Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Weidenhammer Packaging Group, Europe's leading provider of composite cans, composite drums, and rigid plastic containers, for approximately $383 million, in cash. The final consideration is subject to a normal adjustment of net working capital.

Headquartered in Hockenheim, Germany, Weidenhammer Packaging has approximately 1100 employees and operates 13 production facilities, including five in Germany, along with individual plants in Belgium, France, Greece, The Netherlands, UK, U.S., Chile, and Russia. In addition to producing composite cans, drums, and luxury tubes, Weidenhammer produces unique rigid plastic containers using state-of-the-art thin-walled injection molding technology with modern in-mold labeling. Markets served by the company include processed foods, powdered beverages, tobacco, confectionery, personal care, pet food, pharmaceuticals, and home and garden products.

According to M. Jack Sanders, Sonoco president and chief executive officer, the acquisition of family-owned Weidenhammer Packaging Group will create a global leader in rigid paper packaging and is expected to increase Sonoco's global consumer-related packaging and services business to approximately $2.8 billion in annual sales or approximately
53 percent of the company's combined revenue of approximately $5.3 billion. In addition, the combination is expected to increase Sonoco's net sales in Europe to approximately 21 percent of total sales.

Weidenhammer Packaging's projected 2014 sales are expected to be approximately $327 million, with projected EBITDA expected to be approximately $56 million. The transaction is expected to have no material impact to Sonoco's 2014 base earnings and should be accretive to Sonoco's 2015 base earnings in the range of $.09 to $.14 per share, including estimated adjustment for purchase accounting and first year synergies. Future accretion is expected through material internalization and other cost synergies.

"Combining Weidenhammer's state-of-the-art production and technological capability places Sonoco in a leading position to provide its global consumer product customers with unparalleled packaging expertise throughout North America and Europe, and creates a strong presence in the emerging markets of Southeast Asia, China, Eastern Europe, and South America," said Sanders.

According to Ralf Weidenhammer, "Sonoco and Weidenhammer bring 175 years of combined consumer packaging innovation and expertise to our combined customers. After almost 60 years of successful business operations, we are convinced that the merger with Sonoco will open up new opportunities for our business, our customers and partners, as well as to our employees."

Sonoco intends to fund the acquisition through a combination of existing cash and debt with an estimated combined net credit leverage ratio of 1.75 times at closing. In 2015, the company intends to use free cash flow for debt repayment (free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations minus net capital expenditures and cash dividends). The acquisition is subject to governmental regulatory review and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Macquarie Capital served as a financial advisor to Sonoco. Weidenhammer was represented by Deloitte Corporate Finance Advisory.

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