form6k.htm
FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of September, 2008
 
Commission file number: 1-14872
 
SAPPI LIMITED

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
48 Ameshoff Street
Braamfontein
Johannesburg 2001
 
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 

Form 20-F
X
-------
Form 40-F


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (1):
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (7):
 
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 

Yes
 
No
X
-------

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In order to utilize the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”), Sappi Limited (the “Company”) is providing the following cautionary statement. Except for historical information contained herein, statements contained in this Report on Form 6-K may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Reform Act. The words “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate “, “plan”, “assume”, “positioned”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “risk” and other similar expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. In addition, this Report on Form 6-K may include forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s potential exposure to various types of market risks, such as interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk and commodity price risk. Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are in some cases beyond the control of the Company, together with its subsidiaries (the “Group”), and may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements (and from past results, performance or achievements). Certain factors that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: the highly cyclical nature of the pulp and paper industry; pulp and paper production, production capacity, input costs including raw material, energy and employee costs, and pricing levels in North America, Europe, Asia and southern Africa; any major disruption in production at the Group’s key facilities; changes in environmental, tax and other laws and regulations; adverse changes in the markets for the Group’s products; any delays, unexpected costs or other problems experienced with any business acquired or to be acquired; consequences of the Group’s leverage; adverse changes in the South African political situation and economy or the effect of governmental efforts to address present or future economic or social problems; and the impact of future investments, acquisitions and dispositions (including the financing of investments and acquisitions) and any delays, unexpected costs or other problems experienced in connection with dispositions. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings with and submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this Report on Form 6-K. Shareholders and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of the submission of this Report on Form 6-K and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
 
 

 
 
Attached is the Circular posted by Sappi Limited on October 10, 2008 in connection with the Rights Offering as described therein.
 
 
 
 
 
THIS CIRCULAR IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
The definitions and interpretations commencing on page 12 apply to the cover of this Circular.
Shareholders are referred to page 9 of this Circular, which sets out the action required of them with regard to the Transaction, full details of which are set out in this document. If you are in any doubt as to the action that you should take, please consult your broker, CSDP, banker, legal advisor, accountant or other professional advisor immediately.
If you have disposed of some or all of your ordinary shares in Sappi, then a copy of this Circular, together with the attached form of proxy, should be forwarded to the purchaser to whom, or the broker, CSDP or agent through whom, you disposed of your Sappi Shares or your interest in Sappi Shares.
A form of proxy (pink) is attached for use by Certificated Shareholders and Dematerialised Shareholders,  other than those with Depository Interests in CREST, with own name registration who cannot attend the General Meeting and who wish to vote at the General Meeting. It should be properly completed and lodged with the transfer secretaries, Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited, or Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited by no later than 15:00 on 1 November 2008. Dematerialised Shareholders, other than those with own name registration or with Depository Interests in CREST, must inform their CSDP or broker of their intention to attend the General Meeting or provide their CSDP or broker with their voting instructions should they not be able to attend the General Meeting in person but wish to be represented at the General Meeting. This must be done in terms of the agreement entered into between the shareholder and the CSDP or broker concerned.  Holders of Depository Interests in CREST who wish to vote at the General Meeting should complete the form of direction attached (yellow), and lodge it with the Depositary, Capita IRG Trustees Limited, by no later than 13:00 UK time on 31 October 2008.
The Rights Offering referred to in this Circular will be made in accordance with the South African Companies Act and will only be addressed to persons to whom it may lawfully be made. By subscribing for any shares offered in the proposed Rights Offering, you will be deemed to have represented and agreed that you are not (and any person for whom you are acting is not) (i) resident in any jurisdiction in which such offer would be unlawful or (ii) a person to whom such offer may not lawfully be made.
 
JSE Category 1  pages 1 to 182
Revised Listing Particulars  pages 183 to 220 

 
 
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1936/008963/06
JSE share code: SAP ISIN: ZAE000006284
 (“Sappi or “the Company”)
 

CIRCULAR TO SHAREHOLDERS OF SAPPI
regarding:
·
the proposed acquisition by Sappi of the business, specific assets and liabilities of the graphic paper business of M-real and the allotment and issue of consideration shares;
·
the creation of up to 1,000,000,000 new ordinary shares in the authorised share capital of Sappi;
·
the placing of the unissued shares under the control of the directors for a possible rights offer;  and
·
the approval of a waiver of any requirement to make a mandatory offer that may arise from the underwriting of the possible rights offer,
and including:
·
revised listing particulars (prepared on the assumption that the resolutions proposed in the notice of general meeting forming part of this document will be passed at the General Meeting and, where applicable, be registered);
·
a notice of general meeting; and
·
a form of proxy to be completed by holders of Certificated Shares and holders of Dematerialised Shares with “own name” registration. A separate form of direction is attached for holders of Depository Interests with CREST to complete.
The directors of Sappi whose names appear on page 4 of this Circular, collectively and individually, accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information given in this Circular and certify that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, there are no facts the omission of which would make any statement in this Circular false or misleading and that they have made all reasonable inquiries to ascertain such facts and that this Circular contains all information required in law and by the JSE Listings Requirements.
Morgan Stanley South Africa (Pty) Ltd which is regulated in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements, is acting for Sappi and no-one else in relation to the preparation of this Circular and will not be responsible to anyone other than Sappi in relation to the preparation of this Circular.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited is acting exclusively for Sappi and for no-one else in connection with the proposed acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Sappi for providing the protections afforded to customers of Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the proposed acquisition.
Date of issue: 10 October 2008
 
This Circular is available in English only. Copies may be obtained from the registered office of Sappi, the Transaction Sponsor or the Transfer Secretaries whose addresses are set out in the “Corporate information section of this Circular from 10 October 2008.
 
 
1

                                                                                                       
 
 Financial advisor and Transaction Sponsor to Sappi   Financial advisor to M-real
 
 
 
 
 South African legal advisor to Sappi
 
 
 South African legal advisor to M-real
 
 
 
 
 U.K. legal advisor to Sappi    
 
 
 U.K. legal advisor to M-real
 
 
 
 
 U.S. legal advisor to Sappi
 
 
 
 
 
Reporting accountants and Due
Diligence advisors in respect of Sappi
 
 
 Reporting accountants in respect of M-real
 
 
 
 Sponsor to Sappi
 
   

 
2

 
 

CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


This Circular includes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for historical information contained herein, statements contained in this Circular may constitute forward-looking statements.
 
The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “assume,” “positioned,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “risk” and other similar expressions, which are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements that are predictions of or indicate future earnings, savings, synergies, events, trends, plans and objectives. In addition, this Circular includes forward-looking statements relating to our potential exposure to various types of market risks, such as interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk and commodity price risk. You should not rely on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are in some cases beyond our control and may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements (and from past results, performance or achievements).
 
Certain factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to the risk that the Acquired Business will not be integrated successfully or such
integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the Transaction may not be fully realised or realised within the expected time frame; revenues following the Transaction may be lower than expected; any anticipated benefits from the consolidation of the European paper business may not be achieved; the ability to obtain governmental or regulatory approvals of the acquisition on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of shareholders of Sappi to approve the acquisition or the related financings; the highly cyclical nature of the pulp and paper industry; pulp and paper production, production capacity, input costs (including raw materials, energy and employee costs) and pricing levels in North America, Europe, Asia and southern Africa; any major disruption in production at our key facilities; changes in environmental, tax and other laws and regulations; adverse changes in the markets for our products; any delays, unexpected costs or other problems experienced with any business acquired or to be acquired or with any expansion of existing facilities and achieving expected savings and synergies; consequences of our leverage, including as a result of adverse changes in credit markets that affect our ability to raise capital when needed; adverse changes in the political situation and economy in the countries in which Sappi operates or the effect of governmental efforts to address present or future economic or social problems; and the impact of future investments, acquisitions and dispositions (including the financing of investments and acquisitions) and any delays, unexpected costs or other problems experienced in connection with dispositions.
 
Sappi undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Sappi cautions you that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Circular might not occur.
 

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS IN THE UNITED STATES
The proposed Rights Offering described in this Circular has not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act.  Accordingly, the rights may only be exercised, and the new shares may only be offered and sold, in transactions that are exempt from registration under the U.S. Securities Act. The new shares offered in the proposed Rights Offering described in this Circular may be acquired outside of the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. Holders of Sappi Shares and ADSs in the United States are permitted to vote on the resolutions to which this Circular refers.
 

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM
The proposed Rights Offering described in this Circular will only be addressed to and directed at persons in member states of the European Economic Area, or EEA, who are “Qualified Investors” within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the European Parliament and Council Directive 2003/71/EC, including any measure implementing such Directive in any member state of the EEA ( the “Prospectus Directive”). In addition, in the United Kingdom, the proposed Rights Offering will only be addressed to and directed at (1) Qualified Investors who are investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”), or high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a)  (d) of the Order or (2) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”). The new shares will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with (1) in the United Kingdom, Relevant Persons and (2) in any member state of the EEA, other than the United Kingdom, Qualified Investors.
Persons (1) in the United Kingdom who are not Relevant Persons and (2) in any member state of the EEA other than the United Kingdom, who are not Qualified Investors are permitted to vote on the resolutions to which this Circular refers. However, no such persons shall have any entitlement or ability to participate in the proposed Rights Offering described in this Circular following its approval by resolution at the general meeting of shareholders of Sappi.
 

 NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA AND JAPAN
The proposed Rights Offering described in this Circular will not be made to persons who are residents of Australia, Canada or Japan, except in accordance with applicable law. Persons in Australia, Canada and Japan are permitted to vote on the resolutions to which this Circular refers. However, no such persons shall have any entitlement or ability to participate in the proposed Rights Offering described in this Circular following its approval by resolution at the general meeting of shareholders of Sappi.

 
3


 
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Directors
Executive
Roeloff Jacobus Boëttger
Mark Richard Thompson
Non-executive
Daniel Christiaan Cronjé (Chairman)
David Charles Brink
Meyer Feldberg
James Edward Healey
Deenadayalen Konar
Helmut Claus-Jurgen Mamsch
John David McKenzie
Karen Rohn Osar
Bridgette Radebe
Sir Anthony Nigel Russell Rudd
Franklin Abraham Sonn
 
 
 
 
 
Registered office and company secretary of Sappi
Registered office of M-real Corporation
Sappi Management Services
(Proprietary) Limited
48 Ameshoff Street
Braamfontein
Johannesburg, 2001
South Africa
(PO Box 31560, Braamfontein, 2017, South Africa)
 
(Registration number: 06353 66-7)
Revontulentine 6
F1- 02100
Espoo
Finland
(PO Box 20, Fin-02020 Metsa, Finland)
Transaction Sponsor to Sappi
 
Morgan Stanley South Africa (Pty) Ltd
(Registration number 1994/000261/07)
1st Floor 160 Jan Smuts Avenue
Rosebank, 2196
South Africa
 
 
Financial advisor  to Sappi
Financial advisor to M-real
Morgan Stanley & Co. Ltd.
25 Cabot Square
Canary Wharf
London, E14 4QA
United Kingdom
Goldman Sachs International1
Peterborough Court
133 Fleet Street
London, EC4A 2BB
United Kingdom
 
 
 

1  Goldman Sachs International, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting for M-real and no one else in connection with the transaction and will not be responsible to anyone other than M-real for providing the protections afforded to clients of Goldman Sachs International nor for providing advice in connection with the transaction or any other matters referred to in this Circular.
 
 
4

 
 
South African legal advisor to Sappi
South African Legal advisor to M-real
Bowman Gilfillan Inc.
(Registration number 1998/021409/21)
165 West Street
Sandton, 2146
South Africa
(PO Box 785812, Sandton, 2146, South Africa)
 
Werksman Inc.
(Registration Number 1990/007215/21)
155 - 5th Street
Sandton, 2196
South Africa
(Private Bag 10015, Sandton, 2146)
 
U.S. legal advisor to Sappi
 
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
CityPoint, One Ropemaker Street
London, EC2Y 9HR
United Kingdom
 
 
U.K. legal advisor to Sappi
U.K. legal advisor to M-real
Linklaters LLP
One Silk Street
London, EC2Y 8HQ
United Kingdom
Slaughter and May
One Bunhill Row
London, EC1Y 8YY
United Kingdom
 
Reporting accountants and Due Diligence in respect of Sappi
Reporting accountants in respect of M-real
Deloitte & Touche - Registered Auditors
Buildings 1, 2 and 6, Deloitte Place
The Woodlands
20 Woodlands Drive
Woodmead, 2196
South Africa
(Private Bag X6, Gallo Manor, 2052, South Africa)
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc – Registered Auditors
(Registration number 1998/012055/21)
2 Eglin Road
Sunninghill, 2157
South Africa
(Private Bag X36, Sunninghill, 2157, South Africa)
 
Sponsor to Sappi
 
UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
64 Wierda Road East
Wierda Valley
Sandton, 2196
South Africa
(PO Box 652863, Benmore, 2010, South Africa)
 
 
 
 
5

 
 
Depository Interest
 
Capita IRG Trustees Limited
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent, BR3 4TU
United Kingdom
 
 
Jersey Branch Registrar to Sappi
 
Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited
12 Castle Street
St Helier
Jersey, JE2 3RT
Channel Islands
 
 
Transfer Secretaries to Sappi
 
Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited
(Registration number 2004/003647/07)
Ground Floor, 70 Marshall Street
Johannesburg, 2001
South Africa
(PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107, South Africa)
 
 
UK Transfer Agent to Sappi
 
Capita Registrars Limited
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent, BR3 4TU
United Kingdom
 

 

1  Goldman Sachs International, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting for M-real and no one else in connection with the transaction and will not be responsible to anyone other than M-real for providing the protections afforded to clients of Goldman Sachs International nor for providing advice in connection with the transaction or any other matters referred to in this Circular.
 
 
6

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
   
CORPORATE INFORMATION
4
 
   
 
ACTION REQUIRED BY SAPPI SHAREHOLDERS
9
 
     
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES
11
 
     
DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION
12
 
     
CIRCULAR TO SHAREHOLDERS
   
     
 
1.  Introduction
18
 
2.  Rationale for the Transaction
21
 
3.  Principal terms and conditions of the Transaction
23
 
4.  Overview of Industry and the M-real Graphic Paper Market
27
 
5.  Financial Information on the Acquired Business
35
 
6.  Information relating to the Directors of the Acquired Business
35
 
7.  Material borrowings of the Sappi Group and the Acquired Business
36
 
8.  Material contracts entered into by the Acquired Business
36
 
9.  Material changes relating to the Acquired Business
36
 
10. Litigation Statement relating to the Acquired Business
36
 
11. Vendors of the Acquired Business
36
 
12. Pro Forma financial effects of the Transaction
37
 
13. Share Capital of Sappi
42
 
14. Directors’ Remuneration and Service Contracts
44
 
15. Materials Loans to and from the Sappi Group
52
 
16. Material Contracts entered into by Sappi other than contracts in relation to this Transaction
52
 
17. Material Changes relating to Sappi
53
 
18. Litigation Statement relating to Sappi
54
 
19. Opinions, Recommendations and Undertakings
54
 
20. Working Capital Statement
54
 
21. Directors’ Responsibility Statement
55
 
22. General Meeting
55
 
23. Consents
55
 
24. Underwriters’ Waiver To Make A Mandatory Offer
55
 

 
7

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
 
25. Exchange Control Authority
57
 
 
 
 
26. Costs
57
 
     
27. Documents Available for Inspection
58
 
     
Annexure 1: Historical Financial Information relating to the Acquired Business
60
 
     
Annexure 2: Independent Reporting Accountants’ report on the Historical Financial Information of the Acquired Business
119
 
     
Annexure 3: Pro Forma Balance Sheet and Income Statement of Sappi Group
124
 
     
Annexure 4: Independent Reporting Accountants’ Assurance report on Pro Forma Financials
148
 
     
Annexure 5: Material Loans made to and from the Sappi Group
151
 
     
Annexure 6: Details on the Directors and Senior Management of Sappi and its Major Subsidiaries
158
 
     
Annexure 7: Details on the Sappi Share Options
173
 
     
Notice of General Meeting
174
 
     
Form of Proxy
179
 
     
Form of Direction for holders of Depository Interests
181
 
     
REVISED LISTINGS PARTICULARS
183
 

 
8



ACTION REQUIRED BY SAPPI SHAREHOLDERS

 
If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you should consult your CSDP, broker, banker, accountant, legal advisor or other professional advisor immediately.

 
INFORMATION RELATING TO THE GENERAL MEETING
A General Meeting will be held at the registered office of Sappi, Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street
Braamfontein, Johannesburg on 3 November 2008 at 15:00 at which Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed fit, approve resolutions for, inter alia:
 
·
the proposed acquisition by Sappi of specific assets of the graphic paper business of M-real and the allotment and issue of consideration shares;
 
·
the creation of up to 1,000,000,000 new ordinary shares in the authorised share capital of Sappi;
 
·
the placing of the unissued shares under the control of the directors for a possible rights offer; and
 
·
an approval of a waiver of any requirement to make a mandatory offer that may arise from the underwriting of the possible rights offer.
 
The notice convening the General Meeting on page 174 forms part of this Circular and a form of proxy to be completed by holders of Certificated Shares and holders of Dematerialised Shares with “own name” registration is attached to this Circular. A separate form of direction is attached for holders of Depository Interests in CREST to complete.

 
9


 
Action required by holders of certificated Sappi shares and holders of dematerialised Sappi shares who have elected own-name registration other than holders of Depository Interests
 
Certificated Shareholders and Own Name Dematerialised Shareholders who are unable to attend the General Meeting but wish to be represented at the General Meeting, must complete and return the form of proxy attached to this Circular in accordance with the instructions contained in it to the Transfer Secretaries, Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited, Ground Floor, 70 Marshall Street, Johannesburg, 2001 (PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107), or to Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited, 12 Castle Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT, Channel Islands so that it is received no later than 15:00 on 1 November 2008.
 
 
Action required by holders of dematerialised Sappi shares other than holders of Depository Interests in CREST
 
Dematerialised Shareholders who have not elected own-name registration in the sub-register maintained by a CSDP and who wish to attend the General Meeting must instruct their CSDP or broker to issue them with the necessary letter of representation to attend. Dematerialised Shareholders who do not wish to attend the General Meeting may provide their CSDP or broker with their voting instructions pursuant to the terms of the custody agreement they entered into with their CSDP or broker.
 
 
Action required by holders of Depository Interests in CREST
 
Holders of Depository Interests in CREST who wish to attend the General Meeting must instruct the Depository to issue them with the necessary letter of representation to attend.  Depository Interest holders who are unable to attend the General Meeting but wish to be represented at the General Meeting, must complete and return the form of direction attached to this Circular in accordance with the instructions contained in it to the Depositary, Capita IRG Trustees Limited, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU so that it is received no later than 13:00 UK time on 31 October 2008.

 
10

 

IMPORTANT DATES/TIMES
   
SALIENT DATES FOR THE GENERAL MEETING
2008
Circular posted on
10 October
Receipt of forms of direction in respect of the General Meeting by holders of Depository Interests in CREST, by no later than 13:00 UK time on
  31 October
Receipt of forms of proxy in respect of the General Meeting, by no later than 15:00 on
  1 November
General Meeting to be held at 15:00 on
3 November
Results of General Meeting released on SENS on
3 November
Results of General Meeting published in the press on
4 November
 
 
Notes:    
 
1.
The above important dates and times in relation to the General Meeting are subject to change. Any changes will be released on SENS and published in the press.
 
2.
If the General Meeting is adjourned or postponed, forms of proxy in respect of the adjourned or postponed meeting must be received by no later than 48 hours prior to the time of the adjourned or postponed General Meeting other than holders of Depository Interests in CREST for whom forms of direction in respect of the adjourned or postponed meeting must be received by no later than 72 hours prior to the time of the adjourned or postponed General Meeting.
 
3.
Unless otherwise indicated, all times are South African times.
 
 
11

 

DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION

 
In this Circular and its annexures, unless inconsistent with the context, an expression which denotes a gender includes the other gender, a natural person includes a juristic person and vice versa, the singular includes the plural and vice versa and the expressions set out in the first column bear the meaning assigned to them in the second column:
 
“Adjusted EBITDA”
 
earnings before interest (net finance costs), taxation, depreciation, amortisation and Special Items. Net finance costs include gross interest paid, interest received, interest capitalised, net foreign exchange gains, and net fair value adjustments on interest rate financial instruments;
 
“the Acquired Business”
 
the business, specific assets and liabilities being acquired by Sappi from M-real pursuant to the Master Agreement as set out in Section 4.2 below;
 
the Act” or “the Companies Act
 
the South African Companies Act, 1973 (Act 61 of 1973), as amended;
 
the Board
 
the board of directors of Sappi Limited;
 
Business Day
 
any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or official public holiday in South Africa;
 
“Carve-out Financials”
 
financial statements of the Acquired Business prepared on a “carve–out” basis from M-real’s consolidated financial statements using the historical results of operations, assets and liabilities attributable to the Acquired Business and include allocations of expenses and assets from M-real;
 
Certificated Shareholders
 
Shareholders who hold Certificated Shares;
 
Certificated Shares
 
Sappi Shares which have not yet been dematerialised into the Strate system, title to which is represented by physical documents of title;
 
this Circular
 
all the documents contained in this bound document, including the notice of general meeting, the form of proxy and revised listing particulars;
 
coated paper
 
paper which has been coated by a compound to impart certain qualities to the paper, such as weight, surface gloss, smoothness or ink absorbency;
 
Completion Date
 
the first day that falls on the end of a month and follows the fifth business day after fulfilment of all of the Conditions Precedent provided that certain requirements about accounting periods have been met;
 
Conditions Precedent
 
the conditions precedent to which the Transaction is subject, which are referred to in Section 3.5 below;
 
CREST
 
is the United Kingdom’s electronic registration and settlement system for equity share trading;
 
 
 
12

 
 
CSDP
 
a Central Securities Depository Participant, accepted as a participant in terms of the Securities Services Act, 2004 (No. 36 of 2004);
 
“CWF”
 
coated woodfree paper, meaning paper made from chemical pulp;
 
Deloitte South Africa
 
Deloitte & Touche, registered auditors of Sappi;
 
Dematerialised Shareholders
 
Shareholders who hold Dematerialised Shares;
 
Dematerialised Shares
 
shares which have been incorporated into the Strate system as electronic entries;
 
Depository Interests in CREST
 
rights representing Sappi Shares on a one for one basis through the CREST system, being the system enabling title to Sappi Shares to be evidenced and transferred in dematerialised form operated by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited in accordance with the CREST Regulations being the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, as amended;
 
EBITDA
 
earnings before interest (net finance costs), taxation, depreciation and amortisation. Net finance costs include gross interest paid, interest received, interest capitalised, net foreign exchange gains, and net fair value adjustments on interest rate financial instruments;
 
Enterprise Value
 
the value of a business equivalent to its market capitalisation plus debt;
 
EPS
 
Earnings Per Share;
 
“EUR, euro or €”
 
the official currency of the European Union;
 
Exchange Control Regulations
 
Exchange Control Regulations, 1961, as amended, promulgated in terms of Section 9 of the Currency and Exchanges Act, 1933 (Act 9 of 1933), as amended;
 
“Financial Advisor”
 
Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited;
 
General Meeting
 
the general meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of considering and, if deemed fit, approving the resolutions contained in the notice of general meeting attached to this Circular on page 174;
 
graphic paper
 
coated wood-free paper or coated wood-containing paper other than coated speciality paper, paperboard and paper that is cast coated or coated on one side only;
 
Helsinki Stock Exchange
 
OMX Nordic Exchange, Helsinki;
 
HEPS
 
Headline Earnings Per Share;
 
Independent Reporting Accountants” or “Reporting Accountants
 
Deloitte South Africa in respect of Sappi and PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. in respect of M-real;
 
 
 
13

 
 
the JSE
JSE Limited (Registration number 2005/022939/06), a public company incorporated in accordance with the laws of South Africa and licensed as a securities exchange under the Securities Services Act, 2004, often referred to as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange;
 
Last Practicable Date
2 October 2008, being the last practicable date prior to the finalisation of this Circular;
 
Lock-Up Deed
 
the lock-up deed entered into between Sappi and M-real at the same time as the Master Agreement which sets out restrictions on the disposal by M-real of the Settlement Shares, as amended from time to time;
 
Master Agreement
 
the Master Business and Share Sale and Purchase Agreement entered into between Sappi and others and M-real and others, dated 29 September 2008, as amended from time to time;
 
M-real
M-real Corporation, a public company organised under the laws of Finland and listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange (Registration no. 0635366-7);
 
“M-real Financial Year”
 
M-reals financial years ended December 2007, 2006 and 2005 refer to M-reals twelve month financial period ended on 31 December of each year;
 
NAV”
 
Net Asset Value, total assets less total liabilities;
 
Own Name Dematerialised Shareholders
 
Dematerialised Shareholders who have elected own-name registration;
 
R”, “Rand” or “ZAR”
 
South African Rand;
 
Reserve Bank
 
the South African Reserve Bank;
 
“Rights Offering”
 
the rights offer intended to be made to the Shareholders other than certain excluded Shareholders, prior to the Completion Date for so many new Sappi Shares as need to be issued in order to raise  €450 million (USD636 million);
 
Sappi” or “the Company
 
Sappi Limited (Registration number 1936/008963/06), a public company incorporated in accordance with the laws of South Africa;
 
“Sappi Financial Period”
 
Sappi Financial Period ended June 2008 and 2007 refer to Sappi’s 39 weeks accounting period ended 29 June 2008 and 1 July 2007, respectively;
 
“Sappi Financial Year”
 
Sappi Financial Year ended September 2007 and 2006 refers to Sappi’s 52 weeks accounting period ended on 30 September 2007 and 1 October 2006, respectively. The Sappi Group’s financial period ends on the Sunday closest to the year-end date and results are reported as at the year end date;
 
Sappi Group
 
Sappi and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
 
“Sappi International”
 
 
Sappi International S.A, incorporated in Belgium having its registered office at Chaussee de la Hulpe 154, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort, Belgium and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sappi Limited;
 
 
 
14

 
 
“Sappi Papier Holding”
 
Sappi Papier Holding GHBH, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Austria, registered in the companies register of the district court of Graz under FN167931h and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sappi Limited;
 
Sappi Shares
 
ordinary shares, with a par value of R1.00 each, in the issued share capital of Sappi;
 
“Sappi Trading Pulp”
 
Sappi Trading Pulp AG, incorporated in Switzerland whose registered office is Gotthardstrasse 23, 8800 Thalwil, Switzerland and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sappi Limited;
 
SENS
 
the Securities Exchange News Service, the news service operated by the JSE;
 
“Settlement Shares”
 
Sappi Shares to be issued to M-real (or M-real’s nominee) in terms of the Master Agreement, on the Completion Date as part of the Transaction Consideration, as more fully described in Section 3.1.2;
 
“SG&A”
 
Selling, General & Administration expenses;
 
“Shareholders”
 
the holders of Sappi Shares;
 
“Significant Adverse Change”
 
a change, event or circumstance which or up to 3 separate changes, events and circumstances which, in aggregate:
(i) cause or would be reasonably likely to cause production volumes of graphic paper in respect of the Biberist Mill, Kangas Mill, Kirkniemi Mill, and Stockstadt Mill to cease or be reduced by 200,000 tonnes (in aggregate) over a period of 12 months from the date of such change, event or circumstance; or
(ii) lead or would be reasonably likely to lead to a liability in respect of the Acquired Business, which would have to be settled in cash, having a net present value in excess of €110 million from the date of such change, event or circumstance;
 
 “South Africa
 
the Republic of South Africa;
 
Special Items
 
special items cover those items which management believe are material by nature or amount to the operating results and require separate disclosure. Such items would generally include profit and loss on disposal of property, investments and businesses, asset impairments, restructuring charges, financial impacts of natural disasters and non-cash gains or losses on the price fair value adjustments of plantations;
 
 
 
15

 
 
Strate
 
Strate Limited (Registration number 1998/022242/06), a limited liability public company duly incorporated in accordance with the laws of South Africa, which is a registered central securities depository and which is responsible for the electronic settlement system used by the JSE;
 
Subsidiary
 
a subsidiary as defined in section 1(3) of the Companies Act or an entity which would have been a subsidiary as defined in section 1(3) of the Companies Act but for the fact that it is incorporated outside of South Africa, and “Subsidiaries” has a corresponding meaning;
 
TNAV”
 
Tangible Net Asset Value, net asset value less goodwill and other intangible assets;
 
“Transaction
 
the acquisition of the Acquired Business;
 
Transaction Agreements
 
the agreements pursuant to which the Acquired Business is being acquired, including the Master Agreement, the Vendor Loan Note and the Lock-up Deed, in each case, as amended from time to time;
 
Transaction Consideration
 
the amount payable by Sappi comprising cash, the Settlement Shares and the Vendor Loan Note for the Acquired Business, being approximately €750 million subject to adjustments based on the fair value of the Settlement Shares and the working capital and net debt of the Acquired Business;
 
Transaction Sponsor
 
Morgan Stanley South Africa (Proprietary) Limited;
 
Transfer Secretaries
 
Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited (Registration number 2004/003647/07), a private company incorporated in accordance with the laws of South Africa;
 
Uncoated Paper
 
paper without any kind of coating;
 
USD, US Dollar(s), US$ or $”
 
United States Dollars, the currency of the United States of America;
 
VAT
 
value added tax as levied by the South African Revenue Service Value-Add Tax Act, 1991 (Act 89 of 1991); and
 
“Vendor Loan Note”
 
the loan notes having a maximum principal amount of €250 million to be issued by Sappi Papier Holding to M-real as part of the Transaction Consideration, to be repaid over a period of 48 months, which are guaranteed by Sappi, Sappi International and Sappi Trading Pulp and which have an interest rate of 9% that steps up after 6 months to 12%, after 12 months to 14% and after 18 months to 15%.
 


16

 
 

CURRENCY TRANSLATION

 
This Circular contains translations of certain Euro amounts into US Dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader.  These translations should not be construed as representations that the Euro amounts actually represent such US Dollar amounts or could be converted into US Dollars at the rate indicated as of the dates mentioned herein or at any other rate.

ESTIMATES OF PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND MARKET INFORMATION
Except as otherwise indicated, in this Circular the amounts of “capacity” or “production capacity” of our or M-real’s facilities or machines are based upon our best estimates of production capacity at the date of filing of this Circular. Actual production by machines may differ from production capacity as a result of products produced, variations in product mix and other factors.

Certain market share information and other statements presented herein regarding our position relative to our competitors with respect to the manufacture or distribution of particular products are not based on published statistical data or information obtained from independent third parties, but reflect our best estimates. We have based these estimates upon information obtained from our customers, trade and business organisations and associations and other contacts in our industries.
 
 
17

 

 
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1936/008963/06
JSE share code: SAP ISIN: ZAE000006284
(“Sappi or “the Company”)


CIRCULAR TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
1.
INTRODUCTION
 
As announced on SENS on 29 September 2008 and published in the press on 1 October 2008, Sappi has entered into an agreement to acquire, subject to the fulfilment of the Conditions Precedent, the coated graphic paper business of M-real and certain related uncoated graphic paper business activities. M-real is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange, Helsinki and is 38.6% owned by the Metsäliitto Group. It was also announced on 29 September 2008 that Sappi is proposing  to launch a Rights Offering to raise up to €450 million, the proceeds of which will be used to pay the cash portion of the Transaction Consideration and to settle the costs relating to the Transaction and the Rights Offering, estimated to be €50 million. Sappi will provide Shareholders with more information on the rights offer when the terms and conditions of the Rights Offering are finalised.  A circular will be posted in respect of any Rights Offering.  

M-real is a leading producer of paperboard and paper and offers premium solutions for consumer packaging, communications and advertising. M-real has 23 production units in six European countries.
 
M-real’s Graphic Paper division produces coated fine paper, coated magazine paper and uncoated fine paper and provides these products directly or through merchant partners to customers including printers, publishers, advertising agencies and corporations. M-real Graphic Paper has a production capacity of approximately 3 million tonnes of graphic paper per annum through its eight mills located in Europe. For the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, the M-real Graphic Paper division had sales of €1,972 million and €2,390 million, respectively, and EBITDA of approximately €120 million and €93 million, respectively. M-real is considering reducing its capacity in Europe for the production of fine coated paper by 0.6 million tonnes.
 
The Transaction includes the acquisition by Sappi of four graphic paper mills, namely Kirkniemi mill and Kangas mill in Finland, Stockstadt mill in Germany and Biberist mill in Switzerland, and all of the know-how, brands order books, customer lists, intellectual property and goodwill of the coated graphic paper business (other than in respect of M-real’s South African business) of M-real. The sale of the coaters is subject to works councils by M-real. The Acquired Business has a total annual production capacity of approximately 1.9 million tonnes of coated graphic paper and in 2007 generated net sales of €1,333 million. Sappi will also enter into long term supply agreements with Metsäliitto for wood, pulp and other services. M-real will retain ownership of the Husum PM8 Mill in Sweden and the Äänekoski PM2 Mill located in Finland, and will enter into transitional marketing agreements with Sappi as part of the Transaction whereby M-real will produce graphic paper products which Sappi will market and sell.
 
 
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The tables below highlight certain operational and financial metrics of the pro forma combined group (being Sappi and the Acquired Business) post the completion of the Transaction, based on the financial statements of Sappi for the year ended 30 September 2007 and Carve-out Financials of the Acquired Business for the year ended 31 December 2007. The pro forma operational metrics represent the summation of the historical operational metrics for Sappi and the Acquired Business, without adjustment. The pro forma financial information is set out in more detail in section 12 and Annexure 3 of this Circular. Pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only, and does not purport to represent what Sappi’s actual results of operations or financial condition would have been had the Transaction occurred as of 1 October 2006, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results of operations or financial condition. In addition to other matters noted in Section 12 and Annexure 3, the pro forma financial statements do not reflect the effect of:
 

 
·
anticipated synergies and efficiencies associated with combining the Sappi Group and the Acquired Business due to the adoption of best practices;
 
 
·
efficiencies in the permanent funding structure; and
 
 
·
movements in the US Dollar / Euro exchange rate.
 

In addition, the pro forma financial statements do not give pro forma effect to the long term supply agreements with M-real for wood, pulp and other services and the transitional marketing agreements for the outputs of the Husum PM8 machine and the Äänekoski PM2 machine.

 
19


 
Description
 
Sappi 2
   
Acquired Business 3
   
Adjustments
   
Pro forma
   
Percentage Change
 
Operational metrics
 
Mills
    14       4       -       18       29 %
Annual Capacity - Tonnes (’000)
    4,250       1,875       -       6,125       44 %
Staff
    9,480       2,111       -       11,591       22 %
Financial Information
 
USD million
 
Revenue
    5,304       1,833       -       7,137       35 %
Operating profit
    383       125       29       537       40 %
Profit before tax
    249       109       4       362       45 %
Profit / (loss) for the period
    202       91       3       296       47 %
EBITDA4
    758       221       -       979       29 %
Adjusted EBITDA5
    688       88       -       776       13 %



2 Operational metrics and Financial information for Sappi has been extracted from, or can be derived from, Sappi’s audited financials for the year ended September 2007.
 
3 Operational metrics and Financial information for the Acquired Business has been extracted from, or can be derived from, the M-real’s graphic paper business combined financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2007. M-real’s graphic paper business combined financial statements have been prepared on a full carve-out basis in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, and are presented in Euros.  Financial information for the Acquired Business has been converted from Euros into US Dollars using the average exchange rate for the year ended 31 December 2007 of  €1 to US$1.4566.
 
4 EBITDA represents earnings before interest (net finance costs), taxation, depreciation and amortisation. Net finance costs include: gross interest paid; interest received; interest capitalised; net foreign exchange gains; and net fair value adjustments on interest rate financial instruments. We use EBITDA as an internal measure of performance to benchmark and compare performance, both between our own operations and as against other companies. EBITDA is a measure used by the Group, together with measures of performance under IFRS, to compare the relative performance of operations in planning, budgeting and reviewing the performances of various businesses. We believe EBITDA is a useful and commonly used measure of financial performance in addition to net profit, operating profit and other profitability measures under IFRS because it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company. By eliminating potential differences in results of operations between periods or companies caused by factors such as depreciation and amortisation methods, historic cost and age of assets, financing and capital structures and taxation positions or regimes, we believe EBITDA can provide a useful additional basis for comparing the current performance of the underlying operations being evaluated. For these reasons, we believe EBITDA and similar measures are regularly used by the investment community as a means of comparison of companies in our industry. Different companies and analysts may calculate EBITDA differently, so making comparisons among companies on this basis should be done very carefully. EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or construed as a substitute for operating profit or net profit as an indicator of the company's operations in accordance with IFRS.
 
5 Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest (net finance costs), taxation, depreciation, amortisation and special items. Net finance costs include: gross interest paid; interest received; interest capitalised; net foreign exchange gains; and net fair value adjustments on interest rate financial instruments. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as an internal measure of performance to benchmark and compare performance, both between our own operations and as against other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure used by the Group, together with measures of performance under IFRS, to compare the relative performance of operations in planning, budgeting and reviewing the performances of various businesses. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is a useful and commonly used measure of financial performance in addition to net profit, operating profit and other profitability measures under IFRS because it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company. By eliminating potential differences in results of operations between periods or companies caused by factors such as depreciation and amortisation methods, historic cost and age of assets, financing and capital structures and taxation positions or regimes, we believe Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful additional basis for comparing the current performance of the underlying operations being evaluated. For these reasons, we believe Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are regularly used by the investment community as a means of comparison of companies in our industry. Different companies and analysts may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently, so making comparisons among companies on this basis should be done very carefully. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or construed as a substitute for operating profit or net profit as an indicator of the company's operations in accordance with IFRS.
 
 
20

 
 
Reconciliation from profit for the period to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA
 
USD million
 
Sappi
   
Acquired Business
   
Adjustments
   
Pro forma
 
Profit (loss) for the period
   
202
     
91
     
3
     
296
 
Taxation
   
47
     
18
     
1
     
66
 
Finance costs
   
134
     
16
     
25
     
175
 
Depreciation
   
375
     
96
     
(29
)    
442
 
EBITDA
   
758
     
221
     
-
     
979
 
Special items
   
(70
)    
(133
)    
-
     
(203
)
Adjusted EBITDA
   
688
     
88
     
-
     
776
 
 
Special Items
 
   
USD million
       
USD million
 
Sappi
   
Acquired Business
 
Plantation price fair value adjustment
    (54 )  
Impairment Reversal
    (208 )
Restructuring and closure provisions
    (7 )  
Write – downs
    54  
Profit on sale of assets
    (26 )  
Other
    21  
Fire, flood, storm and related events
    17              
Total
    (70 )  
Total
    (133 )
 
 
The purpose of this Circular and the accompanying notice of general meeting is to provide Shareholders with information regarding the Transaction and the financing thereof and to convene the General Meeting to be held at the registered office of Sappi, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa at 15:00 on 3 November 2008, at which Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed fit, pass the resolutions relating to the Transaction and the financing thereof.

 
2.
RATIONALE FOR THE TRANSACTION
 
The Transaction meets Sappi’s strategic and financial criteria for acquisitions as it enhances Sappi’s global presence, provides an opportunity to increase Sappi’s customer base, improves Sappi’s strategic flexibility in regards to capacity utilization, increases the range of products offered and provides anticipated growth and cost synergies. Sappi also expects benefits from increased profitability and returns and improved cash flows for the group.
 
The Transaction allows Sappi to strengthen its competitive position in the graphic paper industry in Europe and globally. The Transaction has been identified as a good fit with the Sappi coated graphic paper business. Sappis European production capacity is expected to increase from 2.6 million tons per annum to 4.5 million tons per annum. The Acquired Business will enhance Sappis position in the market by expanding its geographical footprint in Europe to include Finland and Switzerland. Through this acquisition Sappi would significantly increase its exposure to coated magazine paper and as a result the combined group would be the largest coated fine paper company in Europe with strong positions in both coated woodfree and coated magazine grades.
 
 
21

 
 
In addition, the Transaction adds to Sappi’s product range a number of well-known brands which complement Sappi’s existing products and provide access to an enlarged customer base. Furthermore, the integration of the Acquired Business with the existing Sappi operations is expected to strengthen the profitability of Sappi's European operations through increased coated graphic paper production, benefiting from the economies of scale and the ability to optimise capacity utilisation. Other expected annual synergies coming from distribution, the integration of sales and administration, and the rationalisation of manufacturing across the Sappi Group are anticipated to further enhance the performance of Sappis European business.
 
Sappi estimates total annual synergies of approximately Euro 120 million from the Transaction which should be realisable in full within three years and without material capital investments.  This estimate of synergies Sappi expects to achieve following the Transaction is based on assumptions which in the view of Sappi’s management were prepared on a reasonable basis, reflect the best currently available estimates and judgments, and present, to the best of Sappi’s management’s knowledge and belief, the expected course of action and the expected future financial impact on performance of Sappi due to the Transaction. However, the assumptions about these expected synergies are inherently uncertain and, though considered reasonable by management as of the date of preparation, are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic, and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in this estimate of synergies. There can be no assurance that Sappi will be able to successfully implement the strategic or operational initiatives that are intended, or realize the estimated synergies.
 
This synergy estimate is not a profit forecast or a profit estimate and should not be treated as such nor relied on by shareholders or prospective investors to calculate the likely level of profits or losses for Sappi for the financial year ended 30 September 2008 or beyond.  This synergy estimate has not been included in the pro forma financial effects referred to in Section 12 below. The reporting of the synergy estimate complies with the accounting policies of Sappi.
 
 
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3.
PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TRANSACTION
 
3.1.  Transaction Consideration and Funding
 
The proposed Transaction Consideration is based on a cash and debt free Enterprise Value of the Acquired Business of €750 million (USD1.1 billion). The Transaction Consideration will be adjusted by the deduction of net debt and an adjustment for the difference between the target working capital and the actual working capital at closing. The Transaction Consideration will be settled as follows:
 
·
€400 million of cash paid out of the proceeds of the Rights Offering;
 
·
€50 million of newly issued Sappi Shares, being the Settlement Shares; and
 
·
the balance by the Vendor Loan Note of a maximum of €250 million.
 
 
3.1.1    Cash
 
The Company will pay €400 million of the Transaction Consideration on the Completion Date out of the proceeds of the Rights Offering.  The Transaction is conditional upon the Rights Offering having closed and settled in accordance with its terms.  Details on the Rights Offering will be contained in a rights offer circular that will be released when the terms and conditions of the Rights Offering are finalised.
 
 
3.1.2 Settlement Shares
 
The Settlement Shares will be listed on the JSE. The price at which each Settlement Share will be issued is Euro 7.16 (R82.39) per share, which was determined based on the volume weighted average price of Sappi Shares on the JSE over 30 trading days prior to the announcement of signing of the Master Agreement and the average EUR / ZAR daily exchange rate for the same period.
 
 At this price, the total number of Settlement Shares will be 6,982,105.  This number of shares will be adjusted if the subscription price for the Rights Offering is below Sappi’s share price on the day before announcement of the terms of the Rights Offering.  In such circumstances, the adjustment to the number of Settlement Shares will be based on the number of shares issued in the rights offering and the net proceeds of the Rights Offering.  An adjustment to the number of Settlement Shares will also be made if Sappi were to take any other action with the effect of diluting the value of its shares, or otherwise disadvantaging M-real in respect of the Settlement Shares, prior to the date it is required to deliver the Settlement Shares.  Such dilutive actions include announcement and completion of the payment of special dividends (but not ordinary dividends), capital distributions or capital reorganisations.  Any such adjustment is to be determined by an international investment bank appointed by Sappi.
 
 
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Sappi and M-real have entered into a Lock-up Deed under which M-real undertakes, subject to exceptions, not to dispose of the Settlement Shares for a period of 9 months from the Completion Date. Under the exceptions, M-real may:

 
·
accept a general offer made to all holders of Sappi Shares made in accordance with the South African Securities Regulation Code on Takeovers and Mergers on terms which treat all such holders alike (whether by way of takeover, scheme of arrangement or otherwise);
 
 
·
execute and deliver an irrevocable commitment or undertaking to accept such a general offer as recommended by the Board;
 
 
·
transfer or dispose of any Settlement Shares pursuant to a compromise or arrangement between Sappi and its creditors or any class of them which is agreed to by the creditors or members and sanctioned by the court under the Companies Act;
 
 
·
sell or otherwise dispose of any Settlement Shares pursuant to any offer by Sappi to purchase its own shares which is made on identical terms to all holders of Sappi Shares;
 
 
·
place any of the Settlement Shares with a third party (subject to Sappi's prior written consent which may not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) provided that prior to the making of any disposal pursuant to this exception the transferee shall have agreed to be bound by the restrictions of the Lock-up Deed as if it were the transferor, by executing and delivering to Sappi a deed of adherence;
 
 
·
dispose of any of the Settlement Shares in accordance with any order made by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by law, regulation or a competent authority to which M-real is subject;
 
 
·
subject to Sappi's prior written consent (which may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), dispose of any of the Settlement Shares to the extent the sale proceeds (net of costs) are required by M-real to avoid M-real or a company in its group triggering a default of a financial covenant to which it is subject;
 
 
24

 
 
 
·
dispose of any of the Settlement Shares to the extent the safe proceeds (net of costs) are required by M-real to satisfy a breach of warranty claim or other liability to Sappi (including any adjustment to the net working capital) in respect of the Transaction; or
 
 
·
enter into or agree to enter into a foreign exchange rate hedge in respect of the Settlement Shares.
 
3.1.3    Vendor Loan Note
 
The Vendor Loan Note of a maximum of €250 million, with a tenor of 48 months and that will rank pari passu with the Sappi Group’s existing long-term debt will be issued to M-real by Sappi Papier Holding. The Vendor Loan Note will be guaranteed by Sappi, Sappi International and Sappi Trading Pulp. Interest on the Vendor Loan Note will be payable every six months in arrears and will step up progressively every six months, from an interest rate of 9% in the first six months, to 12% in the second six months, to 14% in the third six months and to 15% after 18 months from the issue date. Sappi may refinance the Vendor Loan Note when the global financial markets permit it to do so. (Refer to Annexure 5 for details of the Vendor Loan Note.)
 
3.2.
Warranties
 
Warranties, representations and related undertakings, as are customary for a transaction of this type, have been obtained from M-real.
 
3.3.
Restraint of trade
 
M-real has undertaken that it will not be directly or indirectly engaged or interested in carrying on a coated graphic paper business anywhere in the world, other than South Africa, for a period of three years from the Completion Date. However, M-real may:
 
 
·
hold shares in a listed company if the shares do not confer more than 10 percent of the company’s voting power at a general meeting of the company;
 
 
·
continue to carry on anywhere in the world its retained business at the Completion Date including its paperboard business, uncoated graphic paper production business, coated speciality paper business, cast coated paper business and one-sided coated paper business;
 
 
·
acquire an entity or business which carries on a coated graphic paper business if the acquisition is not made with the main purpose of acquiring the coated graphic paper business, the coated graphic paper business of the entity or business acquired is no more than 30 per cent of the total turnover of the acquired entity or business taken as a whole and does not represent annual production of more than 200,000 tonnes; and
 
 
25

 
 
 
·
carry on any business contemplated by the Transaction Agreements.
 
3.4.
Completion Date and Effective Date
 
The effective date for the Transaction will be the Completion Date. The Completion Date shall be no later than 30 April 2009.
 
3.5.
Conditions Precedent and Termination Rights
 
The Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of, inter alia, the following conditions:
 
 
·
the Sappi Shareholders, in a General Meeting, approving the ordinary resolution necessary to effect the Transaction, approving a special resolution to increase the share capital of Sappi and granting the directors the required authority to allot and issue shares for the Transaction;
 
 
·
the obtaining of certain regulatory approvals required for implementing the Transaction, including competition law approvals and all relevant approvals from the Reserve Bank;
 
 
·
the transfer by M-real of Hallein AG from M-real Stockstadt GmbH to a M-real entity unconnected to the Transaction;
 
 
·
the approval of the JSE for the listing of the Settlement Shares  on the JSE; and
 
 
·
the Rights Offering having closed and settled in accordance with its terms.
 
The Transaction will automatically terminate if the Rights Offering has not been announced by midnight on 28 February 2009 or, if announced by that time, if it has not closed and settled by 30 April 2009.  In addition either Sappi or M-real may terminate the Transaction on 31 January 2009 if the condition relating to EU merger clearance has not been satisfied by 11 January 2009 and the parties having entered into good faith negotiations are unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement by 31 January 2009.
 
In addition, Sappi may terminate the Transaction prior to the anticipated completion if a Significant Adverse Change occurs or is likely to occur prior to completion.
 
3.6.
Other
 
There are no guaranteed book debts in the Acquired Business.

 
26

 
 
There is no accrued taxation, which will be settled in terms of Transaction Agreements.
 
Other than as Shareholders of Sappi, no promoter or director has any beneficial interest in terms of the Transaction.
 
The Acquired Business will be transferred to Sappi and its subsidiaries and has not been ceded or pledged by M-real.
 
Allan Gray Limited and RMB Asset Management (Proprietary) Limited, which both currently act as investment managers for clients holding, in aggregate, approximately 34% of Sappi's issued ordinary shares, have agreed to vote the shares over which they have voting rights (representing, in aggregate, approximately 10% of Sappi’s issued ordinary shares) in favour of the resolutions required to implement the Transaction and the financing of the Transaction and to recommend to their clients having the voting rights over the remaining shares (representing, in aggregate, approximately 24% of Sappi’s issued ordinary shares) to vote in favour of such resolutions.

 
4.
OVERVIEW OF INDUSTRY AND THE M-REAL GRAPHIC PAPER  MARKET
 
4.1.
Industry Overview
 
 
The paper industry is broadly divided into the printing and writing paper segment and the packaging segment. The printing and writing paper segment consists of newsprint, groundwood paper and fine paper, including graphic paper. The packaging segment consists of containerboard, boxboard and sackkraft. There is a continuum of grades within the printing and writing paper segment. At the high-end are coated woodfree grades used for commercial printing and for high quality books and magazines. At the low end of the scale is newsprint. Between these two are coated mechanical papers used largely for magazine publishing and uncoated papers for books and office use. Sappi and M-real focus on the higher quality grades.
 
In both the high end and low end market segments, consumption has grown over the long-term in line with overall economic growth, but consumption patterns have fluctuated in the short-term. Prices are largely influenced by the supply and demand balance for individual products. In the past, industry-wide over-investment in production capacity has led to significant oversupply, resulting in lower prices.
 
This effect has been exacerbated by inventory speculation by purchasers buying more than their needs with the view that the surplus will increase in value from the price trend. As a result, the financial performance of graphic paper producers has deteriorated during periods of significant oversupply and improved when demand has increased to levels that support the implementation of price increases.
 
 
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In recent years, the industry has experienced significant strategic changes. The high costs associated with building new paper mills in the developed world has led to a focus on consolidation rather than the construction of new capacity. Many leading industry producers currently focus on fewer core grades and have divested non-core assets not part of their target market or which are inconsistent with their long-term strategy.
 
Another important trend has been the rise of competition from China. Rapid economic growth and government incentives have spurred massive investment of capital by Chinese pulp and paper producers. Over the last five years, China’s paper board and fine paper capacity increased considerably, transforming China from a net importer to a net exporter of coated fine paper.
 
4.2.
Overview of the Acquired Business
 
Sappi is acquiring specific assets of the graphic paper business of M-real. M-real is a Finnish-domiciled leading producer of paperboard and paper and is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. The assets will be acquired as a going concern and will include, inter alia, the know-how, brands, order books, customer lists, intellectual property and goodwill.
 
The Acquired Business also includes specific assets from the graphic paper business of M-real, with a total annual production capacity of approximately 1.9 million tonnes. M-real’s graphic paper business currently has a total annual production capacity of approximately 3 million tonnes.
The Acquired Business includes the following assets:
 
(a)
four mills, namely, the Kirkniemi Mill (Finland), Kangas Mill (Finland), Stockstadt Mill (Germany) and the Biberist Mill (Switzerland), to be acquired by acquisition of:
 
i.
the business of the Kirkniemi mill in Finland and the Kangas mill in Finland; and
 
ii.
all of the shares in M-real Stockstadt GmbH, a German incorporated company (and its subsidiary Chemische Werke Zell-Wildshausen GmbH, a German incorporated company); and
 
iii.
all the shares in M-real Biberist AG, a Swiss incorporated company;
(b)
coaters from the Gohrsmülle Mill (Germany) and the Hallein mill (Austria);
(c)
all of the shares in CN Papiervertriebs GmbH in Germany, which holds a full service print broker; and
 
 
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(d)
all of the know-how, brands, order books, customer lists, intellectual property and goodwill in M-real’s coated graphic paper business (including the know-how, brands, order books, customer lists, intellectual property and goodwill in relation to M-real mills at Husum (Sweden),  Äänekoski (Finland), Hallein (Austria) and Gohrsmühle (Germany))  but excluding all of the know-how, brands, order books, customer lists, intellectual property and goodwill in M-real’s coated graphic paper business in South Africa.
 
As part of the Transaction, Sappi will enter into:
 
(a)
long term supply agreements under which Metsäliitto will supply wood, energy and pulp; and
(b)
transitional marketing agreements whereby M-real will produce products at certain graphic paper machines at the Husum Mill (Sweden) and the Äänekoski Mill (Finland) and Sappi will market and distribute those products.

As outlined above, elements of the assets and businesses being acquired that relate to M-real’s business and operations in South Africa will be excluded (the “South African Component”). Sappi has an option to acquire the South African Component, and M-real has an option to require Sappi to acquire the South African Component, upon receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals and clearances, including the approval of the South African competition authorities.

A further description of the Acquired Business and certain marketing agreements being entered into as a result of the Transaction follows:

1)
Mills being acquired
 
 
(i)
Kirkniemi
The mill at Kirkniemi has an annual production capacity of approximately 740,000 tonnes. Kirkniemi is located 70km west of Helsinki, in southern Finland. The products of the Kirkniemi mill are:
 
·
Galerie Lite – coated ultra light-weight paper with high bulk and opacity;
 
·
Galerie Brite – coated light-weight paper with high bulk, soft gloss and improved brightness; and
 
·
Galerie Fine – coated magazine paper with high brightness, smoothness and improved opacity.
 
 
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(ii)
Kangas Mill
 
The mill has an annual production capacity of approximately 210,000 tonnes. The mill produces Galerie Silk, a coated magazine paper with silk finish, and is located in Jyväskylä, in central Finland.
 
 
(iii)
Stockstadt Mill
 
The Stockstadt mill has an annual production capacity of approximately 420,000 tonnes. The mill produces coated and uncoated fine paper for sheet fed offset printing. The Stockstadt mill is located at Stockstadt, Germany.
The products of the Stockstadt mill are:
 
 
·
EuroArt Plus - Woodfree coated paper;
 
·
Tauro - Uncoated Woodfree paper; and
 
·
Hardwood Pulp.
 
 
(iv)
Biberist Mill
 
The Biberist mill has an annual production capacity of approximately 505,000 tonnes. The mill produces woodfree coated fine paper for the graphic arts industry/offset printing as well as woodfree uncoated pre-printed paper for office, pre-printed and offset applications. The mill is located in Biberist, Switzerland.
The products of the Biberist mill are:
 
 
·
Cento - Woodfree multi-purpose uncoated printing paper;
 
·
Allegro - Woodfree coated paper; and
 
·
Furioso - Woodfree coated paper.

2)
Transitional marketing agreements for the output of the following assets remaining in M-reals ownership
 
 
(i)
Husum Mill PM8
The Husum PM8 machine is owned by M-real Sverige AB and is located in Sweden. Husum PM8 produces Galerie Fine paper, a coated fine paper with high brightness, smoothness and improved capacity.
 
 
(ii)
Äänekoski Mill PM2
The Äänekoski PM2 machine is owned by M-real Corporation. It produces triple blade coated wood-free art paper on one paper machine, under the brand name Galerie Art. The mill is situated in Äänekoski, Finland.
 
 
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The map below sets out the locations of the mills and machines being acquired and the comparative location of existing Sappi mills in Europe:
 
Pan-European Coated Paper Assets
 
 
   
 Annual production capacity (kt) 
 
     Sappi Europe Mills  
 Paper 
 
Pulp
 
1
Alfeld, Germany
360
   
120
 
2
Blackburn(1), UK
120
     
 
3
Ehingen, Germany
250
   
140
 
4
Gratkorn, Austria
860
   
250
 
5
Lanaken, Belgium
490
   
170
 
6
Maastricht(1), Netherlands
320
     
 
7
Nijmegen, Netherlands
240
     
   
 TOTAL
 2,640
   
 680
             
   
Annual production capacity (kt)
    M-real Mills 
 Paper 
 
 Pulp
 
A
Biberist, Switzerland
505
     
 
B 
Kangas, Finland
210
     
 
C
Kirkniemi, Finland
740
   
338
 
D
Stockstadt, Germany
420
   
160
   
Capacity acquired
1,875
   
498
 
E 1
Gohrsmühle, Germany
370
   
 
 
E 2
Hallein, Austria
310
   
170
 
F 1
Husum PM8, Sweden
285
     
 
F 2
Äänekoski PM2, Finland
200
     
   
 TOTAL  
 3,040 
   
 668
 
 
 
 
2 + 6
Planned to be shut down (Note 1)        
             
  F 1 & F 2: Will remain in M-Real's ownership and continue as contract producers for Sappi under long term supply agreements.   E 1 & E 2:
Acquisition of know-how, brands, order books, customer lists, intellectual property and goodwill. M-Real announced plans that will result in reduction of coated woodfree capacity by 0.6 million tons per annum.
 
 
Notes
1. Blackburn & Maastricht PM5 machine to be closed with a combined reduction in capacity of 190Kt
 
                             
Source: Sappi and M-real information
 
 
4.3.
Brands
 
The Acquired Business includes well known and reputable brands in the coated magazine paper and commercial printing paper markets. Sappi expects that the acquisition of these brands will allow Sappi the opportunity of retaining the Acquired Business’s existing customer base and consolidate its footprint throughout Europe and export markets. The Galerie family of brands is highly valued, and Galerie Fine, a high quality mechanical fibre containing product, has been one of the most successful product developments in the industry in recent years. The Transaction will add to the Sappi stable of brands the high end “Furioso” product and the various coated wood free brands. Further, Sappi expects M-real’s strong brand recognition to bolster Sappi’s ability to derive financial benefits from the Transaction.
 
 
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4.4.
Industry Position
 
The Acquired Business currently has a share of the coated wood-free capacity in Europe of approximately 15% and Sappi has a share of the coated wood-free capacity in Europe of about 20%. Sappi will continue to face strong competition from Stora, UPM, Lecta and Burgo, all with capacity shares of between 12% and 16%.
 
In the coated mechanical segment, Sappi currently has a low capacity share of less than 5% in Europe, compared to the Acquired Business’s capacity share of approximately 12%. If the Transaction is implemented, Sappi expects to hold a meaningful position in the European market, behind UPM (estimated 24% market share) and close to Stora (estimated 15% market share).
 
In terms of the total coated graphic paper capacity in Europe, should the Transaction be implemented, the combined business after integration would have an anticipated capacity share of 18% in Europe. This position would be followed by UPM at an estimated 17%, Stora at an estimated 14%, and Burgo at an estimated 12%. As a percentage of the world coated paper capacity, the combined business is expected to have a capacity share greater than 10%.
 
4.5.
Competitive position
 
The graphic paper business of M-real, includes coated magazine papers, coated fine papers and uncoated fine papers from mills in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It distributes its graphic paper throughout Europe. Outside Europe, it mainly distributes to North America and Australia.
 
The anticipated production flexibility and synergy benefits that the Transaction brings are expected to lead to a lower production cost base for Sappi in Europe. Kirkniemi is a large efficient mill and a low cost producer. Although the coated wood-free paper mills are of a smaller scale, transport costs are not significant. Stockstadt also has an integrated pulp mill.
 
4.6.
Management
 
The Acquired Business’s key management have strong management skills and are highly experienced in the paper production industry. It is expected that as part of the Transaction, a number of selected key individuals will be retained and will become part of the enlarged Sappi Group. Key management of the Acquired Business are as follows:
 

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Name
Age
Position
Experience
Martti Savelainen
46
Vice President & Mill Manager of M-real Kirkniemi (since November 2007)
January 2007 – November 2007
Technology and mill manager, M-real Kirkniemi paper mill
 
March 2004 –  January 2007
Mill manager, M-real Kirkniemi paper mill
 
January 2003 – February 2004
Technology Manager, M-real Corporation, Publishing Business Area
 
January 1999 – April 2003
Mill manager, M-real Kangas and Äänekoski Paper Mills
 
Earlier positions of production manager, development and production engineer & sales manager in M-real or its subsidiaries
Petri Jantunen
44
Vice President & Mill Manager of M-real Kangas and Äänekoski Paper Mill (since April 2003)
October 2000 – March 2003
Production Manager, Vice Mill Manager,
Cartiere Burgo Spa, Duino Paper Mill, Italy
 
January 1998 – September 2000
Production Manager Paper Machine 3-line
Metsä-Serla Oyj (now M-real Corporation), Kirkniemi, Finland
 
August 1996 – December 1997
Assistant Production Manager Paper Machine 3-line
Metsä-Serla Oyj, Kirkniemi, Finland
 
May 1995 – July 1996
Project Engineer PM3-project
Metsä-Serla Oyj, Kirkniemi, Finland
 
Bernhard Jäggi
44
Vice President & Mill Manager of M-real Stockstadt
15 years in forest industry
 
 
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Nicolas Mühlemann
48
Vice President & Mill Manager of M-real Biberist (since January 2004)
19 years in forest industry
Frank Rinkens
 
Operative Director of CN Papiervertrieb
15 years in forest industry
Jürgen Bendt
53
Managing Director of the CWZ GmbH
(since 2001)
July 1997 – January 2001
Deputy Managing Director of the CWZ GmbH
 
January 1993 – October 1996
Deputy Managing Director of Lignobond Verkaufsgesellschaft
 
1989 – 1991
Kaufm. Leiter/Leiter Controlling
 
1980 – 1989
Thyssen Finesteels AG

 
4.7.
Conclusion
 
Sappi directors believe the acquisition meets all of Sappi’s strategic and financial criteria for acquisitions which are:
 
increased profitability and returns arising from revenue and cost synergies;
 
improved cash flows;
 
increased customer base and market share;
 
maximised flexibility of capacity utilisation; and
 
expanded product and brand range.
 
The Transaction adds a number of well known brands to the Sappi brands and is expected to strengthen Sappis competitive position in the graphic paper industry in Europe and globally. Sappi believes that the Transaction will provide an opportunity for its European operations to generate returns in excess of their cost of capital.
 
 
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5.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
Historical financial information on the Acquired Business for the three financial years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, the three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, and the six months ended 30 June 2008 and 2007 is set out in Annexure 1 to this Circular. This should be read in conjunction with the independent reporting accountants’ reports on such historical financial information set out in Annexure 2 to this Circular. This information has been provided to the Company by M-real and is the responsibility of the M-real board of directors.
 
6.
INFORMATION RELATING TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
Directors at the Acquired Business who will become part of the enlarged Sappi Group are as follows:
 
Name
Designation
Directors – Germany
M-real Stockstatdt GmbH
Seppo Parvi
Managing Director
Bernhard Jaeggi
Managing Director
Dr. Soili Hietanen
Member of the Supervisory board
Robert Winkels
Member of the Supervisory board
Frank Sehr
Member of the Supervisory board
Chemische Werke Zell-Wildshausen GmbH
Jürgen Berndt
Managing Director
CN Papiervertriebs GmbH
 
Frank Martin
Managing Director
Henrik Damén
Member of the Advisory board
Nils Hinterthan
Member of the Advisory board
Directors - Switzerland
Soili Hietanen
President of the board
Rober Karrer
Member of the board
Peter Kienast
Member of the board
Nicolas Mühlemann
Managing Director
Riccardo Incerti
Director Finance & HR
Christian Schori
Director Customer Service Center
Jörn Schmidt
Production & Technical Director
   
 

35

 
 
7.
MATERIAL BORROWINGS OF THE SAPPI GROUP AND THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
Sappi is acquiring certain liabilities with the Acquired Business which are not anticipated to exceed €50 million. Such borrowings are not regarded as being material in value.
 
Save as disclosed above, at the date of this Circular, Sappi and its Subsidiaries have no material loans receivable and have not made any loans or furnished any security to or for the benefit of any director or manager or any associates of any director or manager of Sappi.
 
There have been no debentures created in terms of a trust deed and no debentures to be issued or agreed to be issued other than the Vendor Loan Note.
 
There have been no debentures or debenture stocks issued by way of conversion or replacement of debentures previously issued.
 
For an analysis of material loans made to the Sappi Group, please refer to Annexure 5.
 
8.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
To the best knowledge of the Board, the Acquired Business has not, in the last three years preceding the Last Practicable Date, entered into material contracts, either verbally or in writing, which contain material outstanding obligations or settlements other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.
 
9.
MATERIAL CHANGES RELATING TO THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
To the best knowledge of the Board, since 30 June 2008 there have been no material changes in the financial or trading position of the Acquired Business and there have not been any material acquisitions/disposals in the Acquired Business.
 
10.
LITIGATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
To the best knowledge of the Board, the Acquired Business is currently not involved in any material legal or arbitration proceedings, including any proceedings that are pending or threatened of which M-real is aware, that may have or have had a material effect on the Acquired Business in the previous 12 months.
 
11.
VENDORS OF THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
The Acquired Business is to be acquired from M-real and certain of its subsidiaries.  M-real is a company 38.6% owned by Metsäliitto Group, the tenth largest forest industry group in the world. The Metsäliitto Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Metsäliitto Osuuskunta, a private company. Its five business areas include wood supply, wood products, pulp, board and paper, and tissue and cooking paper.

 
36

 
The registered address of Metsäliitto Group is 43 FI-02020 METSÄ, Finland. Metsäliitto Group is not a related party to Sappi in any way.
 
There are no guaranteed book debts in the Acquired Business.
 
There is no accrued taxation, which will be settled in terms of Transaction Agreements.
 
Other than as Shareholders of Sappi, no promoter or director has any beneficial interest in terms of the Transaction.
 
The Acquired Business will be transferred to Sappi and its subsidiaries and has not been ceded or pledged by M-real.
 
12.
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF THE TRANSACTION
 
The unaudited pro forma financial effects set out below have been prepared to assist Shareholders to assess the impact of the Transaction and financing thereof on the EPS, HEPS, NAV and TNAV per share of Sappi. These pro forma financial effects illustrate how the Transaction might affect the reported financial information of Sappi if the Completion Date had occurred on 30 September 2007 and 30 June 2008 for balance sheet purposes and 1 October 2006 for income statement purposes.
 
A simple consolidation of the historical financial information in the form set out in the pro forma below does not purport to represent what the results of operations or financial position of Sappi would have been if the Transaction had occurred on the dates indicated, nor does it purport to project the results of operations or financial position of Sappi for any future period or as of any future date. The unaudited pro forma financial effects do not reflect:
 
 
anticipated synergies and efficiencies associated with combining the companies due to the adoption of best practices;
 
 
efficiencies in the permanent funding structure; and
 
 
movements in the US Dollar / Euro exchange rate.
 

37

 
 
In addition, the pro forma financial effects do not give pro forma effect to the long term supply agreements with M-real for energy, wood and pulp and the transitional marketing agreements for the outputs of the Husum PM8 machine and the Äänekoski PM2 machine.
 
The pro forma financial effects have been prepared in accordance with the Listings Requirements of the JSE and the Guide on Pro Forma Financial Information issued by The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. These unaudited pro forma financial effects are the responsibility of the Board and are provided for illustrative purposes only. The material assumptions on which the pro forma financial effects are based are set out in the notes following the table. The unaudited pro forma financial effects set out below should be read in conjunction with the report of the Independent Reporting Accountants, which is included as Annexure 4 to this Circular.
 


38

 
Pro forma financial effects for the 9 months ended 30 June 2008
 
                         
   
Reviewed
         
Pro forma
       
   
before the
   
Pro forma
   
after the
   
Percentage
 
   
Transaction
   
adjustments
   
Transaction
   
change
 
Earnings per share (US cents)
    59       3       62       5.1  
Headline earnings per share (US cents)
    58       (40 )     18       (69.0 )
Net asset value per share (US$)
    7.29       0.75       8.04       10.3  
Tangible net asset value per share (US$)
    7.25       0.34       7.59       4.7  
Ordinary shares in issue (millions)
    229.1       73       302.1       31.9  
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (millions)
    228.7       73       301.7       31.9  


Pro forma financial effects for the 12 months ended 30 September 2007
 
                         
   
Audited
         
Pro forma
       
   
before the
   
Pro forma
   
after the
   
Percentage
 
   
Transaction
   
adjustments
   
Transaction
   
change
 
Earnings per share (US cents)
    89       9       98       10.1  
Headline earnings per share (US cents)
    82       (31 )     51       (37.8 )
Net asset value per share (US$)
    7.95       -       -       -  
Tangible net asset value per share (US$)
    7.92       -       -       -  
Ordinary shares in issue (millions)
    228.5       73       301.5       31.9  
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (millions)
    227.8       73       300.8       32.0  


39



Notes and assumptions
 
A.
The unaudited pro forma financial effect on the Sappi Group for the nine months ended June 2008 has been prepared on the assumption that the Transaction occurred on 30 June 2008 for balance sheet purposes and 1 October 2007 for income statement purposes.
B.
The unaudited pro forma financial effect on the Sappi Group for the twelve months ended September 2007 has been prepared on the assumption that the Transaction occurred on 1 October 2006 for income statement purposes.
C.
The pro forma financial effects reflect the Transaction and related financing as described elsewhere in this Circular.
D.
The number of shares in issue and the weighted average number of shares have been adjusted by 73 million shares representing the number of shares to be issued as consideration for the Acquired Business and the proposed Rights Offering of Euro 450 million. The number of Settlement Shares will be determined by reference to the volume weighted average share price of Sappi on the JSE during the 30 trading days prior to the date of the announcement of this acquisition. The number of rights offering shares was calculated using the Sappi closing share price on 26 September 2008 of ZAR81.50. The actual number of shares issued will be based on the relevant variable components of the financing and of the relevant agreements and, accordingly, the number of shares will change.
E. The pro forma financial effects exclude:
 
anticipated synergies and efficiencies associated with combining the Sappi Group and the Acquired Business due to the adoption of best practices;
 
efficiencies in the permanent funding structure; and
 
movements in the US Dollar / Euro exchange rate.
F. 
Financial information for the Acquired Business has been extracted from the financial statements for the Acquired Business provided to Sappi by M-real.  These financial statements have been prepared on a full carve-out basis in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and are presented in Euros.  Such financial information has been converted from Euros to US Dollars for the income statement, using the average exchange rate for the year ended 31 December 2007 of EUR1 to US$1.3755, the three months ended 31 December 2007 of EUR1 to US$1.4556, for the six months ended June 2008 of EUR1 to US$1.5315 and for the balance sheet as at 30 June 2008 using the period end rate of EUR1 to US$1.5795.
 
 
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G.
Financial information for Sappi was extracted from the published consolidated results of Sappi for the year ended September 2007 prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and from the published condensed reviewed results for the nine months ended June 2008 prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting .
H.
The allocation of the Transaction Consideration reflected in the pro forma financial effects is preliminary based on estimated fair values and the estimated Transaction Consideration.  It will eventually be adjusted based on a complete assessment of the fair value of the net Assets Acquired and the final Transaction Consideration. The final Transaction Consideration allocation is dependent on, among other things, the finalisation of asset and liability valuations. Any final adjustment will change the allocation of the Transaction Consideration, which will affect the fair value assigned to the assets and liabilities and could result in a material change to the pro forma financial effects, including a change to goodwill.
I.
Pro forma adjustments include an adjustment to depreciation relating to the preliminary fair value assigned to property, plant and equipment to eliminate estimated historical expense and interest expense to take into account the financing of the Transaction. These adjustments have been tax effected at an estimated statutory tax rate for the combined group of 28.3%.
J.
The pro forma financial effects are presented for information purposes only, and do not purport to represent what Sappi’s actual results of operations or financial condition would have been had the Transaction and the financing thereof occurred on the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results of operations or financial condition.
K.
The pro forma headline earnings per share for the nine months ended June 2008 and the twelve months ended September 2007 exclude a net asset impairment reversal of EUR 111 million recorded by the Acquired Business. The impact thereof for the nine months ended June 2008 and the twelve months ended September 2007 is 51 US cents and 54 US cents respectively.

12.1.
Goodwill
 
The difference between the preliminary cost of the Transaction and the preliminary estimated fair value of assets and liabilities acquired of €80 million (US$126 million) has provisionally been attributed to goodwill and not amortised. Post completion of the Transaction, Sappi will complete its analysis of the measurement of the cost of the Transaction and the allocation of the purchase price to the Acquired Business’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities as required by IFRS 3: Business Combinations. As a consequence the goodwill amount may change. The goodwill on the Transaction relates to future cash flows that will be realised due to the acquisition and synergies of the combined Sappi and the Acquired Business.

 
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13.
SHARE CAPITAL OF SAPPI
 
13.1.
Authorised and issued share capital prior to the Transaction
 
      R    
US $(1)
 
Authorised
             
Ordinary shares of R1.00 each
    325,000,000       38,201,587  
Issued
               
Ordinary shares of R1.00 each
    239,071,892       28,101,310  
Share premium
    6,426,855,567       755,434,095  
Total issued share capital
    6,665,927,459       783,535,405  
                 
 
Treasury Shares
    929,420,671       109,247,214  
                 
(1) Converted at closing exchange rate on 2 October 2008 of ZAR/US$ 8.5075
 
13.2.
Authorised and issued share capital after the Transaction but before any share issuance other than the share issuance to M-real
 
      R    
US $(1)
 
Authorised
             
Ordinary shares of R1.00 each
    1,325,000,000       155,744,931  
Issued
               
Ordinary shares of R1.00 each
    246,053,997       28,922,010  
Share premium
    6,994,475,526       822,154,044  
Total issued share capital
    7,240,529,523       851,076,054  
                 
 
Treasury shares
    929,420,671       109,247,214  
                 
(1) Converted at closing exchange rate on 2 October 2008 of ZAR/US$ 8.5075
 

42

 
 
13.3.
Major Shareholders prior to the Transaction
 
Other than the shareholders listed below, the Board is not aware of any other shareholder that, directly or indirectly, manages more than 5% or has a beneficial interest of 5% or more of Sappi’s issued share capital based on the latest available share register as of 31 August 2008 and additional information available to Sappi as at the Last Practicable Date:
 

Shareholder         
 Percentage holding (%)
Fund Manager
 
Allan Gray
26.0
Old Mutual Asset Management
11.0
RMB Asset Management
8.1
Beneficial
 
Public Investment Corporation
7.3
Industrial Development Corporation
6.7
Total
59.1
 
Transaction and the Rights Offering
 
The Settlement Shares will not comprise more than 3.2% of the total issued share capital of Sappi.
The Rights Offering will not significantly change the proportionate shareholding of Sappi if all eligible Shareholders take up their rights. The major shareholders of Sappi post the Transaction and the Rights Offering (if all the eligible Shareholders were to take up their rights) will be as follows:
 
Shareholder    
 Percentage holding (%)
Fund Manager
 
Allan Gray
26.0
Old Mutual Asset Management
11.0
RMB Asset Management
8.1
Beneficial
 
Public Investment Corporation
7.3
Industrial Development Corporation
6.7
Total
59.1
 
13.4.
Controlling Shareholder
 
Sappi has no controlling shareholder and has not had any in the last five years.  Unless, pursuant to the Rights Offering, any underwriters are required under their underwriting obligation to take up Sappi Shares conferring control on them, there will be no controlling shareholder of Sappi after completion of the Transaction.
 

43

 
 
14.
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION AND SERVICE CONTRACTS
 
14.1.
Directors Remuneration
 
14.1.1.
Non-executive directors
 
Directors are normally remunerated in the currency of the country in which they live or work from. The remuneration is translated into US Dollars (the Sappi Group’s reporting currency) at the average exchange rates prevailing during the reporting year. Directors’ fees are established in local currencies to reflect market conditions in those countries. Non-executive directors’ fees reflect their services as directors and services on various sub-committees on which they serve, and the quantum of committee fees depends on whether the director is an ordinary member or a chairman of the committee.
 
The extreme volatility of currencies, in particular the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate in the past few years caused severe distortion of the relative fees paid to individual directors.
 
Non-executive directors’ fees are proposed by the executive committee, agreed by the compensation committee, recommended by the board and approved at the annual general meeting by the shareholders. Proposed emoluments to be paid by Sappi Limited to directors are available on inspection.
 
The table below outlines the non-Executive directors’ fees and allowances for the last financial period, i.e. Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2007.
 
     
2007
 
   
Board
Committee
Travel
 
 
Director
fees
fees
allowance
Total(7) (8)
 
In USD
       
 
D C Brink
41,817
40,423
5,000
87,240
 
M Feldberg
50,000
48,000
12,500
110,500
 
J E Healey
50,000
68,000
15,000
133,000
 
K de Kluis(1)
16,265
16,265
2,500
35,030
 
D Konar
27,878
52,736
5,000
85,614
 
H C Mamsch
65,060
93,568
10,000
168,628
 
B Radebe
27,878
18,121
5,000
50,999
 
A N R Rudd (5)
65,060
27,601
2,500
95,161
 
F A Sonn
27,878
9,060
5,000
41,938
 
E van As(2) (6)
48,787
5,000
53,787
 
K R Osar (3)
20,835
7,500
28,335
 
J D McKenzie (4)
2,324
2,324
   
443,782
373,774
75,000
892,556
           
 
(1)
 Retired in December 2006.
(2)
 Includes board fees received by Mr van As for the period July to September 2007.
(3)
Appointed in May 2007.
(4)
Appointed in September 2007.
(5)
Appointed in April 2006.
(6)
Retired in September 2007.
(7)
No payments for management consulting, technical or other fees, including payments to management companies were made to Non – executive directors during fiscal year 2007 and 2006. There were also no commissions, gains or profit sharing arrangements for Non - executive directors during fiscal year 2007 and 2006.)
(8)
No other fees were paid or accrued to a third party in lieu of directors’ fees.

 
44

 
 
Dr D.C Cronje was appointed in January 2008. His director fees are $189,394 (R1.5 million converted at USD/ZAR exchange rate of 1:7.92) which includes board fees and committee fees. Dr Cronje also receives a travel allowance of $2,600 per meeting that he attends for which he spends more than 10 hours flying to and from the meeting.
 
14.1.2.
Executive Directors
 
Sappi’s pay philosophy aims to provide executives with remuneration which allows them to enjoy similar and appropriate standards of living and at the same time to create wealth equally no matter where they live and work.
 
Whilst the payment of executives in different currencies creates perceived inequities, due attention is given to ensure that internal equity exists and is maintained, through comparisons against cost of living indices and the manner in which pay is structured in the various countries.
 
Bonus and performance related payments are based on corporate and individual performance. Under this, executives may be awarded up to 110% of their annual salary if group and personal performance objectives as agreed by the compensation committee are met. Bonuses relate to amounts paid in the current year, but based on the previous year’s performance.
 
The table below outlines the Executive directors’ remuneration for the last financial period, i.e. Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2007. Average exchange rates for the year concerned are again applied in the tables in converting the currency of payment into US Dollars.
 

45

 
Executive directors(4)
       
2007
   
   
 Prior year
 
Contributions
Benefit
   
   
bonuses
Sums
paid under
received
   
   
and
paid
pension
from
   
   
performance
by way of
and
Shared
   
 
Salary
related payments (5)
expense allowance
medical aid schemes
Incentive Scheme 
Other
Total(6) (7)
In USD
             
W Pfarl(1)
536,552
255,071
2,708
132,087
393,688
1,320,106
M R Thompson
272,354
84,910
448
100,515
458,227
E van As(2)
696,953
146,360
843,313
R J Boëttger(3)
161,737
46,412
516,248
724,397
 
1,667,596
339,981
3,156
279,014
516,248
540,048
3,346,043
 
(1)
Retired June 2007. Mr Pfarl received a pension disbursement benefit of USD346,085 included in other benefits.
(2)
Mr van As received a salary of USD696,953 (ZAR5 million) while acting as chief executive officer. Includes board fees paid to Mr van As for the period September 2006 till August 2007 when his executive responsibilities terminated upon the appointment of Mr Boëttger as chief executive officer.
(3)
Appointed as chief executive officer in July 2007. Mr Boëttger received 35,000 restricted shares which vested on 31 December 2007 included under benefit received from credit scheme share funding. A share based expense of USD516,248 was recognised in the current year income statement, based on a share price of ZAR106.00.
(4)
Executive directors are paid remuneration packages which aim to be competitive in the countries in which they live and work, and they are generally paid in the currency of those countries.
(5)
Bonuses and performance related payments are in respect of the previous year’s performance paid in the current year.
(6)
No other fees were paid or accrued to a third party in lieu of directors’ fees.
(7)
The Sappi directors’ total remuneration and benefits have been included in the above table.

 
14.2.
Directors' participation in the Sappi Limited Share Incentive Trust and Performance Share Incentive Plan
 
14.2.1.
Share options, allocation shares and performance shares
 
The following table sets out all share options (whether vested or unvested), all other unvested allocation shares and performance shares granted to, and exercised by, each executive director in terms of The Sappi Limited Share Incentive Trust and Performance Share Incentive Plan during the year ended September 2007. Details of share dealings are included in the second table.
 
Non-executive directors do not have any allocation shares, share options or performance shares.    Executive directors who retire have 12 months in which to settle their share options and allocation shares, unless extension is granted by the compensation committee of the board of directors. For performance shares there is a formula by which retired executive directors will receive a proportion of any shares which may have vested at the end of the four year period.
 

46

 

Executive Directors

 
RJ Boëttger (3)
W Pfarl (2)
MR Thompson (1)
E van As (5)
Total 2007
 
 
Allocated Price (ZAR)
No. of Shares
Allocated Price (ZAR)
No. of Shares
Allocated Price (ZAR)
No. of Shares
Allocated Price (ZAR)
No. of Shares
No. of Shares
Outstanding at September 2006
                 
  Number of shares held
-
-
-
219,000
-
164,000
-
250,000
633,000
   Issue 24
-
-
53.85
50,000
53.85
15,000
53.85
100,000
 
Issue 25
-
-
49.00
25,000
49.00
3,000
49.00
50,000
 
Issue 26
-
-
-
-
147.20
15,000
147.20
50,000
 
Issue 27
-
-
112.83
30,000
112.83
15,000
112.83
50,000
 
Issue 28
-
-
79.25
30,000
-
-
-
-
 
Issue 28a
-
-
-
-
79.25
18,000
-
-
 
Issue 29
-
-
78.00
30,000
78.00
18,000
-
-
 
   Performance shares 29(4)
-
-
-
12,000
-
6,000
-
-
 
   Performance shares 30(4)
-
-
-
42,000
-
24,000
-
-
 
   Performance shares 30a(4)
-
-
-
-
-
50,000
-
-
 
Offered and accepted
                 
   Performance shares 30
               
184,000
Paid for
                 
  Number of shares
-
-
-
75,000
-
15,000
-
-
90,000
  Weighted average allocated price
-
-
-
52.23
-
53.85
-
-
 
Returned, lapsed and forfeited
  Number of shares
               
324,500
Resignation/Retirement as executive director
                 
  Number of shares
-
-
-
144,000
-
-
-
250,000
394,000
  Weighted average allocated price
-
-
-
56.26
-
-
-
-
 
Appointment as director
                 
  Number of shares
 
-
100,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
100,000
Outstanding at September 2007
-
100,000
Retired in June 2007
-
149,000
Executive responsibilities terminated in August 2007 upon appointment of new chief  executive officer
249,000
  Number of shares held
                 
Issue 25
-
-
-
-
49.00
3,000
-
-
 
Issue 26
-
-
-
-
147.20
15,000
-
-
 
Issue 27
-
-
-
-
112.83
15,000
-
-
 
Issue 28a
-
-
-
-
79.25
18,000
-
-
 
Issue 29
-
-
-
-
78.00
18,000
-
-
 
   Performance shares 29(4)
 
-
 
-
 
6,000
     
   Performance shares 30(4)
 
-
 
-
 
24,000
 
-
 
 
 
47

 
 

 
RJ Boëttger (3)
W Pfarl (2)
MR Thompson (1)
E van As (5)
Total 2007
 
 
Allocated Price (ZAR)
No. of Shares
Allocated Price (ZAR)
No. of Shares
Allocated Price (ZAR)
No. of Shares
Allocated Price (ZAR)
No. of Shares
No. of Shares
   Performance shares 30a(4)
 
-
 
-
 
50,000
 
-
 
   Performance shares 31(4)
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
   Performance shares 31a(4)
 
100,000
             
                   
                   
Expiry dates
                 
   Issue 24
                 
Issue 25
       
15-Jan-09
       
Issue 25a
                 
Issue 26
       
28-Mar-10
       
Issue 27
       
13-Feb-11
       
Issue 28a
       
30-Dec-11
       
Issue 29
       
13-Dec-12
       
   Performance shares 29(5)
       
13-Dec-08
       
   Performance shares 30(5)
       
13-Dec-09
       
   Performance shares 30a(5)
       
08-Aug-10
       
   Performance shares 31a(5)
02-Jul-11
               
 
(1)
He was appointed an executive director on 08 August 2006. The number of shares held at date of appointment have been brought in as one figure.
(2)
Retired as a director in June 2007.
(3)
Appointed in July 2007.
(4)
Performance shares are issued when all relevant conditions are met.
(5)
Retired as a director in March 2008.

 
48

14.2.2.
Changes in executive directors' share options, allocation shares and performance shares after year-end

In December 2007, subsequent to the year ended September 2007,  R Boëttger and M Thompson were offered and accepted 50,000 and 40,000 performance shares respectively, which expire in December 2011. There have been no changes other than R Boëttger and M Thompson in the direct and indirect beneficial interest of the directors’ (and their associates’) holdings in the share capital of Sappi Limited.
 

Dealings in Sappi Limited Share Incentive Trust and Performance Share Incentive Plan for the year ended September 2007
Director
 
 
Date paid for
 
Number of shares paid for
 
Allocation price
(In ZAR)
Market value at date of payment
(In ZAR)
Gains on shares paid for US$ (1)
 
Executive Directors
           
W Pfarl (2)
 
Option
15 November 2006
 
         50,000
 
53.85
111.19
397,962
 
Deferred Sale
15 November 2006
 
         25,000
 
49.00
111.19
215,811
M R Thompson
 
Deferred Sale
14 December 2006
 
         15,000
 
53.85
115.79
133,004
Total
   
90,000
   
746,777
 
 
(1)
Converted from South African Rand to US Dollars at the exchange rates on the date of sale.
 
(2)
Retired June 2007.
 
 
Dealings in Sappi Limited Share Incentive Trust and Performance Share Incentive Plan for the year ended September 2006
Director
 
 
Date paid for
 
Number of shares paid for
 
Allocation price
(In ZAR)
Market value at date of payment
(In ZAR)
Gains on shares paid for US$ (1)
 
Executive Directors
           
J L Job (2)
 
Deferred Sale
08 August 2006
 
44,000
39.00
89.33
324,995
 
Deferred Sale
08 August 2006
 
30,000
53.85
89.33
156,208
 
Deferred Sale
08 August 2006
 
25,000
49.00
89.33
147,967
             
D G Wilson (3)
 
Option
13 December 2005
 
8,000
21.30
74.01
66,670
 
Deferred Sale
13 December 2005
 
8,000
21.30
74.01
66,670
 
Option
24 August 2006
 
16,000
21.30
90.11
153,658
 
Deferred Sale
24 August 2006
 
16,000
21.30
90.11
153,658
 
Deferred Sale
01 September 2006
 
25,000
49.00
93.32
153,825
 
Option
12 September 2006
 
25,000
53.85
94.00
136,286
 
Deferred Sale
12 September 2006
 
25,000
53.85
94.00
136,286
 
Option
14 September 2006
 
12,000
79.25
95.00
25,820
 
Option
14 September 2006
 
4,772
78.00
95.00
11,083
 
MIS Bonus (4)
14 September 2006
 
2,992
-
95.00
38,831
 
Option
18 September 2006
 
2,728
78.00
94.50
6,094
             
Total
   
244,492
   
1,578,051
 
 
(1)
Converted from South African Rand to US Dollars at the exchange rates on the date of sale.
 
(2)
Retired as executive director in December 2005 and resigned as non-executive director in September 2006.
 
(3)
Resigned as executive director in July 2006.
 
(4)
Management Incentive Scheme (MIS).
49

 
 
14.3.
Details of directors’ service contracts
 
The executive directors have service contracts with notice periods of 2 years or less. These notice periods are in line with international norms for executive directors.
 
The only non-executive director who has a service contract with the company is Dr DC Cronjé, the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of Sappis Articles of Association and his re-election by rotation as a director, his appointment as Chairman is for an initial period of up to three years, expiring on 2 March 2011. None of the directors have provisions for pre-determined compensation on termination of their contracts exceeding two years’ gross remuneration and benefits in kind.
 
All directors service contracts are available for inspection at the registered office of Sappi Limited during normal office hours
 
14.4.
Service contracts
 
Sappisure rsäkrings AB, a fully owned subsidiary of the Sappi group is a captive insurance company situated in Sweden and is managed by AON Insurance Manager (AIM) in Stockholm, Sweden. The practice of captive insurance companies being managed by insurance companies is normal, as owners do not necessarily have the requisite insurance administration skills in-house. Other than Sappisure Försäkrings AB, neither Sappi Limited nor any of its subsidiaries or any part thereof is managed or is proposed to be managed by a third party under a contract or arrangement.
 
14.5.
Directors’ interests in Sappi
 
The following table sets out the directors’ interests in the shares in Sappi at the end of fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007. For the purpose of this table, directors’ interests are those in shares owned either directly or indirectly as well as those shares in respect of which directors have vested obligations to purchase shares or repay loans in terms of The Sappi Limited Share Incentive Trust.
 

50


 
     
2007
   
2006
 
   
Direct Interests
Indirect
Direct Interests
Indirect
     
Vested
Interests
 
Vested
Interests
     
obligations
   
obligations
 
     
to purchase
   
to purchase
 
     
or repay
   
or repay
 
 
Director
Beneficial
loans
Beneficial
Beneficial
loans
Beneficial
 
Non-executive directors
     
Number of Sappi Shares
   
 
D C Brink
-
-
10,000
-
-
10,000
 
M Feldberg
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
J E Healey
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
K de Kluis(1)
-
-
-
4,000
-
-
 
D Konar
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
H C Mamsch
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
B Radebe
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
A N R Rudd
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
F A Sonn
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
E van As
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
K R Osar(2)
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
J D McKenzie(3)
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
Executive directors
           
 
M R Thompson(4)
-
36,300
-
-
40,200
-
 
RJ Boëttger(5)
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
J L Job(6)
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
J C A Leslie(7)
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
D G Wilson(8)
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
W Pfarl(9)
-
-
-
-
25,000
-
 
E van As(10)
248,000
200,000
316,959
245,000
200,000
377,636
 
Total
248,000
236,300
326,959
249,000
265,200
387,636
 
(1)
Retired in December 2006.
(2)
Appointed in May 2007.
(3)
Appointed in September 2007.
(4)
Appointed in August 2006.
(5)
Appointed in July 2007.
(6)
Resigned December 2005.
(7)
Resigned March 2006.
(8)
Resigned July 2006.
(9)
Retired June 2007.
(10)
Retired September 2007
 
Changes in directors’ beneficial interests in Sappi Shares after year-end
In November 2007, subsequent to the end of fiscal 2007, Mr E van As fulfilled his obligation in respect of 100,000 shares of the 200,000 vested obligations to purchase listed above. Mr Boëttger received 35,000 restricted shares which vested on 31 December 2007. There have been no changes other than Mr E van As  and Mr Boëttger, in the direct and indirect beneficial interest of the directors’ (and their associates) holdings in the share capital of Sappi Limited.

 
51


 
Directors’ interests in transactions
Prof. Meyer Feldberg, a non-executive director of Sappi has disclosed his role as senior advisor at an affiliated company of the Financial Advisor and Transaction Sponsor. Other than Prof. Meyer Feldberg’s interest, the directors have certified that they had no material interest in any transaction with either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries during the current or immediately preceding financial year, or an earlier financial year. Therefore there is no conflict of interest with regard to directors interests in contracts.
 
Details of the Company Secretary
Sappi Management Services (Pty) Ltd
 
Contact Person
D J O’Connor
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein,
Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
Qualification
BA LLB
 
 
15.
MATERIAL LOANS TO AND FROM THE SAPPI GROUP
 
The material loans to and from Sappi and its Subsidiaries, including material inter-company loans, before and after the Transaction, are set out in Annexure 5 to this Circular.
 
Outstanding Capital Loans
Refer to material loans of Sappi (Annexure 5)
 
16.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY SAPPI OTHER THAN CONTRACTS IN RELATION TO THIS TRANSACTION
 
On 27 June 2006 Sappi Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd ("Sappi Manufacturing") issued R 1 billion (USD146 million) Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes (the First Tranche") under its R 3 billion (USD437 million) Domestic Medium Term Note Program ("the Program") at a fixed interest rate of 9.34% payable semi-annually on 27 December , and 27 June , of each year, commencing on June 27, 2006. The securities issued under the first tranche mature on 27 June  2013. On 25 September 2007, Sappi Manufacturing issued a second tranche of R 1 billion (USD146 million) Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes ("the Second Tranche") under the Program at a fixed interest rate of 10.64%. The interest on the securities issued under the second tranche is payable semi-annually on April 14 and 14 October of each year, commencing on 14 April 2008. The securities issued under the second tranche mature on 14 October 2011. Sappi Manufacturing has also agreed to observe certain undertakings with respect to the securities including limitations on encumbrances (other than permitted encumbrances) over its assets. With regard to the second tranche only, should a change of control event (more than 50% of the voting rights of Sappi Manufacturing be acquired by any party other than a subsidiary of Sappi) and a negative rating event (a downgrade of Sappi Manufacturing's national credit rating, currently at AA-, of below A-) occur, then the holders of the securities may, within 60 days after the public announcement of the change of control having occurred, require the redemption of the notes by way of an extraordinary resolution. The securities are listed on the Bond Exchange of South Africa. The material contracts entered into by Sappi Group are available for inspection at the Sappi Offices.
 
 
52

 
 
Other than described above, there are no other material contracts entered into at any time and containing an obligation or settlement that is material to the Sappi Group at the date of this Circular.
 
17.
MATERIAL CHANGES RELATING TO SAPPI
 
There have been no material changes in the financial position of the Sappi Group and its subsidiaries since the end of the last financial period, other than as set out in this Circular.
 
Over the last three years Sappi has restructured its operations and divested from operations where acceptable returns have not been achieved. In 2005 the Sappi Group closed the Muskegon Mill Paper Machine PM5 in the United States of America with an annual capacity of 105,000 tonnes of coated fine paper and mothballed Muskegons pulp mill. In 2006 the Nash Mill in the United Kingdom was closed. It had an annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes of graphic fine paper. In August 2008 Sappi announced that it is contemplating the cessation of production at its Blackburn Mill in the United Kingdom with an annual capacity of 120,000 tonnes of graphic paper and intends to cease production from the Maastricht Mill PM5 which produces 60,000 tonnes of speciality paper annually. On Monday 22 September 2008 agreement was reached between Blackburn Mill management, and Trade Union representatives regarding the future of the Blackburn Mill. Sappi and the Union agreed that, unless a buyer who has no interest in the graphic coated business can be found before the end of the consultation period which runs until November 12th, the Blackburn Mill will close and all employees will be made redundant, apart from any employees for whom suitable alternative employment can be found. Most employees will leave through redundancy on Wednesday 12 November 2008. The agreement specifies redundancy terms and includes provisions for outplacement and training support for all employees, to ensure that people have the best possible opportunity to secure new employment. The Blackburn mill management team has started to plan the run down of the Mill in an orderly way. Alongside this, Sappi Fine Paper Europe will inform customers about the agreement and the likely closure of Blackburn Mill as a production facility in order to find alternatives within Sappi to meet the needs of these customers as soon as possible.
 
 
53


 
18.
LITIGATION STATEMENT RELATING TO SAPPI
 
The Sappi Group is not a party to any legal or arbitration proceedings, including any proceedings that are pending or threatened and of which the Board are aware, that have had, in the 12 months preceding the Last Practicable Date, a material effect on the Sappi Group’s financial position.
 
19.
OPINIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND UNDERTAKINGS
 
The Board has considered the Transaction in light of the Sappi Group’s strategy of strengthening its competitive position and the rationale for the Transaction set out in Section 2 above. The Board is of the opinion that the Sappi Group will be able to successfully integrate the Acquired Business into Sappi Fine Paper Europe and thereby gain the economy of scale necessary to achieve the goal of producing returns in excess of the businesses cost of capital. It is expected that the benefits of the Transaction will result in increased revenues, cash flows and profitability for Sappi. The Board is therefore of the opinion that the Transaction is in the interests of Sappi and recommends that the Shareholders approve the Transaction. Accordingly, each member of the Board who is a Shareholder intends to vote in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting in respect of the Shares held directly or indirectly by such member, and recommends that all Shareholders do likewise.
 
20.
WORKING CAPITAL STATEMENT
 
The Board is of the opinion, after considering the effect of the Transaction, that:
 
 
·
the Sappi Group as enlarged will be able, in the ordinary course of business, to pay its debts for a period of twelve months after the date of issue of this Circular;
 
 
·
the assets of the Sappi Group as enlarged will be in excess of the liabilities of the Sappi Group for a period of 12 months after the date of issue of this Circular;
 
 
·
the share capital and reserves of the Sappi Group as enlarged will be adequate for ordinary business purposes for a period of 12 months after the date of issue of this Circular; and
 
 
·
the working capital of the Sappi Group as enlarged will be adequate for ordinary business.
 

54

 
 
21.
DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
 
The Board, whose names are given on page 4 of this Circular, collectively and individually accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information given and certify that to the best of their knowledge and belief, there are no other facts that have been omitted which would make any statement false or misleading, and that all reasonable enquiries to ascertain such facts have been made and that this Circular contains all information required by law and the JSE Listings Requirements.
 
22.
GENERAL MEETING
 
A General Meeting of Shareholders will be held at 15:00 on 3 November 2008 at the registered offices of Sappi (Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa) to consider and, if deemed fit, pass the proposed resolutions necessary to implement the Transaction and the financing thereof.
 
Details of the actions required to be taken by Shareholders are set out on page 9 of this Circular.
 
23.
CONSENTS
 
Each of Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited, Morgan Stanley South Africa (Pty.) Limited, Bowman Gilfillan Inc, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Deloitte South Africa, PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc, Linklaters LLP, UBS, Goldman Sachs International, Werksmans Inc., Slaughter and May and the Transfer Secretaries have consented in writing to act in the capacities stated and to their names appearing in this Circular and have not withdrawn their consent prior to the publication of this Circular.
 
24.
UNDERWRITERS’ WAIVER TO MAKE A MANDATORY OFFER
 
If any underwriter(s) appointed by Sappi to underwrite the Rights Offering (the “Underwriter(s)”) are called upon to take up Sappi Shares in terms of any underwriting agreement which is concluded by Sappi with such Underwriter(s), with the consequence that such Underwriter(s) acquire that number of Sappi Shares as will result in an “affected transaction” in terms of the Securities Regulation Panel Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “SRP Code”), that might impose on such Underwriter(s) an obligation, in terms of Rule 8.1 of the SRP Code, to make an offer (“Mandatory Offer”) to acquire the Sappi Shares held by the other Shareholders.
 
The Securities Regulation Panel (the “SRP”) has advised that it is willing to consider an application to grant a dispensation (“Dispensation”) to Underwriter(s), in terms of the SRP Code, which would have the effect of releasing the Underwriter(s) from any obligation to make a Mandatory Offer. The Dispensation would be subject to Shareholders, who are independent from the Underwriter(s), passing a resolution in general meeting approving a waiver of the Shareholders’ right to require any Underwriter(s) to make a Mandatory Offer. A resolution approving of that waiver is being proposed to be passed by the Shareholders and is set out as Ordinary Resolution Number 3 in the Notice of General Meeting attached to this Circular. Prior to granting a Dispensation, the SRP will consider any objections or representations (if any) made by parties as contemplated below in this Section 24.
 
 
55

 
 
Any interested party who wishes to object to, or make representations in respect of, the Dispensation shall have ten calendar days from the date of the posting of this Circular to raise such an objection with, or make such a representation to, the SRP.  Objections or representations should be made in writing and addressed to “the Executive Director, Securities Regulation Panel” at any one of the following addresses:
 
 
Physical:
Ground Floor
2 Sherborne Road (off Jan Smuts Avenue)
Parktown
2193
 
Postal:
P O Box 91833
Auckland Park
2006
 
Fax:           +27 11 482 5635
 
and should reach the SRP by no later than the close of business on 20 October 2008 in order to be considered.
 
If any submissions are made to the SRP within the timeframe stipulated above, the SRP will consider the merits of those submissions and, if necessary, provide the objectors with an opportunity to make representations to the SRP.  Thereafter, the SRP will rule on the requirement for a Mandatory Offer.
 
 
56


 
25.
EXCHANGE CONTROL AUTHORITY
 
Subject to certain conditions, Sappi has obtained the approval from the Exchange Control Department of the South African Reserve Bank in order to implement the Transaction and the financing thereof.  The conditions are being addressed with the Exchange Control Department of the South African Reserve Bank.
 
26.
COSTS
 
It is estimated that Sappi’s preliminary and share issue expenses relating to the proposed Transactions amount to approximately US$ 53.5 million.  These expenses (excluding VAT) have been estimated at the Last Practicable Date as detailed below:
 
Nature of expense
Paid/Payable to
USD million
Legal and other advisory fees
Bowman Gilfillan
0.3
 
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
1.0
 
Linklaters
3.0
     
Financial advisory fees
Morgan Stanley
7.0
 
 
 
Due diligence fees
Deloitte
2.4
 
Various Legal Firms
 
0.8
     
Synergy consultants
AT Kearney
0.3
     
Underwriting fees
International banks expected to
27.1
 
act as underwriters
 
     
Reporting accountants’ and auditors’ fees
PricewaterhouseCoopers
1.5
 
Deloitte
0.7
     
Environmental consultant
Environ
0.1
     
Creation duty on new share capital
CIPRO
0.6
     
German and Finnish transfer duties
German and Finnish Revenue Authorities
7.5
     
Foreign securities exchange costs
Federal Trade Commission
0.3
     
Communications
Brunswick
0.8
     
JSE documentation inspection fees and
   
listing fees (R34,713)
JSE
-
     
Printing and distribution fees
INCE
0.1
   
53.5

 
57

 
 
The above costs exclude any amount which might be payable should the completion date net working capital of the Acquired Business differ from the target net working capital. Based on the net working capital balances as at the end of 30 June 2008, this variation was EUR13 million (US$21 million).
 
27.
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION
 
The following documents, or copies thereof, will be available for inspection at the registered office of Sappi Limited during normal office hours from 08h00 to 16h30:
 
 
·
the memorandum and articles of association of Sappi;
 
 
·
the memorandum and articles of association of Sappi’s subsidiaries;
 
 
·
the trust deed for The Sappi Limited Share Incentive Trust;
 
 
·
the trust deed for The Sappi Limited Performance Share Incentive Trust;
 
 
·
the Master Agreement and other Transaction Agreements redacted as necessary to protect Sappi’s commercial interests;
 
 
·
the Transitional Agreements;
 
 
·
the Lock-Up Deed;
 
 
·
shareholder support documents regarding the Rights Offering;
 
 
·
the Exchange Control approval from the Reserve Bank, as referred to in Section 25 above;
 
 
·
the reports of the independent reporting accountants referred to in Section 5 above;
 
 
·
the consents of advisors;
 
 
·
the Vendor Loan Note;
 
 
·
copies of the directors’ Service Agreements and non-executive directors fees as approved at the March 2008 Annual General Meeting and the directors declarations in terms of Schedule 21 of the Listings Requirements;
 
 
·
the Acquired Business audited annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2007 and reviewed for the years ended 31 December 2005 and 2006, reviewed for the 6 months ended 30 June 2008 and the 3 months ended 31 December 2007; and
 
 
58

 
 
 
·
Audited Annual Financial Statements of Sappi for the years ended September 2005, 2006 and 2007 and reviewed 9 months to 30 June 2008.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
59

 
 
ANNEXURE 1

 
INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORIC FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
The report of historical financial information has been provided by M-real and is the responsibility of the M-real board of directors.
 
The financial information has been prepared in accordance to IFRS as issued by the IASB. Set out below is the report of historical financial information on the Acquired Business. The combined financial statements have been prepared on a “carve-out” basis from M-real’s consolidated financial statements using the historical results’ of operations, assets and liabilities attributable to the Acquired Business. The report of the independent reporting accountants on the historical financial information of the Acquired Business is presented in Annexure 2.
 
There have been no material changes relating to the nature of business and financial position of the Acquired Business. In addition, there have not been any material fact or circumstance, which have not been dealt with in the interim report of this financial information.
 
There have been no material changes in the Acquired Business between the financial year end and the date of the PricewaterhouseCoopers auditor’s report as contained in Annexure 2.
 
The financial year end of the Acquired Business has not changed at any time during the reporting period.
 

 

60

 

HISTORIC FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS
 
1.  Combined Financial Statements for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005
 
COMBINED INCOME STATEMENTS
          FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007, 2006 AND 2005
 
(Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)
 


                         
   
Note reference
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                         
Sales
                       
   3rd parties
   
5
      1,258,976       1,214,517       1,135,746  
   Related party
   
4,5
      73,811       101,268       89,468  
Total sales
            1,332,787       1,315,785       1,225,214  
Change in finished goods inventories and work in progress
      (2,527 )     (7,793 )     2,672  
Other operating income
   
4,6
      15,452       17,112       18,768  
Materials and services
                               
Purchases  
 3
      (919,488 )     (859,607 )     (775,788 )
External services
            (76,123 )     (76,493 )     (73,475 )
Employee costs
   
7
      (145,579 )     (155,628 )     (155,884 )
Depreciation and amortisation
   
8
      (95,662 )     (59,021 )     (77,617 )
Impairment charges and reversal of
impairment charges
 
 8
      151,000       (20,000 )     (251,000 )
Other operating expenses
            (169,023 )     (169,473 )     (162,952 )
Operating result
            90,837       (15,118 )     (250,062 )
                                 
Net exchange (losses)gains
   
9
      (4,110 )     (3,314 )     6,334  
Other financial income
   
4,9
      1,153       8,637       1,685  
Other financial expenses
   
4,9
      (8,687 )     (13,479 )     (12,356 )
Financial items, total
            (11,644 )     (8,156 )     (4,337 )
Result before tax
            79,193       (23,274 )     (254,399 )
Income taxes
   
10
      (12,740 )     3,069       27,789  
Result for period
            66,453       (20,205 )     (226,610 )
Result attributable to the equity holders of the parent
      66,453       (20,205 )     (226,610 )
                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
 
61


 
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
          AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2007, 2006 AND 2005
 
(Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)
 

ASSETS
                       
   
Note reference
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Non-current assets
                       
Goodwill and other intangible assets
   
11
      2,257       5,433       7,323  
Property, plant and equipment
   
12
      670,492       565,750       587,489  
Financial receivables
   
21
      2,100       -       -  
Other non-current assets
   
13
      1,203       56       56  
Total non-current assets
            676,052       571,239       594,868  
                                 
Current assets
                               
Inventories
   
14
      123,993       134,382       152,646  
Accounts receivable and
other receivables
 
 15
      247,660       236,974       227,850  
Income tax receivables
            124       241       851  
Cash and cash equivalents
   
16, 21
      28,284       51,769       40,655  
Total current assets
            400,061       423,366       422,002  
TOTAL ASSETS
            1,076,113       994,605       1,016,870  
                                 
LIABILITIES AND INVESTED EQUITY
                         
                                 
Invested equity
            673,317       460,381       466,560  
                                 
Non-current liabilities
                               
Deferred tax liabilities
   
10
      50,652       40,066       50,860  
Post employment benefit obligations  
 17
      42,864       42,863       44,807  
Provisions
   
18
      3,051       5,216       2,987  
Borrowings
   
19, 20, 21, 24
      100,740       254,827       265,940  
Other non-current liabilities 
   
22
      16,109       14,140       12,445  
Total non-current liabilities
            213,416       357,112       377,039  
                                 
Current liabilities
                               
Borrowings
   
20, 21, 24
      24,046       35,901       37,399  
Accounts payable and other  liabilities
   
23
      165,213       141,151       135,859  
Income tax liabilities
            121       60       13  
Total current liabilities
            189,380       177,112       173,271  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND INVESTED EQUITY
      1,076,113       994,605       1,016,870  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
 
62


 
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007, 2006 AND 2005
(Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Result for period
    66,453       (20,205     (226,610
Adjustments to the results, total (a)
    (36,786 )     74,342       301,856  
Interest received
    1,143       1,666       1,569  
Interest paid
    (8,681 )     (13,479 )     (12,356 )
Dividends received
    10       6,970       61  
Other financial items, net
    (4,117 )     (3,315 )     6,389  
Income taxes (paid) received
    (154 )     402       414  
Corporate overhead costs funded by Parent
    8,600       8,000       7,300  
Income taxes funded by Parent
    2,154       7,725       4,171  
Other Parent funding items
    -       -       (1,000 )
Changes in working capital (b)
    42,523       15,755       (20,269 )
Net cash flow arising from operating activities
    71,145       77,861       61,525  
Capital expenditure
    (45,228 )     (53,742 )     (38,765 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    159       43       130  
Increase in long-term receivables
    (3,247 )     -       -  
Net cash flow  used in investing activities
    (48,316 )     (53,699 )     (38,635 )
Financing with Parent, net (c)
    (34,891 )     -       (33,075 )
Repayment of borrowings with 3rd parties
    (11,224 )     (12,611 )     (13,844 )
Net cash flow used in financing activities
    (46,115 )     (12,611 )     (46,919 )
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (23,286 )     11,551       (24,029 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (199 )     (437 )     (58 )
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (23,485 )     11,114       (24,087 )
Cash at beginning of year
    51,769       40,655       64,742  
Cash at end of year
    28,284       51,769       40,655  
Notes to the combined statements of cash flow
                 
(a) Adjustments to the results
                       
     Depreciation and amortisation
    95,662       59,021       77,617  
Impairment charges and reversal of impairment charges
    (151,000 )     20,000       251,000  
     Taxes
    10,586       (10,794 )     (31,960 )
     Finance costs, net
    11,644       8,156       4,337  
     Provisions
    (2,164 )     285       1,631  
     Other  adjustments
    (1,514 )     (2,326 )     (769 )
                         
      (36,786 )     74,342       301,856  
(b) Changes in working capital
                       
      Inventories
    10,389       18,264       (6,624 )
      Current   receivables
    5,376       (8,915 )     (25,521 )
      Current non-interest bearing liabilities
    26,758       6,406       11,876  
      42,523       15,755       (20,269 )
Non-cash transactions
                       
(c) In 2007 the Parent converted EUR 166,819 of related party interest-bearing liabilities to invested equity (see note 21).
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
 
63

 
 
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN INVESTED EQUITY
        FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007, 2006 AND 2005
(Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)
 

Balance, 1 January, 2005
    709,566  
Translation differences
    (701 )
Result for the period
    (226,610 )
Related party transactions
       
Gains on derecognition of Parent company defined benefit plan obligation
    (1,000 )
Corporate overhead costs funded by Parent
    7,300  
Income taxes funded by Parent
    4,171  
Other financing with Parent,  net
    (26,166 )
Related party transactions, total
    (15,695 )
         
Balance, 31 December  2005
    466,560  
         
Balance, 1 January, 2006
    466,560  
Translation differences
    (2,729 )
Result for the  period
    (20,205 )
Related party transactions
       
Corporate overhead costs funded by Parent
    8,000  
Income taxes funded by Parent
    7,725  
Other financing with Parent, net
    1,030  
Related party transactions, total
    16,755  
         
Balance, 31 December 2006
    460,381  
         
Balance, 1 January, 2007
    460,381  
Translation differences
    (1,556 )
Result for the  period
    66,453  
Related party transactions
       
Equity contribution by Parent
    181,819  
Corporate overhead costs funded by Parent
    8,600  
Income taxes funded by Parent
    2,154  
Other financing with Parent, net
    (44,534
Related party transactions, total
    148,039  
         
Balance, 31 December 2007
    673,317  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements.

64



NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Monetary amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

 
Note 1— Background and basis of presentation
 
Background
M-real Oyj and its subsidiaries (M-real Group or M-real or the Parent) are one of Europe’s leading producers of paperboard and paper. M-real Group offers premium solutions of consumer packaging, communications and advertising and has 17 production units in 6 European countries. M-real is present in over 70 countries thanks to its global sales network. M-real Oyj HQ is located in Espoo, Finland.

On 29 September 2008, M-real entered into a Master Business and Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with Sappi Limited, a South African company, regarding the sale of share holdings in four legal entities and two paper mills of M-real’s Graphic Papers Business (the “Transaction”).  The entities subject to the sale, all of which are 100% owned by M-real, are comprised of two separate paper mills in Finland (Kangas and Kirkniemi), Stockstadt GmbH (Stockstadt) and its wholly owned subsidiary Chemische Werke Zell-Wildshausen GmbH (CWZ), CN-Papiervertrieb GmbH (CN) in Germany and M-real Biberist AG (Biberist) in Switzerland. Collectively these entities are referred to as the “Carve-out Graphic Papers Business” or the “Company.” M-real has prepared the combined financials statements of the Company in connection with the SPA.

The Company produces and provides coated fine and magazine paper and uncoated fine paper to publishing, advertising and communication end-users.  Customers include printers, publishers, advertising agencies and corporations served both directly and through merchant partners. The manufacturing operations of the Company are located in Lohja and Jyväskylä, Finland, Stockstadt, Germany, and Biberist, Switzerland.

Basis of presentation
The combined financial statements have been prepared on a “carve-out” basis from M-reals consolidated financial statements using the historical results of operations, assets and liabilities attributable to the Company and include allocations of expenses and assets from M-real. These financial statements have been authorised for issue by the management team on 26 August 2008.

The combined financial statements may not be indicative of the Companys future performance and do not necessarily reflect what its combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had the Company operated as an independent company during the periods presented. In addition to favourable industry and market conditions including raw material costs and paper prices, the Companys future profitability and cash flows depend on its ability to receive financing.  Historically, financing has been made available to the Company by its Parent.

These combined financial statements include the assets, liabilities, sales, expenses and cash flows of the entities subject to the Transaction.  Certain entities of M-reals Graphic Papers Business have been excluded from these combined financial statements because they are not subject to the Transaction and there are no significant inter-business relationships, interdependencies or common facilities with the entities that are subject to the Transaction.
 
These combined financial statements include allocations for some assets, various expenses, including, among other things, corporate overheads and administration and a gain on de-recognition of defined benefit obligations in fiscal year 2005 in Finland. These allocations are discussed in Notes 4 and 17, for corporate overhead and administration expenses and pension and postretirement expenses, respectively. Additionally, these combined financial statements include the effects of allocating goodwill recognised by the Parent relating to the acquisition of Stockstadt. Company management considers that such allocations have been made on a reasonable basis, but are not necessarily indicative of the costs that would have been incurred if the Company were a stand-alone entity.

 
65

 
 
M-real uses a centralised approach via a cash pooling arrangement to manage cash and to finance its operations.  Each of the Company’s entities historically maintained a separate balance sheet which included financing positions with M-real Group.  Interest earned on deposits through the cash pooling arrangement and payable on related party interest bearing borrowings was historically settled through the cash pool arrangement.  Invested equity of the Company represents M-real’s residual claim on  the Company entities and includes allocations from M-real, settlement of intercompany transactions with M-real, and the Company’s cumulative operating results, including other income items recognised directly in equity.

These combined financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).  The combined financial statements are presented in thousands of Euros (EUR), unless otherwise stated.  The combined financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for certain other financial assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value.

 
Note 2—Significant accounting policies
 
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance to IFRS. A summary of the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the accompanying combined financial statements is presented below.

Principles of combination
The combined financial statements include the accounts of the Company’s managed operations that are wholly owned by M-real and have been combined as if together for all periods presented.  Intercompany balances and transactions with combined entities have been eliminated.  Intercompany balances and transactions with M-real and its other subsidiaries have been recorded as related party transactions and are further discussed in the related parties and other notes contained in these financial statements.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions
The Company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.  The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

(a)  
Estimated impairment and goodwill and fixed assets, including certain subsequent reversals
The Company annually tests whether goodwill has suffered any impairment in accordance with its accounting policy and on an interim basis if potential impairment indicators have occurred.  The recoverable amount of its cash-generating unit has been determined based on value-in-use calculations.  These calculations require the use of estimates.

(b)  
Estimated corporate overhead allocations
As disclosed in Note 1, management has estimated the allocation of various corporate overhead expenses and goodwill that have historically been paid and maintained by M-real. These allocations require the use of estimates and management judgment.

Foreign currency
The combined financial statements are presented in Euros, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency. The currency translation of financial statements of the combined operations outside the Euro zone prepared in a foreign currency into the presentation currency is as follows: assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate, and income and expenses are translated to Euros, as the reporting currency, using average rates. Exchange differences are recognised directly in equity. If foreign operations are sold, recorded differences from currency translation are reversed and recognised in income. When making the transition to IFRS, translation differences that arose prior to 1 January 2004 were recorded in invested equity and will not be subsequently recasted into the income statement. Biberist in Switzerland is the Company’s only business that has a functional currency other than the euro.
 
 
66

 

The translation of foreign currency transactions into the functional currency (functional currency concept) of an entity is as follows: The functional currency of each entity in the Company is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. Transactions that are conducted in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded using the current exchange rate on the date of the transaction. Foreign currency denominated monetary items (e.g., cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables) are translated at the respective closing rates. Exchange differences from the translation of monetary items are recognised in the combined income statement. Non-monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are carried at historical cost translated at the date of transaction.

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement.

Financial assets
All financial assets have been classified as loans and receivables. Categorisation depends on the purpose for which the assets were acquired and is made at the time they were originally recorded. Financial asset purchases and sales are recorded at the settlement date. Loans and receivables comprise external and related party receivables, including accounts receivable. Loans and other receivables are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Accounts receivable
Accounts receivable are measured at the expected net realizable value, which is the original invoicing value less estimated impairment provisions on the receivables.  An impairment test is carried out for all receivables at bankruptcy or overdue over 180 days, when there is a justifiable reason to assume that the Company will not receive payment from the invoiced amount according to the original terms.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments. Metsä Finance operates cash pooling arrangement whereby each of the  Company entities participate. Cash generated and used in operations of the respective entities is regularly funded by the arrangement. Interest receivable on deposits by the Company entities is settled through the cash pooling arrangement as is interest payable on related party interest bearing liabilities.  Since these funds are readily convertible to cash and are used to finance working capital of the business, management have presented such amounts due from the cash pooling arrangement as cash and cash equivalents in the combined financial statements. Cash and cash equivalents includes items with original maturities of three months or less.

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value. Transaction costs are included in the original carrying amount of all financial liabilities. Subsequently, all financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Inventories
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of finished and semi-finished products comprises raw materials, direct labour expenses, other direct expenses as well as an appropriate share of fixed and variable production overheads. The normal capacity of the production facilities is used as the divisor in allocating overheads to the different production units.

The value of inventories is determined using the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method or the weighted average cost method depending on the type of inventory. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.  Provisions are established for slow moving and obsolete inventories.
 
 
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Property, plant and equipment
Items of property, plant and equipment are measured at original cost.  Property, plant and equipment is presented in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. For investments in property, plant and equipment requiring a long construction time, the interest cost incurred during construction is capitalised in the combined balance sheet as part of the asset for the time that is necessary for bringing the asset to working condition for its intended use.

Items of property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the following expected useful lives:

Category
Depreciation period
   
Buildings
20 to 40 years
Property, plant and equipment
5 to 20 years
Other property, plant and equipment
5 to 20 years

Other property, plant and equipment consist of bridges, dams, asphalt work and similar items.

Land is not depreciated. If the significant parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have useful lives of differing length, each part is depreciated separately.

The estimated useful lives and residual values are reassessed at each reporting date and adjusted if necessary. Expenditures arising from large-sized modernisation and improvement projects are capitalised in the balance sheet if it is probable that the economic benefit resulting from the projects will exceed the estimated revenue originally obtainable from the asset item that is to be modernised. Other expenditure related to repairs and maintenance is expensed in the period in which it is incurred.

Gains and losses on disposal or retirement of tangible fixed assets are determined by comparing the proceeds received with the carrying amounts and are included in the combined income statements.

Leases
Leases on assets for which the Company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards incident to ownership of the asset are classified as finance lease agreements. A finance lease agreement is recognised in the balance sheet at an amount equal at the inception of the lease to the fair value of the leased property or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding lease payment liability is recorded in interest-bearing liabilities under other non-current liabilities. An asset obtained on a finance lease is depreciated over the useful life of the asset or, if shorter, the lease term. Lease payments are split between financial expenses and a reduction in the lease liabilities.

Lease agreements in which the risks and rewards incident to ownership remain with the lessor are treated as other lease agreements (operating leases). Lease payments under an operating lease are recognised as an expense in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition costs over the fair value of the net assets acquired, at the date of acquisition. Under the exemption provided by IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, M-real elected not to apply IFRS 3 Business Combinations retrospectively to business combinations made prior to 1 January 2004, the date M-real transitioned to IFRS.  Accordingly, goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to M-real’s transition to IFRS has been measured in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Standards in Finland (“Finnish GAAP”) and has not been adjusted retroactively.
 
 
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Goodwill that arose prior to 1 January 2004, has been recognised as an intangible asset and amortised in line with Finnish GAAP over 20 years until 31 December 2003.  Effective with the transition to IFRS, goodwill is considered to have an indefinite useful life and is not subject to amortisation.  Goodwill is carried at cost less impairment losses and is tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Any impairment loss is recorded as an expense in the income statement in the reporting period during which the impairment has been determined. For impairment testing, goodwill is tested at the Company level as management determined that the Company represents the lowest level cash generating unit where assets generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or group of assets. An impairment loss is recognised when the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of that unit. The recoverable amount of a cash-generating unit is determined by the higher of the following values:  Fair value less costs to sell or value in use. An impairment loss is allocated first to any goodwill of the cash generating unit and then to the other assets of the unit on a pro-rata basis based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. An impairment loss recognised on goodwill may not be reversed in subsequent periods.

M-real’s other historical acquisitions of Company entities, also accounted for under Finnish GAAP preceding the transition to IFRS, did not result in the recognition of goodwill.

Other intangible assets
The cost of patents, licenses and trademarks having a finite useful life is capitalised in the combined balance sheet under intangible assets and amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful lives in 5-10 years.

Emission rights
Allowances received by the governments free of charge have initially been recognised as intangible assets and the corresponding government grant as advance payment in liabilities based on fair value at the date of initial recognition. Allowances are measured at its cost or at their fair value if less. Allowances are not amortised. The emissions produced are recognised as cost and as liability together with the corresponding government grant as income both based on the value at the date of initial recognition.  So rights consumed that are within the original range have no positive or negative effect on profit for the period. The costs of purchasing additional rights to cover excess emissions or the sale of unused rights have no effect on the financial result.

Impairment of long-lived non-financial assets
Assets that are subject to depreciation and amortisation (tangible fixed assets and intangible assets with definite useful lives) are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell or its value in use. Value in use is calculated based on estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset  For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels of cash generating units for which there are separately identifiable cash flows which was determined to be at the level of the Company. For assets other than goodwill, an impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had originally been recognised.  A previously recognised impairment loss may only be reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised.

Provisions
A provision is recognised in the combined balance sheet when the Company has a legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. If some or all of the expenditure required to settle a provision is expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement is recorded in the combined balance sheet as a separate asset, but only if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received.
 
 
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Restructuring
A restructuring provision is recorded for the financial period when the Company has incurred a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment. Termination payments are recorded when a detailed plan has been made of the restructuring and the main points of the plan have been communicated to the employees who are affected by the arrangement.

Environmental obligations
Costs arising from environmental remediation which do not increase present or future revenue are recorded as annual expenses. Environmental liabilities are recorded in accordance with present environmental protection laws and regulations when it is probable that there is an obligation and its amount can be estimated reasonably.

Government grants
Government grants received for the purpose of purchasing property, plant and equipment and similar are entered as deferred income in the combined balance sheet liabilities and recognised in other operating income during the actual useful life of the asset straight-line basis. Other grants are recorded as other operating income in the combined income statement for the financial periods during which they are matched with the corresponding expenses.

Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs are generally recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred. When an item of property, plant and equipment is involved in a major and long-term investment project, the borrowing costs directly due to the acquisition and construction of the asset are included in the asset’s cost. Transaction expenses directly due to obtaining loans are deducted from the original cost of said loan and periodised as interest expense using the effective interest rate method.

Income taxes
During the periods presented, the Company did not file separate tax returns for the Finnish mills (Kangas and Kirkniemi) and Stockstadt and CWZ as these entities were included in the tax grouping of other M-real entities within the respective entities tax jurisdictions. Biberist and CN have historically not been part of any M-real tax grouping and have filed separate, respective local jurisdictional tax returns on an annual basis. The income tax provision included in these combined financial statements was calculated using a method consistent with a separate return basis, as if each of the Company’s companies were a separate taxpayer in the jurisdiction of primary operation.  Tax expense in the income statement is comprised of the current tax and deferred taxes. Any current taxes are deemed settled through invested equity. Income taxes are recorded on an accrual basis for the taxable income of the Company applying the tax rate in force in each country at that time.

Deferred taxes and tax assets are calculated on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The largest temporary differences arise from the impairment on long lived assets and depreciation on property plant and equipment. Temporary differences arise also from unused tax losses. Deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit nor loss.

Deferred taxes have been calculated by applying the tax rates in force by the balance sheet date at that time and are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered and settled. Tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which a deductible temporary difference can be utilised.
 
 
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Revenue recognition
Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and services in the ordinary course of the group’s activities. Revenue is shown net of value-added tax, returns, rebates and discounts and other adjusting items.
 
The group recognises revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured, it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and when specific criteria have been met for each of the group’s activities as described below. The amount of revenue is not considered to be reliably measurable until all contingencies relating to the sale have been resolved. The group bases its estimates on historical results, taking into consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each arrangement.
 
Delivery and handling costs
Costs arising from the delivery and handling of goods are recorded in operating expenses in the combined income statement.

Research and development
Research and development expenditure is recognised as an expense at the time it is incurred. Development expenditure is capitalised if it meets the criteria for capitalisation. To date, the Company has not capitalised research and development expenditure.

Pension plans and post-retirement plans
The Company provides in Switzerland and Germany post retirement plans that comply with each country’s local regulations and practices. The Company also has defined-benefit pension plans which define pension security benefits, unemployment compensation and any post-employment benefits. Defined benefit plans in Switzerland are fully funded by the Company and employee contributions to pension insurance companies or a pension foundation on the basis of actuarial pension liability calculations. Defined benefit plans at Stockstadt and CZW in Germany are unfunded. Under defined-benefit plans, the Company is generally responsible for ensuring that the former and present employees belonging to the plan receive the benefits defined in the plan’s statutes.

In defined-benefit plans, the pension liability is stated as the present value of future pension contributions at the combined balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets at the combined balance sheet date and adjusted for actuarial gains and losses as well as for past service costs. The pension liability is calculated using projected unit credit method by independent actuaries.  Pension liabilities are recorded as post employment benefit obligations in the combined balance sheets.

Pension expenditure is recorded in the combined income statement as an expense, periodising it over employee’s period of service.  Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions in excess of the greater of 10% of the value of plan assets or 10% of the defined benefit obligation are charged or credited to the combined income statement over the employees’ expected average remaining working lives.

The Company also provides for post retirement plans at CN, Stockstadt and at the Finnish Mills (Kangas and Kirkniemi) that are defined-contribution plans. For defined-contribution pension plans, pension contributions are paid to insurance companies based on the work performed during the employee’s period of service, after which the Company no longer has other pension obligations. The Company’s payments into defined-contribution plans are recorded as an expense in the period during which the obligation was incurred. At the Finnish Mills (Kangas and Kirkniemi) employees participate in the statutory Finnish employee pension scheme (TEL) according to which benefits are linked directly to the employee earnings. The plan is operated by M-real and historical costs related to the Finnish Mills have been invoiced based on actual headcount.   Prior to 1 January 2006, the disability component of this TEL plan, which is arranged with insurance companies, was accounted for as a defined benefit plan.  As a result of the change in Finnish law, the disability pensions arranged with insurance companies has changed from defined benefit to a defined contribution plan.  As a result, M-real derecognised the related benefit obligation as of 31 December 2005 and recognised a gain upon derecognition.  Management has allocated a portion of this gain in the amount of EUR 1,000 to the Company, based on actual headcount at the Finnish Mills.
 
 
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Related party financing and hedging arrangements
M-reals partially owned internal specialised finance company or bank, Metsä Group Financial Services Oy (Metsä Finance), has historically been responsible for managing the Companys financial position according to the strategy and financial policy of M-real.  Metsä Finances influence has included the daily management of cash pooling arrangements, related party contractual financing arrangements and financial and commodity risk hedging.   Note 4, Related Parties contains details regarding transactions with the Parent and other related parties to the Company.

Based on long-term capital assessments, Metsä Finance has entered into related party interest bearing loan agreements with certain of the Company entities.  These agreements have contractual maturity dates and interest rates.  Interest on these loans is regularly settled through the cash pooling arrangement.  The Company presents loans from the Parent as borrowings in the combined balance sheets.  Interest expense on these loans is presented as other financial expense in the combined income statements.

In the regular course of business, the Company is exposed to certain financial risks which are hedged by either the local business or by Metsä Finance on positions held by the Company.  These risks are typically commodity (energy) prices, foreign currency exposure and translation risk of net investments in foreign entities.  The Company has elected not to allocate hedging positions of the Company specific risk, held by Metsä Finance, to the combined financial statements.

Standards, amendments and interpretations effective in 2007

IFRS 7, ‘Financial instruments: Disclosures’, and the complementary amendment to IAS 1, ‘Presentation of financial statements – Capital disclosures’.  The standard requires the disclosure of qualitative and quantitative information about exposure to risks arising from financial instruments, including specified minimum disclosures about credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk, including sensitivity analysis to market risk. The amendment to IAS 1 introduces disclosures about the level of an entity’s capital and how it manages capital. The standard introduces new disclosures relating to financial instruments, but has no impact on classification or valuation of the derivatives. The IAS 1 amended Capital disclosures are not relevant to the Company’s combined financial statements as they are prepared on a “carve-out” basis and normal ways of capital management do not apply to Company’s invested equity.

Standards, amendments and interpretations effective in 2007 but considered not relevant to the Company’s operations

IFRIC 8, ‘Scope of IFRS 2’, requires consideration of transactions involving the issuance of equity instruments, where the identifiable consideration received is less than the fair value of the equity instruments issued in order to establish whether or not they fall within the scope of IFRS 2. This interpretation does not have any impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.

IFRIC 9, “Reassessment of Embedded Derivatives”, concludes that an entity should not reassess the conclusion as to whether an embedded derivative needs to be separated from the hybrid contract after it is initially recognised. This interpretation does not have any impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.

IFRIC 10, ‘Interim financial reporting and impairment’, prohibits the impairment losses recognised
in an interim period on goodwill and investments in equity instruments and in financial assets carried at cost to be reversed at a subsequent balance sheet date. This interpretation does not have any impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.

IFRIC 7, ‘Applying the restatement approach under IAS 29, Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies’.
 
 
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Application of new and amended IFRS standards and IFRIC interpretations

The IASB has published the following standards and interpretations whose application will be mandatory in 2008 or later. The Company has not early adopted these standards, but will adopt them in later periods:
Changes in – ‘IAS 27 – Consolidated Separate Financial Statements‘,‘IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement‘.

The following changes are not relevant to the Company’s operations:
‘IFRS 1– First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards‘, ‘IFRS 2–Share-based Payment‘ and ‘IFRS –3 Business Combination‘.

The following new standards and interpretations effective in 2008 are not relevant to the Company’s operations:

IFRIC 11, ‘IFRS 2 – Group and treasury share transactions’, provides guidance on whether share-based transactions involving treasury shares or involving group entities should be accounted for as equity settled or cash-settled share-based payment transactions in the stand-alone accounts of the  company’s combined financial statements.

IFRIC 12, ‘Service Concession Arrangements’, applies to contractual arrangements whereby a private sector operator participates in the development, financing, operation and maintenance of infrastructure for public sector services.

IFRIC 14, ‘IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction’,  is applied to post-employment defined benefit plans and other long-term defined benefit plans under IAS 19, if the plan includes minimum funding requirements. The interpretation also clarifies the criteria for recognition of an asset on future refunds or reductions in future contributions.

Standards published by IASB that will be effective in 2009 or later:

IAS 1 (Revised) ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’, is aimed at improving users ability to analyse and compare the information given in financial statements by separating changes in equity of an entity arising from transactions with owners from other changes in equity. The standard will have effect on presentation but not on accounting policy.

Amendment to IAS 23, ‘Borrowing Costs’,  requires an entity to capitalise borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset. The option of immediately expensing those borrowing costs will be removed. The amendment does not change the accounting policy applied by the Company and therefore, does not have any impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation and IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – Financial Instruments Puttable at Fair Value and Obligations Arising on Liquidation. The management is currently assessing the impact of the amendment on the financial statements.

Amendments to IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards and IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements – Cost of an Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate. The management is currently assessing the impact of the amendment on the financial statements.

Amendment to IAS 39 Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement – Eligible Hedged Items. The amendment does not have an effect on the Company’s accounts, as the hedging activities and hedge accounting are centralised to the M-real Group’s internal bank.
 
 
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IFRS 8, ‘Operating Segments’, replaces IAS 14. The new standard requires a ‘management approach’, under which segment information is presented on the same basis as that used for internal reporting purposes. The Company  is not a public company and is electing not to present segment disclosures in its combined financial statements.

IFRS 3 (Revised) – Business Combinations and IAS 27 (Revised)  – Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements. The management is currently assessing the impact of the amendment on the financial statements.

IFRIC 13, ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’. IFRIC 13 clarifies that where goods or services are sold together with a customer loyalty incentive, the arrangement is a multiple-element arrangement and the consideration receivable from the customer is allocated between the components of the arrangement using fair values. IFRIC 13 is not relevant to the Company’s operations because none of the Company’s entities operate any loyalty programmes.

IFRIC 15, Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate. The interpretation does not have an effect on the Company’s accounts, because it is not relevant to the Company’s operations.

IFRIC 16, Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation. The interpretation does not have an effect on the Company’s accounts, as the hedging activities and hedge accounting are centralised to the M-real Group’s internal bank.

 
Note 3—Management of financial risks
 
Metsä Group Financial Services Oy (Metsä Finance) is specialised in finance and functions as the M-real Groups internal bank. M-reals holding in Metsä Finance is 51 per cent and Metsäliitto Cooperatives holding is 49 per cent. Financial operations have been centralised to Metsä Finance, which is responsible for managing the Group companies financial positions according to the strategy and financial policy, providing necessary financial services within the Metsäliitto Group and acting as an advisor in financial matters.

The Company’s financial risks associated with business operations are managed as a part of M-real Group in accordance with the financial policy endorsed by the M-real’s Board of Directors and the senior management of the Company. The policy defines focal instructions on the management of foreign currency, interest rate, liquidity and counterparty risks, and for the use of derivative financial instruments. Correspondingly, commodity risks are managed according to the M-real’s commodity risk policy. The purpose is to protect the M-real Group against major financial and commodity risks, to balance the cash flow and to allow the business units time to adjust their operations to changing conditions.

The Companys accounts receivables carry a counterparty risk that the Company may incur losses should the counterparty be unable to meet its commitments. Credit risk attached to accounts receivables is managed on the basis of the credit risk management policies approved by operative management at the parent company M-real group level. The Company’s accounts receivable performance is followed monthly as part of M-real Group by M-real’s Corporate Risk Management Team and Corporate Credit Committee. Credit quality of customers is assessed at regular intervals based on the customers’ financial statements, payment behaviour, credit agencies and credit ratings agencies. Individual credit limits are reviewed at least annually. From time to time, as deemed necessary by management, Letters of Credits, bank and parent company guarantees and Credit insurance are used to mitigate credit risk. The Company’s credit limits as part of M-real Group are approved according to credit risk management policy with approval limits of varying values across the Group. The M-real Group Corporate Credit Committee reviews sets all major credit limits which are not supported by credit insurance and/ or other security.

The Company as a part of M-real Group adopted a process whereby regular impairment tests for customer accounts receivable are carried out, with material credit loss impairment booked when a customer enters legal bankruptcy, or becomes past due for more than 6 months (180 days) without a valid payment plan or other valid reasons. The portion of overdue client receivables of all sales receivables is at the time of financial statements 10.0 % (EUR 19,426), of which 0.3 % (EUR 648) is overdue between 90 - 180 days and 0.4 % (EUR 808) over 180 days. All the accounts receivables due later than 180 days have been impaired.
 
 
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Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that funds and available funding become insufficient to meet business needs, or that extra costs are incurred in arranging the necessary financing. The Company’s financing is centralised so that the Parent is responsible for all the external borrowing and investing. Maturity analysis of M-real’s financial liabilities is presented in note 20.

The Company’s (as part of M-real Group) foreign currency exposure consists of the risks associated with foreign currency flows, translation risk of net investments in foreign entities and economic currency exposure. Most of the Company’s costs are incurred in the Euro zone, but a significant amount of the sales are denominated in other currencies.  Sales revenue may therefore vary because of changes in exchange rates, while production costs remain unchanged. Product prices are also often quoted in currencies other than in the functional currency. In the foreign currency transaction exposure, which consists of foreign currency denominated sales revenue and costs, are included foreign currency denominated sales receivables, accounts payable, received orders and a certain part of the forecast net currency cash flow. The currency split of net accounts receivables and payables was as follows: 51 % in Euro, 23 % in GBP , 21% in USD and 5% in other currencies.

The translation risk of a net investment in a foreign entity is generated from the consolidation of the equity of companies outside the euro area into Euros in the consolidated financial statements. The only carve-out graphic papers business outside the Euro zone is M-real Biberist in Switzerland, on which the Company has recognised foreign currency translation losses directly in invested equity of EUR 1,556, EUR 2,729 and EUR 701 during the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Foreign currency and interest rate risks of the carve-out Graphic Papers Business are managed as part of the M-real Group. For the purposes of these combined financial statements, the total of interest-bearing liabilities comprise direct debt and allocated amounts from the Group portfolio. Hedges have not been allocated to the combined entity. Accordingly, the sensitivity analysis presented below may not be representative of the carve-out Graphic Papers Business proportionate share of the Group level risks as it has been prepared on a separate basis from the M-real Group’s combined balance sheet.

Foreign currency risk:

As the sensitivity analysis does not take into account the M-real Group’s hedging activities, it only reflects the effects on net of accounts receivables and payables in each material currency, which M-real is exposed to. The following table presents the effect in profit or loss for the period had the foreign exchange rates been 10 % higher/lower as of 31 December:

2007
Currency
Exposure
+ 10 %
- 10 %
USD
17,054
(1,895)
+ 1,550
GBP
18,419
(2,047)
+ 1,674

2006
Currency
Exposure
+ 10 %
- 10 %
USD
17,845
(1,983)
+ 1,622
GBP
19,103
(2,123)
+ 1,737

2005
Currency
Exposure
+ 10 %
- 10 %
USD
19,294
(2,144)
+ 1,754
GBP
20,071
(2,230)
+ 1,825
 
 
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Interest rate risk:

As the sensitivity analysis does not take into account the M-real Group’s hedging activities, it only reflects the effects on the variable interest rate liabilities from related parties. At 31 December 2007, if interest rates at that date had been 10 basis points lower (higher) with all other variables held constant, post-tax result of the carve-out Graphic Papers Business for the year 2007 would have been EUR 356,000 (2006: EUR 238,000) higher (lower), arising mainly as a result of lower (higher) interest expense on variable interest rate borrowings. Cash pooling balances have been excluded as their balances constantly change in between positive and negative.

Fair value disclosures
The carrying value of receivables, prepaid expenses, and current liabilities approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.  Non-current assets and liabilities are valued pursuant to their applicable guidance as disclosed elsewhere throughout these combined financial statements.

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined by using different valuation techniques. The group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance sheet date. Valuation techniques, such as estimated discounted cash flows, are used to determine fair values for the financial instruments.

Fair values are presented in note 21 – Financial receivables and borrowing.
 
Note 4—Related parties
 
These combined financial statements include transactions with M-real, its subsidiaries and M-real’s parent company Metsäliitto Cooperative and its other subsidiaries that are considered to be related parties in respect to the Carve-out Graphic Papers Business.  The Company enters into a significant number of transactions with related parties for the purchases of inventory, sale of goods, as well as corporate services. Product and services transfers between the Company and related parties have been made at arms length prices.

Further described in Note 2, Metsä Finance operates a cash pooling arrangement whereby each of the Companys businesses participate.  As of 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 the Company included EUR 24,538, EUR 46,725 and EUR 36,650, respectively, of amounts due from the cash pooling arrangement as cash and cash equivalents.  Interest income on these balances is presented as other financial income in the combined income statements.  For the periods ended  31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 the Company included EUR 972, EUR 1,574 and EUR 1,386, respectively, as interest income on cash pooling balances held by Metsä Finance in other financial income.

Sales to related parties amounted to EUR 73,811, EUR 101,268 and EUR 89,468 for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively and are reported as sales to related parties in the combined income statements. Sales to related parties accounted for approximately 5.5%, 7.7% and 7.3% of combined total net sales of the Company for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The majority of such sales to related parties were made at market prices during all periods presented.  Purchases of goods from related parties amounted to EUR 462,568, EUR 421,475 and EUR 338,573 for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, which are reported as part of purchases during the financial period in the combined income statements.

At 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognised receivables from related parties totaling EUR 33,267, EUR 40,706 and EUR 60,163, respectively, and payables and other non-interest bearing liabilities to related parties totaling EUR 21,693, EUR 17,220 and EUR 20,571, respectively.  All related party accounts receivable and accounts payable are regularly settled and thus presented as components of accounts receivable and accounts payable, respectively, on the face of the combined balance sheets.
 
 
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Other operating expenses include allocated corporate costs of approximately EUR 8,600, EUR 8,000 and EUR 7,300 for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These costs are primarily related to corporate level administrative services (executive personnel costs, human resources, legal services, IT services, insurance and other administrative services), and are generally allocated based on the ratio of the Company’s annual net sales or other specific allocation keys, to the Parent’s comparable amounts. Corporate expense allocations are in addition to business level expenses which are invoiced to the individual Company businesses on at least a quarterly basis.  Management considers that such allocations have been made on a reasonable basis, but may not necessarily be indicative of the costs incurred had the Company operated as a separate entity during the periods presented. Certain corporate costs incurred by the Parent that did not directly or indirectly benefit the Company entities were not allocated to the combined financial statements as such expenses could not be reasonably allocated.
 
  
Also as further described in Note 2, Metsä Finance has entered into related party interest bearing loan agreements with certain of the Company entities. These agreements have contractual maturity dates and interest rates.  At 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 the average interest rate on outstanding related party interest bearing liabilities was 5.21%, 4.29% and 2.78%, respectively. As of 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognised non-current interest bearing liabilities in the amount of EUR 55,661, EUR 197,935, and EUR 197,968, respectively, and current interest bearing liabilities in the amount of EUR 12,000, EUR 24,444 and EUR 26,244 for amounts due to Metsä Finance under such agreements.  The Company recognised interest expense relating to these obligations in the amount of EUR 5,054, EUR 9,867 and EUR 8,412 for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, which is reported in other financial expense in the combined income statements.

Stockstadt and CWZ participate in a profit and loss transfer arrangement (PLTA) with its holding company M-real Deutsche Holding GmbH for all periods presented in the combined financial statements. Under the PLTA, Stockstadt and CWZ are obligated to transfer their entire profits, as determined under the German Commercial Code (HGB), to Deutsche Holding GmbH during the term of the agreement.  Conversely, Deutsche Holding GmbH is obliged to compensate any net loss generated by Stockstadt and CWZ as determined under HGB. Both the right to transfer profits and the compensation claim for any net losses arises at the end of the financial year. The Companies recognised the obligation to transfer profits under the PLTA by recognizing EUR 1,667 and EUR 2,697 in current accounts payable as of 31 December 2006 and 2005, respectively, offset with a corresponding reduction in invested equity.   The Companies recognised the right to be compensated for net loss generated by recognizing EUR 15,791 in current accounts receivable as of 31 December 2007 offset with a corresponding increase in invested equity.

The following shows related party transactions as of and for the years ended 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Sales
    73,811       101,268       89,468  
Other operating income
    2,557       2.333       3,900  
Purchases
    462,568       421,475       338,573  
Other operating expenses
    51,656       53,755       36,719  
Interest income
    972       1,574       1,386  
Interest expenses
    5,054       9,867       8,412  
                         
Receivables
                       
Current
    33,267       40,706       60,163  
Liabilities
                       
Non-current
    55,661       197,935       197,968  
Current
    33,693       41,664       46,815  

Other operating expenses include allocated corporate costs and other operating expenses.
 
 
77

 

The compensation paid to management is presented in Note 7.  The Company’s management is not part of any stock based compensation schemes.
 
Note 5—Geographical data
 
The following shows the distribution of the Company’s combined total sales to customers by geographical market based upon the location in which the customers reside for the years ended 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Europe
    1,124,412       1,084,040       992,167  
America
    115,743       113,799       100,699  
Asia
    38,830       57,128       69,075  
Oceania
    44,720       50,398       52,057  
Africa
    9,082       10,420       11,216  
Total
    1,332,787       1,315,785       1,225,214  

Personnel data by country see Note 7, “Personnel data”.

All of the Company’s long-lived assets, which primarily are comprised of property, plant, and equipment, are located in Europe.
 
Note 6—Other operating income
 
The Companys other operating income consist of the following components for the years ended 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Rental income
    883       1,052       1,106  
Service income
    6,821       6,225       5,499  
Government grants
    589       2,716       3,657  
Other allowances and subsidies
    314       667       474  
Scrap and waste sales
    1,694       1,477       1,533  
Gains on sale of fixed assets
    159       43       79  
Other operating income
    4,992       4,932       6,420  
      15,452       17,112       18,768  

Other operating income consists of several items, which are not separately material.

 
78

 
 
Note 7—Personnel data

The Companys employee costs consist of the following components for the years ended 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Employee costs
                 
                   
Wages and salaries
                 
Salaries of boards and managing directors
    615       611       697  
Other wages and salaries
    97,359       105,878       101,937  
      97,974       106,489       102,634  
Social security costs
                       
Pension costs
                       
Defined contribution plans
    11,393       10,614       9,352  
Defined benefit plans
    2,210       2,515       2,913  
Other employee costs
    34,002       36,010       40,985  
      47,605       49,139       53,250  
                         
Employee costs, total
    145,579       155,628       155,884  


The Companys employees as of  31 December are as follows:
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Finland
    864       989       1,124  
Germany
    742       781       872  
Switzerland
    538       551       540  
                         
Total at year end
    2,144       2,321       2,536  
                         
Personnel, average
    2,280       2,488       2,596  
 

79

 
 
Note 8—Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges
 
The following shows the split of the Company’s depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges for the years ended 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Straight-line depreciation
                 
Other intangible assets
    1,378       1,381       1,174  
Buildings
    11,661       4,882       9,714  
Machinery and equipment
    78,984       49,046       62,802  
Other property, plant and equipment
    3,639       3,712       3,927  
Total
    95,662       59,021       77,617  
                         
Impairment charges and reversal of impairment charges
                 
Goodwill
                    83,000  
Buildings
    (30,955 )     4,100       34,700  
Machinery and equipment
    (120,045 )     15,900       133,300  
Total
    (151,000 )     20,000       251,000  
                         
Straight-line depreciation, impairment charges
                       
and reversal of impairment charges, total
    (55,338 )     79,021       328,617  

The Company prepares impairment test calculations annually. In accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment of Assets”, the carrying amount of asset items or so called cash generating units (CGUs) are evaluated for indications of impairment. If there are indications of impairment of an asset item or the CGU the recoverable amount of the asset item or CGU shall be estimated. The Company is tested as one cash generating unit. The recoverable amount is based principally on estimated future cash flows.

The recoverable cash flows of the CGU are based on 5-year projections and consequent cash flows growing at a fixed annual growth rate. The key assumptions used in the projections are managements estimates and estimates from Pöyry Forest Industry Consulting Ltd. The key factors affecting the projections are the development of the average paper and board prices, delivery volumes, foreign exchange rates, and capacity utilisation rates, the cost development of key raw materials such as wood, pulp, chemicals and energy as well as the development of personnel costs and other fixed costs.  In the impairment tests the cash flows consequent to the 5-year projected cash flows are based on a 2 per cent fixed annual growth rate, which corresponds to the realised long term growth of the CGU.

Furthermore, the average values for the key assumptions (price, volume, variable costs) during the projection period have been used as starting point. The starting point for fixed costs is the projected costs for the fifth year. Both the future cash flows as well as the discount rate are calculated after tax e.g. the consequent discounted cash flows and values in use are before tax as required in IAS 36.  The after tax WACC used in the impairment tests was 7.74%, 7.09% and 6.74% in the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

In 2005, mostly because of higher pulp prices, increasing energy costs and reduced price estimates for the next 5 years the recoverable amount had fallen below the carrying amount of the CGU, an impairment charge of EUR 251,000 was recognised in the Companys combined income statement.  In 2006, mostly because of higher SW pulp price estimates and lower magazine paper price estimates for the next 5 years, an additional impairment charge of EUR 20,000 was recognised in the Companys combined income statement. In 2007, primarily because of a significant increase in the estimated long term sales prices of wood free coated paper, uncoated paper and magazine paper, partially resulting from a decrease in excess paper capacity during the year, the Company recognised reversal of impairment losses previously recognised on long lived assets other than goodwill in the amount of EUR 151,000.

 
80

 
 
Note 9—Financial income and expenses
 
The Companys net financial income and expenses consist of the following components for the years ended  31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Exchange differences
    (4,110 )     (3,314 )     6,334  
                         
Dividend income from other non-current assets
    10       6,970       61  
Interest income from loans and receivables
    1,143       1,667       1,569  
Other financial income
                    55  
      1,153       8,637       1,685  
                         
Interest expenses from financial liabilities at amortised cost
    (8,671 )     (13,476 )     (12,355 )
Other financial expenses
    (16 )     (3 )     (1 )
                         
Financial income and expenses, net
    (11,644 )     (8,156 )     (4,337 )

Interest expense for the year ended 31 December 2007 decreased as compared to interest expense recognised in the years ended 31 December 2006 and 2005 due to the recapitalisation of related party  interest bearing liabilities to invested capital as further described in Note 24 “Debt and Interest Expense”.

Impairment losses recognised from accounts receivable are not material.
 
Note 10—Income taxes
 
Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following components for the years ended 31 December:
 
                   
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Current tax
                 
Finland
    2,085       7,893       3,951  
Germany
    490       181       229  
Switzerland
    (422 )     (349 )     (9 )
      2,153       7,725       4,171  
Deferred tax
                       
Finland
    7,358       (9,562 )     (29,582 )
Switzerland
    3,229       (1,232 )     (2,378 )
      10,587       (10,794 )     (31,960 )
                         
Income tax expense (benefit) in combined income statements
    12,740       (3,069 )     (27,789 )
 
 
81

 
 
Company’s components of income before income taxes are as follows for the years ended 31 December:
 
                   
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Finland
    36,324       (6,419 )     (181,578 )
Germany
    30,465       (11,873 )     (63,581 )
Switzerland
    12,404       (4,982 )     (9,240 )
      79,193       (23,274 )     (254,399 )
 
The following table summarises the Company’s presentation of its net deferred tax liabilities on the combined balance sheets as of 31 December:
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Deferred tax assets
                 
Impairment of assets
    -       28,980       28,720  
                         
Deferred tax liabilities
                       
Appropriations for tax depreciation
    38,617       56,740       66,042  
Other temporary differences
    12,035       12,306       13,538  
                         
      50,652       69,046       79,580  
Netting against assets
    -       (28,980 )     (28,720 )
                         
Deferred tax liabilities, net
    50,652       40,066       50,860  
                         
 
 
A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) computed at the statutory rate applicable in Finland of 26% for years ended 31 December to the Company’s reported income tax expense (benefit) is as follows:
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                         
Income tax benefit computed at the Finland statutory rate
    20,590       (6,051 )     (66,144 )
Difference between Finnish and foreign rates
    3,604       (2,196 )     (7,483 )
Impairment losses on goodwill
    -       -       21,580  
Tax losses with no tax benefit
    (11,277 )     5,527       24,228  
Other adjustments
    (177 )     (349 )     30  
      12,740       (3,069 )     (27,789 )
                         
Tax expense (benefit) in income statement
    12,740       (3,069 )     (27,789 )

Taxes recognised directly to equity, which were financed by the Parent, were EUR 4,171, EUR 7,725 and EUR 2,154 for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

During 2007, the German statutory tax rate for fiscal year 2008 and forward was changed from 38% to 30%.

The Company recognises deferred tax assets on deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary difference can be utilised.  Once a deferred tax asset has been recognised by the Company, the realisation of those assets is assessed for realisability on a regular basis.  The ultimate realisation of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  In preparing its taxes on a separate return basis, The Company excludes from that assessment any utilisation of those losses by M-real or other related party, if any.
 
 
82

 

The Company has offset deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities only if the Company has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and intends either to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

As of 31 December 2007 and 2006 the net operating loss carry-forwards in Germany amounted to approximately EUR 45 million and EUR 76 million, respectively. The operating loss carry-forwards for which deferred tax assets have not been recognised due to uncertainty of the utilisation of these loss carry-forwards amounted to approximately EUR 13 million and EUR 29 million, respectively. These loss carry-forwards do not expire.

 
Note 11—Goodwill and other intangibles
 
Goodwill in the amount of EUR 96,000 relating to the Stockstadt acquisition on July 1, 2000 has been allocated to the Company based upon relative acquired production capacities as of the original acquisition date.  In fiscal year 2005, the Company fully impaired the goodwill allocated to the Company in the amount of EUR 83,000.


Other intangible assets such as patents, licences, computer software, trademarks, emission rights and others have been recognised in the Companys combined financial statements as follows:

   
Goodwill
   
Other intangible
assets
   
Total
 
         
 
       
Acquisition costs,  1 January 2005
    83,000       42,327       125,327  
Translation differences
    -       (6 )     (6 )
Increase
    -       5,505       5,505  
Acquisition costs,  31 December 2005
    83,000       47,826       130,826  
                         
Accumulated amortisation, 1 January  2005
    -       (39,402 )     (39,402 )
Translation differences
    -       1       1  
Accumulated amortisation on deduction
    -       72       72  
Amortisation for the period
    -       (1,174 )     (1,174 )
Impairment charges
    (83,000 )             (83,000 )
Accumulated amortisation, 31 December 2005
    (83,000 )     (40,503 )     (123,503 )
                         
Book value, 1 January 2005
    83,000       3,148       86,148  
Book value, 31 December 2005
    -       7,323       7,323  
                         
 
 
83

 
 
 
  Goodwill 
 
  Other intangible assets 
   
  Total 
 
Acquisition costs,  1 January 2006
  -     47,826       47,826  
Translation differences
  -     (21 )     (21 )
Increase
  -     10,087       10,087  
Decrease
  -     (10,749 )     (10,749 )
Acquisition costs,  31 December 2006
  -     47,143       47,143  
Accumulated amortisation, 1 January 2006
  -     (40,503 )     (40,503 )
Translation differences
  -     12       12  
Accumulated depreciation on deduction
  -     161       161  
Amortisation for the period
  -     (1,381 )     (1,381 )
Accumulated amortisation, 31 December 2006
  -     (41,711 )     (41,711 )
                     
Book value, 1 January 2006
  -     7,323       7,323  
Book value, 31 December 2006
  -     5,432       5,432  

 
Goodwill
   
Other intangible assets
   
Total
 
Acquisition costs,  1 January 2007
  -     47,143       47,143  
Translation differences
  -     (25 )     (25 )
Increase
  -     1,256       1,256  
Decrease
  -     (3,230 )     (3,230 )
Acquisition costs,  31 December 2007
  -     45,144       45,144  
                     
Accumulated amortisation 1 January 2007
  -     (41,711 )     (41,711 )
Translation differences
  -     24       24  
Accumulated amortisation on deduction
  -     177       177  
Amortisation for the period
  -     (1,378 )     (1,378 )
Accumulated amortisation, 31 December 2007
  -     (42,888 )     (42,888 )
                     
Book value, 1 January 2007
  -     5,432       5,432  
Book value, 31 December 2007
  -     2,256       2,256  
 

84

 
 
Note 12—Property, plant and equipment
 
The following is a summary of the Companys property, plant and equipment:

   
Land
   
Buildings
   
Machinery and equipment
   
Other tangible assets
   
Construction in progress
   
Total
 
Acquisition costs,  1 January 2005
    62,383       237,149       1,174,171       77,033       12,070       1,562,806  
Translation difference
    (13 )     (59 )     (604 )     -       (68 )     (744 )
Increase
    -       1,264       26,397       -       12,652       40,313  
Decrease
    (40 )     (661 )     (9,233 )     (375 )             (10,309 )
Transfers between items
    -       494       2,931       429       (3,854 )     -  
                                                 
Acquisition costs,  31 December 2005
    62,330       238,187       1,193,662       77,087       20,800       1,592,066  
                                                 
Accumulated depreciation,
                                               
1 January 2005
    (2,787 )     (96,512 )     (619,391 )     (47,301 )             (765,991 )
Translation difference
    -       18       206       4               228  
Accumulated depreciation
                                               
on deduction and transfers
    -       1,032       4,160       437               5,629  
Depreciation for the period
    (71 )     (9,643 )     (62,802 )     (3,927 )             (76,443 )
Impairment charges
    -       (34,700 )     (133,300 )                     (168,000 )
Accumulated depreciation and impairment charges, 31 December 2005
                                               
    (2,858 )     (139,805 )     (811,127 )     (50,787 )             (1,004,577 )
                                                 
Book value, 1 January 2005
    59,596       140,637       554,780       29,732       12,070       796,815  
Book value, 31 December 2005
    59,472       98,382       382,535       26,300       20,800       587,489  
                                                 

   
Land
   
Buildings
   
Machinery and equipment
   
Other tangible assets
   
Constuction in progress
   
Total
 
Acquisition costs, 1 January 2006
    62,330       238,187       1,193,662       77,087       20,800       1,592,066  
Translation difference
    (50 )     (289 )     (2,776 )     -       (252 )     (3,367 )
Increase
    1,324       3,700       40,789       339       23,169       69,321  
Decrease
    -       (168 )     (8,087 )     (2,240 )     (9,985 )     (20,480 )
Transfers between items
    -       2       10,248       124       (10,374 )     -  
Acquisition costs, 31 December 2006
    63,604       241,432       1,233,836       75,310       23,358       1,637,540  
 
 
85

 
 
   
Land
   
Buildings
   
Machinery and equipment
   
Other tangible assets
   
Construction in progress
   
Total
 
Accumulated depreciation,
                                   
1 January 2006
    (2,858 )     (139,805 )     (811,127 )     (50,787 )           (1,004,577 )
Translation difference
    (1 )     95       1,041       -             1,135  
Accumulated depreciation
                                             
on deduction and transfers
    -       8       7,397       1,887             9,292  
Depreciation for the period
    (74 )     (4,808 )     (49,046 )     (3,712 )           (57,640 )
Impairment charges
    -       (4,100 )     (15,900 )     -             (20,000 )
Accumulated depreciation and impairment charges, 31 December 2006
                                             
    (2,933 )     (148,610 )     (867,635 )     (52,612 )           (1,071,790 )
                                               
Book value, 1 January 2006
    59,472       98,382       382,535       26,300       20,800       587,489  
Book value, 31 December 2006
    60,671       92,822       366,201       22,698       23,358       565,750  
                                                 
                                                 
 
 
   
Land
   
Buildings
   
Machinery and equipment
   
Other tangible assets
   
Construction in progress
   
Total
 
Acquisition costs, 1 January 2007
    63,604       241,432       1,233,836       75,310       23,358       1,637,540  
Translation difference
    (44 )     (271 )     (2,591 )     -       (164 )     (3,070 )
Increase
    -       863       33,189       2,920       19,215       56,187  
Decrease
    (128 )     (13 )     (3,267 )     (2,952 )     (5,961 )     (12,321 )
Transfers between items
    -       85       12,408       3,888       (16,381 )     -  
                                                 
Acquisition costs, 31 December 2007
    63,432       242,096       1,273,575       79,166       20,067       1,678,336  
                                                 
Accumulated depreciation,
                                               
1 January 2007
    (2,933 )     (148,610 )     (867,635 )     (52,612 )             (1,071,790 )
Translation difference
    -       (96 )     1,009       -               913  
Accumulated depreciation
                                               
on deduction and transfers
    128       -       3,185       2,804               6,117  
Depreciation for the period
    (201 )     (11,460 )     (78,784 )     (3,639 )             (94,084 )
Reversed impairment charges
    -       30,955       120,045       -               151,000  
Accumulated depreciation
                                               
and impairment charges, 31 December 2007
    (3,006 )     (129,211 )     (822,180 )     (53,447 )             (1,007,844 )
Book value, 1 January 2007
    60,671       92,822       366,201       22,698       23,358       565,754  
Book value, 31 December 2007
    60,426       112,885       451,395       25,719       20,067       670,492  

 
86


 
Property, plant and equipment include assets acquired under finance lease agreements as of 31 December:
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Acquisition  costs
    144,825       144,825       145,347  
Accumulated depreciation
    86,583       74,029       62,035  
Book value  31 December
    58,242       70,796       83,312  
Book value 1 January
    70,796       83,312       95,773  

 
Note 13—Other non-current assets
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s other non-current assets as of 31 December:

   
2007
 
 
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Defined benefit pension plan (see note 17)
    1,147       -       -  
Other assets
    56       56       56  
      1,203       56       56  
 
 
Note 14—Inventories
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s inventory as of 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Raw materials and consumables
    47,375       53,855       64,454  
Work in progress
    14,187       15,925       15,681  
Finished goods and goods for sale
    57,760       59,001       67,565  
Advance payments
    4,671       5,601       4,946  
      123,993       134,382       152,646  

During the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 there were no substantial write-downs of inventories to net realisable value.
 
 
87

 
 
Note 15—Accounts receivable and other receivables
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s accounts receivable and other current receivables as of 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Accounts receivable
    198,928       177,833       148,795  
Related parties receivables
    33,267       40,706       60,163  
Vat receivables
    13,776       14,456       15,072  
Accrued compensations and reimbursements
    948       1,704       552  
Accrued discounts
    663       99       246  
Accrued personnel costs
    75       659          
Accrued insurances
            50       1,898  
Other items
    3       1,467       1,124  
Total
    247,660       236,974       227,850  

Doubtful accounts receivables

Accounts receivables are recorded net of the following allowances for doubtful accounts as of 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
At 1 January
    1,870       1,011       630  
Increases
    876       932       582  
Decreases
    (579 )     (73 )     (201 )
At 31 December
    2,167       1,870       1,011  

 
88

 
 
Note 16—Cash and cash equivalents
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Current investments
    547       505       541  
Cash and cash equivalents
    3,200       4,539       3,463  
Cashpool balances
    24,537       46,725       36,651  
      28,284       51,769       40,655  

Current investments are certificates of deposits and time deposits with original maturities less than 3 months.

 
Note 17—Post employment benefit obligations
 
The Company sponsors defined benefit plans at Stockstadt and CZW in Germany and at Biberist in Switzerland, in which substantially all employees at these entities participate.  Benefits under these defined benefit plan are based primarily on years of service and employee compensation.  The defined benefit plans at Stockstadt and CZW are unfunded, while the plan at Biberist is funded by the Company and employee contributions.

The Company also provides for post retirement plans at CN, Stockstadt and at the Finnish Mills (Kangas and Kirkniemi), that are defined-contribution plans. At the Finnish Mills (Kangas and Kirkniemi), employees participate in the statutory Finnish employee pension scheme (TEL) according to which benefits are linked directly to the employee earnings. The plan is operated by M-real and historical costs related to the Finnish Mills have been invoiced based on actual headcount.   Prior to 1 January 2006, the disability component of this TEL plan, which is arranged with insurance companies, was accounted for as a defined benefit plan.  As a result of the change in Finnish law, the disability pensions arranged with insurance companies has changed from defined benefit to a defined contribution plan.  As a result, M-real derecognizing the related benefit obligation as of 31 December 2005 and recognised a gain upon derecognition.  Management has allocated a portion of this gain in the amount of EUR 1,000 to the Company, based on actual headcount at the Finnish Mills.
 
 
89


 
Total benefit plans as of 31 December:
             
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Defined benefit pension plans
    38,268       39,303       41,062  
Defined contribution pension plans
    4,596       3,560       3,745  
Net liability
    42,864       42,863       44,807  
                         
Overfunded plan shown as asset
    1,147       -       -  
Total liability in balance sheet
    44,011       42,863       44,807  
                         
Defined benefit plans as of 31 December:
                       
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
The amounts recognised in the balance sheets
                 
                   
Present value of funded obligations
    130,369       146,291       151,976  
Present value of unfunded obligations
    33,618       35,480       40,630  
      163,987       181,771       192,606  
                         
Fair value of plan assets
    (141,416 )     (144,863 )     (148,531 )
Unrecognised actuarial gains and losses
    14,550       2,394       (3,014 )
Net liability
    37,121       39,303       41,062  
The amounts recognised in the income statements
                       
Current service cost
    2,447       2,792       2,040  
Interest cost
    5,685       5,868       6,728  
Expected return on plan assets
    (5,922 )     (6,132 )     (5,855 )
Net actuarial gains recognised in year
            (13 )        
Total included in employee costs
    2,210       2,515       2,913  
                         
 
 

The actual return on plan assets was EUR 5,424, EUR 6,132 and EUR 5,854 for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Changes in the present value of defined benefit obligations
 
 
             
Defined benefit obligation as at 1 January
    181,771       192,606       195,399  
Current service cost
    2,447       2,792       3,040  
Interest cost
    5,685       5,868       6,728  
   Contribution by plan participations
    1,697       1,734       1,764  
Actuarial gains recognised in year
    (13,692 )     (998 )     (3,232 )
Disposals
            (196 )     -  
    Curtailments and settlements
    996       (3,867 )     -  
    Benefits paid
    (10,702 )     (10,436 )     (9,985 )
Translation differences
    (4,215 )     (5,732 )     (1,108 )
Defined benefit obligation as at 31 December
    163,987       181,771       192,606  
Changes in the fair value of plan assets
                       
Fair value of plan assets as at 1 January
    144,863       148,531       148,100  
Expected return on plan assets
    5,923       6,132       5,854  
Actuarial gains recognised in year
    (499 )     -       -  
Contribution by plan participants
    1,697       1,734       1,764  
    Contribution by the employer
    1,697       1,734       1,764  
Benefits paid
    (8,038 )     (8,277 )     (7,764 )
Translation differences
    (4,227 )     (4,991 )     (1,187 )
Fair value of plan assets as at 31 December
    141,416       144,863       148,531  
 
90

 
 
The Company expects to contribute EUR 1,813 to its defined benefit pension plans in 2008.
 
Major categories of plan assets as a percentage of total plan assets as of 31 December:
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Equity securities
    28       39       25  
Real estate
    15       23       17  
Bonds
    50       38       58  
Others
    7                  
Total
    100       100       100  
                         
The principal actuarial assumptions used:
                       
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Germany
                       
Discount rate %
    5.5       4.6       4.0  
Expected return on plan assets %
    n/a       n/a       n/a  
Future salary increases %
    2.5       2.5       3.0  
Future pension increases %
    2.0       1.75       2.0  
Expected average remaining working years of staff
    10       9       10  
                         
Switzerland
                       
Discount rate %
    3.5       3.0       3.0  
Expected return on plan assets %
    4.5       4.25       4.25  
Future salary increases %
    1.5       1.5       1.5  
Future pension increases %
    0.5       0.5       05  
Expected average remaining working years of  staff
    13       14       14  

 
Note 18—Provisions
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s provisions made
 
   
Restructuring
   
Environmental
  obligations
   
Taxation
   
Other
provisions
   
Total
 
         
 
         
 
       
                               
At 1 January 2007
    2,618       284       1,365       949       5,216  
                                         
Increases
    -       360       265       530       1,155  
Utilised during the year
    (1,629 )     (193 )     -       (787 )     (2,609 )
Unused amounts reversed
    -       -       (637 )     (74 )     (711 )
At 31 December 2007
    989       451       993       618       3,051  
                                         
At 1 January 2006
    -       284       1,365       1,338       2,987  
                                         
Increases
    3,582       -       -       160       3,742  
Utilised during the year
    (964 )     -       -       (528 )     (1,492 )
Unused amounts reversed
                            (21 )     (21 )
At 31 December 2006
    2,618       284       1,365       949       5,216  
 
 
91

 
The most significant restructuring during the year ended 31 December 2006 was an efficiency-boosting programme in Stockstadt, which increased the amount of provision by EUR 3,582.
 
   
Restructuring
   
Environmental obligations
   
Taxation
   
Other provisions
   
Total
 
At 1 January 2005
            284       689       339       1,312  
                                         
Increases
            -       676       1,280       1,956  
Utilised during the year
            -       -       (281 )     (281 )
At 31 December 2005
            284       1,365       1,338       2,987  

 
Note 19­—Finance leases
 
The Company recognised finance lease assets in the amount of EUR 58,242 , EUR 70,796 and EUR 83,312 and corresponding obligations in the amount of  EUR 57,004 , EUR 68,107 and EUR 78,757 as of 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  Financial expenses recognised in relation to the finance lease arrangements amounted to EUR 3,173, EUR 3,475 and EUR 3,732 for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The most significant finance lease agreement relates to a power plant which operates for the primary benefit of M-real Kirkniemi.  The contract period was initially 15 years and is to expire in 2012. The lease agreement contains a renewal and purchase option.

The following is a summary of the Company’s minimum lease payment on its finance lease agreements:

Minimum lease payments as of 31 December:
 
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Less than 1 year
    14,072       14,063       13,887  
1 - 2 years
    13,825       13,958       13,786  
2 - 3 years
    13,078       13,958       13,786  
3 - 4 years
    9,151       12,795       13,440  
4 - 5 years
    7,802       9,151       12,718  
Greater than 5 years
    4,189       11,819       20,326  
      62,117       75,744       87,943  
                         
Future finance charges
    (5,113 )     (7,637 )     (9,186 )
The present value of minimum lease payments
    57,004       68,107       78,757  
 
Present value of minimum lease payments as of 31 December:
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Less than 1 year
    11,924       11,335       11,029  
1 - 2 years
    12,295       11,815       11,316  
2 - 3 years
    12,045       12,431       11,900  
3 - 4 years
    8,842       11,957       12,204  
4 - 5 years
    7,709       8,842       12,110  
Greater than 5 years
    4,189       11,727       20,198  
      57,004       68,107       78,757  
 
 
92

 
 
Note 20—Maturity of repayment and interest payment of financial liabilities
 
Maturity of repayment and interest payment of financial liabilities as of 31 December 2007:
 
   
Book value
   
2008
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013-and thereafter
 
                                           
Loans from financial institutions
    121                                      
Repayment
            121                                
Interest payment
            3                                
                                               
Finance lease liabilities
    57,004                                        
Repayment
            11,925       12,295       12,045       8,842       7,709       4,188  
Interest payment
            2,148       1,530       1,033       309       93          
                                                         
Borrowings from related parties
                                                       
Repayment
    55,661               55,661                                  
Interest payment
            2,759       527                                  
Non-current interest-
                                                       
bearing liabilities, total
    112,786                                                  
Repayments in 2008
    (12,046 )                                                
Borrowings in the balance sheet
    100,740                                                  
Repayment
            12,046       12,295       12,045       8,842       7,709       4,188  
Interest payment
            4,910       2,057       1,033       309       93          
                                                         
Current borrowings
    12,000                                                  
Repayment
            12,000                                          
Interest payment
            196                                          
Accounts payable and other
                                                       
non-interest bearing liabilities
    165,334                                                  
Repayment
            165,334                                          
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities
    16,109                                                  
Repayment
                    1,281       4,667       3,116       2,396       4,649  
                                                         
 
 
93

 
 
Maturity of repayment and interest payment of financial liabilities as of 31 December 2006:
   
Book value
   
2007
   
2008
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012 and thereafter
 
                                           
Loans from financial institutions
    242                                      
Repayment
            121       121                          
Interest payment
            7       3                          
                                                 
Finance lease liabilities
    68,107                                          
Repayment
            11,335       11,815       12,431       11,957       8,842       11,727  
Interest payment
            2,728       2,143       1,527       838       309       92  
                                                         
Borrowings from related parties
                                                       
Repayment
    197,935               166,819       31,116                          
Interest payment
            1,033       1,033       416                          
                                                         
Borrowings, total
    266,284                                                  
Repayments in 2007
    (11,456 )                                                
Borrowings in the balance sheet
    254,828                                                  
Repayment
            11,456       178,755       12,431       11,957       8,842       11,727  
Interest payment
            2,735       2,146       1,527       838       309       92  
                                                         
Current borrowings
    24,444                                                  
Repayment
            24,444                                          
Interest payment
            1,350                                          
                                                         
Accounts payable and other
                                                       
non-interest bearing liabilities
    141,211                                                  
Repayment
            141,211                                          
                                                         
Other non-interest-bearing
                                                       
liabilities
    14,140                                                  
Repayment
                    7,698       1,492       1,492       1,738       1,720  
                                                         
 
94

 
 
Maturity of repayment and interest payment of financial liabilities as of 31 December 2005
 
   

Book value
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011 and thereafter
 
                                           
Loans from financial institutions
    364                                      
Repayment
            122       121       121                    
Interest payment
            12       7       3                    
                                                   
Finance lease liabilities
    78,757                                            
Repayment
            11,029       11,316       11,900       12,204       12,110       20,198  
Interest payment
            2,858       2,470       1,886       1,236       608       128  
                                                         
Borrowings from related parties
                                                       
Repayment
    197,968                       166,819       31,149                  
Interest payment
            4,781       4,781       4,781       305                  
                                                         
Borrowings, total
    277,091                                                  
Repayments in 2006
    (11,151 )                                                
Borrowings in the balance sheet
    265,940                                                  
Repayment
            11,151       11,437       178,840       43,353       12,110       20,198  
Interest payment
            7,651       7,258       6,670       1,541       608       128  
                                                         
Current borrowings
    26,249                                                  
Repayment
            26,249                                          
Interest payment
            822                                          
                                                         
Accounts payable and other
                                                       
non-interest bearing liabilities
    135,873                                                  
Repayment
            135,873                                          
                                                         
Other non-interest-bearing
                                                       
liabilities
    12,445                                                  
Repayment
                    4,222       1,460       1,492       1,492       3,779  
                                                         


95

 
 
Note 21—Financial receivables and borrowings
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s financial receivables and borrowings as of 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
Book values
   
Fair values
   
Book values
   
Fair values
   
Book values
   
Fair values
 
                                     
Borrowings
                                   
                                     
Non-current borrowings
                                   
 Loans from financial institutions       (Note 24)
    -       -       121       121       243       243  
  Finance lease liabilities (Note 19)
    45,079       44,265       56,771       56,084       67,729       65,230  
  Interest bearing liabilities from related parties
    55,661       55,661       197,935       197,935       197,968       197,968  
Total non-current borrowings
    100,740       99,926       254,827       254,140       265,940       263,441  
                                                 
Current borrowings
                                               
 Loans from financial institutions (Note 24)
    121       121       122       122       126       126  
  Finance lease liabilities (Note 19)
    11,925       11,632       11,335       11,215       11,029       10,645  
  Interest bearing liabilities from  related parties
    12,000       12,000       24,444       24,444       26,244       26,244  
Total current borrowings
    24,046       23,753       35,901       35,781       37,399       37,015  
Borrowings, total
    124,786       123,679       290,728       289,921       303,339       300,456  
                                                 
Financial receivables
                                               
                                                 
Total Interest-bearing receivables
    2,100       2,100       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Cash at bank and in hand (Note 16)
    28,284       28,284       51,769       51,769       40,655       40,655  
Total Interest-bearing receivables
    30,384       30,384       51,769       51,769       40,655       40,655  
                                                 
Interest-bearing net liabilities
    94,402       93,295       238,959       238,152       262,684       259,801  


In the Company as part of M-real Group all interest-bearing liabilities are valued in the balance sheet at amortised cost based on effective interest method. Interest bearing receivables are classified according to the IAS standards. Fair values in the table are based on present value of cash flow of each liability or assets calculated by market rate.

The fair values of accounts and other non-interest- bearing receivables and accounts payables and other non-interest-bearing liabilities are not essentially deviating from the carrying amounts in the combined balance sheet.


96

 
 
Note 22—Other non-current liabilities
 
The following is a summary of the Companys other non-current liabilities as of 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Non-current government grant
    6,407       -       -  
Employee costs
    7,144       8,307       8,636  
Accrued non-current purchases
    1,440       -       -  
Accruals for compensation of rights to use
    -       -       207  
Waste water expenses
    1,118       5,833       3,602  
      16,109       14,140       12,445  


Note 23—Accounts payable and other current liabilities
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s accounts payable and other current liabilities as of 31 December:

   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                   
Accounts payable
    86,389       65,996       57,132  
Related parties payable
    21,693       17,220       20,571  
Taxes and contributions (payroll)
    2,236       2,430       3,434  
Vat payable
    689       1,923       2,134  
Accrued personnel costs
    15,488       16,478       14,434  
Accrued  insurances
    9       627       2,603  
Accrued  purchases
    8,717       8,712       14,056  
Accrued freight costs
    525       415       771  
Accrued interest  expenses
    303       106       71  
Provision for discounts
    26,391       22,995       14,828  
Other items
    2,773       4,249       5,825  
                         
      165,213       141,151       135,859  


Note 24—Debt and interest expense
 
The Company had bank debt outstanding at 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 of EUR 121, EUR 242 and EUR 364, respectively. As discussed in Note 19, finance lease liabilities from parties other than banks amounted to EUR 57,003, EUR 67,107 and EUR 78,758 for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As described in Notes 2 and 3, M-real also uses a centralised approach to cash management and financing its operations. The Company has related party interest bearing liabilities due to M-real and Metsä  Finance. Interest expense for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 totaled EUR 5,054, EUR 9,867 and EUR 8,412, respectively, and has been reflected in the combined income statements as a component of other financial expense (see Note 9).
 
During the year ended 31 December 2007, M-real converted EUR 166,819 of the Companys related party interest bearing liabilities to invested equity.  During the same period M-real contributed an additional EUR 15,000 and the Company paid a dividend to M-real in the amount of EUR 45,000.
 
 
97

 
 
The net effect of the recapitalisation, all of which related to the Companys business in Finland, was a decrease in invested equity of EUR 136,819.  For the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company incurred interest expense on the related party interest bearing liabilities subject to the recapitalisation of EUR 1,893, EUR 7,342 and EUR 6,650, respectively. 

 
Note 25—Commitments and contingencies
 
Commitments

Operating and finance lease commitments
The Company holds operating leases for certain vehicles and equipment.  Leasing liabilities for contracts exceeding 12 months and for non-cancellable operating leasing contracts were EUR 1,839 for the year ended 31 December 2007, EUR 819 for the year ended 31 December 2006 and EUR 1,949 for the year ended 31 December 2005.

Non-cancellable purchase commitments
The Company has no non-cancellable purchase agreements as of 31 December 2007.

Guarantees and indemnifications

The Company has not entered into any agreements that would require it, as a guarantor, to recognise a liability for the fair value of obligations it has undertaken in issuing the guarantee.  All assets of the Company have been pledged by the Parent.

Warranties
The Company does not make express warranties on its products other than that such products comply with the Company’s specifications.  Based on historical experience, product quality claims are not material, and are charged against net sales when incurred.

Contingent liabilities

Customer claims and other litigation
In addition to the environmental related matters discussed above, the Company may be subject to various product liabilities, commercial and employment litigation, and other legal matters that are considered to be in the ordinary course of business. The Company has no legal reserve as of 31 December 2007, pertaining to customer claims and other litigation.  As of 31 December 2007, there are no open legal matters, and management of the Company cannot reasonably estimate the outcome of potential legal proceedings, claims, or litigation.  Management believes that any such potential matters will not materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.


98

 

2.  Interim Condensed Combined Financial Information for the six months ended 30 June 2008 and 2007
 
INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENTS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008 AND 2007
   (Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)


   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Sales
           
   3rd parties
    629,005       614,302  
   Related party companies
    2,234       45,185  
Total sales
    631,239       659,487  
Change in finished goods inventories and work in progress
    2,919       2,809  
Other operating income
    14,798       7,004  
Materials and services
               
Purchases
    (451,693 )     (451,157 )
External services
    (37,893 )     (37,553 )
Employee costs
    (75,044 )     (78,265 )
Depreciation and amortisation
    (37,811 )     (27,299 )
Other operating expenses
    (84,566 )     (84,386 )
Operating result
    (38,051 )     (9,360 )
                 
Net exchange gains/losses
    (2,307 )     227  
Other financial income
    457       553  
Other financial expenses
    (3,775 )     (4,810 )
Financial items, total
    (5,625 )     (4,030 )
Result before tax
    (43,676 )     (13,390 )
Income taxes
    5,835       2,613  
Result attributable to the equity holders of the parent
    (37,841 )     (10,777 )


 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed combined financial information.
 

99


 
INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF 30 JUNE 2008 AND 31 DECEMBER 2007
(Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

   
30 June
   
31 December
 
ASSETS
 
2008
   
2007
 
             
Non-current assets
           
Intangible assets
    2,580       2,257  
Property, plant and equipment
    649,531       670,492  
Financial receivables
    2,100       2,100  
Other non-current assets
    1,238       1,203  
Total non-current assets
    655,449       676,052  
                 
Current assets
               
Inventories
    130,572       123,993  
Financial receivables
    1,991          
Accounts receivable and non-interest bearing receivables
    237,252       247,660  
Income tax receivables
    128       124  
Cash and cash equivalents
    3,046       28,284  
Total current assets
    372,989       400,061  
TOTAL ASSETS
    1,028,438       1,076,113  
                 
LIABILITIES AND INVESTED  EQUITY
               
                 
Invested equity
    626,162       673,317  
                 
Non-current liabilities
               
Deferred tax liabilities
    44,664       50,652  
Post employment benefit obligations
    43,896       42,864  
Provisions
    1,810       3,051  
Borrowings
    95,231       100,740  
Other non-current liabilities
    16,443       16,109  
Total non-current liabilities
    202,044       213,416  
                 
Current liabilities
               
Borrowings
    45,037       24,046  
Accounts payable and other non-interest bearing liabilities
    155,117       165,213  
Income tax liabilities
    78       121  
Total current liabilities
    200,232       189,380  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND INVESTED EQUITY
    1,028,438       1,076,113  
 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed combined financial information.
 
 
100

 
 
INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2008 and 2007
(Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Result for period
    (37,841 )     (10,777 )
Adjustments to results, total (a)
    39,007       27,923  
Interest received
    426       543  
Interest paid
    (3,771 )     (4,811 )
Dividends received
    31       10  
Other financial items, net
    (2,312 )     226  
Income taxes paid/received
    (55 )     (563 )
Corporate overhead costs funded by Parent
    4,000       4,800  
Income taxes funded by Parent
    215       339  
Changes in working capital (b)
    (26,191 )     12,300  
Net cash flow (used in) / arising from operating activities
    (26,491 )     29,990  
Capital expenditure
    (14,623 )     (11,882 )
Increase in long-term receivables
    (35 )        
Net cash flow used in investing activities
    (14,658 )     (11,882 )
Financing with Parent, net (c)
    20,793       (43,910 )
Repayment of interest bearing liabilities
    (5,311 )     (5,486 )
Net cash flow arising from / (used in) financing activities
    15,482       (49,396 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (25,667 )     (31,288 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    429       (200 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (25,238 )     (31,488 )
Cash at beginning of year
    28,284       51,769  
Cash at end of year
    3,046       20,281  
                 
Notes to the combined statements of cash flow
               
(a) Adjustments to the results
               
Depreciation and amortisation
    37,811       27,299  
Taxes
    (6,050 )     (2,952 )
Finance costs, net
    5,626       4,032  
Provisions
    (209 )     1,994  
Other adjustments
    1,829       (2,450 )
      39,007       27,923  
(b) Changes in working capital
               
Inventories
    (6,579 )     920  
Current   receivables
    (7,189 )     1,305  
Current non-interest bearing liabilities
    (12,423 )     10,075  
      (26,191 )     12,300  
Non-cash transactions
               
(c) In 2007 the Parent converted EUR 166,819 of related party interest-bearing liabilities to invested equity.
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed combined financial information.
 
 
101


 
INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2008 and 2007
 (Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)




   
SIX MONTHS
 
   
ENDED 30 JUNE, 2007
 
Balance, 1 January 2007
    460,381  
Translation differences
    (2,650 )
Result for the period
    (10,777 )
Related party transactions
       
Equity contribution by Parent
    166,819  
Corporate overhead costs funded by parent company
    4,800  
Income taxes funded by parent company
    339  
Other financing with Parent, net
    (43,329 )
Related party transactions, total
    128,629  
         
Balance, 30 June 2007
    575,583  
 
   
SIX MONTHS
 
   
ENDED 30 JUNE, 2008
 
Balance, 1 January 2008
    673,317  
Translation differences
    2,262  
Result for the period
    (37,841 )
Related party transactions
       
Corporate overhead costs funded by parent company
    4,000  
Income taxes funded by parent company
    215  
Other financing with Parent, net
    (15,791 )
Related party transactions, total
    (11,576 )
         
Balance, 30 June 2008
    626,162  



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed combined financial information.
 
102


 
NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   (Monetary amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

 
Note 1 - Background and basis of presentation
 
M-real Oyj and its subsidiaries (M-real Group or M-real or the Parent) are one of Europe’s leading producers of paperboard and paper. M-real Group offers premium solutions of consumer packaging, communications and advertising and has 17 production units in 6 European countries. M-real is present in over 70 countries thanks to its global sales network. M-real Oyj Headquarter is located in Espoo, Finland.

On 29 September 2008, M-real entered into a Master Business and Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with Sappi Limited, a South African company, regarding the sale of share holdings in four legal entities and two paper mills of M-real’s Graphic Papers Business (the “Transaction”).  The entities subject to the sale, all of which are 100% owned by M-real, are comprised of two separate paper mills in Finland (Kangas and Kirkniemi), Stockstadt GmbH (Stockstadt) and its wholly owned subsidiary Chemische Werke Zell-Wildshausen GmbH (CWZ), CN-Papiervertrieb GmbH (CN) in Germany and M-real Biberist AG (Biberist) in Switzerland.  Collectively these entities are referred to as the “Carve-out Graphic Papers Business ” or the “Company.” M-real has prepared the interim condensed combined financials information (“interim financial statements”) of the Company in connection with the SPA.

The Company produces and provides coated fine and magazine paper and uncoated fine paper to publishing, advertising     and communication end-users.  Customers include printers, publishers, advertising agencies and corporations served both directly and through merchant partners. The manufacturing operations of the Company are located in Lohja and Jyväskylä, Finland, Stockstadt, Germany, and Biberist, Switzerland.

Basis of presentation
The interim financial statements have been prepared on a “carve-out” basis from M-real’s consolidated financial statements using the historical results of operations, assets and liabilities attributable to the Company and include allocations of expenses and assets from M-real. The interim financial statements may not be indicative of the Company’s future performance and do not necessarily reflect what its combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had the Company operated as an independent company during the periods presented. In addition to favorable industry and market conditions including raw material costs and paper prices, the Companys future profitability and cash flows depend on its ability to receive financing.  Historically, financing has been made available to the Company by its Parent.

These interim financial statements include the assets, liabilities, sales, expenses and cash flows of the entities subject to the Transaction. Certain entities of M-reals Graphic Papers Business have been excluded from these interim condensed combined financial statements because they are not subject to the Transaction and there are no significant inter-business relationships, interdependencies or common facilities with the entities that are subject to the Transaction.

These interim financial statements include allocations for various expenses, including, among other things, corporate overheads and administration. These allocations are discussed in Note 5, Related party transactions. Company management considers that such allocations have been made on a reasonable basis, but are not necessarily indicative of the costs that would have been incurred if the Company were a stand-alone entity.
 
103

 
M-real uses a centralised approach via a cash pooling arrangement to manage cash and to finance its operations.  Each of the Company entities historically maintained a separate balance sheet which included financing positions with M-real Group.  Interest earned on deposits through the cash pooling arrangement and payable on related party interest bearing borrowings was historically settled through the cash pool arrangement.  Invested equity of the Company represents M-real’s residual claim on  the Company entities and includes allocations from M-real, settlement of intercompany transactions with M-real, and the Company’s cumulative operating results, including other income items recognised directly in equity.  See Note 5, Related party transactions, for more information and transactions between the Parent and the Company.

These interim financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).  The interim financial statements are presented in thousands of Euros (EUR), unless otherwise stated. The interim condensed combined financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for certain other financial assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value.

The interim financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34, “Interim Financial Reporting” and the accounting policies presented in  the Company’s annual combined financial statements as of and for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005.  The preparation of interim financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies, the reported amount of sales, expenses, assets and liabilities.  Actual results may differ from management’s estimates.

In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and the financial position of the Company.  Operating results of the interim periods may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period or for the full fiscal year.

 
Note 2 - Income taxes
 
During the periods presented, the Company did not file separate tax returns for the Finnish mills (Kangas and Kirkniemi) and Stockstadt and CWZ as these entities were included in the tax grouping of other M-real entities within the respective entities tax jurisdictions. Biberist and CN have historically not been part of any M-real tax grouping and have filed separate, respective local jurisdictional tax returns on an annual basis. The income tax provision included in these interim financial statements was calculated using a method consistent with a separate return basis, as if each of the Company’s companies were a separate taxpayer in the jurisdiction of primary operation. Tax expense in the interim condensed combined income statement is comprised of the current tax and deferred taxes. Any current taxes are deemed settled through invested equity.

Income taxes for the six months ended 30 June 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

     
2008
   
2007
 
               
               
 
Taxes for the current period
    215       339  
 
Taxes for the prior periods
    (62 )     -  
 
Deferred taxes
    (5,988 )     (2,952 )
                   
 
Total income taxes
    (5,835 )     (2,613 )


104


A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) computed at the statutory rate applicable in Finland of 26% for the six months ended 30 June 2008 and 2007 to the Company’s reported income tax benefit for each respective period is as follows:

     
2008
   
2007
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit) computed at
           
 
The Finland statutory rate
    (11,356 )     (3,480 )
 
Taxes for the prior periods
    (62 )     -  
 
Difference between Finnish and foreign rates
    (759 )     (480 )
 
Tax losses with no tax benefit
    6,415       1,555  
 
Other adjustments
    (73 )     (208 )
                   
 
Tax expense in income statement
    (5,835 )     (2,613 )


 
Note 3 - Changes in property, plant and equipment
 
The following shows the components of changes in property, plant and equipment for the six months ended 30 June, 2008 and 2007:

     
2008
   
2007
 
               
 
Book value 1 January
    670,492       565,750  
 
Increases
    14,604       56,187  
 
Decreases
    (177 )     (6,206 )
 
Depreciation and amortisation
    (37,440 )     (94,084 )
 
Impairment charges and reversal of impairment
 charges
    -       151,000  
 
Translation differences
    2,052       (2,155 )
                   
 
Book value at 30 June
    649,531       670,492  


In December 2007, primarily because of a significant increase in the estimated long term sales prices of wood free coated paper, uncoated paper and magazine paper, and partially resulting from a decrease in excess paper capacity during the year, the Company recognised a reversal of impairment losses previously recognised on long lived assets in the amount of EUR 151,000. The recoverable amount of the cash generating unit at 30 June 2008 has been calculated on a value in use basis.

 
105

 
 
Note 4 - Provisions
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s provisions made for the six months ended 30 June 2008 and 2007.

   
Restructuring
   
Environmental obligations
   
Taxation
   
Other
provisions
   
Total
 
                               
At 1 January 2008
    989       451       993       618       3,051  
Increases
    -       -       -       21       21  
Utilised during the year
    (129 )     (4 )     (993 )     (136 )     (1,262 )
At 30 June 2008
    860       447       -       503       1,810  
                                         
                                         
At 1 January 2007
    2,618       284       1,365       949       5,216  
Increases
    -       -       -       10       10  
Utilised during the year
    (456 )     (162 )     -       (123 )     (741 )
At 30 June 2007
    2,162       122       1,365       836       4,485  

 
Note 5 - Related party transactions

These interim financial statements include transactions with M-real, its subsidiaries and M-real’s parent company Metsäliitto Cooperative and its other subsidiaries that are considered related parties in respect to the Carve-out Graphic Papers Business. The Company enters into a significant number of transactions with related parties for the purchases of inventory, sale of goods, as well as corporate services. Product and services transfers between the Company and the related parties have been made at arm’s length prices.

Transactions between the Company and related parties for the six months ended 30 June are as follows:

   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Sales
    2,234       45,185  
Other operating income
    1,333       1,256  
Purchases
    234,100       227,248  
Other operating expenses
    24,574       26,530  
                 
Interest income from M-real recognised by the Company
    348       533  
Interest expenses from M-real recognised by the Company
    2,186       3,150  
   
Balances with the Company and related parties as of 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2007 are as follows
 
                 
Receivables
               
Current
    16,717       33,267  
                 
Liabilities
               
Non-current
    55,585       55,661  
Current
    66,494       33,693  
 
 
106

 
 
Sales of goods to related parties decreased in six month period ended 30 June 2008 as compared to the prior period due to the Parent’s divestment of its paper merchant Map Merchant Group in October 2007.

Other operating expenses include allocated corporate costs of EUR 4,000 and EUR 4,800 for the six months period ended 30 June 2008 and 2007, respectively and other operating expenses. These costs are primarily related to corporate level administrative services (executive personnel costs, human resources, legal services, IT services, insurance and other administrative services), and are generally allocated based on the ratio of the Company’s annual net sales or other specific allocation keys, to the Parent’s comparable amounts.  Corporate expense allocations are in addition to business level expenses which are invoiced to the individual the Company businesses on at least a quarterly basis.  Management considers that such allocations have been made on a reasonable basis, but may not necessarily be indicative of the costs incurred had the Company operated as a separate entity during the periods presented. Certain corporate costs incurred by M-real that did not directly or indirectly benefit the Company entities were not allocated to the interim financial statements as such expenses could not be reasonably allocated.
 
As of 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2007 cash and cash equivalents include receivables due from M-real from cash pooling amounting to EUR 1,058 and EUR 24,538, respectively. Interest income on these balances due from M-real has been recognised in other financial income.

As of 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2007, current accounts receivable and non-interest bearing receivables include amounts due from related parties in the amount of EUR 14,846 and EUR 33,267, respectively, and accounts payable and other non-interest bearing liabilities include amounts due to related parties in the amount of EUR 33,625 and EUR 21,693, respectively.

As of 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2007, non-current borrowings include non-current loans due to related parties in the amount of EUR 55,585 and EUR 55,661, respectively, and current borrowings include current loans due to related parties in the amount of EUR 32,869 and EUR 12,000, respectively.  Interest expenses on these balances due to related parties have been recognised in other financial expenses.

During the six months ended 30 June 2007, M-real converted EUR 166,819 of the Companys related party interest bearing liabilities to invested equity. During the same period the Company paid a dividend to M-real in the amount of EUR 45,000.  The net effect of the recapitalisation, all of which related to the Company's business in Finland, was a decrease in invested equity of EUR 121,819.
 
Stockstadt and CWZ participate in a profit and loss transfer arrangement (PLTA) interim with its holding company M-real Deutsche Holding GmbH for all periods presented in the interim financial statements. Under the PLTA, Stockstadt and CWZ are obligated to transfer their entire profits, as determined under the German Commercial Code (HGB), to Deutsche Holding GmbH during the term of the agreement.  Conversely, Deutsche Holding GmbH is obliged to compensate any net loss generated by Stockstadt and CWZ as determined under HGB.  The Company recognised the right to be compensated for net loss generated by recognizing EUR 15,791 in current accounts receivable as of 31 December 2007 offset with a corresponding increase in invested equity.  As both the right to transfer profits and the claim to be compensated for any net losses arises at the end of the financial year, the Company did not recognise a receivable for net loss, as determined under HGB, generated at Stockstadt and CWZ in the amount of EUR 19,639 as of 30 June 2008.
 
In the regular course of business, the Company is exposed to certain financial risks which are hedged by either the local business or by Metsä Finance on positions held by the Company.  These risks are typically commodity (energy) prices, foreign currency exposure and translation risk of net investments in foreign entities.  The Company has elected not to allocate hedging positions of the Company specific risk, held by Metsä Finance, to the interim financial statements.

 
107

 
 
Note 6 - Commitments and contingencies
 
 
Commitments
Operating and finance lease commitments
The Company holds operating leases for certain vehicles and equipment.  Leasing liabilities for contracts exceeding 12 months and for non-cancellable operating leasing contracts were EUR 1,879 for the six months ended 30 June 2008, EUR 1,657 and EUR 1,839 for the year ended 31 December 2007.

The Company recognised finance lease assets in the amount of EUR 51,600 and EUR 58,242 and corresponding obligations in the amount of EUR 51,754 and EUR 57,004 as of 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2007, respectively.  Financial expenses recognised in relation to the finance lease arrangements amounted to EUR 1,555, EUR 1,706 and EUR 3,173 for the six months ended 30 June 2008 and 2007 and year ended 31 December 2007, respectively.

Non-cancellable purchase commitments
The Company has no non-cancellable purchase agreements as of 30 June 2008.

Guarantees and indemnifications
The Company has not entered into any agreements that would require it, as a guarantor, to recognise a liability for the fair value of obligations it has undertaken in issuing the guarantee.  All assets of the Company have been pledged by the Parent.

Warranties
The Company does not make express warranties on its products other than that such products comply with the Company’s specifications.  Based on historical experience, product quality claims are not material, and are charged against net sales when incurred.

Contingent liabilities
Customer claims and other litigation
In addition to the environmental related matters discussed above, the Company may be subject to various product liabilities, commercial and employment litigation, and other legal matters that are considered to be in the ordinary course of business. The Company has no legal reserve as of 30 June 2008, pertaining to customer claims and other litigation.  As of 30 June 2008, there are no open legal matters, and management of the Company cannot reasonably estimate the outcome of potential legal proceedings, claims, or litigation.  Management believes that any such potential matters will not materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 
Note 7 - Material Changes in the Business
 
There have been no shares and convertible securities issued.

 No material fact or circumstance has occurred between the end of the latest financial year of the Company and the date of the prospectus, in so far as not already dealt with in the interim financial statements included in the report of historical financial information.
 
 
108



3.  Interim condensed combined financial information for the three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006
 

INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENTS
          FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 AND 2006

  (Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

   
Three months ended
   
Year ended
 
   
31 December
   
31 December
   
31 December
   
31 December
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Sales
                       
3rd parties
    328,528       303,298       1,258,976       1,214,517  
Related party
    8,697       23,182       73,811       101,268  
Total sales
    337,225       326,480       1,332,787       1,315,785  
Change in finished goods inventories and work in progress
    (11,107 )     (3,404 )     (2,527 )     (7,793 )
Other operating income
    5,355       (1,818 )     15,452       17,112  
Materials and services
                               
Purchases
    (234,956 )     (213,321 )     (919,488 )     (859,607 )
External services
    (20,217 )     (19,306 )     (76,123 )     (76,493 )
Employee costs
    (32,750 )     (35,808 )     (145,579 )     (155,628 )
Depreciation and amortisation
    (53,928 )     (13,552 )     (95,662 )     (59,021 )
Impairment and reversals of impairment charges
    151,000       (20,000 )     151,000       (20,000 )
Other operating expenses
    (42,963 )     (41,476 )     (169,023 )     (169,473 )
Operating result
    97,659       (22,205 )     90,837       (15,118 )
                                 
Net exchange gains/losses
    (2,435 )     (525 )     (4,110 )     (3,314 )
Other financial income
    431       759       1,153       8,637  
Other financial expenses
    (2,319 )     (3,360 )     (8,687 )     (13,479 )
Financial items, total
    (4,323 )     (3,126 )     (11,644 )     (8,156 )
Result before tax
    93,336       (25,331 )     79,193       (23,274 )
Income taxes
    (13,275 )     3,787       (12,740 )     3,069  
Result for period
    80,061       (21,544 )     66,453       (20,205 )



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed combined financial information.
 

109


 
INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2007 AND 2006
(Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

ASSETS
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Non-current assets
           
Intangible assets
    2,257       5,433  
Property, plant and equipment
    670,492       565,750  
Financial receivables
    2,100       -  
Other non-current assets
    1,203       56  
Total non-current assets
    676,052       571,239  
                 
Current assets
               
Inventories
    123,993       134,382  
Accounts receivable and non-interest bearing receivables
    247,660       236,974  
Income tax receivables
    124       241  
Cash and cash equivalents
    28,284       51,769  
Total current assets
    400,061       423,366  
TOTAL ASSETS
    1,076,113       994,605  
                 
LIABILITIES AND INVESTED  EQUITY
               
                 
Invested equity
    673,317       460,381  
                 
Non-current liabilities
               
Deferred tax liabilities
    50,652       40,066  
Post employment benefit obligations
    42,864       42,863  
Provisions
    3,051       5,216  
Borrowings
    100,740       254,827  
Other non-current liabilities
    16,109       14,140  
Total non-current liabilities
    213,416       357,112  
                 
Current liabilities
               
Borrowings
    24,046       35,901  
Accounts payable and other non-interest bearing liabilities
    165,213       141,151  
Income tax liabilities
    121       60  
Total current liabilities
    189,380       177,112  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND INVESTED EQUITY
    1,076,113       994,605  


 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed combined financial information.

 
110

 
INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 AND 2006
(Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

   
2007
   
2006
 
             
Result for period
    66,453       (20,205 )
Adjustments to results, total (a)
    (36,786 )     74,342  
Interest received
    1,143       1,666  
Interest paid
    (8,681 )     (13,479 )
Dividends received
    10       6,970  
Other financial items, net
    (4,117 )     (3,315 )
Income taxes paid/received
    (154 )     402  
Corporate overhead costs funded by Parent
    8,600       8,000  
Income taxes funded by Parent
    2,154       7,725  
Other Parent funding items
    -       -  
Changes in working capital (b)
    42,523       15,755  
Net cash flow arising from operating activities
    71,145       77,861  
                 
Capital expenditure
    (45,228 )     (53,742 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    159       43  
Increase in long-term receivables
    (3,247 )     -  
Net cash flow used in investing activities
    (48,316 )     (53,699 )
                 
Financing with Parent, net (c)
    (34,891 )     -  
Repayment of 3rd party borrowings
    (11,224 )     (12,611 )
Net cash flow used in financing activities
    (46,115 )     (12,611 )
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (23,286 )     11,551  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (199 )     (437 )
(Decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (23,485 )     11,114  
Cash at beginning of year
    51,769       40,655  
Cash at end of year
    28,284       51,769  
                 
Notes to the combined statements of cash flow
               
(a) Adjustments to the results
               
Depreciation and amortisation
    95,662       59,021  
Impairment charges and reversal of impairment charges
    (151,000 )     20,000  
Taxes
    10,586       (10,794 )
Finance costs, net
    11,644       8,156  
Provisions
    (2,164 )     285  
Other adjustments
    (1,514 )     (2,326 )
                 
      (36,786 )     74,342  
(b) Changes in working capital
               
Inventories
    10,389       18,264  
Current receivables
    5,376       (8,915 )
Current non-interest bearing liabilities
    26,758       6,406  
      42,523       15,755  
Non-cash transactions
               
(c) In 2007 the Parent converted EUR 166,819 thousand of Related party interest-bearing liabilities to invested equity
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed combined financial information.

 
111

 
 
INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED CHANGES IN INVESTED EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 AND 2006
 
 (Amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)


   
YEAR ENDED
 
   
2006
 
Balance, 1 January 2006
    466,560  
Translation differences
    (2,729 )
Result for the period
    (20,205 )
Related party transactions
       
Corporate overhead costs funded by parent company
    8,000  
Income taxes funded by parent company
    7,725  
Other financing with Parent, net
    1,030  
Related party transactions, total
    16,755  
         
Balance, 31 December 2006
    460,381  
         
   
YEAR ENDED
 
   
2007
 
Balance, 1 January 2007
    460,381  
Translation differences
    (1,556 )
Result for the period
    66,453  
Related party transactions
       
Equity contribution by Parent
    181,819  
Corporate overhead costs funded by parent company
    8,600  
Income taxes funded by parent company
    2,154  
Other financing with Parent, net
    (44,534 )
Related party transactions, total
    148,039  
         
Balance, 31 December 2007
    673,317  
 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed combined financial information.
 

112


 
NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Monetary amounts in thousands of Euros, unless otherwise stated)

 
 
Note 1 - Background and basis of presentation
 
M-real Oyj and its subsidiaries (M-real Group or M-real or the Parent) are one of Europe’s leading producers of paperboard and paper. M-real Group offers premium solutions of consumer packaging, communications and advertising and has 17 production units in 6 European countries. M-real is present in over 70 countries thanks to its global sales network. M-real Oyj Headquarter is located in Espoo, Finland.
 
On 29 September 2008, M-real entered into a Master Business and Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with Sappi limited, a South African company, regarding the sale of share holdings in four legal entities and two paper mills of M-real’s Graphic Papers Business (the “Transaction”). The entities subject to the sale, all of which are 100% owned by M-real, are comprised of two separate paper mills in Finland (Kangas and Kirkniemi), Stockstadt GmbH (Stockstadt) and its wholly owned subsidiary Chemische Werke Zell-Wildshausen GmbH (CWZ), CN-Papiervertrieb GmbH (CN) in Germany and M-real Biberist AG (Biberist) in Switzerland.  Collectively these entities are referred to as the “Carve-out Graphic Papers Business ” or the “Company.” M-real has prepared the interim condensed combined financial information (“interim financial statements”) of the Company in connection with the SPA.

The Company produces and provides coated fine and magazine paper and uncoated fine paper to publishing, advertising and communication end-users. Customers include printers, publishers, advertising agencies and corporations served both directly and through merchant partners. The manufacturing operations of the Company are located in Lohja and Jyväskylä, Finland, Stockstadt, Germany, and Biberist, Switzerland.

Basis of presentation
The interim financial statements have been prepared on a “carve-out” basis from M-real’s consolidated financial statements using the historical results of operations, assets and liabilities attributable to the Company and include allocations of expenses and assets from M-real. The interim financial statements may not be indicative of the Company’s future performance and do not necessarily reflect what its combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had the Company operated as an independent company during the periods presented. In addition to favorable industry and market conditions including raw material costs and paper prices, the Companys future profitability and cash flows depend on its ability to receive financing.  Historically, financing has been made available to the Company by its Parent.

These interim financial statements include the assets, liabilities, sales, expenses and cash flows of the entities subject to the Transaction. Certain entities of M-real’s Graphic Papers Business have been excluded from these interim financial statements because they are not subject to the Transaction and there are no significant inter-business relationships, interdependencies or common facilities with the entities that are subject to the Transaction.

These interim financial statements include allocations for various expenses, including, among other things, corporate overheads and administration. These allocations are discussed in Note 4. Company management considers that such allocations have been made on a reasonable basis, but are not necessarily indicative of the costs that would have been incurred if the Company were a stand-alone entity.

M-real uses a centralised approach via a cash pooling arrangement to manage cash and to finance its operations. Each of the Company entities historically maintained a separate balance sheet which included financing positions with M-real Group. Interest earned on deposits through the cash pooling arrangement and payable on related party interest bearing borrowings was historically settled through the cash pool arrangement.  Invested equity of the Company represents M-real’s residual claim on  the Company entities and includes allocations from M-real, settlement of intercompany transactions with M-real, and the Company’s cumulative operating results, including other income items recognised directly in equity.  See Note 4, Related party transactions, for more information and transactions between the Parent and the Company.
 
 
113

 

These interim financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).  The interim condensed combined financial statements are presented in thousands of Euros (EUR), unless otherwise stated.  The interim financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for certain other financial assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value.

The interim financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, “Interim Financial Reporting” and the accounting policies presented in  the Company’s annual combined financial statements as of and for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006.  The preparation of interim financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies, the reported amount of sales, expenses, assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates.

In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and the financial position of the Company.  Operating results of the interim periods may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period or for the full fiscal year.


Note 2 - Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges
 
The following shows the split of the Company’s depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges for three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 and the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006.

   
Three months ended
   
Year ended
 
   
31 December
   
31 December
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Straight-line depreciation
                       
Other intangible assets
    666       181       1,378       1,381  
Buildings
    9,084       1,039       11,661       4,882  
Machinery and equipment
    43,205       11,382       78,984       49,046  
Other tangible assets
    973       950       3,639       3,712  
Total
    53,928       13,552       95,662       59,021  
                                 
Impairment charges and reversal of impairment charges
                         
Buildings
    (30,955 )     4,100       (30,955 )     4,100  
Machinery and equipment
    (120,045 )     15,900       (120,045 )     15,900  
Total
    (151,000 )     20,000       (151,000 )     20,000  
                                 
Straight-line depreciation, impairment charges
                               
and reversal of impairment charges, total
    (97,072 )     33,552       (55,338 )     79,021  
 
 
114

 
 
Depreciation of buildings and machinery and equipment during the three months and year ended 31 December 2007 includes a write-down of EUR 39,163 due to closure of a paper machine at the Kangas mill.
 
In the three months and year ended 31 December 2006, mostly because of higher SW pulp price estimates and lower magazine paper price estimates for the next 5 years, an impairment charge of EUR 20,000 was recognised in the Companys combined income statement. In 2007, primarily because of a significant increase in the estimated long term sales prices of wood free coated paper, uncoated paper and magazine paper, partially resulting from a decrease in excess paper capacity during the year, the Company recognised reversal of impairment losses previously recognised on long lived assets other than goodwill in the amount of EUR 151,000.

 
Note 3 - Income taxes
 
During the periods presented, the Company did not file separate tax returns for the Finnish mills (Kangas and Kirkniemi) and Stockstadt and CWZ as these entities were included in the tax grouping of other M-real entities within the respective entities tax jurisdictions. Biberist and CN have historically not been part of any M-real tax grouping and have filed separate, respective local jurisdictional tax returns on an annual basis. The income tax provision included in these interim financial statements was calculated using a method consistent with a separate return basis, as if each of the Company’s companies were a separate taxpayer in the jurisdiction of primary operation.  Tax expense in the interim condensed combined income statement is comprised of the current tax and deferred taxes. Any current taxes are deemed settled through invested equity.
 
Income taxes for the three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 and for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

   
Three months
   
Year ended
 
   
ended 31 December
   
31 December
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Taxes for the current period
    1,614       5,845       2,153       7,725  
Deferred taxes
    11,661       (9,632 )     10,587       (10,794 )
                                 
Total income taxes
    13,275       (3,787 )     12,740       (3,069 )

A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) computed at the statutory rate applicable in Finland of 26% for the three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 and for the year ended 31 December 2007 to the Company’s reported income tax expense (benefit) is as follows:

   
Three months
   
Year ended
 
   
ended 31 December
   
31 December
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Income tax expense (benefit) computed at
                       
the Finland statutory rate
    24,266       (6,586 )     20,590       (6,051 )
Difference between Finnish and foreign rates
    5,132       (1,216 )     3,604       (2,196 )
Tax losses with no tax benefit
    (16,312 )     4,135       (11,277 )     5,527  
Other adjustments
    189       (120 )     (177 )     (349 )
                                 
Tax expense (benefit) in income statement
    13,275       (3,787 )     12,740       (3,069 )
 
 
115

 
 
Note 4 - Related party transactions
 
These interim financial statements include transactions with M-real, its subsidiaries and M-real’s parent company Metsäliitto Cooperative and its other subsidiaries that are considered related parties in respect to the Carve-out Graphic Papers Business.  The Company enters into a significant number of transactions with related parties for the purchases of inventory, sale of goods, as well as corporate services. Product and services transfers between the Company and the related parties have been made at arm’s length prices.

Transactions between the Company and related parties for the three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 and for the year ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

   
Three months ended
   
Years ended
 
   
31 December
   
31 December
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Sales
    8,697       23,182       73,811       101,268  
Other operating income
    1,044       890       2,557       2,333  
Purchases
    117,515       105,946       462,568       421,475  
Other operating expenses
    13,102       12,759       51,656       53,755  
                                 
Interest income from M-real recognised by the Company
    251       533       972       1,574  
Interest expenses from M-real recognised by the Company
    1,144       2,465       5,054       9,867  
                                 
Receivables
                               
Current
    33,267       40,706       33,267       40,706  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Non-current
    55,661       197,935       55,661       197,935  
Current
    33,693       41,664       33,693       41,664  

Sales of goods to related parties decreased in three month period ended 31 December 2007 as compared to the three month period ended 31 December 2006 due to the Parent’s divestment of its paper merchant Map Merchant Group in October 2007.

Other operating expenses include allocated corporate costs of EUR 2,150, EUR 2,000, EUR 8,600 and EUR 8,000 for the three month periods ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 and for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively. These costs are primarily related to corporate level administrative services (executive personnel costs, human resources, legal services, IT services, insurance and other administrative services), and are generally allocated based on the ratio of the Company’s annual net sales or other specific allocation keys, to the Parent’s comparable amounts. Corporate expense allocations are in addition to business level expenses which are invoiced to the individual the Company businesses on at least a quarterly basis.  Management considers that such allocations have been made on a reasonable basis, but may not necessarily be indicative of the costs incurred had the Company operated as a separate entity during the periods presented. Certain corporate costs incurred by M-real that did not directly or indirectly benefit the Company entities were not allocated to the interim financial statements as such expenses could not be reasonably allocated.

As of 31 December 2007 and 2006 cash and cash equivalents include receivables due from M-real from cash pooling amounting to EUR 24,538 and EUR 46,725, respectively. Interest income on these balances due from M-real has been recognised in other financial income.
 
 
116


 
As of 31 December 2007 and 2006, current accounts receivable and non-interest bearing receivables include amounts due from M-real and its subsidiaries in the amount of EUR 33,267 and EUR 40,706, respectively, and accounts payable and other non-interest bearing liabilities include amounts due to M-real in the amount of EUR 21,693 and EUR 17,220, respectively.

As of 31 December 2007 and 2006 non-current borrowings include non-current loans due to M-real in the amount of EUR 55,661 and EUR 197,935, respectively, and current borrowings include current loans due to M-real in the amount of EUR 12,000 and EUR 24,444, respectively.  Interest expenses on these balances due to M-real have been recognised in other financial expenses.

During the first half of the year ended 31 December 2007, M-real converted EUR 166,819 of the Companys related party interest bearing liabilities to invested equity.  During the quarter ended 31 December 2007, M-real contributed an additional EUR 15,000 of the Company’s related party interest bearing liabilities to invested equity.
 
Stockstadt and CWZ participate in a profit and loss transfer arrangement (PLTA) with its holding company M-real Deutsche Holding GmbH for all periods presented in the interim financial statements. Under the PLTA, Stockstadt and CWZ are obligated to transfer their entire profits, as determined under the German Commercial Code (HGB), to Deutsche Holding GmbH during the term of the agreement.  Conversely, Deutsche Holding GmbH is obliged to compensate any net loss generated by Stockstadt and CWZ as determined under HGB.  The Company recognised the right to be compensated for net loss generated by recognizing EUR 15,791 in current accounts receivable as of 31 December 2007 offset with a corresponding increase in invested equity.  The Company recognised its obligation to transfer profits under the PLTA by recognizing EUR 1,667 in current accounts payable as of 31 December 2006 offset with a corresponding reduction in invested equity.
 
In the regular course of business, the Company is exposed to certain financial risks which are hedged by either the local business or by Metsä Finance on positions held by the Company.  These risks are typically commodity (energy) prices, foreign currency exposure and translation risk of net investments in foreign entities.  The Company has elected not to allocate hedging positions of the Company specific risk, held by Metsä Finance, to the interim financial statements.

 
Note 5 - Commitments and contingencies
 
Commitments

Operating and finance lease commitments
The Company holds operating leases for certain vehicles and equipment.  Leasing liabilities for contracts exceeding 12 months and for non-cancellable operating leasing contracts were EUR 1,839 and EUR 819 for the three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The Company recognised finance lease assets in the amount of EUR 58,242 and EUR 70,796 and corresponding obligations in the amount of EUR 57,004 and EUR 68,107 as of 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Financial expenses recognised in relation to the finance lease arrangements amounted to EUR 707 and EUR 874 for the three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 and EUR 3,173 and EUR 3,475 in the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Non-cancellable purchase commitments
The Company has no non-cancellable purchase agreements as of 31 December 2007.


117


Guarantees and indemnifications

The Company has not entered into any agreements that would require it, as a guarantor, to recognise a liability for the fair value of obligations it has undertaken in issuing the guarantee.  All assets of the Company have been pledged by the Parent.

Warranties
The Company does not make express warranties on its products other than that such products comply with the Company’s specifications.  Based on historical experience, product quality claims are not material, and are charged against net sales when incurred.

Contingent liabilities
 
Customer claims and other litigation
The Company may be subject to various product liabilities, commercial and employment litigation, and other legal matters that are considered to be in the ordinary course of business. The Company has no legal reserve as of 31 December 2007 and 2006 pertaining to customer claims and other litigation. As of 31 December 2007 and 2006 there are no open legal matters, and management of the Company cannot reasonably estimate the outcome of potential legal proceedings, claims, or litigation.  Management believes that any such potential matters will not materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

118

 
 
 
 
ANNEXURE 2
 
INDEPENDENT REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE
HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE ACQUIRED BUSINESS




“The Directors
Sappi Limited
Sappi House
48 Ameshoff Street
Braamfontein
Johannesburg
2001

Dear Sirs

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS ON THE HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE CARVE-OUT GRAPHICS PAPER BUSINESS OF M-REAL OYJ
 

1.
INTRODUCTION
 
Sappi Limited (“Sappi”) is issuing a Circular to Shareholders in order to obtain shareholder approval for the proposed acquisition of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business of M-real Oyj (“M-real”) (“the Carve-out Graphics Business”).

At your request, and for purposes of the Circular to Shareholders to be dated on or about 9 October 2008 (“the Circular”), we present our report on the historical financial information of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business, presented in Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Annexure 1 to the Circular, in compliance with the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited (“the JSE Listings Requirements”).

The compilation, contents and presentation of the Circular, including the Report on the Historical Financial Information of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business, are the responsibilities of the directors of Sappi.
 
 
119


 
2.
AUDIT OF THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007

We have audited the combined financial statements of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business, which comprise the combined balance sheet at 31 December 2007, and the combined income statement, the combined statement of changes in equity and the combined cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 2007, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes as set out in Section 1 of Annexure 1 to the Circular.


Directors' responsibility for the combined financial statements

The directors of M-real are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the combined financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.  This responsibility includes: designing, implementing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the combined financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.

Reporting accountant’s responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the combined financial statements based on our audit.  We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those Standards require that we comply with ethical requirements, and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial information is free from material misstatement.

Scope of audit

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial information, whether due to fraud or error.  In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial information in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control.  An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used, and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial information.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
 
 
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Opinion

In our opinion, the combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, and for purposes of the Circular, the financial position of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business as of 31 December 2007, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Emphasis of matter

Without qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to the fact that, as described in note 1, the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business has not operated as a separate entity.  The combined financial statements are therefore not indicative of the results of operations or financial position that would have occurred if the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business had been a separate stand-alone entity during the years presented or of the future results of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business.

3.
REVIEWS OF THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006 AND 2005

We have reviewed the combined financial statements of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business, which comprise the combined balance sheets at 31 December 2006 and 2005, and the combined income statements, the combined statements of changes in equity and the combined cash flow statements for the years ended 31 December 2006 and 2005, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes as set out in Section 1 of Annexure 1 to the Circular.  These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the directors of M-real. Our responsibility is to issue a report on the combined financial information based on our review.

Scope of reviews

We conducted our reviews in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2400, “Engagements to Review Financial Statements”.  A review of financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures.  A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit.  Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusions

Based on our reviews, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the combined financial statements do not present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business as of 31 December 2006 and 2005, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended, for the purposes of the Circular, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
 
 
121


 
Emphasis of matter

Without qualifying our conclusions, we draw attention to the fact that, as described in note 1, the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business has not operated as a separate entity.  The combined financial statements are therefore not indicative of the results of operations or financial position that would have occurred if the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business had been a separate stand-alone entity during the years presented or of the future results of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business.

4.
REVIEWS OF THE CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008 AND 2007, AND THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 AND 2006

We have reviewed the condensed combined financial information of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business, which comprise the condensed combined balance sheet at 30 June 2008, and the condensed combined income statements, the condensed combined statements of changes in equity and the condensed combined cash flow statements for the six months ended 30 June 2008 and 2007, and explanatory notes as set out in Section 2 of Annexure 1 to the Circular. We have also reviewed the condensed combined financial information of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business, which comprise the condensed combined balance sheets at 31 December 2007 and 2006, the condensed combined income statements for the three months ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, and the condensed combined statements of changes in equity and the condensed combined cash flow statements for the year ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, and explanatory notes as set out in Section 3 of Annexure 1 to the Circular.  The condensed combined financial information is the responsibility of the directors of M-real.  Our responsibility is to issue a report on the condensed combined financial information based on our review.

Scope of reviews

We conducted our reviews in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410, “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity”.  A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures.  A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit.  Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusions

Based on our reviews, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed combined financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2008 and 2007, and the condensed combined financial information for the periods ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, have not been prepared, in all material respects, for the purposes of the Circular, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial Reporting”.

Emphasis of matter

Without qualifying our conclusions, we draw attention to the fact that, as described in note 1, the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business has not operated as a separate entity.  The condensed combined financial information is therefore not indicative of the results of operations or financial position that would have occurred if the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business had been a separate stand-alone entity during the periods presented or of the future results of the Carve-out Graphics Paper Business.

 
122


 
Yours sincerely


PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS INC
DIRECTOR: B.J. OLIVIER
REGISTERED AUDITOR
SUNNINGHILL
6 October 2008”
 
 
 
 
 
123

 
 
ANNEXURE 3

PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT OF THE SAPPI GROUP

Sappi has entered into agreements (which are subject to the fulfilment of the conditions precedent) to acquire the Acquired Business for a consideration of approximately EUR750 million (US$1,184 million), less the third party net debt and adjusted by the variation from the target net working capital of EUR235 million (US$371 million), as determined in accordance with the master sales agreement on the date of completion. As of 30 June 2008 the third party debt was EUR88 million (US$139 million) and the variation to the target net working capital was EUR13 million (US$21 million). In addition, total acquisition expenses directly attributable to the transaction are estimated to be EUR19 million (US$30 million).
 
In accordance with the agreements, the aggregated purchase price, if the transaction occurred on 30 June 2008, is calculated as follows:

   
EUR’m
   
US$’m
 
Gross purchase price
    750       1,184  
Adjusted for:
               
External third party debt
    (88 )     (139 )
Acquisition costs
    19       30  
Working capital variation
    13       21  
      694       1,096  
The purchase price will be funded as follows:
               
Cash (obtained from the proceeds from the rights issue)
    432       682  
Newly issued Sappi shares
    50       79  
Interest bearing vendor loan due to M-real
    212       335  
      694       1,096  

In connection with the Transaction, Sappi will also enter into long term supply agreements with M-real for energy, wood and pulp and transitional marketing agreements for the outputs of the Husum PM8 machine and the Äänekoski PM2 machine. Management believes these contracts are executed at a market rate and therefore have not been reflected as a pro forma adjustment.
 
 
124

 
 
The pro forma adjustments reflect the acquisition and related financing transactions.  The unaudited pro forma condensed statements of operations for the year ended September 2007 and the period ended June 2008 give effect to the acquisition and related financing as if it occurred on 1 October 2006.  The unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet for the period ended June 2008 gives effect to the acquisition and related financing as if it occurred on that balance sheet date.
 
Historical financial information for the Acquired Business as at and for the year ended December 2007, and as at and for the six months ended June 2008, and for the three months ended December 2007 appears elsewhere in this Circular. Historical financial information for all periods presented has been prepared on a full carve-out basis in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, and is presented in Euros. The condensed six months ended June 2008 and the condensed three months ended December 2007 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting.
 
The unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements have been derived using:
 
 
for the year ended September 2007, Sappi's audited historical group income statement for the year ended September 2007, and the audited carve-out income statement of the Acquired Business for the year ended December 2007 appearing elsewhere in this Circular.  The financial information for the Acquired Business has been converted from Euros into US dollars using the average exchange rate for the year ended December 2007 of EUR1 : US$1.3755;
 
 
for the nine months ended June 2008, Sappi's reviewed condensed interim group income statement for the nine months ended June 2008 and the reviewed condensed carve-out income statements of the Acquired Business for the six months ended June 2008, and the three months ended December 2007 appearing elsewhere in this Circular. Financial information for the Acquired Business for the six months ended June 2008 has been converted from Euros into US dollars using the average exchange rate for the six months ended June 2008 of EUR1 : US$1.5315, and for the three months ended December 2007, have been converted from Euros into US dollars using the average exchange rate for the three months ended December 2007 of EUR1 : US$1.4556;
 
 
125

 
 
 
as at June 2008, Sappi's reviewed condensed interim group balance sheet as at June 2008, and the reviewed condensed carve-out interim balance sheet of the Acquired Business as at June 2008 appearing elsewhere in this Circular.  Financial information for the Acquired Business as at June 2008 has been converted from Euros into US dollars using Sappi's June 2008 closing rate of EUR1 : US$1.5795.
 
As noted above, the pro forma adjustments reflect the acquisition and associated financing transactions.  The allocation of the purchase price reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements is preliminary. It is based on estimated fair values and estimated purchase price and eventually will be adjusted based on a complete assessment of the fair value of the net assets acquired and final purchase price. The final purchase price allocation is dependent on, among other things, the finalization of asset and liability valuations. As at the date of this Circular, we have not completed the valuation studies necessary to finalize the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the related allocation of the purchase price. We have allocated the total estimated purchase price, calculated as described under ‘‘Notes to Unaudited Pro forma Condensed Balance Sheet’’, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on preliminary estimates of their fair values. A final determination of these fair values will reflect, among other things, our consideration of a final valuation based on the actual net tangible and intangible assets, such as brands, order books, customer lists and intellectual property that exist as at the closing of the acquisition. Any final adjustment will change the allocation of the purchase price, which will affect the fair value assigned to the assets and liabilities and could result in a material change to the unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements, including a change to goodwill.

The unaudited pro forma adjustments give effect to events that are directly attributable to the acquisition and related financing, and are factually supportable.  The unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements are presented for information purposes only, and do not purport to represent what our actual results of operations or financial condition would have been had the acquisition and financing occurred on the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results of operations or financial condition.  In addition to the matters noted above, the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial statements do not reflect the effect of:
 
 
126

 
 
 
anticipated synergies and efficiencies associated with combining the Sappi Group and the Acquired Business due to the adoption of best practices;
 
 
efficiencies in the permanent funding structure; and
 
 
movements in the US Dollar / Euro exchange rate.
 
The unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the information contained elsewhere in this Circular, Sappi's audited historical financial statements for the year ended September 2007 and the reviewed condensed interim financial statements for the period ended June 2008.
 
The directors of Sappi are responsible for the preparation of the unaudited pro forma balance sheet and income statements. The unaudited pro forma balance sheet and income statements as set out below should be read in conjunction with the report of the independent reporting accountants which is included as Annexure 4 to this Circular.  The unaudited pro forma financial results have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.
 
The unaudited pro forma balance sheet of the Sappi Group as at June 2008 has been prepared on the assumption that the proposed transactions were effected on 30 June 2008.
 
US$ million
 
Sappi Group
   
Acquired
Business
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
As at
June 2008
   
As at
June 2008
   
Pro forma
adjustments
     
Notes
 
Pro
  forma
 
   
(A) 
   
(B)
                 
ASSETS
                           
                             
Non-current assets
    4,574       1,035       (85 )         5,524  
Property, plant and equipment
    3,568       1,026       (294 )    (1)     4,300  
Plantations
    556       -       -           556  
Deferred taxation
    56       -       83      (1)     139  
Other non-current assets
    394       9       126      (1)     529  
                                     
Current assets
    1,758       589       (16 )         2,331  
Inventories
    789       206       -           995  
Trade and other receivables
    742       378       (11 )    (1)     1,109  
Cash and cash equivalents
    227       5       (5 )    (1)     227  
                                     
TOTAL ASSETS
    6,332       1,624       (101 )         7,855  
 
 
127

 
 
US$ million
 
Sappi Group
 
   
Acquired
Business
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
As at June 2008
     
As at June
2008 
   
Pro forma
adjustments 
   
 Notes
 
 Pro
  forma
 
   
(A)
     
(B) 
                 
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
                                   
                                     
Shareholders’ equity
    1,669       989       (228 )    (1),(2)     2,430  
                                     
Non-current liabilities
    2,629       319       135           3,083  
Interest-bearing borrowings
    1,882       150       198      (1),(3)     2,230  
Deferred taxation
    384       71       (51 )    (1)     404  
Other non-current liabilities
    363       98       (12 )    (1)     449  
                                     
Current liabilities
    2,034       316       (8 )         2,342  
Interest-bearing borrowings
    990       71       -           1,061  
Bank overdraft
    22       -       -           22  
Other current liabilities
    946       245       (8 )    (1)     1,183  
Taxation payable
    76       -       -           76  
                                     
TOTAL EQUITY AND
LIABILITIES
    6,332       1,624       (101 )         7,855  
                                     
Number of shares in issue at balance sheet date (in millions)
    229.1                           302.1  
Net asset value per share (US$)
    7.29                           8.04  
Net tangible asset value per share (US$)
    7.25                           7.59  
 
* The number of shares in issue at balance sheet date has been adjusted by 73 million shares representing the estimated number of shares to be issued as consideration for the Acquired Business of EUR 50 / US$ 79 million and the proposed rights offering of EUR 450 / US$711 million. The number of Settlement Shares will be determined by reference to the volume weighted average share price of Sappi on the JSE during the 30 trading days prior to the date of the announcement of this acquisition. The number of rights offering shares was calculated using the Sappi closing share price on 26 September 2008 of ZAR81.50. The actual number of shares will be based on the relevant variable components of the financing and of the relevant agreements and, accordingly, the number of shares will change.
 
 
128

 
 
(A)
Financial information for the Sappi Group has been extracted without adjustment from Sappi's published condensed consolidated reviewed results as at June 2008.
 
(B)
The Acquired Business financial information has been extracted from the Acquired Business’s reviewed condensed Carve-out Financials as at June 2008. The Acquired Business’s balance sheet was converted from Euros into US Dollars at Sappi's June 2008 closing rate of EUR1 : US$1.5795. Refer to note 1 in the notes to the balance sheet as at June 2008 for a reconciliation of the Acquired Business’s balance sheet information as presented in the carve-out accounts as at June 2008 to Sappi’s presentation format above.
 
Pro-forma notes
 
(1)
The estimated price for the Acquired Businesses is EUR750 million (US$1,184 million), which is based on the enterprise value of the Acquired Business (as defined in the Master Agreement) less third party debt and adjusted by the variation from the target net working capital of EUR235 million (US$371 million).  The net debt at 30 June 2008 was EUR88 million (US$139 million) and the variation to the target net working capital was EUR13 million  (US$21 million). In addition, it is estimated that the costs incurred in connection with the acquisition will be approximately EUR19 million (US$30 million), resulting in an aggregated purchase price of EUR694 million (US$1,096 million) including fees. The actual cash and enterprise value of the Acquired Business will be determined at the Completion Date and accordingly will vary from that used in the preparation of the pro forma financials. Any variation could have a material impact on the cost of the Acquired Business and accordingly, the purchase price allocation.
 
 
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The preliminary allocation of the estimated aggregate purchase price to the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired is summarised below:
 
   
 EUR’m
     
US$’m
 
Net assets of the Acquired Business as at June 2008
    626       989  
Cash and cash equivalents *
    (3 )     (5 )
VAT receivables *
    (7 )     (11 )
Other current liabilities *
    5       8  
Other non-current liabilities *
    8       12  
Deferred tax liability **
    32       51  
Intercompany debt ***
    87       137  
Adjusted net assets as at June 2008
    748       1,181  
Decrease in property, plant and equipment ****
    (186 )     (294 )
Tax effect thereon
    52       83  
Net assets acquired
    614       970  
Goodwill
    80       126  
Aggregate purchase price
    694       1,096  
 
*  These items were included in the Acquired Business condensed carve-out financials as at June 2008 but which are excluded from the Master Agreement.
 
**  This relates to the Kirkniemi and Kangas mills. As these are asset purchases, Sappi will not be taking over the tax history of these mills and therefore has reduced the deferred tax liability balance by this amount.
 
***  The intercompany debt will be assumed by Sappi and settled as part of the Transaction Consideration.
 
**** Management has preliminarily determined the fair value of the mills acquired to be less than the reported book value in the Carve-Out Graphic Paper business reviewed interim condensed combined balance sheet as of 30 June 2008.
 
The aforementioned purchase price allocation is preliminary. It is based on estimated fair values and eventually may require adjustment based on a complete assessment of the fair value of the net assets acquired. Any adjustments made to fair values of assets and liabilities acquired will impact on the purchase price allocation and could result in a material change to goodwill.
 
 
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(2)
Adjustments to the equity balance consist of the following:
 
     
EUR’m
     
US$’m
 
 - Elimination of the Acquired Business historical equity
    (626 )     (989 )
-  Newly issued equity (a)
    50       79  
-  Estimated additional equity in terms of the rights offering (b)
    432       682  
      (144 )     (228 )

 
(a)
As described in the introduction, a portion of the consideration to purchase the Acquired Business will be funded through the issuance of shares valued at EUR50 million (US$79 million). The number of shares issued will vary based on the purchase agreement. The purchase agreement states that the price of each share issued for the portion paid in shares will be determined by reference to the volume weighted average share price of Sappi on the JSE during a period of 30 trading days prior to the announcement of the signing of the Master Agreement based on the average EUR / ZAR daily closing exchange rate for the same period and such price per share is adjusted for issuances of shares by Sappi at a discount to market value and other specified actions taken by Sappi in respect of its capital prior to the Completion Date. In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, in determining the cost of the Acquired Business, the cost of the Settlement Shares issued by Sappi will be measured at their fair value at the date of exchange, which may differ from the market price on such date due to, among other things, the Lock-Up Deed.  To the extent that the price of the Settlement Shares as determined in accordance with the Master Agreement, differs from the fair value of the Settlement Shares on the date of the exchange, the cost of acquisition will vary. Any such difference could have a material impact on the cost of the Acquired Business.  In the preparation of this pro forma financial information, Sappi have assumed that the fair value of the Settlement Shares equates to the market price, and that the date of exchange is 30 June 2008.
     
  (b) The rights offering is for up to EUR450 million (US$711 million), and the estimated cost are expected to be EUR18 million (US$28million). This represents the net proceeds for the issuance of these shares. The number of shares will vary based on the offer price.
 
 
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(3)
This pro forma adjustment reflects the changes in the interest bearing borrowings.  A reconciliation is as follows:
 
     
EUR’m
     
US$’m
 
Interest bearing vendor loan note
    250       395  
Variation in respect of third party debt and working capital
    (38 )     (60 )
      212       335  
Less: Intercompany debt per note 1 above
    (87 )     (137 )
Pro forma adjustment
    125       198  
 
A portion of the Transaction Consideration will be funded by the issue of a vendor note payable to M-real amounting to EUR250 million (US$395 million). The amount of this note will vary according to the variation from EUR50 million in respect of third party debt and EUR235 million in respect of the target working capital. At 30 June 2008 these variations amounted to EUR38 million (US$60 million). The loan has a 48 month term, repayable in tranches of EUR10 million, before expiry date and ranks pari passu with existing long term debt.
 
Notes to the unaudited pro-forma balance sheet as at June 2008
 
(1)
The Acquired Business carve-out graphic paper business balance sheet presentation format differs in certain respects from that of Sappi. The table below conforms the Acquired Business carve-out graphic paper business information as at June 2008, appearing elsewhere in this document, into Sappi's reporting format.
 
 
132

 
 
   
EUR’000
     
US$’000
   
Acquired
Business carve-out financial
statements conformed
   
Abridging notes
 
Conformed presentation
format
   
As at June 2008
 
 
   
   
(i)
     
(ii)
ASSETS
           
             
Non-current assets
   
655,449
       
1,035,281
Property, plant and equipment
   
649,531
       
1,025,934
Goodwill and intangibles
   
2,580
       
4,075
Other non-current assets
   
3,338
 
(iii)
   
5,272
                 
                 
Current assets
   
372,989
       
589.135
                 
Inventories
   
130,572
       
206,238
Trade and other receivables
   
239,371
 
(iv)
   
378,086
Cash and cash equivalents
   
3,046
       
4,811
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
   
1,028,438
       
1,624,416
                 
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity
   
626,162
       
989,022
                 
Non-current liabilities
   
202,044
       
319,128
Interest-bearing borrowings
   
95,231
       
150,417
Deferred taxation
   
44,664
       
70,547
Other non-current liabilities
   
62,149
 
(v)
   
98,164
                 
Current liabilities
   
200,232
       
316,267
Interest-bearing borrowings
   
45,037
       
71,136
Trade and other payables
   
155,195
       
245,131
Taxation payable
   
       
                 
Total equity and liabilities
   
1,028,438
       
1,624,416

(i) Financial information for the Acquired Business carve-out graphic paper business as at June 2008 has been extracted from the Acquired Business reviewed condensed results as at June 2008, appearing elsewhere in this Circular.
 
 
133

 
 
(ii) The conformed carve-out financial statements for the Acquired Business graphic paper business have been converted from Euros to US dollars at Sappi's June 2008 closing rate of EUR1 : US$1.5795.
 
Abridging notes
 
(iii) This represents the aggregation of the non-current financial receivables of EUR2,100 and other non-current assets of EUR1,238.
 
(iv) This represents the aggregation of the current financial receivables of EUR1,991, accounts receivable and non-interest bearing receivables for an amount of EUR237,252 and a current income tax receivable of EUR128.
 
(v) This represents the aggregation of post employment benefit obligations of EUR43,896, provisions of EUR1,810, and other non-current liabilities of EUR16,443.
 
 
134

 
 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT OF THE SAPPI GROUP
 
The unaudited pro forma income statement of the Sappi Group as at September 2007 has been prepared on the assumption that the proposed transactions occurred on 01 October 2006.
 
US$’m
 
Sappi Group
   
Acquired
Business
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
Year ended
September 2007
   
Year ended
 December 2007
   
  Pro forma
adjustments
     Notes  
 Pro
forma
 
   
(A)
   
(B)
                 
                             
Sales
    5,304       1,833                 7,137  
                                     
Cost of sales
    4,591       1,722       (29 )  
(1)
    6,284  
                                     
Gross profit
    713       111       29           853  
                                     
Selling, general and administration expenses
    362       119                 481  
Share of profit (loss) from associates and joint ventures
    (10 )                     (10 )
Other operating (income) expenses
    (22 )     (133 )               (155 )
Operating profit
    383       125       29           537  
                                     
Net finance costs
    134       16       25           175  
Finance costs
    173       12       25    
(2)
    210  
Finance revenue
    (21 )     (2 )               (23 )
Finance costs capitalised
    (14 )                     (14 )
Net foreign exchange gains
    (13 )     6                 (7 )
Net fair value loss on financial instruments
    9                       9  
                                     
Profit (loss) before taxation
    249       109       4           362  
                                     
Taxation charge (benefit)
    47       18       1    
(3)
    66  
                                     
Profit (loss) for the year
    202       91       3           296  
                                     
Basic earnings per share (US cents)
    89                           98  
Weighted average number of shares in issue (millions) *
    227.8                           300.8  
Diluted earnings per share (US cents)
    88                           98  
Weighted average number of shares on fully diluted basis (millions) *
    230.5                           303.5  
Headline earnings per share (US cents)
    82                           51  
 
 
135

 
 
US$’m
 
Sappi Group
   
Acquired
Business
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
Year ended
September 2007
   
Year ended
December 2007
   
Pro forma
adjustments
 
     
Notes
 
Pro
forma
 
   
(A)
   
(B)
                     
                                     
Calculation of Headline earnings **
                                   
Profit for the year
    202                           296  
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    (24 )                         (24 )
Asset impairments (reversals)
    2                           (152 )
Tax effect of above items
    6                           32  
Headline earnings
    186                           152  
                                     
 
* The number of shares in issue at balance sheet date has been adjusted by 73 million shares representing the estimated number of shares to be issued as consideration for the Acquired Business of EUR50 million  (US$79 million) and the proposed rights offering of EUR450 million (US$711 million). The number of Settlement Shares will be determined by reference to the volume weighted average share price of Sappi on the JSE during the 30 trading days prior to the date of the announcement of this acquisition adjusted for issuances of shares by Sappi at a discount to market value and other specified actions taken by Sappi in respect of its capital prior to the Completion Date. The number of rights offering shares was calculated using the Sappi closing share price on 26 September 2008 of ZAR81.50. The actual number of shares will be based on the relevant variable components of the financing and of the relevant agreements and, accordingly, the number of shares will change.
 
** Headline earnings disclosure is required by the JSE Limited.
 
(A)
The Sappi financial information has been extracted without adjustment from Sappi's published consolidated audited results for the year ended September 2007.
 
(B)
The Acquired Business financial information has been extracted from the Acquired Business audited carve-out financials for the year ended December 2007. The Acquired Business income statement was converted from Euros into US Dollars using the average exchange rate for the year ended December 2007 of EUR1 : US$1.3755. Refer to note 1 in the notes to the income statement for the year ended September 2007 for a reconciliation of the Acquired Business income statement information as presented in the carve-out accounts for the year ended December 2007 to the Acquired Business carve-out information presented above.
 

136

 
Pro forma notes
 
(1)
Reflects the elimination of estimated historical depreciation charges associated with the decrease in property, plant and equipment in connection with the purchase price allocation.
 

(2)
The pro forma adjustment related to finance costs represents the incremental interest expense associated with the financing used to partially fund the acquisition of the Acquired Business. The adjustment is calculated as follows:
 
     
EUR’m
     
US$’m
 
Vendor note loan
    23       30  
Less: historical interest on debt not acquired
    (4 )     (5 )
Pro forma adjustment
    19       25  

The finance costs on the note payable of EUR212 million (US$335 million) has been determined based on fixed interest rates established in the vendor note agreement and calculated at 9% for the first 6 months, 12% for the next 6 months, 14% for the next 6 months and 15% thereafter.
 
(3)
Represents the tax effect of the pro forma adjustments described above at an estimated statutory tax rate for the combined group of 28.3%. We have applied this rate to all periods presented as we believe it is a rate indicative of our future tax rate. We have assumed that tax benefits created will be utilised to offset tax liabilities in these periods. However, our ability to utilise such assets is dependent on our taxable income and actual deferred tax liabilities. Accordingly, our future effective tax rate may differ significantly from the rate presented in these  unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
 
The unaudited pro forma income statement of the Sappi Group as at June 2008 has been prepared on the assumption that the proposed transactions occurred on 01 October 2007.
 
 
137

 
 
US$’m
 
Sappi
Group
 
Acquired
Business
 
Acquired
Business
 
Acquired
Business
           
   
Nine month
period
ended June
2008
 
Three
month
period
ended
December
2007
 
Six
month
period
ended
June
2008
 
Combined
nine
month
period
ended
June 2008
 
Pro forma
adjustments
 
 
Notes
 
Pro
forma
   
(A)
 
(B)
 
(C)
                       
                                         
Sales
   
4,344
     
491
     
967
     
1,458
     
         
5,802
 
                                                     
Cost of sales
   
3,782
     
448
     
956
     
1,404
     
(22
)
 
(1)
   
5,164
 
                                                     
Gross profit
   
562
     
43
     
11
     
54
     
(22
)
       
638
 
                                                     
Selling, general and
administration expenses
   
294
     
56
     
46
     
102
     
         
396
 
Share of profit (loss) from
associates and joint ventures
   
(6
)
   
     
     
     
         
(6
)
Other operating (income)
expenses
   
(15
)
   
(155
)
   
23
     
(132
)
   
         
(147
)
                                                     
Operating profit
   
289
     
142
     
(58
)
   
84
     
22
         
395
 
                                                     
Net finance costs
   
100
     
7
     
9
     
16
     
30
         
146
 
Net interest
   
106
     
3
     
5
     
8
     
30
   
(2)
   
144
 
Finance costs capitalised
   
(16
)
   
     
     
     
         
(16
)
Net foreign exchange gains
   
(3
)
   
4
     
4
     
8
     
         
5
 
Net fair value loss on financial instruments
   
13
     
     
     
     
         
13
 
                                                     
Profit (loss) before taxation
   
189
     
135
     
(67
)
   
68
     
(8
)
       
249
 
                                                     
Taxation charge (benefit)
   
55
     
19
     
(9
)
   
10
     
(2
)
 
(3)
   
63
 
                                                     
Profit (loss) for the year
   
134
     
116
     
(58
)
   
58
     
(6
)
       
186
 
                                                     
Basic earnings per share (US cents)
   
59
                                         
62
 
Weighted average number of
shares in issue (millions) *
   
228.7
                                         
301.7
 
Diluted earnings per share (US cents)
   
58
                                         
61
 
Weighted average number of
shares on fully diluted basis
(millions) *
   
230.9
                                         
303.9
 
Headline earnings per share
(US cents)
   
58
                                         
18
 
 
 
138

 
 
US$’m
 
Sappi
Group
 
Acquired
Business
 
Acquired
Business
 
Acquired
Business
           
   
Nine month
period
ended June
2008
 
Three
month
period
ended
December
2007
 
Six
month
period
ended
June
2008
 
Combined
nine
month
period
ended
June 2008
 
Pro forma
adjustments
 
 
Notes
 
Pro
forma
   
(A)
 
(B)
 
(C)
                       
                                         
Calculation of Headline earnings **
                                                   
Profit for the year
   
134
                                         
186
 
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
   
(5
)
                                       
(5
)
Asset impairments (reversals
   
3
                                         
(160
)
Tax effect of above items
   
1
                                         
28
 
Headline earnings
   
133
                                         
49
 
 
* The number of shares in issue at balance sheet date has been adjusted by 73 million shares representing the estimated number of shares to be issued as consideration for the Acquired Business of EUR50 million (US$79 million) and proposed rights offering of EUR450 million (US$711 million). The number of Settlement Shares will be determined by reference to the volume weighted average share price of Sappi on the JSE during the 30 trading days prior to the date of the announcement of this acquisition adjusted for issuances of shares by Sappi at a discount to market value and other specified actions taken by Sappi in respect of its capital prior to the Completion Date. The number of rights offering shares was calculated using the Sappi closing share price on 26 September 2008 of ZAR81.50. The actual number of shares will be based on the relevant variable components of the financing and of the relevant agreements and, accordingly, the number of shares will change.
 
** Headline earnings disclosure is required by the JSE Limited.
 
(A)
The Sappi financial information has been extracted without adjustment from Sappi's published consolidated reviewed results for the period ended June 2008.
 
(B)
The Acquired Business financial information has been extracted from the Acquired Business reviewed condensed carve-out financials for the three month period ended December 2007. The Acquired Business income statement was converted from Euros into US Dollars using the average exchange rate for the three months ended December 2007 of EUR1 : US$1.4556. Refer to note 1 in the notes to the income statement for the three month period ended December 2007 for a reconciliation of the Acquired Business income statement information as presented in the carve-out accounts for the three month period ended December 2007 to the Acquired Business carve-out information presented above.
 
 
139

 
 
(C)
The Acquired Business financial information has been extracted from the Acquired Business reviewed condensed Carve-out Financials for the six month period ended June 2008. The Acquired Business income statement was converted from Euros into US Dollars using the average exchange rate for the six months ended June 2008 of EUR1 : US$1.5315. Refer to note 1 in the notes to the income statement for the six month period ended June 2008 for a reconciliation of the Acquired Business income statement information as presented in the carve-out accounts for the six month period ended June 2008 to the Acquired Business carve-out information presented above.
 
Pro forma notes
 
(1)
Reflects the elimination of estimated historical depreciation charges associated with the decrease in property, plant and equipment in connection with purchase price allocation.
 
(2)
The pro forma adjustment related to finance costs represents the incremental interest expense associated with the financing used to partially fund the acquisition of the Acquired Business. The adjustment is calculated as follows:
 
       
EUR’m
     
US$’m
 
 
Vendor loan note
    23       35  
 
Less: historical interest on debt not acquired
    (3 )     (5 )
 
Pro forma adjustment
    20       30  
 
 
 
The finance costs on the note payable of EUR212 million (US$335 million) has been determined based on fixed interest rates established in the vendor note agreement and calculated at 9% for the first 6 months, 12% for the next 6 months, 14% for the next 6 months and 15% thereafter.
   
(3)
Represents the tax effect of the pro forma adjustments described above at an  estimated statutory tax rate for the combined group of 28.3%. We have applied this rate to all periods presented as we believe it is a rate indicative of our future tax rate. We have assumed that tax benefits created will be utilised to offset tax liabilities in these periods. However, our ability to utilise such assets is dependent on our taxable income and actual deferred tax liabilities. Accordingly, our future effective tax rate may differ significantly from the rate presented in these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
 
 
140

 
 
Notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated income statement for the year ended December 2007
 
(a)
The Acquired Business income statement presentation format differs in certain respects from that of Sappi. The table below conforms the Acquired Business information for the year ended December 2007, appearing elsewhere in this document, to Sappi's reporting format.
 
   
EUR’000
     
EUR’000
     
EUR’000
 
US$’000
   
Year ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conformed
 
Conformed
   
December
2007
 
Abridging
notes
 
Reclassifications
 
Reclassification notes
 
presentation
format
   
presentation format
   
(i)
     
(A),(B)
           
(ii)
                                 
Sales
    1,332,787                     1,332,787       1,833,249  
                                         
Cost of sales
    1,239,379    
(a)
    12,448    
(1),(2)
    1,251,827       1,721,888  
                                         
Gross profit
    93,408           (12,448 )         80,960       111,361  
                                         
Selling, general and administration expenses
              86,508    
(1)
    86,508       118,992  
Share of profit (loss) from associates and joint ventures
                               
Other operating (income) expenses
    2,571    
(b)
    (98,956 )  
(2)
    (96,385 )     (132,578 )
                                         
Operating profit
    90,837                     90,837       124,947  
                                         
Net finance costs
    11,644                     11,644       16,016  
Finance costs
    8,687                     8,687       11,949  
Finance revenue
    (1,153 )                   (1,153 )     (1,586 )
Net foreign exchange gains
    4,110                     4,110       5,653  
                                         
Profit before taxation
    79,193                     79,193       108,931  
                                         
Taxation charge
    12,740                     12,740       17,524  
                                         
Profit for the year
    66,453                     66,453       91,407  
 
(i) The Acquired Business financial information has been extracted from the Acquired Business audited results for the year ended December 2007.
 
(ii) The conformed carve out income statement for the Acquired Business Graphic Paper business has been converted from Euros to US dollars using the average rate for the 12 months to December 2007 of EUR1 : US$1.3755.
 
 
141

 
 
Abridging notes
 
(a) This represents the aggregation of change in stocks of finished goods and work in progress for EUR2,527,  purchases during the financial period of EUR919,488, external services of EUR76,123, employee costs of EUR145,579, depreciation and amortisation cost of EUR95,662.
 
(b) This represents other operating income of (EUR15,452), the impairment reversal of (EUR151,000) and other operating expenses of EUR169,923.
 
Reclassification notes
 
(A)
Financial information for the Acquired Business for the year ended December 2007 is included in the Acquired Businesses audited financial statements, appearing elsewhere in this Circular.
 
(B)
The Acquired Business income statement presentation is by nature of expense while Sappi income statement presentation is by function. As a result certain presentation reclassifications have been performed to conform to Sappi's presentation format. These reclassifications from cost of sales are as follows:
 
 
(1)
EUR86,508 has been reallocated to selling, general and administration expenses (SG&A). These expenses include costs such as personnel, marketing and general office expenses that are not directly related to the cost of production of goods.
 
  (2) 
(EUR98,956) has been reallocated to other operating expenses. Included in this income (expense) function are items of income or expense which are material by nature or amount to the operating results and require separate disclosure. Under Sappi's accounting policies, such items would generally include profit and loss on disposal of property, investments and business, asset impairments, restructuring charges, financial impacts of natural disasters and non-cash gains or losses on the price fair value adjustment of plantations.
 
 
142

 

Notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated income statement for the three month period ended December 2007
 
a.
The Acquired Business income statement presentation format differs in certain respects from that of Sappi. The table below conforms the Acquired Business information for the three month period ended December 2007, appearing elsewhere in this document, into Sappi's reporting format.
 
   
EUR’000
     
EUR’000
     
EUR’000
 
US$’000
   
3 month
period
ended
December
2007
 
Abridging
notes
 
 
 
Reclassifications
 
Reclassification
notes
 
Conformed presentation
format
 
Conformed presentation format
   
(i)
     
(A),(B)
           
(ii)
                                 
Sales
    337,225                     337,225       490,865  
                                         
Cost of sales
    352,958    
(a)
    (45,392 )  
(1),(2)
    307,566       447,693  
                                         
Gross (loss) profit
    (15,733 )         45,392           29,659       43,172  
                                         
Selling, general and administration expenses
              38,482    
(1)
    38,482       56,014  
Share of profit (loss) from associates and joint ventures
                               
Other operating (income) expenses
    (113,392 )  
 
(b)
    6,910    
(2)
    (106,482 )     (154,995 )
                                         
Operating profit
    97,659                     97,659       142,153  
                                         
Net finance costs
    4,323                     4,323       6,293  
Finance costs
    2,319                     2,319       3,376  
Finance revenue
    (431 )                   (431 )     (627 )
Net foreign exchange gains
    2,435                     2,435       3,544  
                                         
Profit before taxation
    93,336                     93,336       135,860  
                                         
Taxation charge
    13,275                     13,275       19,323  
                                         
Profit for the period
    80,061                     80,061       116,537  
 
(i) The Acquired Business financial information has been extracted from the Acquired Business reviewed condensed results for the 3 month period ended December 2007.
 
(ii) The conformed carve out income statement for the Acquired Business graphic paper business has been converted from Euros to US dollars using the average exchange rate for the three months ended December 2007 of EUR1 : US$1.4556.
 
 
143

 
 
Abridging notes
 
(a) This represents the aggregation of change in stocks of finished goods and work in progress for EUR11,107, purchases during the financial period of EUR234,956, external services of EUR20,217, employee costs of EUR32,750, depreciation and amortisation of EUR53,928.
 
(b) This represents other operating income of (EUR5,355), the impairment reversal of (EUR151,000) and other operating expenses of EUR42,963.
 
Reclassification notes
 
(A)
Financial information for the Acquired Business for the 3 months ended December 2007 is included in the Acquired Businesses reviewed condensed results, appearing elsewhere in this Circular.
 
(B) 
The Acquired Business income statement presentation is by nature of expense while Sappi income statement presentation is by function. As a result certain presentation reclassifications have been performed to conform to Sappi's presentation format. These reclassifications are as follows:
 
 
(1)
EUR38,482 has been reallocated to selling, general and administration expenses (SG&A). These expenses include costs such as personnel, marketing and general office expenses that are not directly related to the cost of production of goods.
 
  (2)
EUR6,910 has been reallocated to other operating (income) expenses. Included in this income (expense) function are items of income or expense which  are material by nature or amount to the operating results and require separate disclosure. Under Sappi's accounting policies, such items would generally include profit and loss on disposal of property, investments and business, asset impairments, restructuring charges, financial impacts of natural disasters and non-cash gains or losses on the price fair value adjustment of plantations.
 

144


Notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated income statement for the six month period ended June 2008
 
a.
The Acquired Business income statement presentation format differs in certain respects from that of Sappi. The table below conforms the Acquired Business information for the six month period ended June 2008, appearing elsewhere in this document, into Sappi's reporting format.
 
   
EUR’000
     
EUR’000
     
EUR’000
 
US$’000
   
6 month
period
ended June
2008
 
Abridging
notes
 
 
 
Reclassifications
 
Reclassification
notes
 
Conformed presentation
format
 
Conformed presentation
format
   
(i)
     
(A),(B)
         
(ii)
                         
Sales
    631,239                     631,239       966,743  
                                         
Cost of sales
    599,522    
(a)
    24,864    
(1),(2)
    624,386       956,247  
                                         
Gross profit
    31,717           24,864           6,853       10,496  
                                         
Selling, general and administration expenses
              30,106    
(1)
    30,106       46,107  
Share of profit (loss) from associates and joint ventures
                        -       -  
Other operating (income) expenses
    69,768    
 
(b)
    (54,970 )  
(2)
    14,798       22,663  
                                         
Operating loss
    (38,051 )                   (38,051 )     (58,274 )
                                         
Net finance costs
    5,625                     5,625       8,614  
Finance costs
    3,775                     3,775       5,781  
Finance revenue
    (457 )                   (457 )     (700 )
Net foreign exchange gains
    2,307                     2,307       3,533  
                                         
Loss before taxation
    (43,676 )                   (43,676 )     (66,888 )
                                         
Taxation benefit
    (5,835 )                   (5,835 )     (8,936 )
                                         
Loss for the period
    (37,841 )                   (37,841 )     (57,952 )
                                         

(i) The Acquired Business financial information has been extracted from the Acquired Business reviewed condensed results for the six month period ended June 2008.
 
(ii) The conformed carve out income statement for the Acquired Business graphic paper business has been converted from Euros to US dollars using the average exchange rate for the six months ended June 2008 of EUR1 : US$1.5315.
 
 
145

 
 
Abridging notes
 
(a) This represents the aggregation of change in stocks of finished goods and work in progress for (EUR2,919),  purchases during the financial period of EUR451,693, external services of EUR37,893, employee costs of EUR75,044, depreciation and amortisation cost of EUR37,811.
 
(b) This represents other operating income of (EUR14,798) and other operating expenses of EUR84,566.
 
Reclassification notes
 
(A)
Financial information for the Acquired Business for the six months ended 30 June 2008 is included in the Acquired Businesses reviewed condensed results, appearing elsewhere in this Circular.
 
(B) 
The Acquired Business income statement presentation is by nature of expense while Sappi income statement presentation is by function. As a result certain presentation reclassifications have been performed to conform to Sappi's presentation format. These reclassification are as follows: 
 
 
(1)
EUR30,106 has been reallocated to selling, general and administration expenses (SG&A). These expenses include costs such as personnel, marketing and general office expenses that are not directly related to the cost of production of goods.
 
 
146

 
 
  (2)
(EUR54,970) has been reallocated to other operating (income) expenses. Included in this income (expense) function are items of income or expense which  are material by nature or amount to the operating results and require separate disclosure. Under Sappi's accounting policies, such items would generally include profit and loss on disposal of property, investments and business, asset impairments, restructuring charges, financial impacts of natural disasters and non-cash gains or losses on the price fair value adjustment of plantations.
 
 
 
 
 
 
147

 
 
ANNEXURE 4
INDEPENDENT REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE SAPPI GROUP

 


“The Directors
Sappi Limited
48 Ameshoff Street
Braamfontein
2001

Dear Sirs

INDEPENDENT REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS’ ASSURANCE REPORT ON THE PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION BY SAPPI LIMITED (“SAPPI”) OF THE GRAPHIC PAPER BUSINESS OF M-real
 
We have performed our limited assurance engagement in respect of the pro forma financial information set out in paragraph 12 and Annexure 3 of the Circular dated on or about 10 October 2008 issued in connection with the acquisition of the graphic paper business by Sappi from M-real Corporation, that is the subject of this Circular of Sappi. The pro forma financial information has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the JSE Limited (“JSE”) Listings Requirements, for illustrative purposes only, to provide information about how the Transaction and Financing thereof might have affected the reported historical financial information presented, had the corporate action been undertaken at the commencement of the period or at the date of the pro forma balance sheet being reported on.
 
Directors’ responsibility
The directors are responsible for the compilation, contents and presentation of the pro forma financial information contained in the Circular and for the financial information from which it has been prepared. Their responsibility includes determining that: the pro forma financial information has been properly compiled on the basis stated; the basis is consistent with the accounting policies of Sappi; and the pro forma adjustments are appropriate for the purposes of the pro forma financial information disclosed in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements.

Reporting accountants’ responsibility
Our responsibility is to express our limited assurance conclusion on the pro forma financial information included in the Circular to Shareholders. We conducted our assurance engagement in accordance with the International Standard on Assurance Engagements applicable to Assurance Engagements Other Than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information and the Guide on Pro Forma Financial Information issued by SAICA.
This standard requires us to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence on which to base our conclusion.
 
 
148

 
 
We do not accept any responsibility for any reports previously given by us on any financial information used in the compilation of the pro forma financial information beyond that owed to those to whom those reports were addressed by us at the dates of their issue.
 
Sources of information and work performed
Our procedures consisted primarily of comparing the unadjusted financial information with the source documents, considering the pro forma adjustments in light of the accounting policies of Sappi, the issuer, considering the evidence supporting the pro forma adjustments and discussing the adjusted pro forma financial information with the directors of the company in respect of the corporate actions that are the subject of this Circular.
 
In arriving at our conclusion, we have relied upon financial information prepared by the directors of Sappi and other information from various public, financial and industry sources.
 
While our work performed has involved an analysis of the historical published audited financial information and other information provided to us, our assurance engagement does not constitute an audit or review of any of the underlying financial information conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing or International Standards on Review Engagements and accordingly, we do not express an audit or review opinion.
In a limited assurance engagement, the evidence-gathering procedures are more limited than for a reasonable assurance engagement and therefore less assurance is obtained than in a reasonable assurance engagement. We believe our evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our conclusion.
 
Conclusion
Based on our examination of the evidence obtained, nothing has come to our attention, which causes us to believe that, in terms of the section 8.17 and 8.30 of the JSE Listings Requirements:

§
the pro forma financial information has not been properly compiled on the basis stated;
§
such basis is inconsistent with the accounting policies of the issuer; and
§
the adjustments are not appropriate for the purposes of the pro forma financial information as disclosed.

 
149


 
Consent
We consent to the inclusion of this report, which will form part of the Circular, to be issued on or about 10 October 2008, in the form and context in which it will appear.


Deloitte & Touche
Registered Auditors
Per M J Comber
Partner
Deloitte & Touche
Deloitte Place
The Woodlands
20 Woodlands Drive
Woodmead
2196

Date: 6 October 2008”
 
 
150

 
 
ANNEXURE 5
 
MATERIAL LOANS RELATING TO LOANS MADE TO THE SAPPI GROUP
 
Sappi has no debentures and no loan capital.
 
Currency Rate(9)
Interest 
Balance Sheet 
Value as at 31
September, 2007
Security / Cession 
Expiry 
Financial Covenants 
Redeemable bonds
         
           
Public bond (11)  (17)  
USD
Variable(7)
USD486 million(2, 3, 6)
Unsecured 
Jun-12 
No financial covenants 
Public bond (11)   (18) 
USD
Variable(7)
USD237 million(2, 3, 6)
Unsecured 
Jun-32 
No financial covenants 
Town of Skowhegan  USD (12)
Variable(7)
USD32 million(6)
Land and Buildings 
(partially)
Oct-15 
No financial covenants 
Town of Skowhegan  USD (12)
Variable(7)
USD29 million(6)
Land and Buildings 
(partially)
Nov-13 
No financial covenants 
Michigan Strategic Fund &
City of Westbrook
USD (12)
Variable(7)
USD46 million(6)
Land and Buildings 
(partially)
Jan-22 
No financial covenants 
Public bond               ZAR
 (13)  (19)
Fixed
ZAR1,000 million
Unsecured
Jun-13
No financial covenants
Public bond               ZAR
 (13) ( 19)
Fixed
ZAR1,000 million
Unsecured
Oct-11
No financial covenants
Securitisation
Arrangements
         
State Street Bank(10) (14) EUR
Variable 
EUR157 million 
Trade receivables 
Revolving facility 
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
State Street Bank(10) (14)   USD
Variable 
USD74 million 
Trade receivables 
Revolving facility 
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
State Street Bank(10) (14)  USD
Variable 
USD71 million 
Trade receivables 
Revolving facility 
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
Capitalised leases
         
Standard Bank (13)       ZAR
Fixed 
ZAR85 million(1)
Plant and equipment 
Oct-08 
No financial covenants 
Rand Merchant Bank (13) 
ZAR
Fixed 
ZAR170 million(1)
Buildings 
Sep-15 
 No financial covenants 
 
 
151

 
 
Currency Rate(9)
Interest 
Balance Sheet 
Value as at 31
September, 2007
Security / Cession 
Expiry 
Financial Covenants 
Unsecured bank term loans
         
           
Österreichische
Kontrollbank (16)  EUR
Fixed
EUR35 million
(1,2,8)
 
Revolving facility
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
Österreichische
Kontrollbank(15)  EUR
Fixed
EUR398 million
 (2,6,8)
 
Dec-10
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
ABN AMRO (15)  USD
Fixed 
USD21 million 
 
May-09 
No financial covenants 
Österreichische
Kontrollbank (15) USD
Fixed
USD38 million
(2,6,8)
 
Jun-10
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
Syndicated loan agent is:
         
BNP Paribas (16) EUR
Variable 
 
EUR100 million (2,8)
 
Jun-10 
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
BNP Paribas (16) CHF
Variable 
CHF165 million (2,8)
 
Jun-10 
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
 
Nedbank (16) ZAR
Fixed 
ZAR348 million (1)
 
Jan-11 
No financial covenants 
Commerzbank (16) ZAR
Fixed 
ZAR146 million (1)
 
Mar-10 
No financial covenants 
Calyon (16)  ZAR
Variable 
ZAR66 million (1,4)
 
Oct-09 
EBITDA to net interest and net debt to capitalisation(5)
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG (RZB) Bank(15)  EUR
Fixed
EUR10 million
 
Dec-09
No financial covenants
Sanlam Bank (16)  ZAR
 
Fixed 
ZAR107 million 
 
Nov-12 
No financial covenants
 
Sanlam Bank (16)  ZAR
Fixed 
ZAR105 million 
 
Jan-13 
No financial covenants 
 
Sanlam Bank (16)  ZAR
Fixed 
ZAR26 million 
 
Jan-13 
No financial covenants 
 
           

 
(1)
The value outstanding equals the total facility available.
(2)
In terms of the agreement, limitations exist on liens, sale and leaseback transactions and mergers and consolidation. Sappi Limited must maintain a majority holding in Sappi Paper Holding GmbH Group.
(3)
Sappi Papier Holding GmbH, Sappi Limited or Sappi International SA may at any time redeem the June 2012 and 2032 public bonds (the “Securities”) in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed and (ii) a make-whole amount based upon the present values of remaining payments at a rate based upon yields of specified US treasury securities plus 25 basis points, with respect to the 2012 Securities, and 30 basis points, with respect to the 2032 Securities, together with, in each case, accrued interest on the principal amount of the securities to be redeemed to the date of redemption.
 
 
152

 
 
(4)
The financial covenant relates to the financial position of Sappi Manufacturing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sappi Limited.
(5)
Financial covenants relate to the Sappi Limited Group.
(6)
The principal value of the loans/bonds corresponds to the amount of the facility, however, the outstanding amount has been adjusted by the discounts paid upfront and the fair value adjustments relating to hedge accounting.
(7)
Fixed rates have been swapped into variable rates. These swaps are subject to hedge accounting in order to reduce as far as possible the fair value exposure. Changes in fair value of the underlying debt which are attributable to changes in credit spread have been excluded from the hedging relationship.
(8)
A limitation exists on the disposal of assets. Sappi Limited must maintain a majority in Sappi Papier Holding GmbH Group.
(9)
The nature of the variable rates for the group bonds is explained in note 31 to the 2007 financial statements. The nature of the interest rates is determined with reference to the underlying economic hedging instrument.
(10)
Trade receivables have been securitised for the amounts outstanding.
(11)
Refinancing of existing debt.
(12)
Assumed debt relating to prior acquisitions.
(13)
Financing for capital expenditure.
(14)
Accounts receivable securitisation programme.
(15)
Prior acquisition funding.
(16)
Business operations / working capital funding.
(17)
6.75% Guaranteed Note due 2012 of an amount of USD500 million. The bond was entered into on 10 June 2002 by Sappi Papier Holding AG and Sappi International AG, with Sappi Limited as Guarantors.
(18)
7.5% Guaranteed Notes due 2032 of an amount of USD250 million. The bond was entered into by Sappi Papier Holding AG, with Sappi Limited and Sappi International S.A. as Guarantors.
(19)
Domestic Medium Term Notes.



DEBT REPAYMENT SCHEDULE

Debt Repayable within 12 months:
 
Currency
Short-term debt  
(millions)
Repayment of short term debt
Sappi Europe
     
Austria – Various
EUR
1,377
Cash Resources
Belgium – RZB Bond
EUR
4,662
Cash Resources
Belgium – Rabobank
EUR
245
Cash Resources
Belgium – KBC
EUR
544
Cash Resources
       
Sappi Manufacturing
     
RMB – Building
ZAR
832
Cash Resources
FNB – Usutu
ZAR
860
Cash Resources
Calyon Bank
ZAR
6,403
Cash Resources
       
Group Treasury
     
Syndication (Tranche A)
CHF
141,724
Syndicated loan until June 2010. Rolled quarterly
 
 
153


 
Interest-bearing borrowings
 
The table below provides information about Sappi’s non-current borrowings that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents discounted cash flows by expected maturity dates. The average fixed effective interest rates presented below are based on weighted average contract rates applicable to the amount expected to mature in each respective year. Forward looking average variable effective interest rates for the financial years ended September 2007 and thereafter are based on the yield curves for each respective currency as published by Reuters on 30 September 2007. The information is presented in US$, which is the group’s reporting currency.
 
US$ million
 
Expected maturity date
                         
   
2008
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
     
2013+
   
Total carrying value
   
2007
Fair
value
   
2006 Carrying value
   
2006
Fair
value
 
US Dollar
                                                             
 
Fixed rate
    17             38                         55       56       54       44  
Average interest rate (%)
    6.13             4.49                         5.01               4.5          
 
Variable rate (1)(2)
    145                         469       332       946       947       1,071       1,174  
Average interest rate (%)
    4.86                         7.83       7.87       7.39               7.1          
Euro
                                                                               
 
Fixed rate
    128       6       6       570       1       5       716       721       651       673  
Average interest rate (%)
    5.02       5.97       6.13       4.62       2.49       2.46       4.69             4.7        
 
Variable rate (1)(3)
    297                                     297       297       273       273  
Average interest rate (%)
    3.98                                     3.98             3.7        
Rand
                                                                               
 
Fixed rate
    6       7       23       53       149       161       399       408       235       150  
Average interest rate (%)
    9.42       9.56       8.69       8.84       10.65       9.53       9.81             9.6        
 
Variable rate (1)(4)
    36       6       2                         44       44       44       44  
Average interest rate (%)
    9.84       9.86       9.86                         9.84             8.7        
Swiss Franc
                                                                               
 
Variable rate
    142                                     142       142              
Average interest rate (%)
    3.3                                     3.3                    
Total
                                                                               
 
Fixed rate
    151       13       67       623       150       166       1,170       1,184       940       867  
Average interest rate (%)
    5.32       7.93       6.10       4.98       10.57       9.33       6.46             5.9        
 
Variable rate
    620       6       2             469       332       1,429       1,429       1,388       1,491  
Average interest rate (%)
    4.38       9.86       9.86               7.83       7.87       6.36             6.5        
 
Fixed and variable
    771       19       69       623       619       498       2,599       2,613       2,328       2,358  
 
Current portion
                                                    771       764       694       695  
 
Long term portion
                                                    1,828       1,898       1,664       1,695  
 
Total Interest-bearing borrowings
                                                    2,599       2,662       2,328       2,390  
 
 
154


 
The fair value of non-current borrowings is estimated by Sappi based on the rates from market quotations for non-current borrowings with fixed interest rates and on quotations provided by internationally recognised pricing services for notes, exchange debentures and revenue bonds.

The above mentioned fair values do not include Sappi’s own credit risk.  Based on Sappi’s rating as per 30 September 2007 the fair value relating to the fixed rate debt, adjusted with a credit spread for Sappi’s own risk, would amount to a decrease in fair value of US$63.8 million.  The impact would have been equivalent as per September 2006 because Sappi’s rating did not change compared to last year.

(1) 
Includes fixed rate loans where fixed-for-floating rate swap contracts have been used to convert the exposure to floating rates.  Some of the swaps do not cover the full term of loans.
(2) 
The US Dollar floating interest rates is based on the London Inter-bank Offer Rate (LIBOR)
(3) 
The Euro floating interest rates is based on the European Inter-bank Offer Rate (EURIBOR)
(4) 
The Rand floating rates are predominately based on the Johannesburg Inter-bank Asking rate (JIBAR)

The range of interest rates in respect of all non-current borrowings comprising both fixed and floating rate obligations, is between 2.46 % and 10.65 % (depending on currency).   At September 2007, 45 % of Sappi’s non-current borrowings were at fixed rates of interest, and 55 % were at floating rates.  Floating rates of interest are based on LIBOR (London Inter-bank Offered Rate - for USD borrowings), on EURIBOR (European Inter-bank Offered Rate - for Euro denominated borrowings) and on JIBAR (Johannesburg Inter-bank Agreed Rate - for SA borrowings). Fixed rates of interest are based on contract rates.

Sappi’s southern African operations have in the past been particularly vulnerable to adverse changes in short-term domestic interest rates, as a result of the volatility in interest rates in South Africa.   During 2007  however domestic interest rates have increased from 8.5 % to 10.2% for the 3-month JIBAR.

In 2006, Sappi Manufacturing Pty Ltd converted ZAR 1 billion worth of short term funding by raising a bond in the local market under its medium term note program (DMTN). The bonds are repayable in 2013 and bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.34% payable semi-annually.

Sappi Forest Products issued a second tranche of R1bn (SMF2) under its DMTN programme on 25 September 2007.  The bond was issued at a fixed rate of 10.64% maturing 14 October 2011 and was 1½ times oversubscribed.

Interest rate derivatives

Sappi uses interest rate options, caps, swaps and interest rate and currency swaps as a means of managing interest rate risk associated with outstanding debt entered into in the normal course of business.   Sappi does not use these instruments for speculative purposes.   Interest rate derivative financial instruments are subject to hedge accounting, where applicable and as appropriate under International Financial Reporting Standards.

There are four existing US$ interest rate swaps for the total amount of US$750 million converting fixed rates of 6.75% and 7.5% into variable rates and three US$ interest rate swap contracts for the total amount of US$106.6 million, converting US$ fixed interest rates of 5.90%, 7.38% and 6.65% respectively, into 6-month US$ Libor floating rates.  All swaps are subject to hedge accounting in order to reduce as much as possible the fair value exposure. As the critical terms of the swaps match the critical terms of the underlying debt, the hedge is highly effective. Changes in the fair value of the underlying debt, attributable to changes in the credit spread are excluded from the hedging relationship.
 
 
155


 
At September 2007 Sappi had in total seven US$ swap contracts outstanding for a total amount of US$857 million and the swaps had a negative total fair value of US$10 million (2006: seven contracts, total amount US$857 million, negative fair value US$23 million).

At September 2007, Sappi had an interest rate and currency swap  (IRCS) contract outstanding for the amount of US$350 million with a positive fair value of US$136 million.  This swap converts future US$ cash flows into GBP and fixed US$ interest rates into fixed GBP interest rates (2006: US$350 million with a fair value of US$102 million).
 
Instrument
Interest Rate
Maturity date
Nominal value
Fair value *
favourable
(unfavourable)
     
US$ million
US$ million
Interest rate swaps:
6.75% to variable (LIBOR)
June 2012
250
(5)
 
6.75% to variable (LIBOR)
June 2012
200
(6)
 
6.75% to variable (LIBOR)
June 2012
50
(1)
 
7.50% to variable (LIBOR)
June 2012
250
(2)
 
5.90% to variable (LIBOR)
November 2013
28
 
7.38% to variable (LIBOR)
July 2014
44
1
 
6.65% to variable (LIBOR)
October 2014
35
1
         
Interest rate and currency swaps:
US Dollar 6.30% into Pound Sterling 6.66%
December 2009
350
137
         
Total
     
125
* This refers to the carrying value
     

The fair value of interest rate swaps and IRCS is the estimated amount that Sappi would pay or receive to terminate the agreement at the balance sheet date, taking into account current interest rates and the current creditworthiness of the counterparties.
 
 
156


 
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL LOANS OF THE GROUP SUBSEQUENT TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS

 
As a consequence of the proposed transactions, Sappi and its subsidiaries will have the following additional debt:
 
Holder
M-real
Issuer
Sappi Papier Holdings
Nature of debt / loan
Acquired business acquisition funding
Loan amount
€ 250 million
Guarantees
Guaranteed jointly and severally by Sappi, Sappi International SA and Sappi Trading Pulp AG
Security
Unsecured
Guarantor
Sappi, Sappi International and Sappi Trading Pulp
Repayment terms
48 month term, Sappi has the right to repay in tranches of € 10 million, before expiry date
Interest rate
First 6 months 9% per annum
Second 6 months 12% per annum
 
Third 6 months 14% per annum
 
Thereafter 15% per annum
Type of interest rate
Fixed per period stated above
 
 
157


 
 
 
ANNEXURE 6
DETAILS ON THE DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF SAPPI AND ITS MAJOR SUBSIDIARIES

 
DETAILS ON THE DIRECTORS OF SAPPI

 

 
Executive directors of Sappi
 

 

Roeloff (Ralph) Jacobus Boëttger
Chief Executive Officer
Age
47
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Executive Director, Sappi (Chief Executive Officer)
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BAcc Hons, CA (SA)
Experience
At the age of 34 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Safair and the next year appointed to the executive committee of Safmarine Limited. From 1998 until July 2007 he was the Chairman of the Aviation Division with Imperial Holdings Limited following Imperial’s acquisition of Safair and from 2002 he was an Executive Director of Imperial Holdings with responsibility for their local and international logistics operations, the aviation division and the heavy commercial vehicle distribution operations. His field of responsibility encompassed businesses operating in Southern Africa, numerous European countries, the Middle East and Asia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
158

 
 
Directorships in the last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, Ralph Boëttger Farming (Pty) Ltd, Ralph Boëttger Investments (Pty) Ltd, Sappi Forest Products (Pty) Ltd, Sappi Manufacturing (Pty) Limited, Sappi Esus Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, SD Warren Company, SDW Holdings Corporation
Former
ACL Aviation Ltd, Safair (Pty) Ltd, SFCM Aviation (Pty) Limited, Air Contractors (Ireland) Limited, National Airways and Finance Corporation Limited, National Airways Corporation (Pty) Limited, Imperial Group (Pty) Ltd, Tyco Truck Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd, Megafreight Services (Pty) Ltd, Safair Lease Finance (Pty) Ltd, SLF 32632 Operations (Pty) Ltd, SLF/KLM Operations (Pty) Ltd, SLF 32632 Operations (Pty) Ltd, SLF 32633 Operations (Pty) Ltd, Imperial Holdings Limited, SLF 32634 Operations (Pty) Ltd, SLR 32635 Operations (Pty) Ltd, Associated Motor Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Tyco International (Pty) Ltd, BAC Group, Naturelink Charters (Pty), Imperial Commercials
Mark Richard Thompson
 
Age
56
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Executive Director, Sappi (Chief Financial Officer)
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BCom, BAcc, LLB, CA (SA)
Experience
Mr. Thompson joined Sappi in 1999 as Group Corporate Counsel and was appointed to his present position in August 2006 when he was also appointed to the Board of Sappi. Prior to joining Sappi, he was Group Treasurer at Anglo American, Managing Director of Discount House Merchant Bank and previously Head of Corporate Finance Division of Senbank.
 
 
159

 
 
Directorships in the last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, Sappi Management Services (Pty) Limited, Sappi Fine Paper (Pty) Ltd, Sappi Papier Holding GmbH (Austria) Sappi Holding GmbH (Austria) Sappi Share Facilitation Company (Pty) Limited, The Discount House Group Limited, Marshand Nominees (Pty) Limited, Lidham Investments (Pty) Ltd, Lignin Insurance Co Ltd, PTI Leasing Limited (Mauritius), Pulp Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Sappi Esus Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Sappi Forest Products (Pty) Ltd, Sappi Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd, Sappi International SA, Sappi Trading Hong Kong Limited, Sappi Trading Arica (Pty) Limited, SD Warren Company, SDW Holdings Corp.
Former
Alex White Holdings Limited

 
Non-executive directors of Sappi

 
Daniël (Danie) Christiaan Cronje
Chairman
Age
62
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Director of companies
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BCom(Hons), MCom, DCom
Experience
Dr Cronjé retired in July 2007 as Chairman of both ABSA Group Ltd and ABSA Bank Ltd, a leading South African banking organisation in which Barclays plc obtained a majority share in 2005. He had been with the ABSA group since 1975 and held various executive positions including Group Chief Executive for 4 years and Chairman for 10 years. Prior to that Dr Cronje was a Lecturer in Money and Banking at Potchefstroom University.
Directorships in the last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, Dagbreek Trust, Danhurt Beleggings (Edms) Bpk, Eqstra Holdings Ltd, Stand 53 Leopard Creek (Pty) Ltd TSB Sugar Holdings Ltd, Worldwide Fund for Nature.
Former
ABSA Group Ltd, ABSA Bank Ltd, Barclays PLC, Barclays Bank PLC, KWV Holdings Limited, Sage Group Limited.
 
 
 
160

 
   
David Charles Brink
 
Age
69
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Director of companies
Nationality
South African
Qualification
MSc Eng (Mining), DCom (hc), Graduate Diploma (Company Direction)
Experience
Mr. Brink was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Sappi Limited in March 1994 and in March 2006 he was appointed senior independent director.
Directorships in last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, See Ahead Investments (Pty) Limited, Steinhoff International Holdings Ltd, The Business Trust, Absa Bank Limited, Absa Group Limited, National Business Initiative, Business Trust.
Former
BHP Billiton Ltd, BHP Billiton Plc, Sanlam Limited, Unitrans Limited, Murray & Roberts Limited.
Prof. Meyer Feldberg
 
Age
66
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Senior Advisor, Morgan Stanley (Investment Banking Division, New York)
Nationality
American
Qualification
BA, MBA, PhD
Experience
Professor Feldberg's career has included teaching and leadership positions in the business schools of the universities of Cape Town, Northwestern and Tulane. He served as President of Illinois Institute of Technology for three years and as Dean of Columbia Business School for fifteen years. He is currently Dean Emeritus and Professor of Leadership at Columbia Business School. He is also a Senior Advisor to Morgan Stanley in New York. Professor Feldberg serves on the Advisory Board of the British American Business Council and has served on the Council of Competitiveness in Washington, DC. In 2001, the International Centre in New York honoured Professor Feldberg as a distinguished foreign-born American who has made a significant contribution to American life. In 2007 Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed him president of New York City Global Partners. 
 
 
161

 
 
Directorships in last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, Macy’s Inc, UBS Global Asset Management, Primedia,  Revlon, Private Partnership – Advisory Board Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Former
Select Medical Corporation
 
James Edward Healey
 
Age
67
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
 
Occupation
Director of companies
Nationality
American
Qualification
BSc (Public Accounting), Honorary Doctor (Commercial Science), Certified Public Accountant (USA)
Experience
He has held various senior financial positions in a career spanning 37 years. In 1995, Mr. Healey became Vice President and Treasurer of Bestfoods, formerly CPC International Inc. In 1997 he became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nabisco Holdings Inc, one of the world’s largest snack food manufacturers, a position from which he retired at the end of 2000.
 
Directorships in last five years
Current
Marcal paper Mills Inc, Sappi Limited, St Joseph’s Health Care System, Pace University, Pascack Mental Health Centre, United Way of Bergen County, NJ
Former
Interchange Financial Services Corp, 3D Risk Solutions Inc.
 
Deenadayalen (Len) Konar
 
Age
54
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
 
Occupation
Director of companies
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BCom, MAS, DCom, CA (SA)
Experience
Previously Professor and Head of the Department of Accountancy at the University of Durban-Westville, he is a member of the King Committee on Corporate Governance, the Securities Regulation Panel and the Institute of Directors.
 
 
162

 
 
Directorships in last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, Accounting Standards Board, Alexander Forbes Equity Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Automobile Association of South Africa, CIC Energy Corp, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Exxaro Resources Limited (Previously Kumba Resources Ltd), Illovo Sugar Limited, J D Group Limited, Makalani Holdings Limited, Macsteel Service Centres SA 2005 (Pty) Ltd, Mustek Limited, Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Ltd, Old Mutual Life Holdings (South Africa) Ltd, Outsourced Risk and Compliance Assessment (Pty) Ltd, Securities Regulation Panel, Sentech Limited, Steinhoff International Holdings Limited, The National Horseracing Authority
Former
Mutual and Federal Insurance Company Limited, Kersaf Limited, Sun International Limited, South African Airways (Pty) Ltd
 
Helmut Claus-Jurgen Mamsch
 
Age
63
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
 
Occupation
Director of companies
Nationality
German
Qualification
Studied Economics at Deutsche Aussenhandels-und-Verkehrs-Akademie, Bremen
 
Experience
Mr. Mamsch studied economics at Deutsche Aussenhandels-und-Verkehrs-Akademie, Bremen and also received training in business administration and shipping in Germany, the United Kingdom and Belgium. He worked for 20 years in international trade and shipping. In 1989 he joined VEBA AG (now E ON AG), Germany’s largest utility-based conglomerate. From 1993 to 2000 he was a VEBA AG management board member and as from 1998 responsible for their US electronic businesses and their Corporate Strategy and Development. In 1997 he joined Logica as a Non-Executive Director and until 2007 was appointed their Deputy Chairman.
 
Directorships in last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, Electrocomponents plc, GKN plc
Former
LogicaCMG plc,
K+S Aktiengesellschaft, RMC Group plc
 
 
163

 
   
John David McKenzie
 
Age
61
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Consultant
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BSc Chemical Engineering, MA
Experience
Mr. McKenzie joined the Sappi Board after having held senior executive positions globally and in South Africa. He is a former President for Asia, Middle East and Africa Downstream of the Chevron Texaco Corporation and also served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Caltex Corporation.
Directorships in last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, Accelerate Cape Town
Former
Sondela (Pty) Ltd Singapore, US-Asean Business Council, Singapore Economic Development Board, Singapore Training and Development Association, INSEAD Singapore, National University of Singapore Business School, Nanyang Technological University Business School, American Chamber of Commerce, RSA-Singapore Business Association, Chevron Trading Pte. Ltd, Chevron Global Energy Inc. GS Caltex Corporation, Texaco Overseas Holdings Inc.
 
Karen Rohn Osar
 
Age
59
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Director of companies
Nationality
American
Qualification
MBA, Finance
Experience
Ms. Osar was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of speciality chemicals company Chemtura Corporation until her retirement in March 2007. Prior to that, she held various senior management and board positions in her career. She was Vice President and Treasurer for Tenneco Inc and also served as Chief Financial Officer of Westvaco Corporation and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the merged MeadWestvaco Corporation. Prior to those appointments she spent 19 years at JP Morgan & Company, becoming a Managing Director of the Investment Banking Group.
Sappi Limited, BNY Hamilton Funds, Webster Financial Corporation, Innophos Inc.
 
 
164

 
 
Directorships in last five years
Former
Allergan Inc., AGL Resources Inc., Encore  Medical
Bridgette Radebe
 
Age
48
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Founder and Executive Chairperson of Mmakau Mining
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BA (Pol Sc and Socio)
Experience
Ms. Radebe was the first black South African deep level hard rock mining entrepreneur in the late 1980s. She has more than a decade of experience in contract mining, mining construction and mergers and acquisitions.
Directorships in last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, Mmakau Mining (Pty) Ltd, Capstone 615 (Pty) Limited, Eureka Gold, Dorstfontein Coal Mines (Pty) Limited, Mmakau Coal (Pty) Limited, Kianga Financial Services and Investments (Pty) Limited, Madibeng Platinum (Pty) Limited, Minerals and Mining Development Board, Mmakau Investments (Pty) Limited, MOTY Capital Partners Consortium (Pty) Limited, New Africa Mining Fund, Sayora Minerals (Pty) Limited, Shaftsinkers (Pty) Limited, South African Mining Development Association, South African Tourism Board, Tumelo Coal Mines (Pty) Limited.
Former
NIL
Sir Anthony Nigel Russell Rudd
 
Age
61
Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Director of companies
Nationality
British
Qualification
Bachelor’s Degree
 
 
165

 
 
Experience
Sir Nigel Rudd joined the Sappi Board in April 2006. He has held various senior management and board positions in a career spanning more than 35 years. He founded Williams plc in 1982 and the Company went on to become one of the largest industrial holding companies in the United Kingdom. He was Non-Executive Chairman of Pilkington plc from August 1994 to June 2006. He was knighted by the Queen for services to the manufacturing industry in 1996 and holds honorary doctorates at both Loughborough and Derby Universities. In 1995 he was awarded the Founding Societies Centenary Award by the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire and a Freeman of the City of London.
 
Directorships in last five years
Current
BAA Limited, BAE Systems plc, Sappi Ltd, Barclays PLC, Barclays Bank PLC, Pendragon PLC, Coleman Investments Limited, Rother House Finance Limited,
Former
Alliance Boots plc (formerly Boots Group plc),Pilkington Group, Bridgewell, Kidde plc, The Boots Company plc
 
Franklin Abraham Sonn
 
Age
68
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Director of companies
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BA Hons, HdipEd
Experience
Former Rector of Peninsula Technikon for 17 years and was appointed democratic South Africa’s first ambassador to the United States
 
 
166

 
Directorships in last five years
Current
Sappi Limited, ABSA Group Ltd, Pioneer Food Group (Pty) Ltd, RGA Reinsurance Co of SA, RGA SA Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Kwezi V3 Engineers (Pty) Ltd, Metropolitan Holdings Ltd, Airports Company of South Africa Ltd, Macsteel Services Centres Sa (Pty) Ltd, JIA Piazza (Pty) Ltd, Future Africa Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Steinhoff International Holdings Ltd, African Star Investments (Pty) Ltd, African Star Ventures (Pty) Ltd, Cape Star Investments (Pty) Ltd, Ekapa Mining (Pty) Ltd, Esor Limited, Superstone Mining (Pty) Ltd, Montebello Design Centre, Angel Capital (Pty) Ltd, Keypunch Properties 170 (Pty) Ltd, Notae Resorts (Pty) Ltd, Imalivest (Pty) Ltd, Xinergistix Ltd, Franschhoek Country Club Estate
Former
Future Africa Trading (Pty) Ltd, Celcom Group (Pty) Ltd, Soltex (Pty) Ltd, School Education Services Network (Pty) Ltd, Western Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd, WPK Landbou Beperk, WPK Beleggings Beperk, WPK Genomineerdes (Edms) Beperk, Capespan Group Holdings Ltd, KWV Limited, Safmarine (Pty) Ltd
 

 
 
 

 
167

 

Senior Management

 
Mark Gardner
 
Age
53
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
 
Occupation
Chief Executive Officer: Sappi Fine Paper North America
Nationality
American
Qualification
BSc
Experience
Mark Gardner joined Sappi in 1981. Prior to accepting the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark held the roles of Vice President Manufacturing and Vice President, Supply Chain.   He has also worked in a variety of production management roles, including Production Manager at the Westbrook Mill, Paper Mill Manager at the Somerset Mill, Managing Director at the Muskegon Mill and Director of Engineering and Manufacturing Technology position at the regional head office in Boston. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Industrial Technology from the University of Southern Maine.
 
 
Robert Darsie Hope
 
Age
56
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Group Head Strategic Development
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BA (Hons) Economics, MRICS,
Experience
Since joining Sappi in 1976, Robert Hope has held a number of management roles including General Manager of Sappi Sawmills, Managing Director of Sappi Trading and is currently Group Head Strategic Development.
 
Jan Harm Labuschagne
 
Age
48
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Chief Executive Officer: Sappi Southern Africa
Nationality
South African
Qualification
B.Com (Hon), CA (SA)
 
 
168

 
 
Experience
Jan joined Sappi in 1992 as Divisional Financial Controller.  In 1996, he was appointed as Financial Director of the Timber Industries Division.  Subsequent to Sappi’s acquisition of the KNP Leykam in Europe, he was seconded to the newly formed European head office in Brussels as Director Accounting. In 2002 he was appointed as Financial Director of Sappi Forest Products operations.  He was appointed to his current position in January 2007.  Jan was appointed a Board member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2006, and is Chairman of their Commerce and Industry Committee and a member of their Audit Committee and the Enterprise and Socio Economic Development Committee.
 
Andrea Rossi
 
Age
55
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Group Head Technology
Nationality
Italian
Qualification
B Sc Eng.(Hon), C.Eng
Experience
Andrea Rossi joined Sappi in 1989. Prior to accepting the position of Group Head Technology, Andrea held the roles of Project Director of the  Sappi Saiccor Amakhulu Expansion project, Strategic Projects Director of  Sappi  Forest Products, Sappi Kraft Manufacturing Director, Managing Director Sappi Forests, General Manager Enstra Mill, Project Director Enstra Mill expansion, Project Manager for the Sappi Saiccor Mkomazi Expansion and Engineering Services for Sappi Management Services.  
Lucia Adele Swartz
 
Age
51
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Group Head Human Resources
Nationality
South African
Qualification
Dip HR, B.A
 
 
169

 
 
Experience
Lucia joined Sappi in May 2002.  Prior to joining Sappi she worked for the Seagram Spirits and Wine Group in New York as Human Resources Director, Global Functions based in New York.  She holds a BA in Psychology and Geography from the University of the Western Cape and a Diploma in Human Resources from the Peninsula Technikon.  Lucia serves as a Non-Executive Director for New Clicks Holdings Limited, a JSE listed retail company.
 
Alexander van Coller Thiel
 
Age
47
Business Address
Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation
Integration Executive
Nationality
South African
Qualification
BSc, Mechanical Engineering and an MBA
Experience
Alex joined Sappi in December 1989 as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Chairman in Johannesburg. In April 1993, as part of Sappi’s expansion into Europe, he moved to Brussels as the Administration Manager reporting to the Managing Director of Sappi Europe. With the creation of Sappi Fine Paper Europe he was appointed in February 1998 as Manager Marketing Intelligence, reporting to the Sales and Marketing Director. In January 2003 he became the Director Logistics for SFPE, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of SFPE.
He was appointed as Group Head Procurement in January 2008.
 
Berend (Berry) John Wiersum
 
Age
53
Business Address
Sappi Offices, Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein
Occupation
Chief Executive Officer: Sappi Fine Paper Europe
Nationality
British
Qualification
MA
 
 
170

 
 
Experience
Berry Wiersum joined Sappi in January 2007 as Chief Executive Officer Sappi Fine Paper Europe.  Prior to joining Sappi, Berry was a freelance mergers and acquisitions consultant for one year.  He previously was Managing Director Kappa Packaging and member of the management board in Eindhoven (The Netherlands).  He holds a masters degree in medieval & modern history from St. Andrews University Scotland.
 
 
 
 
 
171

 
 
DETAILS OF MAJOR SUBSIDIARIES
Name
Share capital
Registration Number
% Held
Year Acquired
Country of Incorporation
Nature of Business
Southern Africa
           
Sappi Management Services (Pty) Ltd
ZAR100
1989/001134/07
100
1989
South Africa
Management services
Sappi Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd
ZAR12,026,250
1951/003180/07
100
1951
South Africa
Pulp and paper manufacturer and forestry operations
Sappi Share Facilitation Company (Pty) Ltd
ZAR1,000
1998/015629/07
100
1998
South Africa
Treasury shares
Usutu Pulp Company Ltd
SZL10,000,000
35/1959
100
1990
Swaziland
Pulp manufacturer and forestry operations.
America
           
S.D. Warren Company
USD1,000
N/A
100
1994
United States
Pulp and paper manufacturer
Sappi Cloquet LLC
N/A
N/A
100
2002
United States
Pulp and paper manufacturer
Europe
           
Sappi Alfeld GmbH
EUR31,200,000
HR B 110356
100
1992
Germany
Pulp and paper manufacturer
Sappi Austria Produktions GmbH and CoKG
EUR35,000
FN 223882 p
100
1997
Austria
Pulp and paper manufacturer
Sappi Deutschland GmbH
EUR25 565
HR B 59586
100
1992
Germany
Sales and marketing
Sappi Ehingen GmbH
EUR20,800,000
HR B 490647
100
1992
Germany
Pulp and paper manufacturer
Sappi Esus Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH
EUR1,000,000
FN 261911 p
100
2005
Austria
Holding company
Sappi Europe SA
EUR15,130,751
0449654386
100
1994
Belgium
European head office
Sappi Holding GmbH
EUR72,700
FN 165965 t
100
1997
Austria
Holding company
Sappi International SA
EUR1,220,621,000
BE 0449887582
100
1993
Belgium
Treasury
Sappi Lanaken NV
EUR51,377,000
0420732352
100
1997
Belgium
Paper manufacturer
Sappi Lanaken Press Paper NV
EUR57,179,613
0426966779
100
1997
Belgium
Pulp and paper manufacturer
Sappi Maastricht BV
EUR31,992
14631722  
100
1997
Netherlands
Paper manufacturer
Sappi Nijmegen BV
EUR59,037
10041104 
100
1997
Netherlands
Paper manufacturer
Sappi Papier Holding GmbH
EUR72,700
FN 167931 h
100
1997
Austria
Pulp and paper manufacturer; Treasury and holding company
Sappi Trading Pulp AG
CHF100,000
CH-020.3.927.008-6
100
1987
Switzerland
Sales and marketing
Sappisure Försäkrings AB
EUR 3.300.000
516406-0583
100
2007
Sweden
Captive Insurance company

 
172

 
 
ANNEXURE 7
 
DETAILS ON THE SAPPI SHARE OPTIONS
 
The following table sets out the number of share options outstanding at September 2008, excluding the trust shares:

   
Number of shares at 25 September 2008
 
Vesting conditions
 
Expiry date
 
Exercise price
ZAR
                 
14 December 1998
 
48,300
 
Time
 
14 December 2008
 
22.10
03 February 1999
 
1,000
 
Time
 
03 February 2009
 
22.35
15 January 2001
 
214,600
 
Time
 
15 January 2009
 
49.00
4 February 2002
 
7,000
 
Time
 
04 February 2010
 
131.40
28 March 2002
 
623,000
 
Time
 
28 March 2010
 
147.20
13 February 2003
 
743,800
 
Time
 
13 February 2011
 
112.83
30 December 2003
 
150,250
 
Time
 
30 December 2011
 
79.25
14 January 2004
 
630,700
 
Time
 
14 January 2012
 
79.25
25 March 2004
 
1,000
 
Time
 
25 March 2012
 
86.60
13 December 2004
 
1,029,500
 
Time
 
13 December 2012
 
78.00
13 December 2004
 
148,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
13 December 2005
 
1,413,800
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
08 August 2006
 
50,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
15 January 2007
 
5,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
15 January 2007
 
5,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
15 January 2007
 
5,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
29 January 2007
 
50,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
31 May 2007
 
1,419,300
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
02 July 2007
 
100,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
10 September 2007
 
10,000
 
Time
 
N/A
 
10 September 2007
 
25,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
12 December 2007
 
610,600
 
Time
 
12 December 2015
 
91.32
12 December 2007
 
525,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
19 March 2008
 
279,200
 
Time
 
19 March 2016
 
98.80
19 March 2008
 
205,000
 
Performance
 
N/A
 
   
8,300,050
           
 
 
173

 
 
 
Sappi Limited
 
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

All terms defined in the “Definitions, Interpretations and Other Information” section of the circular to which this notice of general meeting is attached shall have the same meaning in this notice of general meeting unless otherwise stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a general meeting of the shareholders of the Company will be held at the registered office of the Company, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa at 15:00 on 3 November 2008, to consider and if deemed fit, to pass the following special and ordinary resolutions with or without modification in the manner required by the Companies Act, No. 61 of 1973, as amended (the “Companies Act”) and subject to the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited.

ORDINARY RESOLUTION NUMBER 1
Acquisition of M-real’s Acquired Business and authority to issue shares under the Master Agreement

“RESOLVED THAT:

(a)  
the proposed acquisition by the Company of the business and assets being acquired from M-real in terms of the Master Agreement and other Transaction Agreements, as referred to in the Company’s circular to shareholders dated 10 October 2008 (the “Circular”), to which a copy of this notice of general meeting is attached, be and is hereby approved; and

(b)  
the directors of the Company are hereby authorised, as a specific authority in terms of S221 of the Companies Act, to allot and issue the Settlement Shares on all of the terms and conditions of the Master Agreement as and when the Company becomes obliged to issue them in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Master Agreement, a copy of which has been made available for inspection at the registered office of the Company during normal office hours from 08:00 to 16:30.”

 
174


 
SPECIAL RESOLUTION NUMBER 1
Increase in authorised share capital

“RESOLVED THAT, the authorised ordinary share capital of the Company be and is hereby increased from R325,000,000, comprising 325,000,000 ordinary shares of R1.00 each, to R1,325,000,000, comprising 1,325,000,000 ordinary shares of R1.00 each, by the creation of 1,000,000,000 new ordinary shares of R1.00 each.”

The reason for special resolution number 1 is to increase the authorised share capital of the Company so as to provide the Company with sufficient authorised shares to enable it, inter alia, to (a) conduct the Rights Offering (as defined and described in the Circular); and (b) issue the unissued shares required to be issued by Sappi in terms of the Master Agreement.  The effect of passing special resolution number 1 will be to increase the authorised share capital of the Company by R1,000,000,000 by the creation of 1,000,000,000 new ordinary shares having a par value of R1.00 each.

Explanatory Note to Special Resolution Number 1:

Sappi wishes to increase its share capital by such number of shares as the director of Sappi believe is necessary to give the Company sufficient flexibility to make the Rights Offering at a price which will, in the circumstances prevailing at the time at which that price is determined, be appropriate.


ORDINARY RESOLUTION NUMBER 2
Resolution placing unissued shares under Directors’ control for Rights Offering

“RESOLVED THAT:

(a)  
subject to the passing of ordinary resolution number 1 above, all of the authorised but unissued ordinary shares in the capital of the Company, including those created pursuant to special resolution number 1 above if it is passed and duly registered, and excluding those which will be subject to the directors’ specific authority pursuant to ordinary resolution number 1 above if it is passed, be and are hereby placed under the control of the directors of the Company with a general authority to allot and issue all or part of them, in their discretion, in terms of section 221 of the Companies Act, pursuant to the Rights Offering; and
 
 
175


 
(b)  
subject always to the provisions of Article 6 of the Company’s Articles of Association, the payment by the Company of commission, whether in the form of cash, Sappi Shares or other equity linked instruments, on such terms and conditions as the directors, in their discretion, may decide, to the underwriters of the Rights Offering, be and is hereby authorised as required in terms of Article 6 of the Company’s Articles of Association.”


ORDINARY RESOLUTION NUMBER 3
Waiver of Mandatory Offer

“RESOLVED THAT, subject to the passing of ordinary resolution number 1, the passing and registration of special resolution number 1 and the passing of ordinary resolution number 2, a waiver of any obligation, which might otherwise arise on the part of any underwriters appointed by the Company for the Rights Offering (the “Underwriters”) to make a mandatory offer in accordance with the requirements of Rule 8.1 of the Securities Regulation Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Code”), if the Underwriters become obliged, in terms of their obligation to underwrite the Rights Offering, to acquire enough Sappi Shares for the acquisition to be an “affected transaction” in terms of the Code, be and is approved.”

It is a requirement of the Code that this resolution be passed by a majority of independent votes cast, being the votes cast by persons other than the Underwriters and any person acting in concert (as defined in the Code) with either of the Underwriters.
 
 
176

 
 
Explanatory Note to Ordinary Resolution Number 3

If, as a result of the implementation of the Rights Offering and the underwriting of the Rights Offering, one or more of the Underwriters acquire a sufficient number of Sappi Shares for an affected transaction in terms of the Code to have occurred, a mandatory offer may have to be made to all the Shareholders pursuant to the requirements of Rule 8 of the Code.  Accordingly, the Shareholders are requested to pass a resolution approving of a waiver of their rights to a mandatory offer being made by the Underwriters in those circumstances.

Each shareholder is entitled to appoint one or more proxies (who need not be a member of the Company) to attend, speak and on a poll, to vote in his stead.

By order of the board

Sappi Management Services (Proprietary) Limited
Company Secretary

10 October 2008
 
 
177

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
178

 
 
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1936/008963/06
JSE share code: SAP ISIN: ZAE000006284
 (“Sappi” or “the Company”)
 
 

 
FORM OF PROXY FOR SAPPI SHAREHOLDERS

 
For use at the general meeting to be held at 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa at 15:00 on 3 November 2008.

Only for use by shareholders who have not dematerialised their Sappi shares or who have dematerialised their Sappi shares with own name registration or who are nominees of a Central Securities Depository Participant (“CSDP”) or brokers on the sub-registers of the Company.

Shareholders who have dematerialised their Sappi shares with a CSDP or broker, other than own name registration, must arrange with the CSDP or broker concerned to provide them with the necessary authorisation to attend the general meeting or the shareholders concerned must instruct their CSDP or broker as to how they wish to vote in this regard.  This must be done in terms of the custody agreement entered into between the shareholder and the CSDP or broker concerned.

A separate form of direction is attached for holders of Depository Interests with CREST to complete.

I/We (full names in BLOCK LETTERS)
of (address in BLOCK LETTERS)
Telephone (work) (     )
 
  Telephone (home) (     )
     
being the registered holder/s of
 
 
  ordinary shares in the Company, appoint (see note 1)
1.
 
or failing him/her,
2.
 
or failing him/her,
3.   the Chairman of the general meeting.
   
 
 
As my/our proxy to act on my/our behalf at the general meeting which will be held for the purpose of considering, and if deemed fit, passing with or without modification, the special and ordinary resolutions to be proposed thereat and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, and to vote for and/or against such resolutions and/or abstain from voting in respect of the ordinary shares registered in my/our name/s, in accordance with the following instructions (see note 2):

 

 
 
 
Insert the number of votes exercisable
(one vote per share)
 
For
Against
Abstain
Ordinary resolution number 1               Acquisition of M-real’s Acquired Business and authority to issue shares under the Master Agreement
     
Special resolution number 1
Increase in authorised share capital
     
Ordinary resolution number 2
Resolution placing unissued shares under Directors’ control for Rights Offering
     
Ordinary resolution number 3
Waiver of Mandatory Offer
     
Please indicate instructions to proxy in the space provided above the insertion therein of the relevant number of ordinary shares in the Company.
Each shareholder is entitled to appoint one or more proxies (who need not be a shareholder of the Company) to attend, speak and vote in place of that shareholder at the general meeting.  Proxies must be lodged at the office of the transfer secretaries of the Company at Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107, South Africa, or Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited at 12 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT, Channel Islands not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the general meeting.
Signed at
On
 
2008.
Signature(s)
Assisted by me (where applicable)
 
Please read the notes below
     
 
Notes:

1.  
A shareholder’s instructions to the proxy must be indicated by the insertion of the relevant number of shares held by that shareholder in the appropriate box provided.  Failure to comply with the above will be deemed to authorise the proxy to vote or to abstain from voting at the general meeting as he/she deems fit in respect of all the shareholder’s votes exercisable thereat.  A shareholder or the proxy is not obliged to use all the votes exercisable by the shareholder or by the proxy, but the total votes cast and in respect of which abstention is recorded may not exceed the total of the votes exercisable by the shareholder or by the proxy.

2.  
Should a shareholder only want to vote in respect of some of the shares held by it, it should indicate its instructions in this regard by inserting only the number of shares held by that shareholder in respect of which it wants to vote in the appropriate box.

3.  
Forms of proxy must be lodged with or posted to the Company’s transfer office, at Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107, South Africa or at Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited 12 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT, Channel Islands, to reach them by no later than 48 hours before the time appointed for the general meeting at 15:00 (South Africa) on  3 November 2008 or, if in respect of an adjournment of the general meeting, not less than 48 hours before the resumption of that general meeting should it be adjourned.

4.  
The completion and lodging of this form of proxy by certificated shareholders and shareholders who have dematerialised their shares and who have elected own-name registration through a CSDP, will not preclude the relevant shareholder from attending the general meeting and speaking and voting in person thereat to the exclusion of any proxy appointed in terms thereof.  Shareholders who have dematerialised their shares and who have not elected own-name registration through a CSDP or broker, who wish to attend the general meeting, must instruct their CSDP or broker to issue them with the necessary authority to attend.

5.  
Documentary evidence establishing the authority of a person signing this form of proxy in a representative capacity (e.g. on behalf of a company, close corporation, trust, pension fund, deceased estate, etc.) must be attached to this form of proxy, unless previously recorded by the Company or waived by the Company at the general meeting.

6.  
Any alteration or correction made to this form of proxy must be initialled by the signatory/ies.

7.  
The chairman of the general meeting may reject or accept any form of proxy, which is completed and/or received, other than in compliance with these notes, in the Chairman’s discretion.

8.  
A minor must be assisted by his/her parent or guardian, unless the relevant documents establishing his/her capacity are produced or have been registered by the Company.

9.  
Where there are joint holders of shares:
   
  
any one holder may sign this form of proxy; and
     
  
if more than one joint holder of a share is present at the general meeting, either personally or by proxy, the vote of the joint holder who tenders a vote and whose name stands in the register before the other joint holders who are present in person or by proxy, will be accepted.

 

 
 


FORM OF DIRECTION FOR HOLDERS OF DEPOSITORY INTERESTS


 

Sappi Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa with registration number 1936/008963/06)

“Issuer Company”


Form of Direction


Form of direction for completion by holders of Depository Interests representing shares on a one for one basis in the Issuer Company in respect of the General Meeting of the Issuer Company at 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa at 15:00 (South Africa) on 3 November 2008.


I/We (full names in BLOCK LETTERS)
of (address in BLOCK LETTERS)
being a holder of Depository Interest representing shares in the Issuer Company hereby instruct Capita IRG Trustees Limited, the Depository, to vote for me/us and on my/our behalf in person or by proxy at the General Meeting of the Issuer Company to be held on the above date (and at any adjournment thereof) as directed by an X in the spaces below.
 

Please indicate with an “X” in the spaces below how you wish your vote to be cast.  If no indication is given, you will be deemed as instructing the Depository to abstain from voting.
 

 
For
Against
Abstain
Ordinary resolution number 1                Acquisition of M-real’s Acquired Business and authority to issue shares under the Transaction Agreements
     
Special resolution number 1       Increase in authorised share capital
     
Ordinary resolution number 2                Resolution placing unissued shares under Directors’ control for Rights Offering
     
Ordinary resolution number 3                   Waiver of Mandatory Offer
     

Signed at        
on
 
2008.
Signature(s)  Assisted by me (where applicable)     
 
Notes:

1.  
To be effective, this form of direction and the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a notarially or otherwise certified copy of such power of authority, must be deposited at Capita Registrars, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Ken BR3 4TU not later than 72 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting.

2.  
Any alterations made to this form of direction should be initialled.

3.  
In the case of a corporation this form of direction should be given under its Common Seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised in writing.

4.  
Please indicate how you wish your votes to be cast by placing an “X” in the box provided.  On receipt of this form duly signed, you will be deemed to have authorised Capita IRG Trustees Limited to vote, or to abstain from voting, as per your instructions.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
182

 
 
 
 
 

 (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1936/008963/06
JSE share code: SAP ISIN: ZAE000006284
 (“Sappi or “the Company”)



REVISED LISTING PARTICULARS
(Issued in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements)

 
The “Corporate Information” section on page 4 of this Circular and the “Definitions, Interpretations and Other Information” section commencing on page 12 of this Circular apply mutatis mutandis to these revised listing particulars.
 
These revised listing particulars have been prepared on the assumption that the special and ordinary resolutions proposed in the notice of general meeting forming part of the Circular, dated 10 October 2008, to which these revised listing particulars are attached, will be approved at the general meeting of Sappi shareholders to be held at 15:00 on 3 November 2008 at the registered offices of Sappi (Sappi Offices, 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa) and, where applicable, registered by the Registrar and that the proposed transactions will have been implemented.
 
These revised listing particulars do not constitute an invitation to the public to subscribe for shares in the Company, but are issued in compliance with the Listings Requirements for the purposes of providing information to the public with regard to Sappi after the implementation of the proposed transactions.
 
The directors of Sappi whose names appear on page 4 of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars are attached, collectively and individually, accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information given in these revised listing particulars and certify that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, there are no facts the omission of which would make any statement in these revised listing particulars false or misleading and that they have made all reasonable inquiries to ascertain such facts and that these revised listing particulars contains all information required in law and by the Listings Requirements.

 
183

 
 
Morgan Stanley South Africa (Pty) Ltd, which is regulated in terms of the Listings Requirements, is acting for Sappi and no one else in relation to the preparation of these revised listing particulars and will not be responsible to anyone other than Sappi in relation to the preparation of these revised listing particulars.
 
 
   
Financial advisor and Transaction Sponsor to Sappi
Reporting accountants in respect of Sappi
 
 
 
South African legal advisor to Sappi
U.S. legal advisor to Sappi
 
 
 
U.K. legal advisor to Sappi
 
 
 
   

 

 
Date of issue: 10 October 2008
 
 

184



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
REVISED LISTING PARTICULARS
 
1. Introduction
186
2. Background Information on Sappi
186
3. Pro forma Financial Effects of the Proposed Transactions
188
4. Share capital of Sappi
188
5. Major Shareholders of Sappi
190
6. Information Relating to the Directors of Sappi
191
7. Sappi Share Trading History
193
8. Subsidiary Companies of Sappi
194
9. Dividends
194
10. Transaction-related Fees, Commissions, Interests and Costs
194
11. Preliminary and Issue expenses
195
12. Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilities of Sappi
195
13. Material Contracts Entered Into by Sappi
195
14. Material Acquisitions and Disposals by Sappi
195
15. Material Vendors
197
16. Principal Immovable Properties Owned and Leased by Sappi
197
17. Material Changes relating to Sappi
197
18. Government Protection and Encouragement Law
197
19. Litigation Statement Relating to Sappi
197
20. Corporate Governance of Sappi
197
21. Working Capital Statement
198
22. Directors’ Responsibility Statement
198
23. Consents
198
24. Costs
198
25. Documents Available for Inspection
198
Annexure A   Trading History of Sappi Shares on the JSE
199
Annexure B    Principal Immovable properties Owned and Leased by Sappi
201
Annexure C   Appointment, Qualification, Remuneration and Borrowing Powers of directors
203
Annexure D   Corporate governance of Sappi
208
Annexure E   Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
217

 
185

 

 


 
 (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1936/008963/06
JSE share code: SAP  ISIN: ZAE000006284
 (“Sappi or “the company”)
 


 
REVISED LISTING PARTICULARS

 
1.      INTRODUCTION
 
As the Rights Offering, the issue of shares in terms of the Transaction Agreements and the possible issue of shares for cash may result in an issue of new Sappi Shares which will increase Sappi’s issued share capital by more than 25%, Sappi is required to provide that information which must be disclosed in terms of a pre-listing statement.
 
These revised listing particulars have been prepared on the assumption that the special and ordinary resolutions proposed in the notice of general meeting forming part of the Circular, dated 10 October 2008, to which these revised listing particulars are attached, will be approved at the general meeting of Shareholders to be held on 3 November 2008 and, where applicable, registered by the Registrar and that the proposed transactions will have been implemented.

 
2.      BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SAPPI
 
2.1         Incorporation
 
Sappi was founded and incorporated in 1936 in South Africa. Sappi currently has its primary listing on the JSE Limited (formerly the Johannesburg Stock Exchange) and has secondary listings on the New York and London Stock Exchanges.
 
 
186

 
 
 
2.2         Background
 
Sappi Limited was founded in South Africa and is a corporation organised under the Companies Act 61 of 1973 of the Republic of South Africa. Until 1990, Sappi primarily expanded its operations within southern Africa. Since 1990, Sappi has grown through acquisitions outside of southern Africa. In the mid 1990s, Sappi acquired S.D. Warren Company, a market leader in the United States in coated fine paper and a major producer of other speciality paper products. It now conducts business as Sappi Fine Paper North America. In the late 1990s Sappi acquired KNP Leykam, a leading European producer of coated fine paper. KNP Leykam now conducts business as Sappi Fine Paper Europe. In May 2002 Sappi acquired Potlatch Corporation’s coated fine paper business and have integrated it in Sappi Fine Paper North America.
 
In December 2004 Sappi acquired 34% of Jiangxi Chenming Paper Company, a joint venture which commissioned in mid-2005 a coated mechanical paper machine, mechanical pulp mill and de-inked pulp mill in China.
 
In August 2006, Sappi announced the expansion of the existing capacity at Sappi Saiccor in South Africa, where Chemical Cellulose products are produced. The current capacity of the mill is approximately 600,000 metric tonnes per annum. The expansion will increase capacity by a net 225,000 metric tonnes per annum and started up during September 2008.
 
In April 2006, Sappi announced a black economic empowerment transaction involving the sale of identified forestry land to a South African empowerment partner. The final conditions to formalise the black economic empowerment transaction involving the sale of identified forestry land to a South African empowerment partner were met in June 2008, and the transactions under this arrangement have been effected.
 
2.3         Nature of business
 
Sappi is a global paper and pulp group and a leading producer of coated fine paper widely used in books, brochures, magazines, catalogues and many other print applications. Sappi is also the world’s largest producer of chemical cellulose, used primarily in the manufacture of viscose fibre, acetate tow and consumer and pharmaceutical products. In addition, Sappi produces newsprint, uncoated graphic and business papers, premium quality packaging papers and a range of coated speciality papers and a range of paper grade pulp.
 
 
187

 
 
2.4         Material changes
 
There not been any material changes in the financial position of Sappi and its subsidiaries since the end of the last financial period, other than as set out in this Circular.
 
2.5         Prospects for the enlarged Sappi Group
 
     Prospects in Europe include:
 
·  
Improved profitability, cash flows and returns
 
·  
Increased strategic production capacity flexibility
 
·  
Expanded customer base and increased market share
 
·  
Expanded product range
 
·  
Addition of recognised brands
 
     Prospects in North America include:
 
·  
Expanded import product offering
 
·  
Expanded export markets
 
3.      PRO FORMA FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
 
Please refer to Section 12 of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
4.      SHARE CAPITAL OF SAPPI
 
The share capital of Sappi before and after the proposed transactions is set out in Section 13 of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
All the authorised and issued Sappi shares are of the same class and rank pari passu in all respects. All shares to be issued will:
 
·  
be of the same nominal value as the current Sappi ordinary shares;
 
·  
rank pari passu with the current Sappi ordinary shares;
 
·  
have the same rights as to unrestricted transfer, attendance and voting at general/ annual general meetings, and in all other respects; and
 
·  
be entitled to dividends at the same rate and for the same period, as the current Sappi ordinary shares.
 
 
188

 
 
Where shareholders are required to vote in terms of the Listing Requirements, the votes of the shareholders of the unlisted securities will not be taken into account in determining either a quorum or for any approval of any resolution considered at any general meeting.

Other than the subject of the Transaction, there have been no other issues or offers of securities of Sappi and its subsidiaries during the preceding three years.
 
There have not been any consolidations or sub-divisions of securities during the preceding three years.
 
There are no preferential rights or options given to any shareholders of Sappi.
 
 
4.1         Changes in share capital
 
There have not been any changes in the authorised share capital of Sappi or any of its subsidiaries during the preceding three years.
 
2007
 
There have not been any movements in the number of issued ordinary shares of Sappi or any of its subsidiaries during the 2007 financial year.
 
2006
 
There have not been any movements in the number of issued ordinary shares of Sappi or any of its subsidiaries during the 2006 financial year.
 
2005
 
During 2005 Sappi acquired approximately 1.3 million shares for a total consideration of approximately USD15.9 million. Shareholders granted the authority to use treasury shares for the purposes of the Scheme and/or the Plan was granted by shareholders at the annual general meeting held on 07 March 2005.
 
There have not been any consolidations or subdivision of shares during the preceding three years.
 
4.2         Control of unissued authorised share capital
 
Save as set out below, there are no unissued shares of the Company under the control of the directors.
 
Sappi has a general authority to purchase its shares up to a maximum of 10% of the issued ordinary share capital in any one financial year. This is in terms of a resolution passed at the annual general meeting of shareholders on 3 March 2008. The general authority is subject to the Listings Requirements of the JSE and the Companies Act.
 
 
189


 
 
Sappi has authority to use 19,000,000 unissued shares to meet the requirements of The Sappi Limited Share Incentive Trust or The Sappi Limited Performance Share Incentive Trust.   In terms of the rules of these Trusts the maximum number of shares which may be acquired in aggregate by the Trusts and allocated to the participants of the Trusts from time to time is 19,000,000 shares.   Sappi is obliged to reserve and keep available at all times out of its authorised but unissued share capital such number of shares (together with any treasury shares held by Sappi subsidiaries which may be used for the purposes of the Trusts) as shall then be required in terms of the Trusts.   Authority to use treasury shares for the purposes of the Trusts was granted by shareholders at the annual general meeting held on 7 March 2005.
 
In addition, in terms of resolutions to be passed at the general meeting, Sappi Shares are to be placed under the control of the directors, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and the Listings Requirements and resolutions concerned.
 
4.3         Preferential conversion or exchange rights
 
There are no preferential conversion or exchange rights in respect of the share capital of Sappi.
 
4.4         Voting rights and rights to dividends, profits or capital
 
All the shares have equal voting rights and rank pari passu in respects of dividends, profits or capital distributions and liquidation distributions in respect of the winding up of Sappi.
 
4.5         Variation of rights
 
The rights attaching to Sappi Shares may only be varied by a special resolution passed by the requisite majority of Sappi shareholders in general meeting.
 
4.6         Other classes of securities and listings on other exchanges
 
Sappi has American Depositary Receipts listed on the New York Stock Exchange and ordinary shares listed on the London Stock Exchange.
 
5.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS OF SAPPI
 
Please refer to Section 13 of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
 
190

 
 
6.
INFORMATION RELATING TO THE DIRECTORS OF SAPPI
 
6.1         Current directors of Sappi
 
The details relating to the directors are set out in Section 14 and Annexure 6 of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
6.2         Appointment, qualification, remuneration and borrowing powers of directors
 
6.2.1
Appointment
 
The executive directors have service contracts with notice periods of two years or less. These notice periods are in line with international norms for executive directors.
The only non-executive director who has a service contract with the company is Dr DC Cronjé, the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of Sappi’s Articles of Association and his re-election by rotation as a director, his appointment as Chairman is for an initial period of up to three years, expiring on 2 March 2011.
 
None of the directors have provisions for pre-determined compensation on termination of their contracts exceeding two years’ gross remuneration and benefits in kind.
 
The relevant provisions of the articles of association of Sappi concerning the appointment, qualification, remuneration and borrowing powers of Sappi and its subsidiaries, exercisable by the directors, are set out in Annexure C to these revised listing particulars.
 
6.2.2           Borrowing powers
 
The borrowing powers of the directors of the Group have not been exceeded during the three years preceding the date of these revised listing particulars.  The South African Reserve Bank has granted the relevant exchange control approval for this Transaction. There is no exchange control or other restrictions on the borrowing powers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than those controls that pertain to all South African residents. A summary of the relevant provisions of the articles of association of Sappi concerning the borrowing powers of Sappi and its subsidiaries, exercisable by the directors, is set out in Annexure C to these revised listing particulars.
 
6.2.3           Remuneration
 
Refer to Section 14.1 of the Circular, to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
Proposed emoluments to be paid by Sappi Limited to directors are available for inspection at Sappi’s registered office during normal office hours.
 
191

 
 
There have been no fees paid or accrued as payable to a third party in lieu of directors’ fees.
 
The remunerations receivable by any of the directors of Sappi will not be varied in consequence of the transaction.
 
6.3         Directors’ interests in Sappi
 
Refer to Section 14.5 of the Circular, to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
6.3.2           Subsequent to the Transaction
 
Refer to Section 14.5 of the Circular, to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
6.3.3           Changes in directors’ interests in Sappi Shares after year-end
 
Subsequent to year-end in November 2007, Mr E van As fulfilled his obligation in respect of 100,000 shares of the 200,000 vested obligations to purchase listed above. Mr Boëttger received 35,000 restricted shares which vested on 31 December 2007. Also, refer to Section 14.2.2 of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
6.3.4  
Directors’ interests in contracts
 
The directors have certified that they did not have any material interest in any transaction with either the company or any of its subsidiaries. Therefore there has not been any conflict of interest with regard to directors interests in contracts. Meyer Feldberg, a non-executive director of the company, disclosed his role as senior advisor at an affiliated company of the Financial Advisor and Transaction Sponsor.
 
6.3.5           There will not be any changes in the directors’ shareholdings in Sappi as a result of the proposed transactions, other than in terms of the proposed Rights Offering.
 
6.3.6           For details of the individual share options held by Sappi directors, please refer to Section 14.2. of the Circular to which this revised listing particulars are attached.
 
6.3.7           No director of Sappi has or has had a direct or indirect material beneficial interest in any transactions effected by Sappi during the current or immediately preceding financial year, or in any earlier year which remains in any respect outstanding or unperformed.
 
 
192

 
 
6.4         Additional information pertaining to the directors
 
All of the directors who were appointed in 2002 or later, have completed directors declarations in terms of Schedule 21 of the Listings Requirements relating to the appointment of new directors. Copies of the declarations are available for inspection as detailed in Section 6 of the Circular. No payments have been made to any director, either directly or indirectly, by Sappi or any other person in the three years preceding the date of these revised listing particulars to induce him/her to become, or to qualify him/her as a director or otherwise for services rendered by him/her or by the associate’s company or the associate entity in connection with the promotion or formation of the Company.
No loans have been made by Sappi to any of its directors nor has any security been furnished by the Company on behalf of any of its directors or managers.
 
None of the directors of Sappi have:
 
·  
been declared bankrupt, insolvent or have entered into any individual voluntary compromise arrangements;
 
·  
entered into any receiverships, compulsory liquidations, creditors voluntary liquidations, administrations, company voluntary arrangements or any compromise or arrangement with creditors generally or any class of creditors of any company where such directors are or were directors with an executive function during the preceding 12 months;
 
·  
entered into any compulsory liquidations, administrations or partnership voluntary arrangements of any partnerships where such directors are or were partners during the preceding 12 months;
 
·  
entered into any receiverships of any assets of such person or of a partnership of which the person is or was a partner at the time of or during the preceding 12 months;
 
·  
been publicly criticised by a statutory or regulatory authority, including recognised professional bodies or been disqualified by a court from acting as a director of a company or from acting in the management or conduct of the affairs of any company; or
 
·  
been involved in any offence of dishonesty, fraud or embezzlement.
 
The business of Sappi and its subsidiaries are not managed and will not be managed by a third party under a contract of arrangement.
 
7.      SAPPI SHARE TRADING HISTORY
 
A table setting out the history of the performance of Sappi shares on the JSE has been included as Annexure A to these revised listing particulars.

 
193

 
 
8.      SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES OF SAPPI
 
Details of the major subsidiary companies of Sappi are set out in Annexure 6 of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
9.      DIVIDENDS
 
The Sappi group aims to declare annual dividends which, over time, incorporate real growth for shareholders. The dividend policy is determined by its board of directors from time to time, based on Sappi’s results and anticipated funding requirements associated with its growth strategy and dividends may be settled in whole or in part in such manner as the directors may at the time of determining the dividend direct. To this end, dividend cover in each year varies in line with changes in the business cycle, but the current intention is to maintain a long-term average earnings/dividend ratio of three to one. A dividend of 32 US cents per share was declared by the Company in respect of the financial year ended 30 September 2007. A general meeting or the directors may declare dividends to any one or more classes of members from time to time. The dividends will be registered as such at a date which shall be not less than fourteen days after the date of publication of the announcement of the declaration of the dividend on the basis that the register of members may not be closed between the date of the publication of such announcement and the record date for the payment of the dividend; and any dividend declared may be paid either wholly or in part by the distribution of such specific assets in such manner as the directors may determine; provided that no greater dividend shall be declared by a general meeting than is recommended by the directors.
 
Any dividends which are retained and unclaimed for twelve years, after the payment date of the dividend in question, shall be forfeited and revert to Sappi and may be dealt with by the directors as they deem fit.
 
The capital structure of the proposed acquisition was considered carefully as to its effect on the cash flow position of the South African operations of Sappi. Sappi expects to be able to continue to pay dividends.
 
10.   TRANSACTION-RELATED FEES, COMMISSIONS, INTERESTS AND COSTS
 
No amounts are payable or have been paid, nor have any other benefit accrued, to any promoter during the three years preceding the date of these revised listing particulars.

 
194

 
 
No commissions are payable or have been paid in respect of any underwriting or sub-underwriting arrangements during the three years preceding the date of these revised listing particulars.
 
No commissions, discounts, brokerages or other special terms have been granted in respect of the issue of any equity or debt instrument during the three years preceding the date of these revised listing particulars.
 
No promoter holds any material beneficial interest in the promotion of Sappi or in any material acquisition or proposed acquisition of Sappi or has done so for the three years preceding the date of these revised listing particulars.
 
11.   PRELIMINARY AND ISSUE EXPENSES
 
Sappi has not incurred any preliminary expenses within the three years preceding the date of these revised listing particulars.
 
12.   CAPITAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES OF SAPPI
 
The details relating to material commitments are set out in Annexure E.
 
The details relating to capital commitments, contingent liabilities and lease payments have been disclosed in Annexure E to these revised listing particulars.
 
13.   MATERIAL CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY SAPPI
 
Section 16 of the Circular provides details of material contracts entered into by the Sappi Group during the two years preceding the Last Practicable Date, which were not in the ordinary course of business.
 
Save as disclosed in Section 16 of the Circular, the Sappi Group has not entered into any material contracts in the two years prior to the Last Practicable Date. In addition, the Sappi Group has not entered into any material contracts at any time which contain an obligation or settlement that is material to the Sappi Group at the Last Practicable Date.
 
 
195

 
 
14.   MATERIAL ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS BY SAPPI
 
Over the last three years Sappi has reorganised it operations and closed capacity where acceptable returns have not been achieved. In 2005 the Sappi Group closed the Muskegon Mill Paper Machine PM5 in the United States of America with a capacity of 105,000 tonnes of coated fine paper and mothballed Muskegon’s pulp mill.  In 2006 the Nash Mill in the United Kingdom was closed. It had a capacity of 30,000 tonnes of graphic fine paper.  In August 2008 Sappi announced that it is contemplating the cessation of production at its Blackburn Mill in the United Kingdom with a capacity of 120,000 tonnes of graphic paper and intends to cease production from the Maastricht Mill PM5 which produces 60,000 tonnes of speciality paper. On Monday 22 September 2008 agreement was reached between Blackburn Mill management, and Trade Union representatives regarding the future of the Blackburn Mill. Sappi and the Union agree that, unless a buyer who has no interest in the graphic coated business can be found before the end of the consultation period which runs until November 12th, the Blackburn Mill will close and all employees will be made redundant, apart from any employees for whom suitable alternative employment can be found. Most employees will leave through redundancy on Wednesday 12 November 2008. The agreement specifies redundancy terms and includes provisions for outplacement and training support for all employees, to ensure that people have the best possible opportunity to secure new employment. Blackburn Management team has started to plan the run down of the Mill in an orderly way. Alongside this, Sappi Fine Paper Europe will inform customers about the agreement and the likely closure of Blackburn Mill as a production facility in order to find alternatives within Sappi to meet the needs of these customers as soon as possible.
 
Sappi and its Subsidiaries have not acquired or disposed of securities in or of the business undertaking of any other company in consequence of which that company of business undertaking will become or cease to become a subsidiary of or part of the business of Sappi, in respect of each of the preceding three years other than that subject of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars form part.
 
This Circular does not coincide, directly or indirectly, with the acquisition by Sappi or any of its Subsidiaries of securities in or the business undertaking of any company, other than that of the Acquired Business.
 
This Circular does not coincide with any acquisitions or disposals by Sappi or any of its Subsidiaries, of securities in or of the business undertaking of any other company in respect of each of the preceding three years other than the subject of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars form part.
 
Sappi and its Subsidiaries have not had any change of controlling shareholders at its Subsidiary level over the last five years.
 
 
196

 
 
15.   MATERIAL VENDORS
 
There have not been any material acquisitions in the last three years.
There have not been any cash or securities paid, or benefit given to any promoter, not being a director of Sappi, over the last three years.
 
16.   PRINCIPAL IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES OWNED AND LEASED BY SAPPI
 
Details of the principal immovable properties owned and leased by Sappi are set out in Annexure B to these revised listing particulars.
 
17.   MATERIAL CHANGES RELATING TO SAPPI
 
There have not been any material changes in the financial position of Sappi and its Subsidiaries since the end of the last financial period, other than as set out in the Circular.
 
18.   GOVERNMENT PROTECTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT LAW
 
There is no government protection or investment encouragement laws affecting Sappi and its Subsidiaries nor has there been for the preceding financial year.
 
19.   LITIGATION STATEMENT RELATING TO SAPPI
 
As at the date of this Circular, Sappi does not have, and has not in the previous 12 months had, any legal proceedings against it that would have a material effect on the Sappi Group. Also, refer to Section 18 of the Circular, to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
20.   CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF SAPPI
 
Sappi is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and continues to seek areas of improvement by measuring itself against international best practice, primarily in South Africa and the United States. Sappi endorses the Code of Corporate Practices and Conduct as contained in the South African King II Report issued in 2002, and continues to apply the principles incorporated therein. The group maintains its primary listing on the JSE as well as secondary listings on the New York and London Stock Exchanges. The Sappi Group complies in all material respects with the regulations and codes of these exchanges as they apply to Sappi.
 
 
197

 
 
Refer to Annexure D to these revised listing particulars for further information on Corporate Governance.
 
21.   WORKING CAPITAL STATEMENT
 
Refer to Section 20 of the Circular, to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
22.   DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
 
Refer to Section 21 of the Circular, to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
23.   CONSENTS
 
Refer to Section 23 of the Circular, to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
24.   COSTS
 
Refer to Section 26 of the Circular, to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
25. DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION
 
Section 27 of the Circular provides details on the documents available for inspection.
 
 
198

 

ANNEXURE A

 
TRADING HISTORY OF SAPPI SHARES ON THE JSE

 
The trading history of Sappi shares on the JSE is set out below:
 
       
High
   
Low
   
Volume
 
       
(SA cents per share)
   
(million)
 
                       
Calendar Quarters
                     
2005
 
Fourth quarter
    7,990       6,610       48.1  
   
Third quarter
    7,750       5,780       63.6  
   
Second quarter
    8,600       7,255       67.3  
   
First quarter
    9,550       7,450       85.7  
                             
2006
 
Fourth quarter
    10,100       8,530       51.5  
   
Third quarter
    9,250       6,850       56.1  
   
Second quarter
    9,700       6,958       90.8  
   
First quarter
    8,050       6,105       54.2  
                             
                             
2007
 
Fourth quarter
    13,265       9,470       64.3  
   
Third quarter
    14,150       11,250       55.4  
   
Second quarter
    11,900       9,425       66.6  
   
First quarter
    12,000       9,601       60.6  
                             
Monthly
                           
2007
 
August
    11,400       9,947       25.7  
   
September
    11,825       10,200       20.0  
   
October
    10,903       9,605       18.6  
   
November
    10,161       8,732       16.5  
   
December
    10,096       9,000       16.7  
2008
 
January
    9,889       7,556       24.4  
   
February
    10,600       7,500       26.0  
   
March
    10,401       8,750       24.4  
   
April
    10,442       9,192       17.4  
   
May
    11,500       10,110       17.3  
   
June
    12,100       9,311       22.6  
   
July
    9,649       7,201       20.8  
   
August
    9,380       7,165       18.7  
   
September
    9,179       7,555       18.6  
 
 
199

 

Daily – Last One Month
High
Low
Volume
 
Daily – Last One Month
High
Low
Volume
 
(SA cents per share)
(Millions)
   
(SA cents per share)
(Millions)
2008-08-11
9,150
8,902
1.6
 
2008-09-04
8,198
7,833
0.5
2008-08-12
9,238
8,800
1.3
 
2008-09-05
8,000
7,555
0.8
2008-08-13
9,197
8,500
0.9
 
2008-09-08
8,400
7,950
0.4
2008-08-14
9,290
9,000
0.8
 
2008-09-09
8,750
8,143
1.5
2008-08-15
9,193
8,713
0.6
 
2008-09-10
8,709
8,303
0.5
2008-08-18
9,000
8,475
0.4
 
2008-09-11
8,899
8,305
0.7
2008-08-19
8,450
8,011
1.2
 
2008-09-12
9,179
8,520
0.8
2008-08-20
8,455
8,037
0.3
 
2008-09-15
8,600
8,165
0.5
2008-08-21
8,405
7,865
0.8
 
2008-09-16
8,445
7,950
0.7
2008-08-22
8,740
8,207
0.4
 
2008-09-17
8,831
7,821
1.3
2008-08-25
8,580
8,352
0.2
 
2008-09-18
8,307
7,737
1.1
2008-08-26
8,647
8,000
0.3
 
2008-09-19
8,500
7,650
1.6
2008-08-27
8,529
8,301
0.5
 
2008-09-22
8,540
7,850
1.3
2008-08-28
8,452
8,122
0.7
 
2008-09-23
8,400
7,660
1.4
2008-08-29
8,450
7,885
0.8
 
2008-09-25
8,360
8,000
0.5
2008-09-01
8,239
7,950
0.3
 
2008-09-26
8,350
7,801
0.3
2008-09-02
8,199
7,777
0.6
 
2008-09-29
8,473
7,800
1.6
2008-09-03
8,120
7,917
0.9
 
2008-09-30
8,195
7,801
1.2

Source: Thomson Financial as at 30 September, 2008
 
 
200

 
 
 ANNEXURE B

 
PRINCIPAL IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES OWNED AND LEASED BY SAPPI
 
Details of the immovable property owned by the Sappi Group at the Last Practicable Date are set out below. The properties are valued at the directors’ valuation based on present use.
 
 
Location
 
Use
Approximate
Size(1)
     
Sappi Limited
Johannesburg, South Africa
Sappi Headquarters(2)
15,078 m2
 
Sappi Fine Paper
Sappi Fine Paper North America
   
Boston, Massachusetts
Headquarters(3)
34,928 sq ft
Skowhegan, Maine
(Somerset Mill)
 
Manufacturing facility: coated paper, softwood and hardwood pulp(4)
 
2,659 acres
Muskegon, Michigan
Manufacturing facility: coated paper and a warehouse
123 acres
Westbrook, Maine
Manufacturing facility: specialty and release paper and research and development facility(4)
Storage and shredding facility
 
305 acres
Cloquet, Minnesota
Manufacturing facility: coated paper and pulp(4)
1,038 acres
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Coated paper sheeting facility
30 acres
Dayton, New Jersey
Distribution centre(5)
14 acres
South Portland, Maine
Shared financial and customer service office(2)
48,433 sq ft
     
Sappi Fine Paper Europe
   
Brussels, Belgium
Headquarters(6)
3,836 m²
Gratkorn, Austria
Manufacturing facility: coated paper and pulp
99.9 ha
Maastricht, Netherlands
Manufacturing facility: coated paper and research and development facility
12.8 ha
Nijmegen, Netherlands
Manufacturing facility: coated paper
10.7 ha
Lanaken, Belgium
Manufacturing facility: coated paper and pulp
32.6 ha
Alfeld, Germany
Manufacturing facility: coated paper, uncoated paper and pulp
33.3 ha
Ehingen, Germany
Manufacturing facility: coated paper and pulp
35.7 ha
Blackburn, England
Manufacturing facility: coated paper
36.0 ha
Wesel, Germany
Distribution centre(7)
62.1 ha
     
Sappi Fine Paper South Africa
   
Enstra, South Africa
Manufacturing facility: uncoated paper and hardwood pulp (8)
582.7 ha
Stanger, South Africa
Manufacturing facility: coated paper, tissue and bagasse pulp(8)
55.4 ha
Adamas, South Africa
Manufacturing facility: uncoated paper and recycled packaging paper
7.2 ha
 
 
201

 
 
 
  Location       Use
Approximate
Size(1)
Sappi Forest Products
Johannesburg, South Africa
Headquarters
Included under Sappi Limited headquarters
     
Sappi Saiccor
   
Umkomaas, South Africa
Manufacturing facility: chemical cellulose(8)
159.4 ha
     
Sappi Kraft
   
Ngodwana, South Africa
Manufacturing facility: linerboard, newsprint and kraft pulp
1,282.9 ha
Tugela, South Africa
Manufacturing facility: linerboard, corrugating medium, sackkraft and industrial kraft
914.4 ha
Cape Kraft, South Africa
Manufacturing facility: linerboard and corrugating medium
9.5 ha
Bunya, Swaziland
(Usutu Pulp Mill)
 
Manufacturing facility: kraft pulp
 
45.0 ha
     
Sappi Forests
   
Barberton, South Africa
(Lomati Sawmill)
 
Sawmill
 
24.6 ha
     
Sappi Plantations
   
Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal South Africa
Owned
369,000 ha
 
Sappi leases or manages directly in South Africa
10,000 ha
 
Projects in South Africa (owned and managed by farmers, where Sappi indirectly manages through technical advice and support)
108,000 ha
Swaziland
Leased in Swaziland
66,000 ha
     
___________
(1)  
The approximate size measurement relates to, in the case of manufacturing and distribution facilities, the perimeter of the property on which the principal manufacturing or distribution facilities are situated and, in the case of offices, the interior office space owned or leased.
(2)  
Subject to a lease expiring in 2015.
(3)  
Subject to a lease expiring in 2011.
(4)  
A portion of the equipment is subject to lease agreements.
(5)  
Subject to a lease expiring in 2010.
(6)  
Subject to leases expiring in 2016.
(7)  
Of the total 62,140m2, 8,800m2 is subject to a lease that operates on a year-to-year basis.  The remainder of the property is subject to a heritable building right (“Erbbaurecht”).
(8)  
Substantial assets are leased pursuant to capital lease agreements. During fiscal 2006, Sappi announced the expansion of the existing capacity at Saiccor mill.  The current capacity of the mill is approximately 600,000 metric tonnes per annum.  The result of the expansion is an expected increase in capacity of 300,000 tonnes, of which 75,000 tonnes is to replace existing higher cost capacity, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of the operation.  The estimated cost of the project is USD 500 million.
 
 
202


 
ANNEXURE C

 
APPOINTMENT,   QUALIFICATION,   REMUNERATION   AND   BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS

 
a)  
Qualification of directors
 
Refer to Annexure 6 of the Circular to which these revised listing particulars are attached.
 
b)  
Remuneration of directors
i)
 
The remuneration of the directors for their services as such shall be determined from time to time by a general meeting, save that at the discretion of the directors they may in each year be paid out of the funds of the company a sum not exceeding ZAR3 million to be divided amongst the directors, by way of remuneration. The remuneration payable under this article shall be divided amongst the persons who have held office as directors during the year in respect of which remuneration is to be paid, in such proportions as shall be determined by them or a majority of them; and
     
ii)
 
The directors shall be paid all their travelling and other expenses properly and necessarily expended by them in and about the business of the company; and
     
iii)
 
If any director shall be required to perform extra services, or to go on to reside abroad, or shall otherwise be specially occupied about the company’s business, he shall be entitled to receive remuneration to be fixed by the directors. Such remuneration may be either an addition to or substitution for his remuneration in terms of i).
 
c)  
Director’s Power to vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract
 
A director shall not vote in respect of any contract or arrangement or any other proposal whatsoever in which he has any material interest otherwise than by the virtue of his interest in shares or debentures or other securities of or otherwise in or through the company. A director shall not be counted in the quorum at a meeting in relation to any resolution on which he is debarred from voting.
 
 
203

 
 
 
In the absence of some other material interest that is indicated below a director shall be entitled to vote (and be counted in the quorum) in respect of any resolution concerning any of the following matters, namely:
 
i)
 
the giving of any security or indemnity to him in respect of money lent or obligations incurred by him at the request of or for the benefit of the company or any of its subsidiaries;
     
ii)
 
the giving of any security or indemnity to a third party in respect of a debt or obligation of the company or any of its subsidiaries for which he himself has assumed responsibility in whole or in part under a guarantee of indemnity or by giving or security;
     
iii)
 
any proposal concerning an offer of shares or debentures or other securities of or by the company or any of its subsidiaries for subscription or purchase in which offer he is or is to be interested as a participant in any underwriting or sub-underwriting thereof;
     
iv)
 
any proposal concerning any other company in which he is interested directly or indirectly and whether as an officer or shareholder or otherwise howsoever, provided that he is not the holder of or beneficially interest in 1% or more of any class of equity share capital of such company (or of any other company through which his interest is derived) or of the voting rights available to members of the relevant company (any such interest being deemed for the purpose of this article to be a material interest in all circumstances); and
     
v)
 
any proposal concerning the adoption, modification or operation of a superannuation fund or retirement benefit scheme under which he may benefit of which has been approved by or is subject to and conditional upon approval by the Commission of Inland Revenue for taxation purposes.
 
Where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (including fixed or varying the terms of appointment) or two or more directors to offices of employment with the company or any company in which the company is interested, such proposals may be divided and considered in relation to each director separately. In such cases each of the directors (if not debarred from voting under the Articles of Association) shall be entitled to vote (and be counted in a quorum) in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment.

 
204

 
 
 
If any question arises at any meeting as to the materiality of a director’s interest or as to the entitlement of any director to vote and such question is not resolved by his voluntarily agreeing to abstain from voting, such question shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and his ruling in relation to any other director shall be final and conclusive except in a chase where the nature or extent of the interest of the director concerned has not been fairly disclosed.
 
d)  
Director’s borrowing powers
 
The directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking and property or any part thereof and to issue debentures and other securities. The directors shall restrict the borrowings of the company and exercise all rights exercisable by the company in relation to its subsidiaries so as to secure (as regards controlled companies of the company only insofar as by the exercise of voting and other rights or powers of control exercisable by the company they can procure) that, save with the previous sanction of an ordinary resolution of the company, the aggregate principal amount (including any premium payable on final repayment) outstanding of all monies borrowed by the company and / or any of its subsidiaries for the time being (excluding amounts borrowed by any such company from any other of them) shall not at anytime exceed an amount equal to 2.5 times the aggregate of:

i)
 
the nominal amount of he issued share capital or stated capital of the company for the time being: and
     
ii)
 
the total of the amounts standing to the credit of the combined capital and revenue reserve accounts of the company and its subsidiaries (including any share premium account, capital redemption reserve fund and retained surplus after deducting the amount of any debit balance in the income statement but excluding sums set aside for taxation and amounts attributed to outside shareholders in subsidiaries.

All as shown in a consolidation of the latest audited balance sheets of the company and its subsidiaries but adjusted as may be necessary in respect of any variation in the paid up share capital or share premium accounts of the company since the date of its latest audited balance sheet.

 
205

 
 
For the purpose of these articles:

i)
 
monies borrowed for the purpose of repaying the whole or any part of any monies previously borrowed and then outstanding (including any premium payable on final repayment thereof) and intended to be applied for that purpose within three after such borrowing shall not, pending such application, be taken into account as monies borrowed;
     
ii)
 
the principal amount (including any premium payable on final repayment) of any loan capital issued for a consideration other than cash shall be taken into account as monies borrowed by the company issuing the same;
     
iii)
 
whenever any monies borrowed in any currency other than currency of South Africa are to be taken into account they shall be converted into currency of South Africa at the rate of exchange then current;
     
iv)
 
No debt incurred or security given in respect of monies borrowed in excess of the aforesaid limit shall be invalid or ineffectual except in the case of express notice to the lender or the recipient of the security at the time when the debt was incurred or the security given that the said limit has been or was thereby exceeded. Nevertheless no lender or other person dealing with the company shall be concerned to see or enquire whether such limit is observed; and
     
v)
 
Any debenture, bonds or other securities may be issued at par or at a discount or at a premium, and with any special privileges as to transfer, redemption, surrender and drawings provided that no special privileges as to allotment of shares, attending and voting at general meetings, appointment of directors or otherwise shall be given save with the sanction of the company in general meeting.
 
e)  
Retirement of directors
 
The directors shall retire from office in the following manner:
 
 
206

 
 
As at the termination of each annual general meeting of the company, one-third of the directors (excluding an executive chairman, chief executive officer, managing director and any director referred to in (iii) below) or, if their number is not three or a multiple thereof, then the number nearest to but not less than one-third of the directors shall retire from office. The directors who retire in terms of the abovementioned shall be those who have been longest in office since their last election, provided that:

i)
 
if more that one of them were elected directors on the same day, those to retire shall be determined by lot unless those directors agree otherwise between themselves;
     
ii)
 
if at any general meeting any director will have held office for three years since his last election, he shall also retire at such annual general meeting;
     
iii)
 
any director appointed as such after the conclusion of the company’s preceding annual general meeting shall retire from office at the conclusion of the annual general meeting held immediately after his appointment;
     
iv)
 
a retiring director shall be eligible for re-election, and, if re-elected, shall be deemed not to have vacated his office; and
     
v)
 
no person other than a retiring director shall be eligible for election as a director at any annual general meeting unless the directors recommend otherwise, or unless not less than six not more than twenty-one days before the date appointed for the annual general meeting a member who is entitled to attend and vote at such annual general meeting shall have lodged written notice proposing such person as a director, together with the consent of that person to be elected as a director.
 
 
 
207

 

ANNEXURE D

 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF SAPPI

 
Sappi is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and continues to seek areas of improvement by measuring itself against international best practice, primarily in South Africa and the United States. Sappi endorses the Code of Corporate Practices and Conduct as contained in the South African King II Report issued in 2002, and continues to apply the principles incorporated therein. The group maintains its primary listing on the JSE as well as secondary listings on the New York and London Stock Exchanges. The group complies in all material respects with the regulations and codes of these exchanges as they apply to Sappi.

 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 
The basis for good governance at Sappi is laid down in the charter for the Board as published on the company website. This charter sets out the role of the board and its committees, guidelines and internal rules for Board and Board committee compositions, frequency of meetings, annual workplans and Board evaluations of Board and Board committees and compliance with Board policies. It also specifically defines the roles of the chairman and chief executive officer. The Board currently comprises two executive and eleven non-executive directors who collectively determine major policies and strategies. Eleven directors can be classified as independent non-executive directors in terms of the King II Report definitions. The non-executive directors do not derive any benefits from the company for their services as directors other than their fees. The non-executive directors’ business experience enables them to evaluate strategy and act in the group’s best interest, as well as a check and balance to the executive directors.

 
208

 
 
 
At every annual general meeting of Sappi, as near as possible to, but not less than, one third of the directors are required to retire from office but are eligible for re-election. The directors to retire are those who have been longest in office since their last election, or as between directors who have been in office for an equal length of time since their last election, in the absence of agreement, determined by lot. In addition, the appointment of any director appointed since the last annual general meeting will require to be confirmed. Any director so appointed will also retire at the meeting and be eligible for re-election. It is policy that non-executive directors retire at the end of the calendar year in which they turn 70 years of age.

 
Induction and training of directors

 
Following appointment to the Board, directors receive a comprehensive induction tailored to their individual needs. This includes site visits and meetings with senior management to enable them to build up a detailed understanding of the group’s business and strategy, and the key risks and issues that the Sappi Group faces. The company secretary provides induction training for the new independent non-executive directors. Additional training is available so that directors can update their skills and knowledge as appropriate.

 
Board committees

 
The Board has established sub-committees to assist it to discharge its duties properly. These sub-committees operate within written terms of reference set by the Board. Each committee performs an annual self-assessment. The Board sub-committees are as follows:

 
209

 
 
Audit committee

 
The audit committee was established in 1984 and assists the board in discharging its duties relating to the:

·
 
safeguarding of assets;
     
·
 
operation of adequate systems, and control processes;
     
·
 
reviewing of financial information and the preparation of accurate financial reporting and statements in compliance with all applicable legal requirements and accounting standards;
     
·
 
oversight of the external auditors’ qualifications and experience;
     
·
 
oversight of the performance of the internal and external audit functions; and
     
·
 
monitor compliance with applicable external legal and regulatory requirements.

 
The audit committee monitors the qualifications, expertise, resources and independence of both the internal and external auditors and assesses annually the auditors’ performance and effectiveness. The audit committee approves the external auditor’s engagement letter, nature and scope of the audit and the audit fee. It also oversees the financial reporting process and is concerned with compliance with accounting policies, group policies, legal requirements and internal controls within the group. It reviews compliance with the Sappi Group’s code of ethics and ensures facilities are in place to enable employees to submit concerns confidentially or anonymously, and ensures independent investigations are conducted where necessary.

 
The audit committee consists of five independent non-executive directors and has satisfied its responsibilities in terms of the mandate. The adequacy of the mandate is reviewed and reassessed annually. The audit committee meets with senior management, which includes the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, at least four times a year. The external and internal auditors attend these meetings and have unrestricted access to the committee and its chairman. The external and internal auditors meet privately with the audit committee on a regular basis. The audit committee chairman is available at the annual general meeting. Regional audit committees exist in the three major regions and are chaired by independent non-executive directors of Sappi Limited. These committees have mandates from the group’s audit committee, to whom they report on a regular basis and they meet at least four times per year. Dr D Konar has been designated as the Sappi Group’s audit committee financial expert as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
210

 
 
Human Resources committee

 
The responsibilities of the human resources committee are, inter alia, to determine the Sappi Group’s human resource policy and strategy, assist with the hiring and setting of terms and conditions of employment of executives, the approval of retirement policies and succession planning for management and the chief executive officer. The human resources committee consists of four independent non-executive directors including the chairman of the group (who serves as chairman of the committee). The chief executive officer and the group head human resources attend meetings by invitation to assist the committee in carrying out its duties.

 
Compensation committee

 
The compensation committee ensures that the compensation philosophy and practices of the Sappi group are aligned to the strategy and performance goals. It evaluates the performances of the executive directors and senior executives, reviews and agrees their compensation. It also reviews and agrees executive proposals on the compensation of non-executive directors for approval by the Board and ultimately by Shareholders. The compensation committee consists of five independent non-executive directors (one of whom serves as chairman). Management representation at meetings is by way of invitation and not as members of the committee. This representation includes the chief executive officer of the company as well as the group head human resources. The chief executive officer and the group head human resources attend meetings by invitation to assist the committee in carrying out its duties.
 
 
211

 
 
INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT

 
The Board is responsible for the Sappi Group’s systems of internal financial and operational control. The Sappi Group’s internal controls and systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity and reliability of the annual financial statements, that assets are adequately safeguarded against material loss and that transactions are properly authorised and recorded. Such controls are based on established written policies and procedures which are monitored throughout the group and are applied by trained, skilled personnel with an appropriate segregation of duties through clearly defined lines of accountability and delegation of authority. The control system includes comprehensive reporting and analysis of actual results against approved standards and budgets. All employees are required to maintain the highest ethical standards in ensuring that the company’s business practices are conducted in a manner which in all reasonable circumstances is above reproach. As part of an ongoing process, reviews are undertaken across the group of the effectiveness of various elements of the group’s internal controls, procedures and systems. Where potential improvements are identified, they are being addressed. The reviews enable management to further strengthen the group’s controls and the results of the reviews did not indicate any material breakdown in the functioning of these controls, procedures and systems during the year under review. A material breakdown is defined as a critical weakness in process or financial systems which would result in a material loss, contingency or uncertainty requiring disclosure in the published annual financial statements. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act promulgated in the United States of America requires companies registered with the Securities Exchange Commission to complete a comprehensive evaluation and report on the effectiveness of their internal controls over financial reporting. Sappi conducted its second evaluation at the end of fiscal 2007 and included its section 404 report in its Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
Disclosure controls

 
Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Sappi Group in the reports that it files or submits is accumulated and communicated to the group’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Sappi Group has implemented disclosure controls and procedures as deemed appropriate by management. A disclosure committee of management meets to review all Sappi external financial reports prior to their release.

 
212

 
 
Risk management

 
The Sappi Board recognises that risk management success can only be achieved if all three elements of risk, namely threat, uncertainty and opportunity, are recognised and managed in an integrated fashion. The Group Risk Management Team is mandated by the Board to establish, coordinate and drive the Risk Management process throughout the Sappi Group. It has established a comprehensive risk management system to identify and manage significant risks.

 
Internal audit

 
The Sappi Group’s internal audit department has a current complement of 15 persons, 13 of whom are experienced and qualified, and two are in-training. It has a specific mandate from the audit committee and independently appraises the adequacy and effectiveness of the group’s systems, financial internal controls and accounting records, reporting its findings to local and divisional management, the external auditors as well as the respective audit committees. The Sappi Group internal audit manager as head of the department, reports to the audit committee on a functional basis and to the chief financial officer on a daily operational basis, and has direct access to the chief executive officer. The internal audit coverage plan is based on a risk assessment performed for each operating unit. This incorporates risks identified by management during the group risk assessment process as well as the results of audit work performed. This process ensures that the audit coverage is focused on identified high risk areas. Internal audit meets privately with the audit committee on a regular basis.

 
Company secretary

 
All directors have access to the advice and services of the Sappi Limited company secretary and are entitled and authorised to seek independent and professional advice about affairs of the Sappi Group at the group’s expense. The company secretary is responsible for the duties set out in section 268G of the Companies Act. Specific responsibilities include the provision of guidance to directors as to how to discharge their duties in the best interests of the company as well as arranging for the induction of new directors.
 
 
213


 
Code of ethics

 
Sappi requires its directors and employees to act with the utmost good faith and integrity in all transactions and with all stakeholders with whom they interact. This commitment is reflected in the Sappi Group’s code of ethics that commits the company and employees to sound business practices and compliance with legislation. The code of ethics is available on the Sappi Limited website. “Ethics lines” have been implemented for all the regions in which the group operates. This service, operated by various independent companies, enables employees to report anonymously environmental, safety, ethics, accounting, auditing, control issues or other concerns. All reported matters are followed up by group internal audit, resolved appropriately and reported to the audit committee. Of all complaints reported to the ethics line since its inception none included fraudulent financial reporting. As the Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has securities registered under the USA Securities Exchange Act of 1934, it is subject to the United States of America Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The Company has ensured that all aspects of the FCPA have been addressed in its policies.

 
Legal compliance programme

 
A legal compliance programme designed to increase awareness of, and enhance compliance with, applicable legislation is in place. This programme involves the delegation of responsibility for compliance with country specific legislation to designated people throughout the organisation and includes a quarterly self-assessment process. The self-assessment process includes a review of any changes in legislation and the impact of these changes on the business. The group compliance officer reports quarterly to the group audit committee.

 
214

 
 
Interest in contracts

 
The Sappi Group has a policy regulating disclosure of interest in contracts. The policy dictates that all employees disclose any interest in contracts to assess any possible conflict of interest. The policy also dictates that directors and senior officers of the group must disclose any interest in contracts as well as other appointments to assess any conflict of interest in fiduciary duties. Meyer Feldberg, a non-executive director of the company, disclosed his role as senior advisor at an affiliated company of the Financial Advisor and Transaction Sponsor. His interest is not regarded as significant. During the year under review, other than Prof. Meyer Feldberg, there has been no significant interest in any material contract or arrangement entered into by the company or its subsidiaries.

 
Insider trading

 
The Company has a code of conduct for dealing in company securities. No employee of Sappi in possession of material non-public information in respect of Sappi or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any member of his/her family or household may, at any time, buy or sell securities of Sappi or its Subsidiaries, or engage in any other action to take advantage of such information. All officers, directors and employees who have access to unpublished price-sensitive information are precluded from trading in Sappi securities during “closed periods”, which apply from the end of the financial quarters in March, June, September and December respectively, until two full Business Days after the release of the results for the respective quarters. Prior to dealing in Sappi securities (even outside closed periods), clearance should be obtained from the Sappi chairman through the Sappi group secretary. In practice the chairman clears the transactions of the directors of Sappi and the chairman himself requires the clearance of the audit committee chairman for his own transactions.

 
Fraud and illegal acts

 
The Sappi Group does not engage in or accept or condone the engaging in of any illegal acts in the conduct of its business. The directors’ policy is to actively pursue and encourage prosecution of perpetrators of fraudulent or other illegal activities should they become aware of any such acts. The group has implemented a fraud line to facilitate reporting any fraud or illegal acts which is externally managed and administered.
 
 
215

 
 
Communication

 
The Sappi Board is responsible for presenting a balanced and understandable assessment of the company’s position in reporting to stakeholders. The reporting addresses material matters of significant interest and is based on principles of openness and substance over form. The Board recognises that the reporting and communication is made in the context that society now demands greater transparency and accountability from companies regarding non-financial matters. The Board strives to ensure that reports present a comprehensive and objective assessment of the activities of the company so that stakeholders with a legitimate interest in the company’s affairs can obtain full, fair and honest information regarding its performance. The Board takes cognisance of the communities in which it operates when communicating to its stakeholders.
 
 
 
216

 
 
ANNEXURE E

 
CAPITAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 
CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
USD million
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Capital commitments
           
Contracted but not provided
    188       294  
Approved but not contracted
    249       255  
      437       549  
Future forecasted cashflows of capital commitments:
               
2007
          274  
2008
    389       275  
2009
    33        
Thereafter
    15        
      437       549  
The capital expenditure will be financed by funds generated by the business,
existing cash resources and borrowing facilities available to the group.
               
Lease commitments
               
Future minimum obligations under operating leases:
               
Payable in the year ended September:
               
2007
          54  
2008
    112       43  
2009
    14       34  
2010
    10       24  
2011
    5       21  
2012 (September 2006: thereafter)
    2       34  
Thereafter
    2        
      145       210  
 
 
217

 
 
Future minimum obligations under operating leases include the following two significant arrangements:
 
Sale and Lease Back of the Somerset Paper Machine: In 1997 Sappi sold one of its paper machines at its Somerset Mill for USD150 million and entered into a leaseback arrangement. This transaction diversified its sources of funding and provides a longer-term horizon to their repayment profile. This qualifies as an operating lease under the applicable accounting principles. The lease term expires after 15 years, and they have an option to either return the paper machine; renew the lease for at least 2 years, but for no longer than 80% of its remaining useful life; or repurchase it at its fair market value at the end of the lease term. An option exists to repurchase the paper machine at an earlier date of 29 January 2008 for the original purchase price multiplied by a factor of 50.10%. To exercise the option, they must provide notice of between 180 and 360 days prior to the early buy-out date. Sappi has notified the lessor of its intent to exercise the buy-out option under the lease agreement on 29 January 2008 at the stipulated amount of USD75 million. There is no right of refusal associated with the early buy-out option. The future minimum obligations under this lease are included in the amounts presented above. These leases have subsequently been settled.
 
 
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
US$ million
2007
2006
Guarantees and suretyships
43
52
Other contingent liabilities
26
11
 
 
Included under guarantees are bills of exchange where Sappi has guaranteed third party funding of payments to Sappi for certain German accounts receivables.
 
Other contingent liabilities mainly relate to taxation queries to which certain group companies are subject. The increase in other contingent liabilities reflects management’s revised estimate of reasonably possible losses which could arise from taxation queries to which certain group companies are subject (this includes an amount of US$16 million relating to the tax status of Sappi’s Belgian coordination centre). These could give rise to additional taxation costs. Management does not currently expect further material costs to arise.
 
The group is involved in various lawsuits and administrative proceedings. The relief sought in such lawsuits and proceedings includes injunctions, damages and penalties. Although the final results in these suits and proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the present opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, that they are not expected to have a material effect on the group’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
 
218

 
 
Westbrook Cogeneration Agreement: In 1982 a cogeneration facility was installed adjacent to Sappi’s Westbrook Mill at a cost of USD86 million, to supply steam and electricity to the mill on a take-or-pay basis. Sappi have taken the position that this is an operating lease. An unrelated investor owns the facility. The agreement expires in 2008 and Sappi have an option to purchase the facility at the end of the basic term or any renewal term, at its fair market value at that time. Sappi have notified the lessor of our intent to purchase the asset at the end of the Basic Term (15 July 2008) at its fair market value. Together with the lessor Sappi is evaluating the fair market value of the asset. Sappi also has a right of first refusal to buy the facility should the owner elect to sell it. The future minimum obligations under this arrangement are included in the amounts presented above.
 
Environmental matters:
 
Sappi operates in an industry subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations in the various jurisdictions in which it operates, and these laws and regulations have tended to become more stringent over time. Typically, Sappi does not separately account for environmental operating expenses but does not anticipate any material expenditures related to such matters. Sappi does separately account for environmental capital expenditures. Sappi spent approximately USD15 million in financial year September 2007 (September 2006: USD13 million) on capital projects that control air or water emissions or otherwise create an environmental benefit. Amounts to be spent in future years will depend on changes to existing environmental requirements and the availability of new technologies to meet such requirements.

 
In South Africa, requirements under the National Water Act, National Environmental Management Act and the Air Quality Bill may result in additional expenditures and/or operational constraints. South Africa is also a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol and Sappi is currently identifying and initiating Clean Development Mechanism projects at a number of its South African mills. Although Sappi is uncertain as to the ultimate effect on its South African operations, their current assessment of the legislation is that any compliance expenditures or operational constraints will not be material to its financial condition.
 
 
219

 
 
Sappi Fine Paper North America is subject to stringent environmental laws in the United States. These laws include the Federal Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and their respective state counterparts and implementing regulations.  The State of Maine has ordered a hearing, currently expected to be held later this year, to determine whether it will require Sappi Fine Paper North America to install a fishway at its Cumberland Mills dam on the Presumpscot River.  A fishway on the Cumberland Mills dam would trigger the obligation to install fishways at Sappi Fine Paper North America's dams upstream of the Cumberland Mills dam, to allow natural migration and thus promote the restoration of native fish species to the river.  The total cost of these projects, if required, is estimated to be approximately USD18 million.  Previous settlement discussions with government agencies and environmental groups regarding the removal of the Cumberland Mills Dam have been terminated.  The US is a non-signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, but Sappi closely monitors State, regional and Federal greenhouse gas initiatives in anticipation of any potential effects on its operations.

 
Sappi Fine Paper Europe is subject to extensive environmental regulation in the various countries in which it operates. These countries are all Member States of the European Union (EU). The vast majority of pertinent environmental legislation is EU legislation which subsequently is adopted by the Member States into national law. These include the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control directive (IPPC) which regulates air emissions, water discharges and defines permit requirements and best available control techniques (The national European acts regulate the waste framework and restrict the landfills of non-inert waste to prevent contaminated leachate and methane emissions and the production and use of chemical substances is regulated by REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). The European countries in which Sappi operates are all signatories of the Kyoto Protocol and Sappi has developed a green house gas strategy in line with this protocol.
 
 
 
 220

 


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date:  October 10, 2008
 


SAPPI LIMITED,
 
      by
   /s/  D.J. O’Connor
 
Name:  D.J. O’Connor
Title:  Group Secretary