Mississauga, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2026) - KP Tissue Inc. (TSX: KPT) (KPT) reports the Q1 2026 financial and operational results of KPT and Kruger Products Inc. (Kruger Products). Kruger Products is Canada's leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for the Consumer market (Cashmere®, Purex®, SpongeTowels®, Scotties®, White Swan® and Bonterra®) and the Away-From-Home (AFH) market and continues to grow in the U.S. Consumer tissue business with the White Cloud® brand and premium private label products. KPT currently holds a 12.0% interest in Kruger Products.
Kruger Products Q1 2026 Business and Financial Highlights
- Revenue was $544.6 million in Q1 2026 compared to $546.1 million in Q1 2025, a decrease of $1.5 million or 0.3%.
- Adjusted EBITDA1 was $86.9 million in Q1 2026 compared to $75.8 million in Q1 2025, an increase of 14.6%.
- Net income was $19.8 million in Q1 2026 compared to $15.4 million in Q1 2025, an increase of $4.4 million.
- Increased quarterly dividend to $0.21 per share due to the change in tax designation, to be paid on July 15, 2026.
"We generated strong profitability to open fiscal 2026 despite a volatile economic environment," stated Kruger Products' and KP Tissue's Chief Executive Officer, Dino Bianco. "Adjusted EBITDA of $86.9 million, representing a margin of 16.0%, exceeded expectations in the first quarter mainly driven by lower pulp prices and warehousing costs year-over-year. Our topline declined less than 1%, reflecting an unfavourable foreign exchange impact on U.S. dollar sales, and a more challenging year-over-year comparison against a prior-year quarter that delivered double-digit revenue growth. Overall, we are pleased with our financial performance in the opening quarter."
"Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, market demand for our leading tissue products remains healthy. Production rates across our paper machines and converting lines are exceeding targets at all sites, supporting continued momentum. In early April, we began ramping up a state-of-the-art converting line at our Memphis facility, which is expected to add capacity to our U.S. network. We will continue to focus on delivering margins in light of escalating input costs, including higher fuel and freight expenses," Mr. Bianco added.
Outlook for Q2 2026
For the second quarter of 2026, we expect Adjusted EBITDA1 to be in the range of Q1 2026.
Kruger Products Q1 2026 Financial Results
Revenue was $544.6 million in Q1 2026 compared to $546.1 million in Q1 2025, a decrease of $1.5 million or 0.3%. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on U.S. dollar sales. In addition, higher sales volumes in the Consumer U.S. and AFH businesses along with favourable pricing in the Consumer Canada business was only partially offset by lower sales volumes in the Consumer Canada business and unfavourable pricing in the Consumer U.S. business.
Cost of sales was $436.9 million in Q1 2026 compared to $451.0 million in Q1 2025, a decrease of $14.1 million or 3.1%. The decrease in cost of sales was primarily due to lower pulp costs, the favourable impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on U.S. dollar costs and improved mill performance at our Memphis site compared to the year ago quarter, partially offset by higher manufacturing overhead cost absorption resulting from higher inventory levels at the end of the quarter. As a percentage of revenue, cost of sales was 80.2% in Q1 2026, compared to 82.6% in Q1 2025.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $51.2 million in both Q1 2026 and Q1 2025. Additional investment in our brands and IT was essentially offset by lower compensation related costs and foreign exchange gains in Q1 2026 compared to losses in Q1 2025. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses were 9.4% in Q1 2026 compared to 9.4% in Q1 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA1 was $86.9 million in Q1 2026 compared to $75.8 million in Q1 2025, an increase of $11.1 million or 14.6%. The increase was primarily due to lower pulp prices and warehousing costs, partially offset by unfavourable manufacturing overhead cost absorption.
Net income was $19.8 million in Q1 2026 compared to $15.4 million in Q1 2025, an increase of $4.4 million. The increase was primarily due to higher Adjusted EBITDA1 , lower depreciation, lower interest expense and other finance costs and lower income from non-controlling interest, partially offset by a foreign exchange gain difference and higher income tax expense.
Kruger Products Q1 2026 Liquidity
Total liquidity, representing cash and availability under the revolving credit agreements, was $461.9 million as of March 31, 2026.
KPT Q1 2026 Financial Results
KPT had net income of $2.2 million in Q1 2026. Included in net income was $2.4 million representing KPT's share of Kruger Products' net income, a dilution gain of $0.1 million and depreciation expense of $0.3 million related to adjustments to carrying amounts on acquisition.
Dividends on Common Shares
The Board of Directors of KPT increased the quarterly dividend to $0.21 per share due to the change in designation from an “eligible dividend” to a “non-eligible dividend” for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial or territorial legislation. The dividend will be paid on July 15, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2026.
Additional Information
For additional information please refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of KPT and Kruger Products for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or our website at www.kptissueinc.com.
First Quarter Results Conference Call Information
KPT will hold its first quarter conference call on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
Via telephone: 1-888-699-1199 or 416-945-7677
Via the internet at: www.kptissueinc.com
Presentation material referenced during the conference call will be available at www.kptissueinc.com.
A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available until midnight, May 21, 2026 by dialing 1-888-660-6345 or 289-819-1450 and entering passcode 86167.
The replay of the webcast will remain available on the website until midnight, May 21, 2026.
About KP Tissue Inc.
KPT was created to acquire, and its business is limited to holding, a limited equity interest in Kruger Products, which is accounted for as an investment on the equity basis. KPT currently holds a 12.0% interest in Kruger Products. For more information visit www.kptissueinc.com.
About Kruger Products Inc.
Kruger Products is Canada's leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for household, industrial and commercial use. Kruger Products serves the Canadian consumer market with such well-known brands as Cashmere®, Purex®, SpongeTowels®, Scotties®, White Swan® and Bonterra®. In the U.S., Kruger Products manufactures the White Cloud® brand, as well as many private label products. The Away-From-Home division manufactures and distributes high-quality, cost-effective product solutions to a wide range of commercial and public entities. Kruger Products has approximately 3,000 employees and operates ten FSC® COC-certified (FSC® C-104904) production facilities in North America. For more information visit www.krugerproducts.ca.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release uses certain non-GAAP financial measures which Kruger Products believes provide useful information to management of Kruger Products and the readers of the financial information in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of Kruger Products. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. An example of such a measure is Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of operating performance computed in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities computed in accordance with GAAP. "Adjusted EBITDA" is calculated by Kruger Products as net income (loss) before (i) interest expense and other finance costs, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization, (v) loss on sale of non-financial assets, (vi) loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment, (vii) foreign exchange loss (gain) and (viii) costs related to restructuring activities. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the relevant reported results can be found in the Segment and Geographic Results table of this press release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release about KPT's and Kruger Products' current and future plans, expectations and intentions, results, levels of activity, performance, goals or achievements or any other future events or developments constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, items such as plans to build a new TAD tissue plant and its expected annual production capacity, expected date for starting production, the expected financing structure of the project and certain anticipated benefits of the project. The words "may", "will", "would", "should", "could", "expects", "plans", "intends", "trends", "indications", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "likely" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by KPT or Kruger Products, in respect of the plans to build a new TAD tissue plant, and obtaining financing on acceptable terms for the project. Although KPT and Kruger Products believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements since no assurance can be given that such expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.
The outlook provided in respect of Adjusted EBITDA1 for Q2 2026 is forward-looking information and is based on the assumptions and subject to the risk and uncertainties referred to below. The purpose of the outlook is to provide the reader with an indication of management's expectations, at the date of this press release, regarding Kruger Products' future financial performance. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Many factors could cause Kruger Products' actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments (which could in turn affect the economic benefits derived from KPT's economic interest in Kruger Products) to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following factors, which are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors - Risks Related to Kruger Products' Business" section of the KPT Annual Information Form dated February 18, 2026 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca (the Annual Information Form): Kruger Inc.'s influence over Kruger Products; Kruger Products' reliance on Kruger Inc.; consequences of an event of insolvency relating to Kruger Inc.; risks associated with the ownership of the TAD Sherbrooke Project; risks associated with the operation of the TAD Sherbrooke Project; operational risks; significant increases in input costs; reduction in supply of fibre; increased pricing pressure and intense competition; Kruger Products' inability to innovate effectively; adverse economic conditions; dependence on key retail trade customers; damage to the reputation of Kruger Products or Kruger Products' brands; Kruger Products' sales being less than anticipated; Kruger Products' failure to implement its business and operating strategies; Kruger Products' obligation to make regular capital expenditures; Kruger Products entering into unsuccessful acquisitions; Kruger Products' dependence on key personnel; Kruger Products' inability to retain its existing customers or obtain new customers; Kruger Products' loss of key suppliers; Kruger Products' failure to adequately protect its intellectual property rights; Kruger Products' reliance on third party intellectual property licenses; adverse litigation and other claims affecting Kruger Products; material expenditures due to comprehensive environmental regulation affecting Kruger Products' cash flow; Kruger Products' pension obligations are significant and can be materially higher than predicted if Kruger Products Management's underlying assumptions are incorrect; labour disputes adversely affecting Kruger Products' cost structure and Kruger Products' ability to run its plants; exchange rate and U.S. competitors; Kruger Products' inability to service all of its indebtedness; exposure to potential consumer product liability; covenant compliance; interest rate and refinancing risk; information technology; cyber-security; insurance; internal controls; trade related and tax.
Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made herein. The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of press release and KPT undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.
INFORMATION:
Francois Paroyan
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
KP Tissue Inc.
905-812-6936
francois.paroyan@krugerproducts.ca
INVESTORS:
Doris Grbic
Director, Investor Relations
KP Tissue Inc.
437-882-2596
IR@krugerproducts.ca
1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release for more information on these measures.
| Kruger Products Inc. | ||||||
| Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | ||||||
| (thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Assets | ||||||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 205,913 | 196,094 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 48,186 | 46,070 | ||||
| Trade and other receivables | 129,499 | 143,313 | ||||
| Receivables from related parties | 79 | 79 | ||||
| Inventories | 294,224 | 284,183 | ||||
| Income tax recoverable | 2,841 | 2,963 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | 9,928 | 5,381 | ||||
| 690,670 | 678,083 | |||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 1,430,714 | 1,430,206 | ||||
| Right-of-use assets | 143,763 | 152,243 | ||||
| Other long-term assets | 357 | - | ||||
| Pensions | 93,654 | 91,118 | ||||
| Goodwill | 152,021 | 152,021 | ||||
| Intangible assets | 38,914 | 40,362 | ||||
| Deferred income tax asset | 50,866 | 64,671 | ||||
| Total assets | 2,600,959 | 2,608,704 | ||||
| Liabilities | ||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||
| Trade and other payables | 343,192 | 350,831 | ||||
| Payables to related parties | 10,916 | 13,441 | ||||
| Dividends payable | 14,923 | 14,853 | ||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 110,088 | 98,649 | ||||
| Current portion of lease liabilities | 44,255 | 43,576 | ||||
| Current portion of long-term payable to related party | 5,800 | 5,800 | ||||
| Current portion of provisions | 7,206 | 7,283 | ||||
| 536,380 | 534,433 | |||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,057,951 | 1,074,148 | ||||
| Long-term lease liabilities | 131,357 | 139,694 | ||||
| Long-term payable to related party | 28,531 | 28,064 | ||||
| Long-term provisions | 14,146 | 12,602 | ||||
| Pensions | 17,471 | 17,745 | ||||
| Post-retirement benefits | 47,960 | 48,333 | ||||
| Deferred income tax liability | 43,960 | 47,140 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 1,877,756 | 1,902,159 | ||||
| Equity | ||||||
| Share capital | 338,465 | 334,479 | ||||
| Contributed surplus | 395,382 | 395,382 | ||||
| Deficit | (143,658) | (151,965) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 92,473 | 89,343 | ||||
| Equity attributable to Kruger Products | 682,662 | 667,239 | ||||
| Non-controlling interest | 40,541 | 39,306 | ||||
| Total equity | 723,203 | 706,545 | ||||
| Total liabilities and equity | 2,600,959 | 2,608,704 | ||||
| Kruger Products Inc. | ||||||
| Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Income | ||||||
| (thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||||||
| 3-month | 3-month | |||||
| period ended | period ended | |||||
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Revenue | 544,646 | 546,110 | ||||
| Expenses | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 436,873 | 450,983 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 51,235 | 51,215 | ||||
| Operating income | 56,538 | 43,912 | ||||
| Interest expense and other finance costs | 19,611 | 20,951 | ||||
| Other expense (income) | 5,268 | (343) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 31,659 | 23,304 | ||||
| Current tax expense | 391 | 730 | ||||
| Deferred tax expense | 10,261 | 5,695 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 10,652 | 6,425 | ||||
| Net income including non-controlling interest | 21,007 | 16,879 | ||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | 1,235 | 1,484 | ||||
| Net income attributable to Kruger Products | 19,772 | 15,395 | ||||
Kruger Products Inc. | ||||||
| Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||
| (thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||||||
| 3-month | 3-month | |||||
| period ended | period ended | |||||
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Cash flows from (used in) operating activities | ||||||
| Net income including non-controlling interest | 21,007 | 16,879 | ||||
| Items not affecting cash | ||||||
| Depreciation | 28,790 | 29,889 | ||||
| Amortization | 1,601 | 1,972 | ||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment | 1 | (5) | ||||
| Loss on disposal of leased assets | 1 | - | ||||
| Foreign exchange loss (gain) | 5,268 | (343) | ||||
| Interest expense and other finance costs | 19,611 | 20,951 | ||||
| Pension and post-retirement benefits | 2,665 | 2,745 | ||||
| Provisions | 1,233 | 2,864 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 10,652 | 6,425 | ||||
| Total items not affecting cash | 69,822 | 64,498 | ||||
| Net change in non-cash working capital | (16,255) | (25,056) | ||||
| Contributions to pension and post-retirement benefit plans | (971) | (1,009) | ||||
| Income tax payments, net | (260) | 654 | ||||
| Net cash from operating activities | 73,343 | 55,966 | ||||
| Cash flows from (used in) investing activities | ||||||
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (15,209) | (2,145) | ||||
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment related to the Sherbrooke Expansion Project | (644) | (15,386) | ||||
| Government assistance received | - | 3,150 | ||||
| (Purchases) transfer of software | (156) | 40 | ||||
| Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment | (1) | - | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (16,010) | (14,341) | ||||
| Cash flows from (used in) financing activities | ||||||
| Proceeds from long-term debt | - | 22,188 | ||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (16,276) | (9,998) | ||||
| Payment of deferred financing fees | (655) | (32) | ||||
| Payment of lease liabilities | (10,446) | (9,023) | ||||
| Change in restricted cash | (2,116) | (1,989) | ||||
| Interest paid on long-term debt | (7,853) | (12,426) | ||||
| Dividends paid | (14,853) | (14,308) | ||||
| Proceeds from issuing partnership units | 3,986 | 6,308 | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (48,213) | (19,280) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currency | 699 | (27) | ||||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year | 9,819 | 22,318 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period | 196,094 | 119,460 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents - End of period | 205,913 | 141,778 | ||||
Kruger Products Inc. | ||||||
| Unaudited Segment and Geographic Results | ||||||
| (thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||||||
| 3-month | 3-month | |||||
| period ended | period ended | |||||
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Segment Information | ||||||
| Segment Revenue | ||||||
| Consumer | 461,728 | 465,190 | ||||
| AFH | 82,918 | 80,920 | ||||
| Revenue from external customers | 544,646 | 546,110 | ||||
| Other segment items | ||||||
| Consumer | 377,794 | 389,137 | ||||
| AFH | 76,602 | 78,131 | ||||
| Corporate and other costs | 3,320 | 3,074 | ||||
| Total other segment items | 457,716 | 470,342 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||
| Consumer | 83,934 | 76,053 | ||||
| AFH | 6,316 | 2,789 | ||||
| Corporate and other costs | (3,320) | (3,074) | ||||
| Total Adjusted EBITDA | 86,930 | 75,768 | ||||
| Reconciliation to net income (loss) | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 30,391 | 31,861 | ||||
| Interest expense and other finance costs | 19,611 | 20,951 | ||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment | 1 | (5) | ||||
| Foreign exchange loss (gain) | 5,268 | (343) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 31,659 | 23,304 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 10,652 | 6,425 | ||||
| Net income including non-controlling interest | 21,007 | 16,879 | ||||
| Geographic Revenue | ||||||
| Canada | 288,954 | 286,522 | ||||
| US | 255,692 | 259,588 | ||||
| Total revenue | 544,646 | 546,110 | ||||
KP Tissue Inc. | ||||||
| Unaudited Condensed Statements of Financial Position | ||||||
| (thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Assets | ||||||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Dividends receivable | 1,804 | 1,803 | ||||
| 1,804 | 1,803 | |||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||
| Investment in associate | 71,080 | 69,799 | ||||
| Total assets | 72,884 | 71,602 | ||||
| Liabilities | ||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||
| Dividend payable | 1,804 | 1,803 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 1,804 | 1,803 | ||||
| Equity | ||||||
| Common shares | 23,073 | 23,001 | ||||
| Contributed surplus | 144,819 | 144,819 | ||||
| Deficit | (114,193) | (114,985) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 17,381 | 16,964 | ||||
| Total equity | 71,080 | 69,799 | ||||
| Total liabilities and equity | 72,884 | 71,602 | ||||
KP Tissue Inc. | ||||||
| Unaudited Condensed Statements of Income | ||||||
| (thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||
| 3-month | 3-month | |||||
| period ended | period ended | |||||
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Share of income | 2,390 | 1,917 | ||||
| Depreciation of fair value increments | (270) | (284) | ||||
| Equity income | 2,120 | 1,633 | ||||
| Dilution gain | 59 | 114 | ||||
| Net income | 2,179 | 1,747 | ||||
| Basic earning per share | 0.22 | 0.17 | ||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | 10,021,253 | 9,993,168 | ||||
KP Tissue Inc. | ||||||
| Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||
| (thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||||||
| 3-month | 3-month | |||||
| period ended | period ended | |||||
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Cash flows from (used in) operating activities | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | 2,179 | 1,747 | ||||
| Items not affecting cash | ||||||
| Equity income (loss) | (2,120) | (1,633) | ||||
| Dilution gain | (59) | (114) | ||||
| Total items not affecting cash | (2,179) | (1,747) | ||||
| Net cash from operating activities | - | - | ||||
| Cash flows from (used in) investing activities | ||||||
| Dividends received, net | 1,732 | 1,744 | ||||
| Net cash from investing activities | 1,732 | 1,744 | ||||
| Cash flows from (used in) financing activities | ||||||
| Dividends paid, net | (1,732) | (1,744) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,732) | (1,744) | ||||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period | - | - | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period | - | - | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents - End of period | - | - | ||||
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/296925
Source: KP Tissue Inc.