NC-SEALED-AIR
1.11.2022 12:01:40 CET | Business Wire | Press release
SEE (NYSE: SEE) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Liquibox, a pioneer, innovator and manufacturer of Bag-in-Box sustainable Fluids & Liquids packaging and dispensing solutions for fresh food, beverage, consumer goods and industrial end-markets.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221101005643/en/
(Graphic: Business Wire)
This acquisition is highly complementary to Cryovac Fluids & Liquids business, the fastest growing area for SEE. Fluids & Liquids flexible packaging solutions are a $7 Billion addressable potential revenue opportunity with an attractive projected annual growth rate of approximately 6%.
“This is an exciting day for SEE. Liquibox is a highly strategic acquisition to fuel growth and earnings power in our SEE Operating Engine,” Said Ted Doheny, SEE President and CEO. “We look forward to welcoming Liquibox’s talented team. Both of our cultures strive for world-class performance and place strong emphasis on talent, sustainability, innovation and operational excellence.”
Founded in 1961, Liquibox is headquartered in Richmond, Va., employs more than 1,300 people and operates across 18 locations globally. The company estimates 2022 full year revenue of $362M. Its Bag-in-Box business is comprised of fountain beverage syrup, milkshake mix, dairy, coffee, water, wine, liquid foods and industrial applications. The company recently launched the award-winning Bag-in-Box Liquipure® that is recycle-ready and aims to replace metallic laminated bags, and Liquibox Orbiter®, a fully automatic, six-head rotary filler that increases productivity for high volume operations.
“We look forward to partnering closely with the team at SEE. This will be a new chapter for Liquibox – a chance to accelerate innovation and bring sustainable packaging solutions to more customers and geographies,” said Ken Swanson Liquibox President and Chief Executive Officer.
“This move broadens the breadth of Cryovac solutions, making our portfolio stronger and more resilient as SEE navigates recessionary environments,” continued Doheny. “We will generate strong synergies and accelerate innovation by combining Cryovac’s barrier bags and films and technology for fresh foods with Liquibox Bag-in-Box dispensing capabilities, unleashing significant value creation to our customers and shareholders.”
Strategic Rationale
Broadens Cryovac Food Packaging Leadership with Highly Complementary Solutions
Bag-in-Box is the most efficient and sustainable way to package and dispense fluids & liquids. This packaging format is increasing penetration even in mature industries for its sustainability profile and shelf-life benefits. Tailwinds from sustainability and e-commerce secular shifts are accelerating the conversion from rigid containers to flexibles. In past economic downturns, the category has been more resilient than others, outperforming GDP. Liquibox has an established position in solutions for wine, dairy, coffee and other beverages. SEE plans to complement its core competencies in barrier bag manufacturing, film extrusion, automation and digital technology together with Liquibox Bag-in-Box and fitments to drive accelerated combined growth.
Attractive Growth Profile, Drives Cost Synergies
Liquibox has a strong financial profile and track record of growth and expects 2022 full year revenue and Adj. EBITDA of $362M and $85M respectively. SEE Operational Excellence in its integrated value chain for flexible packaging materials will provide significant productivity and efficiencies to achieve $30M in annualized estimated cost synergy savings by the end of year three (3). This transaction is a new opportunity to leverage SEE’s proprietary M&A playbook to drive acquisitions to successful outcomes, as demonstrated with the recent case of Automated Packaging Systems.
Drives Rapid Geographic Expansion, Automation, and Innovation
Liquibox will benefit from SEE’s geographical reach to drive synergistic growth opportunities. Liquibox filler equipment technology provides an attractive source of growth for SEE Automation™. E-commerce ready solutions for fluids & liquids will benefit from SEE’s integrated approach to digital and the advancement of prismiq™ digital packaging and printing solutions.
Liquibox’s newest innovation, Liquipure® is growing at attractive rates. In 2021, Liquibox launched VINIflow® Bag-in-Box dispensing tap with 26% less plastic to meet sustainability goals and keep products fresh longer. Liquibox solutions and patented technologies are aligned with SEE’s net positive circular ecosystem strategy.
Increases Exposure to Quick Service Restaurants and Other Attractive End Markets
With the acquisition, SEE plans to increase penetration in Food Service and Quick Service Restaurants, where the combined solutions offering will include:
- Cryovac Autopouch™ vertical form fill seal and Flex Prep™ automation solutions for back-of-house productivity on condiment and sauces
- Liquibox Bag-in-Box solutions for soda fountains, dairy, urn liners, and to-go liquid box packaging.
Transaction Details, Financing and Approvals
Purchase price of $1.15B on a cash-free debt-free basis represents an estimated EV/Adj. EBITDA multiple of 13.5x and a multiple of 10x after factoring in only cost synergies. SEE Adj. EPS, exclusive of purchase accounting, will be accretive immediately after close.
SEE has secured $1.0B of committed debt financing with the balance of the consideration to be paid with cash on hand. As of September 30, 2022, SEE had $1.4B of liquidity consisting of $1.1B available under our committed credit facilities and $249M in cash.
Post-transaction expected net-debt leverage of approximately 3.5x Adj. EBITDA expected to be significantly reduced within 12 to 18 months, benefiting from strong pro-forma free cash flow generation. SEE anticipates corporate family ratings to remain unchanged by Moody’s and S&P.
Subject to the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, the transaction is currently expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023,. The Company plans to provide its 2023 full year outlook on February 16, 2023, inclusive of the acquisition of Liquibox, subject to the closing.
Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as sole financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor to SEE. KPMG advised on Financial, Tax, HR, and IT due diligence.
Investor Conference Call
SEE will extend the earnings conference call on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 to discuss this transaction. The conference will be webcast live. Interested parties can view the events on Sealed Air’s Investors homepage at www.sealedair.com/investors.
About SEE
Sealed Air (NYSE: SEE) is in business to protect, solve critical packaging challenges, and make our world better than we find it. Our automated packaging solutions promote a safer, more resilient, and less wasteful global food supply chain, enable e-commerce, and protect goods transported worldwide.
Our globally recognized brands include CRYOVAC® brand food packaging, SEALED AIR® brand protective packaging, AUTOBAG® brand automated systems, BUBBLE WRAP® brand packaging, SEE Automation™ solutions and prismiq™ smart packaging and digital printing.
SEE’s Operating Model, together with our industry-leading expertise in materials, engineering and technology, create value through more sustainable, automated, and digitally connected packaging solutions.
We are leading the packaging industry in creating a more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable future and have pledged to design or advance 100% of our packaging materials to be recyclable or reusable by 2025, with a bolder goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions in our global operations by 2040. Our Global Impact Report highlights how we are shaping the future of the packaging industry. We are committed to a diverse workforce and caring, inclusive culture through our 2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pledge.
SEE generated $5.5 billion in sales in 2021 and has approximately 16,500 employees who serve customers in 114 countries/territories. To learn more, visit sealedair.com.
Website Information
We routinely post important information for investors on our website, sealedair.com, in the Investors section. We use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “assume,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “potential,” “seek,” “predict,” “may,” “will” and similar references to future periods. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding expected future operating results, expectations regarding the results of restructuring and other programs, anticipated levels of capital expenditures and expectations of the effect on our financial condition of claims, litigation, environmental costs, contingent liabilities and governmental and regulatory investigations and proceedings. The following are important factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements: global economic and political conditions, currency translation and devaluation effects, changes in raw material pricing and availability, competitive conditions, the success of new product offerings, consumer preferences, the effects of animal and food-related health issues, the effects of epidemics or pandemics, including the Coronavirus Disease 2019, negative impacts related to the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions, export restrictions and other counteractions thereto, changes in energy costs, environmental matters, the success of our restructuring activities, the success of our merger, acquisition and equity investment strategies, the success of our financial growth, profitability, cash generation and manufacturing strategies and our cost reduction and productivity efforts, changes in our credit ratings, the tax benefit associated with the Settlement agreement (as defined in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K), regulatory actions and legal matters, and the other information referenced in the “Risk Factors” section appearing in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as revised and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement made by us is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Non-U.S. GAAP Information
Information reconciling forward-looking U.S. GAAP measures to non-U.S. GAAP measures is not available without unreasonable effort. We have not provided guidance for the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, as they are not available without unreasonable effort due to the high variability, complexity, and low visibility with respect to certain special items, including restructuring charges, adjustments in the valuation of our "SEE Ventures" portfolio (which may include debt, equity method, or equity investments), gains and losses related to acquisition and divestiture of businesses, the ultimate outcome of certain legal or tax proceedings, and other unusual gains and losses. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to our results computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221101005643/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
AIT Worldwide Logistics Expands Global Footprint to Oceania with Acquisition of Australia-Based Forwarder Connor Anderson International2.11.2026 05:01:00 CET | Press release
Strategic investment increases AIT’s geographic reach, high-tech logistics support capabilities Supply chain solutions leader AIT Worldwide Logistics (“AIT”) has finalized an agreement to acquire Connor Anderson International (“CAI”), a global freight forwarder based in Sydney. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261028626874/en/ Acquiring Connor Anderson International serves as the foundation for AIT's long-term expansion to serve Oceania more broadly. Founded in 1974, CAI delivers comprehensive logistics support, including sea, air and road transport, customs brokerage, warehousing, and project cargo management for customers across a wide range of industries. Notably, CAI’s long-tenured team manages a wide variety of specialized cargo while increasingly emphasizing distinctive services for technology companies serving the Australia and broader Oceania markets. The acquisition will strengthen AIT’s specialized se
MultiBank Exchange, Part of MultiBank Group, Unveils World’s Fastest Interbank Matching Engine and Digital Asset Settlement2.11.2026 03:00:00 CET | Press release
Platform connects more than 30 tier-one banks and liquidity providers, combining 400-nanosecond matching with credit services and settlement in fiat currencies and digital assets Board of Directors of MultiBank Exchange Holding formed, chaired by Naser Taher MultiBank Exchange, part of MultiBank Group, one of the world’s largest financial derivatives institutions, has announced the world’s first interbank trading platform to offer double exotic currency pairs with settlement in both fiat currencies and digital assets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261101073341/en/ MultiBank Exchange is designed to connect banks and financial institutions across the GCC, BRICS and other emerging markets with Western trading technology and global liquidity. Its objective is to enable these institutions to participate in international foreign exchange markets on an equal footing with their Western counterparts. With daily tradi
Emirati Mohammed Al Hakim Appointed Vice Chairman of MultiBank Group, Valued at US$32 Billion, and CEO of MB.io2.11.2026 03:00:00 CET | Press release
Former Crypto.com regional executive brings UAE government experience and a track record of commercial growth and partnerships with Emirates and Dubai Duty FreeAl Hakim will strengthen MultiBank Group’s global presence, lead MB.io into new markets and develop MultiBank Exchange’s institutional reach MultiBank Group, one of the world’s largest financial derivatives institutions, has appointed Mohammed Al Hakim as Vice Chairman of MultiBank Group and CEO of MB.io, who will strengthen the Group’s global presence, lead MB.io into new international markets and oversee the expansion of MultiBank Exchange. The appointment supports the Group’s ambitions across financial markets, digital assets and financial technology. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261101934535/en/ MultiBank Group, one of the world’s largest financial derivatives institutions, has appointed Mohammed Al Hakim as Vice Chairman of MultiBank Group and C
Venture Global Commences Commercial Operations of Phase One of Plaquemines LNG1.11.2026 16:40:00 CET | Press release
COD declared just over 53 months from FID on Phase OneFirst long-term sales and purchase agreement (SPA) cargo lifted by Shell On October 31, 2026, Venture Global (NYSE: VG) commenced commercial operations of the first phase of its second LNG export project – Plaquemines LNG – and the sale of low-cost, U.S. LNG to the first phase’s long-term customers. The commercial operations date (COD) for Phase 1 of Plaquemines LNG was reached in just over 53 months from the final investment decision on the project, making it among the fastest greenfield LNG projects ever completed. “Achieving commercial operations at the first phase of our second LNG project in 53 months is a testament to our team's relentless dedication and hard work,” said Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel. “We are thrilled to hit another major milestone that enables us to continue delivering reliable, affordable American LNG to the global market. We deeply appreciate the collaboration of our regulators and supply chain partners, wh
From the Chishui to the Han: "Moutai Night" Debuts in Seoul to Bridge Cultural Connections1.11.2026 13:44:00 CET | Press release
On October 25, the 2026 “Moutai Night” was held in Seoul, South Korea, under the theme “Born by the Chishui River, Fragrance Along the Han River.” Over a hundred guests from China and South Korea gathered around the Han River, sharing the distinctive appeal of Chinese baijiu, and fostering cultural exchange between the two countries through fine liquor and culture. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261101047521/en/ The event featured an exhibition on Moutai’s brewing techniques and brand history. Hands-on experiences with Miao batik and silverwork showcased Guizhou culture, while creative cocktails brought Chinese spirits into dialogue with Korean tastes. A city-themed video, dance performances and a violin performance rounded out the program, as guests exchanged views on liquor culture in a warm atmosphere. As a flagship cultural initiative designed for global audiences, “Moutai Night” made its Seoul debut, fol
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom
