425 Graphic Packaging Corporation
Filed by Graphic Packaging Corporation
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Graphic Packaging Corporation
(Commission File No. 001-13182)
The following is a transcript of a conference call related to Graphic Packaging Corporations Second Quarter
Earnings Release that took place on August 7, 2007.
August 7, 2007
10:00 am EDT
Operator: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Tina, and I will be your conference
operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Graphic Packaging Corporation
second quarter earnings release conference call. (OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS) Thank you. I would now
like to introduce Mr. Scott Wenhold, Vice President and Treasurer. Please go ahead, sir.
Scott Wenhold: Thank you, Tina, and good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today at
Graphic Packaging Corporations second quarter earnings call. With me this morning are David
Scheible, the Companys President and CEO, and Dan Blount, our Senior Vice President and CFO.
Before we get started this morning, I want to remind everyone that statements of our expectations,
including but not limited to statements regarding the timing of the proposed combination with
Altivity Packaging, interest expense savings, achievement of synergies, combined leverage, debt
reduction, and capital spending constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on currently available
operating, financial, and competitive information, and are subject to various risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys historical
experience and its present expectations.
These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the risks that stockholders or
regulatory approvals to complete the combination with Altivity Packaging cannot be obtained, or
that the transaction cannot be completed for other reasons, inflation of and volatility in raw
material and energy costs, the Companys substantial amount of debt, continuing pressure for
lower-cost products, the Companys ability to implement its business strategies, including
productivity initiatives and cost reduction plans, currency translation movements, and other risks
of conducting business internationally, and the impact of regulatory and litigation matters,
including those that impact the Companys ability to protect and use its intellectual property.
Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as such statements speak
only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such
statements. Additional information regarding these and other risks is contained in the Companys
periodic filings with the SEC.
Now with that, Ill turn it over to you, David.
David Scheible: Thanks, Scott. Good morning, everyone. Yesterday, the Company announced second
quarter 2007 results, reporting that its adjusted net loss, which is net loss less a $0.05 per
share non-cash charge for
loss on early extinguishment of debt, improved almost 50% over the prior years quarters net loss.
A tabular reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA, as well as net loss to adjusted net loss, was
issued as an attachment to yesterdays press release.
In a moment, our CFO, Dan Blount, will walk you through the specific items that bridge current
period financial results to the prior period. But to summarize since our last call, first, income
from operations improved by more than 50%, primarily due to ongoing success of our continuous
improvement programs and higher pricing on cartons and roll stock.
Second, we financed refinanced our previous $1.6 billion credit facility to take advantage of
lower interest rates and reduced interest expense by more than $7 million annually, based on
current debt levels.
And finally, we signed a definitive agreement to combine our business with Altivity Packaging.
Strong top line growth contributed significantly to our overall improved financial results. During
the quarter, revenue improved over prior years quarter by almost $22 million. Increased pricing,
primarily on cartons, of approximately $9 million, and favorable volume and mix of approximately $9
million, were the key components to the quarter over quarter improvement.
In the North American markets, we were positively impacted by both higher pricing and improved
volume mix. Due to our successful renegotiation of the majority of our beverage contracts, we are
beginning to recognize higher contractual pricing on our cartons.
In the second quarter, we also passed through increased pricing for food and consumer product
cartons via escalator mechanisms tied to both board and resin increases.
We experienced strong top line growth due to increased shipments to our largest food and consumer
product customers. Particularly, demand for frozen pizza and cereal grew by more than 10% over same
period 2006.
Total beverage cartons were up slightly, due to higher domestic beer carton demand. In the
industry, second quarter beer shipments to distributors were up approximately 2%, while soft drink
take home volumes were down about 1.6%.
Our European sales continued to show progress. Again, this quarter, we saw volume expansion and mix
improvement, in addition to favorable exchange rates. Our Swedish mills white lined chip pricing
was up approximately $40 per ton over last years second quarter. And our restructuring efforts
initiated last year in Europe are showing positive signs.
When comparing the prior year quarter, our beverage carton sales grew by more than $18 million in
Europe.
We also remain committed to growing the top line through the commercialization of new and
innovative packaging solutions. Specifically in the beverage sector, we continue to focus on
expanding our non-carbonated portfolios and growing our Fridge Vendor® franchise globally. During
the quarter, Coca-Cola Corporation elected to use our fully enclosed four-pack carton to distribute
its Full Throttle Blue Demon energy drink, and Heineken chose the Fridge Vendor® as its package of
choice in launching Heineken Premium Light in the new premium light beer segment.
In addition to growing our Fridge Vendor® franchise globally, we continue to focus on our patented
Z-Flute® technology and the rapidly expanding microwave convenience segment. During the second
quarter, we launched the first high-gloss UV-coated Z-Flute® carton for Kelloggs Pop-Tarts.
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In microwave, ConAgra chose our microwave susceptor technology to launch its new Healthy Choice
Panini Sandwich product line. Wal-Mart launched Great Value Lasagna, the 40-ounce package, using
microwave technology which will reduce cook time for a traditional family-sized meal by 50%.
Our ongoing cost-cutting initiatives continue to be successful, as we eliminated approximately $13
million of operating costs in the quarter through the utilization of our Six Sigma Process
Management and Reliability Centered Maintenance Programs.
One success I would like to highlight was in our Richmond, Virginia facility. During the quarter,
we applied our Six Sigma principles to improve our printing and cutting processes. Specifically, we
focused on operator training to standardize setup methodologies, which led to reduced down time and
decreased waste. The standardization of the setup procedures is expected to deliver annual savings
of approximately $1 million.
This is just one example of how we utilize our Continuous Improvement programs to reduce costs and
improve performance capabilities across our carton and mill manufacturing assets.
In addition to our ongoing cost-cutting initiatives, we have focused on improving our manufacturing
performance by upgrading our assets to achieve higher utilization rates. In particular, our West
Monroe, Louisiana mills second quarter production results were significantly improved over the
prior year quarter. Net tons produced exceeded the prior year quarter by approximately 5,000 tons.
And on June 2nd, West Monroe set a daily record for bark burning tons, which allowed the mill to
lower its natural gas usage per ton to a new standard.
Now, before I turn the call over to Dan, I would like to take a moment to highlight a couple of
items from our July 10th press release, which outlined the combination of our business with
Altivity Packaging. First, Im happy to say we are on schedule with all the necessary filings, and
we anticipate the transaction closing in the fourth quarter of 2007.
The combined companys leverage ratio will be comparable to our current leverage ratio. Weve
identified potential gross synergies of over $90 million, which we expect to fully realize by 2011.
And, we have obtained committed financing from three banks to support the transaction.
In summary, were very excited about the transaction, and are highly confident in our ability to
finance the transaction, successfully integrate the two organizations, and achieve the $90 million
of synergies.
With that, Ill turn it over to Dan for a review of the financials.
Dan Blount: Thanks, David. Good morning, everyone. Second quarter Income from Operations improved
by $12.7 million, or 51%, to $37.4 million, from $24.7 million in the second quarter of 2006.
Strong gross margin improvement led the operating results increase. Overall, gross margin improved
1.4 percentage points to 13.8%
EBITDA improved by $14 million to $87.7 million. As you just heard from David, continued cost
reduction and revenue growth were the key drivers of our improved financial performance.
To review details, Ill start with revenues, then Ill bridge to EBIDTA. Second quarter 2007 net
sales were $647.3 million, up 3.5% as compared to net sales of $625.5 million in the second quarter
of 2006. Sales growth was primarily due to price increases and volume gains.
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By segment, Ill compare sales to the prior year quarter. The paperboard packaging segment
generated net sales of $623.3 million, which is $21.8 million, or 3.6% higher than the prior year
quarter. Paperboard packaging net sales was positively impacted by approximately $9 million of
incremental pricing across all product lines. The price improvement reflects negotiated
inflationary cost pass-through and other contractual increases, as well as price increases on open
market roll stock.
Approximately $10 million resulted from volume gains, primarily in North American consumer product
markets and European beverage markets. And the remaining sales increase is accounted for by
favorable foreign exchange rates in Europe.
In the containerboard segment, net sales of $24 million were flat when compared to the second
quarter of 2006. Increased pricing of approximately $40 per ton was offset by fewer tons sold.
Containerboard capacity was shifted to produce higher margin coated board for the paperboard
packaging segment.
2007 second quarter EBITDA was $87.7 million. This represents a 19% improvement over the prior
year. EBITDA margin improved 180 basis points to 13.6%. The major drivers of the EBITDA improvement
were operating cost reductions of approximately $13 million, resulting from the continued success
of our cost reduction initiatives, improved pricing of approximately $9 million, and margin
improvement from increased volume and improved sales mix of approximately $4 million.
Offsetting these improvements were inflation of approximately $7 million and approximately $4
million primarily from increased costs to continue the upgrade of the West Monroe, Louisiana mills
infrastructure.
Inflation was primarily driven by fiber and petrochemicals, partially offset by favorable energy.
The most significant increase was fiber, both secondary and virgin, which negatively impacted
results by approximately $10 million. Higher prices for petrochemical products negatively impacted
results by approximately $1 million.
Energy costs were lower than the prior year quarter by approximately $5 million. While weve
reduced natural gas usage through various initiatives, the majority of the improvement resulted
from lower natural gas pricing. For the remainder of 2007, approximately 80% of our estimated usage
is hedged at a blended rate of $8.15 per mmbtus. This compares to $10.25 per mmbtus in the prior
year period.
Over the last year and a half, we have made numerous investments to upgrade our West Monroe mills
infrastructure. As David stated, the mills performance has exceeded historical operating levels.
With production levels restored, West Monroe will further leverage these investments by increasing
the focus on cost reductions.
Now I will highlight other key items on the income statement. Net interest expense was relatively
flat when compared to the second quarter of 2006, due to lower debt balances offsetting higher
interest rates.
On May 16, 2007, we refinanced our $1.6 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility to achieve interest
savings in excess of $7 million annually, based on current debt levels. In connection with the
financing, or the refinancing, we recorded a charge of $9.5 million, which represents a portion of
the unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the previous credit facility.
In addition, in connection with the new credit facility, weve recorded $7 million of deferred
financing costs.
Depreciation and amortization expense in the quarter was higher than the prior year quarter by $1.3
million, as we accelerated depreciation on assets to be taken out of service in the near term.
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Now turning to cash flow, year-to-date operating cash flow decreased by approximately $10 million
when compared to the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to an acceleration of cash interest
payments in 2007, due to the debt refinancing.
The key components of the change in operating cash flow versus 2006 are as follows. First, a
year-to-date EBITDA increase of $20 million to an approximate $19 million reduction in interest
payable. In connection with the refinancing, we paid all accrued interest on our former debt.
Normally, the interest would have been paid in the second quarter would not have been paid until
after the second quarter. With the new debt structure in place, the effect of the acceleration of
interest payments will reverse later this year.
Increased contributions to the U.S. pension plans of approximately $3 million. Total contributions
to the U.S. pension plans in 2007 are expected to total approximately $25 million.
Capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2007 at $22.8 million were $2 million greater than
the second quarter of 2006. Year-to-date capital spending is $42.6 million, and we expect to spend
between $100 million and $110 million for the entire year.
The remainder of the cash change is due to normal variation in the timing and receipts of
disbursements.
Total debt decreased by $9.3 million during the second quarter, and stood at $1,968 million at
quarter end. For the full year 2007, we expect debt reduction to be in the range of $60 million to
$70 million.
And with that, operator, well open the line for the question and answer session.
Q&A
Operator: Thank you. (OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS) Your first question will come from the line of Bill
Hoffman at UBS.
Bill Hoffman: Yes. Good morning.
David Scheible: Good morning.
Bill Hoffman: Dave, I wonder if you could just talk a little bit about the without anything
forward-looking, at the Altivity transaction. Just if you guys have looked through the overlap in
the businesses, and maybe just give us some color on sort of how all that fits together.
David Scheible: Well, the overlap I think youre referring to, Bill, is probably customer overlap.
And of course, we that is one of the areas were pretty limited in being able to exchange
information. So I dont have a lot new on the overlap. I think at the last call in July, we said it
was about 20% overlap of our carton sales, and thats still probably right.
Now I have certainly met with customers on the major customers personally, since July 10th, and
had good, solid follow-up from them. All of them understand that the way (unintelligible), so we
havent heard anything from our side on that. And Im sure that George and his team have met with
those customers as well, independently. But as far as trying to manage through that overlap, we
really we cant do that until close.
Bill Hoffman: Thank you. That was it.
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Operator: Your next question will come from the line of Bruce Klein at Credit Suisse.
Bruce Klein: Hi. Good morning.
David Scheible: Good morning.
Bruce Klein: Could you just touch on like in the volumes, I missed that. You talked about I
think the beer volume being up and the CSD down. Could you just did you have any more (can
you distribute) that?
David Scheible: Sure. Lets see if I can help. Lets see. Our volume growth, top line growth across
our business, was roughly 3.5% or so across the all of our sectors. Driving the top line was a
price of about $9 million, volume and mix of roughly $9 million to $10 million, and exchange of $3
million to $3.5 million.
The pricing change was primarily in cartons. Roughly 75% of that pricing change was in cartons.
Volume mix was primarily in our consumer products business domestically, and of course, strong
growth in our European beverage carton business, as well.
Does that help, Bruce?
Bruce Klein: Yes. But do you know what you guys I think mentioned beer was up. Was it 1.6%?
David Scheible: Beer was up the market was up about 2%, as was our soft drink and the
market was down about 1.6%. Our soft drink sales were flat quarter on quarter last year. That
represents a little bit of a mix change, for the most part. So our overall beverage volume is
actually was up slightly quarter on quarter.
Bruce Klein: And the food and consumer volume?
David Scheible: The consumer volume was up around 6% quarter on quarter. As I said, it was driven
primarily in the core sectors. Frozen pizza, cereal, new product sales for Z-Flute® were up again
this quarter. So it was really at our top 20 customers or so. We continued to see pretty solid
growth.
Bruce Klein: And lastly, just the contracts. I know you had some contract renewals that youve kind
of been getting better terms and negotiating some of the pass throughs. Is that continuing? Is that
getting better or worse? Or has there been some stuff thats been inked in this quarter, and sort
of anything major left in 07?
David Scheible: I think the I think youre referring primarily to the beverage, because thats
where those longer-term contracts were. We still have a as I said earlier this year, we still
have a single contract left in the beverage business that expires at the end of this year. And
well start we have in fact started to engage on that contract.
But we havent really seen anything different. I think we mentioned that we expected to see better
pricing as a result of the contract, in light of all the inflationary impacts and escalator
clauses. And thats exactly what weve seen. And youre starting to see it in our results, just as
we reflected it would.
I think for the remainder of the year, youre going to continue youre going to continue to see
some flow through. As you well know, a lot of these increases are timed differently, so throughout
the year, certainly in the third quarter I think well see additional pricing. Beyond, in the
fourth, I really dont have good enough visibility to really get a feel for how that will flow
through. But I would think you would continue to see both carton and board pricing at least inch up
as we go through the remainder of the year.
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Bruce Klein: Thanks. And lastly, just the Altivity, do we know is there anything you could tell
us how they I know you dont own them yet, but anything you can tell us about how they might
have fared in the quarter? Is there anything at all you can tell us?
David Scheible: No. We dont really have visibility over their results. I think all Dan and I would
say is that were comfortable with the numbers that we provided in July. Everything looks to be
exactly what we thought it was at that point in time.
Bruce Klein: Thats fine. Okay. I appreciate it. Thanks, guys.
David Scheible: Sure.
Operator: Your next question will come from the line of (Bik Kumar) at (Southcoast Partners).
Bik Kumar: Hi, guys. I wanted to good morning. I wanted to ask you guys, you managed to cut
around $50 million in costs annually over the last few years through cost reductions and process
improvements. Is that something you guys expect to be able to continue on the Graphic Packaging
business after the merger? Or do you see that declining over time? What are your expectations
there?
David Scheible: Well, I think we reported that this quarter, we had around $13 million worth. In
the first quarter, I believe we were around $8 million, $8.5 million. So year-to-date, were
tracking above $20 million, $21 million or so of cost reduction already this year. Our target, I
believe weve set our targets at somewhere between $40 million to $50 million every year. And I
think both Dan and I would be confident that were going to hit those targets within Graphic
Packaging.
And certainly, post-merger, I see no reason why, with the larger palette to paint from, we couldnt
continue to drive those kinds of ongoing results. The example I gave in Richmond is one of multiple
examples. Even though many of these facilities weve operated for a long period of time, as you
start to apply the Lean Sigma processes, you find ways to reduce freight. Certainly, lots of
opportunities to improve in our mill structure, as Dan said. Weve finally got West Monroe under
solid footing, and now theres lots of cost opportunities in those mills.
As energy prices are higher than they have traditionally been, projects that we havent (looked) in
the past that reduce utilization of fiber and energy provide us lots of opportunity to continue to
drive cost reduction out of this business, on a standalone basis. So I see no reason why we
wouldnt continue to expect to see that kind of target for cost reduction in the standalone Graphic
business.
Bik Kumar: Okay. Thats great. I was just wondering if there was a decreasing over time. Some minor
cost reductions. But it sounds like youre comfortable with past statements.
Just one more question. You guys had mentioned Altivity this year should have an EBITDA of around
$200 million. And I was wondering, can you provide some guidance in terms of at that level of
EBITDA, does how much free cash flow does the Altivity business generate?
David Scheible: Yes. We dont I mean, I dont think that weve got that level of detail to be
able to help you out with the free cash flow in Altivity. Once close occurs, well be able to give
you a lot better indication. But at this point, I dont think I can get I would give you we
would give you could give you good numbers.
Dan Blount: And just a clarification on that $200 million, thats an adjusted EBITDA number. Its
adjusted for some of the one-time costs.
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Bik Kumar: Right.
Dan Blount: Non-recurring costs for synergies and those types of things.
Bik Kumar: Sure. That was sort of the run rate adjustment. Yes.
Dan Blount: Yes.
Bik Kumar: Okay. I think those are my questions. Thank you.
Operator: Your next question will come from the line of Ali Motamed at Boston Partners.
Ali Motamed: Hi. I was wondering if you could address the dynamic with the price increases that
youre already getting, because I think someone asked if you have more price increases to get. And
my understanding was that, for example, if you negotiated a new contract on January 1st, 2007, the
way those contracts were structured, broadly speaking, was that for this individual contract, you
would get some of the catch-up this year, then maybe some of it next year, and then maybe some of
it the year after that.
So can you maybe talk about that a little, and help me understand the dynamic? And maybe for how
many years we should see step-ups in contracts that were already negotiated?
David Scheible: Well, I guess weve said in the past, and Ill continue Im not going to get
into individual customer contracts.
Ali Motamed: No, no, no. I dont want individual. But when you say you come out and you say,
theres a couple of contracts (inaudible) you still have to negotiate, and thats a little
different in my understanding as to then saying, pricing is going to continue to roll through for
stuff that youve negotiated, in excess of the new inflation adjusters that youve introduced.
David Scheible: Well, our business is made up of both carton and board roll-throughs, not every one
of our businesses have contracts that expire January. These contracts expire throughout the year.
Our consumer products businesses are much shorter contracts in nature. So at any given point in
time, those contracts are rolling through.
The escalators that roll through those things across our top 20 customers vary markedly. Some have
six month delays. Some are 30. Some are 90. So as those roll through and as the market prices and
inflators roll through, we continue to see some pricing move through our P&L throughout 2007.
And as the other contracts that as the subsequent years, in 08 and 09, there will be
additional increases because there are escalator clauses driven by inflation, driven by board price
movements, resin costs, that will continue to flow through the P&L for a while, on an ongoing
basis.
Ali Motamed: Right. But theres a difference between an inflation adjustor thats dealing with
inflation thats yet to happen and an adjustment in price that you guys negotiated based on
bringing yourself I guess there was a big move in your costs, from lets say 2005 to 2007.
So my understanding was, when you went back to these clients or customers, you basically said to
them, You know what? We need to capture this pricing. Instead of giving you a big hit this year,
were going to take it over a couple of years. And then in addition to that, lets renegotiate to
where our pricing structure is more in line with our cost structure going forward.
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David Scheible: I guess what I would say is that I dont think weve ever implied that we expected
to carve back all the inflationary impact that we had in our business. These are really large
customers with a tremendous amount of leverage. Pre-merger, post-merger, all these customers have a
tremendous amount of leverage over pricing, and a tremendous amount of opportunity.
What weve said is we will our continuous improvement and our pricing pass-throughs will get us
to a place where we will improve our margins on an on-going basis. And I think this quarter was a
good example. I think Dan said our margins were up 180 basis points year on year. And quarter on
quarter, first quarter, second quarter, I think theyre up almost 300 basis points.
So thats what youre going to see on a movement on a go-forward basis, is ongoing improvement. But
I dont want to project or suggest that were going to carve back 100% of the inflationary impact
we saw in 2004 and 2005. Some of that is going to be resident in our P&Ls on a go-forward basis.
And over time, well drive it out with cost reduction.
Ali Motamed: Thank you.
Operator: (OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS) And your next question will come from the line of (Nick Marquito)
at (inaudible) Advisors.
Nick Marquito: Good morning. My questions been answered. Thank you.
David Scheible: Okay.
Operator: Thank you, sir. And we have no further questions at this time, gentlemen.
David Scheible: Okay.
Dan Blount: All right, Tina. Thank you, everybody, for joining. Well talk to you next quarter.
Thanks.
David Scheible: Thanks, everybody.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude todays teleconference.
END
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Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed combination of Graphic Packaging and Altivity Packaging, Graphic
Packaging Corporation expects that a newly-formed holding company will file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy
statement of Graphic Packaging Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of the newly-formed
holding company. Graphic Packaging Corporation will mail the final proxy statement/prospectus to
its stockholders.
BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ
THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE
BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
You may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus (if and when it becomes available) and
other related documents filed by Graphic Packaging Corporation and the newly formed holding company
with the SEC at the SECs web site at www.sec.gov. The proxy statement/prospectus (if and when it
becomes available) and the other documents may also be obtained for free by accessing Graphic
Packaging Corporations web site at http://www.graphicpkg.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
Graphic Packaging Corporation, its directors and executive officers, other members of management
and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Graphic
Packaging Corporation stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction. You can find information
about Graphic Packaging Corporations executive officers and directors in Graphic Packaging
Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2007 and definitive Proxy
Statement filed with the SEC on April 18, 2007. You can obtain free copies of these documents and
of the proxy statement/prospectus (if and when it becomes available) from Graphic Packaging
Corporation by contacting its investor relations department. You may also obtain free copies of
these documents by accessing Graphic Packaging Corporations web site or the SECs web site at the
addresses previously mentioned.
Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants in the solicitation
will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant documents filed with the
SEC when they become available. This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall
be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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