KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation KS recently completed the acquisition of privately held packaging materials distributor Victory Packaging for $615 million in cash. The transaction will enhance the profitability of KapStone and boost its cash flow. The acquisition was funded from borrowings under the $1.915 billion amended senior secured credit facility provided by a consortium of leading banks.
Houston, TX-based Victory Packaging has 65 distribution centers located across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The company currently purchases roughly 370,000 tons of corrugated products annually, of which KapStone expects to supply an incremental 115,000 tons.
The integrated business models of the two companies will add immediate value and enable each to meet their expansion goals by providing future growth prospects. On its own, Victory Packaging had a CAGR of 14% for both revenues and adjusted EBITDA over the past four years.
The immediately-accretive transaction is expected to generate significant cost savings for KapStone. Conservatively, the synergies are expected to achieve $30 million of EBITDA within a period of 24 months. Additionally, it will accelerate KapStone’s de-leveraging initiatives by way of generating substantial cash flow.
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Northbrook, IL, KapStone is a leading producer of unbleached Kraft paper and corrugated products. It is the parent company of KapStone Kraft Paper Corporation and KapStone Container Corporation, and operates four paper mills and 22 converting plants across the U.S. The company, which has a market cap of roughly $2.6 billion, offers products ranging from containerboard and Kraft paper to unbleached folding carton board products.
KapStone presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks that are worth a look now include Fibria Celulose SA FBR, Sappi Limited SPPJY and Stora Enso Oyj SEOAY, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Be the first to comment