Smurfit-Stone Files for Reorganization in U.S. and Canada

CREVE COEUR, Mo. and CHICAGO—Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. has announced that it and its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware. The Canadian subsidiaries will also file to reorganize under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada.

The Company plans to use this process to restructure its debt, resulting in a capital structure more suited to support its long-term growth and profitability. The Company's normal day-to-day operations will continue without interruption. Smurfit-Stone remains completely focused on serving its customers.

The Company also announced that, pending Court approval, it has received commitments for up to $750 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to fund continuing operations. Of this total, $350 million consists of new incremental funding; approximately $400 million represents replacement of existing Accounts Receivable Securitization facilities both in the U.S. and Canada. The DIP financing will enable the Company to continue to satisfy customary obligations associated with ongoing operations of its business, including payment of employee wages and benefits in the ordinary course, and payment of post-petition obligations to vendors under existing terms.

Patrick J. Moore, chairman and CEO, said, “Over the past decade, we built one of North America’s premier containerboard and packaging companies. But, our financial performance has not reflected the full potential of our earnings power due to higher cost operations and burdensome debt levels dating back to the original formation of the company. As a result of our three-year transformation program, we have been focused on improving our operating performance and our operations are now well invested and far more cost effective.

“Yet, the acceleration of the unprecedented global economic recession has weakened demand for packaging, and the frozen credit markets have prevented an out-of-court refinancing of our capital structure. While this is not the outcome we anticipated, we are taking this action to become a more financially healthy company.

“This combination of a modern, cost-effective operating platform and a reorganized capital structure through Chapter 11 will represent a new beginning for Smurfit-Stone. I am confident that we will emerge a much stronger company structured for future growth and greater profitability.”

All operations outside of the U.S. and Canada are excluded from this process and none of Smurfit-Stone’s subsidiaries or operations outside of the U.S. and Canada commenced Chapter 11, CCAA or similar proceedings.

Smurfit-Stone has filed a variety of customary first day motions with the Court in Delaware and will seek an initial order in the Canadian proceedings, which will help enable it to continue to conduct business as usual while it completes its restructuring.

For more information, visit www.smurfit-stone.com.