Paper Excellence Receives $1.95 Billion of Financing Commitments and Reaffirms Domtar Closing Date

Rhea-AI Summary

Paper Excellence has secured a $1.95 billion financing commitment from leading financial institutions to facilitate its acquisition of Domtar (NYSE: UFS). The financing includes a $400 million revolving facility, a $775 million term loan, and a $775 million bridge facility. The acquisition will see Paper Excellence pay $55.50 per share for Domtar's common stock. The closing is expected in the second half of this year, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Positive

• Secured a $1.95 billion financing commitment to fund Domtar acquisition.
• Strategic acquisition of Domtar expected to enhance Paper Excellence's market position.

Negative

• The debt financing terms are not yet finalized, implying potential risks.
• Completion of the acquisition is subject to shareholder approval and regulatory scrutiny.

Paper Excellence, a global diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers, today announced that Paper Excellence and its subsidiaries (“Paper Excellence”) have received a debt commitment letter from leading financial institutions for the commitment of an aggregate of $1.95 billion of financing.

The $1.95 billion in financing consists of a five-year senior secured asset-based revolving facility in the aggregate principal amount of $400 million; a seven-year senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $775 million; and a seven-year senior secured bridge facility in an aggregate principal amount of $775 million. The proceeds of this financing are expected to be used to consummate the acquisition of Domtar by Paper Excellence and other transactions contemplated by that acquisition. This may include an offer to purchase and/or solicitation of waivers of the change of control provisions with respect to the existing notes of Domtar and/or a change of control offer to purchase the existing notes of Domtar after the consummation of the acquisition, if necessary.

As previously announced on May 11, 2021, by Paper Excellence and Domtar (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS), a leading provider of fiber based products, Paper Excellence and Domtar will enter into a strategic business combination under which the Paper Excellence group of companies will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Domtar common stock for $55.50 per share, in cash.

The transaction is still expected to close in the second half of this year, subject to Domtar shareholder approval, receipt of the required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Domtar has scheduled its virtually-held special meeting of stockholders on July 29, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The commitments under the previously-referenced debt commitment letter expire upon the date that is five business days after the latest end date in the merger agreement (which is February 10, 2022 (subject to extension)) or, if earlier, (a) the date on which the merger agreement has terminated in accordance with its terms and/or (b) the date of the consummation of the merger and payment of the consideration therefor and related transactions (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, prior to the consummation thereof) with or without the funding or effectiveness of the applicable facilities. The definitive documentation governing the debt financing has not been finalized and, accordingly, the actual terms of the debt financing may differ from those described above.

Advisors

Barclays is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Paper Excellence and Latham & Watkins LLP, McMillan LLP, Miller Titerle LLP and Mehigan LLP, are serving as legal advisors to Paper Excellence.

About Paper Excellence

Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing and packaging papers. The company operates seven mills in Canada producing and shipping over 2.8 million tonnes annually with a workforce of more than 2,800. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products. For more information on Paper Excellence, please visit www.paperexcellence.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210709005395/en/

FAQ

What is the amount of financing Paper Excellence has secured for the Domtar acquisition?

Paper Excellence has secured a financing commitment of $1.95 billion.

What will the financing be used for?

The financing will be used to consummate the acquisition of Domtar and related transactions.

What is the proposed share price for Domtar's acquisition by Paper Excellence?

Paper Excellence plans to acquire Domtar at $55.50 per share.

When is the expected closing date for the acquisition of Domtar?

The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of the year, subject to approvals.

What are the components of the $1.95 billion financing?

The financing consists of a $400 million revolving facility, a $775 million term loan, and a $775 million bridge facility.