Bowater to Buy Alliance Forest Products for $770 Million
Erica Berardi
04/02/01 - 10:32 AM EDT
Bowater (BOW Quote) said Monday it will acquire Canada's
Alliance Forest Products (PFA Quote) for roughly $770 million, or C$1.2 billion, including assumed debt.
Bowater will offer C$13 in cash and 0.166 shares of its common stock for each Alliance share, implying a value of C$26 for Alliance's shares.
The board of both companies have approved the merger. Bowater expects the acquisition will add immediately to earnings.
Quebec-based Alliance produces lumber and related products, pulp, newsprint and other paper products. Bowater, based in Greenville, S.C., also manufactures a variety of paper products, market pulp and lumber.
Shares of Bowater were down $1.86, or 4%, to $45.54 in recent
New York Stock Exchange trading. Shares of Alliance were up $1.24, or 9%, to $15.36.
