Graphic Packaging Announces Pricing of Senior Secured Notes Offering

Rhea-AI Summary

Graphic Packaging International announced a private offering of $400 million in senior secured notes due 2024 and $400 million due 2026, with closing expected around March 8, 2021. The 2024 Notes will have an interest rate of 0.821%, while the 2026 Notes will bear 1.512%. The estimated net proceeds of $794 million will be used to repay existing secured term loans and cover associated fees. The offering is aimed at qualified institutional buyers and will not be registered under the Securities Act.

Positive

• Issuance of $800 million in senior secured notes strengthens financial position.
• Net proceeds of approximately $794 million allocated for debt repayment enhances balance sheet.

Negative

• Dependence on market conditions for the offering may pose financial risks.
• No significant guarantees beyond existing subsidiaries may limit investor confidence.

ATLANTA, March 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphic Packaging International, LLC ("Graphic Packaging"), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC and the primary operating subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of its senior secured notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes") and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of its senior secured notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes" and, together with the 2024 Notes, the "Senior Notes") in a private offering in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The 2024 Notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 0.821% and the 2026 Notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 1.512%.  The Senior Notes will be issued at par. Graphic Packaging expects to close the offering on or about March 8, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The Senior Notes will be senior secured obligations of Graphic Packaging.  The Senior Notes will be guaranteed by Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC and Field Container Queretaro (USA), L.L.C., as well as by Graphic Packaging's future material domestic subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under its senior credit facilities and its existing senior notes due 2022, 2024, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

Graphic Packaging estimates that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $794 million, after deducting the initial purchasers' discount and other transaction related costs.  The net proceeds from the offering will be used solely (i) to repay in full all outstanding secured term loans under Graphic Packaging's Amended and Restated Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of January 1, 2018 and effective as of January 8, 2018 with a syndicate of lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, (ii) to repay a portion of the outstanding secured term loans under Graphic Packaging's Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 1, 2018 with a syndicate of lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and (iii) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the offering. 

The Senior Notes and the related guarantees are being offered and sold only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States, to non-U.S. persons in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Regulation S under the Securities Act.  The Senior Notes and the related guarantees have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Graphic Packaging International, LLC

Graphic Packaging International, LLC, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC and the primary operating subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (the "Company") (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company is a leading provider of fiber-based, sustainable packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. The Company operates on a global basis, is one of the largest producers of folding cartons and fiber-based foodservice products in the United States, and holds leading market positions in coated recycled paperboard, coated unbleached kraft paperboard and solid bleached sulfate paperboard. The Company's customers include many of the world's most widely-recognized companies and brands.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements of Graphic Packaging International, LLC's expectations in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, including but not limited to those regarding the offering and the use of proceeds therefrom, are based on currently available information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Graphic Packaging International, LLC 's present expectations.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions affecting the offering.  Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Graphic Packaging International, LLC undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.  Additional information regarding these and other risks is contained in Graphic Packaging International, LLC's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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SOURCE Graphic Packaging Holding Company

FAQ

What is the purpose of Graphic Packaging's $800 million senior secured notes offering?

The proceeds will be used to repay existing secured term loans and cover associated fees.

What are the interest rates for the 2024 and 2026 senior secured notes issued by GPK?

The 2024 Notes will have an interest rate of 0.821%, while the 2026 Notes will bear 1.512%.

When is the expected closing date for the senior secured notes offering by Graphic Packaging?

The offering is expected to close on or about March 8, 2021.