Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported income before reorganization items and income taxes of CAD 82 million, income before income taxes of CAD 66 million and net income attributable to common stockholders of CAD 65 million or CAD 0.25 per basic and diluted share on net sales of CAD 1,417 million against loss before reorganization items and income taxes and loss before income taxes of CAD 33 million and net income attributable to common stockholders of CAD 62 million or CAD 0.24 per basic and diluted share on net sales of CAD 1,879 million for the same period of last year. For the nine months, the company reported income before reorganization items and income taxes of CAD 124 million, income before income taxes of CAD 15 million and net income attributable to common stockholders of CAD 3 million or CAD 0.01 per basic and diluted share on net sales of CAD 4,195 million against loss before reorganization items and income taxes and loss before income taxes of CAD 121 million and net income attributable to common stockholders of CAD 6 million or CAD 0.02 per basic and diluted share on net sales of CAD 5,509 million for the same period of last year. Net cash provided by operating activities was CAD 793 million against CAD 134 million for the same period of last year. Expenditures for property, plant and equipment was CAD 112 million against CAD 304 million for the same period of last year. The 2009 results benefited from the alternative fuel tax credit income of CAD 455 million, but were negatively impacted by debtor-in-possession debt issuance costs of CAD 63 million, reorganization items of CAD 109 million, lower segment operating profits of CAD 80 million, higher interest expense of CAD 30 million and loss on early extinguishment of debt of CAD 20 million. For the fourth quarter of 2009, the company anticipates financial performance will continue to be negatively impacted by weak economic conditions. Operating results for containerboard, corrugated containers and reclamation operations are expected to be lower compared to the third quarter of 2009. Expects lower sales prices for corrugated containers, lower seasonal volumes for corrugated containers and containerboard and higher cost for energy.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. has announced the appointment of Michael Exner as senior vice president and general manager of the company's Containerboard Mill division, effective January 1, 2010. Exner reports to Steve Klinger, Smurfit-Stone's president and chief operating officer. Most recently, he served as International Paper's vice president of manufacturing for Containerboard. During his 29-year tenure with IP, Exner also served as pulp and operations manager; mill manager for the company's Vicksburg, MS, and Lock Haven, PA, facilities; and director of manufacturing for IP's commercial printing and imaging papers division.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.'s mill in Ontonagon will shut down indefinitely in mid-to late September. The shutdown results from market conditions. The company announced that layoffs are expected to begin after second shift Sept. 19. It will be the second shutdown in the past year. The mill closed last November and didn't reopen until May 26. More than 130 workers were affected.