f425_051815.htm
Filed by Rock-Tenn Company
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Act of 1934
Subject Company: Rock-Tenn Company, MeadWestvaco Corporation
Commission File No.: 001-12613
WESTROCK ANNOUNCED AS NAME OF COMBINED MWV/RKT COMPANY PENDING MERGER
RICHMOND, Va., and NORCROSS, Ga., – May 18, 2015 – WestRock Company was announced today by MeadWestvaco Corporation (“MWV”) (NYSE: MWV) and Rock-Tenn Company (“RockTenn”) (NYSE: RKT) as the name for the new company when the two packaging leaders complete their previously announced combination. WestRock will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WRK.
“WestRock draws on the strongest elements from each of our legacy names,” said Steve Voorhees, who will be the chief executive officer of WestRock Company. “The name speaks to our determination to build on the long track record of success and growth that has been established by both companies. WestRock’s aspiration is to be the premier partner and unrivaled provider of winning paper and packaging solutions for our customers.”
The pending combination between MWV and RockTenn was announced on January 26, 2015. The companies have received antitrust approval in the United States and are awaiting other regulatory and shareholder approvals that are expected in the month of June.
About WestRock
WestRock Company’s (which will trade on the NYSE: WRK) aspiration is to be the premier partner and unrivaled provider of paper and packaging solutions in consumer and corrugated markets. WestRock’s 42,000 team members will support customers around the world from more than 300 operating facilities spanning North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
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RockTenn Contacts:
Investor Contact:
John Stakel
Senior Vice President, Treasurer
678-291-7901
jstakel@rocktenn.com
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MWV Contacts:
Investor Contact:
Jason Thompson
Director, Investor Relations
804-444-2556
jason.thompson@mwv.com
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Media Contact:
Robin Keegan
Director, Corporate Communications
770-326-8245
rokeegan@rocktenn.com
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Media Contact:
Tucker McNeil
Director, Corporate Communications
804-444-6397
mediainquiries@mwv.com
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “prospects,” “potential” and “forecast,” and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. RockTenn and MWV caution readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the ability to obtain regulatory and shareholder approvals and the statement that WestRock’s 42,000 team members will support customers around the world from more than 300 operating facilities spanning North America, South America, Europe and Asia. With respect to these statements, RockTenn and MWV have made assumptions regarding, among other things, whether and when the proposed transaction will be approved; whether and when the proposed transaction will close; the results and impacts of the proposed transaction; whether and when the spin-off of MWV’s specialty chemicals business will occur; economic, competitive and market conditions generally; volumes and price levels of purchases by customers; competitive conditions in RockTenn’s and MWV’s businesses and possible adverse actions of their respective customers, competitors and suppliers. Further, RockTenn’s and MWV’s businesses are subject to a number of general risks that would affect any such forward-looking statements including, among others, decreases in demand for their products; increases in energy, raw materials, shipping and capital equipment costs; reduced supply of raw materials; fluctuations in selling prices and volumes; intense competition; the potential loss of certain customers; the scope, costs, timing and impact of any restructuring of our operations and corporate and tax structure; and adverse changes in general market and industry conditions. Such risks and other factors that may impact management’s assumptions are more particularly described in RockTenn’s and MWV’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption “Business – Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” in RockTenn’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations – Forward-looking Statements” and “Risk factors” in MWV’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The information contained herein speaks as of the date hereof and neither RockTenn nor MWV have or undertake any obligation to update or revise their forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION
The information in this communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
The proposed transaction involving MWV and RockTenn will be submitted to the stockholders of MWV and the shareholders of RockTenn for their consideration. In connection with the proposed transaction, RockTenn has caused a newly formed holding company, WestRock Company (formerly known as Rome-Milan Holdings, Inc.), to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which includes a draft preliminary prospectus with respect to the shares to be issued in the proposed transaction and a preliminary joint proxy statement for the shareholders of MWV and RockTenn (the “Joint Proxy Statement”), and which is expected to be declared “effective” by the SEC at a later date (the “Registration Statement”). Once effective, each of MWV and RockTenn will mail the Joint Proxy Statement in definitive form to their respective stockholders or shareholders, as applicable, and may file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. The Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED AND ADVISED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. The Registration Statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and other relevant materials (when they become available) and any other documents filed or furnished by MWV or RockTenn with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement from RockTenn by going to its investor relations page on its corporate website at http://ir.rocktenn.com and from MWV on its corporate website at www.mwv.com.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION
MWV, RockTenn, their respective directors and certain of their executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about RockTenn’s directors and executive officers is set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on December 19, 2014, and information about MWV’s directors and executive officers is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on April 20, 2015. These documents are available free of charge from the sources indicated above, from RockTenn by going to its investor relations page on its corporate website at http://ir.rocktenn.com and from MWV on its website at www.mwv.com.
Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction will be included in the Registration Statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and other relevant materials RockTenn and MWV intend to file with the SEC.