Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


(Mark One)

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007

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 1-6780

 


RAYONIER INC.

 


Incorporated in the State of North Carolina

I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 13-2607329

50 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

(Principal Executive Office)

Telephone Number: (904) 357-9100

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section l3 or l5(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of l934 during the preceding l2 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

As of April 20, 2007, there were outstanding 77,424,198 Common Shares of the Registrant.

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          PAGE
PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
Item l.    Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006    1
   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2007 and December 3l, 2006    2
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006    3
   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    4
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    16
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    25
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    26
PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    27
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    27
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    27
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    27
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    27
Item 5.    Other Information    27
Item 6.    Exhibits    28
   Signature    29


Table of Contents

RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2007     2006  

SALES

   $ 299,729     $ 277,153  
                

Costs and Expenses

    

Cost of sales

     231,742       224,254  

Selling and general expenses

     15,845       16,184  

Other operating income, net

     (2,995 )     (1,230 )
                
     244,592       239,208  

Equity in income (loss) of New Zealand joint venture

     23       (749 )
                

OPERATING INCOME

     55,160       37,196  

Interest expense

     (13,619 )     (12,189 )

Interest and miscellaneous income, net

     1,013       2,199  
                

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     42,554       27,206  

Provision for income taxes

     (7,474 )     (3,966 )
                

NET INCOME

     35,080       23,240  
                

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

    

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (857 )     (7,667 )

Amortization of pension and postretirement costs

     1,324       —    
                

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   $ 35,547     $ 15,573  
                

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

    

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.45     $ 0.30  
                

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.45     $ 0.30  
                

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

     March 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 28,471     $ 40,171  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $633 and $560

     103,848       100,309  

Inventory

    

Finished goods

     42,778       57,338  

Work in process

     6,462       7,823  

Raw materials

     7,440       8,496  

Manufacturing and maintenance supplies

     1,844       1,936  
                

Total inventory

     58,524       75,593  

Other current assets

     58,995       43,242  

Timber assets held for sale

     41,793       40,955  
                

Total current assets

     291,631       300,270  
                

TIMBER, TIMBERLANDS AND LOGGING ROADS, NET OF DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION

     1,112,785       1,127,513  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

    

Land

     25,222       25,291  

Buildings

     123,252       118,348  

Machinery and equipment

     1,236,980       1,221,305  
                

Total property, plant and equipment

     1,385,454       1,364,944  

Less—accumulated depreciation

     (1,018,659 )     (1,011,164 )
                
     366,795       353,780  
                

INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE

     59,889       61,233  

OTHER ASSETS

     136,395       121,802  
                
   $ 1,967,495     $ 1,964,598  
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable

   $ 68,935     $ 73,758  

Bank loans and current maturities

     550       3,550  

Accrued taxes

     13,708       16,296  

Accrued payroll and benefits

     19,761       24,879  

Accrued interest

     12,678       19,551  

Accrued customer incentives

     5,970       9,494  

Other current liabilities

     39,603       35,110  

Current liabilities for dispositions and discontinued operations

     9,907       10,699  
                

Total current liabilities

     171,112       193,337  
                

LONG-TERM DEBT

     670,886       655,447  

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES FOR DISPOSITIONS AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

     110,037       111,817  

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

     75,070       73,303  

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

     14,185       12,716  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 9 and 11)

    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common shares, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 77,406,510 and 76,879,826 shares issued and outstanding

     459,692       450,636  

Retained earnings

     494,692       495,988  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (28,179 )     (28,646 )
                
     926,205       917,978  
                
   $ 1,967,495     $ 1,964,598  
                

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2007     2006  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 35,080     $ 23,240  

Non-cash items included in income:

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     40,945       32,401  

Non-cash cost of real estate sold

     1,394       847  

Non-cash stock-based incentive compensation expense

     4,751       3,599  

Deferred income tax benefit

     (1,689 )     (531 )

Other

     1,840       1,006  

Increase in accounts receivable

     (3,541 )     (7,981 )

Decrease in inventory

     16,516       7,501  

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable

     (11,657 )     4,404  

Increase in current timber purchase agreements and other current assets

     (15,819 )     (14,895 )

Decrease in accrued liabilities

     (16,009 )     (141 )

Increase in other non-current liabilities

     2,796       1,127  

Decrease in non-current timber purchase agreements and other assets

     367       3,473  

Expenditures for dispositions and discontinued operations

     (2,572 )     (3,234 )
                

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     52,402       50,816  
                

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Capital expenditures

     (31,376 )     (36,462 )

Purchase of timberlands and wood chipping facilities

     (8,670 )     (4,323 )

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

     (14,037 )     84  

Other

     7,219       239  
                

CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (46,864 )     (40,462 )
                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Issuance of debt

     80,000       34,000  

Repayment of debt

     (68,000 )     (34,772 )

Dividends paid

     (36,300 )     (35,894 )

Issuance of common shares

     5,051       4,099  

Excess tax benefits on stock based compensation

     2,178       1,770  
                

CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     (17,071 )     (30,797 )
                

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

     (167 )     395  
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (11,700 )     (20,048 )

Balance, beginning of period

     40,171       146,227  
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 28,471     $ 126,179  
                

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION AND NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Cash paid during the period:

    

Interest

   $ 20,230     $ 1,221  
                

Income taxes

   $ 6,755     $ 6,737  
                

Non-cash investing activity:

    

Capital assets purchased on account

   $ 15,950     $ 18,497  
                

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

RAYONIER AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

1.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Rayonier Inc. and its subsidiaries (Rayonier or the Company), reflect all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the use of certain estimates by management in determining the amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. There are risks inherent in estimating; therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates. For a full description of the Company’s significant accounting policies, please refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

New Accounting Standards

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). This Interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertain tax positions recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109). It prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In addition, it provides guidance on derecognition, classification, and interest and penalties. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. See Note 3 – Income Taxes for information regarding the impact of adopting this Interpretation on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. AUG AIR-1, Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities (FSP AUG-AIR-1). This Staff Position prohibits companies from recognizing planned major maintenance costs under the “accrue-in-advance” method, which allowed the accrual of a liability over several reporting periods before the maintenance is performed. The Company adopted FSP AUG AIR-1 on January 1, 2007 by electing the deferral method and retrospectively applying its provisions to prior periods. The adjustment to the Company’s opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2005 was an increase of $7.0 million. The application of the deferral method to 2006 results had an immaterial impact, while 2005 income from continuing operations and net income decreased $5.3 million or $0.07 per diluted share due to the significant amount of maintenance costs capitalized in 2004 and amortized in 2005. The Company recorded $3.3 million of maintenance expense in the first quarter of 2007 and capitalized $12.3 million of maintenance costs incurred.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). This Standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. It applies to other accounting pronouncements where the FASB requires or permits fair value measurements but does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 157 in the first quarter of 2008 and has not yet determined the effect, if any, that the adoption will have on its results of operations or financial position.

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

2.

INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

The following table provides details of the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

     2007    2006

Net income

   $ 35,080    $ 23,240
             

Shares used for determining basic earnings per common share

     77,130,711      76,289,274

Dilutive effect of:

     

Stock options

     1,107,394      1,419,832

Contingent performance and restricted shares

     290,116      297,667
             

Shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share

     78,528,221      78,006,773
             

Basic earnings per common share:

     

Net income

   $ 0.45    $ 0.30
             

Diluted earnings per common share:

     

Net income

   $ 0.45    $ 0.30
             

 

3.

INCOME TAXES

The Company is a real estate investment trust (REIT); therefore, only the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries (which hold the Company’s non-REIT businesses) are subject to corporate income taxes if applicable Internal Revenue Code (Code) requirements are met. However, the Company is subject to corporate income tax on built-in gains (the excess of fair market value over tax basis on property held by the Company upon REIT conversion at January 1, 2004) on taxable sales of such property during the first ten years following its election to be taxed as a REIT. In accordance with SFAS 109, the Company estimated the amount of timberland and other assets that will be sold in taxable transactions within the ten-year built-in gain period and retained deferred tax liabilities for such items. All deferred tax liabilities and assets related to the taxable REIT subsidiaries have also been retained.

As a REIT, the Company can be subject to a 100 percent tax on the gain resulting from “prohibited transactions.” The Company believes it did not engage in any prohibited transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.

Like-Kind Exchanges

Under current tax law, the built-in gain tax from the sale of REIT property can be eliminated if sales proceeds from “relinquished” properties are reinvested in similar property within the time periods required by the Code regarding like-kind exchanges (LKE), so long as the “replacement” property is owned at least until expiration of the ten-year built-in gain period (ten-year period which began on January 1, 2004). However, this does not restrict the Company’s ability to harvest timber on a pay-as-cut basis from such replacement property during the ten-year built-in gain period.

Undistributed Foreign Earnings

The Company has undistributed foreign earnings from its non-U.S. operations, which it intends to permanently reinvest overseas. The Company also intends to reinvest all future foreign earnings overseas. Therefore, no U.S. taxes have been provided on these earnings.

 

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Table of Contents

RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate, before discrete item(s), increased from 16.4 percent in the first quarter of 2006, to 16.7 percent in the first quarter of 2007. The rate increased primarily due to the repeal of the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (tax benefit on U.S. export sales), partly offset by an increase in the Manufacturing Production Deduction (tax benefit on income from U.S. manufacturing operations) and a higher REIT benefit.

The Company’s effective tax rate is below the 35 percent U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to tax benefits associated with being a REIT and the effect of LKE transactions. Partially offsetting these benefits is the loss of tax deductibility on interest expense ($5.0 million) and corporate overhead expenses associated with REIT activities ($3.7 million). The net tax benefit from REIT activities for the first quarter of 2007 was $7.6 million compared to $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2006. The Company recognized $1.0 million in LKE tax benefits during the first quarter of 2007, compared to $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2006.

The following table reconciles the Company’s income tax provision at the U.S. statutory tax rate to the reported provision and effective tax rate (millions of dollars):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2007     %     2006     %  

Income tax provision at U.S. statutory rate

   $ (14.9 )   (35.0 )   $ (9.6 )   (35.0 )

State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit

     (0.3 )   (0.7 )     (0.2 )   (0.7 )

REIT income not subject to federal tax

     7.6     18.0       4.8     17.6  

Permanent differences/other

     0.5     1.0       0.5     1.7  
                            

Income tax provision before discrete items

   $ (7.1 )   (16.7 )   $ (4.5 )   (16.4 )

Favorables IRS audit settlements

     —       —         0.5     1.8  

Other

     (0.4 )   (0.9 )     —       —    
                            

Income tax provision as reported

   $ (7.5 )   (17.6 )   $ (4.0 )   (14.6 )
                            

Tax Audits

The following table provides detail of the tax years that remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other significant taxing jurisdictions:

 

Taxing Jurisdiction

  

Open Tax Periods

    

U.S. Internal Revenue Service

   2003 – 2006   

State of Florida

   2000 – 2006   

State of Georgia

   2000 – 2006   

State of Alabama

   2000 – 2006   

New Zealand Inland Revenue

   2002 – 2006   

In the third quarter of 2006, the Company reached a settlement with the IRS regarding disputed issues for its 2000, 2001 and 2002 tax years, resulting in the reversal of $4.9 million of federal tax liabilities previously established for these years. As a result of the settlement, the Company recorded a tax refund receivable of approximately $8.2 million (plus interest) which is expected to be received in the second quarter of 2007.

The Company has other matters under review by various taxing authorities, including the examination of tax years 2003 and 2004 by the IRS. The Company believes its reported tax positions are technically sound and its “uncertain” tax position liabilities at March 31, 2007 adequately reflect the probable resolution of these items.

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

FIN 48 Disclosures

The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, which did not result in an adjustment to its opening balance of retained earnings. The disclosures associated with the adoption and the underlying “uncertain” tax positions follow:

 

  (a)

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate at January 1, 2007 is $5.1 million.

 

  (b)

The Company has recorded interest on the above unrecognized tax benefits of $1.1 million at January 1, 2007. The Company records interest (and penalties, if applicable) in non-operating expenses.

 

  (c)

It is reasonably possible that within 12 months of January 1, 2007 the following unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease:

 

  (i)

U.S. federal tax issues relating to the deductibility of certain expenditures.

 

   

The event that would cause such a change is the completion of the IRS examination of tax years 2003 – 2004.

 

   

An estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change is a decrease of $1.9 million to an increase of $2.1 million.

(ii) Various state tax issues.

 

   

The event that would cause such a change is the examination of IRS settlements for tax years 2000 – 2002 by the appropriate state taxing authorities.

 

   

An estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change is a decrease of $0.4 million to an increase of $0.4 million.

 

4.

RESTRICTED DEPOSITS

In order to qualify for LKE treatment, cash proceeds from real estate sales must be deposited with a third party intermediary and accounted for as restricted cash until qualifying replacement property is acquired. In the event that LKE purchases are not completed, the proceeds are returned to the Company and reclassified as cash after 180 days. As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company had $15.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of proceeds from real estate sales classified as restricted cash in “Other assets,” which were on deposit with an LKE intermediary.

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

5.

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

An analysis of shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2006 is shown below:

 

(Share and per share amounts not in thousands)    Common Shares    

Retained
Earnings

    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)
   

Shareholders’
Equity

 
     Shares     Amount        

Balance, December 31, 2005

   76,092,566     $ 422,364     $ 461,903     $ 7,604     $ 891,871  

New accounting rule for major maintenance (Note 1)

   —         —         1,665       —         1,665  

Net income (Note 1)

   —         —         176,469       —         176,469  

Dividends ($1.88 per share)

   —         —         (144,049 )     —         (144,049 )

Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans

   801,521       12,611       —         —         12,611  

Stock-based compensation expense

   —         12,078       —         —         12,078  

Repurchase of common shares

   (14,261 )     (560 )     —         —         (560 )

Minimum pension liability adjustments

   —         —         —         13,339       13,339  

Impact of adopting SFAS No. 158

   —         —         —         (52,815 )     (52,815 )

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

   —         4,143       —         —         4,143  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —         —         —         3,226       3,226  
                                      

Balance, December 31, 2006

   76,879,826     $ 450,636     $ 495,988     $ (28,646 )   $ 917,978  

Net income

   —         —         35,080       —         35,080  

Dividends ($0.47 per share)

   —         —         (36,376 )     —         (36,376 )

Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans

   526,684       2,127       —         —         2,127  

Stock-based compensation expense

   —         4,751       —         —         4,751  

Tax benefit on stock-based compensation

   —         2,178       —         —         2,178  

Amortization of pension and postretirement costs

   —         —         —         1,324       1,324  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —         —         —         (857 )     (857 )
                                      

Balance, March 31, 2007

   77,406,510     $ 459,692     $ 494,692     $ (28,179 )   $ 926,205  
                                      

 

6.

JOINT VENTURE INVESTMENT

The Company holds a 40 percent interest in a joint venture (JV) that owns approximately 351,000 acres of New Zealand timberlands. Rayonier’s investment in the JV is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In addition to the Company having an equity investment, Rayonier New Zealand Limited (RNZ), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., serves as the manager of the JV forests, for which it receives a fee. Income from the JV is reported in the Timber segment as operating income since the Company manages the forests and its JV interest is an extension of its operations. While the JV is subject to New Zealand income taxes, its timber harvest operations are held within the REIT; therefore, the Company generally is not required to pay U.S. federal income taxes on its equity investment income.

A portion of the Company’s equity method investment is recorded at historical cost which generates a difference between the book value of the Company’s investment and its proportionate share of the JV’s net assets. The difference represents the Company’s unrecognized gain from RNZ’s sale of timberlands to the JV. The deferred gain will be recognized on a straight-line basis over nine years (the estimated number of years the JV expects to harvest from the timberlands).

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

7.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Rayonier operates in four reportable business segments as defined by SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS 131): Timber, Real Estate, Performance Fibers, and Wood Products. Timber sales include all activities that relate to the harvesting of timber. The Real Estate segment includes the sale of all properties, including those designated for higher and better use (HBU). In 2006, the Real Estate segment entered into its first participation agreements with two developers as part of the Company’s strategy to move up the real estate value chain and in the future, the real estate segment may also include revenue generated from properties with entitlements and infrastructure improvements. The assets of the Real Estate segment include HBU property held by TerraPointe LLC (TerraPointe), Rayonier’s wholly-owned real estate development subsidiary, and timberlands under contract previously reported in the Timber segment. Allocations of depletion expense and the non-cash cost basis of real estate sold are recorded when the Real Estate segment reports the sale of an asset from the Timber segment. The Performance Fibers segment includes two major product lines: Cellulose Specialties and Absorbent Materials. The Wood Products segment is comprised of the Company’s lumber operations. The Company’s remaining operations include purchasing, harvesting and selling timber acquired from third parties (log trading) and trading wood products. As permitted by SFAS 131, these operations are combined and reported in an “Other” category. Sales between operating segments are made based on fair market value and intercompany profit or loss is eliminated in consolidation. The Company evaluates financial performance based on the operating income of the segments.

Total assets, sales, operating income (loss) and depreciation, depletion and amortization by segment including corporate were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2007
   December 31,
2006
 

ASSETS

     

Timber

   $ 1,257,040    $ 1,255,443  

Real Estate

     68,122      53,583  

Performance Fibers

     486,806      476,148  

Wood Products

     34,159      35,234  

Other Operations

     27,238      29,252  

Corporate/Other

     94,130      114,938  
               

TOTAL

   $ 1,967,495    $ 1,964,598  
               
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2007    2006  

SALES

     

Timber

   $ 65,006    $ 54,474  

Real Estate

     20,997      13,067  

Performance Fibers

     166,381      145,982  

Wood Products

     19,693      31,560  

Other Operations

     27,607      32,110  

Corporate and other

     45      (40 )
               

TOTAL

   $ 299,729    $ 277,153  
               

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2007     2006  

OPERATING INCOME(LOSS)

    

Timber

   $ 26,267     $ 23,870  

Real Estate

     15,215       10,176  

Performance Fibers

     27,110       10,153  

Wood Products

     (3,328 )     2,564  

Other Operations

     (1,281 )     (397 )

Corporate and other

     (8,823 )     (9,170 )
                

TOTAL

   $ 55,160     $ 37,196  
                
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2007     2006  

DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION

    

Timber

   $ 21,773     $ 14,928  

Real Estate

     2,165       443  

Performance Fibers

     15,320       15,011  

Wood Products

     1,592       1,784  

Other Operations

     19       144  

Corporate and other

     76       91  
                

TOTAL

   $ 40,945     $ 32,401  
                

Operating income (loss), as stated in the preceding tables and as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, is equal to Segment income (loss). Certain income (loss) items below “Operating income” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income are not allocated to segments. These items, which include interest (expense) income, miscellaneous income (expense) and income tax (expense) benefit, are not considered by Company management to be part of segment operations.

 

8.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. (RFR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., previously entered into an interest rate swap on $40 million of 8.288 percent fixed rate notes payable which matures on December 31, 2007. The swap converts interest payments from the fixed rate to six month LIBOR plus 4.99 percent and qualifies as a fair value hedge under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). As such, the net effect from the interest rate swap is recorded as interest expense. The interest rate differentials on the swap agreement settle every June 30 and December 31, until maturity. During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, this swap agreement increased interest expense by $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Based upon current interest rates for similar transactions, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement at both March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 resulted in a liability of approximately $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, with a corresponding decrease in debt.

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

In addition, RFR holds an interest rate swap on $50 million of 8.288 percent fixed rate notes payable which also matures on December 31, 2007. The swap converts interest payments from the fixed rate to a six month LIBOR plus 4.7825 percent rate and qualifies as a fair value hedge under SFAS 133. As such, the net effect of the interest rate swap is recorded in interest expense. The swap agreement settles every June 30 and December 31, until maturity. During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, this swap agreement increased the Company’s interest expense by $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Based upon current interest rates for similar transactions, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 resulted in a liability of approximately $0.7 million and a liability of $0.9 million, respectively, with corresponding decreases in debt.

Commodity Swap Agreements

The Company enters into commodity forward contracts to fix some of its fuel oil and natural gas costs at its Performance Fibers mills. The Company’s commodity forward contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133 and instead are required to be marked-to-market.

During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company realized a loss of $0.3 million and a gain of $0.5 million, respectively, on matured fuel oil forward contracts. The mark-to-market valuation of outstanding fuel oil forward contracts at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 resulted in a deminimus liability and a $0.4 million liability, respectively. The mark-to-market adjustments are recorded in “Other operating income/expense.”

During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company realized losses of $42 thousand and $0.3 million on matured natural gas forward contracts, respectively. The mark-to-market valuation of outstanding natural gas contracts at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 resulted in a deminimus asset and a liability of $0.1 million, respectively. The mark-to-market adjustments are recorded in “Other operating income/expense.”

 

9.

GUARANTEES

The Company provides financial guarantees as required by creditors, insurance programs and foreign governmental agencies. As of March 31, 2007, the following financial guarantees were outstanding:

 

     Maximum
Potential
Payment
   Carrying
Amount of
Liability

Standby letters of credit (1)

   $ 73,018    $ 63,067

Guarantees (2)

     123,883      115,096

Surety bonds (3)

     9,631      1,301
             

Total

   $ 206,532    $ 179,464
             
 
  (1)

Approximately $62 million of the standby letters of credit serve as credit support for industrial revenue bonds. The remaining letters of credit support obligations under various insurance related agreements, primarily workers’ compensation and pollution liability policy requirements. These letters of credit expire at various dates during 2007 and are typically renewed as required.

  (2)

In August 2006, the Company entered into a $250 million unsecured revolving credit facility. Under this agreement, the Company guarantees the borrowings of its subsidiaries, RFR and Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc. (TRS), and TRS guarantees the borrowings of the Company. At March 31, 2007, the TRS had $115.0 million of outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility guaranteed by the Company.

In conjunction with the sale of RNZ’s timberlands to the JV in October 2005, the Company guaranteed five years of Crown Forest license obligations. The JV is the primary obligor and has posted a bank performance bond with the New Zealand government. If the JV fails to pay the obligation, the New Zealand government will demand payment from the bank that posted the bond. The Company would have to perform if the bank defaulted on the bond. A deminimus liability, representing Rayonier’s obligation to perform, was recorded in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. As of March 31, 2007, four annual payments, of $1.2 million each, remain. This guarantee expires in 2010.

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

In conjunction with the sale of its New Zealand East Coast timber operations in 2002, the Company guaranteed five years of Crown Forest license obligations. If the owner fails to pay the obligations, the New Zealand government will demand payment from the owner’s bank pursuant to the bond. The Company would have to perform under the guarantee and seek legal redress from the owner if the owner’s bank defaulted on the bond. The Company expects the owner’s bond to be sufficient to cover the license obligations. As of March 31, 2007, one annual payment, estimated at $1.5 million, remains. This guarantee expires in 2007.

In conjunction with a timberland sale and note monetization in the first quarter of 2004, the Company issued a make-whole agreement pursuant to which it guaranteed $2.5 million of obligations of a qualified special purpose entity that was established to complete the monetization. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company has recorded a deminimus liability to reflect the fair market value of its obligation to perform under the make-whole agreement.

  (3)

Rayonier has issued surety bonds primarily to secure timber in the State of Washington and to provide collateral for the Company’s workers’ compensation self-insurance program in that state. These surety bonds expire at various dates during 2007 and are renewed as required.

 

10.

LIABILITIES FOR DISPOSITIONS AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The Company’s dispositions and discontinued operations include its Port Angeles, WA mill, which was closed in 1997; Southern Wood Piedmont Company (SWP), which ceased operations in 1989 except for investigation and remediation activities; Eastern Research Division (ERD), which ceased operations in 1981; and other miscellaneous assets held for disposition. SWP has been designated a potentially responsible party (PRP), or has had other claims made against it, under the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and/or other federal or state statutes relating to the investigation and remediation of environmentally-impacted sites, with respect to ten former wood processing sites which are no longer operating.

An analysis of activity in the liabilities for dispositions and discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2006, is as follows:

 

     March 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

Balance, January 1,

   $ 122,516     $ 140,382  

Expenditures charged to liabilities

     (2,572 )     (9,789 )

(Reductions)/additions to liabilities

     —         (8,077 )
                

Balance, end of period

     119,944       122,516  

Less: Current portion

     (9,907 )     (10,699 )
                

Non-current portion

   $ 110,037     $ 111,817  
                

Rayonier has identified specific liabilities for three SWP sites (Augusta, GA, Spartanburg, SC, and East Point, GA) and Port Angeles, WA as material and requiring separate disclosure which was presented in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have not been any significant changes in these sites’ liability requirements for the three months ended March 31, 2007, and therefore separate disclosure is not presented herein. For an analysis of the liability activity for the three years ended December 31, 2006 and a brief description of these individually material sites, see the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Note 15 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

The Company currently estimates that expenditures for environmental remediation, monitoring and other costs for all dispositions and discontinued operations in 2007 and 2008 will be approximately $11 million and $7 million, respectively. Such costs will be charged against liabilities for dispositions and discontinued operations, which include environmental investigation, remediation and monitoring costs. The Company believes established liabilities are sufficient for costs expected to be incurred over the next 20 years with respect to its dispositions and discontinued operations. Remedial actions for these sites vary, but can include, among other remedies, removal of contaminated soils, groundwater recovery and treatment systems, and source remediation and/or control.

In addition, the Company is exposed to the risk of reasonably possible additional losses in excess of the established liabilities. As of March 31, 2007, this amount could range up to $30 million and arises from uncertainty over the effectiveness of treatments, additional contamination that may be discovered, changes in applicable law and the exercise of discretion in interpretation of applicable law and regulations by governmental agencies, and in environmental remediation technology.

The reliability and precision of cost estimates for these sites and the amount of actual future environmental costs can be impacted by various factors, including but not limited to significant changes in discharge or treatment volumes, requirements to perform additional or different remediation, changes in environmental remediation technology, the extent of groundwater contamination migration, additional findings of contaminated soil or sediment off-site, remedy selection, and the outcome of negotiations with federal and state agencies. Additionally, a site’s potential for Brownfields (environmentally impacted site considered for re-development), or other similar projects, could accelerate expenditures as well as impact the amount and/or type of remediation required, as could new laws, regulations and the exercise of discretion in interpretation of applicable law and regulations by governmental agencies. Based on information currently available, the Company does not believe that any future changes in estimates, if necessary, would materially affect its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

11.

CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, Rayonier may become liable with respect to pending and threatened litigation and environmental and other matters. The following updates or repeats commentary included in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company has been named as a defendant in various other lawsuits and claims arising in the normal course of business. While we have procured reasonable and customary insurance covering risks normally occurring in connection with our businesses, we have in certain cases retained some risk through the operation of self-insurance, primarily in the areas of workers compensation, property insurance, and general liability. In our opinion, these other lawsuits and claims, either individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.

Legal Proceedings

In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) filed separate lawsuits against Rayonier Inc., and approximately 30 other defendants, in the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, seeking recovery of current and future response costs and natural resource damages under applicable federal and state law relating to a contaminated landfill in Chester Township, New Jersey, referred to as Combe Fill South (Combe). It is alleged that the Company’s former ERD in Whippany, New Jersey sent small quantities of dumpster waste, via a contract hauler, to Combe in the 1960s and early 1970s. The Company is working with other defendants in a joint defense group, which subsequently filed third-party actions against over 200 parties seeking contribution. A court-ordered, nonbinding alternative dispute resolution process is ongoing and in March of 2006 a court-appointed neutral issued a report and recommendations. The Company believes that its liabilities at March 31, 2007 adequately reflect the probable costs to be incurred upon the ultimate resolution of these matters.

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to stringent environmental laws and regulations concerning air emissions, water discharges, waste handling and disposal, and forestry operations. Such environmental laws and regulations include the Federal Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, CERCLA, the Endangered Species Act, and similar state laws and regulations. Management closely monitors its environmental responsibilities, and believes that the Company is in substantial compliance with current environmental requirements. Notwithstanding Rayonier’s current compliance status, many of its operations are subject to stringent and constantly evolving environmental requirements which are often the result of legislation, regulation and negotiation. As such, contingencies in this area include, without limitation:

 

   

The Company’s manufacturing facilities operate in accordance with various permits, which often impose operating conditions that require significant expenditures to ensure compliance. Upon renewal and renegotiation of these permits, the issuing agencies often seek to impose new or additional conditions, which could adversely affect our operations and financial performance.

 

   

As environmental laws and regulations change, and administrative and judicial interpretations of new and existing laws and regulations are made, our operations may be adversely affected. For example, at our Performance Fibers mills, implementation of the EPA’s 1998 “Cluster Rules” (parallel rulemaking for air and water-based technology discharge limits for pulp and paper mills) with respect to certain portions of dissolving pulp mills has been delegated to the respective states, and since they have not yet been proposed, the timing and ultimate costs are uncertain.

 

   

In our forestry operations, federal, state and local laws and regulations intended to protect threatened and endangered animal and plant species and their habitat, as well as wetlands and waterways, limit, and in some cases may prevent, timber harvesting, road construction and other activities on private lands. For example, Washington, where the Company holds approximately 375,000 acres of timberlands, has among the most stringent forestry laws and regulations in the country.

 

   

Environmental requirements relating to real estate development, and especially in respect of wetland delineation and mitigation, stormwater management, drainage, waste disposal, and potable water supply and protection, may significantly impact the size, scope, timing, and financial returns of our projects. Moreover, multiple permits are often required for a project, and may involve a lengthy application process.

 

   

Over time, the complexity and stringency of environmental laws and regulations have increased significantly, and the cost of compliance with these laws and regulations has also increased. Similarly, the investigatory and remedial standards and requirements relating to our discontinued operations continue to tighten over time. In general, management believes these trends will continue.

Given all of these contingencies, it is the opinion of management that substantial expenditures will be required over the next ten years in the area of environmental compliance. See Note 10 – Liabilities for Dispositions and Discontinued Operations for additional information regarding the Company’s environmental liabilities.

 

12.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has four qualified non-contributory defined benefit pension plans which collectively cover substantially all of its employees and an unfunded plan that provides benefits in excess of amounts allowable under current tax law in the qualified plans. Employee benefit plan liabilities are calculated using actuarial estimates and management assumptions. These estimates are based on historical information, along with certain assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions, as well as changes in actual experience, could cause the estimates to change.

The Company closed enrollment in its pension and postretirement medical plans to salaried employees hired after December 31, 2005. Salaried employees hired after December 31, 2005 are automatically enrolled in the Company’s 401(k) plan and receive an enhanced retirement contribution.

 

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RAYONIER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands unless otherwise stated)

 

The net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement plans (medical and life insurance) for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are shown in the following table:

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

     Pension     Postretirement
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2007     2006     2007    2006

Service cost

   $ 1,606     $ 1,935     $ 155    $ 180

Interest cost

     3,245       3,433       562      585

Expected return on plan assets

     (4,110 )     (4,062 )     —        —  

Amortization of prior service cost

     363       374       179      71

Amortization of losses

     1,011       1,277       332      341
                             

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 2,115     $ 2,957     $ 1,228    $ 1,177
                             

The Company does not have any required pension plan contributions for 2007 and has not made any discretionary pension contributions during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

13.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) was comprised of the following as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

 

     March 31, 2007     December 31, 2006  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   $ 26,435     $ 27,292  

Unrecognized components of employee benefit plans, net of tax

     (54,614 )     (55,938 )
                

Total

   $ (28,179 )   $ (28,646 )
                

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the decrease in net foreign currency translation adjustments was due to the change in the New Zealand to U.S. dollar exchange rate. Amortization of unrecognized components of employee pension and postretirement plans of $1.3 million was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

14.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Forest Fires

Approximately 26,000 acres of Rayonier’s timberlands in Southeast Georgia have been impacted by wildfires that began mid-April. At the time the Company filed this report on Form 10-Q, the wildfires were not yet fully contained and the preliminary estimate of the impact on second quarter earnings is a loss of approximately $5 million to $7 million or 6 to 9 cents per share. Once the area is fully accessible, the Company will be able to more accurately assess the damage.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Safe Harbor

Except for historical information, the statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form IO-Q are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements, which may include statements regarding anticipated earnings, revenues, volumes, pricing, costs and other statements relating to Rayonier’s financial and operational performance and business strategies, in some cases are identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will, “ “should, “ “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate” and other similar language. The following important factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this release; changes in global market trends and world events; interest rate and currency movements; changes in key management personnel; fluctuations in demand for, or supply of, cellulose specialty products, absorbent materials, timber, wood products or real estate and entry of new competitors into these markets; adverse weather conditions and natural disasters affecting products or performance fibers, particularly for raw materials such as wood, energy and chemicals; unexpected delays in the entry into or closing of real estate sale transactions; changes in law, policy or political environment that might condition, limit or restrict the development of real estate; the ability of the company to identify and complete timberland and higher-value real estate acquisitions; the company’s ability to continue to qualify as a REIT; the ability of the company to complete timberland like-kind exchanges; and implementation or revision of governmental policies, laws and regulations affecting the environment, endangered species, timber harvesting, import and export controls or taxes, including changes in tax laws that could reduce the benefits associated with REIT status. For additional factors that could impact future results, please see Item 1A- “Risk Factors” in our most recent Form 1O-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Rayonier assumes no obligation to update these statements except as may be required by law.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base these estimates and assumptions on historical data and trends, current fact patterns, expectations and other sources of information we believe are reasonable. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different conditions. For a full description of our critical accounting policies, see Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Segment Information

We operate in four reportable business segments as defined by SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS 131): Timber, Real Estate, Performance Fibers, and Wood Products. Timber sales include all activities that relate to the harvesting of timber. Real Estate sales include the sale of all properties, including those designated for higher and better use (HBU). In 2006, the Real Estate segment entered into its first participation agreements with two developers as part of our strategy to move up the real estate value chain and in the future, the Real Estate segment may also include revenue generated from properties with entitlements and infrastructure improvements. The assets of the Real Estate segment include HBU property held by TerraPointe LLC (TerraPointe), the Company’s wholly-owned real estate development subsidiary, and timberlands under contract previously reported in the Timber segment. Allocations of depletion expense and non-cash costs of land sold are recorded when the Real Estate segment sells an asset from the Timber segment. The Performance Fibers segment includes two major product lines, Cellulose Specialties and Absorbent Materials. The Wood Products segment is comprised of lumber operations. Our remaining operations include purchasing, harvesting and selling timber acquired from third parties (log trading) and trading wood products. As permitted by SFAS 131, these operations are combined and reported in an “Other” category. Sales between operating segments are made based on fair market value and intercompany profit or loss is eliminated in consolidation. We evaluate financial performance based on the operating income of the segments.

Operating income/(loss), as stated in the following table and as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, is equal to segment income/(loss). The income/(loss) items below “Operating income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income are not allocated to segments. These items, which include interest, miscellaneous income/(expense) and income tax (expense)/benefit, are not considered by management to be part of segment operations.

 

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Table of Contents

Results of Operations, Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

 

Financial Information (in millions)

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2006        2007  

Sales

       

Timber

   $ 65.0        $ 54.4  

Real Estate

       

Development

     3.6          6.4  

Rural

     16.9          6.7  

Other

     0.5          —    
                   

Total Real Estate

     21.0          13.1  
                   

Performance Fibers

       

Cellulose Specialties

     129.5          106.7  

Absorbent Materials

     36.9          39.3  
                   

Total Performance Fibers

     166.4          146.0  
                   

Wood Products

     19.7          31.6  

Other operations

     27.6          32.1  
                   

Total Sales

   $ 299.7        $ 277.2  
                   

Operating Income (Loss)

       

Timber

   $ 26.3        $ 23.8  

Real Estate

     15.2          10.2  

Performance Fibers

     27.1          10.3  

Wood Products

     (3.3 )        2.6  

Other operations

     (1.3 )        (0.5 )

Corporate and other expenses / eliminations

     (8.8 )        (9.2 )
                   

Total Operating Income

     55.2          37.2  

Interest Expense

     (13.6 )        (12.2 )

Interest / Other income

     1.0          2.2  

Income tax expense

     (7.5 )        (4.0 )
                   

Net Income

   $ 35.1        $ 23.2  
                   

 

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Table of Contents

Timber

Sales for the first quarter increased from the prior year period by approximately $11 million as higher demand in the Southern and Northwest regions more than offset a decline in pine prices in the South.

The South’s volumes increased 32 percent from the prior year period primarily due to our 2006 timberland acquisitions and strong market demand for pulpwood. Demand for sawlogs softened from a continued weak housing market. As a result, average prices for the quarter declined 6 percent compared to the prior year period.

The Northwest’s prices and volume increased 4 percent and 6 percent, respectively, for the quarter due to strong export and pulpwood demand.

 

Sales (in millions)

   Changes Attributable to:
     2006    Price     Volume
/ Mix
   Other    2007

Three months ended March 31,

             

Total Sales

   $ 54.4    $ (0.4 )   $ 8.8    $ 2.2    $ 65.0
                                   

Operating income was above the prior year period due to the volume increases in our Southern and Northwest regions, price improvements in the Northwest and stronger results from our New Zealand joint venture.

 

Operating Income (in millions)

   Changes Attributable to:
     2006    Price     Volume
/ Mix
   Cost /
Other
    2007

Three months ended March 31,

            

Total Operating Income

   $ 23.8    $ (0.4 )   $ 3.8    $ (0.9 )   $ 26.3
                                    

Real Estate

Our Southeast real estate holdings have been segregated into two groups: development and rural properties. Development properties are predominantly located in the eleven coastal counties between Savannah, GA and Daytona Beach, FL, while the rural properties essentially include the balance of our real estate holdings in the Southeast. Our Northwest real estate sales comprise the Other category.

During the quarter, sales and operating income increased as higher prices and rural sales offset lower development sales. Compared to 2006, Real Estate sales in 2007 are expected to be lower due to the slow down in the housing market.

The nature of real estate is such that year over year fluctuations may be material due to the uncertain timing of entry into and closure of transactions.

 

Sales (in millions)

   Changes Attributable to:
     2006    Price    Volume     2007

Three months ended March 31,

          

Development

   $ 6.4    $ 2.6    $ (5.4 )   $ 3.6

Rural

     6.7      2.1      8.1       16.9

Other

     —        0.5      —         0.5
                            

Total Sales

   $ 13.1    $ 5.2    $ 2.7     $ 21.0
                            

 

Operating Income (in millions)

   Changes Attributable to:
     2006    Price    Volume     2007

Three months ended March 31,

          

Total Operating Income

   $ 10.2    $ 5.2    $ (0.2 )   $ 15.2
                            

 

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Performance Fibers

In the first quarter, strong market demand for cellulose specialties resulted in an average price increase of $113 per ton, or 11 percent. In addition, volume increased from the prior year period due to a timing shift in customers’ requirements and fewer scheduled maintenance shut-down days.

Absorbent materials prices increased $57 per ton, or 10 percent, primarily due to stronger fluff prices. The improvement in pricing was offset by decreased volume resulting from a greater number of scheduled maintenance shut-down days.

 

Sales (in millions)

   Changes Attributable to:
     2006    Price    Volume
/ Mix
    2007

Three months ended March 31,

          

Cellulose Specialties

   $ 106.7    $ 12.9    $ 9.9     $ 129.5

Absorbent Materials

     39.3      3.2      (5.6 )     36.9
                            

Total Sales

   $ 146.0    $ 16.1    $ 4.3     $ 166.4
                            

Operating income in the first quarter increased by $16.8 million from the prior year period as increased prices more than offset higher maintenance, labor and chemicals costs.

 

Operating Income (in millions)

   Changes Attributable to:
     2006    Price    Volume
/ Mix
   Costs     2007

Three months ended March 31,

             

Total Operating Income

   $ 10.3    $ 16.1    $ 4.2    $ (3.5 )   $ 27.1
                                   

Wood Products

Lumber sales and operating income decreased compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to lower prices and volume. Prices declined by 29 percent for the first quarter of 2007 reflecting reduced demand in the housing market.

 

Sales (in millions)

   Changes Attributable to:
     2006    Price     Volume
/ Mix
    2007

Three months ended March 31,

         

Total Sales

   $ 31.6    $ (7.9 )   $ (4.0 )   $ 19.7
                             

 

Operating Income (Loss) (in millions)

   Changes Attributable to:  
     2006    Price     Volume
/ Mix
    Costs    2007  

Three months ended March 31,

            

Total Operating Income (Loss)

   $ 2.6    $ (7.9 )   $ (0.3 )   $ 2.3    $ (3.3 )
                                      

 

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Other Operations

Sales of $27.6 million for the quarter were $4.5 million below the prior year period resulting from the closure of our wood products trading business, International Wood Products (IWP), in February 2007.

Corporate and Other Expenses / Eliminations

Corporate and other expenses were $0.4 million below 2006 primarily due to reduced spending on corporate development.

Other Income / Expense

Interest expense for the first quarter was $1.4 million above the prior year period as higher average debt levels were partially offset by lower interest rates.

Interest/other income was approximately $1.2 million lower than the prior year due to reduced interest income as a result of lower cash levels in 2007.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate, before discrete items, increased from 16.4 percent in the first quarter of 2006, to 16.7 percent in the first quarter of 2007. The rate increased primarily due to the repeal of the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (tax benefit on U.S. export sales), partly offset by an increase in the Manufacturing Production Deduction (tax benefit on income from U.S. manufacturing operations) and a higher REIT benefit.

See Note 3 - Income Taxes for additional information regarding the provision for income taxes.

Outlook

We expect 2007 earnings to be comparable to 2006, excluding the impact of the wildfires in Southeast Georgia and other special items. Although the housing slowdown continues to put pressure on our Timber and Real Estate businesses, we expect the impact will be offset by the strength of Performance Fibers.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Cash provided by operating activities of $52 million for the first quarter was $1 million above the prior year period, mainly due to higher operating income partly offset by increased working capital requirements primarily due to timing of interest payments on installment notes. Cash used for investing activities of $47 million for the first quarter increased $6 million from the same prior year period primarily due to a $14 million increase in like-kind exchange restricted cash deposits offset by lower capital spending. First quarter 2007 investing activities also include the purchase of wood chipping facilities for $9 million. Cash used for financing activities decreased $14 million reflecting higher net borrowings of $12 million. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $28 million and $40 million as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, and consisted primarily of marketable securities with maturities at date of acquisition of 90 days or less.

At March 31, 2007, debt was $671 million, $12 million above the December 31, 2006 balance of $659 million. Our debt-to-capital ratio at March 31, 2007 was 42 percent, consistent with the December 31, 2006 ratio.

There were no pension contributions made during the first quarter of 2007 or 2006; however, we anticipate making discretionary contributions ranging from $10 million to $20 million in the next nine months. Income tax payments totaled $7 million in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively. We expect 2007 net income tax payments of $28 million, approximately $11 million below the prior year primarily due to refunds of $8 million related to prior year tax audit settlements. Capital expenditures are expected to range from $90 to $95 million in 2007. First quarter 2007 pre-tax spending for environmental costs related to dispositions and discontinued operations was $3 million; full year expenditures of $12 million are anticipated.

 

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Liquidity Performance Indicators

The discussion below is presented to enhance the reader’s understanding of our ability to generate cash, our liquidity and ability to satisfy rating agency and creditor requirements. This information includes two measures of financial results: Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (EBITDA), and Adjusted Cash Available for Distribution (Adjusted CAD). These measures are not defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the discussion of EBITDA and Adjusted CAD is not intended to conflict with or change any of the GAAP disclosures. We consider these measures to be important to estimate the enterprise and shareholder values of Rayonier as a whole and of its core segments, and for allocating capital resources. In addition, analysts, investors and creditors use these measures when analyzing our financial condition and cash generating ability. EBITDA is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); however, Adjusted CAD as defined may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure of our operating cash generating capacity. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, EBITDA was $96 million, $26 million above the prior year period reflecting higher operating income in three of our four segments. Below is a reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities to EBITDA for the respective periods (in millions of dollars):

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2007     2006  

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

   $  52.4     $  50.8  

Non-cash cost basis of real estate sold

     (1.4 )     (0.8 )

Income tax expense

     7.5       4.0  

Interest expense, net

     12.6       10.0  

Working capital increase

     29.6       10.4  

Other balance sheet changes

     (4.6 )     (4.4 )
                

EBITDA

   $ 96.1     $ 70.0  
                

A non-cash expense critical to the economics of our Real Estate business is the non-cash cost basis of real estate sold. EBITDA plus the non-cash cost basis of real estate sold for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 totaled $97.5 million and $70.8 million, respectively.

Adjusted CAD is a non-GAAP measure of cash generated during a period that is available for dividend distribution, repurchasing our common shares, debt reduction and for strategic acquisitions net of associated financing (e.g. realizing like-kind exchange benefits). We define Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) as Cash Provided by Operating Activities less capital spending, adjusted for equity based compensation amounts, the tax benefits associated with certain strategic acquisitions, the change in committed cash and other items which include the proceeds from matured energy forward contracts and the change in capital expenditures purchased on account. Committed cash represents outstanding checks that have been drawn on our zero balance bank accounts but have not been paid. In compliance with SEC requirements for non-GAAP measures, we also reduce CAD by mandatory debt repayments resulting in the measure entitled “Adjusted CAD.”

 

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Adjusted CAD for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $61 million, $38 million above the prior year period. The increase is due to the change in committed cash primarily from the timing of interest payments and lower capital spending in 2007 due to the absence of capital expenditures on energy savings projects. The Adjusted Cash Available for Distribution generated in the current period is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be generated in future periods. Below is a reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted CAD (in millions of dollars):

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
      2006     2007  

Cash provided by Operating Activities

   $ 52.4     $ 50.8  

Capital spending

     (31.4 )     (36.5 )

Decrease in committed cash

     27.8  (a)     5.9  

Equity-based compensation adjustments

     5.8       4.2  

LKE tax benefits

     (1.0 )     (0.9 )

Other

     7.2       0.2  
                

Cash Available for Distribution

     60.8       23.7  

Mandatory debt repayments

     —         (0.8 )
                

Adjusted Cash Available for Distribution

   $ 60.8     $ 22.9  
                

 

 
  (a)

Primarily 2006 interest paid in 2007 and previously reflected as a reduction in 2006 Adjusted CAD.

Liquidity Facilities

In August 2006, we entered into a $250 million unsecured revolving credit facility to replace the previous facility which was scheduled to expire in November 2006. This facility includes an accordion feature which allows additional borrowing above $250 million, in $25 million increments, up to an aggregate $100 million, provided no default exists. The facility expires in August 2011. At March 31, 2007, the available borrowing capacity was $128 million (excluding the accordion feature), primarily due to borrowings to purchase timberlands in 2006, and $7 million attributable to previously issued standby letters of credit.

The credit facility requires us to meet certain covenants, including ratios based on the facility’s definition of EBITDA (Covenant EBITDA). Covenant EBITDA consists of earnings before the cumulative effect of accounting changes and any provision for dispositions, income taxes, interest expense, depreciation, depletion, amortization and the non-cash cost basis of real estate sold. A dividend restriction covenant limits the sum of dividends in any period of four fiscal quarters to 90 percent of Covenant Funds From Operations (Covenant FFO) plus the aggregate amount of dividends permitted under Covenant FFO in excess of the amount of dividends paid during the prior four fiscal quarters. Covenant FFO is defined as Consolidated Net Income, excluding gains or losses from debt restructuring and investments in marketable securities, plus depletion, depreciation and amortization and the non-cash cost basis of real estate sold. Under a covenant relating to $485 million of installment notes, Rayonier Forest Resources, L.P. (RFR), a wholly-owned REIT subsidiary, may not incur additional debt unless, at the time of incurrence and after presenting the pro forma effects relating to the receipt and application of the proceeds of such debt, RFR meets or exceeds a minimum ratio of cash flow to fixed charges.

In addition to the financial covenants listed above, the installment notes and credit facility include customary covenants that limit the incurrence of debt, the disposition of assets, and the making of certain payments between RFR and Rayonier among others. An asset sales covenant in the RFR installment note-related agreements requires us, subject to certain exceptions, to either reinvest cumulative timberland sales proceeds in excess of $100 million (the “excess proceeds”) in timberland-related investments and activities or, once the amount of excess proceeds not reinvested exceeds $50 million, to make an offer to the note holders to prepay the notes ratably in the amount of the excess proceeds. As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the amount of excess proceeds was approximately $10 million.

 

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The covenants listed below, which are the most significant financial covenants in effect as of March 31, 2007, are calculated on a trailing 12-month basis:

 

     Covenant
Requirement
    Actual ratio at
March 31, 2007
    Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 

Covenant EBITDA to consolidated interest expense should not be less than

   2.50 to 1     8.21     5.71  

Total debt to Covenant EBITDA should not exceed

   4.00 to 1     1.63     2.37  

RFR cash flow available for fixed charges to RFR fixed charges should not be less than

   2.50 to 1     7.65     5.15  

Dividends paid should not exceed 90 percent of Covenant FFO

   90 %   44 %   46 %

Contractual Financial Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

No material changes to guarantees or financial instruments such as letters of credit and surety bonds occurred during the first three months of 2007. See Note 9 - Guarantees, for details on the letters of credit, surety bonds and total guarantees outstanding as of March 31, 2007.

Segment EBITDA

EBITDA is also used for evaluating segment cash return on investment, allocating resources and for valuation purposes. EBITDA by segment is a critical valuation measure used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker, existing shareholders and potential shareholders to measure how management is performing relative to the assets with which they have been entrusted. EBITDA by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was as follows (millions of dollars):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
      2007     2006  

EBITDA

    

Timber

   $ 48.0     $ 38.8  

Real Estate

     17.4       10.7  

Performance Fibers

     42.4       25.3  

Wood Products

     (1.7 )     4.3  

Other Operations

     (1.3 )     (0.2 )

Corporate and other

     (8.7 )     (8.9 )
                

Total

   $ 96.1     $ 70.0  
                

 

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The following tables reconcile Cash Provided by Operating Activities by segment to EBITDA by segment:

 

     Timber    

Real

Estate

    Performance
Fibers
    Wood
Products
    Other
Operations
    Corporate
and other
    Total  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

              

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 47.3     $ 19.0     $ 45.4     $ (1.3 )   $ (7.3 )   $ (50.7 )   $ 52.4  

Less: Non-cash cost basis of real estate sold

     —         (1.4 )     —         —         —         —         (1.4 )

Add: Income tax expense

     —         —         —         —         —         7.5       7.5  

Interest, net

     —         —         —         —         —         12.6       12.6  

Working capital increases (decreases)

     2.4       (1.0 )     (2.8 )     (0.4 )     6.0       25.4       29.6  

Other balance sheet changes

     (1.7 )     0.8       (0.2 )     —         —         (3.5 )     (4.6 )
                                                        

EBITDA

   $ 48.0     $ 17.4     $ 42.4     $ (1.7 )   $ (1.3 )   $ (8.7 )   $ 96.1  
                                                        

Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

              

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 43.8     $ 7.5     $ 29.6     $ 0.7     $ 0.5     $ (31.3 )   $ 50.8  

Less: Non-cash cost basis of real estate sold

     —         (0.8 )     —         —         —         —         (0.8 )

Add: Income tax expense

     —         —         —         —         —         4.0       4.0  

Interest, net

     —         —         —         —         —         10.0       10.0  

Working capital increases (decreases)

     4.5       4.7       (4.3 )     3.6       (0.9 )     2.8       10.4  

Other balance sheet changes

     (9.5 )     (0.7 )     —         —         0.2       5.6       (4.4 )
                                                        

EBITDA

   $ 38.8     $ 10.7     $ 25.3     $ 4.3     $ (0.2 )   $ (8.9 )   $ 70.0  
                                                        

The following tables provide sales volumes by segment:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31, 2007     March 31, 2006  

Timber

    

Northwest U.S., in millions of board feet

   79     75  

Southern U.S., in thousands of short green tons

   1,643     1,247  

Real Estate

    

Acres sold

    

Development

   123     744  

Rural

   5,867     2,660  

Northwest U.S.

   148     —    
            

Total

   6,138     3,404  

Performance Fibers

    

Sales Volume

    

Cellulose specialties, in thousands of metric tons

   114     104  

Absorbent materials, in thousands of metric tons

   55     65  

Production as a percent of capacity

   95.1 %   98.9 %

Lumber

    

Sales volume, in millions of board feet

   73     84  

 

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The following tables provide sales by geographic location:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31, 2007     March 31, 2006  

Geographical Data (Non-U.S.)

    

Sales

    

New Zealand

   $ 12.3     $ 5.5  

Other

     2.0       4.5  
                

Total

   $ 14.3     $ 10.0  
                

Operating income (loss)

    

New Zealand

   $ 0.8     $ (1.1 )

Other

     (0.5 )     (0.4 )
                

Total

   $ 0.3     $ (1.5 )
                

Timber

    

Sales

    

Northwest U.S.

   $ 30.7     $ 27.1  

Southern U.S.

     31.1       25.0  

New Zealand

     3.2       2.3  
                

Total

   $ 65.0     $ 54.4  
                

Operating income

    

Northwest U.S.

   $ 18.0     $ 16.0  

Southern U.S.

     7.8       8.9  

New Zealand

     0.5       (1.1 )
                

Total

   $ 26.3     $ 23.8  
                

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risk

We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign exchange rates. Our objective is to minimize the economic impact of these market risks. We use derivatives in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors; derivatives are managed by a senior executive committee whose responsibilities include initiating, managing and monitoring resulting exposures. We do not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Cyclical pricing of commodity market paper pulp ultimately influences Performance Fibers prices, particularly in the Absorbent Materials product line. However, since we are a non-integrated producer of specialized Performance Fibers for non-papermaking end uses, our high-value product mix tends to lag (on both the upturn and downturn) commodity paper pulp prices with peaks and valleys that are less severe.

The fair market value of our long-term fixed interest rate debt is subject to interest rate risk; however, we intend to hold most of our debt until maturity. We periodically enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage exposure to interest rate changes. These swaps involve the exchange of fixed and variable interest rate payments without exchanging principal amounts. At March 31, 2007, we had two interest rate swap agreements, both maturing in 2007, which resulted in a liability with a fair market value of $1.3 million. Generally, the fair market value of fixed-interest rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.

 

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We periodically enter into commodity forward contracts to fix some of our fuel oil and natural gas costs. The forward contracts partially mitigate the risk of a change in Performance Fibers margins resulting from an increase or decrease in these energy costs. A hypothetical 10 percent increase/decrease in the prevailing market price of natural gas and fuel oil hedged at March 31, 2007 would result in a change of a deminimus amount and $0.2 million, respectively, in our pre-tax income. We do not enter into commodity forwards for trading or speculative purposes. The net amounts paid or received under the contracts are recognized as an adjustment to fuel oil or natural gas expense. Our natural gas and fuel oil contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and as such mark-to-market adjustments are recorded in “Other operating income, net.” See Note 8—Financial Instruments for outstanding forward contracts at March 31, 2007 as well as gains and losses recognized from such contracts.

Primarily all of our revenues and expenses are U.S. dollar-denominated. However, the JV is subject to the risks of foreign currency fluctuations (See Note 6 – Joint Venture Investment for additional information on the JV). At March 31, 2007, there were no outstanding forward foreign currency contracts to purchase New Zealand dollars.

For a full description of our market risk, please refer to Item 7, Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Rayonier management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(c) and 15d-15(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)), are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no control evaluation can provide absolute assurance that all control exceptions and instances of fraud have been prevented or detected on a timely basis. Even systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance that their objectives are achieved.

Based on an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Principal Financial Officers, concluded that the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2007.

In the quarter ended March 31, 2007, based upon the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that would materially affect or are reasonably likely to affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Notes 10 and 11 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I of this Report, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. For a full description of these risk factors, please refer to Item 1A - Risk Factors, in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The Company is authorized, through its Common Share repurchase program, to repurchase 2,464,010 and 2,444,227 shares as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

The following chart provides the required disclosures with regard to stock repurchases:

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased *
   Average
Price
Paid per
Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

January 1, 2007 to January 31, 2007

   6,287    $ 41.05    —  

February 1, 2007 to February 28, 2007

   —         —  

March 1, 2007 to March 31, 2007

   —         —  
            

Total

   6,287       —  
            
 
  *

Shares repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2007 were to satisfy the minimum tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted shares under the 1994 Rayonier Incentive Stock Plan.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders of Rayonier during the first quarter of 2007.

 

Item 5. Other Information

Forest Fires

Approximately 26,000 acres of Rayonier’s timberlands in Southeast Georgia have been impacted by wildfires that began mid-April. At the time the Company filed this report on Form 10-Q, the wildfires were not yet fully contained and the preliminary estimate of the impact on second quarter earnings is a loss of approximately $5 million to $7 million or 6 to 9 cents per share. Once the area is fully accessible, we will be able to more accurately assess the damage.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 6. Exhibits

 

10.1

  

Rayonier Annual Corporate Bonus Program

  

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit to the Registrant’s March 19, 2007 Form 8-K

10.1

  

Compensation Arrangement for Lee M. Thomas

  

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s February 28, 2007 Form 8-K

31.1

  

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

  

Filed herewith

31.2

  

Certification of the Co-Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

  

Filed herewith

31.3

  

Certification of the Co-Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

  

Filed herewith

32

  

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

  

Filed herewith

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 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.

 

 

RAYONIER INC.

 

By:

 

/s/ HANS E. VANDEN NOORT

   

Hans E. Vanden Noort

   

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

April 26, 2007

 

29

Section 302 Certification of CEO

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Lee M. Thomas, certify that:

 

  1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rayonier Inc.;

 

  2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a.

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b.

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c.

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d.

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a.

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b.

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: April 26, 2007    
 

/s/ LEE M. THOMAS

 
 

Lee M. Thomas

 
 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 
Section 302 Certification of Co-Principal Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Hans E. Vanden Noort, certify that:

 

  1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rayonier Inc.;

 

  2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a.

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b.

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c.

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d.

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a.

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b.

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: April 26, 2007    
 

/s/ HANS E. VANDEN NOORT

 
 

Hans E. Vanden Noort

 
 

Senior Vice President and

Chief Accounting Officer

 
Section 302 Certification of Co-Principal Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 31.3

CERTIFICATION

I, Carl E. Kraus, certify that:

 

  1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rayonier Inc.;

 

  2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a.

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b.

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c.

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d.

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a.

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b.

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: April 26, 2007    
 

/s/ CARL E. KRAUS

 
 

Carl E. Kraus

 
 

Senior Vice President, Finance

 
Section 906 Certification

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

 

  1.

The quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Rayonier Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended March 31, 2007 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2.

The information in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

April 26, 2007

 

 

/s/ LEE M. THOMAS

    

/s/ HANS E. VANDEN NOORT

    

/s/ CARL E. KRAUS

 

Lee M. Thomas

    

Hans E. Vanden Noort

    

Carl E. Kraus

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

    

Senior Vice President and

Chief Accounting Officer

    

Senior Vice President, Finance

 

  

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Rayonier and will be retained by Rayonier and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.