Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (RAM), Jacksonville, Fla., USA, and Tembec Inc., Montreal, Que., Canada, this week announced that they have entered into an amendment to the arrangement agreement (as amended, the "Amended Arrangement Agreement") under which RAM has agreed to acquire Tembec for an increased consideration valued at C$4.75 per Tembec share. The revised terms were unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Under the Amended Arrangement Agreement, Tembec shareholders will have the right to elect to receive either C$4.75 in cash or 0.2542 shares of RAM common stock per Tembec common share, subject to proration so that approximately 67% of the aggregate consideration is paid in cash and approximately 33% is paid in Rayonier Advanced Materials common stock.  

The increased consideration represents a 17% increase in value offered for the shares compared with the initial terms and a premium of 61% to the closing price of Tembec's shares on May 24, 2017, the day immediately before the initial announcement concerning the Arrangement.  

RAM has entered into irrevocable support and voting agreements with each of Oaktree Capital Management L.P. and Restructuring Capital Associates L.P., who together represent approximately 37% of Tembec's outstanding shares.

 

"This transaction advances our growth objective to pursue strategic acquisitions where we can leverage our core competencies to provide significant long-term shareholder return," said Paul Boynton, chairman, president. and CEO of RAM. "We look forward to working with Tembec's exceptional team, unions, and other stakeholders to realize the abundant opportunities ahead."

James Lopez, president and CEO of Tembec, added that "Rayonier Advanced Materials is the ideal partner for us and we are encouraged by their ongoing commitment to our operations and employees in Canada and France and—above all—to the values we share. This combination will enable us to sustainably grow our business for the benefit of our customers, employees, and communities. We are, of course, pleased with the opportunity to deliver even greater value to our shareholders."  

The transaction will be carried out by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement and will require the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Tembec shareholders. RAM intends to finance the cash portion of the transaction with a combination of cash on hand and committed bank financing. The transaction does not require the approval of RAM stockholders.  

In addition to Tembec shareholder and court approvals, the transaction is also subject to other conditions and receipt of other approvals, including receipt of regulatory approvals. As previously announced on July 13, 2017, the transaction has received approval from Germany's Federal Cartel Office. Subject to obtaining the required approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Tembec shareholders are reminded that the special meeting of Tembec shareholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) today, Thursday, July 27, 2017. Tembec shareholders holding their shares through a broker, investment dealer, or other intermediary should carefully follow the instructions of such intermediary to ensure that their vote is counted at the meeting. Tembec may waive the time limits for the deposit of proxies if considered advisable to do so.

Tembec shareholders are entitled to vote at the meeting if they were a holder of Tembec shares at the close of business on June 19, 2017. Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you hold and the Tembec board of directors urges you to vote.