Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) (“Graphic Packaging”), and Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE: CLW) (“Clearwater Paper”), today announced that Graphic Packaging has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Augusta, Georgia bleached paperboard manufacturing facility to Clearwater Paper. The transaction value is approximately $700 million, based on Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $100 million.
“Augusta is an outstanding asset with a great team, which we concluded is a more compelling fit with Clearwater Paper’s strategic growth plans than our own. Bleached paperboard plays a major role in sustainable consumer packaging, and we will continue to service growing foodservice and packaging demand with bleached paperboard from our Texarkana facility,” said Michael Doss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Graphic Packaging.
Clearwater Paper Chief Executive Officer Arsen Kitch added, “Augusta is a great fit with our strategy and improves our position as a premier, independent paperboard supplier to North American converters. I look forward to welcoming the Augusta team to Clearwater Paper as we work together to build a more scaled paperboard business to service our customers.”
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2024. TD Securities is serving as Clearwater Paper’s financial advisor and Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman LLP is lead transaction counsel for Clearwater and Stoel, Rives LLP is providing environmental counsel. The financial advisor for Graphic Packaging is BofA Securities and Alston & Bird LLP is lead transaction counsel.
