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Key Takeaways GEF will divest its Containerboard unit, including mills and sheet feeder plants, to PKG for $1.8B. The business posted $1.2B in revenues and $212M in EBITDA for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025. The deal supports GEF's debt reduction and portfolio optimization under its Build to Last strategy.Greif, Inc. (GEF) announced that it inked a definitive agreement with Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) to divest its Containerboard business, including its CorrChoice sheet feeder network. Th ...

Greif Inc. Containerboard Divestment Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Greif Inc. (GEF) - **Event**: Containerboard Divestment Conference Call - **Date**: July 01, 2025 Key Points Industry and Company Focus - **Divestment Announcement**: Greif announced the divestment of its containerboard business for **$1.8 billion** [4] - **Strategic Rationale**: The divestment aligns with Greif's "build to last" strategy, aimed at enhancing capital efficiency and focusing on high-margin packaging solutions [4][6] - **Remaining Portfolio**: Post-divestment, Greif will concentrate on its URB (Unbleached Recycled Board) business and polymer-based solutions, which are expected to grow faster than GDP [8][9] Financial Implications - **EBITDA and Cash Flow Goals**: Greif aims to achieve **$1 billion** in EBITDA and **$500 million** in free cash flow by 2027 [5] - **Debt Reduction**: 100% of the proceeds from the divestment will be used to pay down debt, positioning Greif with a leverage ratio below **2.0 times** [5][10] - **Cost Savings**: The divestment is expected to lower annual interest expenses by **$85 million** and recurring maintenance capital expenditures by **$25 million** [11] Market Position and Strategy - **Focus on Leadership**: Greif aims to maintain a number one or two position in its chosen markets, emphasizing that it was not a leader in the containerboard market [22][23] - **Growth Areas**: The company is targeting growth in high-margin sectors such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals [9][12] - **Capital Allocation**: Greif will continue to prioritize safety and maintenance CapEx while also increasing shareholder returns through dividends and share repurchases [11][12] Future Outlook - **Growth Opportunities**: Greif is committed to pursuing high-return organic capital expenditures and strategic M&A opportunities within its targeted growth areas [12][41] - **EBITDA Growth Drivers**: The company has identified several drivers to achieve its EBITDA target, including volume growth and business optimization [13][14] - **Market Trends**: North America remains sluggish, particularly in metal markets, but acquired companies in the agricultural space are performing well [90][91] Additional Considerations - **Regulatory Approvals**: The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, which may affect the closing timeline [6] - **Synergies and Cost Structure**: Greif will work on optimizing support functions and addressing overhead costs post-divestment [37][65] - **Market Dynamics**: The company expects to be a net seller in the open market for OCC (Old Corrugated Containers) after the divestment, which may impact its business dynamics [61] Conclusion - Greif's divestment of its containerboard business marks a significant strategic shift aimed at enhancing shareholder value and focusing on high-growth, high-margin opportunities. The company is committed to maintaining financial discipline while pursuing growth in its remaining business segments.

DELAWARE, Ohio, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Containerboard business, including its CorrChoice sheet feeder network, in an all-cash transaction for $1.8 billion to Packaging Corporation of America. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Greif's fiscal year 2025, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regula ...

Core Viewpoint - International Paper has completed the divestiture of five European plants to PALM Group to meet regulatory commitments from its acquisition of DS Smith Plc [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - International Paper is a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, with operations in over 30 countries and more than 65,000 employees [3]. - The company reported net sales of $18.6 billion for 2024 and acquired DS Smith in 2025, enhancing its position in the North American and EMEA regions [3]. Group 2: Details of the Divestiture - The divestiture includes three plants in Normandy, France, one box plant in Ovar, Portugal, and one box plant in Bilbao, Spain [1]. - This sale was part of the agreement with the European Commission to satisfy obligations related to the acquisition of DS Smith Plc [2]. Group 3: About PALM Group - PALM is a family-owned company based in Aalen, Germany, and is a leading European producer of containerboard, graphic paper, and corrugated packaging [4]. - In 2024, PALM operated five paper mills and 33 corrugated box plants in Europe, employing 4,200 people and achieving a turnover of €2 billion [4].

10 June 2025 | 3:34PM BRT Pulp & Paper Monthly Tracker — May 2025 This monthly report includes charts and tables with key global data points for the pulp and paper sector. We track information from different data providers for both up- and downstream products across the supply chain, including inventories, production, apparent consumption and prices. Key highlights of the month: Marcio Farid +55(11)3371-4580 | marcio.farid@gs.com Goldman Sachs do Brasil CTVM S.A. Henrique Marques +55(11)3371-0778 | henrique ...

DELAWARE, Ohio, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, today announced fiscal second quarter 2025 results. Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights: (all results compared to the second quarter of 2024 unless otherwise noted) Net income increased 6.5% to $47.3 million or $0.82 per diluted Class A share compared to net income of $44.4 million or $0.77 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of ...

Core Insights - Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) is benefiting from asset optimization and business improvement initiatives, positioning the company for long-term growth and profitability [1][8] - The company faces challenges from merger-related costs, higher freight and chemical costs, labor shortages, and supply chain issues, which are expected to impact margins [2][14] Company Transformation - Since 2023, Smurfit Westrock has closed underperforming facilities, divested non-core assets, and streamlined operations to enhance efficiency and cost savings [1][7] - The merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock on July 5, 2024, is expected to deliver significant growth potential due to their complementary portfolios and geographic reach across 42 countries [3][4] Operational Developments - In Q1 2025, Smurfit Westrock invested in containerboard, corrugated, and consumer systems, expanding its Bag-in-Box offerings and upgrading mill systems for efficiency and environmental improvements [5][9] - The company has closed 32 packaging facilities and three mills since early 2023, with a capacity reduction of approximately 600,000 tons [7][8] Market Demand - There is a growing demand for sustainable, fiber-based packaging solutions, particularly in the beverage, healthcare, retail, and food sectors [9][10] - The rise in e-commerce activities is expected to further support demand for packaging solutions, with global e-commerce revenues projected to reach $4.32 trillion by 2025 [11] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Smurfit Westrock's cost of sales increased by 173.9% year-over-year, with transaction and integration-related costs amounting to $395 million [12][13] - The company's stock has declined by 14.8% over the past six months, compared to an 8% decline in the industry [15]

Smurfit Westrock PLC (SW) is scheduled to report first-quarter 2025 results on May 1, before market open.Smurfit Westrock was formed by the merger of two major paper and packaging industry players, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock, on July 5, 2024. The company started reporting results for the combined company from the third quarter of 2024.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SW’s first-quarter revenues is pegged at $7.85 billion, indicating 4.1% growth from the fourth quarter's reported figure. The estimate for ear ...

DELAWARE, Ohio, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced today it has been recognized with a Gold and Silver Stevie® Award in the Management - Manufacturing category of the Annual American Business Awards®. Ole Rosgaard, President and CEO of Greif, was awarded with a Gold Stevie Award for Achievement in Management – Manufacturing, and Greif was awarded with a Silver Stevie Award for Company of the Year - Large ...