Mon, May 28, 2012, 7:46 PM EDT - U.S. Markets closed for Memorial Day

West Fraser ("WFT") Announces Fourth Quarter Results

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SymbolPriceChange
WFT.TO46.420.26

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 16, 2012) - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (TSX:WFT.TO - News) today reported earnings after discontinued operations of $6 million or $0.14 per share on sales of $650 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and earnings after discontinued operations of $73 million or $1.47 per share, on sales of $2,762 million for 2011.

These results compare with previous periods as follows:





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($ millions except earnings per share                   2011          2010  

("EPS"))                                           Q4    Q3   YTD   YTD   Q4

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Sales                                             650   705 2,762 2,886  719

EBITDA(1)                                          18    66   226   460   82

Operating earnings                                (22)   23    58   275   43

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations        (11)    6    27   182   28

Basic EPS from continuing operations ($)        (0.25) 0.14  0.63  4.24 0.65

Adjusted earnings (loss) from continuing                                    

 operations(2)                                    (15)    2    23   199   37

Adjusted basic EPS from continuing operations                               

 ($)(2)                                         (0.35) 0.05  0.54  4.65 0.86

Earnings after discontinued operations              6    37    73   186   43

Basic EPS after discontinued operations ($)      0.14  0.87  1.70  4.35 1.00

Diluted EPS after discontinued operations ($)    0.14  0.44  1.47  4.35 1.00

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(1) In this News Release, reference is made to EBITDA (defined as operating

    earnings plus amortization). Our management believes that, in addition

    to earnings, EBITDA is a useful performance indicator and is a useful

    measure of cash available prior to debt service, capital expenditures

    and income taxes. Reference is also made to Adjusted earnings (loss)

    from continuing operations (calculated as set out in the tables

    described in footnote 2 and Adjusted EPS (collectively, with EBITDA,

    "these measures"). None of these measures is a generally accepted

    earnings measure under International Financial Reporting Standards

    ("IFRS") and none has a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS.

    Investors are cautioned that none of these measures should be 

    considered as an alternative to earnings, earnings per share or cash

    flow, as determined in accordance with IFRS. As there is no 

    standardized method of calculating any of these measures, our method

    of calculating each of them may differ from the methods used by other

    entities and, accordingly, our use of any of these measures may not be

    directly comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities.

(2) Refer to the tables titled "Annual Earnings Adjustments for Certain Non-

    Operational Items" and "Quarterly Earnings Adjustments for Certain Non-

    Operational Items" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of our 2011

    results for details of adjustments. 



"We ended a challenging year with a difficult quarter as markets for our products continue to be unsettled." said Hank Ketcham, West Fraser's Chairman, President and CEO. "We are very encouraged with the results of our capital investment program as well as the continued commitment of our employees to West Fraser's long-term success."

Operational Results

In the quarter our lumber operations generated an operating loss of $30 million (Q3 - negative $15 million) and EBITDA of negative $8 million (Q3 - $6 million). The decline in our results reflects weaker prices for lower-grade SPF lumber and wider-dimension SYP lumber and reduced shipments.

The panel segment, which includes plywood, LVL and MDF, did not generate any operating earnings in the quarter (Q3 - negative $2 million) and EBITDA of $4 million (Q3 - $2 million) as Canadian dollar plywood and MDF prices showed some improvement.

Pulp and paper operations generated operating earnings in the quarter of $13 million (Q3 - $19 million) and EBITDA of $27 million (Q3 - $36 million). Pulp prices weakened during the quarter with the NBSK benchmark averaging 7% lower than in the third quarter.

Outlook

We are approaching 2012 with conservatism and caution in light of ongoing economic uncertainty in our key markets and the continuing volatility of the Canadian dollar. We will continue to invest in our existing facilities in order to maintain and improve our competitiveness.

Annual Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A")

The Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 and related MD&A is available on the Company's website: www.westfraser.com and on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile.

Dividend Declared

The Board of Directors of the Company has declared a dividend of $0.14 per share on the Common shares and the Class B Common shares in the capital of the Company, payable on April 5, 2012 to shareholders of record on March 23, 2012.

The Company

West Fraser is an integrated wood products company producing lumber, wood chips, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp and newsprint. The Company has operations in western Canada and the southern United States.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains historical information, descriptions of current circumstances and statements about potential future developments. The latter, which are forward-looking statements and are included under the heading "Outlook", are presented to provide reasonable guidance to the reader but their accuracy depends on a number of assumptions and is subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual outcomes and results will depend on a number of factors that could affect the ability of the Company to execute its business plans, including those matters described in the 2011 annual Management's Discussion & Analysis under "Risks and Uncertainties", and may differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Accordingly, readers should exercise caution in relying upon forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Conference Call

Investors are invited to listen to the quarterly conference call on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time (11:30 a.m. Eastern Time) by dialing 1-800-952-6845 (toll-free North America). The call may also be accessed through West Fraser's website at www.westfraser.com. A presentation summarizing the fourth quarter results will also be available on the Company's website.

West Fraser shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol: "WFT".





West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.                                                

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                                      

(in millions of Canadian dollars - unaudited)                              

                                                                           

                                                         December  December

                                                               31        31

                                                             2011      2010

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets                                                                     

Current assets                                                             

Cash and short-term investments                            $ 67.8   $ 163.1

Receivables                                                 266.7     246.0

Income taxes receivable                                       4.4         -

Inventories (note 4)                                        397.8     372.4

Prepaid expenses                                              8.6       7.6

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                                                            745.3     789.1

Property, plant and equipment                               935.7     924.7

Timber licences                                             490.1     509.6

Goodwill and other intangibles                              336.6     345.4

Other assets                                                 29.6      41.5

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                                                        $ 2,537.3 $ 2,610.3

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Liabilities                                                                

Current liabilities                                                        

Cheques issued in excess of funds on deposit                  $ -     $ 2.4

Operating loans                                                 -       8.8

Payables and accrued liabilities                            273.9     271.0

Income taxes payable                                            -      58.3

Reforestation and decommissioning                            41.0      48.2

Current portion of long-term debt                             0.3       0.3

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                                                            315.2     389.0

Long-term debt                                              306.3     299.5

Other liabilities                                           289.0     225.7

Deferred income taxes                                       143.8     162.3

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                                                          1,054.3   1,076.5

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Shareholders' equity                                                       

Share capital                                               600.9     600.5

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings                     (5.5)     (9.6)

Retained earnings                                           887.6     942.9

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                                                          1,483.0   1,533.8

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                                                        $ 2,537.3 $ 2,610.3

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Number of Common shares and Class B Common shares outstanding at February 16, 2012 was 42,848,017.





West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.                                                

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings   

(in millions of Canadian dollars - unaudited)                              

                                                                           

                                          October 1 to        January 1 to 

                                           December 31         December 31 

                                         2011      2010      2011      2010

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

Sales                                 $ 650.0   $ 719.1 $ 2,762.1 $ 2,885.9

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Costs and expenses                                                         

Cost of products sold                   475.7     460.7   1,916.6   1,787.0

Freight and other distribution                                             

 costs                                  111.2     112.3     460.3     441.2

Export taxes                             14.9      16.7      57.7      59.7

Amortization                             40.0      38.2     167.7     185.0

Selling, general and administration      26.2      28.6     104.7     107.0

Equity-based compensation                 4.1      19.3      (2.7)     31.4

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                                        672.1     675.8   2,704.3   2,611.3

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Operating earnings                      (22.1)     43.3      57.8     274.6

Interest expense                         (4.7)     (6.0)    (20.1)    (27.7)

Exchange gain (loss) on long-term                                          

 debt                                     9.3      10.3      (6.7)     16.9

Other income (expense)                    1.1      (3.8)     13.9      (8.5)

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Earnings from continuing operations                                        

 before tax provision                   (16.4)     43.8      44.9     255.3

Tax provision (note 5)                    5.8     (16.0)    (18.1)    (73.5)

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Earnings from continuing operations     (10.6)     27.8      26.8     181.8

Earnings from discontinued                                                 

 operations (note 6)                     16.7      15.2      45.9       4.6

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Earnings                                $ 6.1    $ 43.0    $ 72.7   $ 186.4

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Earnings per share (dollars) (note                                         

 7)                                                                        

Basic from continuing operations      $ (0.25)   $ 0.65    $ 0.63    $ 4.24

Diluted from continuing operations    $ (0.25)   $ 0.65    $ 0.41    $ 4.24

Basic after discontinued operations    $ 0.14    $ 1.00    $ 1.70    $ 4.35

Diluted after discontinued                                                 

 operations                            $ 0.14    $ 1.00    $ 1.47    $ 4.35

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Comprehensive earnings                                                     

Earnings                                $ 6.1    $ 43.0    $ 72.7   $ 186.4

Other comprehensive earnings                                               

Translation gain (loss) on foreign                                         

 operations                              (6.8)     (6.1)      4.1      (9.6)

Actuarial loss on employee future                                          

 benefits                               (14.4)    (17.0)   (104.0)    (59.1)

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Comprehensive earnings                $ (15.1)   $ 19.9   $ (27.2)  $ 117.7

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West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.                                                

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity                      

(in millions of Canadian dollars - unaudited)                              

                                                                           

                                          October 1 to        January 1 to  

                                           December 31         December 31  

                                         2011      2010      2011      2010

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

Retained earnings                                                          

Balance - beginning of period         $ 902.0   $ 919.5   $ 942.9   $ 823.3

Actuarial loss on employee future                                          

 benefits                               (14.4)    (17.0)   (104.0)    (59.1)

Earnings for the period                   6.1      43.0      72.7     186.4

Dividends                                (6.1)     (2.6)    (24.0)     (7.7)

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Balance - end of period               $ 887.6   $ 942.9   $ 887.6   $ 942.9

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Accumulated other comprehensive                                            

 earnings                                                                  

Balance - beginning of period           $ 1.3    $ (3.5)   $ (9.6)      $ -

Translation (loss) gain on foreign                                         

 operations                              (6.8)     (6.1)      4.1      (9.6)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance - end of period                $ (5.5)   $ (9.6)   $ (5.5)   $ (9.6)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

Share capital                                                              

Balance - beginning of period         $ 600.8   $ 600.1   $ 600.5   $ 599.7

Issuance of Common shares                 0.1       0.4       0.4       0.8

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Balance - end of period               $ 600.9   $ 600.5   $ 600.9   $ 600.5

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Shareholders' equity                $ 1,483.0 $ 1,533.8 $ 1,483.0 $ 1,533.8

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West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.                                                

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                            

(in millions of Canadian dollars - unaudited)                              

                                                                           

                                          October 1 to        January 1 to 

                                           December 31         December 31 

                                         2011      2010      2011      2010

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating activities                                                       

Earnings from continuing operations   $ (10.6)   $ 27.8    $ 26.8   $ 181.8

Adjustments                                                                

  Amortization                           40.0      38.2     167.7     185.0

  Interest expense                        4.7       6.0      20.1      27.7

  Exchange (gain) loss on long-term                                        

   debt                                  (9.3)    (10.3)      6.7     (16.9)

  Tax provision                          (5.8)     16.0      18.1      73.5

  Income taxes (paid) received              -      (1.5)    (75.1)     66.1

  Reforestation and decommissioning                                        

   obligations                           (0.1)      5.4       6.3       3.6

  Employee future benefits expense        5.9      11.1      35.0      28.9

  Contributions to employee future                                         

   benefit plans                        (64.7)    (58.4)    (93.2)    (66.2)

  Other                                   0.9      (2.3)     (7.9)    (12.9)

Changes in non-cash working capital                                        

  Receivables                            31.4     (44.6)      7.7     (87.0)

  Inventories                           (40.3)    (31.2)    (23.9)    (14.9)

  Prepaid expenses                        4.5       5.1      (0.9)      2.3

  Payables and accrued liabilities       (7.2)     23.8      (2.4)     50.1

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Cash flows from operating                                                  

 activities                             (50.6)    (14.9)     85.0     421.1

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Financing activities                                                       

Repayment of long-term debt                 -         -      (0.3)   (100.3)

Proceeds from (repayment of)                                              

 operating loans                          0.2      (4.0)    (14.7)    (64.2)

Interest paid                            (9.0)    (10.0)    (19.8)    (23.8)

Dividends                                (6.1)     (2.6)    (24.0)     (7.7)

Other                                    (0.8)     (2.2)     (0.5)     (5.6)

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Cash flows from financing                                                  

 activities                             (15.7)    (18.8)    (59.3)   (201.6)

                                                                           

Investing activities                                                       

Additions to capital assets             (89.7)    (18.6)   (213.4)    (89.1)

Proceeds from Green Transformation                                         

 Program                                  5.4       0.2      36.9       1.6

Proceeds from disposal of capital                                          

 assets                                   0.5      (0.1)     10.4       3.2

Other                                       -       0.5       1.8       1.0

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Cash flows from investing                                                  

 activities                             (83.8)    (18.0)   (164.3)    (83.3)

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Change in cash from continuing                                             

 operations                            (150.1)    (51.7)   (138.6)    136.2

Change in cash from discontinued                                           

 operations                               9.9      (0.5)     45.7      34.3

Cash - beginning of period              208.0     212.9     160.7      (9.8)

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Cash - end of period                   $ 67.8   $ 160.7    $ 67.8   $ 160.7

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Cash consists of                                                           

Cash and short-term investments                            $ 67.8   $ 163.1

Cheques issued in excess of funds                                          

 on deposit                                                     -      (2.4)

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                                                           $ 67.8   $ 160.7

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West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(figures are in millions of dollars except where indicated - unaudited)

1. Nature of operations

The Company is an integrated wood products company producing lumber, wood chips, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp and newsprint with facilities in Canada and the southern United States. The Company's executive office is located at 858 Beatty Street, Suite 501, Vancouver, British Columbia. The Company was formed by articles of amalgamation under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and is registered in British Columbia, Canada. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol WFT.

2. Transition to International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")

The Company adopted IFRS effective January 1, 2011. Prior to the adoption of IFRS, the Company prepared its financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Comparative figures have been restated to conform to IFRS.

3. Basis of presentation and statement of compliance

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and using the accounting policies disclosed in the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011. These financial statements can be found on the Company's website at www.westfraser.com and on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's 2011 annual consolidated financial statements.

4. Inventories

Inventories at December 31, 2011 were written down by $14.9 million (September 30, 2011 - $10.7 million; December 31, 2010 - $3.8 million) to reflect net realizable value being lower than cost.

5. Tax provision

The Company's effective tax rate on earnings from continuing operations is as follows:





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                                              October 1 to December 31     

                                              2011                2010     

                                       Amount         %    Amount         %

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income taxes at statutory rates (1)     $ 4.4      26.5   $ (12.5)    (28.5)

Non taxable amounts                       1.4       8.6      (3.6)     (8.2)

Rate differentials between                                                 

 jurisdictions and on specified                                            

 activities                               1.0       6.1       3.5       8.0

Unrecognized tax assets                  (0.7)     (4.2)     (4.1)     (9.4)

Other                                    (0.3)     (1.8)      0.7       1.6

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Tax provision                           $ 5.8      35.2   $ (16.0)    (36.5)

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                                              January 1 to December 31    

                                              2011                2010     

                                       Amount         %    Amount         %

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income taxes at statutory rates (1)   $ (11.9)    (26.5)  $ (72.8)    (28.5)

Non taxable amounts                       1.7       3.8      (2.4)     (0.9)

Rate differentials between                                                 

 jurisdictions and on specified                                            

 activities                               5.9      13.1       5.6       2.2

Unrecognized tax assets                 (11.7)    (26.1)     (1.4)     (0.6)

Other                                    (2.1)     (4.6)     (2.5)     (1.0)

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Tax provision                         $ (18.1)    (40.3)  $ (73.5)    (28.8)

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(1) The statutory tax rate decreased by 2% from December 31, 2010 due to a 

    federal corporate tax rate reduction.                                  



6. Discontinued operation

The Company permanently closed its linerboard and kraft paper mill, located in Kitimat, B.C. in January 2010. The results of the discontinued operation are as follows:





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                                          October 1 to        January 1 to 

                                           December 31         December 31 

                                         2011      2010      2011      2010

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales                                     $ -     $ 1.3     $ 0.2    $ 71.8

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Operating earnings                        $ -     $ 6.8       $ -    $ (8.4)

Other income                             21.9      14.4      56.4      15.3

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Earnings before tax provision            21.9      21.2      56.4       6.9

Tax provision                            (5.2)     (6.0)    (10.5)     (2.3)

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Earnings                               $ 16.7    $ 15.2    $ 45.9     $ 4.6

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During the year the Company sold its remaining assets associated with Kitimat for proceeds of $50.0 million resulting in a gain of $48.7 million.

7. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated based on earnings available to Common shareholders, as set out below, using the weighted average number of Common shares and Class B common shares outstanding.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on earnings available to Common shareholders adjusted to remove the actual share option expense (recovery) charged to earnings and after deducting a notional charge for share option expense assuming the use of the equity settled method, as set out below. The diluted weighted average number of shares is calculated using the treasury stock method. When earnings available to Common shareholders for diluted earnings per share are greater than earnings available to Common shareholders for basic earnings per share, the calculation is anti-dilutive and diluted earnings per share are deemed to be the same as basic earnings per share.





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                                         October 1 to December 31          

                                       2011                    2010        

                                  From        After       From        After

                            continuing discontinued continuing discontinued

                            operations   operations operations   operations

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings                                                                   

  Basic                        $ (10.6)       $ 6.1     $ 27.8       $ 43.0

  Share option expense             3.2          3.2       16.7         16.7

  Equity settled share                                                     

   option adjustment              (0.3)        (0.3)      (0.3)        (0.3)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Diluted                       $ (7.7)       $ 9.0     $ 44.2       $ 59.4

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

Weighted average number of                                                 

 shares                                                                    

  Basic                     42,844,571   42,844,571 42,828,502   42,828,502

  Share options                280,190      280,190    474,178      474,178

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Diluted                   43,124,761   43,124,761 43,302,680   43,302,680

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share                                                         

 (dollars)                                                                 

  Basic                        $ (0.25)      $ 0.14     $ 0.65       $ 1.00

  Diluted                      $ (0.25)      $ 0.14     $ 0.65       $ 1.00

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------



---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                         January 1 to December 31          

                                       2011                    2010        

                                  From        After       From        After

                            continuing discontinued continuing discontinued

                            operations   operations operations   operations

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings                                                                   

  Basic                         $ 26.8       $ 72.7    $ 181.8      $ 186.4

  Share option (recovery)                                                  

   expense                        (6.2)        (6.2)      23.5         23.5

  Equity settled share                                                     

   option adjustment              (3.1)        (3.1)      (1.1)        (1.1)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Diluted                       $ 17.5       $ 63.4    $ 204.2      $ 208.8

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

Weighted average number of                                                 

 shares                                                                    

  Basic                     42,840,180   42,840,180 42,822,949   42,822,949

  Share options                433,685      433,685    424,557      424,557

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Diluted                   43,273,865   43,273,865 43,247,506   43,247,506

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share                                                         

 (dollars)                                                                 

  Basic                         $ 0.63       $ 1.70     $ 4.24       $ 4.35

  Diluted                       $ 0.41       $ 1.47     $ 4.24       $ 4.35

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------



8. Segmented information





                                              Pulp & Corporate             

                            Lumber   Panels    paper   & other Consolidated

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011                                       

                                                                           

Sales at market prices                                                     

  To external customers    $ 370.8   $ 92.2  $ 187.0       $ -      $ 650.0

                                                              -------------

                                                              -------------

  To other segments           21.0      2.0        -         -             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

                           $ 391.8   $ 94.2  $ 187.0       $ -             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

                                                                           

EBITDA (1)                  $ (7.6)   $ 3.6   $ 26.5    $ (4.6)      $ 17.9

Amortization                 (21.9)    (3.8)   (13.6)     (0.7)       (40.0)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating earnings           (29.5)    (0.2)    12.9      (5.3)       (22.1)

Interest expense              (2.3)    (0.7)    (1.5)     (0.2)        (4.7)

Exchange gain on long-                                                     

 term debt                       -        -        -       9.3          9.3

Other income (expense)         2.0      0.1     (5.5)      4.5          1.1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings from continuing                                                   

 operations before tax                                                     

 provision                 $ (29.8)  $ (0.8)   $ 5.9     $ 8.3      $ (16.4)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010                                       

                                                                           

Sales at market prices                                                     

  To external customers    $ 396.8   $ 92.0  $ 230.3       $ -      $ 719.1

                                                              -------------

                                                              -------------

  To other segments           21.6      2.3        -         -             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

                           $ 418.4   $ 94.3  $ 230.3       $ -             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

                                                                           

EBITDA (1)                  $ 41.1    $ 6.4   $ 48.8   $ (14.8)      $ 81.5

Amortization                 (15.8)    (3.3)   (18.4)     (0.7)       (38.2)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating earnings            25.3      3.1     30.4     (15.5)        43.3

Interest expense              (3.8)    (0.4)    (1.8)        -         (6.0)

Exchange gain on long-                                                     

 term debt                       -        -        -      10.3         10.3

Other expense                 (0.4)    (0.3)    (2.4)     (0.7)        (3.8)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings from continuing                                                   

 operations before tax                                                     

 provision                  $ 21.1    $ 2.4   $ 26.2    $ (5.9)      $ 43.8

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011                                       

                                                                           

Sales at market prices                                                     

  To external customers  $ 1,579.4  $ 369.5  $ 813.2       $ -    $ 2,762.1

                                                              -------------

                                                              -------------

  To other segments           90.7      8.6        -         -             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

                         $ 1,670.1  $ 378.1  $ 813.2       $ -             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

                                                                           

EBITDA (1)                  $ 65.2    $ 7.8  $ 148.0     $ 4.5      $ 225.5

Amortization                 (84.7)   (15.4)   (65.0)     (2.6)      (167.7)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating earnings           (19.5)    (7.6)    83.0       1.9         57.8

Interest expense             (10.8)    (3.2)    (6.1)        -        (20.1)

Exchange loss on long-                                                     

 term debt                       -        -        -      (6.7)        (6.7)

Other income                   9.8      0.2      3.3       0.6         13.9

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings from continuing                                                   

 operations before tax                                                     

 provision                 $ (20.5) $ (10.6)  $ 80.2    $ (4.2)      $ 44.9

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010                                       

                                                                           

Sales at market prices                                                     

  To external customers  $ 1,621.4  $ 401.2  $ 863.3       $ -    $ 2,885.9

                                                              -------------

                                                              -------------

  To other segments           93.6      8.2        -         -             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

                         $ 1,715.0  $ 409.4  $ 863.3       $ -             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

--------------------------------------------------------------             

                                                                           

EBITDA (1)                 $ 232.3   $ 57.6  $ 202.9   $ (33.2)      $459.6

Amortization                 (94.0)   (17.7)   (70.3)     (3.0)      (185.0)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating earnings           138.3     39.9    132.6     (36.2)       274.6

Interest expense             (17.4)    (2.8)    (7.4)     (0.1)       (27.7)

Exchange gain on long-                                                     

 term debt                       -        -        -      16.9         16.9

Other (expense) income        (0.2)    (1.0)    (7.6)      0.3         (8.5)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings from continuing                                                   

 operations before tax                                                     

 provision                 $ 120.7   $ 36.1  $ 117.6   $ (19.1)      $255.3

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Non GAAP measure:                                                       

EBITDA is defined as operating earnings plus amortization.                 

                                                                           

The geographic distribution of external sales is as follows:               

                                                                           

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       October 1 to          January 1 to  

                                        December 31           December 31  

                                       2011     2010       2011        2010

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States                       $ 317.6  $ 327.3  $ 1,303.2   $ 1,409.8

Canada                                156.9    166.8      651.6       704.1

China                                  96.1    132.0      456.2       354.3

Other Asia                             53.0     43.4      229.4       281.8

Other                                  26.4     49.6      121.7       135.9

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    $ 650.0   $719.1  $ 2,762.1   $ 2,885.9

---------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sales distribution is based on the location of product delivery by the Company.

Contact:
Larry Hughes
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.
Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(604) 895-2700

Rodger Hutchinson
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.
Vice-President, Corporate Controller
(604) 895-2700
(604) 681-6061 (FAX)
www.westfraser.com

 

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