WestRock Stockholders Approve Combination with Smurfit Kappa

Rhea-AI Summary

WestRock (NYSE: WRK) announced that its stockholders have approved the combination with Smurfit Kappa Group. The transaction, agreed on September 12, 2023, will result in the merger of WestRock into a wholly owned subsidiary of Smurfit WestRock, under the Companies Act of Ireland. WestRock stockholders will receive one new Smurfit WestRock share and $5.00 in cash per WestRock share upon completion. The merger is subject to specific conditions outlined in the transaction agreement. WestRock, a leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, has over 50,000 employees across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Positive

• WestRock stockholders approved the combination with Smurfit Kappa.
• WestRock stockholders to receive one new Smurfit WestRock share and $5.00 in cash per share.
• The merger will create Smurfit WestRock, a stronger entity in sustainable paper and packaging.
• Potential for increased market presence due to the merger.

Negative

• Completion of the merger is subject to specific conditions which may cause delays or cancellation.
• Uncertainty about the integration of Smurfit Kappa with WestRock could pose operational risks.
• Potential shareholder dilution due to share issuance in the merger.
• Regulatory approvals required may impose constraints or delays.

Insights

Financial Analyst

WestRock stockholders' approval of the combination with Smurfit Kappa marks a significant development in the paper and packaging industry. The merger is expected to enhance operational efficiencies and create a leading global provider of sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions.

From a financial perspective, the deal is structured to offer WestRock common stockholders one Smurfit WestRock share and $5.00 in cash for each WestRock share. This structure is beneficial as it provides immediate liquidity and a stake in the new combined entity, potentially offering long-term growth prospects.

Short-term benefits include the immediate cash payout, which can be enticing for investors looking for quick returns. However, this may be balanced by the dilution of shares and the risks associated with integrating two large entities.

In the long-term, the combined entity is poised to achieve economies of scale, potentially leading to cost reductions and enhanced profitability. Investors should closely watch for integration progress and any synergies realized from the merger.

For retail investors, it's essential to consider the potential volatility during the integration phase. Monitoring quarterly earnings and management guidance will be critical to assessing the merger's success.

Market Research Analyst

The merger between WestRock and Smurfit Kappa is a strategic move to consolidate their market positions in the paper and packaging sector. This transaction is likely to reshape the competitive landscape significantly.

By combining, the companies aim to leverage their complementary strengths. Smurfit Kappa's strong European presence and WestRock's extensive operations in the Americas create a more geographically diverse entity. This diversification can help mitigate risks associated with regional market fluctuations.

Another key aspect is the focus on sustainability. As both companies emphasize sustainable packaging solutions, the merger can position the combined entity as a leader in this growing trend. This is particularly important as consumer preferences are increasingly shifting toward environmentally friendly products and regulatory pressures are mounting globally.

For retail investors, this merger represents not just a combination of two companies, but also their future potential to tap into new markets and innovate in sustainable solutions. It's worth noting that successfully capitalizing on these trends will depend on the management's ability to integrate operations smoothly and realize the expected synergies.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK), a leading provider of sustainable fiber-based paper and packaging solutions, today announced that, based on the preliminary vote count, WestRock stockholders voted to approve the Transaction Agreement and other proposals related to the combination of Smurfit Kappa Group plc (“Smurfit Kappa”) and WestRock (the “Combination”) at WestRock’s Special Meeting of Stockholders held earlier today.

Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement entered into on September 12, 2023, Smurfit WestRock will acquire Smurfit Kappa by means of a scheme of arrangement under the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland (as amended) (the “Smurfit Kappa Share Exchange”), and Sun Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Smurfit WestRock, will merge with and into WestRock (the “Merger,” and together with the Smurfit Kappa Exchange, the Combination), with WestRock surviving the Merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Smurfit WestRock.

If the Merger contemplated by the Transaction Agreement is completed, the common stockholders of WestRock will receive one new Smurfit WestRock share and $5.00 in cash for each share of common stock of WestRock. Completion of the Combination remains subject to certain conditions, as described in the Transaction Agreement.

About WestRock

WestRock (NYSE: WRK) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, with more than 50,000 teammates in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Our integrated packaging capabilities offer end-to-end solutions to help customers address their greatest challenges.

Additional Information about the Combination and Where to Find It

In connection with the Merger, Smurfit WestRock has filed with the SEC the S-4, which includes the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the Smurfit WestRock Shares to WestRock stockholders (the “WestRock Stockholders”) pursuant to the Merger. In addition, on April 26, 2024, WestRock filed the proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC with respect to the special meeting of WestRock Stockholders in connection with the Merger. WestRock commenced mailing of the proxy statement/prospectus to WestRock Stockholders on or about May 1, 2024. This announcement is not a substitute for any registration statement, prospectus, proxy statement or other document that Smurfit Kappa, WestRock and/or Smurfit WestRock have filed or may file with the SEC in connection with the Combination.

Before making any investment decisions, investors, stockholders of WestRock are urged to read carefully and in their entirety the S-4 and the proxy statement/prospectus, and any other relevant documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, in connection with the Combination when they become available, because they contain or will contain important information about the Combination, the parties to the Combination, the risks associated with the Combination and related matters, including information about certain of the parties’ respective directors, executive officers and other employees who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Combination and about their interests in the solicitation.

The S-4, the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by WestRock, Smurfit WestRock or Smurfit Kappa with the SEC are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and stockholders are able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by WestRock online at ir.westrock.com/ir-home/, upon written request delivered to 1000 Abernathy Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, United States, or by calling +1 (770) 448-2193, and are able to obtain free copies of the S-4 and other documents filed with the SEC by Smurfit WestRock or Smurfit Kappa upon written request delivered to Beech Hill, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4, D04 N2R2, Ireland or by calling +353 1 202 7000. The information included on, or accessible through, WestRock’s website is not incorporated by reference into this announcement.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, as well as oral statements made or to be made by WestRock, Smurfit WestRock or Smurfit Kappa, include certain “forward-looking statements” (including within the meaning of US federal securities laws) regarding the Combination and the listing of Smurfit WestRock, the rationale and expected benefits of the Combination (including, but not limited to, synergies), and any other statements regarding Smurfit WestRock’s, Smurfit Kappa’s and WestRock’s future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, or future events or performance. Statements included in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about the beliefs and expectations of the management of each of WestRock, Smurfit WestRock or Smurfit Kappa, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “project”, “plan”, “believe”, “expect”, “target”, “prospects”, “potential”, “commit”, “forecasts”, “aims”, “considered”, “likely”, “estimate” and variations of these words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. While WestRock, Smurfit WestRock and Smurfit Kappa believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Smurfit WestRock, Smurfit WestRock and Smurfit Kappa. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon future circumstances that may or may not occur. Actual results may differ materially from the current expectations of WestRock, Smurfit WestRock and Smurfit Kappa depending upon a number of factors affecting their businesses and risks associated with the successful execution of the Combination and the integration and performance of their businesses following the Combination. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include: developments related to pricing cycles and volumes; economic, competitive and market conditions generally, including macroeconomic uncertainty, customer inventory rebalancing, the impact of inflation and increases in energy, raw materials, shipping, labour and capital equipment costs; reduced supply of raw materials, energy and transportation, including from supply chain disruptions and labor shortages; intense competition; risks related to international sales and operations; failure to respond to changing customer preferences and to protect intellectual property; results and impacts of acquisitions by WestRock, Smurfit Kappa or, following completion of the Combination, Smurfit WestRock; the amount and timing of WestRock’s, Smurfit Kappa’s and, following completion of the Combination, Smurfit WestRock’s capital expenditures; evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; changes in economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere, and other factors that contribute to uncertainty and volatility, natural and man-made disasters, civil unrest, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), geopolitical uncertainty, and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associated with the current or subsequent Irish, US or UK administrations; the ability of WestRock, Smurfit Kappa or, following completion of the Combination, Smurfit WestRock, to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity problem due to a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack, war, pandemic, security breach, cyber-attack, power loss, telecommunications failure or other natural or man-made event, including the ability to function remotely during long-term disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of public health crises, such as pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic) and epidemics and any related company or governmental policies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or governmental policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or global economies and markets; the potential impairment of assets and goodwill; the scope, costs, timing and impact of any restructuring of operations and corporate and tax structure; actions by third parties, including government agencies; a condition to the closing of the Combination may not be satisfied; the occurrence of any event that can give rise to termination of the Combination; a regulatory approval that may be required for the Combination is delayed, is not obtained in a timely manner or at all or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; Smurfit WestRock may be unable to achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated by the Combination; Smurfit WestRock’s availability of sufficient cash to distribute to Smurfit WestRock shareholders in line with current expectations; Smurfit WestRock may be unable to promptly and effectively integrate WestRock’s and Smurfit Kappa’s businesses; failure to successfully implement strategic transformation initiatives; each of WestRock’s, Smurfit Kappa’s and, following completion of the Combination, Smurfit WestRock’s management’s time and attention is diverted on issues related to the Combination; disruption from the Combination makes it more difficult to maintain business, contractual and operational relationships; significant levels of indebtedness; credit ratings may decline following the Combination; legal proceedings may be instituted against WestRock, Smurfit Kappa and, following completion of the Combination, Smurfit WestRock, may be unable to retain or hire key personnel; the consummation of the Combination may have a negative effect on Smurfit Kappa’s or WestRock’s share prices, or on their operating results; the risk that disruptions from the Combination will harm WestRock’s or Smurfit Kappa’s business, including current plans and operations; certain restrictions during the pendency of the Combination that may impact WestRock’s or Smurfit Kappa’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; Smurfit WestRock’s ability to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the Combination, including the risk that the Internal Revenue Service may assert that Smurfit WestRock should be treated as a US corporation or be subject to certain unfavorable US federal income tax rules under Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as a result of the Combination; and other factors such as future market conditions, currency fluctuations, the behavior of other market participants, the actions of regulators and other factors such as changes in the political, social and regulatory framework in which Smurfit WestRock will operate or in economic or technological trends or conditions.

None of WestRock, Smurfit Kappa and, following completion of the Combination, Smurfit WestRock or any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this press release will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with legal or regulatory obligations, WestRock is under no obligation, and WestRock expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No Offer of Securities

This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, acquire, subscribe for, sell, dispose of or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to sell, dispose of, purchase, acquire or subscribe for, any security, including any Smurfit WestRock shares to be issued to Smurfit Kappa shareholders and WestRock stockholders in connection with the Combination.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240612797085/en/

Robert Quartaro, 470-328-6979

Vice President, Investor Relations

robert.quartaro@westrock.com

Robby Johnson, 470-328-6979

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

s-crp-mediainquiries@westrock.com

Source: WestRock Company

FAQ

What did WestRock stockholders approve regarding Smurfit Kappa on September 12, 2023?

WestRock stockholders approved the combination agreement with Smurfit Kappa.

What will WestRock stockholders receive in the Smurfit WestRock merger?

WestRock stockholders will receive one new Smurfit WestRock share and $5.00 in cash per WestRock share.

What is the significance of the Smurfit WestRock merger for WRK stock?

The merger is expected to strengthen market presence and may offer financial benefits to WRK stockholders.

Are there any conditions for the completion of the WestRock and Smurfit Kappa merger?

Yes, the completion of the merger is subject to specific conditions outlined in the transaction agreement.

What is the potential risk for WestRock shareholders in the Smurfit WestRock combination?

Potential risks include operational integration challenges, shareholder dilution, and regulatory approval delays.