PCA to Acquire Columbus Container

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), Lake Forest, Ill., USA, this week, Oct. 11, 2016, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Columbus Container Inc., Columbus, Indiana, an independent corrugated products producer, in a cash-free, debt-free transaction for a cash purchase price of $100 million. Under the terms of the agreement, PCA will acquire a full-line corrugated products facility located in Columbus, Indiana, five warehousing facilities, and other related operations located in Indiana and Illinois. The transaction is structured as a purchase of assets, resulting in a full step-up of the assets to fair market value.

Columbus Container is a full-service provider of corrugated packaging products utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and design centers to provide customers a solution for nearly any packaging need.

As a result of the acquisition, PCA's containerboard integration level is expected to increase by more than 30,000 tons and will allow for further optimization and enhancement of mill capacity. The value of the increased containerboard integration, the expected synergies, and the tax benefit of the step-up of assets, plus Columbus Container’s LTM EBITDA, results in a purchase price multiple of approximately 3.3 times EBITDA. The acquisition will be accretive to earnings immediately.

PCA Chairman and CEO Mark Kowlzan said that "following our acquisition of Timbar, this acquisition will further enhance our operations both geographically and strategically through additional integration and optimization of our warehousing and logistics capabilities."

 

PCA EVP Tom Hassfurther added  that "like previous acquisitions, the addition of Columbus Container is a great strategic fit for PCA. They have in place an excellent management team that leads a highly skilled and dedicated group of employees and have earned an outstanding reputation in the marketplace."

Closing is subject to certain customary conditions and regulatory approval and is expected in the fourth quarter of 2016. The company expects to finance the transaction with available cash on hand.

PCA is the fourth largest producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the U.S. and the third largest producer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. PCA operates eight mills and 95 corrugated products plants and related facilities.