Catalyst Paper Corp., Richmond, B.C., Canada, this week completed its acquisition of two U.S. mills—the Biron paper mill in Wisconsin and the Rumford pulp and paper mill in Maine, as previously announced on Oct. 30, 2014, from NewPage Corp., NewPage Wisconsin System Inc., and Rumford Paper Co. (the sellers). The cash payment made on closing was $62.4 million, after giving effect to an adjustment under the purchase agreement based on estimated working capital at closing, and the final purchase price is subject to certain additional post-closing adjustments.  

 

"This acquisition represents a new chapter in the history of Catalyst Paper," said Joe Nemeth, president and CEO. "With the addition of the Rumford and Biron mills, Catalyst becomes a larger and stronger company with five facilities across North America and an estimated production capacity of 2.1 million tons of paper and 500,000 tons of pulp. Catalyst is now the only producer in North America with manufacturing facilities in the West, Midwest, and East, and has an enhanced product suite to effectively meet global customer needs."

 

On closing of the acquisition, Catalyst, through its subsidiary, also acquired from the sellers certain properties and assets used to operate the two mills. Catalyst and its subsidiaries also entered into various ancillary agreements with the sellers, providing for, among other things, the purchase and sale of certain raw materials to and from the mills, transition of certain customer orders and accounts, license or transfer of certain intellectual property rights, treatment and disposal of waste and wastewater, and certain transitional services.  

 

Catalyst will commence reporting operating and production information for the Rumford and Biron mills with its First Quarter Report. 

 

The Acquisition was financed through advances under Catalyst's ABL Credit Facility. As previously announced, Catalyst entered into an amendment to its ABL Credit Facility to increase the maximum amount of credit available thereunder from C$175.0 million to C$225.0 million.