Smurfit Kappa, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, confirms that it has received an unsolicited proposal from International Paper, headquartered in Memphis, USA, whereby International Paper would acquire Smurfit Kappa and Smurfit Kappa shareholders would receive a combination of cash and a minority holding in the combined business. The Board of Smurfit Kappa has carefully considered the Proposal and believes it is in the best interests of the Group’s shareholders and other stakeholders to pursue its future as an independent company, operating as the European and Pan-American leader in paper-based packaging.
Liam O’Mahony, Chairman of Smurfit Kappa said “The Board of Smurfit Kappa has unanimously rejected this unsolicited and highly opportunistic proposal. It does not reflect the Group’s true intrinsic business worth or its prospects. We delivered a record performance in 2017 and underlying trading momentum has continued into 2018. The Group has a proven management team which we believe will deliver significantly greater value for shareholders on a stand-alone basis. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of all stakeholders for the Group to pursue its future as an independent company, headquartered in Ireland, operating as the European and Pan-American leader in paper-based packaging. We strongly advise shareholders to take no action.”
