Document

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K/A

Amendment No.1



þ	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
or
o	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: 001-33988

Graphic Packaging Holding Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware	26-0405422
(State of incorporation)	(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1500 Riveredge Parkway, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia	30328
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(770) 240-7200

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	New York Stock Exchange
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights	New York Stock Exchange
Associated with the Common Stock

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates at June 30, 2017 was approximately $4 billion.

As of February 5, 2018 there were approximately 309,715,624 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Explanatory Note

The sole purpose of this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to Graphic Packaging Holding Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2018 (the “Form 10-K”), is, at the request of Ernst & Young LLP, to update their opinion on internal control over financial reporting to include a previously omitted sentence (specifically, "We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB."), include paragraph headers and reorder the paragraphs in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). No change has been made to Ernst & Young LLP’s opinion that Graphic Packaging Holding Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") criteria.

No other changes have been made to any of the disclosures in the Form 10-K. This Form 10-K/A speaks as of the original filing date of the Form 10-K, does not reflect events that may have occurred subsequent to the original filing date, and does not modify or update in any way disclosures made in the Form 10-K, except as set forth above.

As required by Rule 12b-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, currently-dated certifications from the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have been included as exhibits to this Amendment No. 1.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS OF FORM 10-K



INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		5
	PART I
ITEM 1.	BUSINESS	6
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	12
ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	15
ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES	16
ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	18
ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	18
	EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT	19
	PART II
ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	20
ITEM 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA	23
ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	24
ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK	39
ITEM 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	41
ITEM 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	97
ITEM 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	97
ITEM 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION	98
	PART III
ITEM 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	98
ITEM 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	98
ITEM 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	98
ITEM 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	98
ITEM 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	98
	PART IV
ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	98
SIGNATURES		104

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INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements regarding the expectations of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (“GPHC” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), including, but not limited to, the availability of net operating losses to offset U.S. federal income taxes and the timing related to the Company's future U.S. federal income tax payments, the deductibility of goodwill related to the acquisitions of Carton Craft Corporation and Seydaco Packaging Corp., capital investment, contractual obligations, available cash and liquidity, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to earnings, pension plan contributions and postretirement health care benefit payments, in this report constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and its present expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, inflation of and volatility in raw material and energy costs, changes in consumer buying habits and product preferences, competition with other paperboard manufacturers and product substitution, the Company’s ability to implement its business strategies, including strategic acquisitions, the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, including the North America Consumer Packaging business of International Paper Company, productivity initiatives and cost reduction plans, the Company’s debt level, currency movements and other risks of conducting business internationally, and the impact of regulatory and litigation matters, including those that could impact the Company’s ability to utilize its net operating losses to offset taxable income and those that impact the Company's ability to protect and use its intellectual property. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as may be required by law. Additional information regarding these and other risks is contained in Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors.

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PART I


ITEM 1.	BUSINESS

Overview

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (“GPHC” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage and other consumer products companies. The Company operates on a global basis, is one of the largest producers of folding cartons in the United States ("U.S."), and holds leading market positions in coated unbleached kraft paperboard (“CUK”) and coated-recycled paperboard (“CRB”).

The Company’s customers include many of the world’s most widely recognized companies and brands with prominent market positions in beverage, food and other consumer products. The Company strives to provide its customers with packaging solutions designed to deliver marketing and performance benefits at a competitive cost by capitalizing on its low-cost paperboard mills and converting plants, its proprietary carton and packaging designs, and its commitment to quality and service.

In preparation for the combination of the Company's existing businesses with the North America Consumer Packaging business of International Paper Company ("IP") as described in Note 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" (the "Consumer Packaging Combination"), on December 29, 2017, Graphic Packaging International, Inc., the primary operating subsidiary of GPHC, underwent a statutory conversion and became a Delaware limited liability company. As a result, Graphic Packaging International, Inc.'s name changed to Graphic Packaging International, LLC ("GPI"). When used herein, GPI refers to Graphic Packaging International, Inc. prior to December 29, 2017 and Graphic Packaging International, LLC after such date. As of December 29, 2017, GPI was wholly owned by Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC, which was in turn wholly-owned by GPI Holding III, LLC, a limited liability company that is classified as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. GPI Holding III, LLC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of GPHC.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

2017

On December 1, 2017, the Company acquired the assets of Seydaco Packaging Corp. and its affiliates National Carton and Coating Co., and Groupe Ecco Boites Pliantes Ltée (collectively, "Seydaco"), a folding carton producer focused on the foodservice, food, personal care, and household goods markets. The acquisition includes three folding carton facilities located in Mississauga, Ontario, St.-Hyacinthe, Québec, and Xenia, Ohio.

On December 1, 2017, the Company closed its coated recycled paperboard mill in Santa Clara, California. This decision was made as a result of a thorough assessment of the facility's manufacturing capabilities and associated costs in the context of the Company's overall mill operating capabilities and cost structure.

On October 4, 2017, the Company acquired Norgraft Packaging, S.A. ("Norgraft"), a leading folding carton producer in Spain focused on the food and household goods markets. The acquisition includes two folding carton facilities located in Miliaño and Requejada, Spain.

On July 10, 2017, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Carton Craft Corporation and its affiliate Lithocraft, Inc. (collectively, "Carton Craft"). The acquisition includes two folding carton facilities located in New Albany, Indiana, focused on the production of paperboard-based air filter frames and folding cartons.

The Seydaco, Norgraft, and Carton Craft transactions are referred to collectively as the "2017 Acquisitions." Seydaco and Carton Craft are included in the Americas Paperboard Packaging Segment. Norgraft is included in the Europe Paperboard Packaging Segment.

2016

On April 29, 2016, the Company acquired Colorpak Limited ("Colorpak"), a leading folding carton supplier in Australia and New Zealand. Colorpak operates three folding carton facilities that convert paperboard into folding cartons for the food, beverage and consumer product markets. The folding carton facilities are located in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand.

On March 31, 2016, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Metro Packaging & Imaging, Inc. ("Metro"), a single converting facility located in Wayne, New Jersey.

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On February 16, 2016, the Company acquired Walter G. Anderson, Inc. ("WG Anderson"), a folding carton manufacturer with a focus on store branded food and consumer product markets. WG Anderson operates two sheet-fed folding carton facilities located in Hamel, Minnesota and Newton, Iowa.

On January 5, 2016, the Company acquired G-Box, S.A. de C.V., ("G-Box"). The acquisition included two folding carton facilities located in Monterrey, Mexico and Tijuana, Mexico that service the food, beverage, and consumer product markets.

The Colorpak, Metro, WG Anderson and G-Box transactions are referred to collectively as the "2016 Acquisitions." Metro, WG Anderson and G-Box are included in the Americas Paperboard Packaging Segment. Colorpak is included in Corporate/Other/Eliminations.

2015

On October 1, 2015, the Company acquired the folding carton assets of Staunton, VA-based Carded Graphics, LLC. ("Carded"), a folding carton producer with a strong regional presence in the food, craft beer and other consumer product markets.

On February 4, 2015, the Company acquired certain assets of Cascades' Norampac Division ("Cascades") in Canada. Cascades primarily services the food and beverage markets and operates three folding carton converting facilities located in Cobourg, Ontario, Mississauga, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba along with a thermo mechanical pulp ("TMP") mill located in Jonquière, Quebec and a coated-recycled board mill located in East Angus, Quebec. The Jonquière mill was closed in the third quarter of 2015.

On January 2, 2015, the Company acquired Rose City Printing and Packaging Inc. ("Rose City"). Rose City services food and beverage markets and operates two folding carton facilities located in Gresham, OR and Vancouver, WA.

The Carded, Cascades, and Rose City transactions are included in the Americas Paperboard Packaging Segment.

Capital Allocation Plan

During 2017, the Company repurchased 4.5 million shares, or approximately $58 million, of its common stock at an average price of $13.08, including 1.4 million shares repurchased under the 2015 share repurchase program thereby completing that program. During 2016, the Company repurchased 13.2 million shares, or approximately $169 million, of its common stock at an average price of $12.77. During 2015, the Company repurchased 4.6 million shares, or approximately $63 million, at an average price of $13.60.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $210 million remaining under the 2017 share repurchase program.

During 2017 and 2016, the Company paid cash dividends of $93.4 million and $64.4 million, respectively.

Products

The Company reports its results in three segments:

Americas Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging folding cartons sold primarily to Consumer Packaged Goods ("CPG") companies serving the food, beverage, and consumer product markets in the Americas.

Europe Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging folding cartons sold primarily to CPG companies serving the food, beverage and consumer product markets in Europe.

The Company also operates in three geographic areas: the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

For reportable segment and geographic area information for each of the last three fiscal years, see Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

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Paperboard Packaging

The Company’s paperboard packaging products deliver brand, marketing and performance benefits at a competitive cost. The Company supplies paperboard cartons and carriers designed to protect and contain products while providing:


•	convenience through ease of carrying, storage, delivery, dispensing of product and food preparation for consumers;


•	a smooth surface printed with high-resolution, multi-color graphic images that help improve brand awareness and visibility of products on store shelves; and


•	durability, stiffness and wet and dry tear strength; leak, abrasion and heat resistance; barrier protection from moisture, oxygen, oils and greases, as well as enhanced microwave heating performance.

The Company provides a wide range of paperboard packaging solutions for the following end-use markets:


•	beverage, including beer, soft drinks, energy drinks, teas, water and juices;


•	food, including cereal, desserts, frozen, refrigerated and microwavable foods and pet foods;


•	prepared foods, including snacks, quick-serve foods for restaurants and food service products;


•	household products, including dishwasher and laundry detergent, health care and beauty aids, and tissues and papers; and


•	air filter frames.

The Company’s packaging applications meet the needs of its customers for:

Strength Packaging. The Company's products provide sturdiness to meet a variety of packaging needs, including tear and wet strength, puncture resistance, durability and compression strength (providing stacking strength to meet store display packaging requirements).

Promotional Packaging. The Company offers a broad range of promotional packaging options that help differentiate its customers’ products in the marketplace. These promotional enhancements improve brand awareness and visibility on store shelves.

Convenience Packaging. These packaging solutions improve package usage and food preparation:


•	beverage multiple-packaging — multi-packs for beer, soft drinks, energy drinks, teas, water and juices;


•	active microwave technologies — substrates that improve the preparation of foods in the microwave; and


•	easy opening and closing features — dispensing features, pour spouts and sealable liners.

Barrier Packaging. The Company provides packages that protect against moisture, grease, oil, oxygen, sunlight, insects and other potential product-damaging factors.

Paperboard Mills and Folding Carton Facilities

The Company produces paperboard at its mills; prints, cuts, folds, and glues (“converts”) the paperboard into folding cartons at its converting plants; and designs and manufactures specialized, proprietary packaging machines that package bottles and cans and, to a lesser extent, non-beverage consumer products. The Company also installs its packaging machines at customer plants and provides support, service and advanced performance monitoring of the machines.

The Company offers a variety of laminated, coated and printed packaging structures that are produced from its CUK and CRB, as well as other grades of paperboard that are purchased from third-party suppliers.

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Below is the production at each of the Company’s paperboard mills during 2017:



Location	Product	# of Machines	2017 Net Tons Produced
West Monroe, LA	CUK	2	827,147
Macon, GA	CUK	2	695,577
Kalamazoo, MI	CRB	2	483,848
Battle Creek, MI	CRB	2	210,307
Middletown, OH	CRB	1	172,686
Santa Clara, CA ^(a)	CRB	1	132,124
East Angus, Québec	CRB	1	93,012
West Monroe, LA	Corrugated Medium	1	124,322


^(a)	Mill closed December 1, 2017 and is classified as an Asset Held for Sale.

The Company consumes most of its coated board output in its carton converting operations, which is an integral part of the customer value proposition. In 2017, approximately 86% of mill production of CUK and CRB was consumed internally.

CUK Production. The Company is the largest of four worldwide producers of CUK. CUK is manufactured from pine-based wood fiber and is a specialized high-quality grade of coated paperboard with excellent wet and dry tear strength characteristics and printability for high resolution graphics that make it particularly well-suited for a variety of packaging applications. Both wood and recycled fibers are pulped, formed on paper machines, and clay-coated to provide an excellent printing surface for superior quality graphics and appearance characteristics.

CRB Production. The Company is the largest North American producer of CRB. CRB is manufactured entirely from recycled fibers, primarily old corrugated containers (“OCC”), doubled-lined kraft cuttings from corrugated box plants (“DLK”), old newspapers (“ONP”), and box cuttings. The recycled fibers are re-pulped, formed on paper machines, and clay-coated to provide an excellent printing surface for superior quality graphics and appearance characteristics.

Corrugated Medium. The Company manufactures corrugated medium for internal use and sale in the open market. Corrugated medium is combined with linerboard to make corrugated containers.

The Company converts CUK and CRB, as well as other grades of paperboard, into cartons at converting plants the Company operates in various locations globally, including a converting plant associated with the Company's joint venture in Japan, contract converters and at licensees outside the U.S. The converting plants print, cut, fold and glue paperboard into cartons designed to meet customer specifications.

Joint Venture

The Company is a party to a joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. (in Japan), in which it holds a 50% ownership interest. The joint venture agreement covers CUK supply, use of proprietary carton designs and marketing and distribution of packaging systems.

Marketing and Distribution

The Company markets its products principally to multinational beverage, food, and other well-recognized consumer product companies. The beverage companies include Anheuser-Busch, Inc., MillerCoors LLC, PepsiCo, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company, among others. Consumer product customers include Kraft Heinz Company, General Mills, Inc., Nestlé USA, Inc., Kellogg Company, HAVI Global Solutions, LLC and Kimberly-Clark Corporation, among others. The Company also sells paperboard in the open market to independent and integrated paperboard converters.

Distribution of the Company’s principal products is primarily accomplished through sales offices in the U.S., Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and, to a lesser degree, through broker arrangements with third parties.

During 2017, the Company did not have any one customer that represented 10% or more of its net sales.

Competition

Although a relatively small number of large competitors hold a significant portion of the paperboard packaging market, the Company’s business is subject to strong competition. The Company and WestRock Company ("WestRock") are the two major CUK producers in the U.S. Internationally, The Klabin Company in Brazil and Stora Enso in Sweden produce similar grades of paperboard.

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In beverage packaging, cartons made from CUK compete with substitutes such as plastics and corrugated packaging for packaging glass or plastic bottles, cans and other primary containers. Although plastics and corrugated packaging may be priced lower than CUK, the Company believes that cartons made from CUK offer advantages over these materials in areas such as distribution, brand awareness, carton designs, package performance, package line speed, environmental friendliness and design flexibility.

In non-beverage consumer packaging, the Company’s paperboard competes with WestRock CUK, as well as CRB and solid bleach sulfate ("SBS") from numerous competitors, and internationally, folding boxboard and white-lined chip. There are a large number of producers in the paperboard markets. Suppliers of paperboard compete primarily on the basis of price, strength and printability of their paperboard, quality and service.

Raw Materials

The paperboard packaging produced by the Company comes from pine trees and recycled fibers. Pine pulpwood, paper and recycled fibers (including DLK, OCC and ONP) and energy used in the manufacture of paperboard, as well as poly sheeting, plastic resins and various chemicals used in the coating of paperboard, represent the largest components of the Company’s variable costs of paperboard production.

For the West Monroe, LA and Macon, GA mills, the Company relies on private landowners and the open market for all of its pine pulpwood and recycled fiber requirements, supplemented by CUK clippings that are obtained from its converting operations. The Company believes that adequate supplies from both private landowners and open market fiber sellers currently are available in close proximity to meet its fiber needs at these mills.

The paperboard grades produced at the Kalamazoo, MI, Battle Creek, MI, Middletown, OH and East Angus, Quebec mills are made from 100% recycled fiber. The Company procures its recycled fiber from external suppliers and internal converting operations. The market price of each of the various recycled fiber grades fluctuates with supply and demand. The Company’s internal recycled fiber procurement function enables the Company to pay lower prices for its recycled fiber needs given the Company’s highly fragmented supplier base. The Company believes there are adequate supplies of recycled fiber to serve its mills.

In North America, the Company also converts a variety of other paperboard grades such as SBS, in addition to paperboard that is supplied to its converting operations from its own mills. The Company purchases such paperboard requirements, including additional CRB, from outside vendors. The majority of external paperboard purchases are acquired through long-term arrangements with other major industry suppliers. The Company's European converting plants consume CUK supplied from the Company's mills and also convert other paperboard grades such as white-lined chip and folding box board purchased from external suppliers.

Energy

Energy, including natural gas, fuel oil and electricity, represents a significant portion of the Company’s manufacturing costs. The Company has entered into contracts designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows and price risk related to future energy cost increases for a portion of its natural gas requirements at its U.S. mills. The Company’s hedging program for natural gas is discussed in Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Backlog

Orders from the Company’s principal customers are manufactured and shipped with minimal lead time. The Company did not have a material amount relating to backlog orders at December 31, 2017 or 2016.

Seasonality

The Company’s net sales, income from operations and cash flows from operations are subject to moderate seasonality, with demand usually increasing in the late spring through early fall due to increases in demand for beverage and food products.

Research and Development

The Company’s research and development team works directly with its sales, marketing and consumer insights personnel to understand long-term consumer and retailer trends and create relevant new packaging. These innovative solutions provide customers with differentiated packaging to meet customer needs. The Company’s development efforts include, but are not limited to, extending the shelf life of customers’ products; reducing production and waste costs; enhancing the heat-managing characteristics of food packaging; improving the sturdiness and compression strength of packaging to meet store display needs; and refining packaging appearance through new printing techniques and materials.

Sustainability represents one of the strongest trends in the packaging industry and the Company focuses on developing more sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing processes and products. The Company’s strategy is to combine sustainability with innovation to create new packaging solutions for its customers.

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For more information on research and development expenses see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Patents and Trademarks

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a large patent portfolio, presently owning, controlling or holding rights to more than 2,200 U.S. and foreign patents, with more than 600 U.S. and foreign patent applications currently pending. The Company’s patent portfolio consists primarily of patents relating to packaging machinery, manufacturing methods, structural carton designs, active microwave packaging technology and barrier protection packaging. These patents and processes are significant to the Company’s operations and are supported by trademarks such as Fridge Vendor™, IntegraPak™, MicroFlex-Q™ , MicroRite™, Quilt Wave™, Qwik Crisp™, Tite-Pak™, and Z-Flute™. The Company takes significant steps to protect its intellectual property and proprietary rights.

Culture and Employees

The Company’s corporate vision — Inspired packaging. A world of difference. — and values of integrity, respect, accountability, relationships and teamwork guide employee behavior, expectations and relations. The Company’s ongoing efforts to build a high-performance culture and improve the manner in which work is done across the Company includes a significant focus on continuous improvement utilizing processes like Lean Sigma and Six Sigma.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately 13,000 employees worldwide, of which approximately 45% were represented by labor unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements or covered by works councils in Europe. As of December 31, 2017, 399 of the Company’s employees were working under expired contracts, which are currently being negotiated, and 1,602 were covered under collective bargaining agreements that expire within one year. The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to a broad range of foreign, federal, state and local environmental and health and safety regulations and employs a team of professionals in order to maintain compliance at each of its facilities. For additional information on such regulation and compliance, see “Environmental Matters” in “Item 7., Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

The Company did not have material capital expenditures for environmental control or compliance in 2017.

Available Information

The Company’s website is located at http://www.graphicpkg.com. The Company makes available, free of charge through its website, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company also makes certain investor presentations and access to analyst conference calls available through its website. The information contained or incorporated into the Company’s website is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers like the Company that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.SEC.gov.

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Item 1A.	RISK FACTORS

The following risks could affect (and in some cases have affected) the Company's actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in certain forward-looking statements:

The Company's financial results could be adversely impacted if there are significant increases in prices for raw materials, energy, transportation and other necessary supplies, and the Company is unable to raise prices, or improve productivity to reduce costs.

Limitations on the availability of, and increases in, the costs of raw materials, including secondary fiber, petroleum-based materials, energy, wood, transportation and other necessary goods and services, could have an adverse effect on the Company's financial results. Because negotiated sales contracts and the market largely determine the pricing for its products, the Company is at times limited in its ability to raise prices and pass through to its customers any inflationary or other cost increases that the Company may incur.

The Company uses productivity improvements to reduce costs and offset inflation. These include global continuous improvement initiatives that use statistical process control to help design and manage many types of activities, including production and maintenance. The Company's ability to realize anticipated savings from these improvements is subject to significant operational, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control. If the Company cannot successfully implement cost savings plans, it may not be able to continue to compete successfully against other manufacturers. In addition, any failure to generate the anticipated efficiencies and savings could adversely affect the Company's financial results.

Changes in consumer buying habits and preferences for products could have an effect on our sales volumes.

Changing consumer dietary habits and preferences have slowed sales growth for many of the food and beverage products the Company packages. If these trends continue, the Company’s financial results could be adversely affected.

Competition and product substitution could have an adverse effect on the Company's financial results.

The Company competes with other paperboard manufacturers and carton converters, both domestically and internationally. The Company's products compete with those made from other manufacturers' CUK board, as well as SBS and CRB, and other board substrates. Substitute products include plastic, shrink film and corrugated containers. In addition, while the Company has long-term relationships with many of its customers, the underlying contracts may be re-bid or renegotiated from time to time, and the Company may not be successful in renewing such contracts on favorable terms or at all. The Company works to maintain market share through efficiency, product innovations and strategic sourcing to its customers; however, pricing and other competitive pressures may occasionally result in the loss of a customer relationship.

The Company's future growth and financial results could be adversely impacted if the Company is unable to identify strategic acquisitions and to successfully integrate the acquired businesses.

The Company has made a significant number of acquisitions in recent years. The Company's ability to continue to make strategic acquisitions and to integrate the acquired businesses successfully, including obtaining anticipated cost savings or synergies and expected operating results within a reasonable period of time, is an important factor in the Company's future growth. If the Company is unable to realize the expected revenue and cash flow growth and other benefits from its acquisitions, the Company may be required to spend additional time or money on integration efforts that would otherwise have been spent on the development and expansion of its business.

Integration of the Consumer Packaging Combination will be complex, costly and time-consuming, and the anticipated benefits from the combined business may take longer to realize than expected or may not be realized at all.

The Company's ability to realize the anticipated benefits from the Consumer Packaging Combination will depend, to a large extent, on its ability to integrate the businesses of legacy GPI and IP. The combination of two independent businesses is a complex, costly and time-consuming process and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully integrate the businesses, or if such integration is successfully accomplished, that such integration will not be more costly or take longer than presently contemplated. In addition, the Company's ability to realize the expected synergies and benefits from the

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combined business is dependent upon the ability to complete the timely integration of operations and information technology systems, controls, procedures and policies and to preserve important customer and supplier relationships during the transition. If the Company cannot successfully integrate and manage the combined business and achieve the anticipated benefits from the combined business, the combination could have a material adverse effect on the Company's share price, business, cash flows, results of operations and financial position.

The Company is relying on IP to provide a wide range of services required to operate the combined business under a Transition Services Agreement ("TSA") and such reliance may continue for an extended period.

During the integration of the Consumer Packaging Combination, the Company will be dependent on IP to continue to perform elements of such critical functions as information technology, finance, logistics and operations for parts of the IP business under a TSA. Operating under a TSA exposes the Company to risks that the costs of operating the combined business may be greater than planned, that the services provided will not meet the requirements in an effective manner and that the Company may not be able to maintain appropriate controls while operating under the TSA. In addition, if the Company cannot integrate systems and operations, the Company may need to operate under the TSA for longer than expected.

The Company may not be able to develop and introduce new products and adequately protect its intellectual property and proprietary rights, which could harm its future success and competitive position.

The Company works to increase market share and profitability through product innovation and the introduction of new products. The inability to develop new or better products that satisfy customer and consumer preferences in a timely manner may impact the Company's competitive position.

The Company's future success and competitive position also depends, in part, upon its ability to obtain and maintain protection for certain proprietary carton and packaging machine technologies used in its value-added products, particularly those incorporating the Fridge Vendor, IntegraPak, MicroFlex-Q, MicroRite, Quilt Wave, Qwik Crisp, Tite-Pak, and Z-Flute technologies. Failure to protect the Company's existing intellectual property rights may result in the loss of valuable technologies or may require it to license other companies' intellectual property rights. It is possible that any of the patents owned by the Company may be invalidated, rendered unenforceable, circumvented, challenged or licensed to others or any of its pending or future patent applications may not be issued within the scope of the claims sought by the Company, if at all. Further, others may develop technologies that are similar or superior to the Company's technologies, duplicate its technologies or design around its patents, and steps taken by the Company to protect its technologies may not prevent misappropriation of such technologies.

The Company could experience material disruptions at our facilities.

Although the Company takes appropriate measures to minimize the risk and effect of material disruptions to the business conducted at our facilities, natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and fires, as well as other unexpected disruptions such as the unavailability of critical raw materials, power outages and equipment failures can reduce production and increase manufacturing costs. These types of disruptions could materially adversely affect our earnings, depending upon the duration of the disruption and our ability to shift business to other facilities or find other sources of materials or energy. Any losses due to these events may not be covered by our existing insurance policies or may be subject to certain deductibles.

The Company is subject to the risks of doing business in foreign countries.

The Company has converting plants in 11 countries outside of the U.S. and sells its products worldwide. For 2017, before intercompany eliminations, net sales from operations outside of the U.S. represented approximately 17% of the Company’s net sales. The Company’s revenues from foreign sales fluctuate with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company pursues a currency hedging program in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on financial results. At December 31, 2017, approximately 22% of its total assets were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

The Company is also subject to the following significant risks associated with operating in foreign countries:


•	Compliance with and enforcement of environmental, health and safety and labor laws and other regulations of the foreign countries in which the Company operates;


•	Export compliance;


•	Imposition or increase of withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by foreign subsidiaries; and

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•	Imposition of new or increases in capital investment requirements and other financing requirements by foreign governments.

The Company’s information technology systems could suffer interruptions, failures or breaches and our business operations could be disrupted adversely effecting results of operations and the Company’s reputation.

The Company’s information technology systems, some of which are dependent on services provided by third parties, serve an important role in the operation of the business. These systems could be damaged or cease to function properly due to any number of causes, such as catastrophic events, power outages, security breaches, computer viruses or cyber-based attacks. The Company has contingency plans in place to prevent or mitigate the impact of these events, however, if they are not effective on a timely basis, business interruptions could occur which may adversely impact results of operations.

Increased cyber-security threats also pose a potential risk to the security of the Company’s information technology systems, as well as the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data stored on those systems. Any breach could result in disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, including sensitive customer, vendor, employee or financial information. Such events could cause damage to the Company’s reputation and result in significant recovery or remediation costs, which may adversely impact results of operations.

The Company is subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and costs to comply with such laws and regulations, or any liability or obligation imposed under new laws or regulations, could negatively impact its financial condition and results of operations.

The Company is subject to a broad range of foreign, federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing discharges to air, soil and water, the management, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances, the investigation and remediation of contamination resulting from releases of hazardous substances, and the health and safety of employees. The Company cannot currently assess the impact that future emission standards, climate control initiatives and enforcement practices will have on the Company's operations and capital expenditure requirements. Environmental liabilities and obligations may result in significant costs, which could negatively impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

The Company's indebtedness may adversely affect its financial condition and its ability to react to changes in its business.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had an aggregate principal amount of $2,287.0 million of outstanding debt. Subsequent to December 31, 2017, in connection with the consummation of the Consumer Packaging Combination, GPI entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 1, 2018 (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). There were no additional borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in connection with the consummation of the Consumer Packaging Combination. However, GPI entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 1, 2018 and effective as of January 8, 2018 (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) by which GPI assumed a $660.0 million term loan previously incurred by IP. See Note 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Because of the Company's debt level, a portion of its cash flows from operations are dedicated to payments on indebtedness and the Company's ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate purposes may be restricted in the future.

Additionally, the Company’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, Term Loan Credit Agreement and the indentures governing the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2021, 4.875% Senior Notes due 2022, and 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Indentures”) may prohibit or restrict, among other things, the disposal of assets, the incurrence of additional indebtedness (including guarantees), the incurrence of liens, payment of dividends, share repurchases, the making of acquisitions and other investments and certain other types of transactions. These restrictions could limit the Company’s flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and competitive pressures. The debt obligations and restrictions may also leave the Company more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or its business, or unable to carry out capital expenditures that are necessary or important to its growth strategy and productivity improvement programs.

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As of December 31, 2017, approximately 45% of the Company’s debt is subject to variable rates of interest and exposes the Company to increased debt service obligations in the event of increased interest rates.

The Company's pension plans are currently underfunded, and the Company may be required to make cash payments to the plans, reducing the cash available for its business.

The Company's cash flows may be adversely impacted by the Company's pension funding obligations. The Company's pension funding obligations are dependent upon multiple factors resulting from actual plan experience and assumptions of future experience. The Company has unfunded obligations of $26.4 million under its domestic and foreign defined benefit pension plans. The funded status of these plans is dependent upon various factors, including returns on invested assets, the level of certain market interest rates and the discount rate used to determine the pension obligations. Unfavorable returns on the plan assets or unfavorable changes in applicable laws or regulations could materially change the timing and amount of required plan funding, which would reduce the cash available to the Company for other purposes.


ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

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ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES

Headquarters

The Company leases its principal executive offices in Atlanta, GA.

Operating Facilities

A listing of the principal properties owned or leased and operated by the Company is set forth below. The Company’s buildings are adequate and suitable for the business of the Company and have sufficient capacity to meet current requirements. The Company also leases certain smaller facilities, warehouses and office space throughout the U.S. and in foreign countries from time to time.



Location	Related Products or Use of Facility
Mills:
Battle Creek, MI	CRB
East Angus, Québec	CRB
Kalamazoo, MI	CRB
Macon, GA	CUK
Middletown, OH	CRB
Santa Clara, CA^(a)	CRB
West Monroe, LA	CUK; Corrugated Medium; Research and Development

Other:
Atlanta, GA^(b)	Headquarters, Research and Development, Packaging Machinery and Design
Concord, NH^(b)	Research and Development, Design Center
Crosby, MN	Packaging Machinery Engineering, Design and Manufacturing
Louisville, CO^(b)	Research and Development

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North American Converting Plants:		International Converting Plants:
Atlanta, GA^(b)	New Albany, IN ^(c)	Auckland, New Zealand^(b)
Carol Stream, IL	Newton, IA	Bremen, Germany^(b)
Centralia, IL	North Portland, OR	Bristol, United Kingdom
Charlotte, NC	Oroville, CA^(b)	Coalville, United Kingdom^(b)
Cobourg, Ontario^(b)	Pacific, MO	Gateshead, United Kingdom^(b)
Elk Grove, IL ^(b)(c)	Perry, GA	Hoogerheide, Netherlands
Fort Smith, AR ^(c)	Queretaro, Mexico^(b)	Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom^(b)
Gordonsville, TN^(b)	Solon, OH	Igualada, Spain
Gresham, OR^(b)	Staunton, VA	Jundiai, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Hamel, MN	St.-Hyacinthe, Québec^(b)	Leeds, United Kingdom
Irvine, CA	Tijuana, Mexico^(b)	Masnieres, France^(b)
Kalamazoo, MI	Tuscaloosa, AL	Melbourne, Australia^(b)
Kendallville, IN	Vancouver, WA^(b)	Miliaño, Spain
Lawrenceburg, TN	Valley Forge, PA	Portlaoise, Ireland^(b)
Lumberton, NC	Wayne, NJ	Requejada, Spain
Marion, OH	Wausau, WI	Sneek, Netherlands
Menasha, WI^(d)	West Monroe, LA ^(c)	Sydney, Australia^(b)
Mississauga, Ontario^(b)(c)	Xenia, OH^(b)
Mitchell, SD	Winnipeg, Manitoba
Monterrey, Mexico^(b)

Note:



^(a)	Mill closed December 1, 2017 and is classified as an Asset Held for Sale.
^(b)	Leased facility.
^(c)	Multiple facilities in this location.
^(d)	Facility closed during 2016 and is classified as an Asset Held for Sale.

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ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is a party to a number of lawsuits arising in the ordinary conduct of its business. Although the timing and outcome of these lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe that disposition of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”


ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Pursuant to General Instruction G.(3) of Form 10-K, the following list is included as an unnumbered item in Part I of this Report in lieu of being included in the definitive proxy statement that will be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2017.

Michael P. Doss, 51, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. Prior to January 1, 2016, Mr. Doss held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer from May 20, 2015 through December 31, 2015 and Chief Operating Officer from January 1, 2014 until May 19, 2015. Prior to these positions he served as the Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. Prior to this Mr. Doss held the position of Senior Vice President, Consumer Packaging Division. Prior to March 10, 2008, he had served as Senior Vice President, Consumer Products Packaging of Graphic Packaging Corporation since September 2006. From July 2000 until September 2006, he was the Vice President of Operations, Universal Packaging Division. Mr. Doss was Director of Web Systems for the Universal Packaging Division prior to his promotion to Vice President of Operations. Since joining Graphic Packaging International Corporation in 1990, Mr. Doss has held positions of increasing management responsibility, including Plant Manager at the Gordonsville, TN and Wausau, WI plants.

Stephen R. Scherger, 53, is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. From October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, Mr. Scherger was the Senior Vice President - Finance. From April 2012 through September 2014, Mr. Scherger served as Senior Vice President, Consumer Packaging Division. Mr. Scherger joined Graphic Packaging Holding Company in April of 2012 from MeadWestvaco Corporation, where he served as President, Beverage and Consumer Electronics. Mr. Scherger was with MeadWestvaco Corporation from 1986 to 2012 and held positions including Vice President, Corporate Strategy; Vice President and General Manager, Beverage Packaging; Vice President and CFO, Papers Group, Vice President Asia Pacific and Latin America, Beverage Packaging, CFO Beverage Packaging and other executive-level positions.

Carla J. Chaney, 47, is the Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Graphic Packaging Holding Company, a position she has held since July 15, 2013. Ms. Chaney joined Graphic Packaging Holding Company from Exide Technologies. Ms. Chaney was with Exide Technologies from February 2012 to July 2013 and served most recently as Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Communications. Prior to Exide Technologies, Ms. Chaney held a variety of leadership roles with Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. from 2004 to 2011, including Group Vice President, Human Resources for the Home & Family business segment, Regional Vice President, Human Resources, EMEA; Corporate Vice President, Global Organization and People Development; and Vice President, Human Resources, Culinary Lifestyles Business. Ms. Chaney also worked for Georgia-Pacific from 1992 to 2004.

Alan R. Nichols, 55, is the Senior Vice President, Mills Division of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. He served as Vice President, Mills from August 2008 until March 2009. From March 2008 until August 2008, Mr. Nichols was Vice President, CRB Mills. Prior to the Altivity Transaction, Mr. Nichols served as Vice President, CRB Mills for Altivity Packaging, LLC from February 2007 until March 2008 and was the Division Manufacturing Manager, Mills for Altivity Packaging and the Consumer Products Division of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation from August 2005 to February 2007. From February 2001 until August 2005, Mr. Nichols was the General Manager of the Wabash Mill for Smurfit-Stone.

Spencer H. Maurer, 48, is the Senior Vice President, Americas Foodservice of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. Prior to December 8, 2017, Mr. Maurer served as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. Prior to January 1, 2017, Mr. Maurer had served as Vice President, Supply Chain of GPI since January 1, 2013. From December 1, 2009 until December 31, 2012, Mr. Maurer was the Vice President, Procurement of GPI. Prior to December 2009, Mr. Maurer held numerous positions with increasing responsibility including: Plant Manager, Golden, CO from 2006 until 2009; Production Manager, Kalamazoo, MI in 2005; Director of Environmental Services for Commercial Operations from 2003 until 2004; Director of Environmental, Health and Safety from 1998 until 2002; and numerous positions in the Environmental, Health and Safety area with James River Corporation and Fort James Corporation (predecessors of GPI) from 1992 until 1998.

Lauren S. Tashma, 51, is the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company, serving in this position since February 2014. Previously, Ms. Tashma served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc., where she led the legal, compliance and EHS functions. Prior to that, Ms. Tashma had various roles with Fortune Brands, Inc., including Vice President and Associate General Counsel.

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Hilde Van Moeseke, 47, is the Senior Vice President & President, Europe, Middle East and Africa of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. From January 2017 to July 1, 2017, Ms. Van Moeseke served as Vice President, Finance Europe and Interim EMEA Leader of GPI. From July 2015 until January 2017, Ms. Van Moeseke was the Vice President, Finance Europe of GPI. Ms. Van Moeseke joined the Company in January 2014 as Director Controlling and was promoted to Director, Finance Europe in July 2014. Prior to January 2014, Ms. Van Moeseke held the position of Group Controller, Project Management, Shared Service Center and Accounting at Azelis Corporate Services S.A. for two years. She has also worked for the Walt Disney Company in Europe for six years in the positions of Director Finance and Controllership, Director Regional Studio Controllership, Regional Studio Controllership and Senior Manager.

Joseph P. Yost, 50, is the Senior Vice President, and President, Americas of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. Prior to January 5, 2017, Mr. Yost served as Senior Vice President, Global Beverage and Europe from September 1, 2015 to January 4, 2017, Senior Vice President, Europe from March 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015 and Senior Vice President, European Chief Integration Officer/Chief Financial Officer from February 2013 until February 2014. From 2009 until February 2013, Mr. Yost was the Senior Vice President, Supply Chain of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. From 2006 to 2009, he served as Vice President, Operations Support, Consumer Packaging for GPI. Mr. Yost has also served in the following positions: Director, Finance and Centralized Services from 2003 to 2006 with GPI and from 2000 to 2003 with Graphic Packaging Corporation; Manager, Operations Planning and Analysis, Consumer Products Division from 1999 to 2000 with Graphic Packaging Corporation; and other management positions from 1997 to 1999 with Fort James Corporation.

PART II


ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

GPHC’s common stock (together with the associated stock purchase rights) is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GPK.” The historical range of the high and low sales price per share and dividend per share declared in each quarter of 2017 and 2016 are as follows:



	Common Stock Market Price
	High		Low		Dividends Declared
2017
First Quarter	$	13.85	$	12.00	$	0.075
Second Quarter	14.18		12.68		0.075
Third Quarter	13.98		12.65		0.075
Fourth Quarter	15.85		13.94		0.075
2016
First Quarter	$	13.36	$	10.71	$	0.050
Second Quarter	13.71		11.95		0.050
Third Quarter	14.70		12.19		0.050
Fourth Quarter	14.09		12.24		0.075

During 2017 and 2016, the Company paid cash dividends of $93.4 million and $64.4 million, respectively.

GPHC depends on GPI for cash to pay dividends. Unless GPHC receives dividends, distributions or transfers from its subsidiaries, it cannot pay cash dividends on its common stock, because it has no independent operations. Such dividends, distributions or transfers from GPHC’s subsidiaries may be restricted because the terms of the GPI’s debt agreements and indentures limit its ability to make such payments to the Company. See "Item 1A-Risk Factors" and Note - 5 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8-Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

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million share repurchase program was authorized on February 4, 2015 (the "2015 share repurchase program"). During 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 4.5 million shares, at a price of approximately $58 million, at an average price of $13.08, including 1.4 million shares repurchased under the 2015 share repurchase program, which completed that program. During 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 13.2 million shares, or approximately $169 million, under the 2015 share repurchase program at an average price of $12.77.

On February 5, 2018, there were 1,328 stockholders of record and approximately 26,400 beneficial holders of GPHC’s common stock.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. As of December 31, 2017, 22.3 million shares had been repurchased as part of the share repurchase programs described above. The maximum number of shares that may be purchased under the 2017 share repurchase program in the future is 13.6 million based on the closing price of the Company's common stock as of December 29, 2017.

There were no sales of unregistered securities of the Company during 2017.

Total Return to Stockholders

The following graph compares the total returns (assuming reinvestment of dividends) of the common stock of the Company, the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones (“DJ”) U.S. Container & Packaging Index. The graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2012 in GPHC’s common stock and each of the indices. The stock price performance on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

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	12/31/2012		12/31/2013		12/31/2014		12/31/2015		12/31/2016		12/31/2017
Graphic Packaging Holding Company	$	100.00	$	148.61	$	210.84	$	201.51	$	199.40	$	252.40
S&P 500 Stock Index	100.00		132.39		150.51		152.59		170.84		208.14
Dow Jones U.S. Container & Packaging Index	100.00		140.71		161.42		154.47		183.90		218.88

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ITEM 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Item 7., Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”



			Year Ended December 31,
In millions, except per share amounts	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
Statement of Operations Data:
Net Sales	$	4,403.7	$	4,298.1	$	4,160.2	$	4,240.5	$	4,478.1
Income from Operations	342.7		396.0		427.1		227.8		341.6
Net Income	300.2		228.0		230.1		89.0		146.7
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	—		—		—		0.7		(0.1		)
Net Income Attributable Graphic Packaging Holding Company	300.2		228.0		230.1		89.7		146.6

Net Income Attributable to Graphic Packaging Holding Company Per Share Basis:
Basic	$	0.97	$	0.71	$	0.70	$	0.27	$	0.42
Diluted	$	0.96	$	0.71	$	0.70	$	0.27	$	0.42

Balance Sheet Data:
(as of period end)
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	67.4	$	59.1	$	54.9	$	81.6	$	52.2
Total Assets	4,863.0		4,603.4		4,256.1		4,137.6		4,373.1
Total Debt	2,274.5		2,151.9		1,875.5		1,957.7		2,238.3
Total Equity	1,291.9		1,056.5		1,101.7		1,012.3		1,062.3

Additional Data:
Depreciation and Amortization	$	330.3	$	299.3	$	280.5	$	270.0	$	277.4
Capital Spending, including Packaging Machinery	260.1		294.6		244.1		201.4		209.2
Dividends Declared per Share	0.30		0.225		0.20		—		—

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ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial conditions and results of operations is intended to provide investors with an understanding of the Company’s past performance, financial condition and prospects. The following will be discussed and analyzed:

Overview of Business

Overview of 2017 Results

Results of Operations

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Critical Accounting Policies

New Accounting Standards

Business Outlook

OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS

The Company’s objective is to strengthen its position as a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions. To achieve this objective, the Company offers customers its paperboard, cartons and packaging machines, either as an integrated solution or separately. Cartons and carriers are designed to protect and contain products. Product offerings include a variety of laminated, coated and printed packaging structures that are produced from the Company’s coated unbleached kraft (“CUK”) and coated recycled board (“CRB”), as well as other grades of paperboard that are purchased from third party suppliers. Innovative designs and combinations of paperboard, films, foils, metallization, holographics and embossing are customized to the individual needs of the customers.

The Company is implementing strategies (i) to expand market share in its current markets and to identify and penetrate new markets; (ii) to capitalize on the Company’s customer relationships, business competencies, and mills and folding carton assets; (iii) to develop and market innovative, sustainable products and applications; and (iv) to continue to reduce costs by focusing on operational improvements. The Company’s ability to fully implement its strategies and achieve its objectives may be influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond its control, such as inflation of raw material and other costs, which the Company cannot always pass through to its customers, and the effect of overcapacity in the worldwide paperboard packaging industry.

Significant Factors That Impact The Company’s Business and Results of Operations

Impact of Inflation/Deflation. The Company’s cost of sales consists primarily of energy (including natural gas, fuel oil and electricity), pine pulpwood, chemicals, secondary fibers, purchased paperboard, aluminum foil, ink, plastic films and resins, depreciation expense and labor. Costs increased year over year by $95.8 million in 2017 and increased year over year by $25.0 million in 2016. The higher costs in 2017 were primarily due to secondary fiber ($40.1 million), labor and benefits ($22.5 million), freight ($15.6 million), chemicals ($14.3 million) and other costs, net ($3.3 million).

Because the price of natural gas experiences significant volatility, the Company has entered into contracts designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows caused by changes in the price of natural gas. The Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge prices for a portion of its expected usage for 2018. Since negotiated sales contracts and the market largely determine the pricing for its products, the Company is at times limited in its ability to raise prices and pass through to its customers any inflationary or other cost increases that the Company may incur.

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Commitment to Cost Reduction. In light of increasing margin pressure throughout the packaging industry, the Company has programs in place that are designed to reduce costs, improve productivity and increase profitability. The Company utilizes a global continuous improvement initiative that uses statistical process control to help design and manage many types of activities, including production and maintenance. This includes a Six Sigma process focused on reducing variable and fixed manufacturing and administrative costs. The Company has expanded the continuous improvement initiative to include the deployment of Lean Sigma principles into manufacturing and supply chain services.

The Company’s ability to continue to successfully implement its business strategies and to realize anticipated savings and operating efficiencies is subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. If the Company cannot successfully implement the strategic cost reductions or other cost savings plans it may not be able to continue to compete successfully against other manufacturers. In addition, any failure to generate the anticipated efficiencies and savings could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

Competition and Market Factors. As some products can be packaged in different types of materials, the Company’s sales are affected by competition from other manufacturers’ CUK board, CRB and other paper substrates such as solid bleached sulfate ("SBS") and recycled clay-coated news. Additional substitute products also include plastic, shrink film and corrugated containers. In addition, while the Company has long-term relationships with many of its customers, the underlying contracts may be re-bid or renegotiated from time to time, and the Company may not be successful in renewing on favorable terms or at all. The Company works to maintain market share through efficiency, product innovation and strategic sourcing to its customers; however, pricing and other competitive pressures may occasionally result in the loss of a customer relationship.

In addition, the Company’s sales historically are driven by consumer buying habits in the markets its customers serve. Changes in consumer dietary habits and preferences, increases in the costs of living, unemployment rates, access to credit markets, as well as other macroeconomic factors, may negatively affect consumer spending behavior. New product introductions and promotional activity by the Company’s customers and the Company’s introduction of new packaging products also impact its sales.

Debt Obligations. The Company had an aggregate principal amount of $2,287.0 million of outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2017. This debt has consequences for the Company, as it requires a portion of cash flow from operations to be used for the payment of principal and interest, exposes the Company to the risk of increased interest rates and may restrict the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing. Covenants in the Company’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and Indentures may, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company to dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase stock, pay dividends, make other restricted payments and make acquisitions or other investments. The Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement also require compliance with a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. The Company’s ability to comply in future periods with the financial covenants will depend on its ongoing financial and operating performance, which in turn will be subject to many other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. See “Covenant Restrictions” in “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information regarding the Company’s debt obligations.

The debt and the restrictions under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Indentures could limit the Company’s flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and competitive pressures. The outstanding debt obligations and the restrictions may also leave the Company more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or its business, or unable to carry out capital expenditures that are necessary or important to its growth strategy and productivity improvement programs.

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OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

This management’s discussion and analysis contains an analysis of Net Sales, Income from Operations and other information relevant to an understanding of the Company's results of operations.


•	Net Sales in 2017 increased by $105.6 million or 2.5%, to $4,403.7 million from $4,298.1 million in 2016 primarily due to the acquisitions discussed below and increased volume, partially offset by lower selling prices and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.


•	Income from Operations in 2017 decreased by $53.3 million or 13.5%, to $342.7 million from $396.0 million in 2016 due to higher inflation including secondary fiber, the lower selling prices and the unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. These decreases were partially offset by the acquisitions and cost savings through continuous improvement and other programs.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

•


•	On December 1, 2017, the Company closed its coated recycled paperboard mill in Santa Clara, California. This decision was made as a result of a thorough assessment of the facility's manufacturing capabilities and associated costs in the context of the Company's overall mill operating capabilities and cost structure.

•

On October 24, 2017, the Company announced that it would combine its business with IP's North American Consumer Packaging business. The Company will own 79.5% of the subsidiary that owns GPI and will be the sole operator of such subsidiary and the business of GPI. See Note 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."


•	On October 4, 2017, the Company acquired Norgraft Packaging, S.A. ("Norgraft"), a leading folding carton producer in Spain focused on the food and household goods markets. The acquisition includes two folding carton facilities located in Miliaño and Requejada, Spain.


•	On July 10, 2017, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Carton Craft Corporation and its affiliate Lithocraft, Inc (collectively, "Carton Craft"). The acquisition includes two folding carton facilities located in New Albany, Indiana, focused on the production of paperboard based air filter frames and folding cartons.

The Seydaco, Norgraft, and Carton Craft transactions are referred to collectively as the "2017 Acquisitions."


•	During 2016, the Company acquired G-Box, S.A. de C.V., ("G-Box"), Walter G. Anderson, Inc., ("WG Anderson"), Metro Packaging & Imaging, Inc. ("Metro"), and Colorpak Limited ("Colorpak"). These transactions are referred to collectively as the "2016 Acquisitions."

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Capital Allocations

•

On January 10, 2017, the Company's board of directors authorized an additional share repurchase program to allow the Company to purchase up to $250 million of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and Rule 10b5-1 plans (the "2017 share repurchase program"). The original $250 million share repurchase program was authorized on February 4, 2015 (the "2015 share repurchase program"). During 2017, the Company repurchased 4.5 million shares, or approximately $58 million, at an aggregate average price of $13.08, including 1.4 million shares repurchased under the 2015 share repurchase program thereby completing that plan. At December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $210 million remaining under the 2017 share repurchase program.


•	During 2017, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $93.1 million and $93.4 million, respectively.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



	Year Ended December 31,
In millions	2017			2016			2015
Net Sales	$	4,403.7		$	4,298.1		$	4,160.2
Income from Operations	$	342.7		$	396.0		$	427.1
Interest Expense, Net	(89.7		)	(76.6		)	(67.8		)
Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity	$	253.0		$	319.4		$	359.3
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)	45.5			(93.2		)	(130.4		)
Income before Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity	$	298.5		$	226.2		$	228.9
Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity	1.7			1.8			1.2
Net Income	$	300.2		$	228.0		$	230.1

2017 COMPARED WITH 2016

Net Sales

The components of the change in Net Sales are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
			Variances
In millions	2016		Price			Volume/Mix		Foreign Exchange			2017		Increase		Percent Change
Consolidated	$	4,298.1	$	(27.1	)	$	135.6	$	(2.9	)	$	4,403.7	$	105.6	2.5	%

The Company's Net Sales in 2017 increased by $105.6 million or 2.5%, to $4,403.7 million from $4,298.1 million for the same period in 2016, due to Net Sales of $106.9 million from the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions and increased converting volume, including new product introductions. These increases were partially offset by lower selling prices and unfavorable currency exchange rates, primarily the British pound. Global beverage volume increased, while softness continued in certain consumer product markets (cereal and dry foods).

Income from Operations

The components of the change in Income from Operations are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
			Variances
In millions	2016		Price			Volume/Mix			Inflation			Foreign Exchange			Other ^(a)		2017		Decrease			Percent Change
Consolidated	$	396.0	$	(27.1	)	$	(0.8	)	$	(95.8	)	$	(3.0	)	$	73.4	$	342.7	$	(53.3	)	(13.5	)%


^(a)	Includes the Company’s cost reduction initiatives, sales of assets, expenses related to acquisitions, integration activities, and shutdown costs.

The Company's Income from Operations for 2017 decreased $53.3 million or 13.5%, to $342.7 million from $396.0 million for the same period in 2016 due to higher inflation, including the impact of the hurricanes, the lower selling prices, and higher depreciation and amortization expense related to the acquisitions and the shutdown of Santa Clara. These decreases were partially offset by cost savings through continuous improvement and other programs, lower restricted stock unit expense and lower costs

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associated with acquisitions and integration. Inflation for 2017 increased primarily due to secondary fiber ($40.1 million), labor and benefits ($22.5 million), freight ($15.6 million), chemicals ($14.3 million) and other costs, net ($3.3 million).

Interest Expense, Net

Interest Expense, Net increased by $13.1 million to $89.7 million in 2017 from $76.6 million in 2016. Interest Expense, Net increased due primarily to higher average interest rates as compared to the same period in the prior year. As of December 31, 2017, approximately 45% of the Company’s total debt was subject to floating interest rates.

Income Tax Expense

During 2017, the Company recognized Income Tax Benefit of $45.5 million on Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity of $253.0 million. During 2016, the Company recognized Income Tax Expense of $93.2 million on Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity of $319.4 million. The effective tax rate for 2017 is significantly different than the statutory rate primarily due to the effect of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") on December 22, 2017. The Act significantly reduced U.S. federal corporate income tax rates which resulted in an income tax benefit in the current year of $156.3 million as a result of the remeasurement of the Company’s domestic net Deferred Tax Liabilities. In addition, the Act requires companies to record a one-time transition tax impact based on foreign earnings and profits which resulted in additional tax expense in the current year of $20.5 million.

The Company has available net operating losses ("NOLs") of approximately $327 million for U.S. federal income tax purposes which may be used to offset future taxable income. Based on these NOLs and other tax benefits as well as the impact of U.S. tax reform on projections of future taxable income, the Company does not expect to be a meaningful U.S. federal cash taxpayer until 2021.

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity was $1.7 million in 2017 and $1.8 million in 2016 and is related to the Company’s equity investment in the joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd.

2016 COMPARED WITH 2015

Net Sales

The components of the change in Net Sales are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
			Variances
In millions	2015		Price			Volume/Mix		Foreign Exchange			2016		Increase		Percent Change
Consolidated	$	4,160.2	$	(33.8	)	$	219.2	$	(47.5	)	$	4,298.1	$	137.9	3.3	%

The Company’s Net Sales in 2016 increased by $137.9 million, or 3.3% to $4,298.1 million from $4,160.2 million in 2015, primarily due to Net Sales of $280.7 million for the 2016 Acquisitions as well as the acquisition of Carded Graphics, LLC ("Carded") on October 1, 2015 and Cascades' Norampac Division ("Cascades") on February 5, 2015. Net sales were $74.5 million lower due to the closure or shutdown of certain assets in the latter part of 2015. Global beverage volumes were up modestly while softness continued for certain consumer products, including dry foods, frozen foods and cereal. Unfavorable exchange rates, primarily the British pound, and lower pricing also negatively impacted Net Sales.

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Income from Operations

The components of the change in Income from Operations are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
			Variances
In millions	2015		Price			Volume/Mix			Inflation			Foreign Exchange			Other^(a)		2016		Decrease			Percent Change
Consolidated	$	427.1	$	(33.8	)	$	(18.7	)	$	(25.0	)	$	(19.1	)	$	65.5	$	396.0	$	(31.1	)	(7.3	)%


^(a)	Includes the Company’s cost reduction initiatives, sales of assets and expenses related to acquisitions, integration activities, and shutdown costs.

The Company's Income from Operations for 2016 decreased $31.1 million or 7.3%, to $396.0 million from $427.1 million for the same period in 2015 due to the lower pricing, higher inflation, unfavorable foreign exchange rates, higher depreciation and amortization related to purchase accounting for the 2016 and Carded Acquisitions, costs and operational issues related to the onboarding of new or transferred business related to the closed or announced closure of facilities, and the approximate $15 million impact related to the downtime taken to upgrade a paper machine at West Monroe. Inflation in 2016 was primarily due to higher labor and benefit costs ($20.6 million) secondary fiber ($10.7 million), net energy related costs ($9.8 million), and other costs ($0.8 million), partially offset by lower costs for wood ($4.8 million), chemicals ($3.6 million), freight ($3.5 million), corrugate ($3.3 million), and resin and film ($1.7 million).

Interest Expense, Net

Interest Expense, Net increased by $8.8 million to $76.6 million in 2016 from $67.8 million in 2015. Interest Expense, Net increased due primarily to higher average debt balances and higher average interest rates as compared to prior year. As of December 31, 2016, approximately 33% of the Company’s total debt was subject to floating interest rates.

Income Tax Expense

During 2016, the Company recognized Income Tax Expense of $93.2 million on Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity of $319.4 million. During 2015, the Company recognized Income Tax Expense of $130.4 million on Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity of $359.3 million. The effective tax rate for 2016 was different than the statutory rate primarily due to an agreement executed with the Internal Revenue Service. As a result of the agreement, the Company has amended its 2011 and 2012 U.S. federal and state income tax returns resulting in the utilization of previously expired net operating loss carryforwards. The Company recorded a discrete benefit during the second quarter of 2016 of $22.4 million to reflect the changes as a reduction in its net long-term deferred tax liability. The effective tax rate was also different than the statutory tax rate due to the mix and levels between foreign and domestic earnings, including losses in jurisdictions with full valuation allowances.

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity was $1.8 million in 2016 and $1.2 million in 2015 and is related to the Company’s equity investment in the joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd.

Segment Reporting

Effective January 5, 2017, the consumer product and beverage operating segments (previously aggregated into the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment) were reorganized and combined into an Americas Converting operating segment (Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment). As part of this reorganization, Australia, which was previously included as part of the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment, is now an operating segment and included in Corporate/Other/Elimination. Prior periods have been recast.

The Company has three reportable segments as follows:

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Paperboard Mills includes the six North American paperboard mills which produce primarily CUK and CRB. The majority of the paperboard is consumed internally to produce paperboard packaging for the Americas and Europe Paperboard Packaging segments. The remaining paperboard is sold externally to a wide variety of paperboard packaging converters and brokers. The Paperboard Mills segment Net Sales represents the sale of paperboard only to external customers. The effect of intercompany transfers to the paperboard packaging segments has been eliminated from the Paperboard Mills segment to reflect the economics of the integration of these segments.

Europe Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging folding cartons sold primarily to CPG companies serving the food, beverage and consumer product markets in Europe.

The Company allocates certain mill and corporate costs to the reportable segments to appropriately represent the economics of these segments. The Corporate and Other caption includes the Pacific Rim and Australia operating segments and unallocated corporate and one-time costs.

These segments are evaluated by the chief operating decision maker based primarily on Income from Operations, as adjusted for depreciation and amortization. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."



	Year Ended December 31,
In millions	2017			2016			2015
NET SALES:
Paperboard Mills	$	399.7		$	394.7		$	480.5
Americas Paperboard Packaging	3,243.6			3,193.1			3,012.1
Europe Paperboard Packaging	593.1			569.9			603.9
Corporate/Other/Eliminations	167.3			140.4			63.7
Total	$	4,403.7		$	4,298.1		$	4,160.2

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Paperboard Mills	$	(35.0	)	$	(3.7	)	$	17.1
Americas Paperboard Packaging	358.2			409.0			395.2
Europe Paperboard Packaging	37.3			25.4			40.8
Corporate and Other^(a)	(17.8		)	(34.7		)	(26.0		)
Total	$	342.7		$	396.0		$	427.1


^(a)	Includes expenses related to acquisitions, integration activities and shutdown costs (excluding accelerated depreciation).

2017 COMPARED WITH 2016

Paperboard Mills - Net sales increased due to higher selling prices and favorable foreign currency exchange rates. Volume was flat for the year as increased CRB tons were offset by decreased CUK tons, due to internalization of tons related to the acquisitions.

Loss from Operations increased due to higher inflation, primarily secondary fiber ($46.5 million) and the accelerated depreciation of $16.3 million related to the shutdown of Santa Clara, partially offset by productivity improvements and the higher selling prices. During 2017 in West Monroe, LA, there was an approximate $14 million impact related to the second quarter maintenance cold outage and an approximate $18 million impact related to the first quarter planned downtime taken to upgrade a paper machine. During 2016, there was an approximate $15 million impact related to downtime taken in the second quarter to upgrade a paper machine in West Monroe, LA.

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Americas Paperboard Packaging - Sales increased primarily due to the 2017 and 2016 Acquisitions, higher beverage volumes and new product introductions, partially offset by lower selling prices and lower volume for certain consumer products.

Income from Operations decreased due to higher inflation and the lower selling prices, partially offset by the acquisitions and cost savings through continuous improvement programs.

Europe Paperboard Packaging - Sales increased primarily due to the Norgraft acquisition and higher volume, primarily for convenience and beverage products, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and lower pricing.

Income from Operations increased as a result of improved operating performance due to capital investments, other cost savings programs, and the higher volume, partially offset by the lower selling prices, higher inflation and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

2016 COMPARED WITH 2015

Paperboard Mills - Net sales decreased $85.8 million primarily due to the third quarter of 2015 shutdown of the Jonquière, Quebec mill (part of the February 4, 2015 Cascades acquisition) and the October 2015 shut down of the kraft paper machine in West Monroe, LA of $74.5 million, as well as lower open market sales across all substrates. In addition, more tons were internalized due to the acquisitions.

Income from Operations decreased due to downtime taken to upgrade a paper machine at West Monroe, LA and higher inflation, partially offset by productivity improvements.

Americas Paperboard Packaging - Sales increased primarily due to Net Sales of $205.5 million for the 2016, Carded and Cascades acquisitions, higher global beverage volumes and new product introductions. These increases were partially offset by lower volume for certain consumer products and lower pricing.

Income from Operations increased due to cost savings through continuous improvement programs, partially offset by the lower pricing, higher depreciation and amortization related to purchase accounting for the acquisitions, and operational issues related to the onboarding of new or transferred business.

Europe Paperboard Packaging - Sales decreased primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and lower pricing, partially offset by higher volume due to new product introductions.

Income from Operations decreased due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and lower pricing, partially offset by improved operating performance and cost savings.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company broadly defines liquidity as its ability to generate sufficient funds from both internal and external sources to meet its obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate debt and equity financing and to convert into cash those assets that are no longer required to meet existing strategic and financial objectives. Therefore, liquidity cannot be considered separately from capital resources that consist of current or potentially available funds for use in achieving long-range business objectives and meeting debt service commitments.

Cash Flows



	Years Ended December 31,
In millions	2017			2016
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	$	516.2		$	641.4
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	$	(440.6	)	$	(632.5	)
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities	$	(69.8	)	$	(3.1	)

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Net cash provided by operating activities in 2017 totaled $516.2 million, compared to $641.4 million in 2016. The decrease was due primarily to lower operating results as discussed above. Pension contributions in 2017 were $119.1 million including an additional $75 million contribution made in the fourth quarter to the Company's U.S. defined benefit plan. This additional contribution will allow the Company to begin the process of settling pension liabilities through lump sum payments or the purchase of annuities. Pension contributions in 2016 were $51.4 million.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2017 totaled $440.6 million, compared to $632.5 million in 2016. Current year activities consisted primarily of capital spending of $260.1 million and $189.4 million for the 2017 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired. In the prior year, capital spending was $294.6 million and the Company paid $332.7 million, net of cash acquired, for the 2016 Acquisitions.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2017 totaled $69.8 million, compared to $3.1 million used in financing activities in 2016. Current year activities include net borrowings under revolving credit facilities of $112.1 million, primarily for the 2017 Acquisitions, additional pension contributions of $81.8 million, and payments on debt of $25.0 million. The Company also paid dividends of $93.4 million, repurchased $62.1 million of its common stock, and withheld $10.2 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding payments related to the payout of restricted stock units. In the prior year, the Company completed its debt offering of $300 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due 2024 in a registered public offering and used the net proceeds to repay a portion of its outstanding borrowings under its senior secured revolving credit facility. The Company also made net payments under revolving credit facilities of $35.8 million and payments on debt of $25.0 million. Additionally, the Company paid dividends of $64.4 million, repurchased $164.9 million of its common stock, and withheld $11.3 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding payments related to the payout of restricted stock units.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's liquidity needs arise primarily from debt service on its indebtedness and from the funding of its capital expenditures, ongoing operating costs, working capital, share repurchases and dividend payments. Principal and interest payments under the term loan facilities and the revolving credit facilities, together with principal and interest payments on the Company's 4.75% Senior Notes due 2021, 4.875% Senior Notes due 2022 and 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), represent liquidity requirements for the Company. Based upon current levels of operations, anticipated cost savings and expectations as to future growth, the Company believes that cash generated from operations, together with amounts available under its revolving credit facilities and other available financing sources, will be adequate to permit the Company to meet its debt service obligations, necessary capital expenditure program requirements and ongoing operating costs and working capital needs, although no assurance can be given in this regard. The Company's future financial and operating performance, ability to service or refinance its debt and ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in its debt agreements (see “Covenant Restrictions” below) will be subject to future economic conditions, including conditions in the credit markets, and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and will be substantially dependent on the selling prices and demand for the Company's products, raw material and energy costs, and the Company's ability to successfully implement its overall business and profitability strategies.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $327 million of NOLs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These NOLs generally may be used by the Company to offset taxable income earned in subsequent taxable years.

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount owed by the customer, net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts, returns and allowances, and cash discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, current economic conditions and the creditworthiness of customers. Receivables are charged to the allowance when determined to be no longer collectible.

In addition to existing receivable sale programs from prior years, the Company entered into a receivable securitization agreement in the fourth quarter of 2017 to sell, on a revolving basis, certain trade accounts receivable to a third party financial institution (the “2017 Agreement”). The 2017 Agreement and existing agreements are referred to collectively as the "Agreements" and meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the FASB Codification. During 2017, under these Agreements, the Company sold and derecognized $1.8 billion of receivables, collected $1.6 billion on behalf of the financial institutions, and received funding of approximately $134 million by the financial institutions, resulting in deferred proceeds of approximately $102 million as of December 31, 2017. During 2016 under the Agreements, the Company sold and derecognized $1.3 billion of receivables, collected approximately $1.2 billion on behalf of the financial institutions, and received funding of approximately $116 million by the financial institutions, resulting in deferred proceeds of

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approximately $31 million as of December 31, 2016. Cash proceeds related to the sales are included in cash from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities line item. The loss on sale is not material and is included in Other Expense (Income), Net line item on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Company has also entered into various factoring and supply chain financing arrangements which also qualify for sale accounting in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the FASB Codification. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company sold receivables of approximately $64 million and $66 million, respectively, related to these factoring arrangements.

Receivables sold under all programs subject to continuing involvement, which consist principally of collection services, were approximately $583 million and $376 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Covenant Restrictions

Covenants contained in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Indentures may, among other things, limit the ability to incur additional indebtedness, restrict the ability of the Company to dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase shares, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, create liens, make equity or debt investments, make acquisitions, modify terms of the indentures under which the Notes are issued, engage in mergers or consolidations, change the business conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries, and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. Such restrictions, together with disruptions in the credit markets, could limit the Company's ability to respond to changing market conditions, fund its capital spending program, provide for unexpected capital investments or take advantage of business opportunities.

Under the terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company must comply with a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio covenant and a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio covenant. The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which contains the definitions of these covenants, was filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2018.

The Company must maintain a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of less than 4.25 to 1.00. At December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio covenant in the Credit Agreement and the ratio was 3.01 to 1.00.

The Company must also comply with a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio of 3.00 to 1.00. At December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio covenant in the Credit Agreement and the ratio was 8.66 to 1.00.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company's credit was rated BB+ by Standard & Poor's and Ba1 by Moody's Investor Services. Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services' ratings on the Company included a stable outlook.

Capital Investment

The Company’s capital investment in 2017 was $264.5 million ($260.1 million was paid), compared to $280.0 million ($294.6 million was paid) in 2016. During 2017, the Company had capital spending of $213.1 million for improving process capabilities, $32.2 million for capital spares and $19.2 million for manufacturing packaging machinery.

Environmental Matters

Some of the Company’s current and former facilities are the subject of environmental investigations and remediations resulting from historical operations and the release of hazardous substances or other constituents. Some current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which investigation and remediation obligations may be imposed in the future or for which indemnification claims may be asserted against the Company. Also, closures or sales of facilities may necessitate further investigation and may result in remediation at those facilities. The Company has established reserves for those facilities or issues where liability is probable and the costs are reasonably estimable.

For further discussion of the Company’s environmental matters, see Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

A summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2017 is as follows:



	Payments Due by Period
In millions	Total		Less than 1 Year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		More than 5 Years
Debt Obligations	$	2,257.0	$	59.1	$	1,215.5	$	676.0	$	306.4
Operating Leases	171.4		42.9		60.5		41.7		26.3
Capital Leases	41.1		3.7		6.8		6.1		24.5
Interest Payable	322.7		102.4		134.1		60.4		25.8
Purchase Obligations ^(a)	667.7		151.8		129.4		75.9		310.6
Total Contractual Obligations ^(b)	$	3,459.9	$	359.9	$	1,546.3	$	860.1	$	693.6

^(a) Purchase obligations primarily consist of commitments related to pine pulpwood, wood chips, and wood processing and

handling.


^(b)	Certain amounts included in this table are based on management’s estimates and assumptions about these obligations. Because these estimates and assumptions are necessarily subjective, the obligations the Company will actually pay in the future periods may vary from those reflected in the table.

International Operations

For 2017, before intercompany eliminations, net sales from operations outside of the U.S. represented approximately 17% of the Company’s net sales. The Company’s revenues from export sales fluctuate with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2017, approximately 22% of the Company’s total assets were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company has significant operations in countries that use the euro, British pound sterling, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Mexico peso or the Japanese yen as their functional currencies. The effect of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against these currencies produced a net currency translation adjustment loss of $44.9 million, which was recorded in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the year ended December 31, 2017. The magnitude and direction of this adjustment in the future depends on the relationship of the U.S. dollar to other currencies. The Company pursues a currency hedging program in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on financial results. See “Financial Instruments” below.

The functional currency of the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency for the country in which the subsidiaries own their primary assets. The translation of the applicable currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate during the period. Any related translation adjustments are recorded directly to Shareholders’ Equity. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are included in Other Expense (Income), Net for the period in which the exchange rate changes.

Financial Instruments

The Company pursues a currency hedging program which utilizes derivatives to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on its consolidated financial results. Under this program, the Company has entered into forward exchange contracts in the normal course of business to hedge certain foreign currency denominated transactions. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these forward contracts are included in the measurement of the basis of the related foreign currency transaction when recorded. The Company also pursues a hedging program that utilizes derivatives designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows and price risk related to future energy cost increases. Under this program, the Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge a portion of its forecasted natural gas usage for 2018. Realized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the financial results concurrently with the recognition of the commodity consumed. The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks on future interest payments caused by interest rate changes on its variable rate term loan facility. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. See “Item 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. The critical accounting policies used by management in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are those that are important both to the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgments by management with regard to estimates used. The critical judgments by management relate to pension benefits, retained insurable risks, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, and deferred income taxes.

• Pension Benefits

The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans (the “Plans”) for eligible employees in North America and certain international locations. The funding policy for the qualified defined benefit plans is to, at a minimum, contribute assets as required by the Internal Revenue Code Section 412. Nonqualified defined benefit U.S. plans providing benefits in excess of limitations imposed by the U.S. income tax code are not funded.

The Company’s pension income for defined benefit pension plans was $5.5 million in 2017 compared with pension expense of $22.4 million in 2016. Pension expense is calculated based upon a number of actuarial assumptions applied to each of the defined benefit plans. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on pension fund assets used to calculate pension expense was 5.79% and 5.90% in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The expected long-term rate of return on pension assets was determined based on several factors, including historical rates of return, input from our pension investment consultants and projected long-term returns of broad equity and bond indices. The Company evaluates its long-term rate of return assumptions annually and adjusts them as necessary.

The Company determined pension expense using both the fair value of assets and a calculated value that averages gains and losses over a period of years. Investment gains or losses represent the difference between the expected and actual return on assets. As of December 31, 2017, the net actuarial loss was $267.1 million. These net losses may increase future pension expense if not offset by (i) actual investment returns that exceed the assumed investment returns, or (ii) other factors, including reduced pension liabilities arising from higher discount rates used to calculate pension obligations, or (iii) other actuarial gains, including whether such accumulated actuarial losses at each measurement date exceed the “corridor” determined under the Compensation — Retirement Benefits topic of the FASB Codification. For the largest plan, the actuarial loss is amortized over the average remaining life expectancy period of employees expected to receive benefits.

The discount rate used to determine the present value of future pension obligations at December 31, 2017 was based on a yield curve constructed from a portfolio of high-quality corporate debt securities with maturities ranging from 1 year to 30 years. Each year’s expected future benefit payments were discounted to their present value at the spot yield curve rate thereby generating the overall discount rate for the Company’s pension obligations. The weighted average discount rate used to determine the pension obligations was 3.49% and 4.01% in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company’s pension expense is estimated to be approximately $3 million in 2018. The estimate is based on a weighted average expected long-term rate of return of 4.86%, a weighted average discount rate of 3.49% and other assumptions. Pension expense beyond 2018 will depend on future investment performance, the Company’s contribution to the plans, changes in discount rates and other factors related to covered employees in the plans. Beginning in 2016, the Company changed its methodology of calculating the service and interest cost components of pension expense from using a yield curve aggregate approach to using individual spot rates along the yield curve.

If the discount rate assumptions for the Company’s U.S. plans were reduced by 0.25%, pension expense would increase by approximately $41 thousand and the December 31, 2017 projected benefit obligation would increase approximately $33 million.

The fair value of assets in the Company’s plans was $1,340.7 million at December 31, 2017 and $1,115.6 million at December 31, 2016. The projected benefit obligations exceed the fair value of plan assets by $26.4 million and $163.4 million as of December 31,

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2017 and 2016, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) exceeded plan assets by $18.7 million at the end of 2017. At the end of 2016, the ABO exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $154.4 million.

• Retained Insurable Risks

The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to workers’ compensation claims and employee medical and dental benefits. Provisions for expected losses are recorded based on the Company’s estimates, on an undiscounted basis, of the aggregate liabilities for known claims and estimated claims incurred but not reported. The Company has purchased stop-loss coverage or insurance with deductibles in order to limit its exposure to significant claims. The Company also has an extensive safety program in place to minimize its exposure to workers’ compensation claims. Self-insured losses are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate uninsured claims incurred using certain actuarial assumptions, loss development factors followed in the insurance industry and historical experience.

• Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for potential impairment annually as of October 1, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the fair value of a reporting unit may no longer exceed its carrying amount. Potential impairment of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. As of October 1, 2017, the Company had six reporting units, four of which had goodwill.

Periodically, the Company may perform a qualitative impairment analysis of goodwill associated with each of its reporting units to determine if it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. If the results of the qualitative analysis of any of the reporting units is inconclusive or other facts or circumstances necessitate further analysis, the Company will perform a quantitative analysis for those reporting units.

The quantitative analysis involves calculating the fair value of each reporting unit by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s forecasts, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year cash flows based upon a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA").

In determining fair value, management relies on and considers a number of factors, including but not limited to, operating results, business plans, economic projections, forecasts including anticipated future cash flows, and market data and analysis, including market capitalization. Fair value determinations are sensitive to changes in the factors described above. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and judgments in applying them to the analysis of potential goodwill impairment.

The variability of the assumptions that management uses to perform the goodwill impairment test depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events and cash flows. Accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates may materially change from period to period due to changing market factors. If the Company had used other assumptions and estimates or if different conditions occur in future periods, future operating results could be materially impacted.

The assumptions used in the goodwill impairment testing process could be adversely impacted by certain of the risks discussed in “Item 1A., Risk Factors” and thus could result in future goodwill impairment charges.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2017 and concluded that goodwill was not impaired.

• Recovery of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets (including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such long-lived assets may not be fully recoverable by undiscounted cash flows. Measurement of the impairment loss, if any, is based on the fair value of the asset, which is determined by an income, cost or market approach. The Company evaluates the recovery of its long-lived assets by analyzing operating results and considering significant events or changes in the business environment that may have triggered impairment.

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• Deferred Income Taxes and Potential Assessments

According to the Income Taxes topic of the FASB Codification, a valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The FASB Codification provides important factors in determining whether a deferred tax asset will be realized, including whether there has been sufficient taxable income in recent years and whether sufficient income can reasonably be expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. The Company has evaluated the need to maintain a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based on its assessment of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits would be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration was given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, many factors are considered, including the specific taxing jurisdiction, the carryforward period, reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, cumulative pretax book earnings, income tax strategies and forecasted earnings for the entities in each jurisdiction.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $51.5 million against its net deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions and against domestic deferred tax assets related to certain state net operating loss carryforwards and federal capital loss carryforwards. As of December 31, 2016, a total valuation allowance of $45.5 million was recorded.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company has only provided for deferred U.S. income taxes attributable to future withholding tax expense related to the Company's equity investment in the joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. The Company has not provided for deferred U.S. income taxes on any of its undistributed earnings in international subsidiaries because of the deemed taxation of all post-1986 earnings and profits required by the Act. In addition, the Company’s intention to indefinitely reinvest these earnings outside the U.S. remains unchanged, despite the effect of the Act. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability on the unremitted earnings or any other associated outside basis difference is not practicable because of the complexities associated with the calculation.

The Company records liabilities for potential assessments. The accruals relate to uncertain tax positions in a variety of taxing jurisdictions and are based on what management believes will be the most likely outcome of these positions. These liabilities may be affected by changing interpretations of laws, rulings by tax authorities, or the expiration of the statute of limitations.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements impacting the Company, see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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BUSINESS OUTLOOK

Total capital investment for 2018 is expected to be approximately $380 million and is expected to relate principally to the Company’s process capability improvements (approximately $320 million), acquiring capital spares (approximately $50 million), and producing packaging machinery (approximately $10 million).

The Company also expects the following in 2018, subject to finalization of purchase accounting for the 2017 acquisitions and the Consumer Packaging Combination:


•	Depreciation and amortization expense between $430 million and $450 million, excluding approximately $6 million of pension amortization.


•	Interest expense of $125 million to $135 million, including approximately $6 million to $7 million of non-cash interest expense associated with amortization of debt issuance costs.


•	Pension plan contributions of $5 million to $10 million.

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ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company does not trade or use derivative instruments with the objective of earning financial gains on interest or currency rates, nor does it use leveraged instruments or instruments where there are no underlying exposures identified.

Interest Rates

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates, primarily as a result of its short-term and long-term debt, which include both fixed and floating rate debt. The Company uses interest rate swap agreements effectively to fix the LIBOR rate on certain variable rate borrowings. At December 31, 2017, the Company had active interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $250 million which will mature on October 1, 2018.

The table below sets forth interest rate sensitivity information related to the Company’s debt.

Long-Term Debt Principal Amount by Maturity-Average Interest Rate



	Expected Maturity Date
In millions	2018			2019			2020			2021			2022			Thereafter			Total		Fair Value
Total Debt
Fixed Rate	$	50.0		$	200.8		$	1.6		$	425.4		$	250.6		$	306.4		$	1,234.8	$	1,284.0
Average Interest Rate	2.66		%	2.65		%	1.08		%	4.75		%	4.87		%	4.06		%
Variable Rate	$	—		$	994.0		$	19.1		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,013.1	$	1,015.1
Average Swap Rate is .8% — 1.4%	—			LIBOR + Spread			LIBOR + Spread			—			—			—

Total Interest Rate Swaps-Notional Amount by Expiration-Average Swap Rate



	Expected Maturity Date
In millions	2018			2019		2020		2021		2022		Thereafter		Total
Notional	$	250.0		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	250.0
Average Pay Rate	1.16		%	—		—		—		—		—		—
Average Receive Rate	1-Month LIBOR			—		—		—		—		—		—

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Foreign Exchange Rates

The Company enters into forward exchange contracts to effectively hedge substantially all accounts receivable resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of these forward exchange contracts is to protect the Company from the risk that the eventual functional currency cash flows resulting from the collection of these accounts receivable will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. At December 31, 2017, multiple foreign currency forward exchange contracts existed, with maturities ranging up to three months. Those forward currency exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2017, when aggregated and measured in U.S. dollars at December 31, 2017 exchange rates, had net notional amounts totaling $90.1 million. The Company continuously monitors these forward exchange contracts and adjusts accordingly to minimize the exposure.

The Company also enters into forward exchange contracts to hedge certain other anticipated foreign currency transactions. The purpose of these contracts is to protect the Company from the risk that the eventual functional currency cash flows resulting from anticipated foreign currency transactions will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no amounts reclassified to earnings in connection with forecasted transactions that were no longer considered probable of occurring and there was no amount of ineffectiveness related to changes in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts. Additionally, there were no amounts excluded from the measure of effectiveness during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Foreign Exchange Rates Contractual Amount by Expected

Maturity-Average Contractual Exchange Rate



	December 31, 2017
In millions	Contract Amount		Fair Value
FORWARD EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS:
Receive $US/Pay Yen	$	16.0	$	0.2
Weighted average contractual exchange rate	110.19
Receive $US/Pay Euro	$	30.7	$	(0.4	)
Weighted average contractual exchange rate	1.20
Receive $US/Pay GBP	$	19.4	$	(0.3	)
Weighted average contractual exchange rate	1.34

Natural Gas Contracts

The Company has hedged a portion of its expected natural gas usage for 2018. The carrying amount and fair value of the natural gas swap contracts is a net liability of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2017. Such contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and are accounted for by deferring the quarterly change in fair value of the outstanding contracts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss), Income in Shareholders’ Equity. The resulting gain or loss is reclassified into Cost of Sales concurrently with the recognition of the commodity consumed. The ineffective portion of the swap contracts change in fair value, if any, would be recognized immediately in earnings.

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ITEM 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



	Page
GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017	42
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017	43
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016	44
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017	45
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017	46
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	47
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	94

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GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



	Year Ended December 31,
In millions, except per share amounts	2017			2016			2015
Net Sales	$	4,403.7		$	4,298.1		$	4,160.2
Cost of Sales	3,684.2			3,506.2			3,371.1
Selling, General and Administrative	342.7			355.7			347.7
Other Expense (Income), Net	3.0			3.1			(7.7		)
Business Combinations and Shutdown and Other Special Charges, Net	31.1			37.1			22.0
Income from Operations	342.7			396.0			427.1
Interest Expense, Net	(89.7		)	(76.6		)	(67.8		)
Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity	253.0			319.4			359.3
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)	45.5			(93.2		)	(130.4		)
Income before Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity	298.5			226.2			228.9
Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity	1.7			1.8			1.2
Net Income	$	300.2		$	228.0		$	230.1

Net Income Per Share — Basic	$	0.97		$	0.71		$	0.70
Net Income Per Share — Diluted	$	0.96		$	0.71		$	0.70

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)



	Year Ended December 31,
In millions	2017			2016			2015
Net Income	$	300.2		$	228.0		$	230.1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Derivative Instruments	(4.9		)	13.0			(0.7		)
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	8.8			4.0			26.8
Currency Translation Adjustment	44.9			(58.9		)	(37.2		)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	48.8			(41.9		)	(11.1		)
Total Comprehensive Income	$	349.0		$	186.1		$	219.0

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



	December 31,
In millions, except share and per share amounts	2017			2016
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	67.4		$	59.1
Receivables, Net	422.8			426.8
Inventories, Net	634.0			582.9
Other Current Assets	45.7			46.1
Total Current Assets	1,169.9			1,114.9
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,867.2			1,751.9
Goodwill	1,323.0			1,260.3
Intangible Assets, Net	436.5			445.3
Other Assets	66.4			31.0
Total Assets	$	4,863.0		$	4,603.4

LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities:
Short-Term Debt and Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	$	61.3		$	63.4
Accounts Payable	516.5			466.5
Compensation and Employee Benefits	113.4			107.3
Interest Payable	14.9			15.4
Other Accrued Liabilities	145.3			127.2
Total Current Liabilities	851.4			779.8
Long-Term Debt	2,213.2			2,088.5
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	321.8			408.0
Accrued Pension and Postretirement Benefits	80.0			202.5
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	104.7			68.1

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	—			—
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 309,715,624 and 313,533,785 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	3.1			3.1
Capital in Excess of Par Value	1,683.6			1,709.0
Accumulated Deficit	(56.0		)	(268.0		)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(338.8		)	(387.6		)
Total Shareholders' Equity	1,291.9			1,056.5
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	4,863.0		$	4,603.4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY



												Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Common Stock					Capital in Excess of Par Value
In millions, except share amounts	Shares		Amount						Accumulated Deficit						Total Equity
Balances at December 31, 2014	327,044,500		$	3.3		$	1,796.5		$	(452.9	)	$	(334.6	)	$	1,012.3
Net Income	—		—			—			230.1			—			230.1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Derivative Instruments	—		—			—			—			(0.7		)	(0.7		)
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	—		—			—			—			26.8			26.8
Currency Translation Adjustment	—		—			—			—			(37.2		)	(37.2		)
Repurchase of Common Stock	(4,625,211	)	(0.1		)	(24.4		)	(38.5		)	—			(63.0		)
Dividends Declared	—		—			—			(65.5		)	—			(65.5		)
Recognition of Stock-Based Compensation	—		—			(1.1		)	—			—			(1.1		)
Issuance of Shares for Stock-Based Awards	2,269,428		—			—			—			—			—
Balances at December 31, 2015	324,688,717		$	3.2		$	1,771.0		$	(326.8	)	$	(345.7	)	$	1,101.7
Net Income	—		—			—			228.0			—			228.0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Derivative Instruments	—		—			—			—			13.0			13.0
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	—		—			—			—			4.0			4.0
Currency Translation Adjustment	—		—			—			—			(58.9		)	(58.9		)
Repurchase of Common Stock^(a)	(13,202,425	)	(0.1		)	(71.2		)	(97.5		)	—			(168.8		)
Dividends Declared	—		—			—			(71.7		)	—			(71.7		)
Recognition of Stock-Based Compensation	—		—			9.2			—			—			9.2
Issuance of Shares for Stock-Based Awards	1,659,493		—			—			—			—			—
Balances at December 31, 2016	313,145,785		$	3.1		$	1,709.0		$	(268.0	)	$	(387.6	)	$	1,056.5
Net Income	—		—			—			300.2			—			300.2
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Derivative Instruments	—		—			—			—			(4.9		)	(4.9		)
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	—		—			—			—			8.8			8.8
Currency Translation Adjustment	—		—			—			—			44.9			44.9
Repurchase of Common Stock	(4,462,263	)	—			(24.2		)	(34.2		)	—			(58.4		)
Dividends Declared	—		—			—			(93.1		)	—			(93.1		)
Pre-2017 Excess Tax Benefit related to Share-Based Payments	—		—			—			39.1			—			39.1
Recognition of Stock-Based Compensation	—		—			(1.2		)	—			—			(1.2		)
Issuance of Shares for Stock-Based Awards	1,032,102		—			—			—			—			—
Balances at December 31, 2017	309,715,624		$	3.1		$	1,683.6		$	(56.0	)	$	(338.8	)	$	1,291.9

^(a) Includes 388,000 shares repurchased but not settled as of December 31, 2016.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



	Year Ended December 31,
In millions	2017			2016			2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income	$	300.2		$	228.0		$	230.1

Non-cash Items Included in Net Income:
Depreciation and Amortization	330.3			299.3			280.5
Amortization of Deferred Debt Issuance Costs	5.1			4.8			4.1
Deferred Income Taxes	(54.0		)	76.7			110.0
Amount of Postretirement Expense Less Than Funding	(127.1		)	(31.3		)	(39.4		)
(Gain) Loss on the Sale of Assets, net	(3.7		)	—			1.9
Other, Net	2.0			25.4			21.0
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of Acquisitions (See Note 3)	63.4			38.5			(19.0		)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	516.2			641.4			589.2

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Spending	(240.9		)	(278.6		)	(228.9		)
Packaging Machinery Spending	(19.2		)	(16.0		)	(15.2		)
Acquisition of Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(189.4		)	(332.7		)	(163.2		)
Proceeds Received from Sale of Assets, Net of Selling Costs	7.9			—			—
Other, Net	1.0			(5.2		)	7.5
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(440.6		)	(632.5		)	(399.8		)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repurchase of Common Stock	(62.1		)	(164.9		)	(63.0		)
Payments on Debt	(25.0		)	(25.0		)	(25.0		)
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	—			300.0			—
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facilities	1,202.9			1,200.0			903.0
Payments on Revolving Credit Facilities	(1,090.8		)	(1,235.8		)	(953.8		)
Debt Issuance Costs	—			(5.3		)	—
Repurchase of Common Stock related to Share-Based Payments	(10.2		)	(11.3		)	(21.5		)
Dividends Paid	(93.4		)	(64.4		)	(49.3		)
Other, Net	8.8			3.6			(1.3		)
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities	(69.8		)	(3.1		)	(210.9		)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	2.5			(1.6		)	(5.2		)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	8.3			4.2			(26.7		)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	59.1			54.9			81.6
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	$	67.4		$	59.1		$	54.9

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1.	NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (“GPHC” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage and other consumer products companies. The Company operates on a global basis and is one of the largest producers of folding cartons in the United States ("U.S.") and holds leading market positions in coated unbleached kraft paperboard (“CUK”) and coated-recycled paperboard (“CRB”).

The Company’s customers include many of the world's most widely recognized companies and brands with prominent market positions in beverage, food and other consumer products. The Company strives to provide its customers with packaging solutions designed to deliver marketing and performance benefits at a competitive cost by capitalizing on its low-cost paperboard mills and converting plants, its proprietary carton and packaging designs, and its commitment to quality and service.

In preparation for the combination of the Company's existing businesses with the North America Consumer Packaging business of International Paper Company ("IP") as described in Note 19 - Subsequent Events, on December 29, 2017, Graphic Packaging International, Inc., the primary operating subsidiary of GPHC, underwent a statutory conversion and became a Delaware limited liability company. As a result, Graphic Packaging International, Inc.'s name changed to Graphic Packaging International, LLC ("GPI"). When used herein, GPI refers to Graphic Packaging International, Inc. prior to December 29, 2017 and Graphic Packaging International, LLC after such date. As of December 29, 2017, GPI was wholly owned by Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC, which was in turn wholly-owned by GPI Holding III, LLC, a limited liability company that is classified as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. GPI Holding III, LLC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of GPHC.

GPHC conducts no significant business and has no independent assets or operations other than its ownership of all of GPI's membership interest.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company has the ability to exercise direct or indirect control over operating and financial policies. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.

The Company holds a 50% ownership interest in a joint venture called Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. (in Japan) which is accounted for using the equity method.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, pension benefits, retained insurable risks, slow-moving and obsolete inventory, allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, impairment testing of goodwill and long-term assets, fair values related to acquisition accounting, fair value of derivative financial instruments, deferred income tax assets and potential income tax assessments, and loss contingencies.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include time deposits, certificates of deposit and other marketable securities with original maturities of three months or less.

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Accounts Receivable and Allowances

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount owed by the customer, net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts, returns and allowances, and cash discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, current economic conditions and the credit worthiness of customers. Receivables are charged to the allowance when determined to be no longer collectible.

The Company has entered into agreements for the purchasing and servicing of receivables to sell, on a revolving basis, certain trade accounts receivable to third party financial institutions. Transfers under these agreements meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (the "Codification" or "ASC"). During 2017, the Company sold and derecognized $1.8 billion of receivables, collected $1.6 billion on behalf of the financial institutions, and received funding of approximately $134 million by the financial institutions, resulting in deferred proceeds of approximately $102 million as of December 31, 2017. During 2016, the Company sold and derecognized $1.3 billion of receivables, collected approximately $1.2 billion on behalf of the financial institutions, and received funding of approximately $116 million by the financial institutions, resulting in deferred proceeds of approximately $31 million as of December 31, 2016. Cash proceeds related to the sales are included in cash from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities line item. The loss on sale is not material and is included in Other Expense (Income), Net line item on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Company has also entered into various factoring and supply chain financing arrangements which also qualify for sale accounting in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the FASB Codification. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company sold receivables of approximately $64 million and $66 million respectively, related to these factoring arrangements.

Receivables sold under all programs subject to continuing involvement, which consists principally of collection services, were approximately $583 million and $376 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. Accounts receivable are derived from revenue earned from customers located in the U.S. and internationally and generally do not require collateral. As of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, no customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value with cost determined principally by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Average cost basis is used to determine the cost of supply inventories and certain raw materials. Raw materials and consumables used in the production process such as wood chips and chemicals are valued at purchase cost on a FIFO basis upon receipt. Work in progress and finished goods inventories are valued at the cost of raw material consumed plus direct manufacturing costs (such as labor, utilities and supplies) as incurred and an applicable portion of manufacturing overhead. Inventories are stated net of an allowance for slow-moving and obsolete inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Betterments, renewals and extraordinary repairs that extend the life of the asset are capitalized; other repairs and maintenance charges are expensed as incurred. The Company’s cost and related accumulated depreciation applicable to assets retired or sold are removed from the accounts and the gain or loss on disposition is included in income from operations.

Interest is capitalized on assets under construction for one year or longer with an estimated spending of $1.0 million or more. The capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Capitalized interest was $1.2 million, $1.3 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company assesses its long-lived assets, including certain identifiable intangibles, for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. To analyze recoverability, the Company

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

projects future cash flows, undiscounted and before interest, over the remaining life of such assets. If these projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount, an impairment would be recognized, resulting in a write-down of assets with a corresponding charge to earnings. The impairment loss is measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets. The Company assesses the appropriateness of the useful life of its long-lived assets periodically.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the related assets:



Buildings	40 years
Land improvements	15 years
Machinery and equipment	3 to 40 years
Furniture and fixtures	10 years
Automobiles, trucks and tractors	3 to 5 years

Depreciation expense, including the depreciation expense of assets under capital leases, for 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $268.5 million, $240.0 million and $227.6 million, respectively.

Intangible assets with a determinable life are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis over their useful lives. The amortization expense for each intangible asset is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations according to the nature of that asset.

Goodwill is the Company’s only intangible asset not subject to amortization. The following table displays the intangible assets that continue to be subject to amortization and accumulated amortization expense as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	December 31, 2017							December 31, 2016
In millions	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Amortizable Intangible Assets:
Customer Relationships	$	786.9	$	(377.2	)	$	409.7	$	736.0	$	(321.0	)	$	415.0
Patents, Trademarks, Licenses, and Leases	130.2		(103.4		)	26.8		125.1		(94.8		)	30.3
Total	$	917.1	$	(480.6	)	$	436.5	$	861.1	$	(415.8	)	$	445.3

The Company recorded amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 of $61.8 million,

$59.3 million and $52.9 million, respectively. The Company expects amortization expense for the next five consecutive years to be as follows: $62 million, $60 million, $54 million, $50 million, and $45 million.

Goodwill

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit may no longer exceed its carrying amount.

The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment or a level below an operating segment, which is referred to as a component. A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. However, two or more components of an operating segment are aggregated and deemed a single reporting unit if the components have similar economic characteristics.

Potential goodwill impairment is measured at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount (including goodwill), to the fair value of the reporting unit. When performing the quantitative analysis, the estimated fair value of each reporting unit is determined by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s forecasts, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year cash flows based upon a multiple of EBITDA.

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If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, goodwill is considered potentially impaired. In determining fair value, management relies on and considers a number of factors, including but not limited to, operating results, business plans, economic projections, forecasts including future cash flows, and market data and analysis, including market capitalization. The assumptions used are based on what a hypothetical market participant would use in estimating fair value. Fair value determinations are sensitive to changes in the factors described above. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and judgments in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment.

Periodically, the Company may perform a qualitative impairment analysis of goodwill associated with each of its reporting units to determine if it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. As a result of its testing of goodwill as of October 1, 2017, the Company concluded goodwill was not impaired.

The following is a rollforward of goodwill by reportable segment:



In millions	Paperboard Mills		Americas Paperboard Packaging			Europe Paperboard Packaging			Corporate/Other^(a)			Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	408.5	$	698.3		$	61.0		$	—		$	1,167.8
Acquisition of Businesses	—		98.8			—			14.1			112.9
Foreign Currency Effects	—		(7.7		)	(12.0		)	(0.7		)	(20.4		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	408.5	$	789.4		$	49.0		$	13.4		$	1,260.3
Acquisition of Businesses	—		51.4			6.3			(2.3		)	55.4
Reallocation of Goodwill	—		(4.0		)	—			4.0			—
Foreign Currency Effects	—		2.2			4.2			0.9			7.3
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	408.5	$	839.0		$	59.5		$	16.0		$	1,323.0


^(a)	Includes Australia operating segment.

Retained Insurable Risks

It is the Company’s policy to self-insure or fund a portion of certain expected losses related to group health benefits and workers’ compensation claims. Provisions for expected losses are recorded based on the Company’s estimates, on an undiscounted basis, of the aggregate liabilities for known claims and estimated claims incurred but not reported.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset retirement obligations are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of the Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations topic of the FASB Codification. A liability and asset are recorded equal to the present value of the estimated costs associated with the retirement of long-lived assets where a legal or contractual obligation exists and the liability can be reasonably estimated. The liability is accreted over time and the asset is depreciated over the remaining life of the asset. Upon settlement of the liability, the Company will recognize a gain or loss for any difference between the settlement amount and the liability recorded. Asset retirement obligations with indeterminate settlement dates are not recorded until such time that a reasonable estimate may be made.

International Currency

The functional currency of the international subsidiaries is the local currency for the country in which the subsidiaries own their primary assets. The translation of the applicable currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average exchange rate during the period. Any related translation adjustments are recorded directly to a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity, unless there is a sale or substantially complete liquidation of the underlying foreign investments.

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gains and losses on these forward contracts are included in the measurement of the basis of the related foreign currency transaction when recorded.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership.

The timing of revenue recognition is largely dependent on the location of title transfer which is normally either at our plant (shipping point) or upon arrival at our customer’s plant (destination). The Company recognizes revenues on its annual and multi-year carton supply contracts as the shipment occurs in accordance with the title transfer discussed above.

Discounts and allowances are comprised of trade allowances and rebates, cash discounts and sales returns. Cash discounts and sales returns are estimated using historical experience. Trade allowances are based on the estimated obligations and historical experience. Customer rebates are determined based on contract terms and are recorded at the time of sale.

Shipping and Handling

The Company includes shipping and handling costs in Cost of Sales.

Research and Development

Research and development costs, which relate primarily to the development and design of new packaging machines and products and are recorded as a component of Selling, General and Administrative expenses, are expensed as incurred. Expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $14.4 million, $14.9 million and $13.8 million, respectively.

Business Combinations and Shutdown and Other Special Charges, Net

The following table summarizes the transactions recorded in Business Combinations and Shutdown and Other Special Charges, Net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as of December 31:



In millions	2017			2016		2015
Net Charges Associated with Business Combinations	$	16.2		$	21.2	$	14.0
Shutdown and Other Special Charges	18.6			15.9		6.1
(Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets	(3.7		)	—		1.9
Total	$	31.1		$	37.1	$	22.0

2017

On October 4, 2017, the Company acquired Norgraft Packaging, S.A., ("Norgraft"), a leading folding carton producer in Spain focused on the food and household goods markets. The acquisition includes two folding carton facilities located in Miliaño and Requejada, Spain.

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On July 10, 2017, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Carton Craft Corporation and its affiliate Lithocraft, Inc (collectively, "Carton Craft"). The acquisition includes two folding carton facilities located in New Albany, Indiana, focused on the production of paperboard based air filter frames and folding cartons.

The Company completed the sale of its Renton, WA facility which was classified as Asset Held for Sale on December 31, 2016. The financial impact is reflected in (Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets in the table above.

2016

On March 31, 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Metro Packaging & Imaging, Inc. ("Metro"), a single folding carton facility located in Wayne, New Jersey.

On February 16, 2016, the Company acquired Walter G. Anderson, Inc., ("WG Anderson") a folding carton manufacturer with a focus on store branded food and consumer product markets. WG Anderson operates two sheet-fed folding carton facilities located in Hamel, Minnesota and Newton, Iowa.

On January 5, 2016, the Company acquired G-Box, S.A. de C.V., ("G-Box"). The acquisition includes two folding carton facilities located in Monterrey, Mexico and Tijuana, Mexico that service the food, beverage and consumer product markets.

2015

On February 4, 2015, the Company acquired certain assets of Cascades' Norampac Division ("Cascades") in Canada. Cascades services the food and beverage markets and operates three folding carton facilities located in Cobourg, Ontario, Mississauga, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba along with a thermo mechanical pulp mill located in Jonquière, Quebec and a coated recycled board mill located in East Angus, Quebec. The Jonquière mill was shutdown in the third quarter of 2015.

As also disclosed in Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company acquired Rose City, Cascades and Carded and are included in the Americas Paperboard Packaging Segment.

Charges associated with all acquisitions are included in Net Charges Associated with Business Combinations in the table above. For more information regarding these acquisitions see Note 4 - Acquisitions.

Capital Allocation Plan

On January 10, 2017, the Company's board of directors authorized an additional share repurchase program to allow the Company to repurchase up to $250 million of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and Rule 10b5-1 plans (the "2017 share repurchase program"). The original $250 million share repurchase program was authorized on February 4, 2015 (the "2015 share repurchase program").

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an average price of $12.77. During 2015, the Company repurchased 4.6 million shares, or approximately $63 million at an average price of $13.60.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $210 million remaining under the 2017 share repurchase program.

During 2017 and 2016, the Company paid cash dividends of $93.4 million and $64.4 million, respectively.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2017 the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes, among other changes, related to stock-based compensation. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a discrete benefit of approximately $2 million related to the excess benefit associated with share based payments to employees. The remaining $39 million of previously unrecognized excess tax benefits, which were prohibited from recognition due to net operating loss carryforwards, were recognized in accumulated deficit. The Company is continuing its practice of estimating forfeitures and recording cash paid for withholding taxes as a financing activity.

Effective January 1, 2017 the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330); Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This amendment replaced the method of measuring inventories at lower of cost or market with a lower of cost and net realizable value method. The adoption had no impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815); Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this ASU better align the risk management activities and financial reporting for these hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and presentation of hedge results. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718); Scope of Modification Accounting. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance that clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. If the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes, modification accounting will apply. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715); Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The amendments to this ASU require the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost be reported in the same income statement line or lines as other compensation costs for employees. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be reported separately from service costs and outside a subtotal of income from operations. Only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied retrospectively for the income statement presentations and prospectively for the capitalization of service costs. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350); Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 of the goodwill impairment model. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. An entity would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value; however, the loss recognized is limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805); Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and will be applied prospectively.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230); Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU provides guidance to clarify how certain cash receipts and payments should be presented in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The updated guidance requires a retrospective adoption method. The Company is evaluating the impact of adoption of this standard on the Company's statement of cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU require an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. The amendments also require certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures about leasing arrangements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The updated guidance requires a modified retrospective adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact of adoption on the Company's financial position, results of operation and cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after that date and permitted early adoption of the standard but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016, and can be applied using a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The Company is adopting this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and will use the modified retrospective approach. The Company formed an implementation team including representatives from finance, sales, and legal to assist in the assessment and impleme