MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) and Temple-Inland Inc. (NYSE: TIN) today announced that they have reached an agreement with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") with respect to International Paper's acquisition of Temple-Inland. As part of the agreement, the DOJ has entered into a consent decree with International Paper and Temple-Inland that allows the combination to proceed. The companies expect to complete the transaction promptly.
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Under the terms of the consent decree filed in federal court in the District of Columbia, the combined company will undertake the post close divesture of 970,000 tons of containerboard mill capacity within four months, with the possibility of two 30-day extensions. The company agreed to divest Temple-Inland's facilities in Ontario, California and New Johnsonville, Tennessee, and International Paper's facility in Hueneme, California. International Paper reaffirms that it expects to achieve at least $300 million of synergies within twenty-four months of closing.
International Paper Chairman and CEO John Faraci said, "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the DOJ that addresses their concerns and preserves the value in the combination of these two fine companies. As we take the final steps to closing, we look forward to a smooth integration and to realizing the substantial benefits this transaction provides our customers, employees and shareholders."
About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the Company's North American distribution company. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company employs about 61,000 people in more than 24 countries and serves customers worldwide. 2011 net sales were $26 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit internationalpaper.com.
About Temple-Inland
Temple-Inland Inc. is a manufacturing company focused on corrugated packaging and building products. The fully integrated corrugated packaging operation consists of 7 mills and 59 converting facilities. The building products operation manufactures a diverse line of building products for new home construction, commercial and repair and remodeling markets. Temple-Inland's address on the World Wide Web is www.templeinland.com.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current views and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to: (i) the level of our indebtedness and increases in interest rates; (ii) industry conditions, including but not limited to changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, energy and transportation costs, competition we face, cyclicality and changes in consumer preferences, demand and pricing for our products; (iii) global economic conditions and political changes, including but not limited to the impairment of financial institutions, changes in currency exchange rates, credit ratings issued by recognized credit rating organizations, the amount of our future pension funding obligation, changes in tax laws and pension and health care costs; (iv) unanticipated expenditures related to the cost of compliance with existing and new environmental and other governmental regulations and to actual or potential litigation; (v) whether we experience a material disruption at one of our manufacturing facilities and risks inherent in conducting business through a joint venture; (vi) risk and uncertainties associated with the divestitures required by the DOJ consent decree; (vii) the failure to realize synergies and cost savings from the Temple-Inland transaction or delay in realization thereof; and (viii) our ability to achieve the benefits we expect from all other strategic acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings. These and other factors that could cause or contribute to actual results differing materially from such forward-looking statements are discussed in greater detail in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
WEBCAST
The company will hold a webcast to go over the announcement in more detail starting at 1:30 pm. EST, 12:30 pm. CST. All interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast live via the company's Internet site at http://www.internationalpaper.com by clicking on the Investors tab and going to the Presentations page. Parties who wish to participate in the webcast via teleconference may dial +1 (706) 679-8242 or, within the U.S. only, (877) 316-2541 and ask to be connected to the International Paper's Settlement Agreement Call. The conference ID number is 50817955. Participants should call in no later than 1:15 pm EST 12:15 pm. CST.
An audio-only replay will be available for four weeks following the call. To access the replay, dial +1 (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 and when prompted for the conference ID, enter 50817955.
SOURCE International Paper Company
