MOSINEE, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wausau Paper (NYSE:WPP) today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Starboard Value LP that it has nominated a slate of three directors for election to Wausau’s Board of Directors at the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:
“Under our current management and Board, Wausau Paper has completed a successful strategic transformation into a pure play tissue company that is delivering strong volumes, margin expansion, earnings and free cash flow growth. The Company has excellent forward momentum and our stock price has increased approximately 40% over the past year. Our Board is unanimously supportive of the Company’s strategy and management team, and is fully committed to creating further value and acting in the best interests of our shareholders.
“While we always appreciate input from shareholders, we were surprised and disappointed by Starboard’s actions. Over the past two years, we have tried to work constructively with Starboard and have already added four of their nominees to our nine-person board. However, we believe that it is disproportionate and inappropriate that Starboard – which holds only 15% of our shares – should be able to designate the majority of the Board, as would result if their new nominees were elected.
“The Company expects to communicate further with shareholders in due course.”
About Wausau Paper:
Wausau Paper produces and markets a
complete line of away-from-home towel and tissue products, is
headquartered in Mosinee, Wisconsin, and listed on the NYSE under the
symbol WPP. To learn more about Wausau Paper visit: www.wausaupaper.com.
Important Information:
This news release may be deemed to be
solicitation material in respect of the solicitation of proxies from
shareholders in connection with Wausau Paper Corp.’s 2014 annual meeting
of shareholders. The company, its directors and certain of its executive
officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in such
solicitation. The company will file a proxy statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its
2014 annual meeting of stockholders. The proxy statement, any other
relevant documents and other material filed with the SEC concerning the
company will be, when filed, available free of charge at www.sec.gov
and www.wausaupaper.com.
Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement and any other
relevant documents filed when they become available because they will
contain important information.
Information Regarding Participants:
Wausau Paper Corp., its
directors, and certain of its executive officers and employees may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from
shareholders in connection with the company’s 2014 annual meeting of
shareholders. Information concerning these participants is available in
the company’s proxy statement for the 2013 annual meeting of
shareholders filed with the SEC on March 14, 2013, and in subsequent SEC
filings on Forms 3 and 4. Shareholders are advised to read the company’s
proxy statement for the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders and other
relevant documents when they become available, because they will contain
important information, including information with respect to such
participants. You can obtain free copies of these referenced documents
as described above.
Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995:
The matters discussed in this news release concerning the
Company’s future performance or anticipated financial results are
forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to
differ materially from those set forth in these statements. Among other
things, these risks and uncertainties include the strength of the
economy and demand for paper products, increases in raw material and
energy prices, manufacturing problems at Company facilities, and other
risks and assumptions described under “Information Concerning
Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7 and in Item 1A of the Company’s
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company assumes no
obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that
become untrue because of subsequent events.