Nov 06, 2014. /Lesprom Network/. Cascades Inc. Q3 2014 sales totaled $964 million compared to $932 million in Q3 2013 (+3%), EBITDA increased 7% to $97 million.

Mr. Mario Plourde, President and Chief Executive Officer, had the following comments on the third quarter results: "We are encouraged by the fact that our results continued to show improvement nothwithstanding lost time and damages resulting from a major fire which occurred in the raw material stock piles at our Niagara Falls operations during the quarter. Despite this unfortunate event, EBITDA excluding specific items increased on a sequential and year-over-year basis. All our groups in North America showed improved results compared to the previous quarter, helped by better productivity, favourable exchange rates, higher tissue volume and lower landed cost for brown recycled papers. In Europe, our box board operations were impacted by the seasonal production slowdown which was amplified this year by dowtime for the machine rebuild at Reno De Medici's Santa Giustinamill.

As for our Greenpac mill, the fire in Niagara Falls also prevented the mill from contributing positively to earnings per share during the quarter, as anticipated. The mill rapidly resumed production following the fire and continues to generate improved cash flows. On the sales and production front, the Greenpac mill is performing as expected and the team is now focusing on the development and roll-out of its value-added lightweight grades. "


In commenting on the near-term outlook, Mr. Plourde added: "We expect to benefit from ongoing restructuring actions and stable recycled fibre costs. Also, the recent depreciation of the Canadian dollar, while having an immediate negative effect on our debt, will be positive from a cash flow standpoint. For the next quarter, it is unlikely that we will repeat last year's performance when results were impacted by a favourable adjustment to pension liabilities and energy credits. Fourth quarter results will also be impacted by a competitive tissue market, start-up costs related to the new tissue paper machine in Oregon and inefficiencies resulting from the reorganization of production logistics in relation to the new converting plant in North Carolina."

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. The Corporation employs close to 12,000 employees, who work in more than 100 units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to serve its clients with innovative products. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol CAS.