Wednesday, October 4, 2017 11:15 am

SPOKANE, Wash. (News release) -- Clearwater Paper Corporation has provided an update on certain factors that are expected to negatively impact operating results for the third quarter of 2017 by approximately $8 to $9 million, based on preliminary results.

The company is currently in the process of completing its financial closing procedures for the third quarter of 2017 and will report final results for the quarter on October 19, 2017.

Several factors are expected to negatively impact the company's prior outlook for the third quarter. The planned major maintenance outage at the Lewiston, Idaho, mill is expected to cost an incremental $3 to $4 million as a result of higher than expected repair costs and lost production due to a three-day delay in the startup of the paper machines. However, the delay did not impact the new continuous pulp digester, which commenced start-up as scheduled at the end of the third quarter. Inclement weather caused by hurricanes in the Southeast delayed shipments to customers and contributed to higher transportation expenses and reduced revenues with a net impact totaling approximately $2 million. The expected relief in rising pulp prices in the latter half of the quarter did not materialize contributing to approximately $2 million of incremental expenses. Also, lower than expected case shipments of consumer products and lower converted paperboard shipment volumes are expected to negatively impact results by approximately $1 million.

"Although we are disappointed with the expected negative impact to our third quarter results, we remain confident in our long-term plan to improve operating efficiencies and lower costs," said Linda Massman, president and chief executive officer.

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