Form 10-Q  (00146211.DOC;1)

FORM 10-Q


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


(Mark One)

T QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007


OR

£ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from____________ to _________________


Commission file number:  1-13923


WAUSAU PAPER CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


WISCONSIN

39-0690900

(State of incorporation)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


100 Paper Place

Mosinee, Wisconsin 54455-9099

(Address of principal executive office)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  715-693-4470


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 report), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   T No   £


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

Large accelerated filer   £ Accelerated filer   S Non-accelerated filer   £


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


The number of common shares outstanding at July 31, 2007 was 50,588,947.








WAUSAU PAPER CORP.


AND SUBSIDIARIES


INDEX


 

Page No.

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1.  

 

Financial Statements

 
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of

 
  

Operations, Three Months and Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30, 2007 (unaudited) and

 
  

June 30, 2006 (unaudited)

1

    
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance

 
  

Sheets, June 30, 2007 (unaudited)

 
  

and December 31, 2006 (derived from

 
  

audited financial statements)

2

    
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements

 
  

of Cash Flows, Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30, 2007 (unaudited) and

 
  

June 30, 2006 (unaudited)

3

    
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated

 
  

Financial Statements (unaudited)

4-13

    

Item 2.  

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 
  

of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

14-22

    

Item 3.  

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

23

    

Item 4.  

 

Controls and Procedures

23

    

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

24

    

Item 2.  

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

24

    

Item 4.  

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

25

    

Item 6.  

 

Exhibits

25



i





PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.

Financial Statements


Wausau Paper Corp. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)



 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

(all amounts in thousands, except per share data)

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Net sales

$317,235 

$297,286 

$616,628 

$580,949 

Cost of products sold

285,230 

268,788 

556,537 

528,845 

     

Gross profit

32,005 

28,498 

60,091 

52,104 

Selling and administrative expenses

21,378 

19,735 

42,180 

40,711 

Restructuring

–    

77 

–    

209 

     

Operating profit

10,627 

8,686 

17,911 

11,184 

Interest expense

(2,850)

(2,879)

(5,657)

(5,592)

Other income, net

126 

47 

332 

89 

Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

7,903 

5,854 

12,586 

5,681 

Provision (credit) for income taxes

3,150 

2,166 

(7,132)

2,102 

Earnings before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

4,753 

3,688 

19,718 

3,579 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (net of income taxes)

–    

–    

–    

(427)

     

Net earnings

$    4,753 

$    3,688 

$  19,718 

$    3,152 

     

Earnings per share before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle-basic and diluted

$      0.09 

$      0.07 

$      0.39 

$      0.07 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (net of income taxes), per share

–    

–    

–    

(0.01)

Net earnings per share-basic and diluted

$      0.09 

$      0.07 

$      0.39 

$      0.06 

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

50,675 

51,041 

50,710 

51,041 

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

51,034 

51,358 

51,067 

51,342 

     

Dividends declared per common share

$      0.17 

$      0.17 

$      0.17 

$      0.17 


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



1






Wausau Paper Corp. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



 

June 30,

December 31,

 

2007

2006

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

Assets

  
   

Current assets:

  
 

Cash and cash equivalents

$      19,101

 

$      26,122

 
 

Receivables, net

117,497

 

104,801

 
 

Refundable income taxes

353

 

737

 
 

Inventories

119,683

 

122,531

 
 

Deferred income taxes

6,159

 

7,444

 
 

Other current assets

33,033

 

32,612

 
 

Total current assets

295,826

 

294,247

 
     

Property, plant, and equipment – net

456,997

 

468,372

 

Other assets

38,767

 

36,495

 
     

Total Assets

$    791,590

 

$    799,114

 
     

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    
     

Current liabilities:

    
 

Current maturities of long-term debt

$           171

 

$           184

 
 

Accounts payable

84,286

 

83,441

 
 

Accrued and other liabilities

67,340

 

71,557

 
 

Total current liabilities

151,797

 

155,182

 
     

Long-term debt

159,823

 

160,287

 

Deferred income taxes

51,076

 

66,574

 

Post-retirement benefits

102,447

 

101,513

 

Pension

6,492

 

14,259

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

33,650

 

27,225

 
 

Total liabilities

505,285

 

525,040

 
     

Stockholders’ equity

286,305

 

274,074

 
     

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$     791,590

 

$    799,114

 


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



2






Wausau Paper Corp. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)



 

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

   

Net cash provided by operating activities

$  12,461 

 

$  5,191 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    
 

Capital expenditures

(13,132)

 

(11,779)

 
 

Proceeds from property, plant, and equipment disposals

4,089 

 

3,205 

 
     

Cash used in investing activities

(9,043)

 

(8,574)

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    
 

Net issuances of commercial paper

–    

 

3,000 

 
 

Payments under capital lease obligation and note payable

(114)

 

(115)

 
 

Dividends paid

(8,627)

 

(8,685)

 
 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

–    

 

1,437 

 
 

Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation

35 

 

99 

 
 

Payments for purchase of company stock

(1,733)

 

(3,244)

 
     

Cash used in financing activities

(10,439)

 

(7,508)

 
     

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(7,021)

 

(10,891)

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

26,122 

 

15,500 

 
     

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$  19,101 

 

$  4,609 

 
     

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

    

Interest paid – net of amount capitalized

$  5,436 

 

$  5,417 

 

Income taxes paid

7,586 

 

1,934 

 


Noncash investing and financing activities:  A capital lease obligation of $393 was recorded in the first quarter of 2006 when we entered into a new lease agreement for equipment.


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




3





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)


Note 1.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of Wausau Paper Corp. and our consolidated subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.  The accompanying condensed financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which are normal, and recurring in nature and which are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented.  Results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of future results.  In all regards, the financial statements have been presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Refer to notes to consolidated financial statements, which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, for our accounting policies and other disclosures, which are pertinent to these statements.


Note 2.

New Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2007, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position (“FSP”) No. AUG AIR-1, “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities.”  This FSP prohibits companies from recognizing planned major maintenance costs under the “accrue-in-advance” method that allowed the accrual of a liability over several reporting periods before the maintenance is performed.  We have adopted the direct expensing method, under which the costs of planned major maintenance activities are expensed in the period in which the costs are incurred.  The condensed consolidated financial statements for 2006 have been adjusted to apply the new method retrospectively.  The application of FSP AUG AIR-1 will effect our 2006 interim period reporting and will not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to our annual consolidated financial statements.  The following table illustrates the effect of applying the direct expensing method on individual line items in the condensed consolidated financial statements:


 

Before

 

After

 

Application of

 

Application of

 

FSP AUG

 

FSP AUG

(all amounts in thousands, except per share data)

AIR-1

Adjustment

AIR-1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

   

Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

   

Cost of products sold

$    268,946

 

$    (158)

 

$    268,788

 

Provision for income taxes

2,108

 

58 

 

2,166

 

Net earnings

3,588

 

100 

 

3,688

 

Net earnings per share – basic and diluted

0.07

 

–    

 

0.07

 




4






 

Before

 

After

 

Application of

 

Application of

 

FSP AUG

 

FSP AUG

(all amounts in thousands, except per share data)

AIR-1

Adjustment

AIR-1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

   

Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

   

Cost of products sold

$    530,284

 

$    (1,439)

 

$    528,845

 

Provision for income taxes

1,570

 

532 

 

2,102

 

Net earnings

2,245

 

907 

 

3,152

 

Net earnings per share – basic and diluted

0.04

 

0.02 

 

0.06

 


The effect of applying the direct expensing method retrospectively will result in a decrease in net earnings of $0.3 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2006, and a decrease in net earnings of $0.6 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2006.  


Note 3.

Income Taxes

On January 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Income Tax Uncertainties” (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 clarifies whether or not to recognize assets or liabilities for tax positions taken that may be challenged by a taxing authority.  As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, we recognized a $0.04 million increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as a decrease to retained earnings at January 1, 2007.


On January 1, 2007, the liability for uncertain tax positions was $4.8 million, all of which would impact our effective tax rate if recognized, and was recorded as a current liability.  We record penalties and accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions in miscellaneous expense and interest expense, respectively.  At June 30, 2007, the total liability for uncertain tax positions was $4.9 million, with approximately $0.8 million included for the possible payment of interest and penalties.  At June 30, 2007, $3.1 million of the liability for uncertain tax positions was recorded as a current liability and $1.8 million was recorded as a noncurrent liability.  


The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has commenced examinations of our 1998 to 2003 tax returns that are anticipated to be concluded by the end of 2007.  These examinations relate to certain research and development credits recorded during these respective tax return years.  In addition, we are currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the IRS for the years ending December 31, 2004 through 2006.  We also file income tax returns in numerous state jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations.  The anticipated charges with respect to the aforementioned items are included in the liability for uncertain tax positions recorded at June 30, 2007.  



5






Note 4.

Reorganization

Effective January 1, 2007, we reorganized the various subsidiaries which comprised our operating segments to align more closely with our operating structure.  Each segment is now organized as a single member limited liability company and operates as a direct subsidiary of Wausau Paper Corp.  The new structure allowed us to utilize state net operating loss and credit carryovers of certain subsidiaries for which valuation allowances had been previously established due to the fact that separate state tax returns were filed under our previous structure.  During the first quarter of 2007, we recorded state income tax benefits of $12.0 million primarily as a result of the reversal of these valuation allowances.  In the second quarter of 2007, we recorded state income tax charges of $0.4 million as a result of the recognition of a change in our effective state tax rate from our previous tax structure to our single member limited liability company tax structure.


The major temporary differences that give rise to our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:


 

June 30,

December 31,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

   

Deferred tax assets:

  
 

Accrued compensated absences

$      4,251 

 

$      4,281 

 
 

Pensions

1,117 

 

1,648 

 
 

Post-retirement benefits

42,277 

 

40,522 

 
 

State net operating loss carry forward

15,229 

 

15,466 

 
 

Other

25,205 

 

25,088 

 
 

Gross deferred tax asset

88,079 

 

87,005 

 
 

Less valuation allowance

(1,591)

 

(12,267)

 
 

Net deferred tax assets

86,488 

 

74,738 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    
 

Property, plant, and equipment

(117,000)

 

(120,271)

 
 

Other

(14,405)

 

(13,597)

 
 

Gross deferred tax liability

(131,405)

 

(133,868)

 
 

Net deferred tax liability

$   (44,917)

 

$   (59,130)

 




6






Note 5.

Earnings Per Share

The following table reconciles basic weighted average outstanding shares to diluted weighted average outstanding shares:


 

Three Months

Six Months

 

Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,

(all amounts in thousands, except per share data)

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Net earnings

$  4,753  

$  3,688 

$  19,718

$  3,152  

     

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

50,675  

51,041 

50,710

51,041  

Effect of dilutive securities:

    
 

Share-based compensation awards

359  

317 

357

301  

     

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

51,034  

51,358 

51,067

51,342  

     

Net earnings per share:

    

Basic

$    0.09  

$    0.07 

$     0.39

$    0.06  

Diluted

$    0.09  

$    0.07 

$     0.39

$    0.06  


Share-based compensation awards for which the exercise price exceeds the average market price over the applicable period have an antidilutive effect on EPS, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, 508,911 and 510,119 shares, respectively, under share-based compensation plans were excluded from the diluted EPS calculation because the shares were antidilutive.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, 553,911 and 707,277 shares, respectively, under share-based compensation plans were excluded from the diluted EPS calculation because the shares were antidilutive.  


Note 6.

Receivables

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:


 

June 30,

December 31,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

   

Trade

$     115,449   

$     104,049   

Other

3,320   

2,113   

 

118,769   

106,162   

Less:  allowances for doubtful accounts

(1,272)  

(1,361)  

   
 

$     117,497   

$     104,801   




7






Note 7.

Inventories

The various components of inventories were as follows:


 

June 30,

December 31,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

   

Raw materials

$       38,133   

$       37,393   

Work in process and finished goods

114,049   

114,584   

Supplies

6,559   

9,457   

Inventories at cost

158,741   

161,434   

Less:  LIFO reserve

(39,058)  

(38,903)  

   
 

$     119,683   

$     122,531   


Note 8.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

The accumulated depreciation on fixed assets was $735.1 million as of June 30, 2007, and $712.0 million as of December 31, 2006.  The provision for depreciation, amortization, and depletion for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006 was $14.7 million and $14.3 million, respectively.  The provision for depreciation, amortization, and depletion for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006 was $29.3 million and $28.9 million, respectively.


Included in cost of sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, were net gains on sales of property, plant, and equipment of $3.0 million and $3.8 million, respectively, including gains on sales of timberlands of $2.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively.  Included in cost of sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, were net gains on sales of property, plant, and equipment of $0.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, including gains on sales of timberlands of $1.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively.


Note 9.

Debt

At June 30, 2007, under the $125 million facility that expires July 27, 2011, we have the ability and the intent to refinance on a long-term basis the $35 million of unsecured private placement notes maturing on August 31, 2007.  As a result, we have classified the amounts as long-term on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.



8






Note 10.

Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans

The components of net periodic benefit costs recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, are as follows:

   

Other

   

Post-retirement

 

Pension Benefits

Benefits

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Service cost

$ 1,908   

$ 1,959 

$    617   

$    797 

Interest cost

2,755   

2,595 

1,269   

1,378 

Expected return on plan assets

(3,354)  

(3,003)

–      

–    

Amortization of:

    
 

Prior service cost (benefit)

543   

539 

(1,006)  

(624)

 

Actuarial loss

618   

798 

582   

573 

     

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 2,470   

$ 2,888 

$ 1,462   

$ 2,124 


The components of net periodic benefit costs recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, are as follows:

   

Other

   

Post-retirement

 

Pension Benefits

Benefits

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Service cost

$ 3,816  

$ 3,917 

$  1,258  

$  1,601 

Interest cost

5,510  

5,191 

2,573  

2,621 

Expected return on plan assets

(6,708) 

(6,006)

–     

–    

Amortization of:

    
 

Prior service cost (benefit)

1,087  

1,078 

(1,914) 

(1,662)

 

Actuarial loss

1,236  

1,595 

1,165  

983 

     

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 4,941  

$ 5,775 

$ 3,082  

$ 3,543 


We previously disclosed in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, that although we do not have a minimum funding requirement for defined benefit pension plans in 2007, we may elect to make contributions of up to $16.2 million directly to pension plans.  As of June 30, 2007, we have made payments of approximately $6.7 million to our pension plans.  In addition, as previously reported, we expect to contribute $4.1 million directly to other post-retirement plans in 2007.  As of June 30, 2007, we have contributed $2.3 million to our post-retirement plans.



9






Note 11.

Share-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), using the modified prospective application transition method.  Prior to January 1, 2006, we measured compensation cost for stock-based compensation plans using the “intrinsic value based method” prescribed under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”  


Under SFAS 123R, share-based payment awards that are settled in cash continue to be classified as a liability; however, rather than remeasuring the award at the intrinsic value each reporting period, the award is remeasured at its fair value each reporting period until final settlement.  The difference between the liability as previously computed (i.e., intrinsic value) and the fair value of the liability award on January 1, 2006, was $0.4 million, net of any related tax effects ($0.7 million pretax), and was recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.


Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, and Performance Units

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, share-based compensation expense related to fixed option grants and performance unit awards was approximately $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, share-based compensation expense related to fixed option grants and performance unit awards was approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.  


During the sixth months ended June 30, 2007, we granted 30,000 fixed stock options to certain employees and directors with a weighted-average exercise price of $14.49 per share.  In addition, as a component of the director compensation policy, we awarded 8,110 of performance units during the six months ended June 30, 2007.


No grants of restricted stock were made during the six months ended June 30, 2007.


On an annual basis, we generally grant stock options and performance unit awards as part of a performance-based compensation award to certain employees of Wausau Paper.  The vesting of these performance-based awards is subject to (1) achieving certain operating profit levels and (2) completion of a service requirement.  During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we granted 413,102 performance-based stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $15.17 per share, and 37,410 performance unit awards as part of a performance-based compensation award for the year ending December 31, 2007.  We have recognized approximately $0.2 million in compensation expense related to the performance-based awards for 2007, which is included in share-based compensation expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, as it is probable a portion of the awards will vest as performance criteria are met.  




10





Share-based compensation expense related to fixed option grants and performance unit awards are included as a component of selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  We recognize compensation expense on grants of stock options, restricted stock, and performance unit share-based compensation awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of each award.  Forfeiture rates are estimated based upon our historical experience for each grant type.  As of June 30, 2007, total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation awards was approximately $0.7 million, net of estimated forfeitures, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 0.8 years.


Stock Appreciation Rights and Dividend Equivalents

Share-based compensation provisions or credits related to stock appreciation rights and dividend equivalents are determined based upon a remeasurement to their fair value at each interim reporting period in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, we recognized a credit of approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in share-based compensation related to stock appreciation rights and dividend equivalents.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, we recognized a credit of approximately $0.5 million and a provision of approximately $0.2 million, respectively, in share-based compensation related to stock appreciation rights and dividend equivalents.  Share-based compensation related to stock appreciation rights and dividend equivalents is included as a component of selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.


Note 12.

Pulp Mill Closure

In July 2005, we announced plans to permanently close the sulfite pulp mill at our Brokaw, Wisconsin, facility.  The pulp mill was closed in November 2005 and the related long-lived assets were abandoned.  The cost of sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, includes pre-tax pulp mill closure charges of $0.1 million.  Restructuring expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, reflect pre-tax charges of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for other associated closure costs.  There were no charges to cost of sales or restructuring expense for the six months ended June 30, 2007.  No additional charges related to the pulp mill closure are anticipated.


Note 13.

Interim Segment Information

We have reclassified certain prior-year interim segment information to conform to the 2007 presentation.  The adjustments and reclassifications are the result of a reporting change, effective January 1, 2007, to reflect the adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1, and as a result of restructuring the assets and operating results of one facility from the Corporate and Unallocated segment to the Towel & Tissue segment.  For additional information on the adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1, please refer to “Note 2 – New Accounting Pronouncements.”  For additional information on the restructuring, please refer to “Note 4 – Reorganization.”




11





Factors Used to Identify Reportable Segments

Our operations are classified into three principal reportable segments:  Specialty Products, Printing & Writing, and Towel & Tissue, each providing different products.  Separate management of each segment is required because each business unit is subject to different marketing, production, and technology strategies.


Products from which Revenue is Derived

Specialty Products produces specialty papers at its manufacturing facilities in Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Mosinee, Wisconsin; and Jay, Maine.  Specialty Products also includes two converting facilities that produce laminated roll wrap and related specialty finishing and packaging products.  Printing & Writing produces a broad line of premium printing and writing grades at manufacturing facilities in Brokaw, Wisconsin; Groveton, New Hampshire; and Brainerd, Minnesota.  Printing & Writing also includes a converting facility which converts printing and writing grades.  Towel & Tissue produces a complete line of towel and tissue products that are marketed along with soap and dispensing systems for the “away-from-home” market.  Towel & Tissue operates a paper mill in Middletown, Ohio, and a converting facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.


Reconciliations

The following are reconciliations to corresponding totals in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements:


 

Three Months

Six Months

 

Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Net sales external customers:

    
 

Specialty Products

$ 125,950 

$ 111,937 

$ 249,905 

$ 233,429 

 

Printing & Writing

114,159 

112,033 

220,073 

211,351 

 

Towel & Tissue

77,126 

73,316 

146,650 

136,169 

     
 

$ 317,235 

$ 297,286 

$ 616,628 

$ 580,949 

     

Operating profit (loss):

    
 

Specialty Products

$     2,195 

$     1,592 

$     4,868 

$     4,799 

 

Printing & Writing

(2,316)

(3,392)

(4,108)

(10,238)

 

Towel & Tissue

11,341 

11,372 

21,034 

20,553 

 

Corporate & eliminations

(593)

(886)

(3,883)

(3,930)

     
 

$   10,627 

$     8,686 

$   17,911 

$   11,184 




12






 

June 30,

December 31,

 

2007

2006

   

Segment assets:

  
 

Specialty Products

$ 317,033  

$ 319,387  

 

Printing & Writing

243,244  

243,362  

 

Towel & Tissue

186,081  

184,140  

 

Corporate & Unallocated*

45,232  

52,225  

   
 

$ 791,590  

$ 799,114  


*

Segment assets do not include intersegment accounts receivable, cash, deferred tax assets, and certain other assets, which are not identifiable with segments.


Note 14.

Future Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans” (“SFAS 158”), which requires that we recognize in our financial statements the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit post-retirement plan as an asset or liability and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  SFAS 158 also requires additional disclosures regarding certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service credits, and transition assets or obligations.  We adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS 158 on December 31, 2006.  In addition, SFAS 158 requires the measurement of the funded status of a plan as of the date of the financial statements.  SFAS 158’s provisions regarding the change in measurement date of post-retirement plans will require us to change our measurement date from September 30 to our fiscal year end date beginning with fiscal year 2008.  We are currently evaluating whether we will early adopt the measurement provisions in fiscal 2007.


In June 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 06-11 “Accounting for the Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards” (“EITF 06-11”).  EITF 06-11 provides that tax benefits associated with dividends on share-based payment awards be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital.  EITF 06-11 is effective, on a prospective basis, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007.  We are currently evaluating the impact of EITF 06-11 on our financial statements.




13





Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and revenue and expenses during the periods reported.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Please refer to the notes to the financial statements, which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, for our accounting policies and other disclosures which are pertinent to these statements.


We have reclassified certain prior-year interim segment information to conform to the 2007 presentation.  The adjustments and reclassifications are the result of a reporting change, effective January 1, 2007, to reflect the adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1, and as a result of restructuring the assets and operating results of one facility from the Corporate and Unallocated segment to the Towel & Tissue segment.  For additional information on the adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1, please refer to “Note 2 – New Accounting Pronouncements” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  For additional information on the restructuring, please refer to “Note 4 – Reorganization” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Overview


In the second quarter of 2007, we reported net earnings of $4.8 million, or $0.09 per share, compared to prior year net earnings of $3.7 million, or $0.07 per share.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007, we reported net earnings of $19.7 million, or $0.39 per share, compared to net earnings of $3.2 million, or $0.06 per share in the first six months of 2006.  Included in the first six months of 2007 were one-time state tax benefits of $11.6 million, or $0.23 per share, related to the January 1, 2007, restructuring of our subsidiaries to realign them more closely with our current operating structure.  The subsidiary realignment allows for the future utilization of previously reserved state net operating loss and credit carryovers.  For additional information on the restructuring, please refer to “Note 4 – Reorganization” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  Net earnings for the first six months of 2006 include a charge for the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of related income taxes, of $0.4 million, or $0.01 per share as a result of our adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” on January 1, 2006.  


Compared to 2006, net sales and shipments for the second quarter of 2007 increased 7% and 3%, respectively.  Year-to-date, net sales improved 6% and shipments increased 2% in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.  In both the quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year consolidated comparisons, net earnings was impacted by improvements in product pricing and volume gains, combined with overall lower energy costs and increased productivity, which more than offset significant increases in fiber-related costs experienced during 2007 compared to 2006.  




14





Operations Review


Net Sales


 

Three Months

Six Months

 

Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Net sales

$317,235

$297,286 

$616,628

$580,949 

Percent increase

7%

8% 

6%

7% 


Consolidated net sales of $317.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, improved 7% over consolidated net sales of $297.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006.  Shipments increased 3% quarter-over-quarter with 237,853 tons shipped during the second quarter of 2007 and 232,005 tons shipped during the second quarter of 2006.  During the same comparative periods, average net selling price improved nearly 5%, or more than $13 million.


For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, consolidated net sales were $616.6 million and $580.9 million, respectively, reflecting a 6% improvement year-over-year.  Year-to-date shipments at June 30, 2007, were 464,446 tons which represent a 2% increase over the 456,212 tons shipped during the same six-month period in 2006.  During the first six months of 2007, average net selling price improved nearly 5%, or approximately $27 million.


Specialty Products’ net sales for the second quarter of 2007 were $126.0 million, an increase of 13% from net sales of $111.9 million reported during the same period in 2006.  The current quarter improvement in net sales was in part due to a 6% increase in shipment volume as 100,310 tons were shipped during the second quarter of 2007 compared to 94,720 tons during the second quarter of 2006.  The balance of the improvement resulted from increases in average net selling price of approximately 7%, or nearly $8 million, for the same quarterly period, with increases in actual selling price driving the improvement.  


For the first half of 2007, Specialty Products’ net sales were $249.9 million, an increase of 7% from net sales of $233.4 million in the first half of 2006.  Shipment volume increased 2% to 200,229 tons during the first half of 2007 compared to 197,007 tons shipped during the first half of 2006.  In addition to the year-over-year volume improvement, average net selling price increased nearly 6%, with actual selling price increases driving the entire improvement.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, Printing & Writing reported net sales of $114.2 million, an increase of 2% over reported net sales in the second quarter of 2006 of $112.0 million.  For the second quarter of 2007, shipments improved to 93,745 tons compared to 93,311 tons during the second quarter of 2006, despite a significant decline in industry-wide demand for uncoated freesheet papers.  Average net selling price improved approximately 2%, or more than $2 million, with actual product selling price gains more than offsetting a modest deterioration in product mix.




15





Year-to-date net sales for Printing & Writing increased 4% to $220.1 million in 2007 from $211.4 million in 2006.  Shipment volume improved 2% year-over-year with 179,846 tons shipped during the six months ended June 30, 2007, and 176,942 tons shipped during the six months ended June 30, 2006.  Average net selling price improved nearly 3%, with actual selling price improvements offsetting a weaker product mix.


Towel & Tissue reported net sales of $77.1 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, an increase of 5% from net sales of $73.3 million reported in the same three-month period of 2006.  Total shipments for the second quarter of 2007 were similar at 43,798 tons compared to 43,974 tons in the second quarter of 2006.  Average net selling price increased approximately 6%, or more than $4 million, in the second quarter of 2007 over the second quarter of 2006.  Approximately two-thirds of the increase in average net selling price is due to actual product selling price improvements with the balance from product mix enhancements.


Net sales for the first six months of 2007 and 2006 were $146.7 million and $136.2 million, respectively, for Towel & Tissue—an improvement of nearly 8%.  Strong product selling price increases and product mix improvements drove an increase in average net selling price of nearly 6% as compared to 2006.  In addition, shipments of 84,371 tons during the first half of 2007 increased 3% over shipments of 82,263 tons during the first half of 2006.  


Gross Profit


 

Three Months

Six Months

 

Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Gross profit on sales

$32,005 

$28,498 

$60,091 

$52,104 

Gross profit margin

10% 

10% 

10% 

9% 


Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2007, was $32.0 million compared to $28.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006.  On a consolidated basis, overall improvements in average net selling price and volume gains in the quarter-over-quarter comparison more than offset unfavorable fiber-related cost increases of approximately $12 million.  While fiber-related prices increased broadly, the most significant increases occurred in market pulp with prices increasing $9 million, and wastepaper prices increasing $2 million.  Over the same comparative period, energy prices decreased approximately $1 million, with natural gas pricing declines accounting for the majority of the difference.


Year-to-date, gross profit increased from $52.1 million, or 9% of consolidated net sales reported in 2006, to $60.1 million, or 10% of consolidated net sales reported in 2007.  Year-over-year, gains in average net selling price and shipments, as well as a decline in energy costs, more than offset significant increases in fiber-related costs.  In total, energy prices, driven mainly by natural gas, decreased nearly $5 million in the first six months of 2007, compared to the first six months of 2006, while fiber-related costs increased approximately $26 million during the same comparative period.




16





Gross profit margins for our Specialty Products business segment have remained at 7% in both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons of 2007 and 2006.  The comparable gross profit margins are a result of average net selling price increases and cost-containment efforts offsetting higher current year raw material input prices, including market pulp and linerboard, in both the quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons of 2007 and 2006.


Printing & Writing’s second quarter 2007 and 2006 gross profit margins were 4% and 3% of net sales, respectively.  Average net selling price improvements, operational efficiency improvements, and reductions in maintenance spending, more than offset unfavorable market pulp costs experienced in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006.


Gross profit margins for the Printing & Writing business segment were 4% and 1% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Improvements in product selling price, operation efficiency gains, and favorable energy prices more than offset the cost pressures experienced with respect to market pulp during the first six months of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006.  In addition, the gross profit margin for the first six months of 2007 was favorably impacted by increased production volumes as we operated at full capacity compared to the first six months of 2006, when market-related downtime resulted in the idling of a paper machine at the Brokaw papermaking facility for the majority of the first quarter of 2006.  


The gross profit margin for Towel & Tissue was 21% for the second quarter and first six months of 2007 compared to 23% for the second quarter and first six months of 2006.  In both the quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons, increased average net selling price was unable to fully offset increases in purchased towel and tissue parent roll and wastepaper costs, as well as higher maintenance spending.


Consolidated order backlogs increased to approximately 56,200 tons at June 30, 2007, from approximately 42,900 tons at June 30, 2006.  Backlog tons at June 30, 2007 represent $74.4 million in sales compared to $55.3 million in sales at June 30, 2006.  Quarter-over-quarter improvements in customer backlog were evident in Specialty Products, while Printing & Writing and Towel & Tissue customer backlogs declined.  Specialty Products’ backlog tons increased from 23,600 tons as of June 30, 2006, to 39,400 tons at June 30, 2007.  Printing & Writing backlog tons declined to 14,000 tons at the end of the second quarter of 2007 compared to 15,600 tons at the end of the second quarter of 2006.  Towel & Tissue experienced decreased backlogs with 2,800 tons and 3,700 tons reported at the end of the second quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The change in customer order backlogs does not necessarily indicate business conditions as a large portion of orders are shipped directly from inventory upon receipt and do not impact backlog numbers.



17





Selling and Administrative Expenses


 

Three Months

Six Months

 

Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Selling and administrative expense

$21,378

$19,735

$42,180 

$40,711

Percent increase

8%

7%

4% 

13%

As a percent of net sales

7%

7%

7% 

7%


Selling and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2007 were $21.4 million compared to $19.7 million in the same period of 2006.  Stock-based incentive compensation programs resulted in a credit of less than $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006, respectively.  After adjusting for stock-based incentive compensation programs, increased compensation and benefits accounted for the majority of the quarter-over-quarter increase in selling and administrative expense.


Selling and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were $42.2 million compared to $40.7 million in the same period of 2006.  Stock-based incentive compensation programs resulted in a credit of less than $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to expense of $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006.  As in the quarterly comparison, after adjusting for stock-based incentive compensation programs, the balance of the year-over-year increase is due to higher compensation and benefits.


Restructuring Charge


We recorded a pre-tax closure charge for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for other associated costs directly related to the closure of the sulfite pulp mill located at Printing & Writing’s Brokaw papermaking mill.  The permanent closure of the pulp mill facility was announced in July 2005.  The pulp mill was closed in November 2005 and the related long-lived assets were abandoned.  No restructuring expense was incurred for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, and no additional restructuring expenses are anticipated.  For additional information on the pulp mill closure, please refer to “Note 12 – Pulp Mill Closure” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




18





Other Income and Expense


 

Three Months

Six Months

 

Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Interest expense

$2,850 

$2,879 

$5,657 

$5,592 

Other income, net

126 

47 

332 

89 


Interest expense was similar between comparable quarterly periods of 2007 and 2006 at $2.9 million, respectively, as well as comparable year-to-date periods of 2007 and 2006 at $5.7 million and $5.6 million, respectively.  Interest expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 was impacted by slightly higher interest rates as compared to the same periods in 2006.  Long-term debt was $159.8 million and $163.7 million at June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Long-term debt at December 31, 2006, was $160.3 million.  Interest expense in 2007 is expected to remain comparable to 2006 levels.  Other income, consisting principally of interest income, in the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2007, is more than the same periods last year as a result of higher average cash and cash equivalent balances in 2007.


Income Taxes


 

Three Months

Six Months

 

Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

2007

2006

     

Provision (credit) for income taxes

$3,150 

$2,166 

$(7,132)

$2,102 

Effective tax rate

40% 

37% 

(57%)

37% 


Effective January 1, 2007, we reorganized the various subsidiaries which comprised our operating segments to align more closely with our operating structure.  Each segment is now organized as a single member limited liability company and operates as a direct subsidiary of Wausau Paper Corp.  The new structure will allow us to utilize state net operating loss and credit carryovers of certain subsidiaries for which full valuation allowances had been previously established due to the fact that separate state tax returns were filed under our previous structure.  During the first quarter of 2007, we recorded state tax benefits of $12.0 million primarily as a result of the reversal of these valuation allowances.  In the second quarter of 2007, we recorded a deferred state income tax provision of $0.4 million as a result of the impact of a revised estimate to our effective state tax rate used to determine our deferred tax assets and liabilities from our previous tax structure to our single member limited liability company tax structure.  The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2007, excluding the state tax benefits, was 36%.  




19





Liquidity and Capital Resources


Cash Flows and Capital Expenditures


 

Six Months Ended June 30,

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

2007

2006

   

Cash provided by operating activities

$ 12,461   

$ 5,191   

Capital expenditures

13,132   

11,779   


For the six months ended June 30, 2007, cash provided by operating activities was $12.5 million compared to cash provided by operating activities of $5.2 million for same period in 2006.  The change in the year-over-year comparisons of cash provided by operating activities was mainly related to the levels of inventory during the respective time periods and cash paid for income taxes.  For the first half of 2007, inventories decreased approximately $3 million compared to an increase in inventory of approximately $11 million during the first half of 2006.  This favorable impact on cash was reduced by an increase in cash paid for income taxes from $2 million during the first half of 2006 to $8 million during the first half of 2007.  


We have established an average internal rate of return target of 17% on all capital projects approved in 2007.  This objective was achieved on projects approved during the first six months of the year.  Capital spending for the first six months of 2007 was $13.1 million compared to $11.8 million during the first six months of 2006.  Total capital spending for the full-year of 2007 is expected to be approximately $30.0 million.


For 2007, capital expenditures for projects with total spending expected to exceed $1.0 million occurred in all three business segments.  Specialty Products spent $2.2 million on a roll wrap project, stoker boiler project, and other paper mill related equipment at the Rhinelander, Wisconsin facility.  Printing & Writing spent $0.8 million on a sheeter line project at a converting facility and $0.9 million on a color system project at the Brainerd, Minnesota, facility.  Towel & Tissue spent $2.2 million on various converting projects at the Harrodsburg, Kentucky, facility.


The balance of the spending for the first six months of 2007 was related to projects that individually are expected to cost less that $1.0 million.  These expenditures included approximately $4.9 million for essential non-or low-return projects, and approximately $2.1 million on projects expected to provide a return in excess of our targeted internal rate of return.


During 2005, we announced our intent to sell approximately 42,000 acres of timberlands, generating expected after-tax earnings of $29 million.  Since introducing the timberland sales program, we have sold approximately 17,000 acres and have realized after-tax earnings of approximately $14.4 million.  During the second quarter of 2007, we sold approximately 1,400 acres of timberlands, resulting in an after-tax gain of $1.8 million, compared to sales of approximately 500 acres of timberlands, resulting in an after-tax gain of $0.8 million, during the same period of 2006.  Year-to-date, we have sold approximately 1,900 acres of timberlands, resulting in an after-tax gain of $2.2 million, compared to sales of approximately 1,200 acres of



20





timberlands, resulting in an after-tax gain of $1.8 million, during the first six months of 2006.  Gains on sales of timberlands are recorded as a reduction to costs of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  We expect our timberland sales program to continue at a pace that will allow us to complete our sales program over the next three years.  We do not plan to consummate additional timberland sales programs in the future.


Debt and Equity


(all dollar amounts in thousands)

June 30,

December 31,

 

2007

2006

   

Short-term debt

$       171

 

$       184

 

Long-term debt

159,823

 

160,287

 

Total debt

159,994

 

160,471

 

Stockholders’ equity

286,305

 

274,074

 

Total capitalization

446,299

 

434,545

 

Long-term debt/capitalization ratio

36%

 

37%

 


As of June 30, 2007, there was no significant change in total debt as compared to December 31, 2006.  


At June 30, 2007, under the $125 million facility that expires on July 27, 2011, we have the ability and the intent to refinance on a long-term basis the $35 million of unsecured private placement notes maturing on August 31, 2007.  As a result, we have classified the amounts as long-term on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  


Before consideration of the $35 million of unsecured private placement notes we intend to refinance on a long-term basis, on June 30, 2007, we had approximately $105.3 million available borrowing capacity under a bank facility that expires on July 27, 2011 ..  Our cash position and borrowing capacity is expected to provide sufficient liquidity to support operations, meet capital spending requirements, satisfy current maturities of debt obligations, fund dividend payments to shareholders, and continue to repurchase shares of Wausau Paper common stock.


During 2005, we reactivated our common stock buy-back program.  At December 31, 2006, there were approximately 1.5 million shares available for repurchase through an authorization approved by our Board of Directors in 2000.  Under this authorization, we have repurchased 128,000 shares during the second quarter and first half of 2007 at a total cost of approximately $1.7 million.  At June 30, 2007, there are approximately 1.4 million shares available for repurchase.  Repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions.  We intend to continue repurchasing shares at a similar pace to repurchases in recent quarters.




21





Dividends


On December 18, 2006, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per common share.  The dividend was paid on February 15, 2007, to shareholders of record on February 1, 2007.  On April 19, 2007, the Board of Director’s declared a cash dividend in the amount of $0.085 per share.  The dividend was paid on May 15, 2007, to shareholders of record on May 1, 2007.  At a meeting held on June 22, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per common share which is payable on August 15, 2007, to shareholders of record on August 1, 2007.


Information Concerning Forward - Looking Statements


The foregoing discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance.  If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of Wausau Paper and our consolidated subsidiaries may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by, among other things, beliefs or expectations that certain events may occur or are anticipated and projections or statements of expectations with respect to various aspects of our business, our plans or intentions, our stock performance, the industry within which we operate, the economy, and any other expressions of similar import or covering other matters relating to our business and operations.  Risks, uncertainties, and assumptions relating to our forward-looking statements include the level of competition for our products, changes in the paper industry, downturns in our target markets, adverse changes in our relationships with large customers and our labor unions, costs of compliance with environmental regulations, our ability to fund our operations, changes in the price or availability of raw materials and energy, the failure to develop new products that meet customer needs, unforeseen operating problems, changes in strategic plans or our ability to execute such plans, maintenance of adequate internal controls, changes in financial accounting standards, unforeseen liabilities arising from current or prospective claims, and the effect of certain organizational anti-takeover provisions.  These and other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission after the date of such annual report.  We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.



22






Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


There has been no material change in the information provided in response to Item 7A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.


Item 4.

Controls and Procedures


As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, under the supervision, and with the participation, of our President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.  Based upon, and as of the date of such evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.




23





PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1A.

Risk Factors


In addition to the other information set forth in this report, this report should be considered in light of the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results of operations.  The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing Wausau Paper.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results.


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


Purchases of Equity Securities – Quarter ending June 30, 2007


    

Maximum number

   

Total number

(or approximate

   

of shares (or

dollar value) of

 

Total number

 

units) purchased

shares (or units)

 

of shares

Average price

as part of publicly

that may yet be

 

(or units)

paid per share

announced plans

purchased under the

 

purchased

(or unit)

or programs

plans or programs

Period

(a)

(b)

(c)(1)

(d)(1)

     

April

    

May

128,000

$13.5099

128,000

 

June

    
     

Quarterly Totals

128,000

$13.5099

128,000

1,377,574


(1)  Shares purchased under a program announced on April 20, 2000, pursuant to which the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2,571,000 shares in the open market or privately negotiated transactions (the “2000 Plan”).  No price or expiration date was specified for the program’s purchases.




24





Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders


The annual meeting of shareholders of the Company was held on April 19, 2007.


The matters voted upon, including the number of votes cast for, against or withheld, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes, as to each such matter were as follows:


Matter

 

Shares Voted

  

For

Withheld

    

1.  Election of Class II Directors

   
    

(a)  Andrew N. Baur

 

45,165,451

3,245,295

(b)  Dennis J. Kuester

 

44,151,257

4,259,489


Item 6.

Exhibits


Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K


31.1

Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002





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SIGNATURES




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


WAUSAU PAPER CORP.




August 9, 2007

SCOTT P. DOESCHER

Scott P. Doescher

Senior Vice President-Finance,

Secretary and Treasurer


(On behalf of the Registrant and as

Principal Financial Officer)



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EXHIBIT INDEX

to

FORM 10-Q

of

WAUSAU PAPER CORP.

for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007

Pursuant to Section 102(d) of Regulation S-T

(17 C.F.R. Section 232.102(d))




The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:


31.1

Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002



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