<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended: September 24, 2000
Commission File Number: 1-13868
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CROWN VANTAGE INC.
(Debtor-In-Possession)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Virginia 54-1752384
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4445 Lake Forest Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(513) 769-7555
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
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
------------- ------------
Number of shares of no par value common stock outstanding as of the close of
business on November 8, 2000:
10,573,039 Shares
----------------------------
<PAGE>
INDEX
CROWN VANTAGE INC.
(Debtor-In-Possession)
PART I: Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 24, 2000 and
December 26, 1999.
. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Nine months
and third quarter ended September 24, 2000 and September 26,
1999.
. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months
ended September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999.
. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.
PART II: Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
2
<PAGE>
PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
------
ITEM 1 -- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
------
CROWN VANTAGE INC.
(Debtor-In-Possession)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 24, 2000 December 26, 1999
------------------ -----------------
(Unaudited)
-----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,165 $ 2,434
Accounts receivable, net 62,204 36,871
Inventories 64,259 73,975
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 11,378 5,629
Assets held for sale or disposal 11,213 -
--------- ---------
Total current assets 151,219 118,909
Property, plant and equipment, net 241,588 349,149
Other assets 52,786 54,106
Intangibles, net 25,883 26,727
--------- ---------
Total Assets $ 471,476 $ 548,891
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 19,458 $ 45,113
Accrued liabilities 41,761 57,162
Current portion of long-term debt 301,027 583,634
Liabilities subject to compromise 434,869 -
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities 797,115 685,909
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pensions 78,623 80,436
Deferred income taxes 3,400 3,397
Other long-term liabilities 514 18,197
--------- ---------
Total Liabilities 879,652 787,939
--------- ---------
Shareholders' Equity (Deficit):
Preferred Stock, no par value;
Authorized - 500,000 shares;
Issued and outstanding - None
Common Stock, no par value;
Authorized - 50,000,000 shares;
Issued and outstanding 10,573,039 and
10,576,670 shares at September 24, 2000
and December 26, 1999, respectively 48,560 48,569
Unearned ESOP shares and other (174) (398)
Other comprehensive (loss):
Minimum pension liability (481) (481)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment (3,114) 658
Retained deficit (452,967) (287,396)
--------- ---------
(408,176) (239,048)
--------- ---------
Total Liabilities and Deficit $ 471,476 $ 548,891
========= =========
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
3
<PAGE>
CROWN VANTAGE INC.
(Debtor-In-Possession)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months (39 weeks) and Third Quarter (13 weeks)
Ended September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999
(in thousands of dollars, except per share)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Third Quarter Nine Months
-------------------------- -------------------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
--------- --------- --------- ---------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 153,491 $166,329 $ 466,326 $572,376
Cost of goods sold 150,060 161,902 464,648 546,833
--------- -------- --------- --------
Gross margin 3,431 4,427 1,678 25,543
Selling and administrative expenses (8,991) (12,128) (30,882) (42,793)
Other operating (loss) income, net (2,799) 411 (1,198) 411
Property tax accrual reversal 8,957
Asset impairment (55,894) - (55,894)
Adjustment of assets held for sale
or disposal (33,437) (33,437) (16,175)
--------- -------- --------- --------
Operating Loss (97,690) (7,290) (119,733) (24,057)
Interest expense (Contractual
interest for 2000 is $19.2
million for the quarter and $55.2
million for nine months) (8,460) (16,080) (33,840) (47,598)
Other income, net 243 179 380 473
Reorganization expense (5,500) - (12,540) -
--------- -------- --------- --------
Loss before income taxes (111,407) (23,191) (165,733) (71,182)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (560) 281 (164) 1,344
--------- -------- --------- --------
NET LOSS $(110,847) $(23,472) (165,569) (72,526)
========= ======== ========= ========
Basic loss per share $ (10.48) $ (2.24) $ (15.68) $ (6.95)
========= ======== ========= ========
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
<PAGE>
CROWN VANTAGE INC.
(Debtor-In-Possession)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months (39 weeks)
Ended September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999
(in thousands of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months
-----------------------
2000 1999
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
(Unaudited)
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities:
Net loss $(165,569) $(72,526)
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and cost of timber harvested 41,433 46,004
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles 844 844
Non-cash interest and other 5,091 13,097
Property tax accrual reversal - (8,957)
Asset impairment 55,894 -
Adjustment of assets held for sale or disposal 33,437 16,175
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (29,629) (63)
Inventories 3,278 6,207
Other current assets (6,411) (222)
Accounts payable 16,831 (2,131)
Accrued interest 10,282 (7,693)
Other current liabilities (512) (5,236)
Settlement of co-generation lease (16,251)
Other, net (18,807) (7,542)
--------- --------
Cash Used for Operating Activities (53,838) (38,294)
--------- --------
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (22,702) (24,253)
Other, net 650 43,120
--------- --------
Cash (Used for) Provided by Investing Activities (22,052) 18,867
--------- --------
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit 23,817 120,000
Payments for revolving line of credit (5,000) (90,000)
Proceeds from DIP Financing, net 56,685 -
Other, net 119 (15,750)
--------- --------
Cash Provided by Financing Activities 75,621 14,250
--------- --------
(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (269) (5,177)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 2,434 9,806
--------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 2,165 $ 4,629
========= ========
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
<PAGE>
CROWN VANTAGE INC.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 -- ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
------
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include
the consolidated operations, assets and liabilities of Crown Vantage Inc. (the
"Company" or the "Parent"), Crown Paper Co. ("Crown Paper"), and Crown Paper
Co.'s consolidated subsidiaries.
The sustained losses in recent years resulted in the violation of a tangible net
worth covenant of the senior secured credit facility (the "Credit Agreement")
that occurred upon closing the accounting records for October 1999. The Company
obtained a waiver for this violation and renegotiated a series of amendments to
the Credit Agreement to provide sufficient liquidity for operations through
early March 2000. The amount of liquidity available under these new amendments
was significantly reduced from the levels of liquidity available prior to the
tangible net worth covenant violation. The amendments did not provide for
sufficient liquidity for the Company to pay its interest payment on the 11%
Senior Subordinated Notes due March 1, 2000. As a result of filing for
bankruptcy and not making the March interest payments, the Company is in default
of all debt agreements. On March 15, 2000, the Company, except for its operating
subsidiary in the United Kingdom, filed a voluntary petition seeking
reorganization under Chapter 11 of Title 11 ("Chapter 11") of the United States
Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the Northern District of California, Oakland Division (the "Bankruptcy
Court"). An Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the "Committee"), which
represents the interests of all unsecured creditors of the Debtors, has been
appointed. Also, the receivable securitization agreement between Crown Paper,
various lenders and Crown Paper Funding Corp. (a bankruptcy remote and wholly
owned subsidiary of Crown Paper) has been terminated due to the filing of
Chapter 11. The approximately $32 million that was outstanding as of March 15,
2000 under the receivables agreement was settled.
As a result of the filing, liabilities in the amount of $434.9 million are
subject to compromise under a plan of reorganization. The composition of the
liabilities subject to compromise is outlined below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Liabilities Subject
to Compromise
-------------------
(millions)
<S> <C>
Accounts payable $ 42.5
Senior subordinated notes, net 246.0
Pay-in-kind notes, net 110.1
Accrued interest 23.6
Other liabilities 12.7
------
Total liabilities subject to compromise $434.9
======
</TABLE>
To provide the Company with operating capital during the restructuring process,
the Company obtained a commitment of $100 million in debtor-in-possession
("DIP") financing from two lenders under the prepetition Credit Agreement
including the agent bank. The Company is in the process of developing a
restructuring program to reduce costs, improve operating efficiencies and
increase financial flexibility. The Company is pursuing sales of the Company's
assets and is analyzing possible restructuring alternatives. The Company may
sell some of its assets and structure a stand-alone plan of reorganization
around St. Francisville, or it may sell a majority of its assets to one or more
third parties. The Company is in possession of its properties and assets and
continues to operate with its existing directors and officers as a debtor-in-
possession. As a debtor-in-possession, the Company is authorized to operate its
business, but may not engage in transactions outside of the normal course of
business without approval, after notice and hearing, of the Bankruptcy Court.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, as of the petition date,
actions to collect prepetition indebtedness
6
<PAGE>
owed by the Company are stayed and other prepetition contractual obligations may
not be enforced against the Company. In addition, as a debtor-in-possession, the
Company has the right, subject to the Bankruptcy Court's approval and certain
other conditions, to assume or reject any prepetition executory contracts and
unexpired leases. Parties affected by these rejections may file claims with the
Bankruptcy Court in accordance with the reorganization process. The Company
cannot presently determine or reasonably estimate the ultimate liability that
may result from rejecting such contracts or leases or from the filing of claims,
and no provisions have been made for these items. Differences between amounts
reflected in such schedules and claims filed by creditors will be investigated
and amicably resolved or adjudicated before the Bankruptcy Court. The ultimate
amount and settlement terms for such liabilities are subject to a plan of
reorganization, and accordingly, are not presently determinable. The Bankruptcy
Court has approved payment of certain prepetition liabilities such as employee
wages and benefits and for the retention of legal and financial professionals to
advise in the bankruptcy proceedings. The Court has given the Company's
management until December 25, 2000, the sole authority to develop a plan of
reorganization.
On July 26, 2000, the Company signed a Letter of Intent with Crown Acquisition
Corporation ("CAC") to sell substantially all of the assets of the Company's
wholly owned subsidiary, Crown Paper Company, to CAC. The agreement was subject
to various issues, including the completion of due diligence, the ability to
come to a definitive agreement, the ability of CAC to secure financing, and the
approval of the Bankruptcy Court. On October 9, 2000, the Letter of Intent was
terminated by CAC.
On November 2, 2000, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Crown Paper Company,
signed a Letter of Intent with KPS Special Situations Fund, LLC ("KPS") to sell
substantially all of the assets of Crown Paper's Specialty Business. The
consideration for the acquisition is $17.5 million in cash and a $7.5 million
note payable in seven years, with interest payable in cash or additional notes
at the option of the Purchaser. In addition, if the Purchaser subsequently sells
certain assets above a threshold level, under certain specific conditions, Crown
Paper will be entitled to share in the proceeds of any such sale. The Purchaser
has also agreed to assume certain liabilities of Crown Paper arising after the
filing of the Chapter 11 case. The acquisition, which would occur as a sale of
assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, is subject to, among other
things, the negotiation and execution of a definitive asset purchase agreement,
due diligence and financing. The sale is also subject to the receipt of higher
or better offers and to Bankruptcy Court approval. The Official Committee of
Unsecured Creditors has approved the signing of the Letter of Intent.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual
financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December
26, 1999 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all
disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual
financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 24, 2000
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year
ended December 31, 2000. For further information, refer to the consolidated
financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Crown Vantage Inc.'s Form
10-K for the year ended December 26, 1999.
NOTE 2 -- BASIC LOSS PER SHARE
------
The computations of basic loss per share for the quarters and nine months ended
September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999 are based on the weighted average
number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods (10,573,000 and
10,497,000 for the quarters ended September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999,
respectively, and 10,557,000 and 10,440,000 for the nine months ended September
24, 2000 and September 26, 1999, respectively).
7
<PAGE>
NOTE 3 -- INCOME TAX
------
The tax provisions for September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999 are for certain
non-income based state taxes and foreign income taxes. During the first nine
months of 2000 and 1999, the Company recorded a $61.2 million and a $26.7
million valuation allowance, respectively, against the deferred tax assets
reducing the tax benefit of the net operating loss to $0. The valuation
allowances recorded in the third quarters of 2000 and 1999 were $40.7 million
and $9.2 million, respectively.
NOTE 4 -- DEBT
------
Consolidated debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 24, December 26,
2000 1999
------------- ------------
(in thousands of dollars)
<S> <C> <C>
CROWN PAPER CO.
Credit Facility:
Revolving line of credit $123,317 $104,500
Term Loan B 80,007 80,216
--------- ---------
203,324 184,716
11% Senior Subordinated Notes* 245,950 250,000
Industrial Revenue Bonds+ 39,123 39,101
Debtor-in-Possession financing ("DIP") 60,000 0
--------- ---------
548,397 473,817
CROWN VANTAGE INC.
11.45% Senior Pay-in-Kind Notes* 110,123 109,817
--------- ---------
Total debt 658,520 583,634
Less current portion 658,520 583,634
--------- ---------
Long-term debt $ 0 $ 0
========= =========
</TABLE>
* Liabilities subject to compromise
+ $1,420 of the Industrial Revenue Bonds is subject to compromise
On March 15, 2000, the Company filed a voluntary petition seeking reorganization
under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland
Division. As a result of the Company's review of its debt covenants, the
bankruptcy filing and cross acceleration provisions of various debt covenants,
all debt is considered current.
NOTE 5 -- INVENTORIES
------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 24, 2000 December 26, 1999
------------------ -----------------
(in thousands of dollars)
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials $ 19,882 $ 21,992
Work in process 5,412 5,163
Finished goods 30,024 35,977
Stores and supplies 17,851 20,418
--------- ---------
73,169 83,550
Reduction to state inventories at last-in, first-out cost (8,910) (9,575)
--------- ---------
$ 64,259 $ 73,975
========= =========
</TABLE>
NOTE 6 -- LITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
------
The Company is a party to various legal proceedings generally incidental to its
business and is subject to a variety of environmental protection statutes and
regulations. As is the case with other companies in similar industries, the
Company faces exposure from actual or potential claims and legal proceedings
involving environmental matters. Although the ultimate disposition of legal
proceedings cannot be predicted with
8
<PAGE>
certainty, it is the present opinion of the Company's management that the
outcome of any claim that is pending or threatened, either individually or on a
combined basis, will not have a materially adverse effect on the consolidated
financial position of the Company but could materially affect consolidated
results of operations in a given year.
The Company has accrued $10.7 million at September 24, 2000 and $10.8 million at
December 26, 1999 primarily for estimated landfill site restoration, post-
closure and monitoring costs. The Company anticipates to incur on average less
than $.2 million per year over the approximately 2 to 47 year useful life of the
landfills with slightly higher amounts expected in the next two years. Balances
will be paid out over an extended period of time ranging from 2000 through 2040
and beyond with no material payments estimated for any given year. In addition,
the Company has been identified as a potentially responsible party ("PRP"),
along with others, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act or similar federal and state laws regarding the past disposal
of wastes at 20 sites in the United States. The Company has previously settled
its remediation obligations at 13 of those sites. At 5 other sites, the Company
is one of many potentially responsible parties and its alleged contribution to
the site and remediation obligation is not considered significant. At two other
sites, remedial investigation is under way and a loss estimate for the potential
remediation effort costs is not yet possible. However, the Company's accrual for
the remediation investigation effort was $1.0 million at September 24, 2000 and
$1.1 million at December 26, 1999. The liabilities can change substantially due
to such factors as the solvency of other potentially responsible parties, the
Company's share of responsibility, additional information on the nature or
extent of contamination, methods and associated costs of remediation required,
and other actions by governmental agencies or private parties. While it is not
feasible to predict the outcome of all environmental liabilities, based on its
most recent review, management estimates the Company's share of the costs of
investigation and remediation of the known sites will not have a material
adverse effect upon the consolidated financial condition of the Company.
Due to uncertainties associated with remediation activities, regulations,
technologies, and the allocation of costs among various other parties, actual
costs to be incurred at identified sites may vary from estimates. Therefore,
management is unable to determine if the ultimate disposition of all known
environmental liabilities will have a material adverse effect on the Company's
consolidated results of operations in a given year. As with most manufacturing
and many other entities, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be
named as a PRP or incur liabilities through other means at additional sites in
the future or that the costs associated with such additional sites would not be
material.
The Environmental Protection Agency signed final rules affecting pulp and paper
industry discharges of wastewater and gaseous emissions ("Cluster Rules") which
became effective on April 15, 1998. These Cluster Rules require changes in the
pulping, bleaching and/or wastewater treatment processes presently used in some
U.S. pulp and paper mills, including some of the Company's mills. Based on
management's understanding of the rules, the Company estimates that
approximately $22 million of capital expenditures may be required to comply with
the rules with compliance dates beginning in 1999 and extending over the next
two to five years. The Company has incurred $2.9 million in the first nine
months of 2000 and anticipates capital expenditures of approximately $8 million
during 2000 for compliance with the Cluster Rules. Total capital spending since
inception for compliance with the Cluster Rules is $9.6 million. There are risks
and uncertainties associated with the Company's estimate that could cause total
capital expenditures and timing of such expenditures to be materially different
from current estimates, including changes in technology, interpretation of the
rules by governmental agencies that is substantially different from the
Company's interpretation, or other items.
NOTE 7 -- ASSET IMPAIRMENT ANALYSIS
------
During the nine months of 2000, the specialty papers mills and certain domestic
mills within the printing and publishing papers segment experienced negative
cash flows (see Note 13). On November 2, 2000, the Company's wholly owned
subsidiary, Crown Paper, signed a Letter of Intent with KPS (see Note 1) to
acquire most of the assets of these mills, except those located at the mill in
Parchment, MI (see Note 8). The Company believes the offer approximates fair
value for these assets, though it is below the net book value of the assets.
Based upon this information, an asset impairment charge of $55.9 million was
taken in the third quarter to adjust the net book value of the assets of these
mills to be equal to their fair value. The assets included in this charge are
land, buildings, and machinery and equipment. This charge appears in the "Asset
9
<PAGE>
impairment" line of the Statements of Operations. Additional losses will likely
be recorded in connection with the third party offer to acquire these mills.
NOTE 8 -- PARCHMENT MILL CLOSURE
------
On August 22, 2000, Crown Vantage decided to permanently close the specialty
packaging paper mill located in Parchment, MI. This decision was the result of
continued negative cash flows at the mill that were forecasted to persist into
the future. Several items contributed to the negative cash flows at Parchment,
including the loss of several key customers, an unfavorable union contract, the
replacement of lost sales of higher margin specialty papers with lower margin
commodity papers, and maintenance intensive, aging machinery. Certain product
lines have been moved and others are being moved to the mills located in Port
Huron, MI and Milford, NJ. In accordance with the conditions that are attached
to a Company that is in Chapter 11, the Company was required to have the Court's
approval to close the Parchment mill. The approval was granted September 27,
2000. The mill is projected to close in early November 2000. The carrying value
of the assets was $44.6 million and the Company recorded a charge of $33.4
million to write the assets down to their estimated fair value less cost to sell
of $11.2 million. The assets held for sale or disposal are machinery and
equipment, land, buildings and inventory. No final decision has been made as to
when or how these assets will be disposed, though it is estimated that this will
occur within one year.
NOTE 9 -- COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
------
Comprehensive income (loss) for the Company consists of net loss, foreign
currency translation adjustments and minimum pension liability adjustments.
During the third quarter of 2000 and 1999, the Company's total comprehensive
loss was $111.7 million and $22.1, respectively, and for the nine months ended
September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999 the Company's total comprehensive loss
was $169.3 million and $72.7 million, respectively.
NOTE 10 -- SETTLEMENT OF BERLIN PROPERTY TAX CASE
-------
On February 1, 1999, the Company finalized an agreement with the City of Berlin,
NH, concerning assessed values and taxability of factory machinery. The Company
reversed a property tax accrual of approximately $8.9 million in the first
quarter of 1999, which relates to amounts overaccrued for previous tax years.
NOTE 11 -- BERLIN-GORHAM SALE
-------
On July 9, 1999, Crown Vantage completed the sale of the Berlin-Gorham pulp and
paper mills to the American Tissue Company ("ATC"). The sale resulted in a
charge of $16.2 million, which was recorded in the first quarter of 1999 and is
included within "Adjustment of assets held for sale or disposal".
Net proceeds from the sale of Berlin-Gorham were approximately $42.5 million of
which $15 million was used to pay down Term Loan B, with the remainder used to
pay down the revolving credit facility. In connection with the sale, the Company
retained accounts payable and certain other short-term operating liabilities of
approximately $15 million at July 9, 1999. ATC assumed all environmental
liabilities, except for some immaterial balances that were settled during 1999
as part of Berlin-Gorham operating liabilities retained by the Company. Also the
Company recorded a settlement gain of $12 million for the settlement that
occurred when the post retirement medical liability was assumed by ATC for on-
going employees of Berlin-Gorham.
NOTE 12 -- SETTLEMENT OF CO-GENERATION LEASE
-------
In the fourth quarter of 1998, management determined that the leased gas turbine
co-generation facility at the St. Francisville, LA mill no longer provided
substantive use or benefit. Accordingly, a $16.9 million charge was recognized
in the fourth quarter of 1998 that represented discounted net future lease
payments. On July 18, 1999 an explosion occurred at the St. Francisville mill
with damage limited primarily to the leased co-generation facility, discussed
above. As allowed under the lease terms, the Company terminated the lease in
exchange for a $16.3 million termination payment in the third quarter of 1999.
The termination payment, which approximated the net present value of future
lease payments, was charged against the reserve
10
<PAGE>
established in the fourth quarter of 1998. As a result of the lease termination,
the Company took title to the leased facility and was released from a $24.7
million letter of credit. A $5.1 million gain from insurance proceeds as a
result of the explosion was recorded during the latter part of 1999. In the
first quarter of 2000, an additional $2.4 million gain was recognized (in "Other
operating income, net"), which was a combination of $1.3 million in insurance
proceeds and a $1.1 million gain on sale of the asset.
NOTE 13 -- SEGMENT INFORMATION
-------
The Company is organized around two segments based primarily on
similarities in products, the manufacturing process and customers.
<TABLE>
Third Quarter Nine Months
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(amounts in millions) 2000 1999 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating income (loss):
Printing & Publishing Papers $ (17.1) $ (0.3) $ (15.8) $ 3.4
Specialty Papers (80.6) (6.7) (103.9) (14.6)
Berlin-Gorham - (0.3) - (12.9)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ (97.7) $ (7.3) $ (119.7) $(24.1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA:
Printing & Publishing Papers $ 8.8 $ 9.5 $ 26.5 $ 33.2
Specialty Papers (3.5) (1.4) (14.6) 1.5
Berlin-Gorham - (0.2) - (4.2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 5.3 $ 7.9 $ 11.9 $ 30.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales:
Printing & Publishing Papers $ 89.2 $ 81.9 $ 265.0 $243.0
Specialty Papers 64.3 80.6 201.3 244.8
Berlin-Gorham - 3.9 - 84.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 153.5 $166.4 $ 466.3 $572.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
EBITDA represents income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense and
depreciation and amortization. The EBITDA calculation for 2000 excludes
reorganization expense of $5.5 million for the third quarter and $12.5 million
for the nine months ended September 24, 2000. Also excluded from the EBITDA
calculation for 2000 are the Parchment mill closure charge of $33.4 million (see
Note 8) and an asset impairment charge of $55.9 million (see Note 7) that were
recorded in the third quarter. The EBITDA calculation for the nine months ended
September 26, 1999 for Berlin-Gorham excludes the effect of the $16.2 million
charge for the adjustment to its net realizable value (see Note 11) and $8.9
million property tax accrual reversal (see Note 10). Total assets for Specialty
Papers decreased $83.4 million as of September 24, 2000 compared to December 26,
1999, as a result of the "write-down" of the assets at the Parchment mill and
the asset impairment charge. Total assets for Printing and Publishing Papers
decreased by $20.9 million over the same period due to the asset impairment
charge.
11
<PAGE>
ITEM 2 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
------ FINANCIAL CONDITION
Crown Vantage Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company" or "Crown Vantage") is a
major producer and marketer of value-added paper products for a diverse array of
end-uses. The Company operates in two segments: Printing and Publishing papers
and Specialty Papers. Printing and Publishing papers are primarily for
applications such as special interest magazines, catalogs, books, custom
business forms, corporate communications and promotions (e.g. annual reports and
stationery) and other graphics applications. Specialty Papers are principally
for food and retail packaging applications and conversion into such items as
coffee filters, labels, cups and plates.
The Company operates 9 facilities using 21 paper machines, and its paper
production was approximately 50% integrated with the Company's pulp operations.
The Company's largest facility is an integrated operation located in St.
Francisville, LA. St. Francisville produces coated groundwood papers for
magazines and catalogs and uncoated specialty converting papers. The Company
also produces uncoated printing and publishing papers, primarily text, cover and
writing papers, at its non-integrated facilities in Adams, MA; Ypsilanti, MI,
and Dalmore and Guardbridge, Scotland. In addition to its primary papermaking
operations, the Company operates a cast-coating facility in Richmond, VA, that
converts purchased base paper and board into coated product for graphics and
packaging uses. The Company's specialty papers are produced primarily at non-
integrated specialty packaging papers facilities in Port Huron and Parchment,
MI, and Milford, NJ and on the two uncoated specialty-converting machines at St.
Francisville. On July 9, 1999, the Company completed the sale of its Berlin-
Gorham pulp and paper mills ("Berlin-Gorham") to American Tissue Holdings Inc.
("ATC") with net proceeds of approximately $42.5 million (See Note 11). Net
proceeds from the sale of Berlin-Gorham were used to fund certain retained
liabilities and pay down debt. Berlin-Gorham primarily produced uncoated
printing and publishing papers as well as market pulp. On August 22, 2000, the
Company decided to close the mill located in Parchment, MI (see Note 8).
The Company's operating results for fiscal years 1999, 1998 and 1997 were
severely affected by, among other things, an overall extended depressed pricing
cycle that began in 1997 partly as a consequence of increased levels of low-
priced imports from Asia and the resultant deteriorating market conditions and
continued due to other competitive and operational issues (see "Consolidated
Results of Operations" of Form 10-K). This led to the Company's overall decline
in average net sales price per ton and decreased volumes of grades of paper that
normally command higher average net sales prices thereby causing a decrease in
liquidity and increases in losses. The increase in losses resulted in a
violation of a tangible net worth covenant of the senior secured credit facility
(the "Credit Agreement") that occurred upon closing the accounting records for
October 1999. The Company obtained a waiver for this violation and renegotiated
a series of amendments to the Credit Agreement to provide sufficient liquidity
for operations through early March 2000. The amount of liquidity available under
these new amendments was significantly reduced from the levels of liquidity
available prior to the tangible net worth covenant violation. The amendments did
not provide for sufficient liquidity for the Company to pay its interest payment
on the 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due March 1, 2000. As a result of filing
for bankruptcy and not making the March interest payments, the Company is in
default of all debt agreements. All debt balances, with the exception of the DIP
agreement discussed below, were classified as current on December 26, 1999. On
March 15, 2000, the Company, except for its operating subsidiary in the United
Kingdom, filed a voluntary petition seeking reorganization under Chapter 11 of
Title 11 ("Chapter 11") of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy
Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of
California, Oakland Division (the "Bankruptcy Court"). An Official Committee of
Unsecured Creditors (the "Committee"), which represents the interests of all
unsecured creditors of the Debtors, has been appointed. Also, the receivable
securitization agreement between Crown Paper, various lenders and Crown Paper
Funding Corp. (a bankruptcy remote and wholly owned subsidiary of Crown Paper)
has been terminated due to the filing of Chapter 11. The approximately $32
million that was outstanding as of March 15, 2000 under the receivables
agreement was settled.
As a result of the filing, liabilities in the amount of $434.9 million are
subject to compromise under a plan of reorganization (See Note 1). The ultimate
amount and settlement terms for such liabilities are subject to a plan of
reorganization, and accordingly, are not presently determinable.
12
<PAGE>
To provide the Company with operating capital during the restructuring process,
the Company obtained a commitment of $100 million in debtor-in-possession
("DIP") financing from two lenders under the prepetition Credit Agreement
including the agent bank. The Company is continuing to implement a restructuring
program to reduce costs, improve operating efficiencies and increase financial
flexibility. The Company is pursuing sales of the Company's assets and is
analyzing possible restructuring alternatives. The Company is in possession of
its properties and assets and continues to operate with its existing directors
and officers as a debtor-in- possession. As a debtor-in-possession, the Company
is authorized to operate its business, but may not engage in transactions
outside of the normal course of business without approval, after notice and
hearing, of the Bankruptcy Court. Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy
Code, as of the petition date, actions to collect prepetition indebtedness owed
by the Company are stayed and other prepetition contractual obligations may not
be enforced against the Company. In addition, as a debtor-in-possession, the
Company has the right, subject to the Bankruptcy Court's approval and certain
other conditions, to assume or reject any prepetition executory contracts and
unexpired leases. Parties affected by these rejections may file claims with the
Bankruptcy Court in accordance with the reorganization process. The Company
cannot presently determine or reasonably estimate the ultimate liability that
may result from rejecting such contracts or leases or from the filing of claims,
and no provisions have been made for these items. Differences between amounts
reflected in such schedules and claims filed by creditors will be investigated
and amicably resolved or adjudicated before the Bankruptcy Court. The ultimate
amount and settlement terms for such liabilities are subject to a plan of
reorganization, and accordingly, are not presently determinable. The Bankruptcy
Court has approved payment of certain prepetition liabilities such as employee
wages and benefits and for the retention of legal and financial professionals to
advise in the bankruptcy proceedings.
On July 26, 2000, the Company signed a Letter of Intent with Crown Acquisition
Corporation ("CAC") to sell substantially all of the assets of the Company's
wholly owned subsidiary, Crown Paper Company, to CAC. The agreement was subject
to various issues, including the completion of due diligence, the ability to
come to a definitive agreement, the ability of CAC to secure financing, and the
approval of the Bankruptcy Court. On October 9, 2000, the Letter of Intent was
terminated by CAC.
On November 2, 2000, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Crown Paper Company,
signed a Letter of Intent with KPS Special Situations Fund, LLC ("KPS") to sell
substantially all of the assets of Crown Paper's Specialty Business. The
consideration for the acquisition is $17.5 million in cash and a $7.5 million
note payable in seven years, with interest payable in cash or additional notes
at the option of the Purchaser. In addition, if the Purchaser subsequently
sells certain assets above a threshold level, under certain specific conditions,
Crown Paper will be entitled to share in the proceeds of any such sale. The
Purchaser has also agreed to assume certain liabilities of Crown Paper arising
after the filing of the Chapter 11 case. The acquisition, which would occur as
a sale of assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, is subject to, among
other things, the negotiation and execution of a definitive asset purchase
agreement, due diligence and financing. The sale is also subject to the receipt
of higher or better offers and to Bankruptcy Court approval. The Official
Committee of Unsecured Creditors has approved the signing of the Letter of
Intent.
Upon the closing of the proposed sale to KPS, and the transactions contemplated
thereby, the principal remaining asset of the Company would be the St.
Francisville mill. The Company is now evaluating a possible stand-alone plan of
reorganization around St. Francisville, as well as a possible sale of the St.
Francisville mill to a third party.
Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the
following: the confirmation of the plan of reorganization by the Bankruptcy
Court; the Company's ability to achieve satisfactory levels of profitability and
cash flow from operations; maintaining compliance with post-petition loan
agreements; the availability of sufficient capital to service the Company's debt
obligations and to finance the Company's business plans on terms satisfactory to
the Company; the success of the Company's restructuring plan and the pursuit of
financing alternatives; the impact of competitive products and pricing; changes
in labor, equipment, and capital costs; changes in, or the failure to comply
with, regulations affecting the Company's business; future acquisitions or
strategic partnerships; general business and economic conditions; and factors
described from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
13
<PAGE>
Results of Operations
The Company's net sales for each business segment are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Net Sales and Tonnage by Segment
for the Three Months Ended
----------------------------------------------
September 24, September 26,
2000 1999
------------------ --------------------
Tons Sales Tons Sales
------- ------- -------- --------
(thousands) (millions) (thousands) (millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Printing and Publishing Papers
Coated groundwood 72.7 $ 59.1 72.2 $ 50.0
Uncoated and other 20.6 30.1 21.9 31.9
Specialty Papers 64.0 64.3 83.4 80.6
Berlin-Gorham - - 8.3 3.9
------- -------- ------- -------
157.3 $153.5 185.8 $166.4
======= ======== ======= =======
Net Sales and Tonnage by Segment
for the Nine Months Ended
----------------------------------------------
September 24, September 26,
2000 1999
------------------ --------------------
Tons Sales Tons Sales
------- ------- -------- --------
(thousands) (millions) (thousands) (millions)
Printing and Publishing Papers
Coated groundwood 215.0 $ 167.3 216.6 $152.4
Uncoated and other 65.1 97.7 59.7 90.6
Specialty Papers 200.0 201.3 251.7 244.8
Berlin-Gorham - - 156.6 84.6
------- -------- ------- -------
480.1 $ 466.3 684.6 $572.4
======= ======== ======= =======
</TABLE>
Net Sales
The Company's net sales, excluding Berlin-Gorham, for the nine months ended
September 24, 2000 declined 4.4% compared to the same period in 1999. The main
contributor to this decline was a 20.5% decrease in tons sold in the Specialty
Papers segment, which was partially offset by an increase of 7.6% in the average
price per ton sold in the Printing and Publishing Papers segment. Net sales for
the third quarter of 2000, excluding Berlin-Gorham, declined 5.5% compared to
the third quarter of 1999. The decline is the result of a 23.3% decrease in tons
sold in the Specialty Papers segment, which was partially offset by an increase
of 8.9% in the average price per ton sold.
Net sales of coated groundwood paper (which is used principally in the
production of magazines and catalogs) for the nine month period ended September
24, 2000 were $167.3 million, an increase of 9.8% compared to the same period in
1999. This increase is due to an increase of 10.5% in the average price per ton
sold. Third quarter 2000 sales showed an increase of 18.2% compared to the third
quarter of 1999. The increase is primarily due to a 17.3% increase in average
net sales price per ton during the quarter.
Net sales of uncoated and other products increased $7.1 million (or 7.8%) in the
first nine months of 2000 as compared to the same period in 1999. The increase
is primarily due to 12.1 million tons sold through a selling agreement entered
into with ATC in conjunction with the third quarter of 1999 sale of Berlin-
Gorham, whereby Berlin-Gorham produces certain grades of paper for the Company.
The increase in tons sold was partially offset by a slight decrease in average
net sales price per ton due to a change in product mix as a result of the
inclusion of papers sold under the selling agreement discussed above. Third
quarter 2000 net sales for this segment decreased $1.8 million compared to the
third quarter of 1999. This decrease is the result of a 5.9% decrease in tons
sold.
14
<PAGE>
Specialty papers' net sales totaled $201.3 million during the first nine months
of 2000, a $43.5 million decline from the same period in 1999. The 17.8%
decrease in net sales is the result of a 20.5% decrease in tons sold during the
nine months ended September 24, 2000 compared to the nine months ended September
26, 1999. Net sales for the Specialty Papers segment during the third quarter
of 2000 were $64.3 million, compared with net sales of $80.6 million during the
third quarter of 1999. The decrease of 20.2% was again the result of a decline
of 19.4 thousand tons sold for this segment in 2000 compared to 1999.
Operating Income (Loss) for each business segment is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Results by Segment Operating Results by Segment
for the Quarter Ended for the Nine Months Ended
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Sept 24, 2000 Sept 26, 1999 Sept 24, 2000 Sept 26, 1999
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
(millions) (millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Printing and Publishing Papers $ (17.1) $ (.3) $ (15.8) $ 3.4
Specialty Papers (80.6) (6.7) (103.9) (14.6)
Berlin-Gorham - (.3) - (12.9)
-------- ------ ------- ------
$ (97.7) $ (7.3) $(119.7) $(24.1)
======== ====== ======= ======
</TABLE>
Operating Income (Loss)
The Company had an operating loss of $119.7 million, which included the
Parchment mill closure charge of $33.4 million (see Note 8) and an asset
impairment charge of $55.9 million (see Note 7), for the nine months ended
September 24, 2000 compared to a $24.1 million loss for the same period in 1999.
Also contributing to the decline in operating results was a 17.8% decrease in
sales in the Specialty Papers segment. The 1999 results included a $7.3 million
net charge that was the result of two unusual items, a $16.2 million charge to
reduce Berlin-Gorham to its net realizable value (see Note 11) and an $8.9
million reversal of a property tax accrual due to a settlement with the City of
Berlin (see Note 10). These charges are included in the operating results of
Berlin-Gorham. The 2000 results include severance charges of $3.6 million
(reflected in "Other operating (loss) income, net). These charges were recorded
in "Other operating income, net" and have been partially offset by a $2.4
million gain related to insurance proceeds and sale of the co-generation
facility at St. Francisville, LA (see Note 12). The operating loss for the
third quarter of 2000, which includes severance charges of $2.8 million
(reflected in "Other operating (loss) income, net), the Parchment mill closure
charge of $33.4 million and an asset impairment charge of $55.9 million, was
$97.7 million compared to a loss of $7.3 million for the third quarter of 1999.
$1.3 million of the third quarter severance charges were related to the
Parchment mill closure, whereby, 54 administrative employees will be terminated.
As of September 24, 2000, 6 of those employees had been terminated (virtually no
payments had occurred) with the remainder to be terminated during the fourth
quarter of 2000. $1.2 million of the third quarter severance charges were the
result of a restructuring plan implemented at the mills in Dalmore and
Guardbridge, Scotland. As of September 24, 2000, the entire $1.2 million had
been paid and all 58 employees targeted in the restructuring plan had been
terminated.
The Printing and Publishing segment had a $15.8 million operating loss during
the first nine months of 2000 compared to an operating profit $3.4 million for
the same period in 1999. The decline is primarily due to the asset impairment
charge of $17.7 million. In the third quarter of 2000 this segment had an
operating loss of $17.1 million compared to an operating loss of $.3 million in
the third quarter of 1999. Again, the decline was the result of the $17.7
million asset impairment charge.
Specialty Papers operating results decreased by $89.3 million to an operating
loss of $103.9 million, which includes the Parchment mill closure charge of
$33.4 million and the asset impairment charge of $38.2 million, for the first
nine months of 2000 compared to an operating loss of $14.6 million for the same
period last year. Also contributing to the decrease is a 20.5% decrease in tons
sold and severance charges of $2.4 million. Partially, offsetting these items
was a 3.5% increase in average net selling price per ton. On August 22, 2000,
the Board of Directors decided to close the mill located in Parchment, MI due to
continuing negative cash flows (See Note 8). Management anticipates additional
accruals as part of the continuing cost reduction
15
<PAGE>
efforts within the packaging segment. These charges may be material to the
result of operations of the Company. The operating loss for the third quarter of
2000 for this segment was $80.6 million compared to an operating loss of $6.7
million for the third quarter of 1999. The primary causes for this decline were
the Parchment mill closure charge and the asset impairment charge.
Selling and administrative expenses decreased $11.9 and $3.1 million for the
first nine months and the third quarter of 2000, respectively, compared to the
same periods in 1999. The decrease is the result of several items: The Year
2000 compliance expense that occurred during 1999, commission income and expense
reimbursement under various agreements with ATC that were not present during the
first half of 1999 (some of these agreements were terminated in the third
quarter of 2000), the cost savings related to the termination of the accounts
receivable securitization agreement in the second quarter of 2000, and the cost
savings achieved by the relocation of the Corporate offices from Oakland, CA to
Cincinnati, OH that occurred in March, 2000.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the nine-month period of 2000 and 1999 was $33.8 million
and $47.6 million, respectively. Interest expense for the third quarter of 2000
decreased $7.6 million when compared to the same period in 1999. The decrease
in interest expense is due to the cessation of interest accruals as of the
Chapter 11 filing date (March 15, 2000) for the $361.5 million of debt that is
subject to compromise. The contractual interest for 2000 is $19.2 million for
the third quarter and $55.2 million for the nine months ended September 24,
2000.
Liquidity and Sources of Capital
To provide the Company with operating capital during the restructuring process,
the Company obtained a commitment of $100 million in debtor-in-possession
("DIP") financing from two lenders under the prepetition Credit Agreement
including the agent bank. The DIP financing agreement has a stated maturity
date of September 14, 2001 and interest is charged at the Prime Rate, plus
1.75%. There is also a commitment fee associated with this financing
arrangement of 0.5% of the unused portion of the loan. As of September 24,
2000, the Company has borrowed $60 million under the DIP financing of which $3.3
million was used for deferred financing costs. Total available DIP financing is
limited by amounts calculated weekly in a borrowing base that consists primarily
of trade receivables, finished goods inventory and pulp and wood raw material
inventories. As of September 24, 2000, the total available DIP financing was
limited by the borrowing base calculation to $77 million. Given the current
level of borrowings and availability of additional DIP financing, and the
uncertainty of future financial performance of the Company, there is no
certainty that the Company will not exceed its borrowing availability during the
4th Quarter of 2000.
In connection with the DIP credit facility entered into on March 21, 2000, Crown
Paper Co. is required to comply with certain monthly financial covenants that
include meeting minimum EBITDA targets and limits on capital expenditures. As
of November 8, 2000 we are in compliance with these covenants. The Company is
uncertain of its ability to continue to satisfy the EBITDA covenants in the
fourth quarter of 2000.
Cash used by operating activities was $53.8 million for the nine months ended
September 24, 2000 compared to $38.3 million for the nine months ended September
26, 1999. The decrease was primarily due to the affects of filing Chapter 11 on
working capital balances, particularly the requirement to pay off the receivable
securitization (approximately $32 million). Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), excluding the Berlin-Gorham charge,
property tax accrual reversal, reorganization expense, the Parchment mill
closure charge, and the asset impairment charge were $11.9 million for the first
nine months of 2000 as compared to $30.5 million for the comparable period in
1999.
The Company's business is capital intensive. Pulp and paper mills generally
consist of an extensive network of buildings, machinery, and equipment, which
require continual upgrades, replacement, modernization and improvement. The
Company's capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 24, 2000 were
$22.7 million compared to $24.3 million in the same period in 1999. The
expenditures in 2000 and 1999 primarily
16
<PAGE>
represented capital maintenance projects that are substantially focused on
projects with the quickest returns on investment. The Company's capital spending
plan for 2000 is approximately $35 million. These capital expenditures are
primarily for capital maintenance and required environmental projects. These
capital projects are expected to be financed by cash flows from operations and
available financing sources.
Forward Looking Statements
--------------------------
Certain statements within Management's Discussion and Analysis and elsewhere are
forward looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties
that could cause the actual results to be materially different from the
Company's current expectations. These forward-looking statements can be
identified by use of words such as plans, expects, estimates, anticipates,
believes, possible and other similar words or phrases. In addition to the
factors discussed above, there are other factors that could cause the actual
results to differ materially. These other factors include, but are not limited
to the Company's ability to successfully execute its business strategy and
recapitalize the balance sheet; business conditions and the general economy,
both global and domestic; prices for the Company's products; competitive
factors; maintaining good labor relations; the Company's ability to comply with
the DIP covenants, and maintaining good customer relations.
PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION
-------
ITEM 6 -- EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
Ex. 10.1 Debtor-in-Possession Financing Agreement Amendment 3
Ex. 10.2 Debtor-in-Possession Financing Agreement Amendment 4
Ex. 27 Financial Data Schedule (Electronic Filing Only)
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 23, 2000 reporting on the Letter
of Intent of Crown Acquisition Corporation to purchase the assets of Crown
Paper Company.
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2000 reporting on the
termination of the Letter of Intent of Crown Acquisition Corporation to
purchase the assets of Crown Paper Company.
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2000 reporting on the
departure of the Company's Chief Financial Officer.
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 3, 2000 reporting on the
Letter of Intent of KPS Special Situations Fund, LLC to purchase the Crown
Paper Specialty Business.
17
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Crown Vantage Inc.
(Registrant)
/s/ Jay AuWerter /s/ Kent A. Bates
---------------- -----------------
Jay AuWerter Kent A. Bates
Interim Chief Financial Officer Vice-President, Controller, and
Chief Accounting Officer
November 8, 2000
18
