ATLANTA & MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL) and Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine the two companies. The transaction creates a $16 billion consumer goods company to be named Newell Brands, with a portfolio of leading brands in large unconsolidated categories, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer’s®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, Aprica®, Goody®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Coleman®, First Alert®, FoodSaver®, Jostens®, K2®, NUK®, Oster®, Rawlings®, Sunbeam® and Yankee Candle®. The scaled enterprise is expected to accelerate profitable growth with leading brands that compete in a global market that exceeds $100 billion, with business and capability development supported by the efficiencies of this transformational combination.
“The combination of these two great companies creates a $16 billion consumer goods company with incredible potential to grow and create value,” said Michael B. Polk, Newell Rubbermaid President and Chief Executive Officer. “The scale of our combined businesses in key categories, channels and geographies creates a much broader canvas on which to leverage our advantaged set of brand development and commercial capabilities for accelerated growth and margin expansion. I have long respected the value creation track record and entrepreneurial vision of Jarden’s founder, Martin E. Franklin, co-founder Ian G.H. Ashken, and their team led by Chief Executive Officer James E. Lillie. I want to congratulate Jim on his strong leadership of Jarden over the last twelve years and his work positioning the business for the opportunity ahead, and I look forward to working with Martin and Ian as we drive the new Newell Brands towards its aspiration of becoming one of the preeminent consumer goods companies in the world.”
Martin E. Franklin, Executive Chairman and Founder of Jarden, said, “I am delighted that we are to play a part in bringing together these two winning companies. The combination offers significant value for our shareholders and the opportunity to participate in the combined company’s long-term value creation potential as shareholders in Newell Brands. I’m extremely proud of Jarden’s success over the past 14 years, which has been driven by an extraordinary culture designed to perform at a high level. We have spent significant time with Newell Rubbermaid’s senior management team and are convinced they have a similar ambition and drive. I’m excited by the opportunities for this new combined organization and I look forward to being part of this dynamic new chapter.”
James E. Lillie, Chief Executive Officer of Jarden, added, “This combination is focused on driving shareholder value and accelerating the growth and profitability of both businesses. Together, the business can move faster, globally leveraging the expertise and ability of the dedicated and talented employee base. The combined scale of both businesses will create opportunities for shareholders, customers and employees as the two businesses are very complementary in vision and in their ability to execute. I unequivocally support Mike and the combined teams in executing against the opportunity before us.”
Transaction Summary
Under the terms of the agreement, Jarden shareholders will receive, for each Jarden share, $21 in cash and 0.862 shares of Newell Rubbermaid stock at closing. Based on Newell Rubbermaid’s closing share price as of December 11, 2015, the implied total consideration would be $60 per share, which represents a 24 percent premium to Jarden’s 30-day volume weighted average share price as of December 11, 2015.
The transaction will be funded by cash on hand, debt and equity issued to Jarden shareholders; convertible bondholders will be entitled to convert in exchange for the merger consideration in conjunction with the transaction. Newell Rubbermaid has obtained a committed bridge facility, which it expects to replace with permanent financing prior to closing. Newell Brands intends to maintain its investment grade credit rating by using strong cash flow from the combined company to prioritize debt reduction in the short term towards a target leverage ratio of 3.0 to 3.5 times. Newell Brands expects to achieve the target ratio within two to three years, while simultaneously maintaining or increasing its dividend per share.
Newell Rubbermaid anticipates incremental annualized cost synergies of approximately $500 million over four years, driven by efficiencies of scale and new efficiencies in procurement, cost to serve and infrastructure that the combination unlocks. The company’s intent is to design a benchmarked, efficient set of structures that support long term business development. The transaction is projected to be immediately accretive with strong double-digit normalized earnings per share accretion post synergy realization.
The acquisition is subject to approval by shareholders of both Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden Corporation, receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016.
Management and Governance
Upon the closing of the transaction, Newell Brands will be led by Michael B. Polk as Chief Executive Officer.
The Newell Brands Board of Directors will be expanded to include three representatives of the Jarden Board, including Martin E. Franklin, Founder and Executive Chairman of Jarden and Ian G. H. Ashken, Co-Founder, Vice Chairman and President of Jarden. The new thirteen member Newell Brands Board will be chaired by current Newell Rubbermaid non-executive Chairman Michael Cowhig.
Mark Tarchetti, currently Chief Development Officer, Newell Rubbermaid, will become the President of Newell Brands upon completion of the transaction, with an initial focus leading the integration of the companies, including synergy delivery, portfolio strategy and long-term business development plans such as accelerated market deployment of the brands at home and internationally. He will also be responsible for the creation of a number of enterprise-wide capabilities, including Design, Innovation, Insights, eCommerce, and Direct-to-Consumer commerce.
Bill Burke, currently Chief Operating Officer, Newell Rubbermaid, will lead the legacy Jarden business upon completion of the transaction, working closely with Richard Sansone, Jarden’s Executive Vice President of Operations and the senior leadership teams across the Jarden businesses to deliver the current business plans while working with Mark Tarchetti to insure the seamless transition of Jarden into Newell Brands.
“Given the magnitude of the opportunity ahead, I’m delighted that Bill and Mark will continue their partnership working with Rich and the great talent that Jarden brings to the combination. This is an important time, and the process of learning more about the brands, the people and the opportunities represented by the combined business is critical to realization of the full potential of the transformation,” said Polk.
As previously announced, Joe Arcuri will assume the role of Chief Commercial Officer, Newell Rubbermaid and Richard Davies will become Chief Development Officer, Newell Rubbermaid, both effective January 1, 2016. These leaders will ensure the development and full delivery of the existing Newell Rubbermaid business plan.
Additional executive roles will be announced at the completion of the proposed transaction.
Advisors
Goldman, Sachs & Co. served as lead financial advisor to Newell Rubbermaid and is providing committed financing for the transaction; Centerview Partners LLC acted as financial advisor to the Newell Rubbermaid Board of Directors. Jones Day and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett acted as legal counsel to Newell Rubbermaid.
Barclays acted as lead financial advisor with UBS Investment Bank also serving as financial advisor for Jarden; Greenberg Traurig LLP and Kane Kessler P.C. acted as legal counsel.
Investor Call Details
Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden will host a conference call with investors to discuss the announcement today, December 14, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. ET. A link to the listen-only webcast and a supporting slide presentation is provided under Events & Presentations in the Investor Relations section of Newell Rubbermaid’s Web site at www.newellrubbermaid.com and is similarly posted on Jarden’s Web site at www.jarden.com. A webcast replay will be made available in the Investor Relations section on both companies’ Web sites.
About Newell Rubbermaid
Newell Rubbermaid Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products with 2014 sales of $5.7 billion and a strong portfolio of leading brands, including Sharpie®, Paper Mate®, Elmer’s®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Contigo®, Rubbermaid®, Calphalon®, Goody®, Graco®, Aprica®, Baby Jogger®, Dymo®, Parker® and Waterman®. As part of the company’s Growth Game Plan, Newell Rubbermaid is making sharper portfolio choices and investing in new marketing and innovation to accelerate performance.
This press release and additional information about Newell Rubbermaid are available on the company’s Web site, www.newellrubbermaid.com.
About Jarden Corporation
Jarden Corporation is a diversified, global consumer products company with a portfolio of over 120 trusted, authentic brands. Jarden's record of strong financial performance and organic growth is supported by a focused operating culture coupled with value enhancing acquisitions and shareholder focused capital allocation. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bernardin®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Envirocooler®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Lifoam®, Lillo®, Loew-Cornell®, Mapa®, Millefiori®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, Quickie®, Spontex®, Tigex®, Waddington, Yankee Candle® and YOU®; Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, AeroBed®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, Dalbello®, ExOfficio®, Fenwick®, Greys®, Gulp!®, Hardy®, Invicta®, Jostens®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, Neff®, PENN®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Squadra®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Volkl® and Zoot®; and Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Breville®, Cadence®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rainbow®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®. Headquartered in Florida, Jarden ranks #348 on the Fortune 500 and has over 35,000 employees worldwide. For further information about Jarden, please visit www.jarden.com.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release that are not historical in nature constitute forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to information or assumptions about the timing of completion of the proposed acquisition, the expected benefits of the proposed acquisition, management's plans, projections and objectives for future operations, scale and performance, integration plans and expected synergies therefrom, and anticipated future financial and operating performance results, including operating margin or gross margin capital and other expenditures, cash flow, dividends, restructuring and other project costs, costs and cost savings, and debt ratings. These statements are accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "expect," "project," "will," "believe," "estimate" and similar expressions. Such expectations are based upon certain preliminary information, internal estimates, and management assumptions, expectations, and plans, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties inherent in projecting future conditions, events, and results. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements if one or more of the underlying assumptions or expectations prove to be inaccurate or are unrealized. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the risk that the necessary shareholder approvals may not be obtained; the risk that the necessary regulatory approvals may not be obtained or may be obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; the risk that the proposed acquisition will not be consummated in a timely manner; risks that any of the closing conditions to the proposed acquisition may not be satisfied or may not be satisfied in a timely manner; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed acquisition; the risk that Newell Rubbermaid is unable to retain its investment grade rating; failure to realize the benefits expected from the proposed acquisition; failure to promptly and effectively integrate the acquisition; and the effect of the announcement of the proposed acquisition on the ability of Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel, maintain relationships with suppliers, on their operating results and businesses generally and those factors listed in Newell Rubbermaid’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and exhibit 99.1 thereto and Jarden’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, in each case, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. The information contained in this news release is as of the date indicated. Neither Newell Rubbermaid nor Jarden assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a result of new information or future events or developments.
Additional Information and Where to Find it
In connection with the proposed acquisition, Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden will file a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include the Joint Proxy Statement of Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden that also constitutes a prospectus of Newell Rubbermaid. Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden plan to mail to their respective shareholders the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus in connection with the acquisition. WE URGE INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT NEWELL RUBBERMAID, JARDEN, AND THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Investors and shareholders will be able to obtain copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Newell Rubbermaid by accessing Newell Rubbermaid’s website at www.newellrubbermaid.com by clicking on the “Investor Relations” link and then clicking on the “SEC Filings” link or by contacting Newell Rubbermaid Investor Relations at investor.relations@newellrubbermaid.com or by calling 1-800-424-1941, and will be able to obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Jarden by accessing Jarden’s website at www.jarden.com by clicking on the “For Investors” link and then clicking on the “SEC Filings” link or by contacting Jarden Investor Relations at rwilson@jarden.com or by calling 203-845-5300. Shareholders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by Newell Rubbermaid or Jarden with the SEC, at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.
Participants in the Merger Solicitation
Newell Rubbermaid, Jarden and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other persons may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies from the respective shareholders of Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden in respect of the proposed acquisition contemplated by the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Information regarding Newell Rubbermaid’s directors and executive officers is available in Newell Rubbermaid’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015, its proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 1, 2015 in connection with its 2015 annual meeting of stockholders and its Forms 8-K filed with the SEC on February 12, 2015, May 19, 2015, October 9, 2015 and November 16, 2015. Information regarding Jarden’s directors and executive officers is available in Jarden’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015, its proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 20, 2015 in connection with its 2015 annual meeting of stockholders and its Forms 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2015 and June 9, 2015. Other information regarding persons who may be considered participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Non-Solicitation
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the acquisition 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.