o A significant devaluation of the peso and high inflation generally
will cause a decline in Mexico's gross domestic product which, as
discussed above, results in a decline in the domestic demand for our
products, particularly industrial paper products.
o Whenever the inflation rate in Mexico exceeds the rate of
devaluation of the peso against the U.S. dollar, our gross margin is
likely to be negatively affected. Because the peso price of our
printing and writing products is generally based on international
U.S. dollar prices, assuming international pulp and paper prices
remain constant, the peso price of our printing and writing products
tend to increase at a rate similar to the rate of peso devaluation,
while our costs, which are largely in pesos, tend to increase at the
higher rate of inflation. We experienced this effect in 1996 and in
1997, when the rate of inflation, 27.7% and 15.7%, respectively,
significantly exceeded the rate of devaluation, 1.7% and 2.5%,
respectively.
The inverse effect occurs when the rate of peso devaluation exceeds the
inflation rate. For example, in 1998, the rate of inflation was 18.6% while the
rate of peso devaluation was 22.7%. This effect helps us increase our gross
margin.
o Our net foreign exchange gains or losses reflect the impact of
changes in foreign exchange rates on our assets and liabilities
denominated in currencies other than pesos. A foreign exchange loss
arises in our results of operations if a liability is denominated in
a foreign currency, such as U.S. dollars,
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that appreciates relative to the peso between the time the liability
is incurred and the date it is repaid. This is because the
appreciation of the foreign currency increases the amount of pesos
that we need to purchase the foreign currency necessary to repay the
liability. In contrast, the devaluation of the foreign currency
relative to the peso results in a foreign exchange gain, as such
devaluation decreases the amount of pesos that we need to purchase
the foreign currency necessary to repay the liability. For example,
in 1998 we recorded a foreign exchange loss of Ps.1,131 million,
reflecting the impact of a peso devaluation of 22.7% on our U.S.
dollar-denominated indebtedness of U.S.$504 million. In 1999, we
recorded a foreign exchange gain of Ps.212 million, reflecting the
impact of a peso appreciation of 4.0% on our U.S. dollar-denominated
indebtedness of U.S.$503 million.
o Our gain or loss in monetary position reflects the impact of
inflation on our net monetary assets and liabilities. For example, a
gain on monetary position results from holding net monetary
liabilities in pesos during periods of inflation due to the decline
in the purchasing power of the peso over time. In 1999, we recorded
a gain of Ps.511 million in our monetary position, reflecting the
impact of an 12.3% rate of inflation on our net peso liability
position of Ps.4,314 million.
o Substantially all of our indebtedness outstanding on the date of
this annual report is U.S. dollar-denominated. In periods of
devaluation, the peso-carrying value of our U.S. dollar-denominated
debt increases in our balance sheet to reflect the additional pesos
required to meet our foreign currency liabilities.
We have used the exchange rates reported by Banco de Mexico at the end of
each of the fiscal periods discussed in this Item 9 in order to determine the
effect of a devaluation or appreciation of the peso relative to the dollar on
our results of operation and financial condition.
The International Pulp and Paper Products Market
The prices of our printing and writing products are affected by the
international prices of pulp and paper, which are in turn affected by global
supply and demand for such products. We produced approximately 59% of our pulp
requirements in 1999. This vertical integration allows us to stabilize in part
the cost of this important raw material. However, if international pulp prices
fall below our cost of production, our printing and writing products could
become less competitive and we may experience lower gross margins.
To the extent of the pulp we purchase from third parties, as a general
rule, when the international price of pulp increases, our costs of production
for printing and writing products also increase. This negatively affects our
profit margin, as we cannot always pass this increased cost on to our customers.
To the same extent, when the international price of pulp decreases, our costs of
production for printing and writing products decrease. This may increase our
profit margin.
Prices in the North American pulp and paper industry reached record levels
in late 1995. In early 1996, however, demand for pulp began to fall, and
continued to fall in the first quarter of 1996. Prices soon followed this
decline, reaching an average of U.S.$430 per ton of pulp for Bleached Soft-Wood
Kraft U.S. Southern, which is a benchmark for paper prices, by the second
quarter of 1996. Prices then stabilized for over a year, increased to an average
of U.S.$515 per ton in the second half of 1997 and decreased during 1998 to
U.S.$440 per ton in the first half and U.S.$375 per ton in the second half.
During 1999, the average price of pulp recovered, reaching U.S.$520 per ton in
the second half of 1999. This increase was due mainly to the recovery of Asian
economies and a reduction of inventory levels.
Changes in the international prices of pulp and paper do not significantly
affect the prices of our consumer and packaging products, because we use a
minimal amount of virgin pulp to make these products.
Impact of Acquisitions
Our results of operations presented below are not fully comparable because
of the impact of the following two significant acquisitions:
o On June 2, 1997, we acquired a 67,000 metric ton-per-year tissue
manufacturing plant in Ecatepec, Estado de Mexico, and the rights to
two brand names of tissue paper and one brand name of
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notebooks from KCM. This acquisition resulted in an increase in our
net sales and cost of sales, because of the associated increase in
production and sales volume. It also impacted our gross margins
favorably, because it permitted us to sell our products under the
new brands at higher prices. Finally, it increased our selling and
administrative expenses because of the work force required to
operate the plant and sell the increased volume of products.
o In October 1996, we acquired a 51% interest in Sancela, the third
largest producer of feminine-care products in Mexico in terms of
sales, a new product line for us. Sancela's operations accounted for
1.4% of our revenues in 1996, 7.0% of our revenues in 1997, 8.2% of
our revenues in 1998 and 10.5% of our revenues in 1999.
Net Sales By Product
The table below presents our sales to third parties by product in the
years 1997, 1998 and 1999. Sales volume is stated in metric tons, except for
sales volume of feminine-care products, adult-care products and multi-wall bags,
which are expressed in millions of units.
Year Ended December 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Millions of constant
December31, 1999 pesos 1997 1998 1999
------------------------------------------------------
Pesos Volume Pesos Volume Pesos Volume
---- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Consumer Products:
Tissue products......... 1,163 89,608 1,687 115,915 1,777 116,106
Feminine-care
products................ 386 573 490 786 640 978
Away-from-home products. -- -- 13 578(1) 69 3,786(2)
Adult-care products..... -- -- 4 1(3) 10 2
Notebooks............... 91 5,218 113 7,030 136 8,652
Other................... 32 1,822 36 2,125 30 2,241
----- ----- -----
Sub-Total......... 1,672 2,343 2,662
Packaging Products:
Multi-wall bags......... 933 430 864 444 899 465
Packaging paper......... 647 127,467 633 126,806 594 120,702
Recyclable paper ....... 31 28,792 35 32,613 55 58,810
----- ----- -----
Sub-Total.......... 1,611 1,532 1,548
----- ----- -----
Printing and
Writing Products:
Printing and
writing paper............ 1,790 172,827 1,723 172,815 1,605 177,787
Specialty paper.......... 327 17,551 324 17,698 308 18,702
Other products........... 89 7,690 88 6,613 90 9,773
----- ----- -----
Sub-Total........... 2,206 2,135 2,003
----- ----- -----
Total.................. 5,489 6,010 6,213
</TABLE>
------------------
(1) Represents away-from-home products that we imported and sold.
(2) Represents away-from-home products that we produced between April 1999 and
December 1999.
(3) Represents adult-care products that we imported and sold.
Fiscal Year 1999 Compared with Fiscal Year 1998
Net Sales
Net sales increased 3.4% from Ps.6,010 million in 1998 to Ps.6,213 million
in 1999. This increase was due to a 13.6% increase in net sales of consumer
products and a 1.0% increase in net sales of packaging products, which was
partially offset by a 6.2% decrease in net sales of printing and writing
products.
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Consumer Products. Consumer products sales increased 13.6% from Ps.2,343 million
in 1998 to Ps.2,662 million in 1999. This increase was caused by:
o a 5.3% increase in sales volume of our consumer products due to organic
growth, particularly because:
o we installed a 266 million unit-per-year feminine-care products line
in April 1999,
o we installed a 10,000 metric ton-per-year notebook line in March
1998, and
o we sold away-from-home products during all of 1999 as compared to
only seven months during 1998.
o a 7.9% increase in the sales price in real terms of our consumer
products, caused by:
o a 5.2% increase in the sales price of our tissue products, which
resulted from a shift towards more value-added products, and
o a 24.4% increase in the sales volume of our feminine-care products,
which have a higher average price than other consumer products.
Packaging Products. Packaging products sales increased 1.0% from Ps.1,532
million in 1998 to Ps.1,548 million in 1999. This increase was due to a
9.8% increase in sales volume, which was partially offset by a 8.0%
decrease in sales prices in real terms caused by our inability to raise
our prices at a rate equal to the rate of inflation.
Printing and Writing Products. Printing and writing products sales
decreased 6.2% from Ps.2,135 million in 1998 to Ps.2,003 million in 1999.
This decrease was caused by a 10.3% decrease in sales prices in real terms
of our printing and writing products, which resulted from our inability to
increase our prices at rates equal to inflation, because bond paper prices
are generally tied to international pulp prices which fluctuate with the
U.S. dollar. This decrease was partially offset by a 4.6% increase in
sales volume of printing and writing paper.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales increased 1.9% from Ps.4,032 million in 1998 to Ps.4,107
million in 1999. This increase was largely caused by the increases in sales
volume described above. Gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, increased
from 32.9% in 1998 to 33.9% in 1999.
Consumer Products. Cost of sales of consumer products increased 7.8% from
Ps.1,416 million in 1998 to Ps.1,526 million in 1999. This increase was
due to the increases in sales volume described above.
Packaging Products. Cost of sales of packaging products increased
slightly, from Ps.943 million in 1998 to Ps.951 million in 1999.
Printing and Writing Products. Cost of sales of printing and writing
products decreased 2.6% from Ps.1,673 million in 1998 to Ps.1,630 million
in 1999. This decrease was due to a decrease in peso terms in the cost of
our imported raw materials caused by the appreciation of the peso relative
to the dollar.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased 10.7% from Ps.1,161
million in 1998, or 19.3% of net sales, to Ps.1,285 million in 1999, or 20.7% of
net sales. Of the Ps.124 million increase in selling and administrative
expenses:
o Ps.63 million was the result of significant increases in the
advertising and promotion of our tissue and feminine-care products,
o Ps.18 million was the result of an increase in freight costs
associated with the transportation of a growing production volume,
and
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o Ps.12 million was the result of the continued development of our
distribution infrastructure to meet our growing sales volume.
Operating Income
Operating income increased 0.5% from Ps.817 million in 1998 to Ps.821
million in 1999. Operating margin, which is operating income as a percentage of
net sales, decreased from 13.6% in 1998 to 13.2% in 1999. Operating income and
operating margin decreased as a result of the 10.7% increase in selling and
administrative expenses.
Comprehensive Cost of Financing
Comprehensive cost of financing changed from a cost of Ps.872 million in
1998 to a gain of Ps.208 million in 1999 for the reasons noted below.
Net Interest Expense. Interest income decreased 60.0% from Ps.45 million
in 1998 to Ps.18 million in 1999. Interest expense decreased 7.8% from
Ps.578 million in 1998 to Ps.533 million in 1999. On a net basis, interest
expense decreased by Ps.18 million, or 3.4%, in 1999 as compared to 1998
because of the effect of a 4.0% appreciation of the peso relative to the
U.S. dollar in 1999 on our net U.S. dollar-denominated indebtedness.
Exchange Gain (Loss). Exchange losses changed from a loss of Ps.1,131
million in 1998 to a gain of Ps.212 million in 1999 because of the effect
on our net dollar-denominated indebtedness of the 22.7% peso devaluation
relative to the U.S. dollar during 1998 as compared with the 4.0% peso
appreciation during 1999. The amount of our U.S. dollar-denominated
indebtedness remained nearly constant in 1998 as compared with 1999.
Result from Monetary Position. Gains in monetary position decreased 35.5%
from Ps.792 million 1998 to Ps.511 million in 1999, because of the effect
on our net peso denominated indebtedness of the 18.6% inflation rate
during 1998 as compared with the 12.3% inflation rate during 1999 and a
decrease in our total liabilities from Ps.6,552 at December 31, 1998 to
Ps.5,896 at December 31, 1999.
Other Income (Loss)
Other income decreased from a gain of Ps.15 million in 1998 to a loss of
Ps.20 million in 1999. In 1998, the government granted us a one-time Ps.33
million tax credit with respect to consolidated subsidiaries in which we
increased our equity interest following our merger with COINSA. In 1999, we did
not receive a similar tax credit.
Income and Asset Taxes and Employee Profit Sharing
From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998, the nominal corporate income
tax rate in Mexico was 34% of a company's taxable profits. This rate increased
to 35% for fiscal year 1999 and thereafter. If the income tax payable in a
fiscal year amounts to less than 1.8% of the average value of a company's
assets, then the company would pay a minimum alternate asset tax in an amount
equal to such percentage of assets.
In addition, aside from wages and fringe benefits, Mexican companies are
required by law to provide their workers with a share of profits equal to 10% of
their taxable profit, calculated before adjustments for inflation or
amortization of tax losses of previous years.
Income and asset taxes and employee profit sharing increased from Ps.30
million in 1998 to Ps.393 million in 1999. Income and asset taxes increased from
Ps.26 million in 1998 to Ps.388 million in 1999. This increase was caused by an
increase in taxable income resulting from the change in comprehensive cost of
financing described above. However, much of this increase was offset by the
application of prior years' tax loss carry-forwards, which are recorded as
extraordinary items.
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Extraordinary Items
All of our extraordinary items relate to tax loss carry-forwards. Under
Mexican tax law, tax loss carry-forwards permit us to apply net losses from
prior years to reduce our taxable income in the current year. We are permitted
to utilize tax loss carry-forwards of our consolidated subsidiaries only in
proportion to our equity interest in the respective subsidiary.
In 1999, we recorded an extraordinary item of Ps.298 million related to
the application of tax loss carry-forwards from prior years. After that
application, we had tax loss carry-forwards of Ps.920 million which arose from
devaluations of the peso in 1994 and 1998 and tax loss carry-forwards held by
Pondercel when we acquired it. We did not record any extraordinary item in 1998
because we did not have taxable income in that period.
Net Income (Loss)
Net income increased from a loss of Ps.98 million in 1998 to an income of
Ps.865 million in 1999.
Fiscal Year 1998 Compared with Fiscal Year 1997
Net Sales
Net sales increased 9.5% from Ps.5,489 million in 1997 to Ps.6,010 million
in 1998. This increase was due to a 40.1% increase in net sales of consumer
products, which was offset in part by a 4.9% decrease in net sales of packaging
products and a 3.2% decrease in net sales of printing and writing products.
Consumer Products. Consumer products sales increased by 40.1% from
Ps.1,672 million in 1997 to Ps.2,343 million in 1998. This increase in
sales was due to:
o a 30.4% increase in sales volume of our consumer products, caused
by:
o a 29.4% increase in sales volume of tissue paper due to our
acquisition of the 67,000 metric ton-per-year manufacturing
plant in Ecatepec, Estado de Mexico, which we operated for
approximately six months in 1997 and for the full year in
1998, and
o a 37.1% increase in sales volume of feminine-care products due
to the installation in May 1998 of a plant with a capacity of
220 million units-per-year,
o a 7.5% increase in sales prices in real terms of our consumer
products, due to a 12.2% increase in tissue products sales prices in
real terms caused by a shift toward more value-added products, and
o an aggressive marketing effort focused on advertising and brand name
awareness.
Packaging Products.
Packaging products sales decreased 4.9% from Ps.1,611 million in 1997 to
Ps.1,532 million in 1998, which resulted from a 7.1% decrease in sales
prices in real terms, partially offset by a 2.4% increase in sales volume.
This decrease in packaging products sales was caused by two factors.
First, there was less demand in 1998 for premium bags, and thus we sold
more lower-priced bags. Second, we were unable to increase our bag prices
at the rate of inflation in 1998.
Printing and Writing Products. Printing and writing products sales
decreased 3.2% from Ps.2,206 million in 1997 to Ps.2,135 million in 1998,
which resulted from a 2.8% decrease in sales prices in real terms and a
0.5% decrease in sales volume. This decrease in printing and writing
products sales was due to our inability to increase our bond paper prices
at the rate of inflation in 1998, because bond paper prices are generally
tied to international pulp prices, which fluctuate with the U.S. dollar.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales increased 9.0% from Ps.3,700 million in 1997 to Ps.4,032
million in 1998, in line with the overall increase in sales. Gross profit
increased 10.6% from Ps.1,789 million in 1997 to Ps.1,978 million in 1998. Gross
margin, as a percentage of net sales, increased from 32.6% in 1997 to 32.9% in
1998. This
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increase was due to a shift in our product mix towards consumer products, which
have a relatively higher added value than our other products.
Consumer Products. Cost of sales of consumer products increased 33.3% from
Ps.1,062 million in 1997 to Ps.1,416 million in 1998. This increase was
due to the 30.4% increase in sales volume mentioned above.
Packaging Products. Cost of sales of packaging products decreased 5.9%
from Ps.1,002 million in 1997 to Ps.943 million in 1998. This decrease was
due to a decrease in raw material costs, which was partially offset by a
2.4% increase in sales volume.
Printing and Writing Products. Cost of sales of printing and writing
products increased 2.3% from Ps.1,636 million in 1997 to Ps.1,673 million
in 1998. This increase resulted from the domestic cost of our raw
materials increasing at a higher rate than the rate of inflation.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased 19.3% from Ps.973 million in
1997, or 17.7% of net sales, to Ps.1,161 million in 1998, or 19.3% of net sales.
Of the Ps.188 million increase in selling and administrative expenses:
o Ps.53 million was the result of an increase in freight costs
associated with the transportation of a growing production volume,
o Ps.45 million was the result of significant increases in the
advertising and promotion of our tissue and feminine-care products,
o Ps.26 million was associated with a larger sales force and the
opening of new distribution centers, and
o Ps.21 million was the result of operating expenses incurred with
respect to our tissue paper manufacturing plant in Ecatepec, Estado
de Mexico, which we operated during only the last six months of 1997
and all of 1998.
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income increased 0.1% from Ps.816 million in 1997 to Ps.817
million in 1998. Operating margin, which consists of operating income as a
percentage of net sales, decreased from 14.9% in 1997 to 13.6% in 1998 because
of the significant increase in selling and administrative expenses described
above.
Comprehensive Cost of Financing
Comprehensive cost of financing increased 317.2% from Ps.209 million in
1997 to Ps.872 million in 1998 for the reasons noted below.
Net Interest Expense. Interest income increased 28.6% from Ps.35 million
in 1997 to Ps.45 million in 1998. Interest expense decreased 11.8% from
Ps.655 million in 1997 to Ps.578 million in 1998. On a net basis, interest
expense decreased by Ps.87 million, or 14.0%, in 1998 as compared to 1997.
This decrease in net interest expense resulted from lower interest rates
charged by the creditors of our Ps.5,602 million indebtedness, following
its restructuring and conversion to U.S. dollar-denominated indebtedness.
Exchange Loss. Exchange losses increased by 690.9% from Ps.143 million in
1997 to Ps.1,131 million in 1998. Of this Ps.988 million increase in
exchange losses:
o Ps.934 million was the result of the effect on our net U.S.
dollar-denominated indebtedness of the 22.7% devaluation of the peso
against the U.S. dollar during 1998 as compared to a 2.5%
devaluation during 1997, and
o Ps.54 million was the result of a U.S.$24 million increase in our
U.S. dollar-denominated indebtedness in 1998 resulting from
investments in fixed assets and working capital needs.
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Result from Monetary Position. Gains in monetary position increased 43.0%
from Ps.554 million in 1997 to Ps.792 million in 1998. This increase was
caused by an increase in the inflation rate from 15.7% in 1997 to 18.6% in
1998 and an increase in our total liabilities from Ps.6,261 in 1997 to
Ps.6,552 in 1998.
Other Income (Loss)
Other income decreased from a gain of Ps.57 million in 1997 to a gain of
Ps.15 million in 1998 because:
o in 1997, we received insurance proceeds in the amount of Ps.18
million following the occurrence of a fire in our tissue plant in
San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon,
o in 1998, we incurred a Ps.13 million loss as a result of the
interruption in production activities at our pulp plant in Anahuac,
Chihuahua, and
o we recorded expenses related to the amortization of goodwill
following the acquisition of our tissue-paper manufacturing plant in
Ecapetec, Estado de Mexico for only the last six moths of 1997 and
all of 1998.
Income and Asset Taxes and Employee Profit Sharing
Income and asset taxes and employee profit sharing decreased 86.3% from
Ps.219 million in 1997 to Ps.30 million in 1998. Income and asset taxes
decreased from Ps.199 million in 1997 to Ps.26 million in 1998. This decrease
was caused by the change in taxable income resulting from the exchange loss
incurred in 1998.
Our effective tax rate in 1998 was 34%. Although we incurred a net loss of
Ps.98 million in 1998, we paid taxes in the amount of Ps.26 million.
Our effective tax rate in 1997, without giving effect to tax benefits
resulting from prior years' tax loss carry-forwards, which we record as
extraordinary items, was 30.0%. After giving effect to extraordinary items, our
1997 effective tax rate was 2.2%.
Extraordinary Items
All of our extraordinary items relate to tax loss carry-forwards. We did
not record any extraordinary item in 1998 because we did not have taxable income
in that period. In 1997, we recorded an extraordinary gain of Ps.185 million
because we applied tax loss carry-forwards from prior periods to our taxable
income in 1997.
Net Income (Loss)
Net income changed from an income of Ps.460 million in 1997 to a loss of
Ps.98 million in 1998.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
General. Historically, we have funded our cash requirements from cash flow
from our subsidiaries' operations and short-term and long-term borrowings. Our
operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As a holding company, we have
no independent operations and, therefore, are dependent on the cash flow of our
subsidiaries to meet our obligations.
Total debt at December 31, 1999 was Ps.4,780 million, a decrease of Ps.822
million, or 14.7%, compared to the level at December 31, 1998. Of our total debt
at December 31, 1999, Ps.2,308 million was short-term debt and Ps.2,472 million
was long-term debt. All of our debt outstanding at December 31, 1999 was U.S.
dollar-denominated. The aggregate amount of our short-term credit lines at
December 31, 1999 was U.S.$185.6 million, of which U.S.$ 71.8 million was
available principally for trade financing and working capital purposes.
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The Senior Notes. In April 1997, we issued U.S.$200 million 11.375% senior
notes due 2004 pursuant to an indenture dated as of April 25, 1997 among us, IBJ
Schroder Bank and Trust Company and Citibank, N.A. We used the net proceeds of
this issuance to repay short- and long-term debt owed by us and by our
subsidiaries. We have since repurchased some of our senior notes in the
secondary market, and approximately U.S.$180.3 million of these senior notes
remain outstanding.
Under the indenture, we are subject to covenants of the type normally
included in a high-yield debt transaction, including limitations on:
o our ability to incur debt unless we satisfy a 2.5 to 1.0
EBITDA/interest ratio, subject to certain exceptions,
o our ability to make investments, loans or advances,
o our ability to pay dividends or redeem or retire capital stock
unless:
-- we are not, at that time, in default under the Senior Notes,
-- we would be permitted, at that time, to incur at least U.S.$1
of debt under the Senior Notes, and
-- the amount of such payment, plus all similar payments, does
not exceed 50% of our consolidated cumulative net income since
April 1997, plus the net proceeds of our issuances of capital
stock since April 1997, plus cash returns on investments
permitted under the Senior Notes, plus U.S.$15 million, and
o our ability to create liens on our assets.
The Syndicated Credit Facility. In March 2000, we entered into a U.S.$130
million credit facility with certain banks and Citibank, N.A., as administrative
agent, which we refer to as the Syndicated Credit Facility. We borrowed U.S.$130
million under this facility and used the proceeds to refinance a U.S.$125
million credit facility with a syndicate of banks including Banco Santander and
a U.S.$5 million short-term loan. The Syndicated Credit Facility bears interest
at LIBOR plus a rate between 3.0% and 4.5%, determined based on our debt to
EBITDA ratio. The Syndicated Credit Facility is to be amortized in 13 equal and
consecutive quarterly payments beginning in March 2001 and matures in March
2004.
Under the Syndicated Credit Facility, we are subject to covenants,
including limitations on:
o consolidations, mergers, sales of assets and incurrence of liens,
and
o total debt/EBITDA maintenance ratio, which may be no greater than
4.5 in the first year, 4.0 in the second year, 3.75 in the third
year and 3.5 in fourth year,
o total debt/EBITDA debt-incurrence ratio, which may be no greater
than 4.25 in the first year, 3.75 in the second year, 3.5 in the
third year and 3.25 in fourth year,
o EBITDA/net interest expense ratio, which must be not less than 2.25
in the first year, 2.5 in the second year, 2.75 in the third year
and 3.0 in the fourth year,
o EBITDA/total fixed charges ratio, which must be not less than 1.1 to
1, and
o total net worth, which must be not less than 80% of our total net
worth as of December 31, 1998, in constant pesos.
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<PAGE>
Banamex Facility I and II. In September 1997, we entered into a U.S.$50
million credit facility, which we refer to as Banamex Facility I, with Banco
Nacional de Mexico, S.A., which is known as Banamex. In August, 1997, we entered
into a U.S.$20 million credit facility with Banamex, which we refer to as
Banamex Facility II. We borrowed U.S.$50 million under Banamex Facility I and
U.S.$20 million under Banamex Facility II, all of which we used to repay our
short-term debt. Banamex Facility I bears interest at 9% and matures on
September 29, 2002 and Banamex Facility II bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.73%
and matures on August 5, 2001. Under each of these facilities, we are subject to
covenants, including limitations on:
o current ratio, which must be greater than or equal to 1.10 during
the term of the loans,
o debt/EBITDA ratio, which must be less than 5.0 for 1999 through
2002,
o EBITDA/financial expense ratio, which must be greater than or equal
to 2.00 through 2002, o payments of dividends by Copamex or by
Papelera de Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V., Pondercel, S.A. de C.V.,
Papeles Higienicos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. or Industrial Papelera
Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. to Copamex, which are permitted only if there
are no defaults,
o debt coverage ratio, which must be equal or greater to 1.20 during
2000 and 1.0 during 2001 and 2002,
o total equity, which must be, at minimum, equal to U.S.$363 million
plus 25% of consolidated net profits when positive, and
o substantial changes to our shareholders or management.
Other Indebtedness. Copamex and/or our subsidiaries are parties to four
other credit facilities, loan agreements or financing leases with restrictive
covenants and, under those agreements, have borrowed an aggregate amount of
approximately U.S.$7.2 million. These loans bear interest at rates between LIBOR
plus 1.75% and LIBOR plus 2.875% and a fixed rate of 8.5% and mature on dates
from 2000 to 2002. Under those agreements, we are subject to covenants,
including limitations on:
o debt coverage ratio, which must be greater than 1.0,
o current ratio, which must be greater than an amount ranging from 1.0
to 1.05,
o payments of dividends by Industrial Papelera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.
or Papeles Higienicos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. to Copamex, which are
only permitted when there are no defaults under the relevant loan
agreements and the payment of dividends would not cause a default,
o payments of dividends by Sacos y Envases Industriales, S.A. de C.V.
to Copamex, which are only permitted when there are no defaults
under financial covenants in the relevant loan agreement and the
payment of dividends would not cause a default under those financial
covenants,
o payments of dividends by Copamex, which are only permitted when
there are no defaults by Copamex or Industrial Papelera Mexicana,
S.A. de C.V. under the relevant loan agreement,
o EBITDA/financial expense ratio, which must be greater than 2.0,
o debt/EBITDA ratio, which must be less than 5.0, o total equity,
which must be, at minimum, equal to U.S.$363 million plus 25% of
consolidated net profits when positive, and
o substantial changes to our shareholders or management or a change of
the majority shareholder group.
The following table presents our amortization requirements with respect to
our total indebtedness at December 31, 1999.
-35-
<PAGE>
Year Millions of U.S. dollars
---- ------------------------
2000................................ 243.0
2001................................ 25.6
2002................................ 52.2
2003................................ 1.1
2004 and thereafter................. 181.3
Past Defaults under Bank Agreements
We were party to a U.S.$125 million credit facility with a syndicate of
banks led by Banco Santander that had a maturity date in July 2000. In July
1999, when that facility was due in less than one year, we were required to
classify that facility as short-term debt for accounting purposes. That
classification caused Copamex and some subsidiaries to be in default under
current ratio and debt coverage ratio covenants under a credit agreement with
Bancomer and three credit agreements with Banamex. U.S.$74.3 million outstanding
principal amount of loans were in default because of this classification. We
asked Bancomer and Banamex to waive these covenants until January 2, 2001, and,
in December 1999, Bancomer and Banamex granted those waivers. When we refinanced
the Banco Santander facility with the Syndicated Credit Facility in March 2000,
those defaults were cured. Neither Bancomer nor Banamex exercised any remedies
against Copamex or our subsidiaries because of these defaults.
Unrelated to the defaults mentioned above, in December 1997, our
subsidiary Sacos y Envases Industriales, S.A. de C.V., which we call SEISA, was
in default of covenants in a credit agreement with Bancomer that required
Copamex and our subsidiaries taken together to have a leverage ratio of less
than 0.8 at the end of that fiscal year. At that time, our combined leverage
ratio was 1.05. In March 1998, Bancomer granted SEISA a waiver of compliance
with that leverage covenant for 1997, which cured the default. At the end of
fiscal year 1998, our combined leverage ratio was still greater than 1.0. We did
not receive a waiver of non-compliance for 1998. In November 1999, our combined
leverage ratio was still greater than 1.0. We asked Bancomer to waive that
covenant until January 2, 2001 and, in December 1999, Bancomer granted that
waiver. Bancomer did not exercise any remedies against Copamex or our
subsidiaries because of this default. The outstanding amount of the defaulted
loan only represented U.S.$1.9 million, or 0.4% of our total bank debt
outstanding at December 31, 1999.
If we continue to default under our bank agreements, our lenders have the right
to declare our loans to be immediately due and payable and/or to impose a higher
rate of interest on our loans. We do not expect to continue to default on our
bank agreements. However, we cannot assure you that we will not default under
our bank agreements.
Capital Expenditures
The following table sets forth our capital expenditures for expansion of
production and investments in preventive maintenance.
In millions of U.S. dollars 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
------ ------- ------ ------ ------
Capital expenditures..... 40.6 25.9 37.9 32.4 33.3
Preventive maintenance 16.8 19.5 21.2 18.3 20.7
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total................... 57.4 45.4 59.1 50.7 54.0
===========================================
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<PAGE>
The degree and timing of our capital expenditures will remain strongly
dependent on economic developments in Mexico, including inflation and exchange
rates, the stability of international financial markets and the availability of
suitable financing.
At December 31, 1999, we had U.S.$71.8 million of short term credit lines
available, principally for trade financing and working capital purposes. We
expect to be able to fund our capital expenditures and meet our obligations from
funds from operations, bank lines of credit and other financing facilities.
Dividends
Copamex paid dividends of Ps.206.4 million or U.S.$19.2 million, in 1997
and Ps.78.2 million or U.S.$7.0 million in 1998. Copamex paid dividends of
Ps.163.4 million or U.S.$17.2 million in 1999.
In recent years, following requests from minority shareholders, COINSA
made large dividend payments to its shareholders. Until 1996, all shareholders
other than the minority shareholders requesting dividends returned their
respective dividend payments to COINSA in the form of capital contributions. As
a result, the equity interest in COINSA of the minority shareholders requesting
dividends has been gradually diluted in relation to the other shareholders. In
1998 and 1999, the shareholders of Copamex received dividend payments but did
not make any capital contributions.
We currently plan to make dividend payments if our earnings permit, after
taking into consideration our capital requirements, future prospects and other
factors deemed relevant by our shareholders. Our ability to pay dividends is
also subject to the limitations on dividend payments imposed by Mexican law and
our existing debt obligations and credit agreements.
Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP
The following table sets forth a comparison of our net income,
stockholders' equity and working capital, measured as current assets minus
current liabilities, in accordance with Mexican GAAP and U.S. GAAP:
At or for the Year Ended
December 31,
-------------------------------------
Millions of constant December 31,
1999 pesos 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ----
Income (loss) before minority
interest in accordance with:
Mexican GAAP..................... Ps. 630 Ps. (70) Ps. 914
Net Income in accordance with:
U.S. GAAP........................ 191 227 496
Stockholders' equity in accordance
with:
Mexican GAAP .................... Ps. 5,413 Ps. 4,942 Ps. 5,529
U.S. GAAP........................ 2,067 3,139 3,387
Working capital in accordance with:
Mexican GAAP .................... Ps. 834 Ps. 353 Ps. (737)
U.S. GAAP........................ (1,623) (66) (1,169)
The principal differences between Mexican GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they
relate to us are the treatment of inflation adjustments, capitalized interest,
minority interest, amortization of negative goodwill and inventory valuations.
See the relevant descriptions below and see also Note 16 to the audited
consolidated financial statements. The Mexican and U.S. GAAP treatments of
deferred income taxes differed until the end of fiscal year 1999. See "Item
8-Selected Financial Data."
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<PAGE>
Inflation Adjustments
The reconciliation to U.S. GAAP does not include the reversal of the
adjustments to the financial statements for the effects of inflation required
under Mexican GAAP, Bulletin B-10, because the application of Bulletin B-10
represents a comprehensive measure of the effects of price level changes in the
Mexican economy. As such, Bulletin 10 considered a more meaningful presentation
than historical cost-based financial reporting for both Mexican and U.S.
accounting purposes.
Capitalized Interest
Under Mexican GAAP, the comprehensive cost of financing on assets in
construction is capitalized. Under U.S. GAAP, interest must be considered an
additional cost of constructed assets to be capitalized in property, plant and
equipment and depreciated over the lives of the related assets.
Deferred Income Taxes
Until December 31, 1999, Mexican GAAP required that income taxes be
provided for identifiable, non-recurring timing differences at rates in effect
at the time such differences originated. Benefits from loss carry-forwards are
not allowed to be recognized before the period in which the carry-forward is
utilized. See "Item 8-Selected Financial Data" for a description of the new
treatment relating to deferred income taxes which became effective in January
2000.
Under U.S. GAAP, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes" requires an asset and liability method of
accounting for income taxes whereby deferred taxes are recognized for the tax
consequences of all temporary differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts and the related tax bases of assets and liabilities. The effect
on deferred taxes of a change in tax rate is recognized in income in the period
in which the change is enacted.
SFAS 109 requires deferred tax assets to be reduced by a valuation
allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, including cumulative
losses in recent years, it is more likely than not that some portion of all of
the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Minority Interest
Under Mexican GAAP, minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries is
presented as a separate component within the stockholders' equity section in the
consolidated balance sheet. For U.S. GAAP purposes, minority interest is not
included in stockholders' equity.
Amortization of Negative Goodwill
Under Mexican GAAP, negative goodwill is classified as a deferred credit
and amortized over a period of no more than five years. Under U.S. GAAP,
negative goodwill is amortized over the weighted average life of the acquired
fixed assets.
Inventory Valuations
Under Mexican GAAP, a direct costing system is used, which considers only
the variable costs of production, to value inventory. Under U.S. GAAP, inventory
valuation must include all production costs, fixed and variable.
ITEM 9-A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
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<PAGE>
Interest Rate Risk
Our earnings are affected by changes in interest rates, because we are
exposed to interest rate risk on our existing floating rate debt and any new
floating rate debt that we incur. Our principal indebtedness at December 31,
1999 and the interest payable thereon included the following:
o our short-term debt, primarily in the form of lines of credit,
amounted to U.S.$113.8 million and bears interest at a
weighted-average variable rate of 9.64%.
o our long-term debt amounted to U.S.$389.4 million and bears interest
at the following rates:
-- for a U.S.$130.8 million portion, three-month LIBOR plus 2.0%,
-- for a U.S.$50.0 million portion, 9.0%,
-- for a U.S.$20.0 million portion, six-month LIBOR plus 1.73%,
-- for a U.S.$8.3 million portion, rates ranging from 6.81% to 9.37%,
and
-- for our U.S.$200.0 million senior notes, of which U.S.$180.3 million
remain outstanding on the date of this annual report, 11.375%.
We have not entered into derivative financial contracts. The
following table summarizes the carrying values and fair values of our debt
obligations as of December 31, 1999.
In millions of U.S. dollars Total Fair Value
------- ------------
Short-term debt.......... 243.0 243.0
Long-term debt........... 79.9 79.9
11.375% senior notes..... 180.3 167.7
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Our debt obligations are denominated in U.S. dollars while we generate
revenues in pesos. Therefore, we are exposed to currency exchange rate risks
that could significantly affect our ability to meet our obligations. We
currently do not plan to enter into hedging transactions with respect to these
foreign currency risks, but we continue to consider the appropriateness of this
option. Mexico maintains a floating exchange rate regime and the peso has
experienced significant devaluations in recent years. Any significant decrease
in the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar in the near term may have a
material adverse effect on our liquidity and on our ability to meet our debt
obligations. At December 31, 1999, a hypothetical 10% devaluation of the peso
relative to the U.S. dollar would give us a Ps.478.0 million, U.S.$45.7 million,
exchange loss over a one-year period.
ITEM 10. Directors and Officers of Registrant
The following table sets forth name, age, position and term of service of
each director of our company at December 31, 1999. The members of the board of
directors are not appointed for a specific term. Directors serve subject to the
discretion of the shareholders.
Current
Position
Name Age Position Held Since
------------------------------ --- --------------------- ----------
Juan Bosco Maldonado Quiroga 43 Chairman of the Board 1994
Alejandro M. Ferrigno
Maldonado 35 Director 1991
Gonzalo Luis Lozano Garcia 64 Director 1978
Eloy Santiago Vallina Laguera 62 Director 1995
Roberto Maldonado Gonzalez 41 Director 1992
Ricardo Maldonado Gonzalez 46 Director 1992
Carlos Luis Diaz Saenz 39 Director 1999
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<PAGE>
Eduardo L. Gallegos Rodriguez 57 Alternate Director 1995
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the name, age, position and term of service
of each executive officer of our company at December 31, 1999. Executive
officers are not appointed for a specific term. They serve subject to the
discretion of Copamex.
Current
Position Held
Name Age Position Since
Juan Bosco Maldonado Quiroga 43 Executive President 1992
Alejandro M. Ferrigno Maldonado 35 Chief Executive Officer 1996
Gonzalo Luis Lozano Garcia 64 Executive Vice President 1997
Sergio F. de la Garza y de Silva 43 Chief Corporate Officer 1992
Jorge Alvarez-Tostado Pozas 42 Chief Financial Officer 1999
Armando Fernandez Murguia 54 Chief Governmental
Relationships Officer 1996
Oscar Vazquez Rojas 60 Director for Consumer
Products Division 1999
Oscar Castillo Hinojosa 53 Director for Printing and
Writing Paper Products Division 1999
Norberto Valverde Armendariz 64 Technical Advisor for Forest
and Pulp Products Operations 1999
Juan Rangel Aguilar 42 Director for for Packaging
Division 1999
Juan Gilberto Flores
Villarreal 34 Director for Central
America Division 1999
Ulf Kjaer Nilsson 46 Manager for Printing and Writing
Paper Products Sales 1998
Jesus Armando Olvera
Fonseca 42 Manager for Consumer Products
Sales 1996
Carlos Luis Diaz Saenz 39 General Counsel 1999
Francisco Javier Fuentes Garcia 48 Director of Human Resources 1997
Rogelio Martinez Cardona 49 Sub-Director of Internal Control
and Audit 1996
Rodolfo Gutierrez Pena 41 Sub-Director of Financial
and Tax Information 1991
Armando Vazquez Castillo 49 Director of Packaging
Project Development 1999
Carlos Grave Moosbrugger 48 Director of Purchasing and
Logistics 1999
Pedro Gallardo Arellano 47 Director of Information 1997
Jesus Gonzalez Juarez 43 Sub-Director of Treasury 1997
Family Relationships
Juan Bosco Maldonado Quiroga is the uncle of Alejandro Martin Ferrigno
Maldonado. Roberto Maldonado Gonzalez and Ricardo Maldonado Gonzalez are
brothers and also cousins of Juan Bosco Maldonado Quiroga.
Statutory Auditor
Under our corporate charter and in accordance with Mexican law, our
shareholders must elect at the annual meeting at least one statutory auditor, or
comisario, and may elect a corresponding alternate statutory auditor. The
primary role of a statutory auditor is to supervise all of our activities and
report to our shareholders at the annual ordinary general meeting of
shareholders regarding the accuracy, sufficiency and completeness of
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<PAGE>
the financial information presented to the shareholders by the Board of
Directors. Currently, the statutory auditor is Hector Isao Hongo Tsuji, a
partner at the firm of Mancera, S.C., our independent auditors.
ITEM 11. Compensation of Directors and Officers
The aggregate amount of compensation paid by the Company during the year
ended December 31, 1999 to all directors and executive officers as a group was
Ps.42.8 million.
ITEM 12. Options to Purchase Securities from Registrant or Subsidiaries
Not applicable.
ITEM 13. Interest of Management in Certain Transactions
Copamex, through its subsidiary Corporativo Copamex, S.A. de C.V.,
provides corporate and administrative services to its affiliates on a fair
market value basis. For 1999, Corporativo Copamex, S.A. de C.V. generated Ps.7.0
million in revenues from such services.
In August 1999, Copamex made a loan to Dinamica Industrial Empresarial,
S.A. de C.V., which owns 41% of the series A shares. At December 31, 1999, the
outstanding amount of this loan was Ps.0.7 million. This loan bears interest at
a variable rate that was 20.8% at December 31, 1999, and the interest is payable
monthly.
In August 1999, Copamex also made a loan to Consorcio de Bienes Raices del
Norte, S.A. de C.V., which owns 2.4% of the series A Shares. At December 31,
1999, the outstanding amount of this loan was Ps.0.6 million. This loan bears
interest at a variable rate that was 20.8% at December 31, 1999, and the
interest is payable monthly. The principal amount of this loan is due on June
30, 2000. Part II
ITEM 14. Description of Securities to be Registered
Not applicable.
Part III
ITEM 15. Default Upon Senior Securities
See "Item 9-Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operation-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Past Defaults under
Bank Agreements."
ITEM 16. Changes in Securities and Changes in Security for Registered Securities
Not applicable.
Part IV
ITEM 17. Financial Statements
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this Item.
ITEM 18. Financial Statements
See Item 19(a) for a list of financial statements filed under Item 18.
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<PAGE>
ITEM 19. Financial Statements And Exhibits
Page
(a) List of Financial Statements for Copamex, S.A. de C.V.
Report of Independent Accountants ................................. F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets-- December 31, 1999 and 1998 .......... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income--Fiscal Years Ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997 ........................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity-Fiscal
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 .................. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position-Fiscal
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 ................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ........................ F-7
Financial Statement Schedules
Report of Independent Accountants on Copamex, S.A. de C.V.'s
Financial Statement Schedules .................................. S-1
Schedule IX--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for
Copamex, S.A. de C.V ........................................... S-2
(b) List of Exhibits
Credit Agreement dated as of March 13, 2000, among Copamex, the lenders
party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent.
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<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all requirements for filing on
Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
COPAMEX, S.A. de C.V.
By: /s/ Jorge Alvarez Tostado
------------------------------------------
Jorge Alvarez Tostado
Chief Financial Officer
Date: June 30, 2000
<PAGE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
<PAGE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SHEETS
As of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
Contents:
Independent auditor's report
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
<PAGE>
[Letterhead of Mancera Ernst & Young]
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REVIEW REPORT
To the Stockholders of Copamex, S.A. de C.V.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Copamex, S.A. de
C.V. and Subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and changes
in financial position for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1999. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsability is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the 1997 financial
statements of certain subsidiaries, which statements reflect total assets and
revenues constituting 4% and 12% respectively, of the related consolidated
totals. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose reports have been
furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to data included for
these subsidiaries, is based solely on the reports of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in Mexico, which are substantially the same as those followed in the United
States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits and the reports of other auditors provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
<PAGE>
In our opinion, based on our audits and the reports of other auditors, the
consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of Copamex, S.A. de C.V.
and Subsidiaries at December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the consolidated results of
their operations, and changes in their consolidated financial position for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in Mexico which differ in certain
respects from those followed in the United States (see Note 16 to the
consolidated financial statements).
/s/ Mancera, S.C.
MANCERA, S.C.
Member of Ernst & Young
International
Garza Garcia, N.L.
February 18, 2000
<PAGE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 1999 and 1998
(Thousands of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 1999)
Assets 1999 1998
------------- -------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents Ps. 38,748 Ps. 164,240
Trade receivables 1,378,382 1,218,372
Related parties - Note 7 1,356 --
Other accounts receivable
- Note 10 110,287 160,452
Inventories - Note 2 1,041,434 940,923
Prepaid expenses 52,870 62,830
------------- -------------
Total current assets 2,623,077 2,546,817
------------- -------------
Investment in shares and
other assets 2,704 5,151
Property, plant and
equipment, net - Note 3 8,258,822 8,373,503
Excess of cost of shares of
subsidiaries over book value 33,583 40,719
Intangible assets - Note 4 506,996 527,676
------------- -------------
Total assets Ps.11,425,182 Ps.11,493,866
============= =============
Liabilities and stockholders' equity 1999 1998
------------- -------------
Current liabilities:
Bank loans - Note 5 Ps.1,080,542 Ps.1,224,032
Current portion of long-term
debt 1,227,827 72,066
Suppliers 683,266 614,988
Other accounts payable - Note 10 306,262 272,563
Income tax, asset tax and employee
profit sharing 62,068 9,957
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 3,359,965 2,193,606
------------- -------------
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current
portion - Note 5 2,471,653 4,305,782
Labor obligations - Note 8 64,275 52,634
------------- -------------
Total long-term liabilities 2,535,928 4,358,416
------------- -------------
Total liabilities 5,895,893 6,552,022
------------- -------------
Stockholders' equity - Note 9:
Capital stock 4,236,983 4,236,983
Retained earnings 1,261,819 560,422
(Deficit) excess from restatement of
stockholders' equity (128,520) 14,527
------------- -------------
Majority interest 5,370,282 4,811,932
Minority interest 159,007 129,912
------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity 5,529,289 4,941,844
------------- -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity Ps.11,425,182 Ps.11,493,866
============= =============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years
ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
(Thousands of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 1999)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales Ps.6,213,192 Ps.6,009,802 Ps.5,488,695
Cost of sales (4,106,730) (4,032,278) (3,700,095)
------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit 2,106,462 1,977,524 1,788,600
Selling and administrative expenses (1,285,268) (1,161,101) (973,319)
------------ ------------ ------------
Operating income 821,194 816,423 815,281
------------ ------------ ------------
Comprehensive income from (cost of) financing:
Interest income 18,154 45,274 34,800
Interest expense (533,714) (578,350) (654,456)
Exchange gain (loss), net - Note 10 211,976 (1,130,888) (143,479)
Result from monetary position 511,163 791,803 554,444
------------ ------------ ------------
207,579 (872,161) (208,691)
------------ ------------ ------------
Other (loss)income, net -Note 10 (19,920) 15,821 56,679
------------ ------------ ------------
Income (loss) before income and asset
taxes, and employee profit sharing 1,008,853 (39,917) 663,269
Income and asset taxes - Note 11 (387,668) (25,775) (199,475)
Employee profit sharing (4,987) (4,576) (19,454)
------------ ------------ ------------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item
and minority interest 616,198 (70,268) 444,340
Extraordinary item:
Tax benefit resulting from prior years'
tax loss carry-forwards - Note 11 298,157 -- 184,722
------------ ------------ ------------
Income (loss) before minority interest 914,355 (70,268) 629,062
Minority interest (49,558) (28,077) (170,246)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) for the year Ps. 864,797 Ps. (98,345) Ps. 458,816
============ ============ ============
Weighted average common shares
outstanding 28,454,200 27,123,935 20,472,610
Income (loss) per common share (In Mexican pesos):
Before extraordinary item Ps. 19.91 Ps. (3.62) Ps. 13.38
Extraordinary item 10.48 -- 9.02
------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) per common share Ps. 30.39 Ps. (3.62) Ps. 22.40
============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements
<PAGE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
(Thousands of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 1999)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Excess
(deficit) from
restatement of
Capital Retained stockholders' Minority
stock earnings equity interest Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at December 31, 1996 Ps. 854,328 Ps.3,549,870 Ps.1,739,028 Ps.997,992 Ps.7,141,218
Increase of capital stock 4,185,057 (3,234,894) (950,163) --
Effect of split (2,068,417) (293,746) (2,362,163)
Cash dividends paid (206,457) (206,457)
Minority interest 705,860 705,860
Net income for the year 458,816 458,816
Result of holding non-monetary assets (324,548) (324,548)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at December 31, 1997 2,970,968 567,335 170,571 1,703,852 5,412,726
Effect of merger 1,266,015 167,048 (28,944) (1,404,119) --
Cash dividends paid (75,616) (2,608) (78,224)
Minority interest (169,821) (169,821)
Net loss for the year (98,345) (98,345)
Result of holding non-monetary assets (124,492) (124,492)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at December 31, 1998 4,236,983 560,422 14,527 129,912 4,941,844
Allocation of results --
Cash dividends paid (163,400) (163,400)
Minority interest 29,095 29,095
Net income for the year 864,797 864,797
Result of holding non-monetary assets (143,047) (143,047)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at December 31, 1999 Ps.4,236,983 Ps.1,261,819 Ps. (128,520) Ps.159,007 Ps.5,529,289
============================================================================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements
<PAGE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position
for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
(Thousands of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 1999)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities:
Income (loss) before extraordinary
items and minority interest Ps.616,198 Ps.(70,268) Ps.444,340
Items not requiring the use of
resources:
Allowance for doubtful accounts 4,278 5,738 9,544
Depreciation and amortization 406,735 386,660 343,723
Provision for labor obligations 9,203 8,233 7,752
Amortization of excess of cost of
shares of subsidiaries over book
value 2,909 3,554 3,835
---------- ---------- ----------
1,039,323 333,917 809,194
Trade receivables (164,287) (34,385) (248,666)
Inventories (178,807) (125,056) (406,090)
Prepaid expenses 9,960 (4,001) (58,830)
Suppliers 68,278 (61,774) 229,600
Other accounts receivable and
payable, net 84,946 79,158 131,997
Income tax, asset tax and employee
profit sharing 52,111 (18,022) (94,273)
Effect of spin-off in working capital -- -- (124,233)
---------- ---------- ----------
Resources provided by operating
activities before extraordinary item 911,524 169,837 238,699
Extraordinary item 298,157 -- 184,722
---------- ---------- ----------
Resources provided by operating
activities 1,209,681 169,837 423,421
---------- ---------- ----------
Financing activities:
Short-term bank loans (9,327) 599,436 (365,403)
Monetary effect on short-term bank
loans (134,163) (116,237) (173,900)
Proceeds from bank borrowings
and issuance of long-term debt 19,470 562,955 2,255,080
Bonds (71,692) 191,359 2,149,518
Payments of long-term debt (146,302) (103,232) (2,066,026)
Monetary effect on long-term bank
loans (479,844) (693,553) (327,217)
Cash dividends paid (163,400) (78,227) (206,457)
Minority interest (20,464) (197,898) 535,614
Effect of spin-off in stockholders'
equity -- -- (2,362,163)
Effect of spin-off in other accounts
related with financing activities -- -- (309,418)
---------- ---------- ----------
Resources (used in) provided by
financing activities (1,005,722) 164,603 (870,372)
---------- ---------- ----------
Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment, net (315,275) (359,629) (1,168,269)
Intangible assets (16,623) 8,094 (593,633)
Excess of cost of shares of subsidia-
ries over book value -- -- 8,576
Other investments 2,447 2,068 55,498
Effect of spin-off in other accounts
related with investing activities -- -- 2,193,177
---------- ---------- ----------
Resources (used in) provided by
investing activities (329,451) (349,467) 495,349
---------- ---------- ----------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash
equivalents (125,492) (15,027) 48,398
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of year 164,240 179,267 130,869
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end
of year Ps. 38,748 Ps.164,240 Ps.179,267
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
Consolidated Financial Statements
<PAGE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES (COPAMEX)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
At December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
(Thousands of constant Mexican pesos as of
December 31, 1999)
1. Organization and accounting policies
Description of the business
Copamex, S.A. de C.V. is a Mexican company that holds the shares of the
companies listed below.
The main activities of these companies are concentrated in three groups: 1) the
consumer products group, which produces bathroom and facial tissue, paper
towels, paper napkins, adult incontinence diapers, feminine-hygiene, and
away-from-home products, 2) the packaging products group which produces kraft
paper and multi-wall paper bags, and 3) the printing and writing products group
which produces cut-sized paper, bond paper and specialty papers. Some
subsidiaries are dedicated to property leasing.
On February 25, 1998, the Extraordinary General Shareholders' Assembly approved
the merger of Copamex, S.A. de C.V. with Copamex Industrias, S.A. de C.V., with
the first company remaining after the merger. Until this date Copamex, S.A. de
C.V. was the parent company of Copamex Industrias, S.A. de C.V.
Use of estimates
In preparing financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles, management is required to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ
from these estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include those of Copamex, S.A. de C.V. and
the subsidiaries in which they hold the majority of the capital stock, as
follows:
<PAGE>
2
% of
participation
1999 1998
---------------------
Copamex Empaque, S.A. de C.V 99.96% --
Pondercel, S.A. de C.V 99.81% 99.98%
Papelera de Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V 98.22% 98.22%
Industrial Papelera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V 100.00% 100.00%
Cia. Papelera Maldonado, S.A. de C.V 100.00% 100.00%
Papeles Higienicos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V 100.00% 100.00%
Papeles Higienicos del Centro, S.A. de C.V 100.00% 100.00%
Copamex Comercial, S.A. de C.V 100.00% 99.80%
Comercializadora Copamex, S.A. de C.V 100.00% --
Copamex Paper Resources Inc. -- 100.00%
Plantaciones Industriales Mexicanas,
S.A. de C.V 100.00% 100.00%
Proveedora Industrial de Chihuahua,
S.A. de C.V 100.00% 100.00%
Sacos y Envases Industriales, S.A. de C.V 99.96% 100.00%
Bolsas de Papel Guadalajara, S.A. de C.V 99.96% 100.00%
Bolsas y Articulos de Papel, S.A. de C.V 99.96% 100.00%
Materiales Reciclables del Norte, S.A
de C.V.(1) -- 100.00%
Fibras Secundarias, S.A. de C.V.(1) -- 99.60%
Comercial Recicladora, S.A. de C.V 99.96% 100.00%
Master Fibers Inc. 99.96% 100.00%
Sancela, S.A. de C.V 51.00% 51.00%
Comercializadora Sancela, S.A. de C.V 51.00% 51.00%
Sancela de Costa Rica, S.A 51.00% 51.00%
Taloquimia, S.A. de C.V 51.00% 51.00%
Corporativo Copamex, S.A. de C.V 100.00% 100.00%
Desarrollo Inmobiliario COINSA,
S.A. de C.V 100.00% 99.90%
Servicios Comerciales Cocosa, S.A
de C.V 99.96% 99.96%
Productora Internacional de Articulos
de Papel, S.A 100.00% 100.00%
Compania Regiomontana de Inversiones,
S.A. de C.V 99.98% 99.98%
Bolsas Maldonado, S.A. de C.V 99.60% 99.60%
Desarrollo Inmobiliario del Poniente,
S.A. de C.V 100.00% 100.00%
Inpamex Planta Huehuetoca, S.A. de C.V 100.00% --
Maquinaria y Equipo Pachisa, S.A. de C.V 99.78% --
Cajas y Empaques Industriales, S.A. de C.V 100.00% --
Maquinaria y Equipo Papelera, S.A. de C.V 99.81% --
(1) Merged with Comercial Recicladora, S.A. de C.V. in January, 1999.
<PAGE>
3
All intercompany balances and transactions were eliminated in the consolidated
financial statements.
Recognition of the effects of inflation
The Company and its subsidiaries recognize the effects of inflation on financial
information as required by Mexican Accounting Bulletin B-10 ("Recognition of the
Effects of Inflation on Financial Information"), as amended. Consequently, the
amounts presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and in
the notes to the consolidated financial statements are expressed in pesos with
purchasing power as of December 31, 1999.
Excess (deficit) from restatement of stockholders' equity
This represents the gain or loss from holding non-monetary assets, which results
when the appraised replacement cost is greater or lower than their value
computed by applying the Mexican National Consumer Price Index (NCPI).
Comprehensive income from (cost of) financing
The comprehensive income from (cost of) financing consists of net interest
expense, foreign exchange gains and losses, and result from monetary position.
Result from monetary position
This reflects the result of holding monetary assets and liabilities, the real
value of which declines in inflationary periods while the face value remains
constant.
The monetary position result is calculated on net monthly monetary positions,
using factors derived from the NCPI.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents refer mainly to bank deposits and short-term
fixed-income investments, valued at cost plus accrued interest.
Inventories and cost of sales
Final inventories are restated to replacement cost, not in excess of realizable
value, using the direct costing method. The cost of sales is determined using
the last-in, first-out method of valuation.
<PAGE>
4
Property, plant and equipment
These assets are initially recorded at acquisition cost. In accordance with the
Fifth Document of Amendments to Bulletin B-10 (modified) issued by the Mexican
Institute of Public Accountants, as of 1997, the value of these assets is
restated by applying factors derived from the NCPI.
Depreciation is calculated by the straight-line method based on the restated
value of the assets and applying rates in accordance with the useful lives of
the assets.
Excess of cost of shares of subsidiaries over book value
This represents the difference between the acquisition cost and the net book
value of shares acquired; it is calculated based on the financial statements of
the issuers at the time of acquisition of the shares. Such excess is being
amortized using the straight-line method over a period of twenty years from the
date of acquisition.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets are initially recorded at cost of acquisition and then
restated using factors derived from the NCPI.
These items are amortized by the straight-line method based on the restated
value of the assets over a period from 3 to 20 years.
Recognition of revenues
Revenues are recognized when product is shipped or delivered to the customer and
an invoice that corresponds to the agreed price is issued.
Transactions in foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the prevailing exchange rate
at the time of the related transactions. Foreign currency denominated assets and
liabilities are translated to pesos at the prevailing exchange rate at the
balance sheet date. Exchange gains and losses determined are credited and
charged, respectively, to income of the period as part of the comprehensive
income from (cost of) financing (See Note 6).
<PAGE>
5
Labor obligations
Mexican Federal Labor Law establishes the obligation to make certain payments to
personnel who leave the Company's employ under certain circumstances. The
Company follows the policy of recording severance payments in the results of the
year in which they are made. Pension fund expenses and seniority premiums are
recognized periodically on the basis of the calculations of independent
actuaries using the projected unit credit method and net inflation hypotheses.
Earnings per share
Earnings per share are computed by dividing net income for the year by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Income tax and employees' profit sharing
The Company uses the liability method to recognize the future effect of income
tax and employees' profit sharing applied to the accumulated amount of the
specific timing differences between book income and taxable income that have a
defined date of reversal and are not expected to be replaced by other items of
similar nature and amount.
Since there are no significant non-recurring timing differences, the Company has
not recorded any deferred or anticipated effect of income tax or employees'
profit sharing.
On January 1, 2000, the new Bulletin D-4 (Accounting Treatment of Income Tax,
Asset Tax and Employees' Profit Sharing) issued by the Mexican Institute of
Public Accountant came into effect. This bulletin modifies the rules for
determining deferred income tax (deferred tax). In general terms, the new
bulletin requires the determination of deferred tax on all temporary differences
between book and tax balances in the balance sheet, applying the income tax rate
that is applicable at the date of issue of the financial statements. Until
December 31, 1999, deferred income tax was only recognized on timing differences
that were considered to be non-recurring and whose reversion could be foreseen
in a defined period.
At the beginning of year 2000, the accumulated effect of adopting this bulletin
will be applied to the stockholders' equity, without restructuring the financial
statements of prior years.
<PAGE>
6
At the date of issuing these financial statements, the Company was quantifying
the impact of the adoption of the new Bulletin, which is expected to result in a
reduction in the stockholders' equity and a future increase of the provision for
income tax.
The new bulletin does not have a significant effect on the accounting for
employees' profit sharing.
2. Inventories
This item is analyzed as follows:
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Raw materials Ps. 407,218 Ps. 329,741
Finished goods 319,250 316,973
Work in process 28,111 55,871
Supplies 202,567 189,655
Inventory in transit 74,492 38,746
Advances to suppliers 9,796 9,937
------------ ------------
Ps.1,041,434 Ps. 940,923
============ ============
3. Property, plant and equipment
This asset is analyzed as follows:
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Land Ps. 436,987 Ps. 438,686
Buildings 1,401,621 1,392,502
Machinery and equipment 11,499,922 11,362,676
Other equipment 452,064 409,637
Advances to suppliers 24,188 1,640
Construction in process 172,362 146,138
Accumulated depreciation (5,728,322) (5,377,776)
------------ ------------
Ps.8,258,822 Ps.8,373,503
============ ============
Depreciation expense for the period ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 was
Ps. 369,442, Ps. 348,887, and Ps. 323,664, respectively. The remaining useful
lives of assets at December 31, 1999 and 1998 were:
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Buildings 17.4 to 42.5 20.5 to 47.9
Machinery and equipment 17.9 to 34.0 20.9 to 39.3
Other assets 4.8 to 8.8 4.6 to 10.8
<PAGE>
7
4. Intangible assets
This item is analyzed as follows:
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Brand names Ps. 431,472 Ps. 431,472
Technology 87,954 87,954
Debt issuance costs 61,959 61,959
Other 20,224 3,611
------------ ------------
601,609 584,996
Accumulated amortization (94,613) (57,320)
------------ ------------
Ps. 506,996 Ps. 527,676
============ ============
5. Bank loans and Long-term debt
a) Bank loans
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Denominated in U.S. dollars Ps.1,080,542 Ps.1,224,032
============ ============
Interest rates 7.90% 6.81%
to 13.21% to 12.50%
Weighted average of applicable
interest rates at December 31 9.64% 8.87%
The Company maintains short-term credit lines with several banks. At December
31, 1999 and 1998 unused lines of credit by Copamex were Ps. 682,778 and Ps.
1,003,290, respectively.
b) At December 31, 1999 and 1998 long-term debt exceeding current maturities, is
as follows:
1999 1998
------------ ------------
In foreign currency Ps.2,471,653 Ps.4,305,782
============ ============
<PAGE>
8
c) An analysis of long-term debt as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 is as follows:
December 31, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of loan Interest rate Amount
------------ ------------- -------------
Bonds (1) 11.375% Ps. 1,712,313
Syndicated bank loans (2) Libor plus 2% 1,187,323
Unguaranteed bank loans Libor plus 1.7265 189,972
Unguaranteed bank loans 9.00% 474,930
Guaranteed bank loans 7.58% (3) 134,942
-------------
3,699,480
Less current portion (1,227,827)
-------------
Ps. 2,471,653
=============
December 31, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of loan Interest rate Amount
------------ ------------- -------------
Bonds (1) 11.375% Ps. 2,003,616
Syndicated bank loans (2) Libor plus 2% 1,389,316
Unguaranteed bank loans Libor plus 1.7265 222,291
Unguaranteed bank loans 9.00% 555,727
Guaranteed bank loans 8.17% (3) 206,898
-------------
4,377,848
Less current portion (72,066)
-------------
Ps. 4,305,782
=============
(1) In April 1997, Copamex Industrias, S.A. de C.V. (mergered company) issued
Eurobonds aggregating $ 200 million US dollars, which mature in the year
2004. These bonds were converted into Yankee Bonds in September, 1997.
During 1998, Copamex, S.A. de C.V. purchased bonds amounting to US$ 19,730
thousand dollars in the secondary market, obtaining an income of US$ 1,380
thousand dollars; which is included as interest income in the consolidated
statement of income.
(2) Syndicated bank loan granted to Copamex Industrias, S.A. de C.V. (mergered
Company) by 11 banks, with Banco Santander de Negocios, S.A. as the agent.
The total amount of the loan was $ 125 million US dollars with a final due
date in July, 2000.
<PAGE>
9
(3) Corresponding to the weighted average of the applicable nominal interest
rates as of December 31 of each year.
d) The loan agreements of the long-term loans contain certain covenants
requiring the borrower to maintain specific financial ratios. At December 31,
1999, some of the Company's subsidiaries failed to comply with these covenants
and obtained a waiver from the banking institutions.
e) Long-term maturities:
1999 1998
------------ ------------
2000 Ps. -- Ps.1,432,365
2001 243,074 279,831
2002 495,552 575,132
2003 10,789 7,756
2004 1,717,752 2,004,952
2005 4,486 5,746
------------ ------------
Ps.2,471,653 Ps.4,305,782
============ ============
6. Position in foreign currency
At December 31, 1999 and 1998 foreign currency denominated assets and
liabilities are as follows:
Thousands of US dollars
------------------------------------
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Current assets 9,769 17,810
Short-term liabilities (288,592) (151,221)
Long-term liabilities (260,212) (387,401)
-------- --------
Liability position, net (539,035) (520,812)
======== ========
Inventories and property, plant
and equipment acquired from
foreign suppliers 493,352 458,237
======== ========
Inventories and property, plant and equipment are those that are manufactured
outside Mexico; they are presented at their restated net values.
At December 31, 1999 and 1998 the exchange rates were Ps. 9.4986 and Ps. 9.8963
per one US dollar. At February 18, 2000 the exchange rate was Ps. 9.3592 per one
U.S. dollar.
<PAGE>
10
An analysis of transactions in foreign currency and its equivalent in Mexican
pesos is as follows:
Thousands of US dollars
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
-------- -------- --------
Sales 26,532 36,274 32,403
Purchases (125,344) (125,141) (154,057)
Thousands of Mexican pesos
------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- -------- --------
Sales Ps.254,254 Ps.377,916 Ps.345,051
Purchases (1,193,552) (1,282,771) (1,649,815)
7. Related parties
A summary of related party balances is as follows:
1999 1998
---------- ----------
Consorcio de Bienes Raices del
Norte, S.A. de C.V. Ps. 615 Ps. --
Dinamica Industrial Empresarial,
S.A. de C.V. 741 --
---------- ----------
Ps. 1,356 Ps. --
========== ==========
Loans made in August 1999, at variable interest rates, which are similar to
market rates, and with monthly payments, through March 31 and June 30, 2000. A
subsidiary of the Company provides administrative and corporative services to
affiliated companies.
All transactions with related parties are realized in similar terms to
transactions realized with unrelated parties.
A summary of related party transactions is as follows:
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
Income from administrative
services Ps. 6,881 Ps. 7,265 Ps. 37,708
Interest income 2,479 6,437 9,936
Rental income 568 1,425 --
Interest expense -- 446 12,260
Rental expenses -- -- 2,058
Other income -- -- 3,118
<PAGE>
11
8. Labor obligations
The Company's unfunded pensions plan provides a pension that is complementary to
the Social Security pension and consists of a monthly lifetime payment that is
guaranteed for 120 months. Payments are based on the monthly average ordinary
salary received by the participant during the last 12 months prior to
retirement. Participant must be at least 65 years old with at least 10 years of
services.
The net consolidated expense and the assumptions with respect to retirement
pension and seniority premium plans at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, are as
follows:
1999
--------------------------------------------
Seniority
Premiums Pensions Total
--------------------------------------------
Net period cost:
Labor cost Ps. 1,431 Ps. 4,002 Ps. 5,433
Financial cost 753 2,079 2,832
Amortization 578 360 938
--------------------------------------------
2,762 6,441 9,203
--------------------------------------------
Present benefit obligation 17,704 45,119 62,823
Projected benefit obligation 19,465 53,766 73,231
Transition liability 5,246 6,739 11,985
Net projected liability 14,390 46,264 60,654
Additional liability 3,667 2,037 5,704
Discount rate 4.5% 4.5%
Amortization period 10 years 19 years
to 13 years to 28 years
1998
--------------------------------------------
Seniority
Premiums Pensions Total
--------------------------------------------
Net period cost:
Labor cost Ps. 1,343 Ps. 3,482 Ps. 4,825
Financial cost 683 1,795 2,478
Amortization 580 350 930
--------------------------------------------
2,606 5,627 8,233
--------------------------------------------
Present benefit obligation 15,196 34,569 49,765
Projected benefit obligation 16,544 42,732 59,276
Transition liability 3,291 1,807 5,098
Net projected liability 11,167 38,180 49,347
Additional liability 2,712 348 3,060
Discount rate 4.5% 4.5%
Amortization period 10 years 21 years
to 12 years to 28 years
<PAGE>
12
1997
--------------------------------------------
Seniority
Premiums Pensions Total
--------------------------------------------
Net period cost:
Labor cost Ps. 1,317 Ps. 3,224 Ps. 4,541
Financial cost 653 1,624 2,277
Amortization 586 348 934
--------------------------------------------
2,556 5,196 7,752
--------------------------------------------
Present benefit obligation 12,787 28,431 41,218
Projected benefit obligation 13,895 35,575 49,470
Transition liability 5,410 6,265 11,675
Net projected liability 9,752 33,513 43,265
Additional liability 2,853 3,196 6,049
Discount rate 4.5% 4.5%
Amortization period 10 years 21 years
to 12 years to 28 years
9. Stockholders' equity
a) Capital stock is variable, with a fixed minimum of Ps. 600. There is no limit
on the amount of variable capital.
At a meeting held on January 28, 1998, the stockholders agreed to pay a cash
dividend of Ps. 60,000 (Ps.78,224 in December 31, 1999 pesos). The cash dividend
was paid in April, 1998.
The Extraordinary General Shareholders' Assembly of February 25, 1998 approved a
merger involving the incorporation of Copamex Industrias, S.A. de C.V. into
Copamex, S.A. de C.V.
At a meeting held on June 4, 1999, the stockholders agreed to pay a cash
dividend of Ps. 155,929 (Ps. 163,400 in December 31, 1999 pesos). The cash
dividend was paid in July (Ps. 116,947) and August (Ps. 38,982).
At December 31, 1999 and 1998, capital stock consists of 28,454,200 common
registered shares with a par value of one hundred pesos each.
The capital stock presented in the statement of financial position is as
follows:
1999 1998
-------------- -------------
Fixed capital stock Ps. 600 Ps. 600
Variable capital stock 2,844,820 2,844,820
-------------- -------------
2,845,420 2,845,420
Restatement 1,391,563 1,391,563
-------------- -------------
Total capital stock Ps. 4,236,983 Ps. 4,236,983
============== =============
<PAGE>
13
b) The investment of minority stockholders is as follows:
1999 1998
-------------- -------------
Capital stock Ps. 126,717 Ps. 125,568
Additional paid-in capital 2,262 203
Retained earnings 269,216 250,852
Deficit from restatement of
stockholder's equity (288,746) (274,788)
Minority income 49,558 28,077
-------------- -------------
Ps. 159,007 Ps. 129,912
============== =============
The changes to the capital stock and retained earnings of minority stockholders
of Copamex, S.A. de C.V. and Subsidiaries at December 31, 1999 and 1998, are as
follows:
1999
----------------------------------------
Capital Retained
stock earnings
----------------------------------------
Minority interest as of December
31, 1998 Ps. 125,568 Ps. 250,852
Increase in common stock of
subsidiaries 6,516 --
Decrease in common stock of
subsidiaries (5,367) --
Cash dividends paid -- (9,458)
Other
Capitalization of retained
earnings -- 27,822
----------------------------------------
Minority interest as of December
31, 1999 Ps. 126,717 Ps. 269,216
========================================
1998
----------------------------------------
Capital Retained
stock earnings
----------------------------------------
Minority interest as of December
31, 1997 Ps. 1,389,951 Ps. 476,168
Effect of merger (1,266,016) (167,048)
Cash dividends paid -- (56,635)
Other 1,633 (1,633)
----------------------------------------
Minority interest as of December
31, 1998 Ps. 125,568 Ps. 250,852
========================================
<PAGE>
14
c) Effective January 1, 1999, the corporate income tax rate was increased from
34% to 35%. However, corporate taxpayers have the option of deferring a portion,
so that the tax payable for the year will represent 30% of taxable income (32%
in 1999). The earnings on which there is a deferral of taxes must be controlled
in a so-called "net reinvested tax profit" account ("CUFINRE"), to clearly
identify the earnings on which the taxpayer has opted to defer payment of
corporate income tax.
If the Company opts for this tax deferral, starting in the year 2000, earnings
will be distributed first from the "CUFINRE" account, and any excess will be
distributed form the "net tax profit" account ("CUFIN"), so as to pay the 5%
deferred tax (3% for 1999).
Any distribution of earnings in excess of the above-mentioned account balances
will be subject to payment of 35% corporate income tax.
In addition, effective January 1, 1999, cash dividends obtained by individuals
or residents abroad from corporate entities in Mexico, will be subject to a 5%
withholding tax, on the amount of the dividend multiplied by 1.5385 (1.515 for
dividends paid from the determined balance of the "CUFIN" account at December
31, 1998).
10. Other information
An analysis of certain accounts presented in the financial statement is as
follows:
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Other accounts receivable:
Sundry debtors Ps. 34,311 Ps. 56,395
Tax to be recovered 50,235 71,013
Other 25,741 33,044
------------ ------------
Ps. 110,287 Ps. 160,452
============ ============
Other accounts payable:
Interest payable Ps. 79,341 Ps. 89,434
Sundry creditors 178,251 105,436
Taxes payable 26,115 65,178
Advances from customers 15,137 1,808
Sundry provisions 7,418 10,707
------------ ------------
Ps. 306,262 Ps. 272,563
============ ============
<PAGE>
15
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
----------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Exchange gain (loss), net:
Exchange loss Ps.(556,379) Ps.(1,273,004) Ps.(160,210)
Exchange gain 768,355 142,116 59,320
Loss on hedging contracts -- -- (42,589)
----------- ------------- -----------
Ps. 211,976 Ps.(1,130,888) Ps.(143,479)
=========== ============= ===========
Other (loss) income, net:
Liabilities written-off Ps. -- Ps. -- Ps. 6,208
Gain on sale of fixed
asset and other
materials 17,161 12,799 6,888
Gain on sale of shares -- -- 20,179
Income and asset tax
recovered -- 32,887 22,562
Amortization of excess of
shares of subsidiaries over
book value (2,909) (3,553) (3,835)
Amortization of intangible
assets (24,921) (26,865) (20,059)
Costs related with the stand
idle of a production line
in a subsidiary (17,886) (12,861) --
Insurance recovery -- -- 17,736
Other 8,635 13,414 7,000
----------- ------------- -----------
Ps. (19,920) Ps. 15,821 Ps. 56,679
=========== ============= ===========
</TABLE>
11. Taxes
a) Income and asset taxes
Copamex, S.A. de C.V. and each one of its subsidiaries are subject to pay income
tax or asset tax, whichever is greater for the year. Asset tax is levied at a
rate of 1.8% of the net average value of most assets (at restated values) net of
certain liabilities.
The income tax of Copamex, S.A. de C.V. and Subsidiaries is determined on a
consolidated basis, which involves offsetting the adjusted tax results of the
companies of the Group. The offsetting is carried out based on the holding
company's equity multiplied by 60%.
The adjusted tax results are determined at the currency in which transactions
are carried out, and not at the year end currency.
b) Net operating losses carried forward
At December 31, 1999 the consolidated losses for income tax purposes of Copamex,
S.A. de C.V. and Subsidiaries that may be carried forward, and applied against
future taxable earnings, are as follows:
<PAGE>
16
Year in which
right to
Year of loss Amount of loss carry-forward expires
---------------- -------------- ---------------------
1995 Ps. 509,989 2005
1998 410,128 2008
At December 31, 1998 the consolidated losses for income tax purposes of Copamex,
S.A. de C.V. and Subsidiaries that may be carried forward, and applied against
future taxable earnings, are as follows:
Year in which
right to
Year of loss Amount of loss carry-forward expires
---------------- -------------- ---------------------
1995 Ps.1,427,159 2005
1998 356,822 2008
c) Income tax reconciliation
The following is a reconciliation of the difference between income tax computed
at the statutory income tax rate and the Company's actual income tax rate:
1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- -----------
Income tax at the statutory
rate (35% in 1999 and 34% in
1998 and 1997) on income before
provision for income and asset
taxes, employee profit sharing
and extraordinary items Ps. 353,099 Ps. (13,572) Ps. 225,511
Add (deduct):
Inventory (78,464) 1,842 (101,516)
Depreciation 7,674 (11,936) 3,157
Inflationary effects (589) (15,075) 883
Other 16,437 38,741 (7,927)
Income tax corresponding to
subsidiary companies, which was
paid to Secretaria de
Hacienda y Credito Publico 26,643 14,743 14,753
----------- ----------- -----------
Provision for income tax 324,800 14,743 134,861
Asset tax paid 62,868 11,032 64,614
----------- ----------- -----------
Provision for income and
asset tax Ps. 387,668 Ps. 25,775 Ps. 199,475
=========== =========== ===========
<PAGE>
17
d) Timing differences
Income reported for financial and income tax purposes differ because of
permanent and timing differences. The principal timing differences relate to
certain asset and liability provisions, the differences between purchases and
manufacturing expenses over cost of sales and accounting and tax depreciation.
In conformity with Mexican accounting principles Bulletin D-4, deferred taxes on
temporary items have not been recognized because they are of a recurring nature
and will not be realized in a known period of time.
e) Employee profit sharing
The Company and its subsidiaries are required by law to pay employee profit
sharing to its employees, in addition to their contractual compensations and
benefits. The statutory employee profit sharing rate is 10% and it is computed
basically on taxable income after eliminating certain effects of inflation and
the restatement of depreciation expense.
12. Information by segments
Information on the different groups in which the Company operates is shown
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Printing and
Consumer Packaging writing
products products products
group group group Elimination Consolidated
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales Ps.2,693,078 Ps.1,725,411 Ps.2,067,579 Ps.(272,876) Ps. 6,213,192
Operating income 451,378 350,756 19,060 821,194
Total assets 4,117,546 2,160,619 5,184,816 (37,799) 11,425,182
Depreciation and
amortization 142,582 79,742 184,411 406,735
Capital expenditure 105,080 68,640 141,555 315,275
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
18
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Printing and
Consumer Packaging writing
products products products
group group group Elimination Consolidated
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales Ps.2,307,331 Ps.1,722,920 Ps.2,162,046 Ps.(182,495) Ps. 6,009,802
Operating income 339,625 374,533 102,265 816,423
Total assets 3,896,138 2,354,063 5,252,954 (9,289) 11,493,866
Depreciation and
amortization 117,420 72,617 196,623 386,660
Capital expenditure 239,738 33,281 86,610 359,629
<CAPTION>
1997
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Printing and
Consumer Packaging writing
products products products
group group group Elimination Consolidated
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales Ps.1,706,085 Ps.1,707,928 Ps.2,227,821 Ps.(153,139) Ps. 5,488,695
Operating income 212,451 377,666 225,164 815,281
Total assets 3,759,035 2,485,448 5,450,568 (21,334) 11,673,717
Depreciation and
amortization 82,062 70,094 191,567 343,723
Capital expenditure 250,839 39,938 117,128 407,905
</TABLE>
Revenues by location of customer are as follows :
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------
Mexico Ps.5,922,389 Ps.5,631,888 Ps.5,143,646
United States 179,133 295,068 280,475
Central America 111,670 82,846 64,574
------------ ------------ ------------
Ps.6,213,192 Ps.6,009,802 Ps.5,488,695
============ ============ ============
Revenues by products are as follows:
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------
Consumer products
Tissue paper Ps.1,777,423 Ps.1,687,209 Ps.1,162,817
Feminine hygiene products 639,804 490,414 385,921
Adult incontinence diapers 9,875 4,360 --
Systems of hygiene insti-
tutional 69,382 12,665 --
Notebooks 135,618 112,665 91,250
Other products 29,877 36,046 31,887
------------ ------------ ------------
Sub-total 2,661,979 2,343,359 1,671,875
------------ ------------ ------------
<PAGE>
19
Packaging products
Multi-wall bags 899,224 863,799 932,881
Packaging paper 594,063 633,440 646,845
Recyclable paper 55,076 35,154 31,457
------------ ------------ -----------
Sub-total 1,548,363 1,532,393 1,611,183
------------ ------------ -----------
Printing and writing products
Printing and writing paper 1,605,037 1,723,051 1,789,694
Specialty paper 307,770 324,245 326,878
Pulp 38,642 24,035 30,128
Pine oil 27,196 26,790 29,590
Other products 24,205 35,929 29,347
------------ ------------ -----------
Sub-total 2,002,850 2,134,050 2,205,637
------------ ------------ -----------
Total Ps.6,213,192 Ps.6,009,802 Ps.,488,695
============ ============ ===========
13. Guarantees and guarantors
The guaranteed bank loans with guarantees referred to in Note 5 are
collateralized by the machinery acquired with the resources obtained from such
loans.
14. Contingencies
In April 1999, Copamex, S.A. de C.V. received a notice from SAT (Mexican
Treasury Department) expressing disagreement with the consolidated income tax
and asset tax that the Company had paid for the year of 1993. In said notice,
SAT demanded the liquidation of a Tax Credit which projected until December 31,
1999, is Ps. 61,314. The Mexican Federal Tax Tribunal has agreed with the
demands presented by the Company. The Company's legal advisors believe that
there are sufficient ground for the Company to be given a favorable resolution.
15. Accounts reclassifications
Some accounts of the financial statements as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 were
reclassified to conform to the classification adopted in the financial
statements as of December 31, 1999.
16. Differences between Mexican and United States generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP").
The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
Mexican GAAP, which differ in certain significant respects from generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP").
<PAGE>
20
The Mexican GAAP consolidated financial statements reflect certain effects of
inflation as provided for under Bulletin B-10, as amended, whereas financial
statements prepared under U.S. GAAP are presented on a historical-cost basis.
The following reconciliations to U.S. GAAP do not include the reversal of the
adjustments required under Bulletin B-10, as amended, as its application
represents a comprehensive measure of the effects of price level changes as a
result of inflation in the Mexican economy and is considered a more meaningful
presentation than historical cost-based financial reporting for both Mexican and
U.S. accounting purposes.
The other principal differences between Mexican GAAP and U.S. GAAP applicable to
the Company's consolidated financial statements are discussed below and include
a presentation of the effect on the Company's consolidated stockholders' equity
and consolidated net income, in thousands of constant Mexican pesos with
purchasing power at December 31, 1999. Explanation of the adjustments where
appropriate is provided below.
Summary:
Consolidated stockholders' equity and consolidated net income, adjusted for the
effect of certain material differences between Mexican GAAP and U.S. GAAP, are
as follows:
1999 1998
------------- -------------
Stockholders' equity under Mexican GAAP Ps. 5,529,289 Ps. 4,941,844
U.S. GAAP adjustments:
Capitalization of interest,
net of depreciation 443,308 425,666
Deferred income taxes(1) (1,790,935) (1,392,413)
Deferred employee profit sharing(1) (662,351) (726,031)
Minority interest (125,719) (100,228)
Negative goodwill (48,746) (57,137)
Inventory valuations 42,234 47,559
------------- -------------
Stockholders' equity under U.S. GAAP Ps. 3,387,080 Ps. 3,139,260
============= =============
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Consolidated net income (loss)
before minority interest as
reported under Mexican GAAP Ps. 914,355 Ps. (70,268) Ps. 629,062
U.S. GAAP adjustments:
Capitalization of interest,
net of depreciation 17,642 6,764 (4,109)
Deferred income taxes(1) (447,888) 369,388 (262,403)
Deferred employee profit
sharing(1) (63,680 (48,376) (47,821)
Minority interest (54,997) (56,181) (143,312)
Inventory valuation (5,325) 21,755 14,789
Amortization of goodwill 8,391 4,141 4,464
------------- -------------- -------------
Consolidated net income under
U.S. GAAP Ps. 495,858 Ps. 227,223 Ps. 190,670
============= ============== =============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
21
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Weighted average common shares
outstanding 28,454,200 27,123,935 20,472,610
------------- -------------- -------------
Earnings per share (in Mexican
pesos) Ps. 17.43 Ps. 8.37 Ps. 9.31
============= ============== =============
</TABLE>
(1) Deferred income taxes and employee profit sharing are reflected net of the
effect on net monetary position. The deferred tax amounts include the applicable
deferred tax on the GAAP adjustments included in the reconciliation.
The differences between balance sheet line item amount reported under Mexican
GAAP and U.S. GAAP are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
------------------------------ -----------------------------
Mexican U.S. Mexican U.S.
GAAP GAAP GAAP GAAP
------------------------------ -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Inventories Ps. 1,041,434 Ps. 1,083,668 Ps. 940,923 Ps. 988,482
Total current assets 2,623,077 2,665,311 2,546,817 2,528,005
Property, plant and
equipment, net 8,258,822 8,702,130 8,373,503 8,799,169
Excess of cost of
shares of subsidia-
ries over book value 33,583 37,667 40,719 42,725
Total assets 11,425,182 11,914,808 11,493,866 11,969,054
Current deferred
income tax -- 373,219 -- 293,753
Current deferred
employee profit
sharing -- 100,449 -- 106,440
Total current liabili-
ties 3,359,965 3,833,633 2,193,606 2,593,839
Deferred income tax -- 1,417,716 -- 1,098,660
Deferred employee
profit sharing -- 561,902 -- 619,591
Excess of book value
over cost of shares
of subsidiaries -- 52,830 -- 59,139
Minority interest 159,007 125,719 129,912 100,228
Retained earnings 1,261,819 (771,449) 560,422 (1,155,124)
(Deficit) excess
from restatement of
stockholders' equity (128,520) (78,454) 14,527 56,854
Total stockholders'
equity 5,529,289 3,387,080 4,941,844 3,139,260
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity 11,425,182 11,914,808 11,493,866 11,969,054
</TABLE>
Capitalized interest
Under Mexican GAAP the Company capitalizes comprehensive income from (cost of)
financing on assets in construction. Under U.S. GAAP, interest must be
considered an additional cost of constructed
<PAGE>
22
assets to be capitalized in property, plant and equipment and depreciated over
the lives of the related assets. The amount of interest capitalized for U.S.
GAAP purposes was determined by reference to the Company's average interest cost
of outstanding borrowing.
Income taxes
Income tax and employee profit sharing are recorded under Mexican GAAP using the
partial-liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax and profit
sharing are recognized for nonrecurring timing differences between taxable and
book income which are expected to reverse at a definite future date. Also, under
Mexican GAAP, the benefit from utilizing tax loss carry forwards and asset tax
credits is not recognized until it is realized.
The Company applies Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 (SFAS
No. 109) for U.S. GAAP reconciliation purposes. This statement requires an asset
and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income tax
under the following basic principles: (a) a current tax liability or asset is
recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the
current year, (b) a deferred tax liability or asset is recognized for the
estimated future tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards, (c) the
measurement of current and deferred tax liabilities and assets is based on
provisions of the enacted tax law and the effects of future changes in tax laws
or rates are not anticipated, and (d) the measurement of deferred tax assets is
reduced by the amount of any tax benefits that are not expected to be realized.
Under this method, deferred income tax and profit sharing are recognized with
respect to all temporary differences, and the benefit from utilizing tax loss
carry-forwards and asset tax credits is recognized in the year in which the loss
or credits arise (subject to a valuation allowance with respect to any tax
benefits not expected to be realized). Thus, the utilization of operating loss
carry-forwards are not extraordinary items for U.S. GAAP purposes.
The temporary differences under SFAS No. 109 are determined based on the
difference between the indexed tax-basis amount of the asset or liability and
the related amount reported in the financial statements. The deferred tax
expense or benefit is calculated as the difference between (a) the deferred tax
assets and liabilities at the end of the current period determined as indicated
above, and (b) the deferred tax assets and liabilities reported at the end of
the prior period adjusted to units of purchasing power at the end of the current
period. The deferred profit sharing expense or benefit is calculated similarly.
Under U.S. GAAP, employee profit sharing expense would be considered as a
component of operating expenses.
<PAGE>
23
The portion of deferred taxes attributable to the excess of indexed costs over
replacement cost has been reflected as an adjustment to the excess from
restatement of stockholders' equity. As a result, under U.S. GAAP, deferred
income taxes credited directly to excess in the restatement of stockholders'
equity is as follows:
1999 1998
------------- -------------
Deferred income taxes Ps. 50,066 Ps. 42,327
============= =============
The material components of the net deferred income tax liability under U.S. GAAP
consist of the following:
1999 1998
------------- -------------
DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES:
Inventories Ps. 365,028 Ps. 338,018
Property, plant and equipment 1,778,270 1,705,788
------------- -------------
Total deferred income tax
liabilities 2,143,298 2,043,806
------------- -------------
DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS:
Other net assets 8,191 (44,265)
Tax loss carry-forwards (360,554) (607,128)
------------- -------------
Total deferred income tax assets (352,363) (651,393)
------------- -------------
Net deferred income tax liability
under U.S. GAAP Ps. 1,790,935 Ps. 1,392,413
============= =============
The material components of the net deferred employee profit sharing liability
under U.S. GAAP consist of the following:
1999 1998
------------- -------------
DEFERRED EMPLOYEE PROFIT
SHARING LIABILITIES:
Inventories Ps. 104,294 Ps. 93,902
Property, plant and equipment 561,902 619,591
Other net assets (3,845) 12,538
------------- -------------
Total deferred employee profit
sharing liabilities 662,351 726,031
------------- -------------
Net deferred employee profit
sharing liability under
U.S. GAAP Ps. 662,351 Ps. 726,301
============= =============
<PAGE>
24
Minority interest
Under Mexican GAAP, the minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries is
presented as a separate component within the stockholders' equity section in the
consolidated balance sheet. For U.S. GAAP purposes, the minority interest is not
included in stockholders' equity.
Negative goodwill
Under Mexican GAAP, negative goodwill is classified as a deferred credit and
amortized over a period of no more than five years.
For U.S. GAAP purposes negative goodwill would be amortized over the weighted
average life of the acquired fixed and intangible assets.
Inventory valuations
In Mexico the direct costing system is accepted, which considers only the
variable costs of production, to inventory valuation.
Under U.S. GAAP the inventory valuation must include all the production costs,
fixed and variable.
Post-retirement benefits
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") has issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for
Post-retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" (SFAS No. 106). This standard
requires accrual of post-retirement benefits other than pensions (such as health
care benefits) during the years an employee provides services. The Company does
not provide such post-retirement benefits.
Additional disclosures about Pensions and other Post-retirement Benefits
The Company has adopted the provisions of Statements of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other
Post-retirement Benefits". Prior year amounts in the following table have bean
restated to conform to the 1998 presentation.
The change in the seniority premiums and pension benefit obligations for the
period was as follows:
<PAGE>
25
1999 1998
--------- ---------
Obligations at beginning of year Ps. 2,634 Ps.43,192
--------- ---------
Change in benefit obligations:
Service cost 5,433 4,825
Interest cost 2,832 2,478
Amortization 938 930
Additional minimum liability 3,066 2,642
Benefit payments (1,258) (1,210)
Other 630 (223)
-------- ---------
Net increase in benefit obligations 11,641 9,442
-------- ---------
Obligations at end of year Ps. 4,275 Ps.52,634
========= =========
Contingencies
Except for the situation discussed in Note 14, the Company is not aware of any
situation that could result in a contingent loss that would require to be
disclosed in accordance with SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies".
Fair value of financial instruments
In accordance with U.S. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107,
(SFAS No. 107) "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments",
information is provided about the fair value of certain financial instruments.
The estimated fair value of statutory financial instrument is the amount at
which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing
parties.
The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of
financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents.
The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short
maturity of such instruments.
Bank loans and long-term debt.
The carrying value of the Company's bank loans and long-term debt is
deemed to equal fair value. The interest rate on the Company's
long-term debt is in accordance with market rates.
<PAGE>
26
Advertising
The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. Total advertising
expense charged to operations was approximately Ps. 212,591, Ps. 150,016 and Ps.
104,947 in December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk and concentrations of credit
risk
The Company has no financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are
limited due to the large number of entities comprising the Company's customer
base.
Comprehensive income
In accordance with statement of financial accounting standards No.130 "Reporting
comprehensive income", information is provided as follows:
1999 1998
---------- ----------
Net income under U.S. GAAP Ps.495,858 Ps.227,223
Other comprehensive income:
Result from holding non-monetary assets
(net of tax effect of Ps.50,066 in
1999 and Ps.42,327 in 1998) (92,981) (82,165)
---------- ----------
Comprehensive income Ps.402,877 Ps.145,058
========== ==========
Ending accumulated balances of other comprehensive income as of December 31,
1999 and 1998 were Ps.(83,538) and Ps. 9,588, respectively.
Information by segments
In accordance with SFAS 131 "Disclosures about segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information", information on the different sectors in which the Company
operates, is provided in Note 12.
Gain on the repurchases of bonds
Under U.S. GAAP gain on the repurchase of bonds, as explained in Note 5, is
accounted for as an extraordinary item.
<PAGE>
27
Amortization of excess of cost of shares of subsidiaries over book value,
amortization of intangible assets and unusual items.
Under U.S. GAAP these items are included in operating income.
Income and asset tax recovered
Under U.S. GAAP this item should be included as a credit to income tax expense.
Impact of recently issued accounting standards
In June 1998, the FASB issued, SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" which is effective for fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2000. The adoption of this statement is expected to
have no effect on the Company because it has no operations with derivative
instruments or hedging contracts.
Statements of position SOP 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" and SOP 98-5 "Reporting on the Cost of
Start-Up Activities" are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
1998. The adoption of these accounting standards had no effect in the financial
statements.
Cash flow information
Bulletin B-12 addresses the presentation of statements of changes in financial
position where the financial statements have been restated to constant Mexican
pesos in accordance with the Third Amendment to Bulletin B-10. U.S. Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 95 ("SFAS No. 95"), "Statement of Cash Flow",
establishes U.S. standards for providing a statement of cash flows in
general-purpose financial statements. SFAS No. 95 does not provide guidance with
respect to inflation adjusted financial statements. The changes in financial
position reflected in the consolidated statements of changes in financial
position are based on the differences between the beginning and ending balance
sheet balances stated in pesos of purchasing power as of December 31, 1999. The
changes in inventories and property, plant and equipment are adjusted by the
applicable result from holding non-monetary assets which is recorded in
stockholders' equity. Monetary gains or losses and unrealized foreign exchange
gains and losses are not presented in the operating activities section as a
reconciling adjustments, as they are included in the respective monetary asset
or liability line and presented in the financing activity section of the
statement of changes in financial position. A SFAS No. 95 statement of cash flow
would be as follows:
<PAGE>
28
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
---------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities:
Net income under U.S. GAAP Ps.495,858 Ps. 227,223 Ps.190,670
Items not requiring (providing)
the use of resources:
Allowance for doubtful accounts 4,278 5,738 9,544
Depreciation and amortization 389,093 379,902 347,832
Provision for labor obligations 9,203 8,233 7,752
Amortization of excess of cost of
shares of subsidiaries over
book value 2,077 2,861 3,835
Deferred income tax 447,888 (369,388) 262,403
Deferred employee profit sharing (63,680) 48,376 47,821
Amortization of book value over
of cost of shares of subsidiaries (6,314) (3,446) --
Monetary gain on current and long
term debt (614,007) (809,803) (501,117)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain)
loss (189,897) 1,065,361 71,479
---------- ----------- ----------
474,499 555,057 440,219
Trade receivables (164,287) (34,385) (248,666)
Inventories (183,327) (106,588) (418,396)
Prepaid expenses 9,960 (4,001) (58,830)
Suppliers 68,278 (61,774) 229,600
Other accounts receivable and
payable, net 84,946 79,158 131,997
Income tax, asset tax and employee
profit sharing 52,111 (18,022) (94,273)
Effect of spin-off in working capital -- -- (124,233)
---------- ----------- ----------
Resources provided by operating
activities 342,180 409,445 (142,582)
---------- ----------- ----------
Financing activities:
Short-term bank loans 77,882 351,051 (365,403)
Bonds -- (189,050) 2,149,518
Proceeds from borrowings from
bank loans and issuance of
long-term debt 50,466 126,403 2,255,080
Payments of long-term debt (146,302) (103,232) (2,066,026)
Cash dividends paid (163,400) (78,227) (206,457)
Minority interest 25,491 (188,708) 295,191
Effect of spin-off in stockholders'
equity -- -- (2,362,163)
Effect of spin-off in other accounts
related with financing activities -- -- (309,418)
---------- ----------- ----------
Resources used in financing activities (155,863) (81,763) (300,260)
---------- ----------- ----------
Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment, net (297,633) (352,871) (1,172,378)
Intangible assets (16,623) 8,094 (593,633)
Excess of cost of shares over book
value -- -- 8,576
Other investments 2,447 2,068 55,498
Effect of spin-off in other accounts
related with Investing act -- -- 2,193,177
---------- ----------- ----------
Resources used in
investing activities (311,809) (342,709) 491,240
---------- ----------- ----------
Decrease in cash and cash
equivalents (125,492) (15,027) 48,398
Cash and cash equivalents at
the beginning of year 164,240 179,267 130,869
---------- ----------- ----------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
29
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents at
the end of year Ps. 38,748 Ps. 164,240 Ps.179,267
========== =========== ==========
Interest expense paid Ps.516,072 Ps. 570,249 Ps.631,652
========== =========== ==========
Income taxes paid Ps. 36,596 Ps. 23,095 Ps. 10,235
========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
Cash and cash equivalents
All highly investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less are
cash equivalents and are carried at fair market value.
<PAGE>
[Letterhead of Mancera, Ernst & Young
To the Stockholders of
Copamex, S.A. de C.V.
We have audited the accompanying schedule of Allowance for doubtful accounts of
Copamex, S.A. de C.V. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998. This
schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on this schedule based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in Mexico. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the schedule of Allowance for doubtful
accounts is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the schedule of
Allowance for doubtful accounts. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall schedule presentation. We believe that our audit provides
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the schedule referred to above presents fairly, in all material
respects the Allowance for doubtful of Copamex, S.A. de C.V. and Subsidiaries at
December 31, 1999 and 1998 in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in Mexico.
/s/ MANCERA, S.C.
MANCERA, S.C.
Member of Ernst & Young
International
Garza Garcia, N.L.
February 18, 2000
<PAGE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE OF VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Thousands of Mexican pesos as of DECEMBER 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
December cost and other December
Description 31, 1998 expenses accounts Deductions 31, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts Ps. 47,745 Ps. 4,278 Ps. - Ps. 14,583 Ps. 37,440
============================================================================================
</TABLE>
COPAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE OF VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Thousands of Mexican pesos as of DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
December cost and other December
Description 31, 1997 expenses accounts Deductions 31, 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts Ps. 44,825 Ps. 5,109 Ps. - Ps. 2,189 Ps. 47,745
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>
