NP 10-Q Quarterly Report March 31, 2017 | Alphaminr
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NP 10-Q Quarter ended March 31, 2017

Balance Sheet
Cash Flow
Income Statement
Debt
NEENAH INC
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10-Q 1 np2017033110-q.htm 10-Q Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
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: 001-32240

NEENAH PAPER, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
20-1308307
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3460 Preston Ridge Road
Alpharetta, Georgia
30005
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(678) 566-6500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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 x No ¨
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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 x
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Emerging growth company ¨
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. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

As of May 2, 2017 , there were approximately 16,788,000 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.


TABLE OF CONTENTS



Part I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

NEENAH PAPER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Net sales
$
242.1

$
242.1

Cost of products sold
190.1

183.3

Gross profit
52.0

58.8

Selling, general and administrative expenses
24.9

26.4

Integration/restructuring costs
—

1.1

Other expense (income) - net
0.1

(0.1
)
Operating income
27.0

31.4

Interest expense - net
3.2

2.9

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
23.8

28.5

Provision for income taxes
6.2

9.3

Net income
$
17.6

$
19.2

Earnings Per Common Share


Basic
$
1.04

$
1.13

Diluted
$
1.03

$
1.11

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)


Basic
16,779

16,778

Diluted
17,025

17,051

Cash Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock
$
0.37

$
0.33

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

F-1

NEENAH PAPER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Net income
$
17.6

$
19.2

Unrealized foreign currency translation gain
1.7

3.7

Reclassification of amortization of adjustments to pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities recognized in net periodic benefit cost (Note 5)
2.0

1.8

Unrealized gain on “available-for-sale” securities
0.1

—

Income from other comprehensive income items
3.8

5.5

Provision for income taxes
0.8

0.7

Other comprehensive income
3.0

4.8

Comprehensive income
$
20.6

$
24.0

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

F-2

NEENAH PAPER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
ASSETS


Current Assets


Cash and cash equivalents
$
5.5

$
3.1

Accounts receivable (less allowances of $1.6 million and $1.5 million)
111.5

96.5

Inventories
117.1

116.3

Prepaid and other current assets
18.3

20.4

Total Current Assets
252.4

236.3

Property, Plant and Equipment


Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost
761.6

755.6

Less accumulated depreciation
398.4

391.0

Property, plant and equipment—net
363.2

364.6

Deferred Income Taxes
10.0

6.1

Goodwill
70.8

70.4

Intangible Assets—net
73.4

74.0

Other Noncurrent Assets
17.6

14.2

TOTAL ASSETS
$
787.4

$
765.6

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY


Current Liabilities


Debt payable within one year
$
1.2

$
1.2

Accounts payable
56.4

55.6

Accrued expenses
44.7

51.2

Total Current Liabilities
102.3

108.0

Long-term Debt
225.1

219.7

Deferred Income Taxes
18.3

10.1

Noncurrent Employee Benefits
87.0

86.7

Other Noncurrent Obligations
6.2

2.8

TOTAL LIABILITIES
438.9

427.3

Contingencies and Legal Matters ( Note 8 )
—

—

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
348.5

338.3

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
787.4

$
765.6

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

F-3

NEENAH PAPER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES


Net income
$
17.6

$
19.2

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:


Depreciation and amortization
7.8

8.2

Stock-based compensation
2.5

2.5

Deferred income tax provision
3.3

3.5

Increase in working capital
(11.3
)
(18.8
)
Pension and other postretirement benefits
1.9

1.7

Other
0.2

(0.2
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
22.0

16.1

INVESTING ACTIVITIES


Capital expenditures
(11.5
)
(11.3
)
Other
(0.2
)
(0.4
)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(11.7
)
(11.7
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES


Long-term borrowings (Note 4)
81.8

89.1

Repayments of long-term debt (Note 4)
(76.9
)
(81.8
)
Cash dividends paid
(6.3
)
(5.6
)
Shares purchased (Note 7)
(6.8
)
(5.3
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
0.3

0.1

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(7.9
)
(3.5
)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
—

—

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
2.4

0.9

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
3.1

4.2

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
5.5

$
5.1

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:


Cash paid during period for interest, net of interest expense capitalized
$
0.6

$
0.2

Cash paid during period for income taxes
$
1.7

$
5.3

Non-cash investing activities:


Liability for equipment acquired
$
3.5

$
5.5

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

F-4

NEENAH PAPER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, except as noted)
Note 1.  Background and Basis of Presentation
Background
Neenah Paper, Inc. (“Neenah” or the “Company”), is a Delaware corporation incorporated in April 2004. The Company has two primary operations: its technical products business and its fine paper and packaging business. See Note 9, “Business Segment Information.”
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
These statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and, in accordance with those rules and regulations, do not include all information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate for a fair presentation of the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented herein. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make extensive use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may vary from these estimates.
These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of Neenah and its subsidiaries included herein are unaudited. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Earnings per Share (“EPS”)
The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted EPS (dollars in millions except per share amounts, shares in thousands):
Earnings Per Basic Common Share
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Income from continuing operations
$
17.6

$
19.2

Amounts attributable to participating securities
(0.1
)
(0.2
)
Net income available to common stockholders
$
17.5

$
19.0

Weighted-average basic shares outstanding
16,779

16,778



Basic earnings per share
$
1.04

$
1.13




F-5

Earnings Per Diluted Common Share
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Income from continuing operations
$
17.6

$
19.2

Amounts attributable to participating securities
(0.1
)
(0.2
)
Net income available to common stockholders
$
17.5

$
19.0

Weighted-average basic shares outstanding
16,779

16,778

Add: Assumed incremental shares under stock compensation plans (a)
246

273

Weighted-average diluted shares
17,025

17,051



Diluted earnings per share
$
1.03

$
1.11

(a) For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , there were 72,000 and 140,000 potentially dilutive options excluded from the computation of dilutive common shares because the exercise price of such options exceeded the average market price of the Company’s common stock.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company measures the fair value of financial instruments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”) which establishes a framework for measuring fair value. ASC Topic 820 provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
The following table presents the carrying value and the fair value of the Company’s debt.
March 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Carrying
Value
Fair Value (a)(b)
Carrying
Value
Fair Value (a)(b)
2021 Senior Notes (5.25% fixed rate)
$
175.0

$
169.6

$
175.0

$
169.5

Global Revolving Credit Facilities (variable rates)
48.3

48.3

42.9

42.9

German loan agreement (2.45% fixed rate)
6.6

6.6

6.8

6.8

Total debt
$
229.9

$
224.5

$
224.7

$
219.2


(a) The fair value for all debt instruments was estimated from Level 2 measurements.
(b) The fair value of short and long-term debt is estimated using rates currently available to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.
As of March 31, 2017 , the Company had $3.5 million in marketable securities classified as “Other Assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The cost of such marketable securities was $3.4 million . Fair value for the Company’s marketable securities was estimated from Level 1 inputs. The Company’s marketable securities are designated for the payment of benefits under its supplemental employee retirement plan (“SERP”). As of March 31, 2017 , Neenah Germany had investments of $1.6 million that were restricted to the payment of certain post-retirement employee benefits of which $0.6 million and $1.0 million are classified as “Prepaid and other current assets” and “Other Assets”, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.


F-6


Note 2.  Accounting Standard Changes
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This guidance specifies how and when an entity will recognize revenue arising from contracts with customers and requires entities to disclose information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The FASB has subsequently issued additional, clarifying standards to address issues arising from implementation of the new revenue recognition standard. The new revenue recognition standard and clarifying standards are effective for interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2018. The Company has substantially completed its assessment of the new standards and does not believe there will be a material impact from adoption on its consolidated financial statements. The Company will continue to evaluate any additional changes, modifications or interpretations of the standard which may impact its current conclusions, and believes it will adopt the new standards using the modified retrospective method as of January 1, 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current lease accounting. The guidance also eliminates current real estate-specific provisions for all entities. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This ASU clarifies the definition of a business and provides a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350). This ASU eliminates step two of the impairment test, the performance of a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. Instead, impairment will be measured using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. This ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for goodwill impairment tests with measurement dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (Topic 715). ASU 2017-07 requires entities to (1) disaggregate the current-service-cost component from the other components of net benefit cost (the “other components”) and present it with other current compensation costs for related employees in the income statement and (2) present the other components elsewhere in the income statement and outside of income from operations if such a subtotal is presented. In addition, only the service-cost component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization. This ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted in the first quarter only. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-07 on its consolidated financial statements.
As of March 31, 2017 , no other amendments to the ASC have been issued that will have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


F-7

Note 3.  Supplemental Balance Sheet Data
The following table presents inventories by major class:
March 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Raw materials
$
32.1

$
31.6

Work in progress
30.7

26.8

Finished goods
59.3

63.0

Supplies and other
3.2

3.1

125.3

124.5

Adjust FIFO inventories to LIFO cost
(8.2
)
(8.2
)
Total
$
117.1

$
116.3

The FIFO values of inventories valued on the LIFO method were $111.5 million and $106.8 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , income from continuing operations before income taxes was increased by less than $0.1 million due to a decrease in certain LIFO inventory quantities.
The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 :
Net unrealized foreign
currency translation
gain (loss)
Net gain (loss) from
pension and other
postretirement
liabilities
Unrealized gain (loss) on
“available-for-sale”
securities
Accumulated other
comprehensive income
(loss)
AOCI — December 31, 2016
$
(27.4
)
$
(64.5
)
$
(0.1
)
$
(92.0
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
1.7

—

0.1

1.8

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
—

2.0

—

2.0

Income from other comprehensive income items
1.7

2.0

0.1

3.8

Provision for income taxes
0.1

0.7

—

0.8

Other comprehensive income
1.6

1.3

0.1

3.0

AOCI — March 31, 2017
$
(25.8
)
$
(63.2
)
$
—

$
(89.0
)
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company reclassified $2.0 million and $1.8 million , respectively, of costs from accumulated other comprehensive income to cost of products sold and selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $0.7 million , related to such reclassifications classified as "Provision for income taxes" on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Note 4.  Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
March 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
2021 Senior Notes (5.25% fixed rate) due May 2021
$
175.0

$
175.0

Global Revolving Credit Facilities (variable rates) due December 2019
48.3

42.9

German loan agreement (2.45% fixed rate) due in 32 equal quarterly installments ending September 2022
6.6

6.8

Deferred financing costs
(3.6
)
(3.8
)
Total debt
226.3

220.9

Less: Debt payable within one year
1.2

1.2

Long-term debt
$
225.1

$
219.7


F-8

2021 Senior Notes
In May 2013, the Company completed an underwritten offering of eight -year senior unsecured notes (the “2021 Senior Notes”) at a face amount of $175 million . The 2021 Senior Notes contain terms, covenants and events of default with which the Company must comply, which the Company believes are ordinary and standard for notes of this nature. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with all terms of the indenture for the 2021 Senior Notes.
Amended and Restated Secured Revolving Credit Facility
In December 2014, the Company amended and restated its existing credit facility by entering into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Third Amended Credit Agreement”).
The Third Amended Credit Agreement contains covenants with which the Company and its subsidiaries must comply during the term of the agreement, which the Company believes are ordinary and standard for agreements of this nature. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with all terms of the Third Amended Credit Agreement.
Availability under the Global Revolving Credit Facilities varies over time depending on the value of the Company’s inventory, receivables and various capital assets. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company had $48.3 million of borrowings and $1.2 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Global Revolving Credit Facilities and $120.8 million of available credit (based on exchange rates at March 31, 2017 ). As of March 31, 2017 , the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Global Revolving Credit Facility borrowings was 3.1 percent per annum. As of December 31, 2016 , the weighted-average interest rate under the Global Revolving Credit Facilities was 2.8 percent per annum.
Under the terms of the 2021 Senior Notes and the Third Amended Credit Agreement, the Company has limitations on its ability to repurchase shares of and pay dividends on its Common Stock. These limitations are triggered depending on the Company’s credit availability under the Third Amended Credit Agreement and leverage levels under the Senior Notes. As of March 31, 2017 , none of these covenants were restrictive to the Company’s ability to repurchase shares of and pay dividends on its Common Stock.

For additional information about our debt agreements, see Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2016 Form 10-K.

Borrowings and Repayments of Long-Term Debt
The condensed consolidated statements of cash flows present borrowings and repayments under the Global Revolving Credit Facilities using a gross approach. This approach presents not only discrete borrowings for transactions such as a business acquisition, but also reflects all borrowings and repayments that occur as part of daily management of cash receipts and disbursements. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the Company made scheduled debt repayments of $0.3 million and net long-term debt repayments of $5.2 million related to daily cash management activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the Company made scheduled debt repayments of $0.3 million and net long-term debt borrowings of $7.6 million related to daily cash management activities.
Note 5.  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension Plans
Substantially all active employees of the Company’s U.S. operations participate in defined benefit pension plans and/or defined contribution retirement plans. The Company has defined benefit plans designed to provide a monthly pension upon retirement for substantially all its employees in Germany and the United Kingdom. In addition, the Company maintains a SERP which is a non-qualified defined benefit plan and a supplemental retirement contribution plan (the “SRCP”) which is a non-qualified, unfunded defined contribution plan. The Company provides benefits under the SERP and SRCP to the extent necessary to fulfill the intent of its retirement plans without regard to the limitations set by the Internal Revenue Code on qualified and non-qualified retirement benefit plans.

F-9

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans and postretirement plans other than pensions:
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Defined Benefit Plans
Pension Benefits
Postretirement Benefits
Other than Pensions
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
2017
2016
Service cost
$
1.3

$
1.2

$
0.3

$
0.3

Interest cost
3.7

4.0

0.4

0.4

Expected return on plan assets (a)
(4.8
)
(4.7
)
—

—

Recognized net actuarial loss
1.9

1.7

—

0.1

Amortization of prior service benefit
0.1

—

—

(0.1
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
2.2

$
2.2

$
0.7

$
0.7

(a) The expected return on plan assets is determined by multiplying the fair value of plan assets at the prior year-end (adjusted for estimated current year cash benefit payments and contributions) by the expected long-term rate of return.
The Company expects to make aggregate contributions to qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension trusts and to pay pension benefits for unfunded pension plans of approximately $16 million in calendar 2017.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the Company made $1.2 million of such payments. The Company made similar payments of $0.5 million and $18.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively.

Note 6.  Stock Compensation Plan
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (“Options”)
The following table presents information regarding Options awarded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 :
Options granted
143,726

Per share weighted average exercise price
$
82.11

Per share weighted average grant date fair value
$
13.54

The weighted-average grant date fair value for Options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions:
Expected term in years
5.7

Risk free interest rate
2.1
%
Volatility
22.9
%
Dividend yield
3.0
%
The following table presents information regarding Options that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2017 :
Options vested
92,107

Aggregate grant date fair value of Options vested (in millions)
$
1.4


F-10

The following table presents information regarding outstanding Options:
March 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Options outstanding
534,885

530,462

Aggregate intrinsic value (in millions)
$
12.4

$
25.0

Per share weighted average exercise price
$
53.51

$
38.35

Exercisable Options
289,140

336,336

Aggregate intrinsic value (in millions)
$
10.7

$
19.3

Unvested Options
245,745

194,126

Per share weighted average grant date fair value
$
14.31

$
15.15

Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) and Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”)
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the Company granted target awards of 41,748 PSUs. The measurement period for three fourths of the PSUs is January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and for the remaining fourth of the PSUs is January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019. The PSUs vest on December 31, 2019. Common Stock equal to not less than 40 percent and not more than 200 percent of the PSUs target will be awarded based on the Company’s return on invested capital, consolidated revenue growth, adjusted EPS and total return to shareholders relative to the companies in the Russell 2000® Value small cap index. The market price on the date of grant for the PSUs was $82.15 per share.
Note 7.  Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Company had 16,787,202 shares and 16,771,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding, respectively.

In May 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a program that would allow the Company to repurchase up to $25 million of its outstanding Common Stock over the next 12 months (the “2016 Stock Purchase Plan”). The Company also had $25 million repurchase programs in place during the preceding two years that expired in May 2016 (the “2015 Stock Purchase Plan”) and May 2015 (the “2014 Stock Purchase Plan”), respectively. The following table shows shares purchased under the respective stock purchase plans:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Shares
$
Shares
$
2016 Stock Purchase Plan
85,354

$
6.8

—

$
—

2015 Stock Purchase Plan
—

—

93,600

5.2

Note 8.  Contingencies and Legal Matters
Litigation
The Company is involved in certain legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these legal actions and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the outcome of any such claim which is pending or threatened, either individually or on a combined basis, will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

Income Taxes
The Company periodically undergoes examination by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as well as various state and foreign jurisdictions. These tax authorities routinely challenge certain deductions and credits reported by the Company on its income tax returns. No significant tax audit findings are being contested at this time with either the IRS or any state or foreign tax authority.

F-11

Employees and Labor Relations
The Company’s U.S. union employees are represented by the United Steelworkers Union (the “USW”).  Approximately 50 percent of salaried employees and 80 percent of hourly employees of Neenah Germany are eligible to be represented by the Mining, Chemicals and Energy Trade Union, Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie and Energie (the “IG BCE”). As of March 31, 2017 , the Company had approximately 196 U.S. employees covered under collective bargaining agreements that will expire in the next 12 months. The following table shows the expiration dates of the Company’s various bargaining agreements and the number of employees covered under each of these agreements.
Contract Expiration
Date
Location
Union
Number of
Employees
June 2017
Neenah Germany
IG BCE
(a)

January 2018
Whiting, WI (b)
USW
196

June 2018
Neenah, WI (b)
USW
267

July 2018
Munising, MI (b)
USW
199

May 2019
Appleton, WI (b)
USW
74

August 2021
Brattleboro, VT
USW
70

November 2021
Lowville, NY
USW
104

(a) Under German law union membership is voluntary and does not need to be disclosed to the Company. As a result, the number of employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement with the IG BCE cannot be determined. The collective pay agreement is currently being negotiated between the Association of Bavarian Paper Mills and IG BCE. Generally, the agreement is renewed every 12-24 months.
(b) The Whiting, Neenah, Munising and Appleton mills have bargained jointly with the USW on pension matters. The current agreements will remain in effect until September 2019.

The Company’s United Kingdom salaried and hourly employees are eligible to participate in Unite the Union (“UNITE”) on an individual basis, but not under a collective bargaining agreement.

Note 9.  Business Segment Information
The Company’s reportable operating segments consist of Technical Products, Fine Paper and Packaging and Other.
•
The Technical Products segment is an aggregation of the Company’s filtration and performance materials businesses which are similar in terms of economic characteristics, nature of products, processes, customer class and product distribution methods and is an international producer of fiber-formed, coated and/or saturated specialized media that delivers high performance benefits to customers. Included in this segment are filtration media, tape and abrasives backings products, and durable label and specialty substrate products.

•
The Fine Paper and Packaging business is a leading supplier of premium printing and other high-end specialty papers, premium packaging and specialty office papers primarily in North America.

•
The Other segment is composed of papers sold to converters for end uses such as covering materials for datebooks, diaries, yearbooks and traditional photo albums. These product lines represent an operating segment which does not meet the quantitative threshold for a reportable segment, however, due to the dissimilar nature of these products, they are not managed as part of either the Fine Paper and Packaging or Technical Products businesses.

Each segment employs different technologies and marketing strategies. Disclosure of segment information is on the same basis that management uses internally for evaluating segment performance and allocating resources. Transactions between segments are eliminated in consolidation. The costs of shared services, and other administrative functions managed on a common basis, are allocated to the segments based on usage, where possible, or other factors based on the nature of the activity. General corporate expenses that do not directly support the operations of the business segments are shown as Unallocated corporate costs.

F-12

The following table summarizes the net sales and operating income for each of the Company’s business segments.
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Net sales


Technical Products
$
121.9

$
121.5

Fine Paper and Packaging
114.3

113.8

Other
5.9

6.8

Consolidated
$
242.1

$
242.1

Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Operating income (loss)


Technical Products
$
12.5

$
19.2

Fine Paper and Packaging
20.3

17.5

Other
(0.3
)
—

Unallocated corporate costs
(5.5
)
(5.3
)
Consolidated
$
27.0

$
31.4



F-13

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis presents the factors that had a material effect on our financial position as of March 31, 2017 and our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those consolidated financial statements included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

Executive Summary
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , consolidated net sales of $242.1 million were unchanged from the prior year period, as modest growth in both Fine Paper and Packaging and Technical Products was offset by unfavorable currency effects and a decline in sales of Other products .
Consolidated operating income of $27.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $4.4 million from the prior year period. The unfavorable comparison was primarily due to higher manufacturing costs resulting from the U.S. filtration business start-up, downtime in Germany, and unfavorable impacts from input costs and currency in Technical Products. These unfavorable variances were partially offset by higher operating income in the Fine Paper and Packaging business due to lower Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A), higher volumes, and lower integration and restructuring costs in both segments.

Cash provided by operating activities of $22.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $5.9 million higher than cash generated of $16.1 million in the prior year period, primarily due to a decrease in our investment in working capital, partly offset by lower operating earnings.


Results of Operations and Related Information
In this section, we discuss and analyze our net sales, earnings before interest and taxes (which we refer to as “operating income”) and other information relevant to an understanding of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 .
Analysis of Net Sales — Three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
The following table presents net sales by segment, expressed as a percentage of total net sales:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Net sales




Technical Products
$
121.9

51
%
$
121.5

50
%
Fine Paper and Packaging
114.3

47
%
113.8

47
%
Other
5.9

2
%
6.8

3
%
Consolidated
$
242.1

100
%
$
242.1

100
%


F-14

Commentary:
The following table presents our net sales by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 :
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change in Net Sales Compared to Prior Period
Change Due To
2017
2016
Total Change
Volume
Net Price
Currency
Technical Products
$
121.9

$
121.5

$
0.4

$
0.8

$
2.0

$
(2.4
)
Fine Paper and Packaging
114.3

113.8

$
0.5

4.9

(4.4
)
—

Other
5.9

6.8

$
(0.9
)
(0.9
)
—

—

Consolidated
$
242.1

$
242.1

$
—

$
4.8

$
(2.4
)
$
(2.4
)
Consolidated net sales of $242.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were unchanged from the prior year period, as modest growth in both Fine Paper and Packaging and Technical Products was offset by unfavorable currency effects and a decline in sales of Other products, primarily related to datebooks, diaries and yearbooks.
•
Net sales in our technical products business increased $0.4 million from the prior period due to organic volume growth led by backings, labels, and transportation filtration, and a higher average selling price due to a higher value sales mix. These items were mostly offset by unfavorable currency exchange effects.
•
Net sales in our fine paper and packaging business increased $0.5 million from the prior year period due to higher volumes and increased selling prices that were largely offset by a lower priced mix due to a higher proportion of sales of non-branded products.

Analysis of Operating Income — Three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
The following table sets forth line items from our condensed consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated and is intended to provide a perspective of trends in our historical results:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Net sales
100.0
%
100.0
%
Cost of products sold
78.5
%
75.7
%
Gross profit
21.5
%
24.3
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
10.3
%
10.9
%
Integration/restructuring costs
—
%
0.4
%
Other expense (income) - net
—
%
—
%
Operating income
11.2
%
13.0
%
Interest expense - net
1.4
%
1.2
%
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
9.8
%
11.8
%
Provision for income taxes
2.5
%
3.9
%
Income from continuing operations
7.3
%
7.9
%

F-15

Commentary:
The following table presents our operating income by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 :
Change in Operating Income Compared to Prior Period
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change Due To
Total
Net
Input
2017
2016
Change
Volume
Price (a)
Costs (b)
Currency
Other (c)
Technical Products
$
12.5

$
19.2

$
(6.7
)
$
0.5

$
0.2

$
(0.5
)
$
(0.5
)
$
(6.4
)
Fine Paper and Packaging
20.3

17.5

2.8

1.5

(2.3
)
0.7

—

2.9

Other
(0.3
)
—

(0.3
)
(0.6
)
—

—

—

0.3

Unallocated corporate costs
(5.5
)
(5.3
)
(0.2
)
—

—

—

—

(0.2
)
Consolidated
$
27.0

$
31.4

$
(4.4
)
$
1.4

$
(2.1
)
$
0.2

$
(0.5
)
$
(3.4
)
(a) Includes changes in selling price and product mix.
(b) Includes price changes for raw materials, energy, and acquisition related purchasing synergies.
(c) Includes other manufacturing costs, over (under) absorption of fixed costs, distribution and SG&A expenses, start-up costs for the U.S. filtration business and integration/restructuring costs.
Consolidated operating income of $27.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $4.4 million from the prior year period. The unfavorable comparison was primarily due to higher manufacturing costs resulting from the U.S. filtration business start-up, downtime in Germany, and unfavorable impacts from input costs and currency in Technical Products. These unfavorable variances were partially offset by higher operating income in the Fine Paper and Packaging business due to lower SG&A, higher volumes, and lower integration and restructuring costs in both segments. Excluding integration and restructuring costs of $1.1 million for 2016, operating income decreased $5.5 million ( 17% ).
•
Operating income for our technical products business decreased $6.7 million from the prior year period primarily due to higher manufacturing costs, including $3.1 million resulting from the U.S. filtration capacity start-up, approximately $2 million of higher filtration costs for downtime and other costs in Germany, and other unfavorable impacts from higher material costs and currency effects. These items were partially offset by benefits from higher sales volumes and lower integration and restructuring costs. Excluding integration and restructuring costs of $0.3 million for 2016, operating income decreased $7.0 million from the prior year.

•
Operating income for our fine paper and packaging business increased $2.8 million from the prior year period as a result of reduced SG&A expense, higher volumes and selling prices, and lower input and integration costs, that were partially offset by a lower priced product mix. Excluding integration costs of $0.3 million for 2016, operating income increased $2.5 million .
•
Unallocated corporate expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of $5.5 million was $0.2 million higher than the prior year period. The unfavorable comparison to the prior year period is primarily due to timing of certain expenses.

F-16

The following table sets forth our operating income by segment, adjusted for the effects of integration and restructuring costs, for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Operating income


Technical Products
$
12.5

$
19.2

Fine Paper and Packaging
20.3

17.5

Other
(0.3
)
—

Unallocated corporate costs
(5.5
)
(5.3
)
Operating Income as Reported
$
27.0

$
31.4

Adjustments to Reported Operating Income


Technical Products


Integration/Restructuring costs
—

0.3

Fine Paper and Packaging


Integration costs
—

0.3

Other

Integration costs
—

0.2

Unallocated corporate costs


Restructuring costs
—

0.3

Total Adjustments to Reported Operating Income
—

1.1

Operating Income as Adjusted
$
27.0

$
32.5

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), consolidated operating income includes the pre-tax effects of integration and restructuring costs. We believe that by adjusting reported operating income to exclude the effects of these items, the resulting adjusted operating income is on a basis that reflects the results of our ongoing operations. We believe that providing adjusted operating results will help investors gain an additional perspective of underlying business trends and results. Adjusted operating income is not a recognized term under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income derived in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may use different methodologies for calculating their non-GAAP financial measures and, accordingly, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to their measures.
Additional Statement of Operations Commentary:
•
SG&A expense of $24.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $1.5 million lower than SG&A expense of $26.4 million in the prior year period due to timing of certain items. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , SG&A expense as a percent of sales decreased to 10.3 percent from 10.9 percent in the prior year period.
•
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we incurred net interest expense of $3.2 million which was higher than the $2.9 million for prior year period, primarily due to capitalization of interest of $0.2 million for the U.S. filtration project in 2016.
•
In general, our effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35 percent primarily due to the proportion of pre-tax income in jurisdictions with marginal tax rates that differ from the U.S. statutory tax rate, research and development and other tax credits and excess tax benefits from stock compensation. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , we recorded an income tax provision of $6.2 million and $9.3 million , respectively. The effective income tax rate of 26 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was lower than the tax rate of 33 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The 2017 rate was lower primarily due to excess tax benefits which reduced the income tax expense.

F-17


Liquidity and Capital Resources
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017
2016
Net cash flow provided by (used in):


Operating activities
$
22.0

$
16.1

Investing activities:


Capital expenditures
(11.5
)
(11.3
)
Other investing activities
(0.2
)
(0.4
)
Total
(11.7
)
(11.7
)
Financing activities:
Net borrowings of long-term debt
4.9

7.3

Other financing activities
(12.8
)
(10.8
)
Total
(7.9
)
(3.5
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
—

—

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
2.4

$
0.9

Operating Cash Flow Commentary
•
Cash provided by operating activities of $22.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $5.9 million higher than cash provided by operating activities of $16.1 million in the prior year period. The favorable comparison was primarily due to a decrease in our investment in working capital, partly offset by lower operating earnings.
Investing Commentary:
•
For both of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , cash used by investing activities was $11.7 million , primarily consisting of capital expenditures. For the full year 2017 , we expect aggregate annual capital expenditures in our normal range of approximately 3 to 5 percent of net sales.
Financing Commentary:
Our liquidity requirements are provided by cash generated from operations and short and long-term borrowings.
•
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , cash used in financing activities was $7.9 million and $3.5 million , respectively. Cash used in financing activities consists primarily of dividends paid and share repurchases, offset by net borrowings of long-term debt. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we drew down from our Global Revolving Credit Facilities for daily cash management activities.

•
Availability under our revolving credit facility varies over time depending on the value of our inventory, receivables and various capital assets. As of March 31, 2017 , we had $48.3 million outstanding under our Global Revolving Credit Facilities and $120.8 million of available credit (based on exchange rates at March 31, 2017 ).

•
We have required debt principal payments through March 31, 2018 of $1.2 million for principal payments on the German loan agreement.

•
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , cash and cash equivalents increased $2.4 million to $5.5 million at March 31, 2017 from $3.1 million at December 31, 2016 . Total debt increased $5.4 million to $226.3 million at March 31, 2017 from $220.9 million at December 31, 2016 . Net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) increased by $3.0 million .

•
As of March 31, 2017 , our cash balance of $5.5 million consists of $2.2 million in the U.S. and $3.3 million held at entities outside of the U.S. As of March 31, 2017 , there were no restrictions regarding the repatriation of our non-U.S. cash and, we believe, the repatriation of these cash balances to the U.S. would not materially increase our income tax provision.

F-18


Transactions With Shareholders
•
In November 2016, our Board of Directors approved a twelve percent increase in the annual dividend rate on our common stock to $1.48 per share. Beginning in March 2017, the dividend is being paid in four equal quarterly installments of $0.37 per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , we paid cash dividends of $0.37 per common share or $6.3 million and 0.33 per common share or $5.6 million , respectively.

•
Purchases under the 2016 Stock Purchase Plan will be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with the requirements of applicable law. The timing and amount of any purchases will depend on share price, market conditions and other factors. The 2016 Stock Purchase Plan does not require us to purchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , we repurchased approximately 85,400 shares of Common Stock at a cost of $6.8 million and 93,600 shares of Common Stock at a cost of $5.2 million, respectively. For further details on our Stock Purchase Plans refer to Note 7.
Other Items:
•
As of March 31, 2017 , we had $24.8 million of U.S. federal and state research and development ("R&D") Credits which, if not used, will expire between 2029 and 2037 for the U.S. federal R&D Credits and between 2017 and 2032 for the state R&D Credits. We reflected a valuation allowance of $3.1 million against a portion of the R&D Credits. In addition, as of March 31, 2017 , we had $46.6 million of state net operating losses ("NOLs"). Our state NOLs may be used to offset approximately $2.2 million in state income taxes. If not used, substantially all of the state NOLs will expire in various amounts between 2017 and 2037.
Management believes that our ability to generate cash from operations and our borrowing capacity are adequate to fund working capital, capital spending and other cash needs for the next 12 months. Our ability to generate adequate cash from operations beyond 2017 will depend on, among other things, our ability to successfully implement our business strategies, control costs in line with market conditions and manage the impact of changes in input prices and currencies. We can give no assurance we will be able to successfully implement these items.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires 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. We believe that the estimates, assumptions and judgments described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K have the greatest potential impact on our financial statements, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies. The critical accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are those that are important both to the presentation of financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgments with regard to estimates used. These critical judgments relate to the timing of recognizing sales revenue, the recoverability of deferred income tax assets, pension benefits and future cash flows associated with impairment testing of long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. We believe that the consistent application of these policies enables us to provide readers of our financial statements with useful and reliable information about our operating results and financial condition.  There have been no significant changes in these policies, or the estimates used in the application of the policies, since December 31, 2016 .



F-19

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking” statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”), or in releases made by the SEC, all as may be amended from time to time. Statements contained in this quarterly report that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the PSLRA and we caution investors that any forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees or indicative of future performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to materially differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth under the captions “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and/or “Risk Factors” of our latest Form 10-K filed with the SEC as periodically updated by subsequently filed Form 10-Qs (these securities filings can be located on our website at www.neenah.com). Unless specifically required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the “safe harbor” provisions of such laws.
You can identify forward-looking statements as those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “contemplate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negative of these, or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider the following factors, as well as others contained in our public filings from time to time, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement:
•
changes in market demand for our products due to global economic conditions;
•
the impact of competition, both domestic and international, changes in industry production capacity, including the construction of new mills or new machines, the closing of mills and incremental changes due to capital expenditures or productivity increases;
•
the enactment of adverse state, federal or foreign tax or other legislation or changes in government policy or regulation;
•
fluctuations in (i) exchange rates (in particular changes in the U.S. dollar/Euro currency exchange rates) and (ii) interest rates;
•
increases in commodity prices, (particularly for pulp, energy and latex) due to constrained global supplies or unexpected supply disruptions;
•
the availability of raw materials and energy;
•
strikes, labor stoppages and changes in our collective bargaining agreements and relations with our employees and unions;
•
capital and credit market volatility and fluctuations in global equity and fixed-income markets;
•
unanticipated expenditures related to the cost of compliance with environmental and other governmental regulations;
•
our ability to control costs and implement measures designed to enhance operating efficiencies;
•
the loss of current customers or the inability to obtain new customers;
•
loss of key personnel;
•
increases in the funding requirements for our pension and postretirement liabilities;
•
changes in asset valuations including write-downs of assets including property, plant and equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, deferred tax assets or other assets for impairment or other reasons;
•
our existing and future indebtedness;
•
our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our existing operations;
•
our net operating losses may not be available to offset our tax liability and other tax planning strategies may not be effective; and
•
other risks that are detailed from time to time in reports we file with the SEC.
Any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth or referred to above, as well as the risk factors contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.


F-20


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes to the disclosure on this matter made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management in a timely manner.

As of March 31, 2017 , an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017 .
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated whether any change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2017 . Based on that evaluation, we have concluded that there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
See Note 8, “Contingencies and Legal Matters” of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Item 1 — Financial Statements.
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. 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.

F-21


Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Purchases of Equity Securities:
The following table contains information about our purchases of our equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 .
Months in 2017
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid
Per Share
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (a)
January
28,414

$
83.11

28,414

$
15,230,343

February
57,485

$
77.38

56,940

$
10,824,468

March
—

$
—

—

$
10,824,468


(a) As of March 31, 2017 , the Company has purchased approximately 312,635 shares of Common Stock at an aggregate cost of $21.9 million under the 2016 Stock Purchase Plan and 2015 Stock Purchase Plan.  For further discussion on the share repurchase plans refer to Note 7.


F-22


Item 6.  Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
31.1

Certification of the CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2

Certification of the CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1

Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2

Certification of CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS

XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith).

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith).

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith).

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith).

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith).

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith).

F-23


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.
NEENAH PAPER, INC
By:
/s/ John P. O'Donnell
John P. O’Donnell
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Bonnie C. Lind
Bonnie C. Lind
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Larry N. Brownlee
Larry N. Brownlee
Vice President — Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
May 10, 2017


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