Domtar closes transaction with Weyerhaeuser creating North American leader in fine paper
March 07 2007 - 8:27AM
PR Newswire (US)
TICKER SYMBOL UFS (NYSE, TSE) MONTREAL, March 7
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Domtar Inc. announced today the
completion of the previously announced transaction to combine with
Weyerhaeuser Company's Fine Paper business and related assets,
creating Domtar Corporation. Domtar Corporation is the largest
manufacturer and marketer of uncoated freesheet paper and a leading
manufacturer of market pulp in North America. The Company's Head
Office is located in Montreal, Quebec and its Operations Center is
in Fort Mill, South Carolina. "With a strong team of nearly 14,000
employees dedicated to creating value for customers and
shareholders, a world-class manufacturing capability and a solid
financial position, Domtar becomes the North American leader in the
fine paper business," said Raymond Royer, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Domtar Corporation. "The combination of
knowledge and expertise in the design, manufacturing, marketing and
distribution of fine paper gives the Company, which will benefit
from its efficient assets located across the United States and
Canada, clear competitive advantages in the breadth and quality of
products and services we offer. We will provide long-term value to
our shareholders, customers and employees, within an industry in
rapid consolidation." Marvin Cooper, Executive Vice-President and
Chief Operating Officer, added: "Domtar is built on a solid
foundation of rigorous leadership, established brands and
recognized service solutions. We will focus our efforts on meeting
the needs of customers and ensuring a quick and seamless transition
to the new organization. Also, with an experienced management team
with proven integration expertise, we will review all our
operations to determine how best to execute the synergies resulting
from the transaction." Trading Commencing today, Domtar Corporation
common stock will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the
Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "UFS". Also,
exchangeable shares of Domtar (Canada) Paper Inc. will be traded on
the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "UFX". As a
result of the transaction, the common shares of Domtar Inc. traded
under the ticker symbol "DTC" have been delisted from both
exchanges while preferred shares of Domtar Inc. will continue to be
traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The new company The backbone
of the new company consists of six highly efficient world-class
uncoated freesheet mills that provide two-thirds of its nearly five
million tons of annual capacity. These mills, combined with a solid
mix of specialty facilities, make the new company one of the most
efficient and cost-competitive paper companies in North America.
The Company has broad North American reach and a wide range of
well-known business and commercial printing paper brands. With its
access to volume, depth of product offerings, and service through a
wide geographic footprint, the Company is in a position to meet the
needs of large and small customers alike throughout the United
States and Canada. It will maintain environmental leadership,
notably by expanding its environmentally and socially responsible
papers such as the Domtar EarthChoice(R) product line. (For more
details on the new company, see the "Domtar at a glance" factsheet
issued with this news release.) Forward-looking statements This
release and other materials we have filed or will file with the SEC
(as well as information included in our other written or oral
statements) contain, or will contain, disclosures which are
"forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements include
all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current
facts, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as
"may," "believe," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate,"
"anticipate," "plan," "continue" or similar expressions. These
forward-looking statements address, among other things, the
anticipated effects of the transactions. These forward-looking
statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our
management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from historical
results or those anticipated. Accordingly, no assurances can be
given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking
statements will occur, or if any of them occurs, what effect they
will have on the Combined Company's results of operations or
financial condition. These factors include, but are not limited to:
(i) the effect of general economic conditions, particularly in the
United States and Canada, (ii) market demand for the Combined
Company's products, which may be tied to the relative strength of
various U.S. and/or Canadian business segments, (iii) energy
prices, (iv) raw material prices, (v) chemical prices, (vi)
performance of the Combined Company's manufacturing operations
including unexpected maintenance requirements, (vii) the successful
integration of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business with Domtar and
the execution of internal performance plans, (viii) the level of
competition from domestic and foreign producers, (ix) the effect of
forestry, land use, environmental and other governmental
regulations, and changes in accounting regulations, (x) the effect
of weather and the risk of loss from fires, floods, windstorms,
hurricanes and other natural disasters, (xi) transportation costs,
(xii) the loss of current customers or the inability to obtain new
customers, (xiii) legal proceedings, (xiv) changes in asset
valuations, including writedowns of property, plant and equipment,
inventory, accounts receivable or other assets for impairment or
other reasons, (xv) changes in currency exchange rates,
particularly the relative value of the U.S. dollar to the Canadian
dollar, (xvi) the effect of timing of retirements and changes in
the market price of Company common stock on charges for stock-based
compensation, (xvii) performance of pension fund investments and
related derivatives and (xviii) the other factors described under
"Risk Factors" in our Form 10 Registration Statement. You are
cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date made. We assume no obligation to
update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new
events or circumstances. Domtar Corporation Domtar Corporation
(NYSE/TSX: UFS) is the largest integrated producer of uncoated
freesheet paper and one of the largest manufacturers of papergrade
market pulp in North America. The Company designs, manufactures,
markets and distributes a wide range of business, commercial
printing, publication as well as technical and specialty papers
with recognized brands such as First Choice(R), Domtar
Microprint(R), Windsor Offset(R), Cougar(R) as well as its full
line of environmentally and socially responsible papers, Domtar
EarthChoice(R). Domtar owns and operates Domtar Distribution Group,
an extensive network of strategically-located paper distribution
facilities. Domtar also produces lumber and other specialty and
industrial wood products. The Company employs nearly 14,000 people.
To learn more, visit http://www.domtar.com/. Domtar at a glance:
http://files.newswire.ca/514/fact.sheet.pdf DATASOURCE: DOMTAR INC.
CONTACT: MEDIA RELATIONS: Christian Tardif, Senior Manager,
Corporate and Financial Communications, (514) 848-5515, ; INVESTOR
RELATIONS: Pascal Bosse, Manager Investor Relations, (514)
848-5938,
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