Kodak expects to receive a total value of $390 million after making a definitive agreement to sell its flexographic packaging division to Montagu Private Equity LLP.
The business will operate as a new standalone company which will develop, manufacture and sell flexographic products, including the Kodak Flexcel NX System.
Under its new ownership, the business will have the same organisational structure and management team that has served the division well in recent years. Chris Payne, who has served as president of the Flexographic Packaging Division for the last three years, will lead the new company as CEO.
Over the past five years, the flexo packaging business has grown and thrived within Kodak, and has become a significant player in the packaging print industry. The business will be well-positioned to continue delivering solutions to maintain profitable growth for printers in the packaging sector and remain at the leading edge of flexographic print production.
The total value of the division is up to $390 million, comprised of the following components: base purchase price of $340 million, subject to purchase price adjustments; potential earn-out payments of up to $35 million over the period through 2020 based on achievement by the business of agreed-upon performance metrics; and $15 million payable by Montagu to Kodak at the closing as a pre-payment for various services and products to be provided by Kodak to the business post-closing pursuant to commercial agreements, subject to completion of certain pledge and collateral arrangements.
The net proceeds from the transaction will be used by Kodak to reduce outstanding term debt. The company expects that the remaining outstanding term debt will be refinanced and/or repaid using cash proceeds from additional asset monetisations.
‘This transaction is an important turning point in our transformation and is a significant, positive development for Kodak,’ said Jeff Clarke, CEO, Kodak. ‘The sale of the flexographic packaging division unlocks value for shareholders and strengthens our financial position by providing a meaningful infusion of cash which allows us to reduce debt, improving the capital structure of the company and enabling greater flexibility to invest in our growth engines.’
Following this transaction, Kodak will continue to focus on the demonstrated growth areas of Sonora environmental plates, enterprise inkjet, workflow software and brand licensing. The company is well-positioned for the future by leveraging these growth engines and continuing to maximise value in commercial printing, film and advanced materials.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019, subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of closing conditions.
