CPE News (1/8/2021) – Domtar Corporation (NYSE/TSX: UFS) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Personal Care business to American Industrial Partners (AIP) for US $920 million. (all dollar figures in US dollar)
The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q1 2021.
Domtar’s Personal Care segment consists of the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of absorbent hygiene products, including adult incontinence and infant diaper products. Domtar is one of the leading suppliers of adult incontinence and infant diaper products sold into North America and Europe, servicing institutional and consumer channels, marketed primarily under our Attends®, IncoPack®, Indasec®, Reassure®, Chelino and Comfees® brands, in addition to its customers’ brands.
Domtar’s Personal Care segment accounted for 18% of $5.2 billion total revenues reported by Domtar in 2019.
Domtar’s Personal Care segment is made up from the former businesses of Attends Healthcare Inc. (Attends US) which Domtar acquired in September 2011 for $315 million from KPS Capital Partners and Attends Healthcare Limited (Attends Europe) which Domtar acquired in March 2012 from Rutland Partners for $236 million.
photo credit: Domtar
News Release
Domtar Corporation Announces Sale of Personal Care Business to American Industrial Partners for $920 Million
(All financial information is in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted).
Reinforces the Company’s focus on remaining an industry-leading Paper and Pulp company
Represents the next step of strategic transformation on building a large, value-adding Packaging business
Proceeds will be used to reduce debt by $600 million and repurchase $300 million in shares
January 08, 2021 07:36 AM Eastern Standard Time
FORT MILL, S.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Personal Care business to American Industrial Partners (AIP) for $920 million.
The sale of Domtar’s Personal Care business represents the culmination of a process announced on August 7, 2020, during which the Company undertook a comprehensive strategic review of value-creating alternatives for the business. With this sale, Domtar is reinforcing its focus on building an industry-leading Paper, Pulp and Packaging company to deliver long-term shareholder value.
“This transaction represents a milestone in Domtar’s ongoing portfolio transformation and further advances our strategic initiatives that will position Domtar for a sustainable and successful future,” said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Domtar. “We conducted a thorough review of strategic alternatives for Personal Care and believe the sale maximizes value to Domtar shareholders by allowing us to strengthen our balance sheet, enhance liquidity and buy back shares. The robust interest received reflects the excellent work by our team to improve profitability, gain new customers and enhance the operating structure and cost profile of the business. We are confident that AIP is the right owner to advance the business and look forward to working with them to execute a smooth and successful transition for the customers and employees of Personal Care.”
Mr. Williams continued, “The sale is an important component of our strategic plan and will provide us with additional capital and resources to strengthen and invest in the future of Domtar, leading to a more focused business portfolio. We are making solid progress with the conversion of the Kingsport, Tennessee mill, and are excited about the prospects for building a large, value-added packaging business. We expect construction to officially begin at Kingsport in the second quarter of 2021, setting the stage for the completion of North America’s premier lightweight containerboard facility, with the ability to produce and market approximately 600,000 tons of high-quality recycled linerboard and corrugated medium, by the end of 2022.”
BUILDING INDUSTRY-LEADING PAPER, PULP AND PACKAGING COMPANY
Domtar is executing on a clear plan to create long-term shareholder value by refocusing its portfolio around Paper, Pulp and Packaging. Domtar has begun to execute its strategic plan to enter the containerboard market with highly competitive assets and a differentiated go-to-market strategy. The Kingsport conversion provides the Company with a strategic entry point to build an up to 2.5 million ton business and become a long-term strategic supplier to the packaging industry.
Domtar has developed plans to build containerboard into a significant revenue contributor over time, while maintaining secure and stable cash flow through its industry-leading Paper and Pulp businesses. In Paper, Domtar has a leading market position in North America with well invested, low cost paper mills. Paper has generated attractive returns even in the most challenging environments, and Domtar expects it will remain a reliable and highly cash generative business in the coming years. In Pulp, Domtar will focus on segments with the highest growth profiles, including the hygiene, tissue and towel markets, and has the opportunity to further enhance its performance through strategic investments.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Domtar is committed to maintaining a resilient balance sheet and returning meaningful capital to shareholders. With this sale, the Company plans to use proceeds generated to:
Pay Down Debt: Domtar expects to reduce debt by approximately $600 million. Domtar’s strong balance sheet and liquidity will position the Company for resiliency and growth.
Repurchase Shares: Domtar expects to repurchase approximately $300 million in shares through an accelerated share repurchase program and open market repurchases.
TIMING AND APPROVALS
The transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of the first quarter 2021.
ADVISORS
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is acting as legal advisor to Domtar. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Barclays are acting as financial advisors and Ropes & Gray LLP and Baker Botts LLP are acting as legal advisors to AIP.
About Domtar
Domtar is a leading provider of a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication, specialty and packaging papers, market pulp and absorbent hygiene products. With approximately 8,800 employees serving more than 50 countries around the world, Domtar is driven by a commitment to turn sustainable wood fiber into useful products that people rely on every day. Domtar’s annual sales are approximately $5.2 billion, and its common stock is traded on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges. Domtar’s principal executive office is in Fort Mill, South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.
About American Industrial Partners
American Industrial Partners is an operationally-oriented middle market private equity firm that is distinctively focused on buying and improving industrial businesses with operations in the United States or Canada. The AIP team has deep roots in the industrial economy and has been active in private equity investing since 1989. AIP has completed over 100 platform and add-on acquisitions and invests in all forms of corporate divestitures, management buyouts, recapitalizations, and going-private transactions of established businesses with revenues of $300 million to $1 billion+.
Contacts
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Nicholas Estrela
Director
Investor Relations
Tel.: 514-848-5049
MEDIA RELATIONS
David Struhs
Vice-President
Corporate Services and Sustainability
Tel.: 803-802-8031