SCA delivers binding offer to acquire Georgia-Pacific´s European tissue operations


SCA delivers binding offer to acquire Georgia-Pacific´s European tissue
operations

SCA has delivered a binding offer to acquire Georgia-Pacific´s European
tissue operations, with sales in 2010 amounting to EUR 1.25bn (SEK
11.9bn). The offered price is EUR 1.32bn (SEK 12.6bn). Georgia-Pacific´s
acceptance of this offer is subject to consultations with works councils
where appropriate.

“The deal is a strategic fit and will strengthen our product offering
and geographic reach in Europe. It also leads to substantial synergies”,
says Jan Johansson, President and CEO of SCA.

Georgia-Pacific's European tissue operations have EBIT margins that are
on a similar level as for SCA´s tissue business. The annual synergies
are estimated at EUR 125m, with full effect in three years after
closing. Related costs are estimated at EUR 130m. Already in year one
the transaction is estimated to contribute to an increase of earnings
per share and cash flow. With fully realized synergies earnings per
share are expected to increase with approximately SEK 1.70.

SCA has received long-term committed credit facilities. The financing is
within the Group´s target for debt/equity ratio.

Georgia-Pacific has a well-established presence in Europe in both
away-from-home and consumer tissue products. Their products in both
segments are in particular marketed with the well-known Lotus brand.

Consumer tissue accounts for some 60% of total sales and away-from-home
tissue accounts for approximately 30% of sales. Personal care products
such as cotton pads and facial cleansing wipes account for some 5%. In
the consumer tissue business, close to 70% of sales are branded products
and the remainder are private label products.

Georgia-Pacific's European tissue operations have approximately 5,000
employees and 15 production sites in seven countries.

The transaction will be subject to customary consultation with employee
representatives and will also be subject to approval by relevant
competition authorities.

Invitation to telephone conference

Media and analysts are invited to a phone conference with Jan Johansson,
President and CEO, Lennart Persson, CFO and Executive Vice President and
Mats Berencreutz, Executive Vice President, today November 10th, 2011,
at 09.00 CET. To participate, please call +44 (0) 1452 560 304
conference ID 27115031. Presentation material is available on
www.sca.com (http://www.sca.com/).

Stockholm November 10, 2011

For additional information, please contact
Camilla Weiner, Senior Vice President, +46 8 788 5234
Pär Altan, Vice President Media Relations, +46 8 788 5237
Johan Karlsson, Vice President Investor Relations, +46 8 788 5130

NB
This information is such that SCA must disclose in accordance with the
Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The
information was submitted for publication on November 10 at 08.00 CET.

 

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