Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, Ill., USA, announced this week that it has reached a resolution with Mariner Investment Group LLC and Senator Investment Group LP, each an investment advisor to funds under management, as holders of the company's preferred stock, and funds and accounts managed by P. Schoenfeld Asset Management LP and Fir Tree, Inc., as holders of the company's common stock, who were prosecuting objections to the company's Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization.
In general, this resolution provides that certain of the new common stock of the reorganized company that the plan previously provided for distribution to the general unsecured creditors of the company will now be distributed to the company's current stockholders. Specifically, 2.25% of the New SSCC Common Stock Pool will be distributed pro rata to the company's existing preferred stockholders and 2.25% of the New SSCC Common Stock Pool will be distributed pro rata to the company's existing common stockholders. Additionally, the resolution provides for the payment of certain of the fees and expenses of the holders and their professionals. The resolution has the support of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors.
"Reaching this agreement with our stockholders is a major milestone for our company and positions us to emerge from bankruptcy in the coming weeks," said Patrick J. Moore, chairman and CEO of Smurfit-Stone. "Our focus has been, and continues to be, driving value for our stakeholders and helping our customers grow their businesses." The company will ask the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to approve notice procedures with respect to this resolution and to schedule a hearing to approve the resolution and related non-material modifications to the company's Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization. This resolution resolves all of the objections to the confirmation of the Chapter 11 plan raised by the holders and as a result, the company anticipates an exit from Chapter 11 by early Summer.
Smurfit-Stone's U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in Canada on January 26, 2009.
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