“We are pleased with O-I’s full year 2021 results, which rebounded strongly following the onset of the pandemic. Business performance exceeded the company’s guidance provided at the beginning of the year as well as our most recent business outlook. Sales and production volumes surpassed pre-COVID levels underscoring consumer preference for premium and sustainable glass packaging. Likewise, earnings benefited from very good operating performance and the company’s margin expansion initiatives,” said Andres Lopez, CEO of O-I.
Reported Results: For the full year 2021, the company recorded earnings from continuing operations of $0.88 per share (diluted), compared to $1.57 per share (diluted) in 2020. Current year earnings from continuing operations before income taxes were $332 million, compared to $353 million in the prior year. Lower 2021 earnings primarily reflected the non-recurrence of a $275 million gain related to the 2020 sale of O-I’s Australia and New Zealand business unit, partially offset by higher operating results in 2021. Both periods included items management considers not representative of ongoing operations and other adjustments.
Segment Operating Profit1: Full year 2021 segment operating profit was $827 million compared to $678 million in 2020. Segment operating profit benefited from a 5.3 percent increase in shipments and a 7.3 percent increase in production levels (each in tons and adjusted for divestitures). On a comparable basis, shipments increased 1.1 percent from 2019 levels as the company swiftly recovered from the onset of the pandemic that impacted 2020 results. 3.2 percent higher average selling prices (adjusted for divestitures) in 2021 mostly offset elevated cost inflation. Segment operating profit also benefited from strong operating performance and $70 million of net benefits from the company’s margin expansion initiatives.
Cash Flows: Cash provided by continuing operating activities was $680 million in 2021, compared with $457 million in 2020. Free cash flow1 was $282 million in 2021 versus $146 million in 2020 and compared favorably to the company’s original guidance of approximately $240 million and most recent outlook of at least $260 million.
“O-I made significant progress as we accelerated our transformation in 2021. Despite the ongoing challenges from the pandemic, the company continued to take bold structural actions to improve O-I’s business fundamentals. The benefits from O-I’s margin expansion initiatives exceeded our original target. As we redefine the glass production process, the company achieved critical milestones that will enable broader MAGMA deployment in the near future. This included validation of our Generation 1 MAGMA line in Holzminden, Germany, and advancing the Generation 2 pilot. We expanded our Portfolio Optimization program to fund attractive expansion projects as well as improve the balance sheet and increase Return on Invested Capital. The company has completed or announced $1.1 billion of asset sales to date and expects to complete its $1.5 billion Portfolio Optimization program in 2022, well ahead of target and prior to major capital redeployment for expansion. Finally, we made significant progress as we seek a fair and final resolution to Paddock’s legacy asbestos liabilities. Paddock reached an agreement-in-principle for a consensual plan of reorganization last April, submitted the plan of reorganization to the courts in January 2022, and is targeting confirmation and effectiveness of the plan in the first half of 2022.”
“All of these actions are consistent with our strategy to increase stockholder value and ensure sustainable prosperity for O-I,” continued Lopez.
details at: http://investors.o-i.com/news-releases/news-release-details/o-i-glass-reports-full-year-and-fourth-quarter-2021-results