Weyerhaeuser To Combine Fine Paper, Papergrade Pulp, Related Assets With Domtar

Federal Way, WA - Weyerhaeuser Company recently announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to combine its Fine Paper business and related assets with Domtar Inc. The transaction gives Weyerhaeuser shareholders 55 percent ownership in the new company and includes a $1.35B cash payment to Weyerhaeuser. The cash payment, plus the stock valued at the closing price of Domtar stock on Aug. 22, 2006, results in a transaction value of $3.3B before considering resulting synergies. The combination is expected to be tax-free for Weyerhaeuser and its shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007.

Under the terms of the agreement, Weyerhaeuser will distribute ownership of the Fine Paper business and related assets to Weyerhaeuser shareholders in either a spin-off or split-off transaction. Weyerhaeuser will determine which approach it will take prior to closing the transaction. A spin-off would involve a pro-rata distribution of shares to Weyerhaeuser shareholders. A split-off would provide Weyerhaeuser shareholders the option to elect to exchange Weyerhaeuser shares for stock in the "new Domtar." Regardless of the method, upon closing of the merger former Weyerhaeuser shareholders will own 55 percent of the "new Domtar." Former Domtar shareholders will own 45 percent of the new company.

Raymond Royer, Domtar president and chief executive officer, will lead an organization of 14,000 employees with a management team composed of executives from Weyerhaeuser paper operations and Domtar. This team includes Marvin Cooper, Weyerhaeuser senior vice president, Cellulose Fiber & White Paper, Containerboard Manufacturing and Engineering, who will become chief operating officer of the new company. Domtar's senior vice-president and chief financial officer, Daniel Buron, will be the new company's chief financial officer.

The "new Domtar" will have its head office in Montreal, QC, while the headquarters of operations will be in Fort Mill, SC. Harold MacKay, counsel and formerly chairman and senior partner to the Regina, Saskatchewan law firm of MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP and an international advisor to Weyerhaeuser's board of directors, will chair a 13-member board – seven nominated by Weyerhaeuser, six by Domtar. MacKay will resign his Weyerhaeuser advisory role before becoming chairman.

Weyerhaeuser manufacturing assets included in the combination include:

• Eight paper mills and associated pulp mills (Dryden, ON; Hawesville, KY.; Johnsonburg, PA; Kingsport, TN; Bennettsville, SC; Plymouth, NC; Prince Albert, SK; Rothschild, WI).
• 14 converting centers (Brownsville, TN; Cerritos, CA; Dallas, TX; DuBois, PA; Indianapolis, IN; Langhorne, PA; Mira Loma, CA; Owensboro, KY; Plymouth, NC; Prince Albert, SK; Ridgefields, TN; Rock Hill, SC; Tatum, SC, Washington Court, OH).
• The market pulp mill at Kamloops, BC.
• The coated groundwood mill in Columbus, MS.
• Two softwood lumber mills (Big River, SK; Ear Falls, ON).

The transaction is subject to review by antitrust agencies and securities regulators in the United States and Canada, the receipt of a favorable tax ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and other customary closing conditions. It is also subject to approval by Domtar shareholders. Weyerhaeuser and Domtar will continue to operate separately until the transaction closes. Weyerhaeuser's financial advisor on the transaction was Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. Its legal advisor in the United States was Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Blake, Cassels & Grayson acted as Weyerhaeuser's Canadian legal advisor.

SOURCE: Weyerhaeuser Company