NEWS

(06/25/2015 / rkj)

DS Smith to acquire Grupo Lantero’s corrugated business

An agreement was reached to acquire the corrugated activities of Grupo Lantero, including several operations in which DS Smith currently has a minority holding.

The business is a well-invested Iberian corrugated producer with a strong focus in the FMCG sector, operating seven sites across Spain. This acquisition significantly strengthens our operations in Spain, an important and growing market for corrugated packaging, taking our market share to approximately 10%. It also builds on our recent acquisition of Andopack in calendar Q4 2014, where we have seen a very positive customer reaction to our product and service offering. The acquisition is subject to competition clearance, which we expect during calendar Q3 2015 with completion shortly thereafter.

The total consideration, including the assumption of debt, is expected to be circa €190m, subject to closing adjustments, representing a post synergy multiple of between 5 and 6x EBITDA. The transaction is being financed from existing cash resources and is expected to deliver a return on invested capital above our cost of capital in the second year of ownership.