Jul 24, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. RockTenn reported earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 of $0.81 per diluted share and adjusted earnings of $0.95 per diluted share, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. Net sales of $2.3 billion for the 3Q fiscal 2012 increased $921.1 million over the 3Q fiscal 2011, primarily as a result of the May 27, 2011, Smurfit-Stone acquisition. Segment income was $159.3 million up $13.6 million or 9.3% over the prior year quarter after adjusting the prior year quarter to eliminate $55.4 million of pre-tax acquisition inventory step-up. The increase was primarily a result of the Smurfit-Stone acquisition and increased profitability in Consumer Packaging segment. Corrugated Packaging segment net sales increased $810.7 million to $1,545.2 million in the 3Q of fiscal 2012 compared to the prior year quarter. Segment income increased to $73.4 million in the 3Q of fiscal 2012 compared to $24.6 million in the prior year quarter. 3Q of fiscal 2011 included $55.4 million of pre-tax acquisition inventory step-up compared to $0.2 million in the 3Q of fiscal 2012. Corrugated Packaging segment EBITDA margin was 11.3% for the 3Q of fiscal 2012, as the higher than expected costs for Hodge outage offset otherwise solid performance amid improving industry fundamentals as the quarter came to a close. Consumer Packaging segment net sales increased $49.3 million in the 3Q of fiscal 2012 compared to the prior year quarter. Segment income was $83.7 million in the 3Q of fiscal 2012 compared to $61.1 million in the prior year quarter due primarily to increased display sales, lower recycled fiber and energy costs that were partially offset by higher freight costs. Consumer Packaging segment EBITDA margin was 17.1% for the 3Q fiscal 2012. Recycling and Waste Solutions segment net sales increased $191.5 million over the prior year 3Q to $338.9 million. Segment income was $2.2 million in the 3Q of fiscal 2012 compared to $4.6 million in the prior year as declining recycled fiber prices compressed margins. RockTenn Chairman and CEO James A. Rubright stated, “RockTenn’s 3Q earnings per share reflect continued solid performance across our business units with particularly strong results in our consumer segment where lower recycled fiber and energy costs, strong operating performance and sales growth in merchandising displays drove segment earnings up 37% over the prior year quarter. Our corrugated segment performance, while generally above our expectations, reflected approximately $10 million ($.09 per share) in expense from higher than expected costs, lost production and supply chain disruption associated primarily with major capital projects at our Hodge, Louisiana mill.” RockTenn is one of North America's leading integrated manufacturers of corrugated and consumer packaging and recycling solutions. The Company operates locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and China.