O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE: OI) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) business unit to Visy Industries (Visy), one of the world’s largest privately owned packaging and resource recovery companies. Gross proceeds on the sale and related sale-leaseback agreement with Charter Hall, a leading property management company, will approximate AUD $947 million.
“The sale of our ANZ operations is consistent with our strategy to properly align our business with the interests of our global customer base, improve financial flexibility and maximize shareholder value. O-I will continue to develop its leading market positions across Europe and the Americas as well as the company’s interests in Asia. The sale of ANZ follows an in-depth strategic review of our global business portfolio and operating structure which is now substantially complete following this transaction. We received a full and fair price for ANZ, and this sale represents a significant milestone in our business transformation as we optimize our structure and prioritize debt reduction,” said Andres Lopez, CEO.
After evaluating alternatives for the ANZ business, the company determined the best option was to sell the operation to a buyer who could build on the solid business O-I has developed and bring decades of experience and expertise in closed loop packaging and recycling solutions, aligned to customer and industry needs.
“O-I’s ANZ business is known for providing the highest quality glass containers that enhance its customers’ brands. Following a robust sales process, we believe Visy is the best fit for our ANZ business, our customers and our employees. Visy is a well-established leader in providing high quality, innovative and closed loop packaging solutions that has operated in Australia for more than 70 years,” added Lopez.
O-I ANZ is the largest manufacturer of glass bottles and containers in Australia and New Zealand, with five manufacturing facilities located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland and a recycled glass processing plant in Brisbane. Headquartered in Melbourne, the business generated sales of approximately AUD $754 million and EBITDA of approximately AUD $124 million in 2019.
O-I and Visy have agreed that the sale of the O-I ANZ business unit will be completed in two separate transactions. O-I has entered into a sale-leaseback agreement with Charter Hall for certain properties valued at approximately AUD $214 million as well as an agreement to sell the O-I ANZ business to Visy for approximately AUD $733 million. The proceeds on disposal are expected to exceed the net carrying amount of the relevant assets and liabilities. The sale to Visy is subject to customary closing conditions. Both transactions have already received the proper regulatory approvals and closing is expected by August 31, 2020. Based on recent currency exchange rates, total gross proceeds represent approximately USD $652 million and the company currently estimates final net proceeds will approximate USD $620 million which will be used to reduce debt.
http://investors.o-i.com/news-releases/news-release-details/o-i-glass-agrees-divest-its-australia-and-new-zealand-business