Final Prospectus

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-140411

PROSPECTUS

WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY

Offer to Exchange

All Shares of Common Stock

of

DOMTAR CORPORATION

which are owned by Weyerhaeuser Company

for

Common Shares of Weyerhaeuser Company

and Exchangeable Shares of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited

Weyerhaeuser Company is offering to exchange all shares of common stock of Domtar Corporation (“Company common stock”), which are owned by Weyerhaeuser Company, for common shares of Weyerhaeuser Company (“Weyerhaeuser common shares”) and exchangeable shares of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited (“Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares”) that are validly tendered and not properly withdrawn. The terms and conditions of this Exchange Offer are described in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, which you should read carefully. None of Weyerhaeuser Company (“Weyerhaeuser”), Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, Domtar Corporation (the “Company”), any of their respective directors or officers or any of their respective representatives makes any recommendation as to whether you should participate in this Exchange Offer. You must make your own decision after reading this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and consulting with your advisors.

The value of Weyerhaeuser common shares, Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and Company common stock will be determined by Weyerhaeuser by reference to the simple arithmetic average of the daily volume-weighted average prices, or daily VWAP, of Weyerhaeuser common shares and the common shares of Domtar Inc. (the “Domtar common shares”) on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the last three trading days (the “Valuation Dates”) of the exchange offer period, as it may be voluntarily extended, but not including the last two trading days that are part of any Mandatory Extension (as described below) or any voluntary extension following a Mandatory Extension. Based on an expiration date of March 2, 2007, the Valuation Dates will be February 28, 2007, March 1, 2007 and March 2, 2007. See “This Exchange Offer” beginning on page 40. There can be no assurance, however, that Company common stock when issued will trade on the same basis as Domtar common shares. No trading market currently exists for shares of Company common stock.

For each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted in this Exchange Offer, you will receive approximately $1.11 of Company common stock, subject to a limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock per Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share. IF THE LIMIT IS IN EFFECT, YOU WILL RECEIVE LESS THAN $1.11 OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK FOR EACH $1.00 OF WEYERHAEUSER COMMON SHARES OR WEYERHAEUSER EXCHANGEABLE SHARES THAT YOU TENDER, AND YOU COULD RECEIVE MUCH LESS. This Exchange Offer does not provide for a minimum exchange ratio. See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer.” If the limit is in effect, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and this Exchange Offer will be automatically extended (a “Mandatory Extension”) until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day to permit shareholders to tender or withdraw their Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days.

The indicative exchange ratio that would have been in effect following the official close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 9, 2007 (the day before the date of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange), based on the daily VWAPs of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on February 7, February 8 and February 9, would have provided for 11.1362 shares of Company common stock to be exchanged for every Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted.

THIS EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 2, 2007, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR TERMINATED. SHARES TENDERED PURSUANT TO THIS EXCHANGE OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THIS EXCHANGE OFFER.

In reviewing this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, you should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 21 of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange is February 12, 2007.


Unless there is a Mandatory Extension, the final exchange ratio used to determine the number of shares of Company common stock that you will receive for each Weyerhaeuser common share and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer will be announced by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. At such time, the final exchange ratio will be available at www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com and from the information agent at 877-750-9497 (for shareholders who speak English), 877-825-8777 (for shareholders who speak French) and 212-750-5833 (for banks and brokers). Weyerhaeuser will announce whether the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered will be in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, through www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com and by press release, no later than 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Throughout this Exchange Offer, indicative exchange ratios (calculated in the manner described in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange) will also be available on that website and from the information agent.

Weyerhaeuser common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “WY.” Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “WYL.” Domtar common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DTC.” On February 9, 2007, the last reported sale price of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $78.14, the last reported sale price of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange was $78.12 (which is the U.S. dollar equivalent of CDN$91.68, based on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate on February 9, 2007) and the last reported sale price of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $7.98. The Company has been authorized to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange and has applied for listing of its common stock on the Toronto Stock Exchange, in each case under the symbol “UFS.”

This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange covers all shares of Company common stock offered by Weyerhaeuser in this Exchange Offer and all shares of Company common stock that may be distributed by Weyerhaeuser as a pro rata dividend to holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. If this Exchange Offer is consummated but less than all the shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser are exchanged because this Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed, the additional shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser will be distributed as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares remaining outstanding after, and not exchanged in, this Exchange Offer. If this Exchange Offer is not consummated and is terminated by Weyerhaeuser for any reason, all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser will be distributed as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. See “This Exchange Offer—Dividend of any Shares of Company Common Stock Remaining after this Exchange Offer.”

Each share of Company common stock exchanged in this Exchange Offer and each share of Company common stock that is distributed as a pro rata dividend will have attached to it one preferred stock purchase right, the principal terms of which are described under “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law—Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan—Rights Plan.” Where appropriate, references in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange to Company common stock include these associated rights.

Promptly following consummation of this Exchange Offer, the Company and Domtar Inc., a Canadian corporation, will consummate a plan of arrangement under Canadian law in which Domtar Inc. will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and each outstanding common share of Domtar Inc. will be exchanged for one share of Company common stock or one share of a Canadian subsidiary of the Company that is exchangeable at the option of the holder for a share of Company common stock. See “The Transactions.” Immediately following the transactions, the Company will be an independent public company, owned approximately 55% by current or former Weyerhaeuser shareholders and approximately 45% by former Domtar Inc. shareholders, in each case on a fully diluted basis.

Weyerhaeuser’s obligation to exchange shares of Company common stock for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares is subject to the conditions listed under “This Exchange Offer—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer,” including the satisfaction of conditions to the plan of arrangement with Domtar Inc., which include the Domtar Inc. shareholder approval of the plan of arrangement, and other conditions.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Helpful Information

   i

Industry Data Information

   iii

Questions and Answers About This Exchange Offer and the Transactions

   iii

Summary

   1

Risk Factors

   21

Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

   39

This Exchange Offer

   40

The Transactions

   65

The Contribution And Distribution Agreement

   73

The Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement

   79

The Transaction Agreement

   80

The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution

   89

Financing

   92

Dividend Policy

   96

Selected Historical Combined Financial Data of the Company

   97

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company

   98

Selected Historical Financial Data of Weyerhaeuser

   119

Selected Historical Financial Data of Domtar

   120

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company

   123

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information of Weyerhaeuser

   135

Business of the Combined Company

   142

Business of the Company

   145

Business of Weyerhaeuser

   153

Business of Domtar

   154

Board of Directors and Management of the Company Following the Transactions

   155

Ownership of Company Common Stock

   161

Description of Company Capital Stock

   164

Comparison of Rights of Holders of Company Common Stock and Weyerhaeuser Shares

   167

Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law

   173

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   178

Legal Matters

   178

Experts

   178

Where You Can Find More Information

   179

Index to Financial Pages

   F-1

This document incorporates by reference important business and financial information about Weyerhaeuser from documents filed with the SEC that have not been included in or delivered with this document. This information is available at the website that the SEC maintains at www.sec.gov, as well as from other sources. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” You also may ask any questions about this Exchange Offer or request copies of the exchange offer documents from Weyerhaeuser, without charge, upon written or oral request to Weyerhaeuser’s information agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, located at 501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022 or 877-750-9497 (for shareholders who speak English), 877-825-8777 (for shareholders who speak French) and 212-750-5833 (for banks and brokers). In order to receive timely delivery of the documents, you must make your requests no later than February 23, 2007.


HELPFUL INFORMATION

In this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange:

 

   

“Arrangement” means an arrangement in accordance with Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporation Act that will result in the Company indirectly owning all of the outstanding Domtar common shares;

 

   

“Canadian Asset Transfer” means the transfer to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub of certain of Weyerhaeuser’s Canadian fine paper and related assets and the assumption by Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub of certain of Weyerhaeuser’s Canadian fine paper and related liabilities;

 

   

“Canadian GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in Canada;

 

   

“CDN$” means Canadian dollar;

 

   

“Class B common shares” means Class B voting common shares of Offerco;

 

   

“Combined Company” means the combined operations of the Company, Domtar and their respective subsidiaries;

 

   

“Company Contribution” means the transfer by Weyerhaeuser to the Company of all the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Newco in exchange for a number of shares of Company common stock determined in accordance with a formula specified in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, and $1.35 billion in cash;

 

   

“Company” means Domtar Corporation and, unless the context otherwise requires, its subsidiaries;

 

   

“Contribution” means the Company Contribution together with the Newco Contribution;

 

   

“Contribution and Distribution Agreement” means the amended and restated contribution and distribution agreement, dated as of January 25, 2007, among Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Newco;

 

   

“Distribution” means the distribution by Weyerhaeuser of its shares of Company common stock to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to this Exchange Offer and any pro rata dividend to holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares of Company common stock held by Weyerhaeuser and not exchanged in this Exchange Offer;

 

   

“Domtar” means Domtar Inc. and, unless the context otherwise requires, its subsidiaries;

 

   

“DSPP Shares” means Weyerhaeuser common shares in uncertificated form held through the Weyerhaeuser Direct Stock Purchase Plan maintained by Mellon Investor Services LLC, as transfer agent;

 

   

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

 

   

“Mandatory Conditions” means the conditions for consummation of this Exchange Offer that cannot be waived by Weyerhaeuser, i.e., conditions listed in (1), (2) and (3) listed in the first paragraph under “This Exchange Offer—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer;”

 

   

“Mandatory Extension” means the mandatory extension of the exchange offer period triggered by the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered as described in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange;

 

   

“Newco Canada” means Domtar Pacific Papers ULC, a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newco Holding;

 

   

“Newco Canada Exchangeco” means Domtar (Canada) Paper Inc., a British Columbia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newco Canada;

 

   

“Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub” means Domtar Pulp and Paper Products Inc, a Canadian corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newco Canada Exchangeco;

 

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“Newco Contribution” means the transfer by Weyerhaeuser to Newco of certain of Weyerhaeuser’s U.S. fine paper and related assets in exchange for the issuance of additional limited liability company interests of Newco to Weyerhaeuser and the assumption by Newco of certain of Weyerhaeuser’s U.S. fine paper and related liabilities;

 

   

“Newco Holding” means Domtar Delaware Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newco;

 

   

“Newco” means Domtar Paper Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

 

   

“Offerco” means 4388216 Canada Inc., a Canadian corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newco Canada Exchangeco;

 

   

“Old Newco Canada” means Domtar Pacific Papers Inc., a British Columbia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newco Holding;

 

   

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

   

“tons” means short tons when used with respect to fine paper and metric tons when used with respect to pulp;

 

   

“Transaction Agreement” means the amended and restated transaction agreement, dated as of January 25, 2007, among Weyerhaeuser, the Company, Newco, Newco Holding, Newco Canada, Old Newco Canada, Newco Canada Exchangeco and Domtar;

 

   

“unit shipments” means short tons when used with respect to fine paper and metric tons when used with respect to pulp;

 

   

“U.S.” means United States;

 

   

“U.S. GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States;

 

   

“Valuation Dates” means the last three trading days of the exchange offer period, as it may be voluntarily extended, but not including the last two trading days that are part of any Mandatory Extension or any voluntary extension following a Mandatory Extension;

 

   

“Weyerhaeuser” means Weyerhaeuser Company and, unless the context otherwise requires, its subsidiaries, other than the Company and Newco and any of their respective subsidiaries;

 

   

“Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business” means the fine paper and related businesses that will be transferred by Weyerhaeuser to Newco and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub as part of the Contribution and the Canadian Asset Transfer. See “The Contribution and Distribution Agreement—The Contribution—The Newco Contribution;”

 

   

“Weyerhaeuser shareholders” means the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and, unless the context otherwise requires, holders of exchangeable shares of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, which are exchangeable for Weyerhaeuser common shares;

 

   

“Weyerhaeuser shares” means Weyerhaeuser common shares and, unless the content otherwise requires, the exchangeable shares of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, which are exchangeable for Weyerhaeuser common shares; and

 

   

“$” or “dollar” means U.S. dollar.

 

ii


INDUSTRY DATA INFORMATION

Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all statements regarding sales and market data for Weyerhaeuser, the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar are based on statistical data obtained from independent market research firms that make this data available to the public at prescribed rates. Neither the Company nor Weyerhaeuser has independently verified this information.

Except where otherwise noted, information with respect to “capacity” or “production capacity” assumes production 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, less days allotted for certain planned maintenance and other downtime. The method used for calculating days for maintenance and downtime may vary from company to company.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE TRANSACTIONS

This Exchange Offer is being made in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, which provide for the following:

 

   

the Canadian Asset Transfer;

 

   

the Newco Contribution;

 

   

the transfer by Weyerhaeuser to the Company of all the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Newco in exchange for (x) a number of shares of Company common stock determined in accordance with a formula specified in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement and (y) the Company Contribution;

 

   

the Distribution; and

 

   

the Arrangement.

The Canadian Asset Transfer, the Contribution, the Distribution and the Arrangement are referred to in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange as the “Transactions.” If this Exchange Offer is consummated, the Distribution will occur pursuant to this Exchange Offer and, if this Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed, as a dividend of any unexchanged Company shares. If this Exchange Offer is not consummated for any reason, all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser will be distributed as a pro rata dividend. See “The Transactions—The Distribution” and “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer.”

Immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, including the Arrangement with Domtar, approximately 55% of the outstanding shares of Company common stock on a fully diluted basis will be held by Weyerhaeuser shareholders or former Weyerhaeuser shareholders and approximately 45% will be held by former Domtar shareholders.

Questions and Answers about this Exchange Offer

The following questions and answers highlight selected information regarding this Exchange Offer. For a more complete description of the terms of this Exchange Offer, please read this entire Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and the documents it refers to. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

May I participate in this Exchange Offer?

Any holder of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares may participate in this Exchange Offer.

 

How many shares of Company common stock will I receive for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share that I tender?

This Exchange Offer is designed to permit you to exchange your Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for shares of

 

iii


 

Company common stock at a 10% discount to the per-share value of Domtar common shares, calculated as set forth in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. Stated another way, for each $1.00 of your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted in this Exchange Offer, you will receive approximately $1.11 of Company common stock, based on the calculated per-share values for the Weyerhaeuser common shares and the Company common stock determined by reference to the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the Valuation Dates. Please note, however, that:

 

   

The number of shares you can receive is subject to a limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer. If the limit is in effect, you will receive less than $1.11 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, depending on the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock at the expiration date of this Exchange Offer, and you could receive much less. This Exchange Offer does not provide for a minimum exchange ratio. See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer.”

 

 

   

Because this Exchange Offer is subject to proration, Weyerhaeuser may accept for exchange in this Exchange Offer only a portion of the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered by you.

 

 

 

Weyerhaeuser will announce whether the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, through www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com and by press release, no later than 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. If the limit is in effect at that time, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and this Exchange Offer will be extended (a “Mandatory Extension”) until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day to permit shareholders to tender or withdraw their Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days.

 

iv


 

The number of shares of Company common stock you will receive in exchange for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share you tender is referred to in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange as the “exchange ratio.”

 

Is there a limit on the number of shares of Company common stock I can receive for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share that I tender?

The number of shares you can receive is subject to a limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer. If the limit is in effect, you will receive less than $1.11 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that you tender, and you could receive much less. For example, if the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares was $75.57 (the highest closing price for Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange during the three-month period prior to commencement of this Exchange Offer) and the calculated per-share value of Company common stock was $6.56 (the lowest closing price for Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange during that three-month period), the value of Company common stock, based on the Domtar common share price, received for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted for exchange would be approximately $0.97 for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser shares accepted for exchange.

 

 

This limit was calculated based on a 17% discount for Company common stock based on the closing prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on February 1, 2007 (the day before the commencement of this Exchange Offer). Weyerhaeuser set this limit to ensure that an unusual or unexpected drop in the trading price of Domtar common shares, relative to the trading price of Weyerhaeuser common shares, would not result in an unduly high number of shares of Company common stock being exchanged for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer.

 

What will happen if the limit is in effect?

Weyerhaeuser will announce whether the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered will be in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, through www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com and by press release, no later than 4:30 p.m. on the expiration

 

v


 

date. If the limit is in effect at that time, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made to permit shareholders to tender or withdraw their Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days. The VWAP and trading prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares during this Mandatory Extension will not, however, affect the exchange ratio, which will be fixed at 11.1442.

 

How are the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock determined for purposes of calculating the number of shares of Company common stock to be received in this Exchange Offer?

The calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for purposes of this Exchange Offer will equal the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the Valuation Dates.

 

 

The calculated per-share value of a share of Company common stock for purposes of this Exchange Offer will equal the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the Valuation Dates.

 

 

Weyerhaeuser will determine such calculations of the per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares, Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and Company common stock, and such determination will be final.

 

 

If a market disruption event occurs with respect to Weyerhaeuser common shares or Domtar common shares on any of the Valuation Dates, the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares, Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and shares of Company common stock will be determined using the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the preceding trading day or days, as the case may be, on which no market disruption event occurred with respect to both Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares. See “This Exchange Offer—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer.”

 

 

If the limit is in effect, the exchange ratio will be fixed and the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock based on the daily VWAP during the Mandatory Extension will not affect the exchange ratio. See “This Exchange Offer—Extension; Termination; Amendment—Mandatory Extension.”

 

vi


What is the “daily volume-weighted average price?”

The “daily volume-weighted average price” for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares will be the volume-weighted average price of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York City time (or such other time as is the official open of trading on the New York Stock Exchange), and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York City time (or such other time as is the official close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange and in no event later than 4:10 p.m., New York City time), as reported to Weyerhaeuser by Bloomberg L.P. for the equity ticker WY.N, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, and equity ticker DTC.N, in the case of Domtar common shares. The daily VWAPs provided by Bloomberg L.P. may be different from other sources of volume-weighted average prices or investors’ or security holders’ own calculations of volume-weighted average prices.

 

Where can I find the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares during the exchange offer period?

Weyerhaeuser will maintain a website at www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com that provides the daily VWAP of both Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares, together with indicative exchange ratios, for each day during this Exchange Offer. During the period of the Valuation Dates, when the values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares are calculated for the purposes of this Exchange Offer, the website will show the indicative exchange ratios based on indicative calculated per-share values calculated by Weyerhaeuser, which will equal (i) on the first Valuation Date, the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day, (ii) on the second Valuation Date, the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day averaged with the actual daily VWAP on the first Valuation Date and (iii) on the third Valuation Date, the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day averaged with the actual daily VWAP on the first Valuation Date and the actual daily VWAP on the second Valuation Date. During this period, the indicative exchange ratios and calculated per-share values will be updated at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., New York City time.

 

Why is the calculated per-share value for Company common stock based on the trading prices for Domtar common shares?

There is currently no trading market for Company common stock. Weyerhaeuser believes, however, that the trading prices for Domtar common shares are an appropriate proxy for the expected trading prices for Company common stock when issued because (i) in the Arrangement, each outstanding Domtar common

 

vii


 

share will be exchanged for one share of Company common stock (or one exchangeable share of a subsidiary of the Company that will be exchangeable for one share of Company common stock), (ii) at the Valuation Dates, it is expected that all the major conditions to the consummation of the Arrangement will have been satisfied and the Arrangement will be expected to be consummated shortly, such that investors should be expected to be valuing each Domtar common share based on the expected value of one share of Company common stock when issued, and (iii) research analysts are already reflecting the likely consummation of the Arrangement in their research regarding Domtar. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company common stock when issued will trade on the same basis as the Domtar common shares prior to the Arrangement. See “Risk Factors—The trading prices for Domtar common shares may not be an appropriate proxy for the expected trading prices of Company common stock when issued.”

 

How and when will I know the final exchange ratio?

Subject to the possible Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer described below, the final exchange ratio showing the number of shares of Company common stock that you will receive for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer will be available at www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date and separately announced by press release. In addition, as described below, indicative exchange ratios will be available throughout the exchange offer period. You may also contact the information agent to obtain these

 

indicative exchange ratios and the final exchange ratio at its toll-free number provided on the back cover of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

 

 

Weyerhaeuser will announce whether the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect through www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com and by press release, no later than 4:30 p.m. on the expiration date. If the limit is in effect at that time, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made to permit shareholders to tender or withdraw their Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days.

 

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Will indicative exchange ratios be provided during the tender offer period?

Yes. Indicative exchange ratios will be available at www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on each day during the exchange offer period, calculated as though that day were the expiration date of this Exchange Offer. For example, by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on February 15, 2007 (the tenth trading day of this Exchange Offer), Weyerhaeuser will show an indicative exchange ratio based on the average of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares, on February 13, 2007 (the eighth trading day), February 14, 2007 (the ninth trading day) and February 15, 2007 (the tenth trading day). The indicative exchange ratio will also reflect whether the limit on the exchange ratio, described above, would have been in effect. You may also contact the information agent at its toll-free number to obtain these indicative exchange ratios.

 

 

In addition, for purposes of illustration, a table that indicates the number of shares of Company common stock that you would receive per Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share, calculated on the basis described above and taking into account the maximum limit, assuming a range of averages of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the Valuation Dates is provided under “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer.”

 

What if Weyerhaeuser common shares or Domtar common shares do not trade on any of the Valuation Dates?

If a market disruption event occurs with respect to Weyerhaeuser common shares or Domtar common shares on any of the Valuation Dates, the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares, Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and shares of

 

Company common stock will be determined using the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the preceding trading day or days, as the case may be, on which no market disruption event occurred with respect to both Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares. If, however, a market disruption event occurs as specified above, Weyerhaeuser may terminate this Exchange Offer if, in its reasonable judgment, the market disruption event has impaired the benefits of this Exchange Offer. For specific information as to what would constitute a market disruption event, see “This Exchange Offer—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer.”

 

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Are there circumstances under which I would receive fewer shares of Company common stock than I would have received if the exchange ratio were determined using the closing prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the expiration date of this Exchange Offer?

Yes. For example, if the trading price of Weyerhaeuser common shares were to increase during the period of the Valuation Dates, the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares would likely be lower than the closing price of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the expiration date of this Exchange Offer. As a result, you may receive fewer shares of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares than you would have if that per-share value were calculated on the basis of the closing price of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the expiration date. Similarly, if the trading price of Domtar common shares were to decrease during the period of the Valuation Dates, the calculated per-share value of Company common stock would likely be higher than the closing price of Domtar common shares on the expiration date. This could also result in your receiving fewer shares of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares than you would otherwise receive if that per-share value were calculated on the basis of the closing price of Domtar common shares on the expiration date of this Exchange Offer. See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer.”

 

 

In addition, if the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period and there is a Mandatory Extension until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day, then the number of shares you will receive in exchange for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered will be fixed at the limit and will not relate to the closing prices on the expiration date of this Exchange Offer.

 

 

The value of Company common stock you receive may not remain above the value of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares you exchange following the expiration date of this Exchange Offer.

 

Will Weyerhaeuser distribute fractional shares?

No fractional shares of Company common stock will be delivered to holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. Fractional shares of Company common stock allocable to any holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will be

 

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aggregated. The exchange agent will cause the sale of the whole shares obtained thereby in the open market or otherwise and will distribute the net proceeds thereof, after deducting any required withholding taxes and brokerage charges, commissions and transfer taxes, to each shareholder entitled thereto in accordance with the shareholder’s fractional interest.

 

What is the aggregate number of shares of Company common stock being offered in this Exchange Offer?

Weyerhaeuser estimates that approximately 281,000,000 shares of Company common stock will be offered in this Exchange Offer. The exact number of shares of Company common stock to be issued to Weyerhaeuser as part of the consideration in the Company Contribution will not be determined until a date designated by Weyerhaeuser that is at least 10 business days after the commencement of this Exchange Offer but not more than 20 business days prior to the date of consummation of this Exchange Offer. Unless the expiration date of this Exchange Offer is extended past March 19, 2007, the date for determining the exact number of shares of Company common stock to be issued to Weyerhaeuser will be February 16, 2007. When the exact number of shares of Company common stock to be issued to Weyerhaeuser is determined, Weyerhaeuser will make a public announcement to specify the total number of shares of Company common stock to be exchanged for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. See “The Transactions—The Contribution.” In this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser is offering all the shares of Company common stock it will hold on the date of consummation of this Exchange Offer.

 

Are there any conditions to Weyerhaeuser’s obligation to complete this Exchange Offer?

Yes. This Exchange Offer is subject to various conditions listed under “This Exchange Offer—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer.” If any of these conditions are not satisfied or

 

waived prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will not be required to accept shares for exchange and may extend or terminate this Exchange Offer.

 

 

Weyerhaeuser may waive any of the conditions to this Exchange Offer, except for the conditions listed in (1), (2) and (3) listed in the first paragraph under “This Exchange Offer—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer.” The conditions that cannot be waived by Weyerhaeuser are referred to as the “Mandatory Conditions.” For a description of the material conditions precedent to the Arrangement, including the receipt of Domtar

 

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shareholder approval and other conditions, see “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions.”

 

 

The Company has no right to waive or assert any of the conditions to this Exchange Offer.

 

What happens if not enough Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are tendered to allow Weyerhaeuser to exchange all of the shares of Company common stock it holds?

If this Exchange Offer is consummated but less than all the shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser are exchanged because this Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed, the additional shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser will be distributed as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares remaining outstanding after, and not exchanged in, this Exchange Offer.

 

 

On or prior to the time of consummation of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will transfer (or cause to be transferred) to Mellon Investor Services LLC, by book-entry, all of the Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser, with irrevocable instructions to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be exchanged for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer and to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be distributed in any pro rata dividend. If there is a pro rata dividend to be distributed, Mellon Investor Services LLC will calculate the exact number of shares of Company common stock not exchanged in this Exchange Offer and to be distributed as a pro rata dividend and that number of shares of Company common stock will be transferred to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares entitled thereto. See “This Exchange Offer—Dividend of any Shares of Company Common Stock Remaining after this Exchange Offer.”

 

Will all Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that I tender be accepted in this Exchange Offer?

Not necessarily. Weyerhaeuser estimates that approximately 281,000,000 shares of Company common stock will be offered in this Exchange Offer. Depending on the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered in this Exchange Offer and not properly withdrawn, and the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock determined as described above, Weyerhaeuser may have to limit the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that it accepts in this Exchange Offer through a proration process. Any proration of

 

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the number of shares accepted in this Exchange Offer will be determined on the basis of the proration mechanics described under “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Proration; Odd-Lots.”

 

 

An exception to proration is that shareholders who beneficially own “odd-lots,” that is, fewer than 100 Weyerhaeuser common shares or 100 Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. Beneficial holders of less than 100 Weyerhaeuser common shares or 100 Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares who validly tender all of their shares of the class in which they hold less than 100 shares may elect not to be subject to proration with respect to that class.

 

 

In all other cases, proration for each tendering shareholder will be based on (i) the proportion that the total number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to be accepted bears to the total number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not withdrawn and (ii) the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not withdrawn by that shareholder (and not on that shareholder’s aggregate ownership of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares). Other than with respect to odd-lots, proration will be applied treating Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares as a single class. Any Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares not accepted for exchange as a result of proration will be returned to tendering shareholders promptly after the final proration factor is determined.

 

How many Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will Weyerhaeuser acquire if this Exchange Offer is completed?

The number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that will be accepted if this Exchange Offer is completed will depend on the final exchange ratio, the number of shares of Company common stock offered and the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not withdrawn. Weyerhaeuser estimates that approximately 281,000,000 shares of Company common stock will be offered for exchange in this Exchange Offer. Based on this estimate, the largest possible number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that will be accepted would equal 281,000,000 divided by the final exchange ratio. For example, assuming that the

 

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final exchange ratio is 11.1442 (the maximum number of shares of Company common stock that could be exchanged for one Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share), then Weyerhaeuser would accept up to a total of approximately 25,214,909 Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

 

When does this Exchange Offer expire?

The period during which you are permitted to tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on March 2, 2007, unless Weyerhaeuser extends the expiration of this Exchange Offer. If the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made. See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Extension; Termination; Amendment.”

 

Can this Exchange Offer be extended and under what circumstances?

Yes. Weyerhaeuser can extend this Exchange Offer, in its sole discretion, but does not intend to extend this Exchange Offer other than in the following circumstances: (a) if any of the conditions for consummation of this Exchange Offer listed under “This Exchange Offer—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer” are not satisfied or waived prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer, (b) to comply with any applicable law or to obtain any governmental, regulatory or other approvals or (c) for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the SEC or the staff thereof applicable to this Exchange Offer, including as required in connection with any material changes to the terms of or information concerning this Exchange Offer. In case of an extension of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will publicly announce by press release the extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following the previously scheduled expiration date. In addition, if the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made.

 

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How do I participate in this Exchange Offer?

The procedures you must follow to participate in this Exchange Offer will depend on whether you hold your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in certificated form, in uncertificated form through the Weyerhaeuser Direct Stock Purchase Plan maintained by Mellon Investor Services LLC, as transfer agent (such shares, “DSPP Shares”) or through a bank or trust company or broker. For specific instructions about how to participate, see “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering.”

 

How do I tender my Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares after the final exchange ratio has been determined?

Subject to a Mandatory Extension, the final exchange ratio will be available no earlier than between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. If you wish to tender your shares after the final exchange ratio has been determined, you will generally need to do so by means of delivering a notice of guaranteed delivery and complying with the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the section entitled “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.” You must, in all cases, obtain a Medallion guarantee from a U.S. eligible institution, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or from a Canadian eligible institution, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, in each case in the form set forth in the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery for the delivery of your shares in this manner. A Medallion guarantee can generally be obtained from an eligible institution only before the institution providing that guarantee has closed for the day. If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, that institution must tender your shares on your behalf.

 

 

If your Weyerhaeuser common shares are held through an institution and you wish to tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares after The Depository Trust Company has closed, the institution must deliver a notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent via facsimile prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date.

 

 

If your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are held through an institution and you wish to tender your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares after CDSX has closed, the institution must deliver a notice of guaranteed delivery to the Canadian depositary via

 

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facsimile prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date.

 

 

Any institution that is not an eligible institution will need to obtain a Medallion guarantee from an eligible institution in the form set forth in the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery in connection with the delivery of those shares.

 

 

See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering—Tendering Your Shares After the Final Exchange Ratio Has Been Determined.”

 

Can I tender only a portion of my Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer?

Yes. You may tender all, some or none of your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

 

What do I do if I want to retain all of my Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares?

If you want to retain all of your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, you do not need to take any action.

 

Can I change my mind after I tender my Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares?

Yes. You may withdraw your tendered shares at any time before this Exchange Offer expires. See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Withdrawal Rights.” If you change your mind again, you can re-tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares by following the tender procedures again prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer.

 

Will I be able to withdraw the Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares I tender after the final exchange ratio has been determined?

Yes. The final exchange ratio used to determine the number of shares of Company common stock that you will receive for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer will be announced by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of this Exchange Offer, which is March 2, 2007, unless this Exchange Offer is extended or terminated. See “This Exchange Offer— Terms of this Exchange Offer.”

 

 

You have the right to withdraw Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares you have tendered at any time before the expiration of this Exchange Offer. See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Withdrawal Rights.”

 

 

In order to withdraw your shares, you (or, in lieu thereof, if you hold your shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, that institution on your behalf) must

 

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provide a written notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, and to the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. The information that must be included in that notice is specified under “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Withdrawal Rights.”

 

 

If you hold your shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, you should consult that institution on the procedures you must comply with and the time by which such procedures must be completed in order for that institution to provide a written notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, and to the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, on your behalf before 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date. If you hold your shares through such an institution, that institution must deliver the notice of withdrawal with respect to any shares you wish to withdraw. In such a case, as a beneficial owner and not a registered shareholder, you will not be able to provide a notice of withdrawal for such shares directly to the exchange agent or the Canadian depositary.

 

 

If the limit on the number of shares of Company common stock that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second

 

following trading day will be made to permit you to tender or withdraw your Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days, either directly or by acting through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution on your behalf.

 

How do I withdraw my tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares after the final exchange ratio has been determined?

Subject to a Mandatory Extension, the final exchange ratio will be available no earlier than between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of this Exchange Offer. If you are a registered shareholder of Weyerhaeuser common shares (which includes persons holding certificated shares or DSPP Shares) or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and you wish to withdraw your shares after the final exchange ratio has been determined, then you must deliver a written notice of

 

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withdrawal to the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, in each case prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date. Medallion guarantees will not be required for such withdrawal notices. If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, any notice of withdrawal must be delivered by that institution on your behalf.

 

 

If your Weyerhaeuser common shares are held through an institution and you wish to withdraw Weyerhaeuser common shares after The Depository Trust Company has closed, the institution must deliver a written notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date, in the form of The Depository Trust Company’s notice of withdrawal and you must specify the name and number of the account at The Depository Trust Company to be credited with the withdrawn shares and must otherwise comply with The Depository Trust Company’s procedures.

 

 

If your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are held through an institution and you wish to withdraw your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares after CDSX has closed, you must deliver a written notice of withdrawal to the Canadian depositary, with a copy to CDS, prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date, and the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at CDS to be credited with the withdrawn shares and must otherwise comply with CDS’s procedures.

 

 

See “This Exchange Offer-Terms of this Exchange Offer-Withdrawal Rights-Withdrawing Your Shares After the Final Exchange Ratio Has Been Determined.”

 

Will I be taxed on the shares of Company common stock that I receive in this Exchange Offer?

Weyerhaeuser shareholders generally will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of this Exchange Offer, except for any gain or loss attributable to the receipt of cash instead of a fractional share of Company common stock received in this Exchange Offer. Canadian resident holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will, however, likely be subject to Canadian income tax on the receipt of shares of Company common stock. Certain

 

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significant foreign shareholders also may recognize gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of this Exchange Offer if Weyerhaeuser is determined to be a “United States real property holding corporation.”

 

 

YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR FOR A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THIS EXCHANGE OFFER.

 

 

The material U.S. federal income tax consequences of this Exchange Offer are described in more detail under “This Exchange Offer—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

 

Are there any appraisal rights for holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares?

There are no appraisal rights available to holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in connection with this Exchange Offer.

 

Who do I contact for information regarding this Exchange Offer?

You may call the information agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, at 877-750-9497 (for shareholders who speak English), 877-825-8777 (for shareholders who speak French) and 212-750-5833 (for banks and brokers), to ask any questions about this Exchange Offer or to request additional documents, including copies of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and the applicable letter of transmittal (including the instructions thereto).

Questions and Answers about the Transactions

The following questions and answers highlight selected information regarding the Canadian Asset Transfer, the Contribution, the Distribution, the Arrangement and related transactions described in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. For a more complete description of the terms of the Canadian Asset Transfer, the Contribution, the Distribution, the Arrangement and related transactions, please read this entire Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and the documents it refers to. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

How will the Transactions be consummated?

The Transactions will be consummated through a series of steps described under “The Transactions,” which steps are referred to as the Canadian Asset Transfer, the Contribution, the Distribution and the Arrangement.

 

What will happen in the Canadian Asset Transfer?

Prior to the Contribution, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd., two Canadian subsidiaries of Weyerhaeuser, will transfer certain of their fine paper and related assets to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub will assume certain of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd.’s fine paper and related liabilities. See “The Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement.”

 

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What will happen in the Contribution?

The Contribution will occur in two separate steps.

 

 

First, Weyerhaeuser will transfer to Newco certain of Weyerhaeuser’s fine paper and related assets in exchange for the issuance of additional limited liability company interests of Newco to Weyerhaeuser and the assumption by Newco of certain of Weyerhaeuser’s fine paper and related liabilities.

 

 

Second, Weyerhaeuser will transfer to the Company all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Newco in exchange for $1.35 billion in cash and shares of Company common stock.

 

 

Following the Contribution, the Company will indirectly hold and operate the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business through Newco, which will have become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. See “The Transactions—The Contribution.”

 

What will happen in the Distribution?

Following the Contribution, Weyerhaeuser will distribute all the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock to Weyerhaeuser shareholders. The Distribution will occur pursuant to this Exchange Offer and, if this Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed or is not consummated, a dividend of any unexchanged Company shares. See “The Transactions—The Distribution” and “This Exchange Offer.”

 

What will happen in the Arrangement?

Following the Contribution and the Distribution, the Company and Domtar will consummate a plan of arrangement under Canadian law whereby all Domtar common shares (other than any shares held by a holder exercising dissent rights) will be exchanged, on a one-for-one basis, for Class B common shares.

 

 

Immediately following the exchange of Domtar common shares for Class B common shares, each of such Class B common shares will be acquired by Newco Canada Exchangeco for one share of Company common stock. Certain Canadian holders of Class B common shares of Offerco can elect to receive, instead of a share of Company common stock, an exchangeable share of Newco Canada Exchangeco, which will be exchangeable at any time at the option of the holder for a share of Company common stock.

 

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Immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, including the Arrangement with Domtar, approximately 55% of the outstanding Company common stock on a fully diluted basis will be held by Weyerhaeuser shareholders or former Weyerhaeuser shareholders and approximately 45% will be held by former Domtar shareholders.

 

What shareholder approvals are needed in connection with the Transactions?

The Arrangement cannot be completed unless the Transaction Agreement, the plan of arrangement and the Arrangement are approved by the affirmative vote of the shareholders and optionholders of Domtar. See “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions.”

 

 

No vote of Weyerhaeuser shareholders is required or being sought in connection with the Transactions. Weyerhaeuser is not asking you for a proxy and you are requested not to send a proxy.

 

Are there any other conditions to the Transactions?

Yes. In addition to approval by shareholders and optionholders of Domtar, consummation of the Distribution and the Arrangement is subject to customary conditions, including the effectiveness of certain filings with the SEC, the approval of the plan of arrangement by the Superior Court of Québec and a tax opinion of Weyerhaeuser’s counsel, the execution of the three-month unsecured term loan facility described under “Financing” and the receipt of the proceeds thereof in a principal amount of $1.35 billion, the execution of the credit facilities described under “Financing,” the approval for listing of the exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange that the

 

Class B common shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco will, upon issuance, be listed and posted for trading. See “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions.”

 

Are there risks associated with the Transactions?

Yes. The Combined Company may not achieve the expected benefits of the Transactions because of the risks and uncertainties discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” and the section titled “Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.” Those risks include, among other things, risks relating to the uncertainty that the Company will be able to integrate the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business with the Domtar business successfully, uncertainties relating to the performance of the Combined Company and the Company’s level of indebtedness following the consummation of the Transactions.

 

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When will the Distribution occur?

The Distribution will occur immediately prior to the Arrangement after all conditions precedent to the Distribution and the Arrangement have been satisfied or waived.

 

When will the Arrangement occur?

The Arrangement is expected to occur on the date this Exchange Offer is consummated. However, it is possible that the conditions to the Arrangement will not be met and the Arrangement may not be completed at all, in which case this Exchange Offer will be terminated without any shares being exchanged. For a discussion of the conditions to the Arrangement see “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions.”

 

Will the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares I own change as a result of the Distribution?

The number of Weyerhaeuser shares you own will be decreased to the extent these shares are tendered and exchanged for shares of Company common stock in this Exchange Offer.

 

Where will the Company shares be listed?

The Company has been authorized to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange and has applied for listing of such shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange, in each case under the symbol “UFS.”

 

What is the current relationship between the Company and Domtar?

The Company is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser and was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in August 2006 to indirectly hold the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and consummate the arrangement with Domtar. Prior to the Arrangement, however, there is no relationship between the Company and Domtar other than the fact that both are parties to the Transaction Agreement.

 

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SUMMARY

The following summary contains certain information from this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. It does not contain all the details concerning the distribution of the Company common stock to Weyerhaeuser shareholders, including information that may be important to you. To better understand the Distribution and the business and financial position of the Company, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar, you should carefully review this entire Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and the documents it refers to. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The Companies

Domtar Corporation:

Domtar Corporation

33663 Weyerhaeuser Way South

Federal Way, WA 98003

Telephone: (253) 924-2345

Domtar Corporation (formerly known as Weyerhaeuser TIA, Inc. and referred to herein as the “Company”) is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser and was incorporated in its current form as a Delaware corporation in August 2006 to indirectly hold the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and consummate the arrangement with Domtar. The Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business is currently operated by Weyerhaeuser but will be transferred to Newco and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub prior to the Distribution and the Arrangement. Weyerhaeuser will subsequently transfer the limited liability company interests in Newco to the Company. This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange describes the Company as if it held the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (indirectly through Newco) for all periods and dates presented. The description of the Company in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange does not include the business of Domtar. For information regarding Domtar and the pro forma effect of the Arrangement on the Company, see “Selected Historical Financial Data of Domtar,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company,” “Business of the Combined Company,” “Business of Domtar” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The Company principally manufactures and sells fine paper, including uncoated free sheet and coated groundwood. Based on production capacity, the Company is the second largest integrated manufacturer of uncoated free sheet in North America and the third largest in the world, with six uncoated free sheet mills in the United States and two in Canada (one of which is currently not in operation) and one coated groundwood mill in the United States.

The Company also manufactures papergrade pulp at several of its paper mills, fluff pulp at its pulp mill in Plymouth, North Carolina and papergrade pulp and specialty pulp at its pulp mill in Kamloops, British Columbia. Fluff pulp and specialty pulp are sold to third parties. Papergrade pulp is sold to the extent the Company produces pulp in excess of the pulp required for internal use at its paper mills.

The Company generated revenues of $3.3 billion during 2005 and $2.4 billion during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006, of which the revenues generated by pulp and fine paper products represented approximately 94% in both periods. In addition to its pulp and fine paper business, the Company manufactures softwood lumber products. See “Business of the Company.”

 

 

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Weyerhaeuser Company:

Weyerhaeuser Company

33663 Weyerhaeuser Way South

Federal Way, WA 98003

Telephone: (253) 924-2345

Weyerhaeuser Company is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber, the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products, and real estate development and construction. Its business segments are timberlands (which includes logs, chips and timber), wood products (which includes softwood lumber, plywood, veneer, oriented strand board (OSB), hardwood lumber, engineered lumber, raw materials and building materials distribution), cellulose fiber and white papers (which includes pulp, paper and liquid packaging board), containerboard, packaging and recycling, real estate and related assets and corporate and other. Weyerhaeuser generated revenues of $22.0 billion during 2005 and $16.2 billion during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Domtar Inc.:

Domtar Inc.

395 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West

Montreal, QC

Canada H3A 1L6

Telephone: (514) 848-5400

Based on production capacity, Domtar Inc. (also referred to herein as “Domtar”) is the third largest integrated manufacturer of uncoated free sheet in North America and the fourth largest in the world, with four pulp and paper mills in Canada (one of which is currently not in operation) and five in the United States. Domtar’s paper business is its most important segment and represented 62% of Domtar’s consolidated sales in 2005 (excluding 50% of Norampac Inc.’s sales, which were required to be included in Domtar’s consolidated financial statements under Canadian GAAP), or 68% when including sales of Domtar paper through its paper merchants business. In addition to its paper business, Domtar manufactures and markets lumber and wood-based value-added products and engages in the paper merchants business, which involves the purchasing, warehousing, sale and distribution of various paper products made by Domtar and by other manufacturers. Prior to December 29, 2006, Domtar also owned a 50% equity interest in Norampac Inc. (“Norampac”), a joint venture in the packaging business. On December 29, 2006, Domtar sold its interest in Norampac to Cascades Inc. for a cash consideration of CDN$560 million (the U.S. dollar equivalent of which is $480.6 million at an exchange rate of 1.1652 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar, the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 29, 2006). The net after tax proceeds of the sale will be used primarily to reduce debt to be incurred by the Company in connection with the Transactions or to repay Domtar’s existing indebtedness. See “Business of Domtar” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

 

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The Transactions

On August 23, 2006, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar announced they entered into agreements providing for a combination of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar. Below is a step-by-step description of the sequence of material events relating to the combination.

 

Step 1   

The Canadian Asset Transfer:

 

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd., two Canadian subsidiaries of Weyerhaeuser, will transfer certain of their fine paper and related assets to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub will assume certain of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd.’s fine paper and related liabilities. See “The Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement.”

Step 2

  

The Newco Contribution:

 

Weyerhaeuser will transfer to Newco certain of Weyerhaeuser’s U.S. fine paper and related assets in exchange for the issuance of additional limited liability company interests of Newco to Weyerhaeuser and the assumption by Newco of certain of Weyerhaeuser’s fine paper and related liabilities. See “The Transactions—The Contribution.”

Step 3

  

The Interim Financing:

 

The Company will draw down $1.35 billion under a three-month unsecured term loan facility. See “Financing.”

Step 4

  

The Company Contribution:

 

Weyerhaeuser will transfer to the Company all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Newco in exchange for (x) $1.35 billion in cash, and (y) a number of shares of Company common stock, determined in accordance with a formula specified in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement. See “The Transactions—The Contribution.”

Step 5

  

The Listing:

 

The shares of Company common stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and, subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “UFS.” See “The Transactions—Listing and Trading of the Company Common Stock.”

Step 6

  

The Distribution:

 

Weyerhaeuser will distribute all the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock to the Weyerhaeuser shareholders. The Distribution will occur pursuant to this Exchange Offer and, if this Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed, as a dividend of any unexchanged Company common stock. If this Exchange Offer is not consummated for any reason, Weyerhaeuser intends to distribute all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser as a pro rata dividend. See “The Transactions—The Distribution” and “This Exchange Offer.”

Step 7

  

The Arrangement:

 

The Company and Domtar will consummate a plan of arrangement in accordance with Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporation Act that will result in the Company indirectly owning all of the outstanding Domtar common shares. See “The Transactions—The Arrangement.”

Step 8

  

The Company Financing:

 

The three-month unsecured term loan facility will be converted to be part of the seven-year senior secured term loan facility. See “Financing.”

 

 

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Set forth below are diagrams that graphically illustrate, in simplified form, the existing corporate structure, the corporate structure immediately following the Contribution and the Distribution, and the corporate structure immediately following the Arrangement.

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

 

4


LOGO

The Company After the Transactions

Immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will be an independent public company, owned approximately 55% by Weyerhaeuser shareholders or former Weyerhaeuser shareholders and approximately 45% by former Domtar shareholders, in each case on a fully diluted basis. The Company will be a holding company that will, directly or indirectly, own and operate the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the Domtar business.

In connection with the Transactions, Weyerhaeuser, the Company and/or their respective subsidiaries will also enter into a tax sharing agreement, an intellectual property license agreement, a transition services agreement, a Plymouth pine chip supply agreement, a Plymouth hog fuel supply agreement, a Columbus pine chip supply agreement, Canadian fiber supply agreements, a slush pulp sales agreement and site services agreements. The site services will relate to facilities in Columbus, Mississippi; Plymouth, North Carolina and Kamloops, British Columbia shared with Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited or Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. In addition, the Company expects to enter into a joint purchase agreement with Weyerhaeuser. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution.”

Number of Shares of Company Common Stock to be Distributed to Weyerhaeuser Shareholders

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides that the Company will issue to Weyerhaeuser, as a part of the consideration for the Company Contribution, a number of shares of Company common stock equal to (A) the product of (i) the number of Domtar common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis on the “measurement date,” which will be the business day determined by Weyerhaeuser that is at least 10 business days after the commencement of this Exchange Offer but not more than 20 business days prior to the date of consummation of this Exchange Offer, (ii) 11/9, minus (B) the sum of (i) the aggregate number of shares of

 

 

5


Company common stock issuable pursuant to Company equity awards that will be issued to Company employees who are former Weyerhaeuser employees and who elect to roll-over their Weyerhaeuser equity awards into Company equity awards and (ii) the number of shares of Company common stock outstanding prior to the Contribution.

Weyerhaeuser is offering to exchange all shares of Company common stock for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer. Based on the formula above, Weyerhaeuser currently estimates that it will hold approximately 281,000,000 shares of Company common stock following the Company Contribution. However, the exact number of shares of Company common stock held by Weyerhaeuser will be finally determined based on the number of Domtar common shares outstanding (on a fully diluted basis) on the measurement date and the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares subject to Weyerhaeuser equity awards that are elected by Weyerhaeuser employees to be rolled-over into Company equity awards (see “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards”). Therefore the exact number of shares of Company common stock held by Weyerhaeuser and to be exchanged in this Exchange Offer will be different from Weyerhaeuser’s estimate to the extent that the number of Domtar common shares and roll-over Weyerhaeuser and Domtar equity awards outstanding on the measurement date are not the same as the number assumed in its estimate. The number of Domtar common shares and roll-over Weyerhaeuser and Domtar equity awards are not expected to change significantly as neither Weyerhaeuser nor Domtar currently has plans to issue any of their respective shares prior to the measurement date other than pursuant to grants of equity incentive awards in the ordinary course of business. See “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Domtar Equity Awards” and “The Transactions—The Contribution—Determination of Number of Shares of Company Common Stock to be Issued to Weyerhaeuser.”

Weyerhaeuser will publicly announce the exact number of shares of Company common stock offered for exchange in this Exchange Offer promptly after it is determined on the measurement date. Unless the expiration date of this Exchange Offer is extended past March 19, 2007, the date for determining the exact number of shares of Company common stock to be issued to Weyerhaeuser will be February 16, 2007.

Terms of this Exchange Offer

Weyerhaeuser is offering holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares the opportunity to exchange each of these shares for shares of Company common stock. You may tender all, some or none of your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares properly tendered and not withdrawn will be accepted for exchange at the exchange ratio determined as described under “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer,” on the terms and conditions of this Exchange Offer and subject to the limitations described below, including the proration provisions. Weyerhaeuser will return any Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that are not accepted for exchange because of proration promptly following the expiration of this Exchange Offer and the determination of the final proration factor, if any, described below.

For purposes of illustration, the table below indicates the number of shares of Company common stock that you would receive per Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share, calculated on the basis described under “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer” and taking into account the limit, assuming a range of averages of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the Valuation Dates. The first line of the table below shows the indicative calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock and the indicative exchange ratio that would have been in effect following the official close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 1, 2007, based on the daily VWAPs of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on January 30,

 

 

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2007, January 31, 2007 and February 1, 2007. The table also shows the effects of a 5% increase or decrease in either or both the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock based on changes relative to the values on February 1, 2007.

 

Weyerhaeuser

common shares

  Domtar common shares  

Calculated per-

share value of
Weyerhaeuser

common shares

 

Calculated per-

share value of

Company
common stock

 

Shares of
Company common

stock per

Weyerhaeuser

common share or
Weyerhaeuser
exchangeable

share tendered

 

Calculated
Value
Ratio(1)

As of February 1, 2007

  As of February 1, 2007   75.0433   8.2137   10.1515   1.11

Down 5%

  Up 5%   71.2911   8.6244     9.1847   1.11

Down 5%

  Unchanged   71.2911   8.2137     9.6439   1.11

Down 5%

  Down 5%   71.2911   7.8030   10.1515   1.11

Unchanged

  Up 5%   75.0433   8.6244     9.6681   1.11

Unchanged

  Down 5%   75.0433   7.8030   10.6858   1.11

Up 5%

  Up 5%   78.7955   8.6244   10.1515   1.11

Up 5%

  Unchanged   78.7955   8.2137   10.6591   1.11

Up 5%

  Down 5%   78.7955   7.8030  

11.1442(2)

  1.10

(1) The Calculated Value Ratio equals (i) the calculated per-share value of Company common stock multiplied by the exchange ratio, divided by (ii) the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares.
(2) In this scenario, the limit is in effect. Absent the limit, the exchange ratio would have been 11.2201 shares of Company common stock per Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered. In this scenario, Weyerhaeuser would announce that the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period no later than 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, the exchange ratio would be fixed at the limit and this Exchange Offer would be extended until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day.

During the three-month period of November 1, 2006 through February 1, 2007, the highest closing price of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $75.57 and the lowest closing price of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $6.56. If the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock equaled these closing prices, you would receive only the limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or exchangeable share tendered, and the value of such shares of Company common stock, based on the Domtar common share price, would have been less than the value of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted for exchange (approximately $0.97 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser shares accepted for exchange).

Extension; Termination

This Exchange Offer, and your withdrawal rights, will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on March 2, 2007, unless this Exchange Offer is extended. You must tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares prior to this time if you want to participate in this Exchange Offer. Weyerhaeuser may extend or terminate this Exchange Offer as described in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Mandatory Extension

If the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made.

In case of an extension of this Exchange Offer (mandatory or otherwise), Weyerhaeuser will publicly announce by press release the extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following the previously scheduled expiration date.

 

 

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Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer

Weyerhaeuser’s obligation to exchange shares of Company common stock for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares is subject to the conditions listed under “This Exchange Offer—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer,” including the satisfaction of conditions to the Arrangement, which include the Domtar shareholder approval of the plan of arrangement, and other conditions. For a description of the material conditions precedent to the Arrangement, see “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions.”

Weyerhaeuser may waive any of the conditions to this Exchange Offer, except for the Mandatory Conditions. The Company has no right to waive or assert any of the conditions to this Exchange Offer.

Proration; Odd-Lots

If, upon the expiration of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser shareholders have validly tendered more Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares than Weyerhaeuser is able to accept for exchange (taking into account the exchange ratio and the total number of shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser), Weyerhaeuser will accept for exchange the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not withdrawn by each tendering shareholder on a pro rata basis, based on the proportion that the total number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to be accepted bears to the total number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not withdrawn (rounded to the nearest whole number of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, and subject to any adjustment necessary to ensure the exchange of all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser), except for tenders of odd-lots, as described below. For purposes of proration, Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will be treated as a single class.

Weyerhaeuser will announce the proration factor by press release as promptly as practicable after the expiration date. Upon determining the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered for exchange, Weyerhaeuser will announce the final results, including the final proration factor.

Beneficial holders of less than 100 Weyerhaeuser common shares or 100 Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares who validly tender all of their shares of the class in which they hold less than 100 shares may elect not to be subject to proration with respect to that class by completing the box in the applicable letter of transmittal entitled “Odd-Lot Shares.” If your odd-lot shares are held by a broker for your account, you can contact the broker and request this preferential treatment. All of your odd-lot shares will be accepted for exchange without proration if Weyerhaeuser completes this Exchange Offer.

Fractional Shares

Fractional shares of Company common stock will not be delivered in this Exchange Offer. The exchange agent will aggregate any fractional shares and cause them to be sold in the open market. You will receive the proceeds, if any, after deducting any required withholding taxes and brokerage charges, commissions and transfer taxes, from the sale of these shares in accordance with your fractional interest.

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will enter into a rights agreement with Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as rights agent pursuant to which each share of Company common stock will have attached to it one preferred stock purchase right that represents the right to purchase, under specified circumstances, for $24, one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company. If any holder of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares (other than a holder who is and remains eligible to file a Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act with respect to Company common stock) acquires the beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding Company common stock, each preferred stock purchase right issued pursuant to the rights agreement (other than rights beneficially owned by the acquiring holder) will become exercisable, giving the holders of the

 

 

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preferred stock purchase rights (other than that holder) the right to buy that number of shares of Company common stock that has a market value of two times the exercise price of the right, which would have the potential of substantially diluting the ownership of Company common stock of the acquiring holder. See “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law—Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan.”

Procedures for Tendering

For you to validly tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to this Exchange Offer, prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer:

 

   

If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares, you must deliver to the exchange agent at an address listed on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares, a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (or a manually executed facsimile of that document), along with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, and, in the case of shares held in certificated form, the certificates representing the Weyerhaeuser common shares tendered.

 

   

If you hold Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, you must deliver to the Canadian depositary at an address listed on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (or a manually executed facsimile of that document), along with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, and the certificates representing the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered.

 

   

If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through a broker, you should receive instructions from your broker on how to participate in this Exchange Offer. In this situation, do not complete a letter of transmittal to tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. Please contact your broker directly if you have not yet received instructions. Some financial institutions may also effect tenders by book-entry transfer through The Depository Trust Company.

Delivery of Shares of Company Common Stock

On or prior to the time of consummation of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will transfer (or cause to be transferred) to Mellon Investor Services LLC, by book-entry, all the Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser, with irrevocable instructions to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be exchanged for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer and to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be distributed in any pro rata dividend (as described below). Shares of Company common stock will be delivered promptly after the expiration of this Exchange Offer, the acceptance of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for exchange and the determination of the final proration factor, if any. See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer—Exchange of Weyerhaeuser Common Shares and Weyerhaeuser Exchangeable Shares.”

Withdrawal Rights

You may withdraw your tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares at any time prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer. If you change your mind again, you may re-tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares by again following the exchange offer procedures prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer.

No Appraisal Rights

No appraisal rights are available to holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in connection with this Exchange Offer or any pro rata dividend.

 

 

9


Dividend of Any Shares of Company Common Stock Remaining after this Exchange Offer

All shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser that are not exchanged in this Exchange Offer will be distributed as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares remaining outstanding after, and not exchanged in, this Exchange Offer. Any such shares of Company common stock will be distributed to the holders of record of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares as of the time of consummation of this Exchange Offer, but after giving effect to the exchange of shares in this Exchange Offer.

On or prior to the time of consummation of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will transfer (or cause to be transferred) to Mellon Investor Services LLC, by book-entry, all of the Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser, with irrevocable instructions to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be exchanged for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer and to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be distributed in any pro rata dividend. If this Exchange Offer is consummated, Mellon Investor Services LLC will calculate the exact number of shares of Company common stock not exchanged in this Exchange Offer to be distributed as a pro rata dividend and that number of shares of Company common stock will be transferred to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares entitled thereto.

If this Exchange Offer is terminated by Weyerhaeuser without the exchange of shares, but the conditions for consummation of the Transactions have otherwise been satisfied, Weyerhaeuser intends to distribute all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, with a record date to be announced by Weyerhaeuser.

Legal Limitations

This document is not an offer to sell or exchange and it is not a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of Company common stock in any jurisdiction in which, except as provided below, the offer, sale or exchange is not permitted. Weyerhaeuser is not aware of any jurisdiction in the United States in which the making of this Exchange Offer or its acceptance would not be legal. If Weyerhaeuser learns of any jurisdiction where making this Exchange Offer or its acceptance would not be permitted, Weyerhaeuser currently intends to make a good faith effort to comply with the relevant law. If, after such good faith effort, Weyerhaeuser cannot comply with such law, Weyerhaeuser will determine whether this Exchange Offer will be made to, and whether tenders will be accepted from or on behalf of persons who are, holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares residing in the jurisdiction.

Risk Factors

In deciding whether to tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares or your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer, you should carefully consider the matters described in the section “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21, as well as other information included in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and the other documents to which you have been referred.

The Company Financing

On August 22, 2006, the Company, Domtar, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. entered into a commitment letter. The financing commitments provided for by the commitment letter are subject to customary conditions, including the absence of any state of facts, change, effect, condition, development, event or occurrence that has been or would reasonably be likely to be material and adverse to (A) the business, assets, properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of Domtar and its subsidiaries or of Newco and its subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole, or of their respective business, operations and affairs, subject to certain exceptions, or to (B) the ability of any of Domtar,

 

 

10


Weyerhaeuser or Newco to perform their respective obligations under the Transaction Agreement or related documents or to consummate the Transactions. The Company has agreed to pay J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. certain fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by the commitment letter and has agreed to indemnify J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and their respective affiliates against certain liabilities.

The commitment letter provides for a financing commitment of an aggregate amount of up to $2.775 billion, consisting of the following:

 

   

a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility to be available to the Company, Newco and Domtar in a principal amount of $750 million, up to $350 million (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof) of which may be borrowed by Domtar; and

 

   

a three-month unsecured term loan facility to be available to the Company in a principal amount of $1.35 billion, which, upon consummation of the Transactions, will be refinanced, in part, by a new seven-year senior secured term loan facility to be available to the Company in an aggregate amount of up to $1.7 billion, which may be increased at the option of the Company by incremental loans to be available to the Company and Domtar of up to $325 million to the extent necessary to refinance the existing accounts receivable securitization of Domtar and/or to redeem notes if tendered pursuant to a change of control offer with respect to Domtar’s $125 million 9.5% Debentures due August 2016.

Immediately prior to the Company Contribution, the Company will draw down the three-month unsecured term loan facility to finance the $1.35 billion cash payment by the Company to Weyerhaeuser as partial consideration for the Company Contribution. In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, the $1.35 billion three-month unsecured term loan facility will be refinanced by the Company with (i) a portion of the net proceeds of a seven-year senior secured term loan facility, which the Company expects will be in a principal amount of approximately $800 million, and (ii) cash on hand, including the net proceeds from the sale by Domtar in December 2006 of its 50% interest in Norampac. The proceeds of the seven-year senior secured term loan facility will also be used to finance a portion of the Transactions, including fees, expenses and obligations related to or triggered by the Transactions. The five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, which the Company expects will provide for borrowings up to $750 million (up to $150 million (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof) of which will be available to Domtar) may be used by the Company, Newco and Domtar for working capital needs and for general corporate purposes, and a portion will be available for letters of credit and swingline loans. The seven-year senior secured term loan facility and the five-year senior secured revolving credit facility are referred to herein as the “senior secured credit facilities.”

Board of Directors and Management of the Company following the Transactions

The Company currently expects that, following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will initially have a board of 13 directors, consisting of seven designees of Weyerhaeuser, including Mr. Harold MacKay, formerly an international advisor to Weyerhaeuser’s board of directors, and Mr. Marvin Cooper, formerly senior vice president, cellulose fiber, white papers and containerboard manufacturing and engineering of Weyerhaeuser, and six designees of Domtar, including Mr. Brian M. Levitt, currently the chairman of the board of directors of Domtar, and Mr. Raymond Royer, currently the president and chief executive officer of Domtar.

Mr. Harold MacKay will be the non-executive chairman of the Company’s board of directors. Mr. Raymond Royer will be President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Marvin Cooper will be Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and Mr. Steven A. Barker, currently senior vice president of pulp and paper sales and marketing of Domtar, will be Senior Vice-President, Marketing of the Company. Mr. Daniel Buron, currently the chief financial officer of Domtar, will be Senior Vice-President and

 

 

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Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Mr. Michael Edwards, currently vice president of paper manufacturing of Weyerhaeuser, will be Group Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Manufacturing. Mr. Richard L. Thomas, currently vice president of fine papers of Weyerhaeuser, will be Senior Vice-President, Sales. See “Board of Directors and Management of the Company Following the Transactions.”

Accounting Treatment and Considerations

The Contribution and the Distribution

The Company will record assets and liabilities received from Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited or Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. at the amount that the assets and liabilities are carried on Weyerhaeuser’s consolidated financial statements. Neither the exchange of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for Company common stock in this Exchange Offer nor the distribution of Company common stock in a pro rata distribution, in and of themselves, will affect the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

The Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares acquired by Weyerhaeuser pursuant to this Exchange Offer will be recorded as an acquisition of treasury stock at cost equal to the market value of the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted in this Exchange Offer at its expiration. Any difference between the net book value of Weyerhaeuser’s investment in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the market value of the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares acquired at that date will be recognized by Weyerhaeuser as a gain or loss from discontinued operations net of any direct and incremental expenses of this Exchange Offer on the disposal of its interest in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business. Weyerhaeuser will account for the distribution of any portion of its interest in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business in a pro rata distribution as a dividend through a direct charge to retained earnings. The dividend will be equal to Weyerhaeuser’s carrying value of the interest in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business so distributed.

The Arrangement

The Company will account for the Arrangement using the purchase method of accounting, with the Company being treated as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes. As a result, the assets and liabilities of Domtar will be recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date that the Arrangement occurs. The total purchase price is currently estimated based on the average market price of Domtar common shares and the average number of Domtar common shares that were outstanding for the five trading days beginning August 21, 2006 and ending August 25, 2006, plus other costs directly related to the Arrangement.

General

The estimate of the total purchase price for Domtar is for accounting purposes only and is not indicative of the price at which Company common stock will trade immediately after the consummation of the Arrangement or the value of Company common stock to be received by holders of Domtar common shares in connection with the Arrangement. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company,” “Where You Can Find More Information” and the financial statements of the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

Weyerhaeuser received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) on February 5, 2007 to the effect that, based on the facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings set forth in the ruling,

 

 

12


the Contribution and Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, will qualify as tax-free to Weyerhaeuser, the Company and the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355, 368 and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This Exchange Offer and the Arrangement are also conditioned upon the receipt by Weyerhaeuser of an opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel to Weyerhaeuser, to the effect that the Contribution and Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, will be tax-free to Weyerhaeuser and the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares under Sections 355 and 368 and related provisions of the Code.

Weyerhaeuser currently does not expect non-U.S. holders of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on the receipt of shares of Company common stock as part of the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer. Canadian resident holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will, however, likely be subject to Canadian income tax on the receipt of shares of Company common stock. As a holder of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, you should consult your own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences that would result from your receipt and ownership of shares of Company common stock, including the application and effect of state, local, Canadian, provincial and other foreign tax laws and the possible effect of changes in the application and interpretation of U.S. federal or other tax laws.

Notwithstanding the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion, the IRS could determine that the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, or the Contribution should be treated as a taxable transaction if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings made in the letter ruling request are untrue or have been violated. If the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, or the Contribution fails to qualify for tax-free treatment, Weyerhaeuser and/or its shareholders will be subject to tax. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Transactions—If the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, does not constitute a tax-free spin-off under Section 355 of the Code or a tax-free reorganization under Section 368 of the Code, either as a result of actions taken in connection with the Distribution or as a result of subsequent acquisitions of shares of Weyerhaeuser or Company common stock, then Weyerhaeuser and/or Weyerhaeuser shareholders may be responsible for payment of U.S. federal income taxes.”

Tax matters are complicated, and the tax consequences of the Transactions to you will depend on the facts of your own situation. This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange generally does not discuss the applicability and effect of Canadian or other foreign tax laws to the Weyerhaeuser shareholders. Certain significant foreign shareholders also may recognize gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Distribution if Weyerhaeuser is determined to be a “United States real property holding corporation.” You should consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences for you of the Transactions. See “This Exchange Offer—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data

The following summary selected financial information concerning the Company, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar is derived from the audited and unaudited financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar for the periods presented. This information is only a summary and you should read it in conjunction with the financial information included in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange or filed by Weyerhaeuser or Domtar with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data of the Company,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company” and the financial statements of the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

 

 

13


Summary Historical Combined Financial Data of the Company

The Company is a newly formed holding company organized for the sole purpose of indirectly holding the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and consummating the Arrangement with Domtar. This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange describes the Company as if it held the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (indirectly through Newco) for all periods and dates presented but not as if it held the Domtar business. The following combined balance sheet data of the Company as of the last Sunday of December 2005 and 2004 and the combined statement of operations data for each of the fiscal years ended the last Sunday of December 2005, 2004 and 2003 have been derived from the audited financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business. The combined balance sheet data of the Company as of the last Sunday of December 2003, 2002 and 2001 and the combined statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended the last Sunday of December 2002 and 2001 have not been audited. The combined balance sheet data of the Company as of the last Sunday of September 2006 and 2005 and the combined statement of operations data for the thirty-nine week periods then ended have been derived from the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business’ unaudited financial statements. This information is only a summary and you should read the table below in conjunction with “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data of the Company,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company” and the financial statements of the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

 

    Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended   Year Ended  

U.S. GAAP/U.S. dollar

(Dollars in millions)

  September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
  December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
    December 28,
2003
    December 29,
2002
  December 30,
2001
 
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                     (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  

Combined Statement of Operations Data:

             

Sales

  $ 2,433     $ 2,456   $ 3,267     $ 3,026     $ 2,854     $ 2,801   $ 1,525  

Charges for restructuring, closure of facilities, and goodwill impairment

    766       4     538       17       24            

Operating income (loss)

    (711 )     7     (578 )     (41 )     (96 )     69     (34 )

Net income (loss)

    (718 )     9     (478 )     (17 )     (67 )     57     (17 )
    September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
  December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
    December 28,
2003
    December 29,
2002
  December 30,
2001
 
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  

Combined Balance Sheet Data:

             

Total assets

  $ 4,073     $ 5,549   $ 4,970     $ 5,565     $ 5,649     $ 5,590   $ 2,426  

Long-term obligations

    30       24     22       27       32       37      

Business Unit equity

    2,957       4,194     3,773       4,261       4,316       4,303     1,257  

Summary Selected Historical Financial Data of Weyerhaeuser

The following summary historical financial data of Weyerhaeuser for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 25, 2005 and the financial data as of September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005 and for the thirty-nine week periods then ended has been derived from the consolidated financial statements of Weyerhaeuser. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of Weyerhaeuser and the notes thereto and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” section contained in Weyerhaeuser’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2005 and Weyerhaeuser’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the thirty-nine week period ended September 24, 2006, and Weyerhaeuser’s report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2007, each of which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

 

14


Weyerhaeuser has restated its financial statements for each of the years in the five year period ended December 25, 2005 to present its North American and Irish composite panels facilities as discontinued operations pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“FAS 144”). These restated financial statements can be found in the Form 8-K dated January 22, 2007 as filed with the SEC. Weyerhaeuser’s restated financial statements for each of the years in the two year period ended December 29, 2002 and as of December 28, 2003, December 29, 2002 and December 30, 2001 are not audited. This reclassification has no effect on Weyerhaeuser’s reported net earnings.

 

    Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended   Year Ended
     September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
  December 25,
2005
  December 26,
2004
  December 28,
2003
  December 29,
2002
  December 30,
2001
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)   (Restated)   (Restated)   (Restated)   (Unaudited/
Restated)
  (Unaudited/
Restated)

U.S. GAAP/U.S. dollar

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

             

Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:

             

Net sales and revenues

  $ 16,241     $ 16,329   $ 22,046   $ 21,411   $ 18,865   $ 17,533   $ 13,923

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

    (101 )     808     569     1,215     319     226     360

Net earnings (loss)

    (55 )     944     733     1,283     277     241     354

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

    (0.41 )     3.31     2.33     5.16     1.44     1.02     1.64

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

    (0.41 )     3.30     2.32     5.14     1.44     1.02     1.64

Basic net earnings (loss) per share

    (0.22 )     3.86     3.00     5.45     1.25     1.09     1.61

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

    (0.22 )     3.85     2.98     5.43     1.25     1.09     1.61

Dividends paid per share

    1.60       1.40     1.90     1.60     1.60     1.60     1.60
    September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
  December 25,
2005
  December 26,
2004
  December 28,
2003
  December 29,
2002
  December 30,
2001
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)   (Restated)   (Restated)   (Unaudited/
Restated)
  (Unaudited/
Restated)
  (Unaudited/
Restated)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Total assets

  $ 27,372     $ 29,157   $ 28,229   $ 29,954   $ 28,599   $ 28,317   $ 18,293

Long-term debt (net of current portion)

    7,683       8,862     8,255     10,135     12,372     12,688     5,715

Shareholders’ interest

    9,221       10,126     9,800     9,255     7,109     6,623     6,695

Summary Selected Historical Financial Data of Domtar

The following summary historical financial information of Domtar for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 31, 2005 and the financial data as of September 30, 2006 and 2005 and for the nine-month periods then ended has been derived from the consolidated financial statements of Domtar. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the restated financial statements of Domtar and the notes thereto and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” contained in Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on October 31, 2006 and Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006, in each case as amended by Domtar’s reports on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 and February 1, 2007. Each of these reports is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

 

15


Effective in the second quarter of 2006, Domtar has presented its Vancouver paper mill as a discontinued operation and as assets held for sale in its consolidated financial statements pursuant to FAS No. 144. In accordance with the relevant accounting and SEC requirements, Domtar has restated its historical financial statements for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 31, 2005 and the related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 to present the Vancouver paper mill as a discontinued operation. This reclassification has no effect on Domtar’s reported net earnings; “Earnings (loss) from continuing operations” and “Loss from discontinued operations” are presented as new lines in the statement of earnings and “Assets held for sale” is presented as a new line item on the balance sheet. Domtar’s restated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 are not audited.

Domtar’s historical financial information reflects Domtar’s ownership of a 50% equity interest in Norampac. Under Canadian GAAP, Domtar’s financial statements include 50% of each item in Norampac’s financial statements and present Norampac as a separate segment. Under U.S. GAAP, Domtar’s financial statements present this interest as an equity investment. On December 29, 2006, Domtar sold its interest in Norampac to Cascades Inc. for a cash consideration of CDN$560 million (the U.S. dollar equivalent of which is $480.6 million at an exchange rate of 1.1652 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar, the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 29, 2006). The unaudited pro forma financial information of Domtar and the notes thereto reflecting the sale of Norampac and the related reconciliation of Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP are contained in Domtar’s reports on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 and February 1, 2007. See “Business of Domtar” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

CANADIAN GAAP/ CDN$   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)   2006   2005     2005     2004     2003     2002   2001
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)     (Restated)     (Restated)     (Restated)    

(Unaudited/

Restated)

 

(Unaudited/

Restated)

Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:

             

Sales

  $ 3,527   $ 3,743     $ 4,880     $ 5,029     $ 5,039     $ 5,792   $ 4,569

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

    13     (29 )     (307 )     (24 )     (158 )     138     148

Net earnings (loss)

    5     (40 )     (388 )     (42 )     (193 )     141     140

Net earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted

    0.05     (0.13 )     (1.34 )     (0.10 )     (0.70 )     0.60     0.76

Net earnings (loss) per share—basic

    0.02     (0.18 )     (1.69 )     (0.19 )     (0.86 )     0.62     0.72

Net earnings (loss) per share—diluted

    0.02     (0.18 )     (1.69 )     (0.19 )     (0.86 )     0.61     0.72
    As at September 30,           As at December 31,
    2006   2005     2005     2004     2003     2002   2001
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)     (Restated)     (Restated)    

(Unaudited/

Restated)

   

(Unaudited/

Restated)

 

(Unaudited/

Restated)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Total assets

  $ 4,881   $ 5,519     $ 5,192     $ 5,681     $ 5,848     $ 6,847   $ 7,055

Total long-term debt (including current portion, excluding capital leases)

    2,080     2,060       2,248       2,023       2,048       2,503     2,910

Shareholders’ equity

    1,596     1,951       1,609       2,046       2,168       2,554     2,426

Domtar’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which differs in some respects from U.S. GAAP. The following provides Domtar’s consolidated financial information as reconciled to U.S. GAAP and translated from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars for the periods presented. This information should be read in conjunction with the discussion of the principal differences between Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP as well as the reconciliation and other financial information provided in note 25 to Domtar’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 contained in Domtar’s report on Form 6-K

 

 

16


provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006 and Domtar’s U.S. GAAP reconciliation for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 provided to the SEC on Form 6-K on November 20, 2006 in each case as amended by Domtar’s report on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 and February 1, 2007.

The consolidated earnings and consolidated balance sheets are expressed in Canadian dollars and, solely for the convenience of the reader, the consolidated earnings and consolidated balance sheet for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 31, 2005, the financial data as of September 30, 2006 and 2005 and for the nine-month periods then ended and the tables of certain related notes, have been translated into U.S. dollars using the period end rate for the balance sheet and the average of the monthly average rates during the period for the statement of earnings, as set forth in the note to the table below. This translation should not be construed as an application of the recommendations relating to the accounting for foreign currency translation, but rather as supplemental information for the reader. The pro forma financial information with respect to the Combined Company contained in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange was prepared using Domtar’s U.S. GAAP/U.S. dollar results as derived by the reconciliations and transactions described above.

 

U.S. GAAP/ U.S. dollar(1)   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)   2006     2005     2005     2004     2003     2002   2001
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Restated)     (Restated)     (Restated)     (Unaudited/
Restated)
  (Unaudited/
Restated)

Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:

             

Sales

  $ 2,672     $ 2,657     $ 3,498     $ 3,372     $ 3,183     $ 3,237   $ 2,563

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

    (4 )     (33 )     (332 )     (45 )     (86 )     166     61

Net earnings (loss)

    (11 )     (41 )     (414 )     (58 )     (109 )     139     54

Net earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted

    (0.03 )     (0.15 )     (1.44 )     (0.19 )     (0.38 )     0.73     0.32

Net earnings (loss) per share—basic

    (0.05 )     (0.18 )     (1.81 )     (0.26 )     (0.49 )     0.61     0.28

Net earnings (loss) per share—diluted

    (0.05 )     (0.18 )     (1.81 )     (0.26 )     (0.49 )     0.60     0.28
    As at September 30,     As at December 31,
    2006     2005     2005     2004     2003     2002   2001
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Restated)     (Restated)     (Unaudited/
Restated)
    (Unaudited/
Restated)
  (Unaudited/
Restated)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Total assets

  $ 4,070     $ 4,644     $ 4,172     $ 4,554     $ 4,384     $ 4,202   $ 4,279

Total long-term debt (including current portion, excluding capital leases)

    1,691       1,621       1,741       1,534       1,437       1,452     1,702

Shareholders’ equity

    1,389       1,771       1,348       1,849       1,801       1,690     1,570

(1) The following table sets forth, for each period indicated, for one U.S. dollar expressed in Canadian dollars, the exchange rate at the end of the period and the average of the monthly average rates during the period, based on the Bank of Canada noon rate:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Year Ended December 31,
         2006            2005        2005    2004    2003    2002    2001

Period end

   1.1153    1.1611    1.1659    1.2036    1.2924    1.5796    1.5926

Average

   1.1327    1.2241    1.2114    1.3015    1.4015    1.5704    1.5485

Summary Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Financial Data and Pro Forma Per Share Data of the Company

The summary below sets forth summary unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial data for the Company after giving effect to the Transactions, including this Exchange Offer and the Arrangement with Domtar and Domtar’s disposition of its equity interest in Norampac, for the periods indicated. The unaudited pro forma combined per share data for the Company presented below for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2005

 

 

17


and for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006 combines certain per share financial data of the Company and Domtar. Because Domtar common shareholders will own, immediately following the Arrangement, one share of Company common stock (or one exchangeable share of Newco Canada Exchangeco, which is exchangeable for one share of Company common stock) for each Domtar common share they owned immediately prior to the Arrangement, the pro forma equivalent data for Domtar will be the same as the corresponding pro forma combined per share data for the Company. The following pro forma financial data was prepared using Domtar’s U.S. GAAP/U.S. dollar results as described above under “—Summary Selected Historical Financial Data of Domtar.” The following table should be read together with the financial statements and accompanying notes of the Company, the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar included in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange or in the documents described under “Where You Can Find More Information” and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and accompanying notes set forth under the heading “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company” in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. The pro forma amounts in the table below are presented for illustrative purposes only and do not indicate what the financial position or the results of operations of the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business would have been had the Transactions and the Norampac disposition occurred as of the dates or for the periods presented. The pro forma amounts also do not indicate what the financial position or future results of operations of the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business will be. No adjustment has been included in the pro forma amounts for any anticipated cost savings or other synergies. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company.”

 

      Thirty-Nine
Weeks Ended
September 24,
2006
    Year Ended
December 25,
2005
 
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Sales

   $ 5,076     $ 6,714  

Net loss from continuing operations

     (785 )     (723 )

Net loss from continuing operations per share—basic and diluted

     (1.54 )     (1.42 )

Book value per share

     (5.96 )     N/A  

Dividends per share

            

Total assets

     7,719       N/A  

Total long-term debt

     2,560       N/A  

Shareholders’ equity

     3,035       N/A  

Summary Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Financial Data and Pro Forma Per Share Data of Weyerhaeuser

The summary below sets forth summary unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial data for Weyerhaeuser after giving effect to the Transactions, including this Exchange Offer, for the periods indicated. The following table should be read together with the financial statements and accompanying notes of Weyerhaeuser, the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange or in the documents described under “Where You Can Find More Information” and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and accompanying notes set forth under the heading “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of Weyerhaeuser” in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. The pro forma amounts in the table below are presented for illustrative purposes only and do not indicate what the financial position or the results of operations of Weyerhaeuser would have been had the Transactions occurred as of the dates or for the periods presented. The pro forma amounts also do not indicate what the financial position or future results of operations of Weyerhaeuser will be.

 

 

18


     

Thirty-Nine

Weeks Ended
September 24,

2006

  

Year Ended
December 25,

2005

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)    (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)

Sales

   $ 13,944    $ 19,200

Net earnings from continuing operations

     702      1,291

Net earnings from continuing operations per share—basic

     3.18      5.93

Net earnings from continuing operations per share—diluted

     3.17      5.90

Book value per share

     35.21      N/A

Dividends per share

     1.60      1.90

Total assets

     23,317      N/A

Total long-term debt

     6,813      N/A

Shareholders’ equity

     7,614      N/A

Historical Per Share Data, Market Price and Dividend Data

The pro forma per share data of the Company is included in “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data—Summary Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Financial Data and Pro Forma Per Share Data of the Company” and the pro forma per share data of Weyerhaeuser is included in “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data—Summary Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Financial Data and Pro Forma Per Share Data of Weyerhaeuser.”

Historical per share data and market price data for the Company has not been presented as the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business is currently operated by Weyerhaeuser and there is no established trading market in Company common stock. Shares of Company common stock do not currently trade separately from Weyerhaeuser common shares.

Weyerhaeuser common shares currently trade on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “WY.” Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares currently trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “WYL.” On August 22, 2006, the last trading day before the announcement of the signing of the Transaction Agreement, the last sale price of Weyerhaeuser common shares reported by the New York Stock Exchange was $60.03 and the last sale price of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares reported by the Toronto Stock Exchange was $60.07 (which is the U.S. dollar equivalent of CDN$67.00, based on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate on August 22, 2006). On February 1, 2007, the last trading day prior to the public announcement of this Exchange Offer, the last sale price of Weyerhaeuser common shares reported by the New York Stock Exchange was $75.57 and the last sale price of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares reported by the Toronto Stock Exchange was $75.64 (which is the U.S. dollar equivalent of CDN$88.92, based on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate on February 1, 2007). On February 9, 2007, the last trading day prior to this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, the last sale price of Weyerhaeuser common shares reported by the New York Stock Exchange was $78.14 and the last sale price of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares reported by the Toronto Stock Exchange was $78.12 (which is the U.S. dollar equivalent of CDN$91.68, based on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate on February 9, 2007).

Domtar common shares currently trade on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “DTC.” On August 22, 2006, the last trading day before the announcement of the signing of the Transaction Agreement, the last sale price of Domtar common shares reported by the New York Stock Exchange was $6.87. On February 1, 2007, the last trading day prior to the public announcement of this Exchange Offer, the last sale price of Domtar common shares reported by the New York Stock Exchange was $8.17. On February 9, 2007, the last trading day prior to the date of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, the last sale price of Domtar common shares reported by the New York Stock Exchange was $7.98. Because Domtar common shareholders

 

 

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will own, immediately following the Arrangement, one share of Company common stock (or one exchangeable share of Newco Canada Exchangeco, which is exchangeable for one share of Company common stock) for each Domtar common share they owned immediately prior to the Arrangement, the Company expects but cannot assure that its market price data immediately after the consummation of the Transactions will be substantially similar to the market price data for Domtar immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions.

The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange and Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated as well as the dividends per share paid by Weyerhaeuser to holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for these periods. The quotations are as reported in published financial sources. For current price information, shareholders are urged to consult publicly available sources.

 

(Dollars)   

Weyerhaeuser

Per Share
Dividends (1)

   Weyerhaeuser
Common Shares
   Weyerhaeuser
Exchangeable
Shares (2)
  

Domtar

Common Shares

      High    Low    High    Low    High    Low

Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2004

                    

First Quarter

   $0.40    $66.76    $60.00    $66.14    $60.01    $12.95    $10.89

Second Quarter

     0.40    67.80    56.04    67.63    56.23    13.05    11.01

Third Quarter

     0.40    66.48    58.57    65.33    58.76    13.10    11.83

Fourth Quarter

     0.40    67.86    59.94    66.87    60.92    12.63    11.47

Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2005

                    

First Quarter

     0.40    69.39    62.02    69.08    61.96    12.17    8.19

Second Quarter

     0.50    71.52    62.86    70.60    62.89    8.70    7.14

Third Quarter

     0.50    68.98    63.42    69.33    63.29    7.89    6.35

Fourth Quarter

     0.50    68.11    61.12    68.11    61.05    6.61    4.05

Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2006

                    

First Quarter

     0.50    74.05    66.32    73.90    64.56    7.13    4.77

Second Quarter

     0.50    75.09    56.69    74.98    57.54    7.48    5.65

Third Quarter

     0.60    63.37    55.35    63.47    55.57    6.90    5.72

Fourth Quarter

     0.60    71.93    60.98    72.51    61.01    8.44    5.87

Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2007

                    

First Quarter (through February 1, 2007)

     N/A    75.57    71.37    75.64    68.69    8.51    7.88

(1) Pursuant to the terms of the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, if Weyerhaeuser declares a dividend with respect to the Weyerhaeuser common shares, the holders of the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are entitled to receive the same or an economically equivalent dividend. See “Comparison of Rights of Holders of Company Common Stock and Weyerhaeuser Shares—Weyerhaeuser Exchangeable Shares.”
(2) Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares trade in Canadian dollars on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For the purposes of this table, prices of the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares have been converted from Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars, at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate for each of the relevant dates.

Domtar has not paid a dividend on its common shares since October 2005, and the Company does not intend to pay a dividend on the shares of Company common stock for the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other information contained in this ProspectusOffer to Exchange. Some of the risks described below relate principally to the Company’s business and the industry in which it will operate, while others relate principally to the Distribution and the Company’s separation from Weyerhaeuser and the combination of the Company’s business with Domtar. The remaining risks relate principally to the securities markets generally and ownership of Company common stock.

Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions

The pulp, paper and wood product industries are highly cyclical. Fluctuations in the prices of and the demand for the Combined Company’s products could result in smaller profit margins and lower sales volumes.

The pulp, paper and wood product industries are highly cyclical. Historically, economic and market shifts, fluctuations in capacity and changes in foreign currency exchange rates have created cyclical changes in prices, sales volume and margins for the Combined Company’s products. The length and magnitude of industry cycles have varied over time and by product, but generally reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions and levels of industry capacity. Most of the Combined Company’s paper products will be commodities that are widely available from other producers. Even the Combined Company’s non-commodity products, such as value-added papers, are susceptible to commodity dynamics. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition for these products is based primarily on price, which is determined by supply relative to demand.

The overall levels of demand for the products the Combined Company will manufacture and distribute, and consequently its sales and profitability, reflect fluctuations in levels of end-user demand, which depend in part on general macroeconomic conditions in North America and worldwide, as well as competition from electronic substitution. See “—Some of the Combined Company’s products are vulnerable to long-term declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials.” For example, demand for cut-size office paper may fluctuate with levels of white-collar employment. Demand for many of such products was materially and negatively impacted by the global economic downturn, among other things, in the early part of this decade, and the Company expects that the Combined Company will be sensitive to such downturns in the future.

Industry supply of pulp, paper and wood products is also subject to fluctuation, as changing industry conditions can influence producers to idle or permanently close individual machines or entire mills. In addition, to avoid substantial cash costs in connection with idling or closing a mill, some producers will choose to continue to operate at a loss, sometimes even a cash loss, which could prolong weak pricing environments due to oversupply. Oversupply can also result from producers introducing new capacity in response to favorable short-term pricing trends.

Industry supply of pulp, paper and wood products is also influenced by overseas production capacity, which has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. While the weakness of the U.S. dollar has mitigated the levels of imports in recent years, imports of pulp, paper and wood products from overseas may increase, putting downward pressure on prices.

As a result, prices for all of the Combined Company’s products are driven by many factors outside of its control, and it will have little influence over the timing and extent of price changes, which are often volatile. Because market conditions beyond the Combined Company’s control determine the prices for its commodity products, the price for any one or more of these products may fall below its cash production costs, requiring it to either incur cash losses on product sales or cease production at one or more of its manufacturing facilities. Therefore, the Combined Company’s profitability with respect to these products depends on managing its cost structure, particularly wood fiber, chemical and energy costs, which represent the largest components of its operating costs and can fluctuate based upon factors beyond its control, as described below. If the prices of or

 

21


demand for its products decline, or if its wood fiber, chemical or energy costs increase, or both, its sales and profitability could be materially and adversely affected.

Some of the Combined Company’s products are vulnerable to long-term declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials.

The Combined Company’s business will compete with electronic transmission and document storage alternatives, as well as with paper grades it will not produce, such as uncoated groundwood. As a result of such competition, both the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar have experienced decreased demand for some of their existing pulp and paper products. As the use of these alternatives grows, demand for pulp and paper products is likely to further decline. Moreover, demand for some of the Combined Company’s wood products may decline if customers purchase alternatives from other sources.

The Combined Company will face intense competition in its markets, and the failure to compete effectively would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Combined Company will compete with both U.S. and Canadian paper producers and, for many of its product lines, global producers, some of which may have greater financial resources and lower production costs than the Combined Company. The principal basis for competition is selling price. The Combined Company’s ability to maintain satisfactory margins depends in large part on its ability to control its costs. The Company cannot assure you that it will be able to compete effectively and maintain current levels of sales and profitability. If the Combined Company is unable to compete effectively, such failure would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Combined Company’s manufacturing businesses may have difficulty obtaining wood fiber at favorable prices, or at all.

Wood fiber will be the principal raw material used by the Combined Company, comprising, on a pro forma basis, approximately 20% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor and other operating expenses and fiber costs for its business during 2005. Wood fiber is a commodity, and prices historically have been cyclical. The primary source for wood fiber is timber. Environmental litigation and regulatory developments have caused, and may cause in the future, significant reductions in the amount of timber available for commercial harvest in the United States and Canada. In addition, future domestic or foreign legislation and litigation concerning the use of timberlands, the protection of endangered species, the promotion of forest health and the response to and prevention of catastrophic wildfires could also affect timber supplies. Availability of harvested timber may further be limited by fire, insect infestation, disease, ice storms, wind storms, flooding and other natural and man made causes, thereby reducing supply and increasing prices. Wood fiber pricing is subject to regional market influences, and the Combined Company’s cost of wood fiber may increase in particular regions due to market shifts in those regions. Any sustained increase in wood fiber prices would increase the Combined Company’s operating costs, and the Combined Company may be unable to increase prices for its products in response to increased wood fiber costs due to additional factors affecting the demand or supply of these products.

The Province of Québec adopted legislation, which became effective April 1, 2005, that reduced allowable wood-harvesting volumes by an average of 20% on public lands and 25% on territories covered by an agreement between the Government of Québec and the Cree First Nations. As a result, the amount of fiber, primarily softwood fiber, the Combined Company is permitted to harvest annually, under its existing licenses from the Québec government, was reduced by approximately 500,000 cubic meters or 21%. This affects the supply of fiber for the Combined Company’s Northern Québec softwood sawmill and market pulp operations. The Combined Company is currently working on finding solutions such as obtaining alternate sources of fiber. The reduction in harvest volume results in a corresponding increase in the unit cost of wood delivered to the sawmills. As a result of the impact of the strength of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, low lumber

 

22


prices and other factors, these operations have been shut down and the facilities relating to such operations have been closed indefinitely. There is no assurance that access to fiber will continue at the same levels achieved in the past. The cost of softwood fiber and the availability of wood chips may be affected.

Historically, Weyerhaeuser provided, on average, approximately 50% of the Company’s wood fiber requirements, which would be approximately 19% of the Combined Company’s wood fiber requirements. The Combined Company expects to obtain its future wood fiber requirements in part by harvesting timber pursuant to its forest licenses and forest management agreements, in part by purchasing wood fiber from Weyerhaeuser pursuant to the fiber and pulp supply agreements to be entered into in connection with the Transactions and in part by purchasing wood fiber from third parties. If the Combined Company’s cutting rights pursuant to its forest licenses or forest management agreements are reduced or if Weyerhaeuser or any third-party supplier of wood fiber stops selling or is unable to sell wood fiber to the Combined Company, its financial condition and operating results would suffer. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution—Supply Agreements.” See also “—Risks Related to the Transactions—Aboriginal interests may delay or result in challenges to the transfer of certain forest licenses and forest management agreements.”

An increase in the cost of the Combined Company’s purchased energy or chemicals would lead to higher manufacturing costs, thereby reducing its margins.

The Combined Company’s operations will consume substantial amounts of energy such as electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, coal and hog fuel (wood waste). Energy comprised, on a pro forma basis, approximately 7% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor and other operating expenses and fiber costs for the Combined Company’s business during 2005. Energy prices, particularly for electricity, natural gas and fuel oil, have been volatile in recent years and currently exceed historical averages. Moreover, following the Distribution, the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business will no longer benefit from Weyerhaeuser’s company-wide hedging program for energy prices. As a result, fluctuations in energy prices will impact the Combined Company’s manufacturing costs and contribute to earnings volatility. While the Combined Company will purchase substantial portions of its energy under supply contracts, many of these contracts will be based on market pricing.

Other raw materials the Combined Company will use include various chemical compounds, such as precipitated calcium carbonate, sodium chlorate and sodium hydroxide, dyes, resins and adhesives. Purchases of chemicals comprised, on a pro forma basis, approximately 10% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor and other operating costs and fiber costs for the Combined Company’s business during 2005. The costs of these chemicals have been volatile historically, and are influenced by capacity utilization, energy prices and other factors beyond the Combined Company’s control.

For the Combined Company’s commodity products, the relationship between industry supply and demand for these products, rather than changes in the cost of raw materials, will determine its ability to increase prices. Consequently, the Combined Company may be unable to pass increases in its operating costs to its customers. Any sustained increase in chemical or energy prices without any corresponding increase in product pricing would reduce its operating margins and potentially require it to limit or cease operations of one or more of its machines.

The Combined Company could experience disruptions in operations and/or increased labor costs due to labor disputes.

Employees at 44 of the Combined Company’s facilities are covered by collective bargaining agreements, generally on a facility-by-facility basis, which will need to be renegotiated from time to time. As is the case with any negotiation, the Combined Company may not be able to negotiate acceptable new collective bargaining agreements, which could result in strikes or work stoppages by affected workers. Renewal of collective bargaining agreements could also result in higher wages or benefits paid to union members. Therefore, the Combined Company could experience a disruption of its operations or higher ongoing labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial results and financial condition.

 

23


The Combined Company will rely heavily on a small number of significant customers, including one customer that represented approximately 12% of the Combined Company’s pro forma fiscal 2005 sales revenues. A loss of any of these significant customers could materially adversely affect the Combined Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

On a pro forma basis, the Combined Company will heavily rely on a small number of significant customers. The Combined Company’s largest customer, Unisource, an independent marketer and distributor of commercial printing and business imaging papers in North America, represented approximately 12% of its sales revenues in the fiscal year ended December 25, 2005.

The Combined Company’s customer base will include customers who were previously customers of both Weyerhaeuser and Domtar. This overlap may lead some of those customers to switch to other vendors in order to diversify their fine paper purchasing. A significant reduction in sales to any of its key customers (which could be due to factors outside its control, such as purchasing diversification) or financial difficulties experienced by these customers could materially adversely affect the Combined Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

A material disruption at one of the Combined Company’s manufacturing facilities could prevent it from meeting customer demand, reduce its sales and/or negatively impact its net income.

Any of the Combined Company’s paper or pulp manufacturing facilities, or any of its machines within an otherwise operational facility, could cease operations unexpectedly due to a number of events, including:

 

   

unscheduled maintenance outages;

 

   

prolonged power failures;

 

   

an equipment failure;

 

   

a chemical spill or release;

 

   

explosion of a boiler;

 

   

the effect of a drought or reduced rainfall on its water supply;

 

   

labor difficulties;

 

   

disruptions in the transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railroad tracks and tunnels;

 

   

fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes or other catastrophes;

 

   

terrorism or threats of terrorism; or

 

   

other operational problems.

Events such as those listed above have resulted in operating losses in the past. In the second quarter of 2002, for example, a recovery boiler at the Company’s facilities in Plymouth, North Carolina exploded, causing operations at these facilities to be shut down for repairs for a period of 107 days from May 8, 2002 to August 23, 2002. The Company estimates that the repair costs, business disruption and increased operating costs associated with the recovery boiler explosion negatively impacted its operating income by approximately $70 million (before insurance recovery) during the second and third quarters of 2002. Also, in May 2006, the Company’s facilities in Plymouth, North Carolina experienced a disruption in their power supply, causing damage to a turbine generator necessary to convert high pressure steam to medium and low pressure steam used by the various mill processes. As a result of this damage, various mill operations at the Company’s Plymouth, North Carolina facilities were shut down for repairs for up to eleven days. The Company estimates the total financial impact of this incident on its operating income to be $11 million including repair costs, the opportunity value of lost production and increased operating costs. Future events may cause similar shutdowns, which may result in additional downtime and/or cause additional damage to the Combined Company’s facilities. Any such downtime

 

24


or facility damage could prevent the Combined Company from meeting customer demand for its products and/or require it to make unplanned capital expenditures. If one of these machines or facilities were to incur significant downtime, the Combined Company’s ability to meet its production targets and satisfy customer requirements would be impaired, resulting in lower sales and income.

The Combined Company’s operations require substantial capital, and it may not have adequate capital resources to provide for all of its capital requirements. On a pro forma basis, the Company estimates that the Combined Company spent approximately $135 million on capital expenditures during 2006, and such expenditures could increase in the future.

The Combined Company’s businesses are capital intensive and require that it regularly incur capital expenditures in order to maintain its equipment, increase its operating efficiency and comply with environmental laws. On a pro forma basis, the Combined Company’s total capital expenditures, were approximately $224 million during 2005, including approximately $207 million for maintenance capital and approximately $17 million for environmental expenditures. The Company estimates that the Combined Company, on a pro forma basis, spent approximately $135 million on capital expenditures during 2006, including approximately $127 million for maintenance capital and approximately $8 million for environmental expenditures. If the Combined Company’s available cash resources and cash generated from operations are not sufficient to fund its operating needs and capital expenditures, the Combined Company would have to obtain additional funds from borrowings or other available sources or reduce or delay its capital expenditures. The Combined Company may not be able to obtain additional funds on favorable terms, or at all. In addition, the Combined Company’s debt service obligations will reduce its available cash flows. If the Combined Company cannot maintain or upgrade its equipment as it requires or ensure environmental compliance, it could be required to cease or curtail some of its manufacturing operations, or it may become unable to manufacture products that compete effectively in one or more of its product lines. For example, the Company’s air permit for its Kamloops, British Columbia pulp manufacturing facility requires that the facility reduce air emissions of particulate matter by December 31, 2007. Compliance with the permit requirements is likely to require significant capital expenditures. The Company is currently evaluating its options and is in discussions with the Province of British Columbia to extend the deadline for compliance. If the deadline is not extended or if the Combined Company does not have sufficient resources to make necessary capital expenditures, the facility may not be able to operate after 2007 without significantly curtailing output, which would increase the Combined Company’s production costs.

The Combined Company could incur substantial costs as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under applicable environmental laws and regulations. On a pro forma basis, the Combined Company incurred approximately $51 million in expenditures in connection with environmental compliance and remediation during 2005, and such expenditures could increase in the future.

The Combined Company will be subject, in both the United States and Canada, to a wide range of general and industry-specific laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, harvesting, silvicultural activities, the storage, management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of contaminated sites, landfill operation and closure obligations, forestry operations and endangered species habitat, and health and safety matters.

In particular, the pulp and paper industry in the United States is subject to Cluster Rules and Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology Rules that further regulate effluent and air emissions. These laws and regulations will require the Combined Company to obtain authorizations from and comply with the authorization requirements of the appropriate governmental authorities, which have considerable discretion over the terms and timing of permits.

Weyerhaeuser and Domtar have incurred, and the Company expects that the Combined Company will continue to incur, significant capital, operating and other expenditures complying with applicable environmental laws and regulations and as a result of remedial obligations. On a pro forma basis, the Combined Company incurred $51 million of expenditures in connection with environmental compliance and remediation during 2005.

 

25


As of September 24, 2006, the Combined Company has, on a pro forma basis, a provision of $56 million for these environmental expenditures. In addition, during the first quarter of 2006, Weyerhaeuser closed its pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and the Big River Sawmill in Saskatchewan. Weyerhaeuser has not determined whether either of these facilities will be reopened, sold or permanently closed. In the event the facilities are permanently closed, the Province of Saskatchewan may require active decommissioning and reclamation at one or both facilities, which would likely include investigation and remedial action for areas of significant environmental impacts. The Province of Saskatchewan has required certain facilities located in the Province to submit preliminary decommissioning and reclamation plans and to include in such plans estimates of costs associated with decommissioning and reclamation activities. Weyerhaeuser submitted such a plan for its pulp and paper facility in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In its preliminary decommissioning and reclamation plan, Weyerhaeuser has included a preliminary, generalized estimate of costs ranging from CDN$20 to CDN$25 million. Weyerhaeuser has advised the Province of Saskatchewan that it was not providing a detailed delineation of costs at this time because such costs will depend on site specific factors, the professional judgments of environmental specialists and experts, further detailed environmental site assessments, and, most fundamentally, a decision about the future use or closure of the site. The estimate referred to above does not take into account the equipment resale value or scrap material value which is considered to be significant, nor does it include the cost of completing a phase II environmental site assessment or the cost of any remediation required based on such assessment.

The Combined Company also could incur substantial costs, such as civil or criminal fines, sanctions and enforcement actions (including orders limiting its operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of pollution control equipment or other remedial actions), cleanup and closure costs, and third-party claims for property damage and personal injury as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws and regulations.

As the owner and operator of real estate, the Combined Company may be liable under environmental laws for cleanup, closure and other damages resulting from the presence and release of hazardous substances, including asbestos, on or from its properties or operations. The amount and timing of environmental expenditures is difficult to predict, and, in some cases, the Combined Company’s liability may exceed forecasted amounts or the value of the property itself. The discovery of additional contamination or the imposition of additional cleanup obligations at the Combined Company’s or third-party sites may result in significant additional costs. Any material liability the Combined Company incurs could adversely impact its financial condition or preclude it from making capital expenditures that would otherwise benefit its business.

Enactment of new environmental laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations, or interpretation thereof, might require significant expenditures.

The Combined Company may be unable to generate funds or other sources of liquidity and capital to fund environmental liabilities or expenditures.

The Combined Company will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates.

The Combined Company will manufacture a significant amount of pulp and paper in Canada. Sales of pulp and paper products by the Combined Company’s Canadian mills will be invoiced in U.S. dollars or in Canadian dollars linked to U.S. pricing but most of the costs relating to these products will be incurred in Canadian dollars. As a result, any decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar will reduce the Combined Company’s profitability.

Exchange rate fluctuations are beyond the Combined Company’s control. Since January 1, 2002, the Canadian dollar has appreciated more than 40% relative to the U.S. dollar. This has had a material adverse effect on the sales and profitability of the Canadian operations of both the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar and may continue to have an adverse effect on the Combined Company’s business, financial results and financial condition.

 

26


The Combined Company may be required to pay significant lumber export taxes and/or countervailing and antidumping duties.

The Combined Company may experience reduced revenues and margins on its softwood lumber business as a result of lumber export taxes and/or countervailing and antidumping duty applications.

In April 2001, the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports (the “Coalition”) filed two petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (the “Department”) and the International Trade Commission (the “ITC”) claiming that production of softwood lumber in Canada was being subsidized by Canada and that imports from Canada were being “dumped” into the U.S. market (sold at less than fair value). The Coalition asked that countervailing duty (“CVD”) and anti-dumping (“AD”) tariffs be imposed on softwood lumber imported from Canada.

In July 2006, the Canadian and U.S. governments announced a final settlement to this long-standing dispute. The provisions of the settlement include repayment of approximately 81% of the deposits, imposition of export measures in Canada, and measures to address long-term policy reform. On September 19, 2006, the Canadian Parliament voted 172-116 on a motion that empowered it to collect the export taxes provided for in the settlement. Legislation to implement the settlement became effective on December 14, 2006.

On October 12, 2006, Canada and the United States announced amendments that allow the settlement to be implemented as of this date. The amendments include a process that allows the United States to proceed with the revocation of CVD and AD orders.

It is possible that the CVD and AD tariffs or tariffs similar to the CVD and AD tariffs may again be imposed on the Combined Company, in the future.

Under the settlement agreement, Canadian softwood lumber exporters will pay an export tax when the price of lumber is at or below a threshold price. Under present market conditions, Canadian softwood lumber exports are subject to a 15% export charge which may rise to 22.5% in the event a province exceeds its total allotted export share.

Domtar is currently experiencing, and the Combined Company may continue to experience, reduced revenues and margins in the softwood lumber business as a result of the application of the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement could have a material adverse effect on the Combined Company’s business, financial results and financial condition, including, but not limited to, facility closures or impairment of assets.

The Combined Company will depend on third parties for transportation services.

The Combined Company will rely primarily on third parties for transportation of the products it manufactures and/or distributes, as well as delivery of its raw materials. In particular, a significant portion of the goods it manufactures and raw materials it uses are transported by railroad or trucks, which are highly regulated. If any of its third-party transportation providers were to fail to deliver the goods it manufactures or distributes in a timely manner, the Combined Company may be unable to sell those products at full value, or at all. Similarly, if any of these providers were to fail to deliver raw materials to the Combined Company in a timely manner, it may be unable to manufacture its products in response to customer demand. In addition, if any of these third parties were to cease operations or cease doing business with the Combined Company, it may be unable to replace them at reasonable cost. Any failure of a third-party transportation provider to deliver raw materials or finished products in a timely manner could harm the Combined Company’s reputation, negatively impact its customer relationships and have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and operating results.

The transition services to be provided by Weyerhaeuser may be difficult for the Combined Company to replace without operational problems and additional costs.

The Company will enter into a transition services agreement with Weyerhaeuser pursuant to which Weyerhaeuser will provide the Company certain transition services for a period of time following the

 

27


Distribution. These services will include, among others, certain services relating to finance and administration, human resources, payroll and information technology. If, after the expiration of the agreement, the Company is unable to perform these services or replace them in a timely manner or on terms and conditions as favorable as those the Company expects to receive from Weyerhaeuser, the Company may experience operational problems and an increase in its costs. In addition, the costs for such services may be higher than the costs for such services when the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business was operated as part of Weyerhaeuser. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution—Transition Services Agreement,” and “—Risks Related to the Transactions—The historical financial information of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business may not be representative of its results if it had been operated independently of Weyerhaeuser and, as a result, may not be a reliable indicator of its future results.”

Following the Company’s separation from Weyerhaeuser, the Company may experience increased costs resulting from decreased purchasing power, which could decrease its overall profitability.

Prior to its separation from Weyerhaeuser, the Company was able to take advantage of Weyerhaeuser’s size and reputation in procuring raw materials and other goods and services used both for the Company’s business and Weyerhaeuser’s other businesses. As a separate, stand-alone entity, the Company may be unable to obtain similar goods, services and technology at prices or on terms as favorable as those obtained prior to the separation. The Company expects to enter into a joint purchase agreement with Weyerhaeuser but cannot assure that it will obtain bulk purchase benefits from its suppliers.

The Combined Company has net liabilities with respect to its pension plans and the actual cost of its pension plan obligations could exceed current provisions. On a pro forma basis, as of September 24, 2006, the Combined Company’s defined benefit plans were underfunded by an aggregate of $251 million on a going concern basis.

As of September 24, 2006, the Combined Company’s defined benefit plans were, on a pro forma basis, underfunded by an aggregate of $251 million on a going concern basis. Its future funding obligations for the defined benefit pension plans depend upon changes to the level of benefits provided by the plans, the future performance of assets set aside in trusts for these plans, the level of interest rates used to determine minimum funding levels, actuarial data and experience, and any changes in government laws and regulations. Any adverse change to any of these factors may require the Combined Company to increase its cash contributions to the pension plans, and those added contributions could have a material adverse effect on its cash flows and results of operations.

Risks Related to Ownership of Company Common Stock

The price of Company common stock may be volatile.

Prior to the consummation of the Transactions, there has been no public market for Company common stock. An active and liquid trading market for Company common stock may not develop or be sustained following the Transactions.

The market price of Company common stock may be influenced by many factors, some of which are beyond its control, including those described above under “—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions” and the following:

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in the Combined Company or its competitors’ operating results;

 

   

announcements by the Combined Company and its competitors of new products, capacity changes, significant contracts, acquisitions or strategic investments;

 

   

the Combined Company and its competitors’ growth rates;

 

   

the financial market and general economic conditions;

 

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changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding the Combined Company, its competitors or the paper products industry generally, or lack of analyst coverage of its common stock;

 

   

sales of Company common stock by the Company’s executive officers, directors and significant stockholders or sales of substantial amounts of common stock; and

 

   

changes in accounting principles.

In addition, there has been significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of companies operating in the paper products industry, which has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies.

Some companies that have had volatile market prices for their securities have had securities litigation brought against them. If litigation of this type is brought against the Company, it could result in substantial costs and would divert management’s attention and resources.

You will not receive dividends for the foreseeable future.

The Company does not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. Certain institutional investors may invest only in dividend-paying equity securities or may operate under other restrictions which would prohibit or limit their ability to invest in Company common stock.

In addition, the Company’s ability to pay dividends will be restricted by current and future agreements governing its and its subsidiaries’ debt, including the senior secured credit facilities, as well as Delaware law and state regulatory authorities. See “Financing—Proposed Terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.” Under Delaware law, the Company’s board of directors may not authorize payment of a dividend unless it is either paid out of the Company’s surplus, as calculated in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, or, if the Company does not have a surplus, it is paid out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. To the extent the Company does not have adequate surplus or net profits, it will be prohibited from paying dividends.

The Company’s ability to pay dividends will also depend on other factors, including the following:

 

   

the state of the Combined Company’s business, the environment in which it operates and the various risks it faces, including competition, changes in its industry and other risks summarized in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange;

 

   

the results of operations of its subsidiaries and their ability to transfer funds to the Company, as the Company will be a holding company and its principal assets will be the equity interests it holds in its subsidiaries; and

 

   

its future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity needs and capital resources.

Delaware law, the Company’s charter documents, the rights agreement and the indemnity provisions under the tax sharing agreement may impede or discourage a takeover that you may consider favorable to the Company.

The anti-takeover provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law impose various impediments on the ability of a third party to acquire control of the Company, even if a change in control would be beneficial to its stockholders. For example, the Company will be afforded the protections of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which will prevent it from engaging in a business combination with a person who acquires at least 15% of Company common stock for a period of three years from the date such person acquired such common stock, unless board or stockholder approval was obtained. See “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law—Delaware Law.”

 

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The Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain a number of provisions that could make the acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise more difficult. For example, the Company’s certificate of incorporation provides for a classified board, provides special majority requirements for the removal of directors and the filling of director vacancies, authorizes the issuance of preferred stock and does not permit stockholder action by written consent, and the Company’s by-laws require advance notice of stockholder nominations and proposals. In addition, the Company’s rights agreement will have the effect of inhibiting the acquisition of 10% or more of the Company’s voting stock without the prior approval of its board of directors. See “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law—Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan.”

Pursuant to the indemnity provisions of the tax sharing agreement between Weyerhaeuser and the Company, an acquisition or further issuance of the Company’s equity securities that triggers the application of Section 355(e) of the Code may require the Company to indemnify Weyerhaeuser for the resulting tax. See “—Risks Related to the Transactions—If the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, does not constitute a tax-free spin-off under Section 355 of the Code or a tax-free reorganization under Section 368 of the Code, either as a result of actions taken in connection with the Distribution or as a result of subsequent acquisitions of shares of Weyerhaeuser or Company common stock, then Weyerhaeuser and/or Weyerhaeuser shareholders may be responsible for payment of U.S. federal income taxes.”

These provisions could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company, discourage others from making tender offers for the Company’s shares, lower the market price of the Company’s stock or impede the ability of the Company’s stockholders to change the Company’s management, even if such changes would be beneficial to these stockholders.

The requirements associated with being a public company will require significant company resources and management attention.

Following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will become subject to the reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Exchange Act requires that the Company will file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to the Combined Company’s business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires, among other things, that the Company maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls for financial reporting. The Company is a new company, and has not fully established the procedures and practices it will be required to have as a public company. To establish these procedures and practices, the Company will need to integrate the procedures and practices it will inherit from Weyerhaeuser (with respect to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business) and from Domtar (with respect to the Domtar business). In addition, any procedures and practices that exist with respect to the Domtar business may need to be amended to reflect the fact that the Company is a U.S. company and, as such, subject to different U.S. disclosure requirements than Domtar, which was a Canadian company subject to the multijurisdictional disclosure system. As a result, the Company may incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses. Further, the need to establish the corporate infrastructure demanded of a U.S. public company may divert management’s attention from integrating the two businesses and implementing the Combined Company’s growth strategy, which could prevent it from growing sales and improving its financial condition.

Risks Related to the Transactions

The number of shares of Company common stock that will be issued to Weyerhaeuser and offered in this Exchange Offer will not be adjusted in the event the value of the Domtar business declines before this Exchange Offer is completed.

The calculation of the number of shares of Company common stock to be distributed in the Distribution will not be adjusted in the event the value of the Domtar business declines. While Weyerhaeuser will not be required to consummate the Transactions if there is any state of facts, change, effect, condition, development, event or occurrence that individually or in the aggregate would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect

 

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on Domtar (as defined in the Transaction Agreement), Weyerhaeuser will not be permitted to terminate the Transaction Agreement in the event of any changes in the value of the Domtar business or the market prices of the Domtar common shares that do not have such a material adverse effect on Domtar.

The Company may not realize the anticipated synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities from the Transactions.

The success of the Transactions will depend, in part, on the Company’s ability to realize the anticipated synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities from integrating the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business with the Domtar business. The Company’s success in realizing these synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities, and the timing of this realization, depends on the successful integration of such businesses and operations. Even if Company is able to integrate such businesses and operations successfully, there can be no assurance that this integration will result in the realization of the full benefits of synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities that Weyerhaeuser and Domtar currently expect from this integration or that these benefits will be achieved within the anticipated time frame. For example, the elimination of duplicative costs may not be possible or may take longer than anticipated, or the benefits from the Transactions may be offset by the loss of Weyerhaeuser’s purchasing power, the costs incurred in integrating the businesses and operations and adverse conditions imposed by regulatory authorities on the combined business in connection with granting approval for the Transactions.

The integration of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the Domtar business following the Transactions may present significant challenges to the Company’s management which could cause its management to fail to respond effectively to the increasing forms of competition facing the Combined Company’s business.

There is a significant degree of difficulty and management distraction inherent in the process of separating from Weyerhaeuser and integrating the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar business. These difficulties include:

 

   

carrying on the ongoing business operations while separating the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business from Weyerhaeuser and integrating the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business with Domtar;

 

   

preserving customer, distribution, supplier and other important relationships of the Combined Company;

 

   

consolidating an organization with its executive head office located in Montréal, Canada and its operational headquarters located in Fort Mill, South Carolina;

 

   

integrating the business cultures of Weyerhaeuser and Domtar;

 

   

integrating information, purchasing, accounting, finance, sales, billing, payroll and regulatory compliance systems;

 

   

expanding the scope of the Combined Company’s operational and financial systems, which will increase its operating complexity;

 

   

incurring contingent obligations that were unforeseen; and

 

   

retaining key officers and personnel and successfully implementing succession planning.

The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of the Combined Company’s business. Following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company’s new senior management team, which will be put into place by virtue of the Transactions, may be required to devote considerable amounts of time to this integration process, which will decrease the time they will have to manage the business of the Combined Company, service existing customers, attract new customers and develop new products or strategies. One potential consequence of such distractions could be the failure of management to realize opportunities to respond to the increasing sources and forms of competition that the Combined Company’s business will face. If the Company’s senior management is not able to manage the integration

 

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process effectively, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the integration process (including as a result of a failure to implement the agreement for transition services by Weyerhaeuser), the Combined Company’s business could suffer.

The Company cannot assure you that it will successfully or cost-effectively integrate the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the Domtar business.

The failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and the Combined Company’s business following consummation of the Transactions.

The Company expects that it and Domtar will incur significant costs related to the Transactions that could have a material adverse effect on its operating results.

The Company and Domtar will incur financial, legal and accounting costs that the Company estimates will be approximately $90 million in connection with the Transactions. In addition, the Company estimates that it and Domtar will incur costs such as sales taxes, transfer taxes and information technology costs of approximately $50 million in connection with the separation of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business from Weyerhaeuser. The Company also anticipates that it and Domtar will incur significant costs in connection with the integration of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the Domtar business, including, among other things, costs relating to information technology integration, severance costs and the potential write-down of assets, which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. These costs may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flows and operating results.

The Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to meet its debt service obligations, which, on a pro forma basis as of September 24, 2006 would have amounted to approximately $210 million annually from 2007 through 2010.

Upon consummation of the Transactions, the Company will have considerable debt service obligations. On a pro forma basis as of September 24, 2006, the Company would have had approximately $200 million of annual interest payments and its aggregate debt service obligations would have been approximately $210 million each year from 2007 through 2010. The Company’s ability to make payments on and to refinance its indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on the Combined Company’s ability to generate cash from its future operations. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond the Company’s control. The Combined Company’s business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or future borrowings under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities or from other sources may not be available in an amount sufficient to enable the Company to repay its indebtedness or to fund its other liquidity needs, including capital expenditure requirements. The Company may not be able to refinance any of its indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If the Company cannot service its indebtedness, it may have to take actions such as selling assets, seeking additional equity or reducing or delaying capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances, any of which could impede the implementation of its business strategy for the Combined Company or prevent it from entering into transactions that would otherwise benefit its business. Additionally, the Company may not be able to effect such actions, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. The restrictions on the Company’s ability to issue equity securities or convertible debt securities during a two year period following the date of the Distribution without jeopardizing the intended tax consequences of the Transactions may make it difficult for the Company to raise equity capital if needed to service its indebtedness.

The Company’s substantial indebtedness, which would have been approximately $2.6 billion on a pro forma basis as of September 24, 2006, could adversely affect its financial condition and impair its ability to operate its business.

Upon consummation of the Transactions, the Company will be highly leveraged. As of September 24, 2006, on a pro forma basis, the Company would have had $2.6 billion of outstanding indebtedness, including $0.9 billion of indebtedness under its senior secured credit facilities (excluding unused availability under the

 

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Company’s revolving credit facility and outstanding and undrawn letters of credit) and $1.7 billion of indebtedness under Domtar’s existing debt agreements. This level of indebtedness could have important consequences to the Company’s financial condition and operating results and the Combined Company’s business.

The Company’s substantial degree of indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following:

 

   

it may limit the Company’s ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing for working capital, capital expenditures, product development, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes;

 

   

a substantial portion of the Company’s cash flows from operations will be dedicated to payments on its indebtedness and will not be available for other purposes, including operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;

 

   

the debt service requirements of the Company’s indebtedness could make it more difficult for the Company to satisfy its other obligations;

 

   

the Company’s borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities are at variable rates of interest, exposing the Company to the risk of increased interest rates;

 

   

it may limit the Company’s ability to adjust to changing market conditions and place it at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt; and

 

   

it may increase the Company’s vulnerability to a downturn in general economic conditions or in its business, and may make the Company unable to carry out capital spending that is important to its growth.

The terms of the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and Domtar’s existing indebtedness will restrict its ability to pursue its business strategies and operate the Combined Company’s business.

Domtar’s existing indebtedness contains, the Company’s senior secured credit facilities will contain, and any of the Company’s future indebtedness would likely contain, a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on the Company. For example, the senior secured credit facilities will limit the Company’s ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to make capital expenditures and will place restrictions on other matters customarily restricted in senior secured loan agreements, including restrictions on indebtedness, liens (including sale and leasebacks and guarantee obligations), fundamental changes, sales or disposition of property or assets, investments (including loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions), transactions with affiliates, hedge agreements, dividends and other payments in respect of capital stock, changes in fiscal periods, environmental activity, payments and modifications of other material debt instruments, negative pledge clauses and clauses restricting subsidiary distributions, changes in lines of business, and amendments to the documents related to the Transactions to the extent that any such amendment would be materially adverse to the interests of the lenders.

The Company’s senior secured credit facilities will also require the Company to achieve specified financial and operating results and maintain compliance with specified financial ratios. The Company’s ability to comply with these ratios may be affected by events beyond its control.

The restrictions contained in Domtar’s existing indebtedness and the senior secured credit facilities could:

 

   

limit the Company’s ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet capital needs or otherwise restrict its activities or business plans; and

 

   

adversely affect the Company’s ability to finance the Combined Company’s operations, strategic acquisitions, investments or alliances or other capital needs or to engage in other business activities that would be in its interest.

 

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The historical financial information of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business may not be representative of its results if it had been operated independently of Weyerhaeuser and, as a result, may not be a reliable indicator of its future results.

The Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business is currently a fully integrated business unit of Weyerhaeuser. Consequently, the financial information of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included in this document has been derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Weyerhaeuser and reflects assumptions and allocations made by Weyerhaeuser. The financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business presented may be different from those that would have resulted had the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business been operated independently. For example, in preparing the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business financial statements, Weyerhaeuser has made an appropriate allocation of costs and expenses that are attributable to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business. However, these costs and expenses reflect the costs and expenses attributable to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business operated as part of a larger organization and do not reflect costs and expenses that would be incurred by this business had it been operated independently. As a result, the historical financial information of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business may not be a reliable indicator of future results.

Sales of Company common stock after the Transactions may negatively affect the market price of Company common stock.

The market price of Company common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of its common stock in the market after the Transactions or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for the Company to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that it deems appropriate.

Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions, Weyerhaeuser shareholders or former shareholders will hold approximately 55% of the Company common stock and Domtar’s former shareholders will hold approximately 45% of the Company common stock, in each case on a fully diluted basis. Currently, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar shareholders include index funds that have performance tied to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index or other stock indices, and institutional investors subject to various investing guidelines.

Because the Company may not be included in these indices following consummation of the Transactions or may not meet the investing guidelines of some of these institutional investors, these index funds and institutional investors may be required to sell Company common stock that they receive in the Transactions. In addition, the investment fiduciary of Weyerhaeuser’s defined contribution plans may decide to sell any Company common stock that the trust receives in the Transactions, or not participate in this Exchange Offer, in response to fiduciary obligations under applicable law. These sales may cause the Company’s stock price to fall.

Regulatory agencies may delay or impose conditions on approval of the Transactions, which may diminish the anticipated benefits of the Transactions.

Consummation of the Transactions is conditioned upon the receipt of all material governmental consents, approvals, orders and authorizations, including the receipt of approval of the plan of arrangement by the Superior Court of Québec. While the Company, together with Weyerhaeuser and Domtar, intend to pursue vigorously all required governmental approvals and do not know of any reason why they would not be able to obtain the necessary approvals in a timely manner, the requirement to receive these approvals before the Transactions are consummated could delay the consummation of the Transactions. In addition, these governmental agencies may condition their approval of the Transactions on the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the Combined Company’s operating results or the value of Company common stock. Any delay in the consummation of the Transactions or the imposition of conditions could diminish the anticipated benefits of the Transactions or result in additional transaction costs, loss of revenue or other effects associated with uncertainty about the Transactions. Any uncertainty over the ability of the companies to complete the Transactions could make it more difficult to retain key employees or to pursue the business strategies of the Combined Company.

 

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Aboriginal interests may delay or result in challenges to the transfer of certain forest licenses and forest management agreements.

Under applicable forestry legislation in Ontario and Saskatchewan, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. must obtain consent from the governments of Ontario and Saskatchewan with respect to the transfer of certain timber rights in Ontario and Saskatchewan. To the extent the Transactions constitute a change of control under Domtar’s forest licenses and forest management agreements, Domtar must obtain consent to the change of control from the government in Ontario with respect to certain timber rights in Ontario. In this event, Domtar must also provide notice to the government of Québec, which has the right to change the amount of allocated wood and territories under Domtar’s forest licenses. However, recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions have confirmed that the federal and provincial governments in Canada have a duty to consult with, and in certain circumstances, seek to accommodate aboriginal groups whenever there is a reasonable prospect that a government’s decision may adversely affect an aboriginal group’s interests in relevant land and resources that are the subject of the decision. The Company expects that the governments of Ontario and Saskatchewan and, possibly, Québec may consult with relevant aboriginal groups in each province in connection with these consent approvals. This consultation process could result in delays, constrain access to the timber or give rise to additional costs. In addition, if the governments do not adequately discharge their obligations this could result in litigation. It is not possible at present to predict the risks associated with such litigation.

If the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, does not constitute a tax-free spin-off under Section 355 of the Code or a tax-free reorganization under Section 368 of the Code, either as a result of actions taken in connection with the Distribution or as a result of subsequent acquisitions of shares of Weyerhaeuser or Company common stock, then Weyerhaeuser and/or Weyerhaeuser shareholders may be responsible for payment of U.S. federal income taxes.

Weyerhaeuser received a private letter ruling from the IRS on February 5, 2007 to the effect that, based on the facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings set forth in the ruling, the Contribution and Distribution (which includes this Exchange Offer) will qualify as tax-free to Weyerhaeuser and the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368 and related provisions of the Code. Although a private letter ruling from the IRS generally is binding on the IRS, if the representations, assumptions or undertakings made in the letter ruling request are untrue or have been violated, then Weyerhaeuser will not be able to rely on the ruling. Moreover, the IRS private letter ruling does not address all the issues that are relevant to determining whether the Contribution and Distribution (which includes this Exchange Offer) will qualify for tax-free treatment. The issues not addressed by the private letter ruling consist primarily of issues on which the IRS customarily declines to rule.

This Exchange Offer and the Arrangement are also conditioned upon the receipt by Weyerhaeuser of an opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel to Weyerhaeuser, to the effect that the Contribution and the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, will be tax-free to Weyerhaeuser and the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares under Sections 355 and 368 and other related provisions of the Code. Certain issues not addressed by the private letter ruling are expected to be addressed by the opinion. The opinion will be based on, among other things, current law and certain representations and assumptions as to factual matters made by Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Domtar. Any change in currently applicable law, which may or may not be retroactive, or the failure of any factual representation or assumption to be true, correct and complete in all material respects, could adversely affect the conclusions reached by counsel in its opinion. The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts, and the IRS or the courts may not agree with the opinion.

The Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, would become taxable to Weyerhaeuser pursuant to Section 355(e) of the Code if 50% or more (by vote or value) of either Weyerhaeuser equity securities or equity securities of the Company were acquired, directly or indirectly, by persons other than Weyerhaeuser shareholders as part of a plan or series of related transactions that included this Exchange Offer. Because the Weyerhaeuser shareholders will own more than 50% of Company common stock following the Arrangement, the Arrangement,

 

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by itself, will not cause the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, to be taxable to Weyerhaeuser under Section 355(e). However, if the IRS were to determine that other acquisitions of Company equity securities, either before or after the Distribution and the Arrangement, were part of a plan or series of related transactions that included the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, such determination could result in the recognition of gain by Weyerhaeuser under Section 355(e). In such case, the gain recognized by Weyerhaeuser likely would include the entire fair market value of the Company common stock distributed to Weyerhaeuser’s shareholders, and thus would be very substantial.

Under the tax sharing agreement among Weyerhaeuser, the Company, and Domtar, the Company generally would be required to indemnify Weyerhaeuser against tax related losses to Weyerhaeuser and/or its shareholders that arise as a result of certain actions taken or omissions to act by the Company, its subsidiaries or certain affiliates of the Company (“Disqualifying Actions”) after the Transactions. If Weyerhaeuser and/or its shareholders should recognize gain on the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, for reasons not related to Disqualifying Actions, Weyerhaeuser would not be entitled to be indemnified under the tax sharing agreement. See “—Risks Related to the Transactions—The Company may be affected by significant restrictions following the Transactions in order to avoid significant tax-related liabilities.” Under no circumstances are Weyerhaeuser shareholders entitled to indemnity from the Company or Domtar under the tax sharing agreement.

See “This Exchange Offer—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

The Company may be affected by significant restrictions following the Transactions in order to avoid significant tax-related liabilities.

Even if the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, otherwise qualifies as a tax-free reorganization, the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, may not qualify as a transaction that is tax-free to Weyerhaeuser if 50% or more (by vote or value) of the equity securities of Weyerhaeuser or the equity securities of the Company are acquired by persons other than Weyerhaeuser shareholders as part of a “plan” that includes the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, pursuant to Section 355(e).

The tax sharing agreement requires that the Company, its subsidiaries and certain affiliates of the Company, for a two year period, avoid taking certain actions that might cause the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which 50% or more of the Company’s equity securities are acquired. Certain of these actions subject to restrictions include:

 

   

redemption, recapitalization, repurchase or acquisition by the Company of its capital stock;

 

   

issuance by the Company of capital stock or convertible debt;

 

   

liquidation of the Company;

 

   

discontinuance of the operations of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business contributed by Weyerhaeuser to Newco;

 

   

sale or disposition of (other than in the ordinary course of business) all or a substantial part of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business; or

 

   

other actions, omissions to act or transactions that could jeopardize the tax-free status of this Exchange Offer.

To the extent that the tax-free status of the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, is lost because of a Disqualifying Action after the date of consummation of this Exchange Offer, the Company generally will be required to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Weyerhaeuser from and against any and all resulting tax-related losses incurred by Weyerhaeuser and/or Weyerhaeuser shareholders, without regard to whether Weyerhaeuser has given the Company prior written consent to the specific action taken by the Company.

Because of these restrictions, the Company may be limited in its ability to pursue strategic transactions or equity or convertible debt financing or engage in new business or other transactions that may maximize the value of its business.

See “This Exchange Offer—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

 

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A third party may seek an increase in consideration from Domtar under an existing contract in connection with the Transactions.

In 1998, Domtar acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of E.B. Eddy Limited and E.B. Eddy Paper, Inc., an integrated producer of specialty paper and wood products. The purchase agreement relating to this acquisition includes a purchase price adjustment whereby, in the event of the acquisition by a third party of more than 50% of the shares of Domtar in specified circumstances, Domtar may be required to pay an increase in consideration of up to a maximum of CDN$120 million. This amount gradually declines over a 25-year period and as at December 31, 2006, the maximum amount of the purchase price adjustment was CDN$110 million.

Domtar does not believe that the consummation of the Transactions will trigger an obligation to pay an increase in consideration under the purchase price adjustment and intends to defend itself vigorously against any claims with respect thereto. However, Domtar (or, after the Arrangement, the Combined Company) may not be successful in its defense of such claims, if any, and, if it is ultimately required to pay an increase in consideration, such payment may have a material adverse effect on the Combined Company’s liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

Tendering Weyerhaeuser shareholders may receive a reduced premium or may not receive any premium in this Exchange Offer.

This Exchange Offer is designed to permit you to exchange your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for shares of Company common stock at a 10% discount to the per-share value of Company common stock, calculated as set forth in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. Stated another way, for each $1.00 of your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted in this Exchange Offer, you will receive approximately $1.11 of Company common stock based on calculated per-share values determined by reference to the average of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the Valuation Dates. The number of shares you can receive is, however, subject to a limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer. As a result, you may receive less than $1.11 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, depending on the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock at the expiration date. Because of the limit on the number of shares of Company common stock you may receive in this Exchange Offer, if there is a drop of sufficient magnitude in the trading price of Domtar common shares relative to the trading price of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or if there is an increase of sufficient magnitude in the trading price of Weyerhaeuser common shares relative to the trading price of Domtar common shares, you may not receive $1.11 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, and could receive much less. For example, if the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares was $75.57 (the highest closing price for Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange during the three-month period prior to commencement of this Exchange Offer) and the calculated per-share value of Company common stock was $6.56 (the lowest closing price for Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange during that three-month period), the value of Company common stock, based on the Domtar common share price, received for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares would be approximately $0.97 for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser shares. This Exchange Offer does not provide for a minimum exchange ratio. See “This Exchange Offer—Terms of this Exchange Offer.” If the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made to permit shareholders to tender or withdraw their Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days. Any changes in the prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Domtar common shares on those additional days of this Exchange Offer will not, however, affect the exchange ratio. In addition, there is no assurance that holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that are exchanged for Company common stock in this Exchange Offer will be able to sell the Company common stock after receipt at prices comparable to the calculated per-share value of Company common stock at the expiration date.

 

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The trading prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares, which will be used to value Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in determining the exchange ratio, may not exactly reflect the trading prices of the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

The market prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the Valuation Dates will be used to determine the per share value of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for purposes of determining the exchange ratio of shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share as well as each Weyerhaeuser common share. The Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are traded only on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canadian dollars and do not trade at exactly the same prices as Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as a result of different levels of trading on each exchange, the exchange rates between Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars and other factors. See “Summary—Historical Per Share Data, Market Price and Dividend Data.” Accordingly, the value of the Company common stock relative to the value of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares exchanged in this Exchange Offer may be different than the value of the Company common stock relative to the value of Weyerhaeuser common shares.

The trading prices of Domtar common shares may not be an appropriate proxy for the expected trading prices of Company common stock when issued.

The calculated per-share value for Company common stock is based on the trading prices for Domtar common shares, which may not be an appropriate proxy for the expected trading prices of Company common stock when issued. There is currently no trading market for Company common stock and there can be no assurance that Company common stock when issued will trade on the same basis as the Domtar common shares; for example, Company common stock will trade primarily on the New York Stock Exchange, whereas the primary trading market for Domtar common shares currently is the Toronto Stock Exchange, and a greater percentage of the Company common stock is likely to be held by U.S. investors. In addition, it is possible that the trading prices of Domtar common shares prior to consummation of the Transactions will not fully reflect the anticipated value of Company common stock to be issued upon consummation of the Transactions; for example, trading prices of Domtar common shares on the Valuation Dates could reflect some uncertainty as to the timing or consummation of the Arrangement or could reflect trading activity by investors seeking to profit from market arbitrage.

The trading prices of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange, the proxy for trading prices of Company common stock in determining the exchange ratio, may not be an accurate reflection of the value of Domtar common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Domtar common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange in U.S. dollars and the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canadian dollars. The value of Company common stock will be determined by reference to the average of the daily VWAP of the Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the Valuation Dates. Because there are separate listings on different exchanges, the trading prices of the Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as compared to on the Toronto Stock Exchange may not reflect equivalent values after taking into account the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar. Also, trading activity of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange has historically been different than on the Toronto Stock Exchange and Domtar common share prices on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange may not react to news regarding Domtar or its industry in a similar fashion. Domtar common shares trading on the New York Stock Exchange may not be affected by market disruptions that would affect the Toronto Stock Exchange, and vice versa.

 

38


SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and other materials the Company has filed or will file with the SEC (as well as information included in the Company’s other written or oral statements) contain, or will contain, disclosures which are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements address, among other things, the anticipated effects of the Transactions. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them occurs, what effect they will have on the Combined Company’s results of operations or financial condition. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the effect of general economic conditions, particularly in the United States and Canada;

 

   

market demand for the Combined Company’s products, which may be tied to the relative strength of various U.S. and/or Canadian business segments;

 

   

energy prices;

 

   

raw material prices;

 

   

chemical prices;

 

   

performance of the Combined Company’s manufacturing operations including unexpected maintenance requirements;

 

   

the successful integration of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business with Domtar and the execution of internal performance plans;

 

   

the level of competition from domestic and foreign producers;

 

   

the effect of forestry, land use, environmental and other governmental regulations, and changes in accounting regulations;

 

   

the effect of weather and the risk of loss from fires, floods, windstorms, hurricanes and other natural disasters;

 

   

transportation costs;

 

   

the loss of current customers or the inability to obtain new customers;

 

   

legal proceedings;

 

   

changes in asset valuations, including writedowns of property, plant and equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets for impairment or other reasons;

 

   

changes in currency exchange rates, particularly the relative value of the U.S. dollar to the Canadian dollar;

 

   

the effect of timing of retirements and changes in the market price of Company common stock on charges for stock-based compensation;

 

   

performance of pension fund investments and related derivatives; and

 

   

the other factors described under “Risk Factors.”

You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. None of the Company, Weyerhaeuser or Domtar assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.

 

39


THIS EXCHANGE OFFER

Terms of this Exchange Offer

Weyerhaeuser is offering to exchange all shares of Company common stock, which are owned by Weyerhaeuser, for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, at an exchange ratio to be calculated in the manner described below, on the terms and conditions and subject to the limitations described below and in the applicable letter of transmittal (including the instructions thereto), by 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on March 2, 2007, unless this Exchange Offer is extended or terminated. The last day on which tenders will be accepted, whether on March 2, 2007 or any later date to which this Exchange Offer is extended, is referred to in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange as the “expiration date.” You may tender all, some or none of your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

Weyerhaeuser common shares were issued by Weyerhaeuser Company and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares were issued by Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, a Canadian subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser. Each Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share is exchangeable at the option of the holder for one Weyerhaeuser common share. For additional information regarding the Company common stock, Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, see “Comparison of Rights of Holders of Company Common Stock and Weyerhaeuser Shares.”

It is estimated that approximately 281,000,000 shares of Company common stock will be held by Weyerhaeuser upon completion of the Contribution and consummation of this Exchange Offer. The exact number of shares of Company common stock to be issued to Weyerhaeuser as part of the consideration in the Company Contribution will not be determined until a date designated by Weyerhaeuser that is at least 10 business days after the commencement of this Exchange Offer but not more than 20 business days prior to the date of consummation of this Exchange Offer. The number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that will be accepted if this Exchange Offer is completed will depend on the final exchange ratio, the number of shares of Company common stock offered and the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered. Unless the expiration date of this Exchange Offer is extended past March 19, 2007, the date for determining the exact number of shares of Company common stock to be issued to Weyerhaeuser will be February 16, 2007.

Weyerhaeuser’s obligation to complete this Exchange Offer is subject to important conditions that are described in the section entitled “—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer.”

For each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share that you tender in this Exchange Offer and do not withdraw, you will receive a number of shares of Company common stock at a 10% discount to the per-share value of Company common stock, calculated as set forth below, subject to a limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock per Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share. Stated another way, subject to the limit, for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted in this Exchange Offer, you will receive approximately $1.11 of Company common stock, based on the calculated per-share values for the Weyerhaeuser common shares and the Company common stock.

The final calculated per-share values will be equal to (i) with respect to Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange for each of the Valuation Dates, as reported to Weyerhaeuser by Bloomberg L.P. for the equity ticker WY.N; and (ii) with respect to Company common stock, the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange for each of the Valuation Dates, as reported to Weyerhaeuser by Bloomberg L.P. for the equity ticker DTC.N. The daily VWAPs provided by Bloomberg L.P. may be different from other sources of volume-weighted average prices or investors’ or security holders’ own calculations of volume-weighted average prices. As used in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, “VWAP” means the “volume-weighted average price” per share of that stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York City time (or such other time as is the

 

40


official open of trading on the New York Stock Exchange), and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York City time (or such other time as is the official close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange and in no event later than 4:10 p.m., New York City time). Weyerhaeuser will determine such calculations of the per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock, and such determination will be final.

If the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made. See “—Extension; Termination or; Amendment—Mandatory Extension.”

The number of shares you can receive is subject to a limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer. If the limit is in effect, you will receive less than $1.11 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that you tender, and you could receive much less. This limit was calculated based on a 17% discount for Company common stock based on the closing prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on February 1, 2007 (the day before the commencement of this Exchange Offer). Weyerhaeuser set this limit to ensure that an unusual or unexpected drop in the trading price of Domtar common shares, relative to the trading price of Weyerhaeuser common shares, would not result in an unduly high number of shares of Company common stock being exchanged for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer.

The terms of this Exchange Offer are designed to result in you receiving no more than approximately $1.11 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered, based on the calculated per-share values described above. This Exchange Offer does not provide for a minimum exchange ratio because a minimum exchange ratio could have the effect of the shares of Company common stock exchanged for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares being higher than approximately $1.11. Regardless of the final exchange ratio, the terms of this Exchange Offer would always result in you receiving approximately $1.11 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares so long as the limit is not in effect. See the table on page 44 for purposes of illustration.

Subject to the limit described above, for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted in this Exchange Offer, you will receive approximately $1.11 of Company common stock. In other words, the following formula will be used to calculate the number of shares of Company common stock you will receive for Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted in this Exchange Offer:

 

Number of shares

of Company

common stock

   =    Number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered and         
     

accepted, multiplied by

the lesser of:

   (a) 11.1442    and   

(b) 100% of the calculated per-

share value of Weyerhaeuser

common shares divided by

90% of the calculated per-

share value of Domtar

common shares

The calculated per-share value of a Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share for purposes of this Exchange Offer will equal the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the Valuation Dates. The calculated per-share value

 

41


of a share of Company common stock for purposes of this Exchange Offer will equal the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the Valuation Dates.

If the limit is in effect, the exchange ratio will be fixed and the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock based on the daily VWAP during the Mandatory Extension will no longer affect the exchange ratio.

To help illustrate the way this calculation works, below are two examples:

 

   

Example 1: Assuming that the average of the daily VWAP on the Valuation Dates is 75.0433 per Weyerhaeuser common share and 8.2137 per Domtar common share, you would receive 10.1515 shares (75.0433 divided by 90% of 8.2137) of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer. In this example, the limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share would not apply.

 

   

Example 2: Assuming that the average of the daily VWAP on the Valuation Dates is 78.7955 per Weyerhaeuser common share and 7.8030 per Domtar common share, the limit would apply and you would only receive 11.1442 shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer because the limit is less than 11.2201 (78.7955 divided by 90% of 7.8030) of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share. Because the limit would apply, this Exchange Offer would be automatically extended until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day, and the exchange ratio would be fixed at the limit.

You will be able to review indicative exchange ratios and calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock and the final exchange ratio used to determine the number of shares of Company common stock to be exchanged per Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share as follows:

 

   

Indicative calculated per-share values: A website will be maintained at www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com that provides indicative exchange ratios and calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock.

 

   

From February 2, 2007 until the first Valuation Date, the website has shown, and will show, indicative calculated per-share values, calculated as though that day were the expiration date of this Exchange Offer, of (i) Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, which will equal the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares, as calculated by Weyerhaeuser, on each of the three prior trading days and (ii) Company common stock, which will equal the simple arithmetic average of the daily VWAP of Domtar common shares, as calculated by Weyerhaeuser, on each of the three prior trading days. For example, by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on February 15, 2007 (the tenth trading day of this Exchange Offer), the website will show an indicative exchange ratio based on indicative per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock on February 13, 2007 (the eighth trading day), February 14, 2007 (the ninth trading day) and February 15, 2007 (the tenth trading day). During this period, the indicative calculated per-share values will be updated on each trading day by 4:30 p.m., New York City time. Such data will not, however, be included in the calculation of the final calculated per-share value for either Weyerhaeuser common shares or Company common stock.

 

   

On each of the Valuation Dates, when the values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock are calculated for the purposes of this Exchange Offer, the website will show the indicative calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock, as calculated by Weyerhaeuser, which will equal, with respect to each stock, (i) on the first Valuation Date,

 

42


 

the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day, (ii) on the second Valuation Date, the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day averaged with the actual daily VWAP on the first Valuation Date and (iii) on the third Valuation Date, the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day averaged with the actual daily VWAP on the first Valuation Date and the actual daily VWAP on the second Valuation Date. “Intra-day VWAP” means VWAP for the period beginning at the official open of trading on the New York Stock Exchange and ending as of the specific time in such day. On each of the Valuation Dates, the indicative calculated per share values and indicative exchange ratio calculated using such values will be updated at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., New York City time.

 

   

Final exchange ratio: The final exchange ratio that shows the number of shares of Company common stock that you will receive for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share accepted in this Exchange Offer will be available at www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, and separately announced by press release.

You may also contact the information agent to obtain these indicative exchange ratios and the final exchange ratio at its toll-free number provided on the back cover of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Each of the daily VWAPs, intra-day VWAPs, calculated per-share values and the final exchange ratio will be rounded to four decimal places.

If a market disruption event occurs with respect to Weyerhaeuser common shares or Domtar common shares on any of the Valuation Dates, the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares, Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and shares of Company common stock will be determined using the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the preceding trading day or days, as the case may be, on which no market disruption event occurred with respect to both Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares. See “—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer.”

Since this Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the last day of the exchange offer period and the final exchange ratio will be announced by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the same day, you will be able to tender or withdraw your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares after the final exchange ratio is determined. For more information on tendering and withdrawing your shares, see “—Procedures for Tendering” and “—Withdrawal Rights.”

 

43


For purposes of illustration, the table below indicates the number of shares of Company common stock that you would receive per Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share, calculated on the basis described above and taking into account the limit described above, assuming a range of averages of the daily VWAP of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on the Valuation Dates. The first line of the table below shows the indicative calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock and the indicative exchange ratio that would have been in effect following the official close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 1, 2007, based on the daily VWAPs of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares on January 30, 2007, January 31, 2007 and February 1, 2007. The table also shows the effects of a 5% increase or decrease in either or both the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock based on changes relative to the values on February 1, 2007.

 

Weyerhaeuser

common shares

  Domtar common shares  

Calculated per-

share value of
Weyerhaeuser

common shares

 

Calculated per-

share value of

Company
common stock

 

Shares of
Company common

stock per

Weyerhaeuser

common share or
Weyerhaeuser
exchangeable

share tendered

  Calculated
Value
Ratio(1)

As of February 1, 2007

  As of February 1, 2007   75.0433   8.2137   10.1515   1.11

Down 5%

  Up 5%   71.2911   8.6244     9.1847   1.11

Down 5%

  Unchanged   71.2911   8.2137     9.6439   1.11

Down 5%

  Down 5%   71.2911   7.8030   10.1515   1.11

Unchanged

  Up 5%   75.0433   8.6244     9.6681   1.11

Unchanged

  Down 5%   75.0433   7.8030   10.6858   1.11

Up 5%

  Up 5%   78.7955   8.6244   10.1515   1.11

Up 5%

  Unchanged   78.7955   8.2137   10.6591   1.11

Up 5%

  Down 5%   78.7955   7.8030  

11.1442(2)

  1.10

(1) The Calculated Value Ratio equals (i) the calculated per-share value of Company common stock multiplied by the exchange ratio, divided by (ii) the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares.
(2) In this scenario, the limit is in effect. Absent the limit, the exchange ratio would have been 11.2201 shares of Company common stock per Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered. In this scenario, Weyerhaeuser would announce that the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period no later than 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, the exchange ratio would be fixed at the limit and this Exchange Offer would be extended until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day.

During the three-month period of November 1, 2006 through February 1, 2007, the highest closing price of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $75.57 and the lowest closing price of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $6.56. If the calculated per-share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Company common stock equaled these closing prices, you would receive only the limit of 11.1442 shares of Company common stock for each Weyerhaeuser common share or exchangeable share tendered, and the value of such shares of Company common stock, based on the Domtar common share price, would have been less than the value of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted for exchange (approximately $0.97 of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser shares accepted for exchange).

If the trading price of Weyerhaeuser common shares were to increase during the period of the Valuation Dates, the calculated per-share value of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares would likely be lower than the closing price of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the expiration date of this Exchange Offer. As a result, you may receive fewer shares of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares than you would have if that per-share value were calculated on the basis of the closing price of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the expiration date. Similarly, if the trading price of Domtar common shares were to decrease during the period of the Valuation

 

44


Dates, the calculated per-share value of Company common stock would likely be higher than the closing price of Domtar common shares on the expiration date. This could also result in your receiving fewer shares of Company common stock for each $1.00 of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares than you would otherwise receive if that per-share value were calculated on the basis of the closing price of Domtar common shares on the expiration date.

The number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that may be accepted in this Exchange Offer may be subject to proration. Depending on the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered in this Exchange Offer, and not properly withdrawn, and the final exchange ratio, determined as described above, Weyerhaeuser may have to limit the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that it accepts in this Exchange Offer through a proration process. Any proration of the number of shares accepted in this Exchange Offer will be determined on the basis of the proration mechanics described below under “—Proration; Tenders for Exchange by Holders of Fewer than 100 Weyerhaeuser Common Shares or 100 Weyerhaeuser Exchangeable Shares.”

Weyerhaeuser is sending this document and related documents to:

 

   

persons who directly held either Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares on February 1, 2007. On that date, there were 236,549,422 Weyerhaeuser common shares outstanding, which were held of record by approximately 11,404 shareholders, and 2,017,770 Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares outstanding, which were held of record by 1,167 shareholders; and

 

   

brokers, banks and similar persons whose names or the names of whose nominees appear on Weyerhaeuser’s or Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency’s security position listing for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

Proration; Tenders for Exchange by Holders of Fewer than 100 Weyerhaeuser Common Shares or 100 Weyerhaeuser Exchangeable Shares

If, upon the expiration of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser shareholders have validly tendered more Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares than Weyerhaeuser is able to accept for exchange (taking into account the exchange ratio and the total number of shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser), Weyerhaeuser will accept for exchange the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not withdrawn by each tendering shareholder on a pro rata basis, based on the proportion that the total number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to be accepted bears to the total number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not withdrawn (rounded to the nearest whole number of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, and subject to any adjustment necessary to ensure the exchange of all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser), except for tenders of odd-lots, as described below.

For purposes of proration, Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will be treated as a single class. Proration for Weyerhaeuser common shares for each tendering shareholder will be based on the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares tendered by such shareholder in this Exchange Offer, and proration for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for each tendering shareholder will be based on the number of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered by such shareholder in this Exchange Offer. Proration will not be based on a shareholder’s aggregate ownership of tendered and untendered Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, beneficial holders of less than 100 Weyerhaeuser common shares or 100 Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares who validly tender all of their shares of the class in which they hold less than 100 shares may elect not to be subject to proration with respect to that class if this Exchange Offer is oversubscribed. Beneficial holders of more than 100 Weyerhaeuser common shares or 100 Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are not eligible for this preference with respect to the class in which they hold 100 or more shares, even if these holders have separate stock certificates representing fewer than 100 shares of that class.

 

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Any beneficial holder of less than 100 Weyerhaeuser common shares or 100 Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares who wishes to tender all of the shares of the class in which they hold less than 100 shares must complete the box entitled “Odd-Lot Shares” on the applicable letter of transmittal. If your odd-lot shares are held by a broker for your account, you can contact your broker and request the preferential treatment.

Weyerhaeuser will announce the preliminary proration factor by press release as promptly as practicable after the expiration date. Upon determining the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered for exchange, Weyerhaeuser will announce the final results, including the final proration factor.

Any Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares not accepted for exchange in this Exchange Offer as a result of proration will be returned to the tendering shareholder promptly after the final proration factor is determined.

For purposes of this Exchange Offer, a “business day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday and consists of the time period from 12:01 a.m. through 12:00 midnight, New York City time.

Fractional Shares

Fractional shares of Company common stock will not be delivered in this Exchange Offer. The exchange agent will aggregate all fractional shares and cause them to be sold in the open market for the accounts of these shareholders. The proceeds that the exchange agent may realize from the sale of the fractional shares of Company common stock will be distributed, after deducting any required withholding taxes and brokerage charges, commissions and transfer taxes, to each shareholder entitled thereto in accordance with the shareholder’s fractional interest. None of Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, the Company or the exchange agent will guarantee any minimum proceeds from the sale of fractional shares of Company common stock. You will not receive any interest on any cash paid to you, even if there is a delay in making the payment. Generally speaking, a shareholder who receives cash instead of fractional shares of Company common stock will recognize gain or loss on the receipt of the cash to the extent that the cash received exceeds the tax basis that would have been allocated to that shareholder’s fractional shares. You are urged to carefully read the discussion in the section below entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and to consult your tax advisor on the tax consequences to you of this Exchange Offer.

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will enter into a rights agreement with Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as rights agent pursuant to which each share of Company common stock will have attached to it one preferred stock purchase right that represents the right to purchase, under specified circumstances, for $24, one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company. If any holder of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares (other than a holder who is and remains eligible to file a Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act with respect to Company common stock) acquires the beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding Company common stock, each preferred stock purchase right issued pursuant to the rights agreement (other than rights beneficially owned by the acquiring holder) will become exercisable, giving the holders of the preferred stock purchase rights (other than that holder) the right to buy that number of shares of Company common stock that has a market value of two times the exercise price of the right, which would have the potential of substantially diluting the ownership of Company common stock of the acquiring holder. See “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law—Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan.”

Exchange of Weyerhaeuser Common Shares and Weyerhaeuser Exchangeable Shares

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Exchange Offer (including, if this Exchange Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of the extension or amendment), Weyerhaeuser will accept for

 

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exchange, and will exchange, for shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser, the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn, prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer, promptly after the expiration date.

The exchange of Weyerhaeuser common shares tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to this Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of (a)(i) certificates representing all physically tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares (other than DSPP Shares) or (ii) in the case of shares delivered by book-entry transfer through The Depository Trust Company, confirmation of a book-entry transfer of those Weyerhaeuser common shares in the exchange agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company) in each case pursuant to the procedures set forth in the section below entitled “—Procedures for Tendering,” (b) a letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares, properly completed and duly executed (or a manually signed facsimile of that document), with any required signature guarantees, or, in the case of a book-entry transfer through the Depository Trust Company, an agent’s message and (c) any other required documents.

The exchange of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to this Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Canadian depositary of (a) certificates representing those Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to the procedures set forth in the section below entitled “—Procedures for Tendering,” (b) the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, properly completed and duly executed (or a manually signed facsimile of that document), with any required signature guarantees and (c) any other required documents.

For purposes of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will be deemed to have accepted for exchange, and thereby exchanged, Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not properly withdrawn if and when Weyerhaeuser notifies the exchange agent of its acceptance of the tenders of those Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to this Exchange Offer.

On or prior to the time of consummation of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will transfer (or cause to be transferred) to Mellon Investor Services LLC, by book-entry, all of the Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser, with irrevocable instructions to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be exchanged for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer and to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be distributed in any pro rata dividend (as described below under “—Dividend of any Shares of Company Common Stock Remaining after this Exchange Offer”). Shares of Company common stock will be transferred to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to this Exchange Offer promptly after receipt of Weyerhaeuser’s notice and determination of the final proration factor. You will not receive any interest on any cash paid to you, even if there is a delay in making the payment.

If Weyerhaeuser does not accept for exchange any tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for any reason pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Exchange Offer, the exchange agent, (a) in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares held in certificated form, and the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, will return certificates representing such shares without expense to the tendering shareholder and (b) in the case of shares tendered by book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedures set forth below in the section entitled “—Procedure for Tendering,” such shares will be credited to an account maintained within The Depository Trust Company in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, in each case promptly following expiration or termination of this Exchange Offer.

Procedures for Tendering

Shares Held in Certificated Form

If you hold certificates representing Weyerhaeuser common shares, you must deliver to the exchange agent at an address listed on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (or a manually executed facsimile of that document), along with any required

 

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signature guarantees and any other required documents, and the certificates representing the Weyerhaeuser common shares tendered. If you hold certificates representing Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, you must deliver to the Canadian depositary at an address listed on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (or a manually executed facsimile of that document), along with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, and the certificates representing the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered.

DSPP Shares

If you hold DSPP Shares, you must deliver to the exchange agent at an address listed on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, together with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents. Since certificates are not issued for DSPP Shares, you do not need to deliver any certificates representing those shares to the exchange agent.

Shares Held Through a Broker, Dealer, Commercial Bank, Trust Company or Similar Institution

Weyerhaeuser common shares. If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, you should follow the instructions sent to you separately by that institution. In this case, you should not use a letter of transmittal to direct the tender of your Weyerhaeuser common shares. If that institution holds Weyerhaeuser common shares through The Depository Trust Company, it must notify The Depository Trust Company and cause it to transfer the shares into the exchange agent’s account in accordance with The Depository Trust Company’s procedures. The institution must also ensure that the exchange agent receives an agent’s message from The Depository Trust Company confirming the book-entry transfer of your Weyerhaeuser common shares. A tender by book-entry transfer will be completed upon receipt by the exchange agent of an agent’s message, book-entry confirmation from The Depository Trust Company and any other required documents.

The term “agent’s message” means a message, transmitted by The Depository Trust Company to, and received by, the exchange agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that The Depository Trust Company has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in The Depository Trust Company tendering the Weyerhaeuser common shares which are the subject of the book-entry confirmation, that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the applicable letter of transmittal (including the instructions thereto) and that Weyerhaeuser may enforce that agreement against the participant.

The exchange agent will establish an account with respect to the Weyerhaeuser common shares at The Depository Trust Company for purposes of this Exchange Offer, and any eligible institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust Company may make book-entry delivery of Weyerhaeuser common shares by causing The Depository Trust Company to transfer such shares into the exchange agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company in accordance with The Depository Trust Company’s procedure for the transfer. Delivery of documents to The Depository Trust Company does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.

Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. If you hold Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through a financial institution that is a participant in the Canadian Depositary for Securities Limited (“CDS”), you should follow the instructions sent to you separately by that institution. In this case, you should not use a letter of transmittal to direct the tender of your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. If that institution holds Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through CDS, it must notify CDS and cause it to transfer the shares into the Canadian depositary’s account in accordance with the procedures for a book-entry transfer established by CDS, provided that a book-entry confirmation through CDSX (the CDS on-line tendering system pursuant to which book-entry transfers may be effected) is received by the Canadian depositary at an address listed on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

 

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The Canadian depositary has established an account with respect to the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares at CDS for purposes of this Exchange Offer, and any financial institution that is a participant in CDS may cause CDS to make a book-entry transfer of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares by causing CDS to transfer such shares into the Canadian depositary’s account at CDS in accordance with CDS procedures for the transfer. Shareholders, and their respective CDS participants, who use CDSX to accept this Exchange Offer through a book-based transfer of their holdings into the Canadian depositary’s account with CDS will be deemed to have completed and submitted a letter of transmittal and to be bound by its terms and therefore any book-based transfer of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares into the Canadian depositary’s account at CDS in accordance with CDS procedures will be considered a valid tender in accordance with the terms of this Exchange Offer. Delivery of documents to CDS does not constitute delivery to the Canadian depositary.

General Instructions

Do not send letters of transmittal and certificates representing Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, the Company or the information agent. Letters of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares and certificates representing Weyerhaeuser common shares should be sent to the exchange agent at an address listed on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares. Letters of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and certificates representing Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares should be sent to the Canadian depositary at an address listed on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. Trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity who sign a letter of transmittal or any certificates or stock powers must indicate the capacity in which they are signing and must submit evidence of their power to act in that capacity unless waived by Weyerhaeuser.

Whether you tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares by delivery of certificates or through your broker, the exchange agent must receive the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares and the certificates representing your Weyerhaeuser common shares, and the Canadian depositary must receive the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and the certificates representing your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, at their respective addresses set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer. Alternatively, in case of a book-entry transfer through the Depository Trust Company of Weyerhaeuser common shares, the exchange agent must receive the agent’s message and a book-entry confirmation, and in the case of a book-entry transfer of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, the Canadian depositary must receive a book-entry confirmation.

Please note that if you hold both Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, you will receive separate packages, each with a different letter of transmittal and instructions thereto. One letter of transmittal is to be used to tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares and the other letter of transmittal is to be used to tender your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. If you wish to tender all or some of your Weyerhaeuser common shares and all or some of your Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, then you must complete both letters of transmittal and return them, together with any other required documents (including share certificates, if applicable), to the exchange agent or Canadian depositary, whichever is indicated on the back of the form, prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer.

Letters of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares and certificates representing Weyerhaeuser common shares must be received by the exchange agent, and Weyerhaeuser common shares will not be validly tendered if sent to the Canadian depositary for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. Letters of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and certificates representing Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares must be received by the Canadian depositary for the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will not be validly tendered if sent to the exchange agent. If you send a letter of transmittal or certificates to the wrong agent, these items will be promptly returned to you, but there may not be sufficient time for you to then send the letter of transmittal and certificates to

 

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the correct agent. Please read carefully the instructions to the letter of transmittal you have been sent. You should contact the information agent if you have any questions regarding tendering your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

Signature Guarantees

Signatures on all letters of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares must be guaranteed by a firm which is a member of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, or by any other “eligible guarantor institution,” as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (each of the foregoing being a “U.S. eligible institution”), except in cases in which Weyerhaeuser common shares are tendered either (1) by a registered shareholder who has not completed the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” on the applicable letter of transmittal or (2) for the account of a U.S. eligible institution.

Signatures on all letters of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares must be guaranteed by a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank, a major trust company in Canada, a member of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, a member of the Stock Exchange Medallion Program or a member of the New York Stock Exchange Inc. Medallion Signature Program (each of the foregoing being a “Canadian eligible institution”), except in cases in which Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are tendered either (1) by a registered shareholder who signs the letter of transmittal exactly as the name of the registered holder appears on the certificates deposited with it if payment and delivery are to be made directly to that registered holder or (2) for the account of a Canadian eligible institution.

If the Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are registered in the name of a person other than the person who signs the applicable letter of transmittal, the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner or owners appear on the certificates, with the signature(s) on the certificates or stock powers guaranteed by an eligible institution.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

If you wish to tender Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to this Exchange Offer but (i) your certificates are not immediately available; (ii) you cannot deliver the shares or other required documents to the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, on or before the expiration date of this Exchange Offer; or (iii) you cannot comply with the procedures for book-entry transfer through The Depository Trust Company on a timely basis, you may still tender your Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, so long as all of the following conditions are satisfied:

 

   

you make your tender by or through a U.S. eligible institution for Weyerhaeuser common shares or a Canadian eligible institution for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares;

 

   

on or before the expiration date, the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, must receive a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form made available by Weyerhaeuser, in the manner provided below; and

 

   

(a) in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such notice of guaranteed delivery, the exchange agent must receive (i) (A) certificates representing all physically tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares (other than DSPP Shares) and (B) in the case of shares delivered by book-entry transfer through The Depository Trust Company, confirmation of a book-entry transfer of those Weyerhaeuser common shares in the exchange agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company); (ii) a letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares properly completed and duly executed (including any signature guarantees that may be required) or, in the case of shares delivered by book-entry transfer through The Depository Trust Company, an agent’s message; and (iii) any other required documents; and (b) in the case of

 

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Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such notice of guaranteed delivery, the Canadian depositary must receive (i) share certificates representing all tendered Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, in proper form for transfer; (ii) a letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares properly completed and duly executed (including any signature guarantees that may be required); and (iii) any other required documents.

Registered shareholders (including any participant in The Depository Trust Company whose name appears on a Depository Trust Company security position listing as the owner of Weyerhaeuser common shares or any participant in CDS whose name appears on a CDS security position listing as the owner of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares) may transmit the notice of guaranteed delivery by facsimile transmission or mail it to the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, that institution must submit any notice of guaranteed delivery on your behalf.

Tendering Your Shares After the Final Exchange Ratio Has Been Determined

Subject to a Mandatory Extension, the final exchange ratio will be available no earlier than between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. If you are a registered shareholder of Weyerhaeuser common shares (which includes persons holding certificated shares or DSPP Shares) or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, then it is unlikely that you will be able to deliver an original executed letter of transmittal (and, in the case of certificated shares, your share certificates) to the exchange agent or the Canadian depositary, as the case may be, after 4:30 p.m., New York City time, but prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer at 12:00 midnight, New York City time. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to tender your shares after the final exchange ratio has been determined, you will generally need to do so by means of delivering a notice of guaranteed delivery and complying with the guaranteed delivery procedures described above. You must, in all cases, obtain a Medallion guarantee from a U.S. eligible institution, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, and from a Canadian eligible institution, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, in the form set forth in the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery in connection with the delivery of your shares in this manner. A Medallion guarantee can generally be obtained from an eligible institution only before the institution providing that guarantee has closed for the day. If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, that institution must tender your shares on your behalf.

The Depository Trust Company is expected to remain open until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, and institutions may be able to process tenders for Weyerhaeuser common shares through The Depository Trust Company during that time (although Weyerhaeuser and the Company cannot assure you that will be the case). Once The Depository Trust Company has closed, participants in The Depository Trust Company whose name appears on a Depository Trust Company security position listing as the owner of Weyerhaeuser common shares will still be able to tender their Weyerhaeuser common shares by delivering a notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent via facsimile. CDSX is expected to remain open until 7:00 p.m., New York City time, and institutions may be able to process tenders for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through CDSX during that time (although Weyerhaeuser and the Company cannot assure you that will be the case). Once CDSX has closed, participants in CDS whose name appears on a CDS security position listing as the owner of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will still be able to tender their Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares by delivering a notice of guaranteed delivery to the Canadian depositary via facsimile.

If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, that institution must submit any notice of guaranteed delivery on your behalf. It will generally not be possible to direct such an institution to submit a notice of guaranteed delivery once that institution has closed for the day. In addition, any such institution, if it is not an eligible institution, will need to obtain a Medallion guarantee from an eligible institution in the form set forth in the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery in connection with the delivery of those shares.

 

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If the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made to permit shareholders to tender their Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days.

Effect of Tenders

A tender of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute your acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Exchange Offer as well as your representation and warranty to Weyerhaeuser that (1) you have the full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the tendered shares (and any and all other Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect of such shares), (2) when the same are accepted for exchange, Weyerhaeuser will acquire good and unencumbered title to such shares, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claims and (3) you own the shares being tendered within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

It is a violation of Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act for a person, directly or indirectly, to tender Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for such person’s own account unless, at the time of tender, the person so tendering (1) has a net long position equal to or greater than the amount of (a) shares of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered or (b) other securities immediately convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for the Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered and such person will acquire such shares for tender by conversion, exchange or exercise; and (2) will cause such shares to be delivered in accordance with the terms of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. Rule 14e-4 provides a similar restriction applicable to the tender of guarantee of a tender on behalf of another person.

The exchange of Weyerhaeuser common shares tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to this Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of (a)(i) certificates representing all physically tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares (other than DSPP Shares) or (ii) in the case of shares delivered by book-entry transfer through The Depositary Trust Company, confirmation of a book-entry transfer of those Weyerhaeuser common shares in the exchange agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company), (b) the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares, properly completed and duly executed (or a manually signed facsimile of that document), with any required signature guarantees, or, in the case of a book-entry transfer through The Depository Trust Company, an agent’s message and (c) any other required documents.

The exchange of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to this Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Canadian depositary of (a) certificates representing those Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, (b) the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, properly completed and duly executed (or a manually signed facsimile of that document), with any required signature guarantees; or alternatively, timely receipt by the Canadian depositary of a book-entry transfer confirmation of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and (c) any other required documents.

Appointment of Attorneys-in-Fact and Proxies

By executing a letter of transmittal as set forth above, you irrevocably appoint Weyerhaeuser’s designees as your attorneys-in-fact and proxies, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of your rights with respect to your Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered and accepted for exchange by Weyerhaeuser and with respect to any and all other Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and other securities issued or issuable in respect of the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares on or after the expiration of the Exchange Offer. That appointment is effective when and only to the extent that Weyerhaeuser deposits the shares of Company common

 

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stock for the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that you have tendered with the exchange agent. All such proxies shall be considered coupled with an interest in the tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and therefore shall not be revocable. Upon the effectiveness of such appointment, all prior proxies that you have given will be revoked and you may not give any subsequent proxies (and, if given, they will not be deemed effective). Weyerhaeuser’s designees will, with respect to the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for which the appointment is effective, be empowered, among other things, to exercise all of your voting and other rights as they, in their sole discretion, deem proper at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares or otherwise. Weyerhaeuser reserves the right to require that, in order for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Weyerhaeuser’s acceptance for exchange of those Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, Weyerhaeuser must be able to exercise full voting rights with respect to such shares.

Determination of Validity

Weyerhaeuser will determine questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, in Weyerhaeuser’s sole discretion, and its determination shall be final and binding. Weyerhaeuser reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that it determines are not in proper form or the acceptance of or exchange for which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be unlawful. Weyerhaeuser also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of this Exchange Offer (other than Mandatory Conditions), or any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. No tender of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares is valid until all defects and irregularities in tenders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares have been cured or waived. Neither Weyerhaeuser nor the exchange agent, the Canadian depositary, the information agent or any other person is under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the tender of any Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Weyerhaeuser’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of this Exchange Offer (including the applicable letter of transmittal and instructions thereto) will be final and binding.

Binding Agreement

The tender of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between Weyerhaeuser and you upon the terms of and subject to the conditions to this Exchange Offer.

The method of delivery of share certificates of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and all other required documents, including delivery through The Depository Trust Company or CDS, is at your option and risk, and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the exchange agent or Canadian depositary. If delivery is by mail, it is recommended that you use registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery.

Lost or Destroyed Certificates

If your certificate(s) representing Weyerhaeuser common shares have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and you wish to tender your shares, you will need to complete the affidavit of lost, missing or destroyed certificate(s) (the “Affidavit”) included on the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares. You will also need to post a surety bond for your lost Weyerhaeuser common shares. Upon receipt of the completed applicable letter of transmittal with the completed Affidavit, the surety bond payment and the service fee, your Weyerhaeuser common shares will be included in this Exchange Offer.

 

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Following notification to the Canadian depositary about a destroyed, lost or stolen certificate(s) representing Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in your letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, the Canadian depositary will inform you about the replacement requirements, which includes certain additional documents that must be signed in order to obtain replacement certificates.

Withdrawal Rights

Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered pursuant to this Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time before the expiration of this Exchange Offer and, unless Weyerhaeuser has previously accepted them pursuant to this Exchange Offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after the expiration of 40 business days from the commencement of this Exchange Offer. Once Weyerhaeuser accepts Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares pursuant to this Exchange Offer, your tender is irrevocable.

For a withdrawal of Weyerhaeuser common shares to be effective, the exchange agent must receive from you a written, notice of withdrawal at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, and your notice must include your name and the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares to be withdrawn, as well as the name of the registered holder, if it is different from that of the person who tendered those shares.

For a withdrawal of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to be effective, the Canadian depositary must receive from you a notice of withdrawal at one of its addresses set forth on the form of notice of withdrawal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, and your notice must include your name and the number of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to be withdrawn, as well as the name of the registered holder, if it is different from that of the person who tendered those shares.

If certificates have been delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, the name of the registered holder and the serial numbers of the particular certificates evidencing the Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares withdrawn must also be furnished to the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, as stated above, prior to the physical release of the certificates, and an eligible institution as described in the applicable letter of transmittal and the instructions thereto must guarantee all signatures on the notice of withdrawal, unless those Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares have been tendered for the account of any eligible institution. If Weyerhaeuser common shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry tender discussed in the section entitled “—Procedures for Tendering,” any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at The Depository Trust Company to be credited with the withdrawn shares and must otherwise comply with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company. If Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry tender discussed in the section entitled “—Procedures for Tendering,” any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at CDS to be credited with the withdrawn shares and must otherwise comply with the procedures of CDS.

Weyerhaeuser will decide all questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal, in its sole discretion, and its decision shall be final and binding. Neither Weyerhaeuser nor the exchange agent, the Canadian depositary, the information agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or will incur any liability for failure to give any notification.

Any Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares properly withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of this Exchange Offer. However, you may re-tender

 

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withdrawn Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares by following one of the procedures discussed in the section entitled “—Procedures for Tendering” at any time prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer (or pursuant to the instructions sent to you separately).

Except as otherwise provided above, any tender made under this Exchange Offer is irrevocable.

Withdrawing Your Shares After the Final Exchange Ratio Has Been Determined

Subject to a Mandatory Extension, the final exchange ratio will be available no earlier than between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of this Exchange Offer. If you are a registered shareholder of Weyerhaeuser common shares (which includes persons holding certificated shares or DSPP Shares) or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and you wish to withdraw your shares after the final exchange ratio has been determined, then you must deliver a written notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent, in the case of Weyerhaeuser common shares, or the Canadian depositary, in the case of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date. Medallion guarantees will not be required for such withdrawal notices. If you hold Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or similar institution, any notice of withdrawal must be delivered by that institution on your behalf.

The Depository Trust Company is expected to remain open until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, and institutions may be able to process withdrawals of Weyerhaeuser common shares through The Depository Trust Company during that time (although the Company cannot assure you that will be the case). Once The Depository Trust Company has closed, if you beneficially own Weyerhaeuser common shares that were previously delivered through The Depository Trust Company, then in order to withdraw your shares the institution through which your shares are held must deliver a written notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date. Such notice of withdrawal must be in the form of The Depository Trust Company’s notice of withdrawal and must specify the name and number of the account at The Depository Trust Company to be credited with the withdrawn shares and must otherwise comply with The Depository Trust Company’s procedures. Shares can be withdrawn only if the exchange agent receives a withdrawal notice directly from the relevant institution that tendered the shares through The Depository Trust Company.

CDSX is expected to remain open until 7:00 p.m., New York City time, and institutions may be able to process withdrawals of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares through CDS during that time (although the Company cannot assure you that will be the case). Once CDSX has closed, if you beneficially own Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that were previously delivered through CDS, then in order to withdraw your shares the institution through which your shares are held must deliver a written notice of withdrawal to the Canadian depositary, with a copy to CDS, prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date. Such notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at CDS to be credited with the withdrawn shares and must otherwise comply with CDS’s procedures. Shares can be withdrawn only if the Canadian depositary receives a withdrawal notice directly from the relevant institution that tendered the shares through CDS.

If the limit on the number of shares of Company common stock that can be exchanged for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension of this Exchange Offer until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made, which will permit shareholders to withdraw their Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days.

Book-Entry Accounts

Certificates representing shares of Company common stock will not be issued to holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares pursuant to this Exchange Offer. Rather than issuing certificates representing such shares of Company common stock to tendering holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares, the exchange agent will cause

 

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shares of Company common stock to be credited to book-entry accounts maintained by the Company’s transfer agent for the benefit of the respective holders. Promptly following the crediting of shares to the book-entry accounts, holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares exchanged in the Exchange Offer should expect to receive a statement from the Company’s transfer agent evidencing their holdings of Company common stock.

Extension; Termination; Amendment

Extension, Termination or Amendment by Weyerhaeuser

Weyerhaeuser expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to extend the period of time during which this Exchange Offer is open and thereby delay acceptance for payment of, and the payment for, any Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares validly tendered and not withdrawn in this Exchange Offer, but does not intend to extend this Exchange Offer other than in the following circumstances: (a) if any of the conditions for consummation of this Exchange Offer described in the next section entitled “—Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer” are not satisfied or waived prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer, (b) to comply with any applicable law or to obtain any governmental, regulatory or other approvals or (c) for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the SEC or the staff thereof applicable to this Exchange Offer, including as required in connection with any material changes to the terms of or information concerning this Exchange Offer as described below.

Weyerhaeuser expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend the terms of this Exchange Offer in any respect prior to the expiration date, except that Weyerhaeuser does not intend to extend this Exchange Offer other than in the circumstances described above.

When the exact number of shares of Company common stock to be issued to Weyerhaeuser in connection with the Company Contribution is determined, Weyerhaeuser will make a public announcement to provide for the total number of shares of Company common stock to be exchanged for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer. See “The Transactions—The Contribution— Determination of Number of Shares of Company Common Stock to be Issued to Weyerhaeuser.”

If Weyerhaeuser materially changes the terms of or information concerning this Exchange Offer, it will extend this Exchange Offer if required by law. The SEC has stated that, as a general rule, it believes that an offer should remain open for a minimum of five business days from the date that notice of the material change is first given. The length of time will depend on the particular facts and circumstances.

As required by law, this Exchange Offer will be extended so that it remains open for a minimum of ten business days following the announcement if:

 

   

Weyerhaeuser changes the method for calculating the number of shares of Company common stock offered in exchange for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share; and

 

   

this Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire within ten business days of announcing any such change.

If Weyerhaeuser extends this Exchange Offer, is delayed in accepting for exchange any Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares or is unable to accept for exchange any Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares under this Exchange Offer for any reason, then, without affecting Weyerhaeuser’s rights under this Exchange Offer, the exchange agent may retain all Weyerhaeuser common shares tendered and the Canadian depositary may retain all Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered, in each case on Weyerhaeuser’s behalf. These Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares may not be withdrawn except as provided in the section entitled “—Withdrawal Rights.”

Weyerhaeuser’s reservation of the right to delay acceptance of any Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares is subject to applicable law, which requires that Weyerhaeuser pay the consideration offered or return the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares deposited promptly after the termination or withdrawal of this Exchange Offer.

 

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Weyerhaeuser will issue a press release or other public announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination of the previously scheduled expiration date.

Mandatory Extension

Weyerhaeuser will announce whether the limit on the number of shares that can be received for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share tendered is in effect at the expiration of the exchange offer period, through www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com and by press release, no later than 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. If the limit is in effect at that time, then the exchange ratio will be fixed at the limit and a Mandatory Extension until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the second following trading day will be made to permit shareholders to tender or withdraw their Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares during those days. Weyerhaeuser will issue a press release or other public announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following any such Mandatory Extension.

Method of Public Announcement

Subject to applicable law (including Rules 13e-4(d), 13e-4(e)(3) and 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, which require that any material change in the information published, sent or given to shareholders in connection with this Exchange Offer be promptly disclosed to shareholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform them of the change) and without limiting the manner in which Weyerhaeuser may choose to make any public announcement, Weyerhaeuser assumes no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by making a release to the Dow Jones News Service or the Public Relations Newswire.

Conditions for Consummation of this Exchange Offer

Weyerhaeuser will not be required to complete this Exchange Offer and may extend or terminate this Exchange Offer, if, at the scheduled expiration date (the conditions listed in (1), (2) and (3) below being the “Mandatory Conditions”):

(1) the registration statement on Forms S-4 and S-1 of which this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange is a part shall not have become effective under the Securities Act or any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement has been issued and is in effect;

(2) any condition precedent to the consummation of the Arrangement pursuant to the Transaction Agreement has not been fulfilled or waived (except for the conditions precedent that will be fulfilled at the time of the consummation of the Transactions) or for any reason the Arrangement cannot be consummated promptly after consummation of this Exchange Offer (see “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions”);

(3) the Transaction Agreement has been terminated; or

(4) any of the following conditions or events has occurred, or Weyerhaeuser reasonably expects any of the following conditions or events to occur:

 

   

any order, stay, judgment or decree is issued by any United States or Canadian federal, state or provincial court, government, governmental authority or other regulatory or administrative authority having jurisdiction over Weyerhaeuser, the Company or Domtar and is in effect, or any law, statute, rule, regulation, legislation, interpretation, governmental order or injunction shall have been enacted or enforced, any of which would reasonably be likely to restrain, prohibit or delay consummation of this Exchange Offer;

 

   

any proceeding for the purpose of suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange is a part has been initiated by the SEC and not concluded or withdrawn;

 

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any general suspension of trading in, or limitation on prices for, securities on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market in the United States or Canada;

 

   

any extraordinary or material adverse change in U.S. or Canadian financial markets generally, including, without limitation, a decline of at least 15% in either the Dow Jones Average of Industrial Stocks or the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index within a period of 60 consecutive days or less occurring after February 1, 2007;

 

   

a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States;

 

   

a commencement of a war (whether declared or undeclared), armed hostilities or other national or international calamity, including an act of terrorism, directly or indirectly involving the United States or Canada, which would reasonably be expected to affect materially and adversely, or to delay materially, the consummation of this Exchange Offer;

 

   

if any of the situations above exists as of the commencement of this Exchange Offer, any material deterioration of the situation;

 

   

any condition or event that Weyerhaeuser reasonably believes would or would be likely to cause this Exchange Offer and/or any pro rata dividend of Company common stock distributed to Weyerhaeuser shareholders if this Exchange Offer is undersubscribed to be taxable to Weyerhaeuser or its shareholders under U.S. federal income tax laws;

 

   

any action, litigation, suit, claim or proceeding is instituted that would be reasonably likely to enjoin, prohibit, restrain, make illegal, make materially more costly or materially delay consummation of this Exchange Offer;

 

   

any condition or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of Weyerhaeuser, Domtar or the Company; or

 

   

a market disruption event (as defined below) occurs with respect to Weyerhaeuser common shares or Domtar common shares on any of the Valuation Dates and such market disruption event has, in Weyerhaeuser’s reasonable judgment, impaired the benefits of this Exchange Offer.

If any of the above events occurs, Weyerhaeuser may:

 

   

terminate this Exchange Offer and promptly return all tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to tendering shareholders;

 

   

extend this Exchange Offer and, subject to the withdrawal rights described in the section entitled “—Withdrawal Rights”, retain all tendered Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares until the extended Exchange Offer expires; or

 

   

waive any unsatisfied condition other than the Mandatory Conditions and, subject to any requirement to extend the period of time during which this Exchange Offer is open, complete this Exchange Offer.

These conditions are for the sole benefit of Weyerhaeuser. Weyerhaeuser may assert these conditions with respect to all or any portion of this Exchange Offer regardless of the circumstances giving rise to them. Weyerhaeuser expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive any condition in whole or in part at any time, except that Weyerhaeuser may not waive the Mandatory Conditions listed in (1), (2) and (3) above. Weyerhaeuser’s failure to exercise its rights under any of the above conditions does not represent a waiver of these rights. Each right is an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time. However, all conditions for consummation of this Exchange Offer must be satisfied or waived by Weyerhaeuser prior to the expiration of this Exchange Offer.

 

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A market disruption event with respect to either Weyerhaeuser common shares or Domtar common shares means a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange, or Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange or Toronto Stock Exchange, for more than two hours of trading or a breakdown or failure in the price and trade reporting systems of the New York Stock Exchange or Toronto Stock Exchange as a result of which the reported trading prices for Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange, or Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange or Toronto Stock Exchange, during any half-hour trading period during the principal trading session in the New York Stock Exchange or Toronto Stock Exchange, as the case may be, are materially inaccurate, as determined by Weyerhaeuser or the exchange agent in its sole discretion, on the day with respect to which such determination is being made. For purposes of such determination: (i) a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading will not constitute a market disruption event if it results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the New York Stock Exchange or the Toronto Stock Exchange; (ii) limitations pursuant to New York Stock Exchange Rule 80A (or any applicable rule or regulation enacted or promulgated by the New York Stock Exchange, any other self-regulatory organization or the SEC of similar scope as determined by Weyerhaeuser or the exchange agent) shall constitute a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading; and (iii) in Canada, limitations pursuant to Parts 9.1 and 10.9 of Universal Market Integrity Rules administered by Market Regulation Services Inc. (including any notices issued in relation thereto) shall constitute a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading.

 

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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, and the Arrangement to a beneficial owner of a Weyerhaeuser common share or a Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share who holds that Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share as a capital asset for tax purposes. This discussion is of a general nature and does not purport to deal with all tax considerations that may be relevant to a holder or persons in special tax situations (including but not limited to tax-exempt entities, foreign entities, foreign trusts and estates and beneficiaries thereof, persons who acquire Weyerhaeuser common shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, insurance companies and dealers in securities). This discussion is based on laws, regulations, rulings, interpretations and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This summary does not address any estate, gift or other non-income tax consequences or any U.S. state or local or Canadian or other foreign tax consequences.

HOLDERS OF WEYERHAEUSER SHARES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND CANADIAN, PROVINCIAL AND OTHER FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION, INCLUDING THIS EXCHANGE OFFER, AND THE ARRANGEMENT TO THEM IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Holders of Weyerhaeuser Common Shares

Weyerhaeuser received a private letter ruling from the IRS on February 5, 2007 to the effect that, based on the facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings set forth in the ruling, the Contribution and Distribution (which includes this Exchange Offer) will qualify as tax-free to Weyerhaeuser, the Company and the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355, 368 and related provisions of the Code. The Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, and the Arrangement are also conditioned upon the receipt by Weyerhaeuser of an opinion, dated the closing date of the Transactions, of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel to Weyerhaeuser, to the effect that the Contribution and the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, will be tax-free to Weyerhaeuser and the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares under Sections 355 and 368 and related provisions of the Code. The opinion will be based on, among other things, certain assumptions and representations as to factual matters made by Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Domtar, which, if incorrect or inaccurate in any material respect, would jeopardize the conclusions reached by counsel in its opinion. The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts, and the IRS or the courts may not agree with the opinion.

Subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth herein (including the discussion below with respect to the status of Weyerhaeuser as a “United States real property holding corporation”), in the opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel to Weyerhaeuser:

 

 

   

the Contribution and Distribution (which includes this Exchange Offer) will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and Weyerhaeuser and the Company will each be “a party to such reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

 

   

no gain or loss will be recognized by, and no amount will be included in the income of, holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares upon the receipt of Company common stock in this Exchange Offer or in any pro rata dividend distributed to Weyerhaeuser shareholders if this Exchange Offer is undersubscribed, except to the extent any cash is received instead of a fractional share of Company common stock in this Exchange Offer or pro rata dividend;

 

   

the tax basis of the shares of Company common stock (including fractional shares) issued to a holder in this Exchange Offer will equal the tax basis of the Weyerhaeuser common shares exchanged therefor;

 

   

the tax basis of any shares of Company common stock (including fractional shares) issued to a holder as a pro rata dividend distributed to Weyerhaeuser shareholders if this Exchange Offer is undersubscribed,

 

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will be determined by allocating the basis of such holder in the Weyerhaeuser common shares with respect to which the pro rata dividend is made between such Weyerhaeuser common shares and the Company common stock in proportion to the relative fair market value of each on the date of the consummation of this Exchange Offer;

 

   

the holding period of the Company common stock received by a holder of Weyerhaeuser common shares will include the holding period at the time of the consummation of this Exchange Offer of the Weyerhaeuser common shares with respect to which the shares of Company common stock were received; and

 

   

neither Weyerhaeuser nor the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares who receive shares of Company common stock in the Distribution will recognize any gain or loss of U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Arrangement.

The opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is based on, among other things, certain assumptions and representations as to factual matters made by Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Domtar and the assumption that all such representations are true and accurate in all material respect as of the effective date of the registration statement of which this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange is a part and as of the time the Transactions are consummated. If any of those representations are inaccurate, incomplete or untrue in any material respect, the conclusions contained in such opinion could be affected. Such opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts.

Although a private letter ruling from the IRS generally is binding on the IRS, if the representations, assumptions or undertakings made in the letter ruling request are untrue or have been violated, then Weyerhaeuser will not be able to rely on the ruling, and the consequences described above would not apply and both Weyerhaeuser and its shareholders would be subject to tax. Furthermore, the IRS private letter ruling does not address all the issues that are relevant to determine whether the Contribution and the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, will qualify for tax-free treatment. The issues not addressed by the private letter ruling are expected to be addressed by the opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.

The Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, would become taxable to Weyerhaeuser pursuant to Section 355(e) of the Code if 50% or more (by vote or value) of either the Weyerhaeuser equity securities or equity securities of the Company were acquired by persons other than Weyerhaeuser shareholders, directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions that included this Exchange Offer. Because the Weyerhaeuser shareholders will own more than 50% of the Company common stock following the Arrangement, the Arrangement, by itself, will not cause the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, to be taxable to Weyerhaeuser under Section 355(e). However, if the IRS were to determine that other acquisitions of Weyerhaeuser equity securities or equity securities of the Company, either before or after the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, and the Arrangement, were part of a plan or series of related transactions that included this Exchange Offer, such determination could result in the recognition of gain by Weyerhaeuser under Section 355(e). In any such case, the gain recognized by Weyerhaeuser likely would include the entire fair market value of the stock of the Company, and thus would be very substantial. In connection with the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion of Weyerhaeuser’s counsel, Weyerhaeuser has represented that the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, is not part of any such plan or series of related transactions. In certain circumstances, under the tax sharing agreement, the Company would be required to indemnify Weyerhaeuser against tax-related losses to Weyerhaeuser that arise as a result of certain “Disqualifying Actions” after this Exchange Offer and the Arrangement. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Transactions—The Company may be affected by significant restrictions following the Transactions in order to avoid significant tax-related liabilities.” If Weyerhaeuser should recognize gain on the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, for reasons not related to a Disqualifying Action by the Company, Weyerhaeuser would not be entitled to be indemnified under the tax sharing agreement. Even if Section 355(e) were to cause the Distribution, including

 

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this Exchange Offer, to be taxable to Weyerhaeuser, the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, would remain tax-free to holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares.

If a holder of Weyerhaeuser common shares receives cash instead of a fractional share of Company common stock, that holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between its tax basis in the fractional share and the amount of cash received. The gain or loss generally will constitute capital gain or loss if the holding period for the Weyerhaeuser common shares with respect to which the fractional shares of Company common stock were received in this Exchange Offer is greater than 12 months as of the date of consummation this Exchange Offer.

It is not clear whether Weyerhaeuser is or has been a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) as defined under the provisions of Section 897 of the Code which were enacted under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980. A corporation generally is characterized as a USRPHC if the fair market value of the United States real property interests owned by the corporation and its subsidiaries equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of (i) the fair market value of the worldwide real property interests owned by the group and (ii) the other assets used or held for use by the group in a trade or business. The Company does not expect that it will be a USRPHC immediately following the Transactions.

Any non-U.S. holder of Weyerhaeuser common shares who has owned, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of Weyerhaeuser common shares at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the consummation of this Exchange Offer and such non-U.S. holder’s holding period of Weyerhaeuser common shares (the “Testing Period”) will, if Weyerhaeuser is or has been a USRPHC at any time during the Testing Period, be subject to U.S. federal income tax (the “FIRPTA Tax”) at the regular graduated rates imposed under Section 897 of the Code on the gain that is inherent in the Weyerhaeuser common shares that are either exchanged for Company common stock in this Exchange Offer or deemed to be exchanged in any pro rata dividend distributed to Weyerhaeuser shareholders if this Exchange Offer is undersubscribed. The gain recognized will equal the excess of (i) the sum of the amount of any cash received and the fair market value of the Company common stock received in this Exchange Offer over (ii) the shareholder’s tax basis in the Weyerhaeuser common shares exchanged, or deemed to be exchanged, therefor. If a non-U.S. holder is subject to the FIRPTA Tax, such holder’s aggregate basis in the Company common stock received will equal the fair market value of such stock as of the consummation of this Exchange Offer, and such holder’s holding period in the Company common stock received in this Exchange Offer will begin the day after the date of consummation of this Exchange Offer.

The FIRPTA Tax will not apply to any non-U.S. holder that has not owned, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the Weyerhaeuser common shares at any time during the Testing Period. A non-U.S. holder subject to the FIRPTA Tax will be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return with the IRS.

Holders of Weyerhaeuser Exchangeable Shares

Weyerhaeuser currently does not expect non-U.S. holders of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on the receipt of the Company common stock pursuant to the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer. Canadian resident holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares will, however, likely be subject to Canadian income tax on the receipt of Company common stock. Non-U.S. holders of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares who receive Company common stock in the Distribution generally will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Arrangement. As a holder of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, you should consult your own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences that would result from your receipt and ownership of the Company common stock, including the application and effect of state, local and Canadian and other foreign tax laws and the possible effect of changes in the application and interpretation of federal or other tax laws.

 

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Information Reporting

Current U.S. Treasury regulations require each “significant” Weyerhaeuser shareholder that receives stock in the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, to attach to the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which the Distribution occurs a detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to the tax-free nature of the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer. A “significant” shareholder for these purposes includes a holder of Weyerhaeuser common shares that immediately before the consummation of this Exchange Offer owned: (i) at least 5% (by vote or value) of the total outstanding stock of Weyerhaeuser or (ii) securities in Weyerhaeuser with a basis of $1,000,000 or more. Shortly after the consummation of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will provide these “significant” shareholders who will receive Company common stock in the Distribution, including this Exchange Offer, with the information necessary to comply with that requirement and each such shareholder is required to retain permanent records of this information.

Fees and Expenses

Weyerhaeuser has retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to act as the information agent, Mellon Investor Services LLC to act as the exchange agent and CIBC Mellon Trust Company to act as the Canadian depositary in connection with this Exchange Offer. The information agent may contact holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares by mail, e-mail, telephone, facsimile transmission and personal interviews and may request brokers, dealers and other nominee shareholders to forward materials relating to this Exchange Offer to beneficial owners. The information agent, the exchange agent and the Canadian depositary each will receive reasonable compensation for their respective services, will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will be indemnified against specified liabilities in connection with their services, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

None of the information agent, the exchange agent or the Canadian depositary has been retained to make solicitations or recommendations with respect to this Exchange Offer. The fees they receive will not be based on the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered under this Exchange Offer.

Weyerhaeuser will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or any other person for soliciting tenders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares under this Exchange Offer. Weyerhaeuser will, upon request, reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials to their customers.

No broker, dealer, bank, trust company or fiduciary shall be deemed to be Weyerhaeuser’s agent or the agent of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, the Company, the information agent, the exchange agent or the Canadian depositary for purposes of this Exchange Offer.

Legal Limitations

This document is not an offer to sell or exchange and it is not a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of Company common stock in any jurisdiction in which, except as provided below, the offer, sale or exchange is not permitted. Weyerhaeuser is not aware of any jurisdiction in the United States in which the making of this Exchange Offer or its acceptance would not be legal. If Weyerhaeuser learns of any jurisdiction where making this Exchange Offer or its acceptance would not be permitted, Weyerhaeuser currently intends to make a good faith effort to comply with the relevant law. If, after such good faith effort, Weyerhaeuser cannot comply with such law, Weyerhaeuser will determine whether this Exchange Offer will be made to, and whether tenders will be accepted from or on behalf of persons who are, holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares residing in the jurisdiction.

In any jurisdiction in which the securities or blue sky laws require this Exchange Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, this Exchange Offer may be made on Weyerhaeuser’s behalf by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

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Dividend of any Shares of Company Common Stock Remaining after this Exchange Offer

All shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser that are not exchanged in this Exchange Offer will be distributed as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares remaining outstanding after, and not exchanged in, this Exchange Offer. Any such shares of Company common stock will be distributed to the holders of record of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares as of the time of consummation of this Exchange Offer, but after giving effect to the exchange of shares in this Exchange Offer.

On or prior to the time of consummation of this Exchange Offer, Weyerhaeuser will transfer (or cause to be transferred) to Mellon Investor Services LLC, by book-entry, all of the Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser, with irrevocable instructions to deliver the shares of Company common stock to be exchanged for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares in this Exchange Offer and the shares of Company common stock to be distributed in any pro rata dividend (as described below). If this Exchange Offer is consummated, Mellon Investor Services LLC will calculate the exact number of shares of Company common stock not exchanged in this Exchange Offer to be distributed as a pro rata dividend, and that number of shares of Company common stock will be transferred to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares entitled thereto.

If this Exchange Offer is terminated by Weyerhaeuser without the exchange of shares, but the conditions for consummation of the Transactions have otherwise been satisfied, Weyerhaeuser intends to distribute all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, with a record date to be announced by Weyerhaeuser.

Fractional shares of Company common stock will not be distributed in any pro rata dividend. The exchange agent for the dividend will aggregate all fractional shares and cause them to be sold in the open market for the accounts of these shareholders. The proceeds that such agent may realize from the sale of the fractional shares will be distributed, after deducting any required withholding taxes and brokerage charges, commissions and transfer taxes, to each stockholder entitled thereto in accordance with the shareholder’s fractional interest. None of Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, the Company, or the exchange agent will guarantee any minimum proceeds from the sale of fractional shares of Company common stock, and no interest will be paid on these proceeds.

 

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THE TRANSACTIONS

The discussion in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange of the Canadian Asset Transfer, the Contribution, the Distribution and the Arrangement is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Transaction Agreement and the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, each of which has been filed by Weyerhaeuser with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Background and Reasons for the Transactions and this Exchange Offer

Reasons for Weyerhaeuser Engaging in the Transactions

The board of directors of Weyerhaeuser regularly reviews the various businesses conducted by Weyerhaeuser to ensure that resources are deployed and activities are pursued in the best interests of its shareholders. On April 26, 2006, Weyerhaeuser announced that its board of directors, as part of its strategic review, had authorized management to evaluate alternatives for the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, which could include a sale or other disposition.

The board of directors of Weyerhaeuser considered several specific proposals for possible transactions, including the proposed transaction with Domtar, a proposal from another forest products company for the purchase of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business for cash, a proposal to spin off the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business to the Weyerhaeuser shareholders followed by a merger with a privately-owned forest products company and an alternative proposal from the privately-owned forest products company for the purchase of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business for substantially all cash.

Although the board of directors recognized that a significant portion of the value for Weyerhaeuser shareholders in connection with a combination of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business with Domtar would consist of equity interests in the Company, the board of directors concluded that the value to Weyerhaeuser and to the Weyerhaeuser shareholders in such a transaction would be meaningfully greater than the alternative proposals based on the following considerations:

 

   

the consideration to Weyerhaeuser and to the Weyerhaeuser shareholders would generally be received on a tax-free basis, while the sale of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business for cash would be taxable to Weyerhaeuser;

 

   

the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar were expected to be a good strategic fit and the combination would create a leader in the fine paper market with the ability to create value for its shareholders;

 

   

the form of the consideration to be distributed to Weyerhaeuser shareholders in the Domtar transaction would allow Weyerhaeuser shareholders to participate in the potential benefits and synergies of the Combined Company, although it would also provide less certain value than a sale for cash;

 

   

the potential benefits and synergies in the Domtar transaction in which Weyerhaeuser shareholders would participate were greater than the potential benefits and synergies in the spin-off and merger transaction proposed by the privately-owned company;

 

   

the spin-off/merger proposal from the privately-owned forest products company would have involved a transaction with a company smaller than Domtar that did not have an existing public trading market for its equity securities; and

 

   

the combination of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business with Domtar, a public company with an existing trading market for its stock, would offer more certainty with respect to the value of the consideration to Weyerhaeuser shareholders than a combination with a privately-owned company.

The board of directors of Weyerhaeuser recognized that the structure of a transaction with Domtar, as a Canadian public company, would likely be more complex than the other transactions considered, but decided to pursue the transaction with Domtar based on the considerations described above.

 

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Negotiations with Domtar

At Weyerhaeuser’s request, Domtar submitted, on November 3, 2005, an initial non-binding indication of interest for the combination. Conceptually, the proposal provided for a “reverse Morris Trust” transaction structure pursuant to which (a) the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business would be spun off to Weyerhaeuser’s shareholders on a tax deferred basis and (b) the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business would be combined with Domtar pursuant to a plan of arrangement under Canadian law, utilizing an exchangeable share structure that would provide certain of Domtar’s Canadian resident shareholders the ability to receive tax deferred treatment. The proposal also contemplated a cash payment to Weyerhaeuser to be provided through borrowings by the Company.

During the months following Domtar’s initial indication of interest, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar senior managers, together with their respective legal advisors, met to discuss business, operational and integration issues in connection with the proposed combination, and to discuss issues related to the transaction agreements. In addition, the parties commenced reciprocal confirmatory legal, financial and operational due diligence, which continued until the execution of definitive agreements.

Between August 15, 2006 and August 22, 2006, the parties negotiated and reached agreement on the terms of the definitive transaction agreements, which were amended and restated on January 25, 2007, to reflect technical changes in the transaction structure.

Reasons for Domtar Engaging in the Transactions

Domtar has advised Weyerhaeuser that it considered and evaluated, among other things, information concerning the business, operations, property, assets, financial condition, operating results and prospects of Domtar and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, current industry, economic and market conditions and trends and its expectations of the future of the pulp, fine paper, uncoated freesheet and paper industry; as well a number of other factors, including:

 

   

a review and analysis of the industry and strategic options of Domtar to pursue its growth;

 

   

the competitive strengths resulting from the consummation of the Transactions as set forth in the section “Business of the Combined Company—Competitive Strengths,” including the fact that:

(a) the Combined Company will be the largest integrated manufacturer of uncoated free sheet in North America and the second largest in the world based on production capacity, which will provide the Combined Company key competitive advantages, including economies of scale, wider sales and marketing coverage and broad product offerings;

(b) the Combined Company’s fine paper business will encompass a mix of assets allowing it to be a low-cost producer of high volume papers and an efficient producer of value-added specialty papers;

(c) the Combined Company will have broad geographic coverage with a strong manufacturing presence in eastern North America complemented by service locations throughout North America, which will provide opportunities for enhanced customer service and minimization of freight distance, response time and delivery costs; and

(d) the management of the Combined Company will have significant experience, and a record of success in the North American paper industry, including with respect to business integration issues;

 

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the ability of the holders of Domtar common shares to benefit from the potential synergies from the combination and to continue to participate in the future earnings and growth of the Combined Company after completion of the Transactions through their ownership of shares of Company common stock or shares of a Canadian subsidiary of the Company that are exchangeable at the option of the holder for a share of Company common stock; and

 

   

the structure of the combination, which is expected to permit certain holders of Domtar common shares who are Canadian residents to defer Canadian income tax on any capital gain arising from the Arrangement.

 

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Description of the Transactions

On August 23, 2006, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar announced that they had entered into agreements providing for a combination of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar. This combination will be effected in the steps described below.

 

Step 1   

The Canadian Asset Transfer:

 

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd., two Canadian subsidiaries of Weyerhaeuser, will transfer certain of their fine paper and related assets to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub will assume certain of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd.’s fine paper and related liabilities. See “The Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement.”

Step 2   

The Newco Contribution:

 

Weyerhaeuser will transfer to Newco certain of Weyerhaeuser’s U.S. fine paper and related assets in exchange for the issuance of additional limited liability company interests of Newco to Weyerhaeuser and the assumption by Newco of certain of Weyerhaeuser’s fine paper and related liabilities. See “—The Contribution.”

Step 3   

The Interim Financing:

 

The Company will draw down $1.35 billion under a three-month unsecured term loan facility. See “Financing.”

Step 4   

The Company Contribution:

 

Weyerhaeuser will transfer to the Company all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Newco in exchange for (x) $1.35 billion in cash and (y) a number of shares of Company common stock, determined in accordance with a formula specified in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement. See “—The Contribution.”

Step 5   

The Listing:

 

The shares of Company common stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and, subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “UFS.” See “—Listing and Trading of the Company Common Stock.”

Step 6   

The Distribution:

 

Weyerhaeuser will distribute all the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock to the Weyerhaeuser shareholders. The Distribution will occur pursuant to this Exchange Offer and, if this Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed, as a dividend of any unexchanged Company common stock. If this Exchange Offer is not consummated for any reason, Weyerhaeuser intends to distribute all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser as a pro rata dividend. See “The Distribution” and “This Exchange Offer.”

Step 7   

The Arrangement:

 

The Company and Domtar will consummate a plan of arrangement in accordance with Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporation Act that will result in the Company indirectly owning all of the outstanding Domtar common shares. See “—The Arrangement.”

Step 8   

The Company Financing:

 

The three-month unsecured term loan facility will be converted to be part of the seven-year senior secured term loan facility. See “Financing.”

 

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The Contribution

General

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides for the Contribution of Weyerhaeuser’s fine paper assets to subsidiaries of the Company to occur as described under Steps 1 and 3 of “—Description of the Transactions.”

In connection with the Transactions, Weyerhaeuser, the Company and/or their respective subsidiaries will also enter into other agreements relating to, among other things, the license of certain intellectual property, the provision of certain transition services during a transition period following the consummation of the Transactions, the supply of fiber and pulp to certain mills and the provision of certain site services at facilities that will be owned in part by Weyerhaeuser or its subsidiaries and in part by the Company or its subsidiaries after the consummation of the Transactions. In addition, the Company expects to enter into a joint purchase agreement with Weyerhaeuser. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution.”

Determination of Number of Shares of Company Common Stock to be Issued to Weyerhaeuser

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides that the Company will issue to Weyerhaeuser, as a part of the consideration for the Company Contribution, a number of shares of Company common stock equal to (A) the product of (i) the number of Domtar common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis on the “measurement date,” which will be the business day determined by Weyerhaeuser that is at least 10 business days after the commencement of this Exchange Offer but not more than 20 business days prior to the date of consummation of this Exchange Offer, and (ii) 11/9, minus (B) the sum of (i) the aggregate number of shares of Company common stock issuable pursuant to Company equity awards that will be issued to Company employees who are former Weyerhaeuser employees and who elect to roll-over their Weyerhaeuser equity awards into Company equity awards and (ii) the number of shares of Company common stock outstanding prior to the Contribution. Unless the expiration date of this Exchange Offer is extended past March 19, 2007, the date for determining the exact number of shares of Company common stock to be issued to Weyerhaeuser will be February 16, 2007.

Weyerhaeuser is offering in this Exchange Offer to exchange all of its shares of Company common stock which will be owned by Weyerhaeuser for Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares. Based on the formula above, Weyerhaeuser currently estimates that it will hold approximately 281,000,000 shares of Company common stock following the Company Contribution. However, the exact number of shares of Company common stock held by Weyerhaeuser will be finally determined based on the number of Domtar common shares outstanding (on a fully diluted basis) on the measurement date and the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares subject to Weyerhaeuser equity awards that are elected by Weyerhaeuser employees to be rolled-over into Company equity awards (see “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards.”) Therefore the total number of shares of Company common stock held by Weyerhaeuser and to be exchanged in this Exchange Offer will be different from Weyerhaeuser’s estimate to the extent that the number of Weyerhaeuser and Domtar common shares and equity awards outstanding on the measurement date are not the same as the number assumed in the estimate. The number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares and equity awards are not expected to change significantly as neither Weyerhaeuser nor Domtar currently has plans to issue any of their respective shares prior to the measurement date other than pursuant to grants of equity incentive awards in the ordinary course of business. See “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Domtar Equity Awards.”

For purposes of this estimate, the Company has applied the formula set forth in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement using an estimate of (i) the number of Domtar common shares that would have been outstanding (on a fully-diluted basis) as of January 19, 2007 had each Domtar stock option been exchanged, consistent with the terms of the Transaction Agreement (see “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Domtar Equity Awards”), on that date based on that volume-weighted average trading price (converted into Canadian dollars at an exchange rate of 1.1722 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar, the noon buying rate of the Federal

 

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Reserve Bank of New York on January 19, 2007), (ii) the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares issuable to Weyerhaeuser employees who are expected to become employees of the Company upon the closing of the Transactions pursuant to Weyerhaeuser equity awards outstanding as of January 19, 2007 and (iii) the number of shares of Company common stock issuable to these Weyerhaeuser employees based on (A) the assumption that all of these Weyerhaeuser employees who become employees of the Company elect to roll-over all of their Weyerhaeuser equity awards and (B) the volume-weighted average trading price of Domtar common shares and Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets for January 19, 2007, consistent with the terms of the Transaction Agreement. See “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards.”

The Distribution

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides that Weyerhaeuser will distribute all the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock to its shareholders either as a pro rata dividend, as an exchange offer or as a combination of both. Weyerhaeuser intends to effect the Distribution pursuant to this Exchange Offer.

If this Exchange Offer is consummated but less than all the shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser are exchanged because this Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed, the additional shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser will be distributed as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares remaining outstanding after, and not exchanged in, this Exchange Offer.

If this Exchange Offer is not consummated and is terminated by Weyerhaeuser for any reason, Weyerhaeuser intends to distribute all shares of Company common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser as a pro rata dividend to the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares.

See “This Exchange Offer” for the terms of this Exchange Offer and the procedures for the tender and the exchange of shares.

The Arrangement

Following the Contribution and the Distribution, the Company and Domtar will consummate a plan of arrangement whereby all Domtar common shares (other than any shares held by a holder exercising dissent rights) will be exchanged, on a one-for-one basis, for Class B common shares. Following the exchange of common shares of Domtar for Class B common shares, each Class B common share will be transferred to Newco Canada Exchangeco for one share of Company common stock. Certain Canadian holders of Class B common shares can elect to receive, instead of a share of Company common stock, an exchangeable share of Newco Canada Exchangeco, which will be exchangeable at any time at the option of the holder for a share of Company common stock.

The Plan of Arrangement will also provide for the exchange of Domtar stock options and rights to purchase Domtar common shares for stock options or, respectively, rights to purchase a number of shares of Company common stock. Under the terms of the Plan of Arrangement, Domtar will forgive, subject to certain conditions, loans outstanding to employees under Domtar’s Executive Stock Option and Share Purchase Plan and, in connection therewith, cancel the Domtar common shares pledged to secure these loans. Domtar will also cancel the forward purchase contracts entered into between employees and Domtar under Domtar’s Executive Stock Option and Share Purchase Plan. See “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Domtar Equity Awards.”

Election with Respect to Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards

In connection with the Transactions, each employee of Weyerhaeuser who will become an employee of the Company and who holds one or more Weyerhaeuser stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock

 

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units will be given the opportunity to elect to either continue to hold all of his or her Weyerhaeuser stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units in accordance with their terms or to surrender, immediately prior to the Distribution, all of his or her Weyerhaeuser stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units in exchange for stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units (as appropriate) to be granted by the Company. See “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards.”

Structure of the Company

Following the Transactions, the Company will be an independent public company, owned approximately 55% by Weyerhaeuser shareholders or former Weyerhaeuser shareholders and approximately 45% by former Domtar shareholders, in each case on a fully diluted basis. The Company will be a holding company and will directly or indirectly own all shares or other equity interests in Newco (which will hold and operate the U.S. Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business), in Newco Canada Exchangeco (which will hold and operate the Canadian Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business) and in Domtar (which holds and operates the Domtar business) other than certain preferred shares of Domtar, which will remain outstanding, and other than the indirect interest in Domtar represented by the exchangeable shares issued by Newco Canada Exchangeco.

Accounting Treatment and Considerations

The Contribution and Distribution

The Company will record assets and liabilities received from Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited or Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. at the amount that the assets and liabilities are carried on Weyerhaeuser’s consolidated financial statements. Neither the exchange of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for Company common stock in this Exchange Offer nor the distribution of Company common stock in a pro rata distribution, in and of themselves, will affect the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

The Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares acquired by Weyerhaeuser pursuant to this Exchange Offer will be recorded as an acquisition of treasury stock at cost equal to the market value of the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares accepted in this Exchange Offer at its expiration. Any difference between the net book value of Weyerhaeuser’s investment in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the market value of the Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares acquired at that date will be recognized by Weyerhaeuser as a gain or loss from discontinued operations net of any direct and incremental expenses of this Exchange Offer on the disposal of its interest in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business. Weyerhaeuser will account for the distribution of any portion of its interest in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business in a pro rata distribution as a dividend through a direct charge to retained earnings. The dividend will be equal to Weyerhaeuser’s carrying value of the interest in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business so distributed.

The Arrangement

The Company will account for the Arrangement using the purchase method of accounting, with the Company being treated as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes. As a result, the assets and liabilities of Domtar will be recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date that the Arrangement occurs. The total purchase price is currently estimated based on the average market price of Domtar common shares and the average number of Domtar common shares that were outstanding for the five trading days beginning August 21, 2006 and ending August 25, 2006, plus other costs directly related to the Arrangement.

General

The estimate of the total purchase price for Domtar is for accounting purposes only and is not indicative of the price at which Company common stock will trade immediately after the consummation of the Arrangement or the value of Company common stock to be received by common shareholders of Domtar in connection with

 

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the Arrangement. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company,” “Where You Can Find More Information,” and the financial statements of the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Conditions to the Transactions

Consummation of the Transactions is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among others:

 

   

the receipt of governmental approvals with respect to or the expiration or termination of any required waiting periods under (i) the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (with respect to which the waiting period has been terminated on October 19, 2006), (ii) the Competition Act (Canada) (with respect to which a no-action letter has been received from the Canadian Competition Bureau on December 29, 2006), and (iii) the Investment Canada Act (which approval Weyerhaeuser received from the Canadian Minister of Industry on February 9, 2007);

 

   

the effectiveness of certain filings with the SEC;

 

   

the approval of the plan of arrangement by the Superior Court of Québec;

 

   

the receipt of a favorable ruling from the IRS (which Weyerhaeuser received from the IRS on February 5, 2007);

 

   

the receipt of a tax opinion from Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP;

 

   

entry into the credit facilities described under “Financing” and the receipt of the proceeds of a three-month unsecured term loan facility in a principal amount of $1.35 billion;

 

   

the approval for listing of the shares of Company common stock on the New York Stock Exchange, which approval has been received;

 

   

the approval for listing of the exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange that the Class B common shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco will, upon issuance, be listed and posted for trading;

 

   

the absence of any condition or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Domtar or the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business;

 

   

the representations and warranties of each of Weyerhaeuser and Domtar that are qualified as to materiality or material adverse effect being true and correct and those not so qualified being true and correct in all material respects, as of the date of the Transaction Agreement and as of the closing; and

 

   

the parties having performed in all material respects their respective obligations under the Transaction Agreement.

The Transactions are also subject to approvals by holders of Domtar common shares and preferred shares (“Domtar Shareholders”) and holders of Domtar stock options (“Domtar Optionholders”). In that connection, a special meeting of Domtar Shareholders and Domtar Optionholders will be convened on February 26, 2007, to consider and, if deemed fit, approve the Transactions. The requisite approval for the Transactions is (i) 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Domtar Shareholders and Domtar Optionholders present in person or by proxy at the special meeting and (ii) 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Domtar Shareholders present in person or by proxy excluding (A) Domtar Optionholders, (B) holders of Domtar common shares, which are pledged to secure loans provided pursuant to the Domtar Executive Stock Option and Share Purchase Plan, and (C) holders of Domtar common shares who are also Domtar Optionholders.

Listing and Trading of the Company Common Stock

The Company has been authorized to list Company common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “UFS.” The Company has also applied for listing of Company common stock on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “UFS.” The prices at which Company common stock may trade cannot be predicted. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Company Common Stock—The price of Company common stock may be volatile.”

 

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THE CONTRIBUTION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of material provisions of the Contribution and Distribution Agreement. This summary is qualified by reference to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, which is incorporated by reference into this document. You are urged to read the Contribution and Distribution Agreement in its entirety. The Contribution and Distribution Agreement has been publicly filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Company’s filing on Form 10 on January 26, 2007. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The provisions of the Contribution and Distribution Agreement are qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules. The Company and Weyerhaeuser do not believe that the disclosure schedules contain information that applicable securities laws require them to publicly disclose other than information that has already been so disclosed.

General

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement between Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Newco provides for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Contribution and the Distribution and certain other terms governing the relationship between Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Newco.

The Contribution

The Newco Contribution

Pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, Weyerhaeuser will transfer to Newco certain of its fine paper and related assets to Newco, which include, subject to certain exceptions, the business, properties, assets, goodwill and rights (including lease, license and other contractual rights) of whatever kind and nature, real or personal, tangible or intangible, that are owned by Weyerhaeuser or its subsidiaries immediately prior to the Contribution and used or held for use primarily in the operation or conduct of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business.

Also pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, Newco will assume certain of Weyerhaeuser’s fine paper and related liabilities, which include, subject to certain exceptions, all obligations, liabilities and commitments of any nature of Weyerhaeuser or its subsidiaries arising out of or primarily relating to the assets that are being transferred by Weyerhaeuser to Newco, the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business or the operation or conduct of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business prior to, on or after the date of the Contribution.

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement defines the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business to include, subject to certain exceptions, the following operations:

 

   

the uncoated free sheet and papergrade pulp operations conducted at Weyerhaeuser’s facilities in Hawesville, Kentucky; Marlboro, South Carolina; Kingsport, Tennessee; Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania; Rothschild, Wisconsin; Dryden, Ontario and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (currently not in operation);

 

   

the chip mill, uncoated free sheet, papergrade pulp and fluff pulp operations conducted at Weyerhaeuser’s facility in Plymouth, North Carolina;

 

   

the papergrade and specialty pulp operations conducted at Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s facilities in Kamloops, British Columbia;

 

   

the uncoated free sheet converting operations conducted at certain specified facilities of Weyerhaeuser;

 

   

the forms operations conducted at Weyerhaeuser’s facilities in Dallas, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Langhorne, Pennsylvania; Rock Hill, South Carolina and Cerritos, California;

 

   

the coated groundwood and thermo-mechanical pulping operations conducted at Weyerhaeuser’s facility in Columbus, Mississippi;

 

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the chip mill operations conducted at certain specified facilities of Weyerhaeuser;

 

   

the operations conducted at Weyerhaeuser’s facilities in Fort Mill, South Carolina;

 

   

the logging and forest management operations conducted pursuant to certain specified forest licenses;

 

   

the sawmill operations conducted at Weyerhaeuser’s facilities in Ear Falls, Ontario and in Big River, Saskatchewan; and

 

   

the operations conducted at Weyerhaeuser’s regional replenishment centers, warehouses and sales offices used in connection with any of the other operations referred to above.

The assets transferred and the liabilities assumed pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement exclude all assets and liabilities of Weyerhaeuser’s Canadian subsidiaries relating to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, which will be transferred and assumed pursuant to a separate agreement among Weyerhaeuser’s Canadian subsidiaries and a Canadian subsidiary of Newco. See “The Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement.”

For a more detailed description of the assets and properties to be transferred to Newco, see “Business of the Company—Facilities and Properties.”

The Company Contribution

Prior to the Distribution and the Arrangement, Weyerhaeuser will contribute all the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Newco to the Company in exchange for:

 

   

$1.35 billion in cash; and

 

   

the issuance to Weyerhaeuser of a number of shares of Company common stock determined as set forth under “The Transactions—The Contribution—Determination of Number of Shares of Company Common Stock to be Issued to Weyerhaeuser.”

The Company Financing

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides that, prior to the Company Contribution, the Company will enter into a three-month unsecured term loan facility under which it will borrow a principal amount of $1.35 billion. This three-month unsecured term loan facility will be converted immediately following the consummation of the Transactions to be part of a new seven-year senior secured credit facility. The Company also intends to enter into a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility. See “Financing.”

Working Capital Adjustment

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides for an adjustment following the consummation of the Transactions to be paid by Weyerhaeuser or the Company, as the case may be, if the closing working capital of the Company falls outside certain parameters. If the closing working capital of the Company is less than $500 million, Weyerhaeuser will pay to the Company the amount by which the closing working capital is less than $500 million. If the closing working capital exceeds $600 million, the Company will pay to Weyerhaeuser the amount by which closing working capital exceeds $600 million. Subject to certain limitations, any disagreement between the parties as to the amount, if any, of the adjustment will be determined through arbitration by an independent accounting firm.

Payment with respect to Shared Accounts Receivable, Shared Accounts Payable and Shared Inventory

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides for a payment by Weyerhaeuser to the Company following the consummation of the Transactions in an amount equal to the sum of the amount of shared accounts receivable and the amount of shared inventory, minus the amount of shared accounts payable, in each case as reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as of the date of the consummation of the Transactions.

 

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“Shared accounts receivable” refers to certain accounts receivable pursuant to which a payment is owed by a third party to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Weyerhaeuser’s other businesses and “shared accounts payable” refers to certain accounts payable pursuant to which a payment is owed collectively by the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and any of Weyerhaeuser’s other businesses to a third party. “Shared inventory” refers to certain finished pulp manufactured at facilities that are part of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business but that, on the date of the Contribution, is located at Weyerhaeuser facilities that are part of Weyerhaeuser’s other businesses.

The amount of this payment may be subject to certain adjustments. Subject to certain limitations, any disputes among the parties shall be resolved as a part of the arbitration by an independent accounting firm applicable to disputes with respect to the closing working capital statement.

Covenants

Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Newco have agreed to take and to refrain from taking certain actions following the consummation of the Transactions. These actions include:

 

   

Weyerhaeuser will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, waive or amend any confidentiality agreement between Weyerhaeuser or any of its subsidiaries and any third party to the extent such waiver or amendment adversely affects the confidentiality of information related to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and, subject to certain conditions, Weyerhaeuser will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, enforce in accordance with its terms any such confidentiality agreement.

 

   

Following the Distribution, if the Company negotiates any changes in benefit levels or cost sharing that increase the retiree benefits under a collective bargaining agreement for Canadian employees that are intended to be transferred to Newco or any subsidiary of Newco, the Company will ensure that such changes will not apply to any persons who retired prior to the date of the Distribution. In the event that, notwithstanding this limitation, the Company negotiates any changes in benefit levels or cost sharing that increase the retiree benefits under a collective bargaining agreement for Canadian employees that were intended to be transferred to Newco or any subsidiary of Newco but who are not actually transferred to Newco or any subsidiary of Newco and who retired prior to the date of the Distribution, the Company will promptly reimburse Weyerhaeuser for all costs, expenses or liabilities resulting from such increase and will indemnify and hold harmless Weyerhaeuser and its affiliates for any liabilities arising in connection therewith.

 

   

Within specified time periods after the consummation of the Transactions, Newco will make all necessary filings and take all other necessary actions to discontinue any references to certain trade names owned by Weyerhaeuser that are not being transferred to Newco.

 

   

Newco will allow Weyerhaeuser to have reasonable access to the facility located in Plymouth, North Carolina for the purpose of removing a containerboard machine and related assets. Weyerhaeuser will complete this asset removal within one year of the date of the Distribution.

 

   

Subject to certain exceptions, for a period of three years after the date of the Distribution, Weyerhaeuser and its subsidiaries will not, directly or indirectly, engage in activities or businesses, or establish any new businesses, within North America that are substantially in competition with the uncoated free sheet operations (including uncoated free sheet converting operations) and the forms operations included in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business as conducted on the date of the Distribution.

 

   

Following the Distribution Date, Weyerhaeuser will cooperate, and will request its independent accountants to cooperate, with the Company in providing information for the preparation of any reports that are required to be filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any fiscal quarter up to and including the fourth complete fiscal quarter following the date of the Distribution. The Company and Newco, jointly and severally, will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Weyerhaeuser from and against any and all losses, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in connection with these quarterly reports except to the extent arising or resulting from information provided by Weyerhaeuser for inclusion in these reports that is inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect.

 

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Conditions to the Contribution and the Distribution

The obligations of Weyerhaeuser pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement to effect the Contribution and the Distribution are subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by Weyerhaeuser), at or prior to the date of the Contribution, of the condition that each of the parties to the Transaction Agreement has irrevocably confirmed to each other that each condition in the Transaction Agreement to such party’s respective obligations to effect the transactions contemplated thereby have been fulfilled or will be fulfilled at the time the Arrangement becomes effective or are waived. See “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions.”

Subsequent Transfers

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides that Weyerhaeuser will not be obligated to transfer to Newco, and Newco will not be obligated to accept or assume, any asset or liability intended to be transferred, assigned or assumed pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement until the time that all legal impediments are removed and/or all consents and/or governmental approvals necessary for the legal transfer and/or assumption thereof are obtained. If and when the legal impediments, consents or governmental approvals, the failure to remove or the absence of which caused the deferral of the transfer or assumption of the asset or liability, are removed or obtained, the transfer and assumption of the asset or liability will be promptly effected in accordance with the terms of the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, without the payment of additional consideration.

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement also requires that if, at any time following the date of the Contribution, Weyerhaeuser, the Company or Newco, will receive or otherwise possess any asset that is allocated to any other party pursuant to the agreement, Weyerhaeuser, the Company or Newco will promptly transfer this asset to the party so entitled thereto.

Mutual Release; Indemnification

Mutual Release of Pre-Closing Claims

Weyerhaeuser, on the one hand, and the Company and Newco, on the other hand, have each agreed to release the other from any and all claims that they may have which arise from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or any conditions existing on or before the date of the Distribution. The mutual release is subject to specified exceptions set forth in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement. These exceptions include:

 

   

any liability assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to Weyerhaeuser, the Company or Newco in accordance with, or any other liability of Weyerhaeuser, the Company or Newco under the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or any other agreement contemplated thereby;

 

   

any liability that the parties may have with respect to indemnification pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement for claims brought against the parties by third parties; and

 

   

any liability the release of which would result in the release of any third party.

Indemnification by the Company and Newco

The Company and Newco are obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Weyerhaeuser, its subsidiaries, and each of their affiliates, officers, directors, employees and shareholders from and against all losses arising out of:

 

   

any liability assumed by Newco in connection with the Contribution;

 

   

any liabilities (including third-party claims) imposed on, sustained, incurred or suffered by any of the Weyerhaeuser indemnified parties arising out of or relating primarily to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, the assets transferred to Newco in connection with the Contribution or the failure by Newco to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any liabilities that are assumed by Newco in connection with the Contribution;

 

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any claim that any action or omission by the Company or Newco after the date of the consummation of the Transactions gives rise to any severance or other similar benefits with respect to, or constitutes an actual or constructive termination or severance of employment of, any employee who is transferred to Newco;

 

   

any discontinuance, suspension or modification by the Company or Newco on or after the date of the Distribution of any employee benefit plan, program, arrangement or policy; and

 

   

any liabilities in respect of the financing described under “Financing” and all agreements relating to such financing.

Indemnification by Weyerhaeuser

Weyerhaeuser is obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its subsidiaries and each of their affiliates, officers, directors, employees and shareholders from and against all losses arising out of:

 

   

any liability retained by Weyerhaeuser after the Contribution;

 

   

all liabilities (including third-party claims) imposed on, sustained, incurred or suffered by any of the Company indemnified parties arising out of or relating primarily to the Weyerhaeuser business (other than the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business), the assets retained by Weyerhaeuser after the Contribution or the failure by Weyerhaeuser to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any liabilities retained by Weyerhaeuser after the Contribution;

 

   

any fees, expenses or other payments incurred or owed by Weyerhaeuser to any agent, broker, investment banker or other firm employed by it in connection with the Transactions after the Company has paid the portion of such expenses for which it is responsible under the Transaction Agreement; and

 

   

any claim that certain actions taken prior to or on the date of the consummation of the Transactions give rise to any severance or other similar benefits with respect to, or constitute an actual or constructive termination or severance of employment of, any employee who is transferred to Newco or any employee of Weyerhaeuser who is not transferred to Newco.

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides that substantially similar indemnification provisions will apply to the parties to the Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement.

The indemnification provisions set forth in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement do not apply to any indemnification or other claims relating to taxes. Instead, these indemnification obligations are covered in the tax sharing agreement. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution—Tax Sharing Agreement.”

Insurance

Following the Distribution, the Company will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining its own insurance coverage and will no longer be an insured party under Weyerhaeuser’s insurance policies. If any damage, destruction or other casualty loss occurs after March 25, 2006 but prior to the date of the Distribution or any liability arises prior to the date of the Distribution that is to be assumed by Newco pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, Weyerhaeuser will assert a claim under its insurance policies, and surrender to Newco after the date of the Distribution any insurance proceeds received by Weyerhaeuser under its insurance policies with respect to such damage, destruction, liability or loss, less any amount of cash or proceeds applied by Weyerhaeuser to the physical restoration of that asset or payment of that liability. The amount of the insurance proceeds to be so surrendered to Newco will also be reduced by the amount of any applicable deductibles and co-payment provisions or any payment, reinsurance or reimbursement obligations of Weyerhaeuser in respect thereof. The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides that, during the three years following the date of the Distribution (or, if later, until the final resolution of any relevant claim relating to

 

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the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business), Weyerhaeuser and its subsidiaries will not amend, terminate, buy-out, extinguish or otherwise modify their liability under any insurance policy in a manner that would adversely affect Newco’s rights as described above. The foregoing will, however, not require Weyerhaeuser to renew or keep from lapsing any insurance policy.

Amendments; No Third-Party Beneficiaries

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement may not be waived or amended by any party, unless the waiver or amendment is in writing and signed by both (i) the person against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver or amendment and (ii) if such waiver or amendment occurs prior to the Effective Time, Domtar. Except for the provisions that provide for the consent of Domtar, which are for the benefit of Domtar, and certain other limited exceptions, nothing in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement is intended to or confers upon any person (other than the parties) any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever and no person (other than as so specified) will be a third-party beneficiary under or by reason of the Contribution and Distribution Agreement.

Termination

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement may be terminated by Weyerhaeuser prior to the date of the Distribution at any time following the termination of the Transaction Agreement. The Contribution and Distribution Agreement may otherwise only be terminated with the consent of Weyerhaeuser, the Company, Newco and, prior to the date of the Distribution, Domtar.

 

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THE CANADIAN ASSET TRANSFER AGREEMENT

Prior to or on the date of the Contribution, Weyerhaeuser will cause Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd., two Canadian subsidiaries of Weyerhaeuser, to enter into an agreement with Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub (the “Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement”). Pursuant to the Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. will transfer certain of their fine paper and related assets to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub will assume certain of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd.’s fine paper and related liabilities. The transfer and assumption of these Canadian assets and liabilities pursuant to the Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement will occur on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement described above.

 

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THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of material provisions of the Transaction Agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Transaction Agreement, which is incorporated by reference into this document. You are urged to read the Transaction Agreement in its entirety. The Transaction Agreement has been publicly filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Company’s filing on Form 10 on January 26, 2007. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The provisions in the Transaction Agreement are qualified by information in confidential disclosure letters that Weyerhaeuser and Domtar have exchanged in connection with signing the Transaction Agreement. The Company and Weyerhaeuser do not believe that the disclosure letters contain information that applicable securities laws require them to publicly disclose other than information that has already been so disclosed.

General

The Company and Domtar will consummate an arrangement in accordance with Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporation Act that will result in the Company indirectly owning all of the outstanding Domtar common shares.

The Effective Time

The Arrangement will become effective on the date that the certificate of arrangement is issued under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act giving effect to the Arrangement. The time on which the Arrangement becomes effective is referred to as the “Effective Time.” The Distribution is expected to occur immediately prior to the Effective Time. The closing date of the Arrangement and the Distribution will be the date that is two business days after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent to the Arrangement and the Distribution or such other date as agreed between Weyerhaeuser and Domtar. See “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions.”

Arrangement Consideration

The Transaction Agreement provides that each Domtar common share that is not held by a holder who exercised its dissent rights will be exchanged, on a one-for-one basis, for one Class B common share. Immediately following the exchange of Domtar common shares for Class B common shares, each Class B common share will be transferred to Newco Canada Exchangeco for one share of Company common stock. Certain Canadian holders of Class B common shares can elect to receive, instead of a share of Company common stock, an exchangeable share of Newco Canada Exchangeco, which will be exchangeable at any time at the option of the holder for a share of Company common stock. See “Description of Company Capital Stock—Exchangeable Shares and Special Voting Stock—Exchangeable Shares.” See also “—Treatment of Domtar Equity Awards” for a description of other arrangements affecting the consideration received by holders of Domtar common shares and equity awards as part of the Arrangement.

Corporate Offices

From and after the Effective Time, the Company’s head office will be located in Montréal, Canada, and the operational headquarters of the Company and its non-Canadian subsidiaries will be located in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Related Transactions

The Transaction Agreement provides that, as a condition precedent to the Arrangement, Weyerhaeuser and the Company will consummate and effect, or cause to be consummated and effected, the Canadian Asset

 

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Transfer in accordance with the Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement and the Contribution and the Distribution in accordance with the terms of the Contribution and Distribution Agreement. Also, under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, Weyerhaeuser, the Company and/or their respective subsidiaries agreed to each execute at or prior to the consummation of the Transactions a tax sharing agreement, an intellectual property license agreement, a transition services agreement, certain supply agreements and certain site services agreements. In addition, Weyerhaeuser and Newco agreed to negotiate in good faith and use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into a joint purchase agreement. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution.”

Representations and Warranties

The Transaction Agreement contains customary representations and warranties between Weyerhaeuser and the Company, on the one hand, and Domtar, on the other hand, which are substantially reciprocal. These representations and warranties relate to, among other things:

 

   

due organization, good standing and power;

 

   

subsidiaries and equity interests;

 

   

capital structure;

 

   

authority to enter into and perform the Transaction Agreement and the other agreements executed in connection therewith as well as the execution, delivery and enforceability of such agreements;

 

   

no conflicts, consents and governmental approvals;

 

   

securities law filings, financial statements and absence of undisclosed liabilities;

 

   

accuracy of information supplied;

 

   

absence of certain changes or events;

 

   

taxes;

 

   

benefit plans;

 

   

employment agreements and ERISA compliance;

 

   

labor matters;

 

   

litigation;

 

   

compliance with applicable laws;

 

   

brokers;

 

   

compliance with environmental laws;

 

   

title to properties;

 

   

intellectual property matters;

 

   

insurance;

 

   

material agreements;

 

   

opinion of financial advisors; and

 

   

real estate.

In addition, the Transaction Agreement also contains representations and warranties by Weyerhaeuser and the Company with respect to affiliate transactions and sufficiency of assets.

Many of the representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Agreement are subject to materiality qualifications, knowledge qualifications, or both, and none of the representations and warranties survive the Effective Time.

 

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Conduct of Business Pending the Consummation of the Transactions

Each of Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Domtar have agreed to restrictions on its activities until the Effective Time. In general, each of Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Domtar (in the case of Weyerhaeuser, subject to certain exceptions, with respect to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business only) is required to conduct its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course in substantially the same manner as previously conducted and, to the extent consistent therewith, use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact its current business organization, maintain its material rights, licenses and permits, keep available the services of its current officers and employees and keep its relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, distributors and others having business dealings with them to the end that its goodwill and ongoing business will be unimpaired in any material respect at the Effective Time.

In addition, Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Domtar have agreed to restrictions on certain activities and have undertaken certain obligations, in each case, after the Effective Time. For examples, see “—Non-Solicitation of Employees,” “—Directors and Officers Indemnification and Insurance,” “—Indemnification,” and “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution—Tax Sharing Agreement.”

Reasonable Best Efforts

The Transaction Agreement provides that each of the parties will use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Transactions. Such actions include, without limitation:

 

   

the obtaining of all necessary or advisable actions or non-actions, waivers, consents, and approvals;

 

   

the making of all necessary registrations and filings pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, the Competition Act (Canada) and the Investment Canada Act;

 

   

the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any governmental authority; and

 

   

the defending of any lawsuits or other legal proceedings.

The Transaction Agreement, however, does not require any of the parties to dispose of any of its assets or to limit its freedom of action with respect to any of its businesses, or to agree to such disposition or limitation, in order to obtain any consents, authorizations, permits or approvals or to remove any impediments to the Transactions relating to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, the Competition Act (Canada) and the Investment Canada Act or to avoid the entry of, or to effect the dissolution of, any injunction, temporary restraining order or other order in any suit or proceeding relating to such legislation, other than dispositions, consents, commitments, or limitations that individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the Domtar business, taken as a whole.

Employee Matters

The Transaction Agreement provides that Weyerhaeuser will transfer employees of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business to Newco. No employee who is not employed in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business will be transferred. Employees of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business who are on short or long term disability (other than certain Canadian union employees) and U.S. employees on workers compensation will not be transferred until such time as they are determined to be no longer eligible for short or long term disability or workers compensation benefits and will then be offered comparable employment by Newco. With respect to employees that are employed in both the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Weyerhaeuser’s other businesses, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar will cooperate to determine which employees or new hires are needed to operate the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business.

 

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Newco and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub will generally assume pre-closing employment and employee benefit plan liabilities relating to employees of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business other than liabilities under Weyerhaeuser’s stock plans, U.S. pension liabilities, Canadian pension liabilities with respect to non-union employees and pre-closing liabilities under applicable health and welfare plans, which will, subject to certain exceptions, be retained by Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited or Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. will transfer and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub will assume certain Canadian pension plans relating to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business.

As of the Effective Time, employees that are transferred to Newco will no longer participate in Weyerhaeuser’s compensation and benefit plans but will participate in compensation and benefit plans of Newco or its subsidiaries that are substantially as favorable in the aggregate as Weyerhaeuser’s compensation and benefit plans were, except that certain disabled Canadian union employees will continue to participate in the Weyerhaeuser disability plans until they are no longer eligible for such benefits. Newco will reimburse Weyerhaeuser for costs associated with the continued participation by these employees in Weyerhaeuser’s disability plans. All prior service with Weyerhaeuser and its subsidiaries and any predecessor companies, and all participant elections, pre-existing conditions, co-payments and deductibles recognized, covered or credited under Weyerhaeuser’s benefit plans will be recognized, covered and credited under benefit plans of Newco and its subsidiaries other than for purposes of benefit accrual under any defined benefit pension plans.

Non-Solicitation of Employees

Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, Weyerhaeuser and Domtar each agree not to, and not to permit their respective affiliates to, directly or indirectly, employ or attempt to employ any employee of Weyerhaeuser or any subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser (in the case of Domtar) or any employee of Newco or any subsidiary of Newco (in the case of Weyerhaeuser) for a period of two years after the Effective Time. These restrictions do not apply to the placement of “help wanted” advertisements, postings on internet job sites and searches by employment search companies that are not specifically targeting employees of Weyerhaeuser, any subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser, Newco or any subsidiary of Newco.

Treatment of Domtar Equity Awards

The Transaction Agreement provides that, and the Arrangement (when consummated) will provide that:

 

   

Each Domtar stock option (whether vested or unvested) that has an exercise price greater than the volume-weighted average (rounded down to the nearest 1/10,000) of the trading prices of the Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets for the last trading day immediately prior to the Distribution, will be exchanged, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the Domtar stock option, for an option to purchase a number of shares of Company common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of equivalent value determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on assumptions that are consistent with Domtar’s 2005 financial statements, and having an exercise price per share equal to that volume-weighted average trading price (rounded up to the nearest whole cent).

 

   

Each Domtar stock option (whether vested or unvested) that has an exercise price equal to or less than the volume-weighted average (rounded down to the nearest 1/10,000) of the trading prices of the Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets for the last trading day immediately prior to the Distribution, will be exchanged, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the Domtar stock option, for an option to purchase that number of shares of Company common stock equal to the number of Domtar common shares subject to the Domtar stock option and the exercise price per share will be equal to the exercise price per share of such option immediately prior to the exchange.

 

   

Each outstanding right to be granted bonus Domtar common shares under the Domtar Executive Stock Option and Share Purchase Plan (except those cancelled as described below) will be exchanged, on a one-for-one basis, for a right to be granted bonus shares of Company common stock.

 

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Each outstanding award of restricted Domtar common shares will be exchanged for Class B common shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco, which will then be exchanged, on a one-for-one basis, on the same terms and conditions as applied to the Domtar restricted share awards, for awards of restricted shares of Company common stock (or awards of restricted exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco, as the case may be).

 

   

Each outstanding grant of deferred share units and each outstanding grant of performance share units (if any) with respect to Domtar common shares will be exchanged on a one-for-one basis, on the same terms and conditions as applied to the Domtar deferred share unit or the performance share unit (with appropriate adjustments to the performance criteria applicable to any performance share unit to give effect to the Transactions), for deferred share units or performance share units, as applicable, with respect to shares of Company common stock.

The Transaction Agreement also provides that, and the Arrangement (when consummated) will provide that, subject to and upon consummation of the Transactions, Domtar will forgive the balance of any loan extended to a current or former employee under the Domtar Executive Stock Option and Share Purchase Plan in connection with the exercise of rights to purchase Domtar common shares thereunder in an amount equal to the excess of the loan amount (plus any outstanding interest) over the fair value of the Domtar common shares pledged as security for the loan. Each current or former employee with an outstanding loan will be required to return the pledged shares to Domtar for cancellation in repayment of the remaining portion of his or her loan and any rights to receive bonus common shares granted in connection with his or her exercise of rights to purchase Domtar common shares under the plan will be extinguished. Any outstanding forward purchase contracts for Domtar common shares entered into between Domtar and a current or former employee under the Domtar Executive Stock Option and Share Purchase Plan will also be cancelled as of the date of the consummation of the Transactions. Any rights to receive bonus common shares granted in connection with those contracts will also be cancelled. Domtar will also provide the employees an amount sufficient to cover any taxes payable by the employees in connection with any loan forgiveness and/or cancellation of any share purchase contract pursuant to the Arrangement.

Treatment of Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards

The Transaction Agreement provides that each employee of Weyerhaeuser who will become an employee of the Company and holds one or more Weyerhaeuser stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted stock units will be given the opportunity to elect to either continue to hold all of his or her Weyerhaeuser stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted stock units in accordance with their terms or surrender all of his or her Weyerhaeuser stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted stock units in exchange for stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted stock units (as appropriate) to be granted by the Company. With respect to those Weyerhaeuser employees who will become employees of the Company and who elect to exchange their Weyerhaeuser stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted stock units for stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted stock units (as appropriate) to be granted by the Company immediately prior to the Distribution:

 

   

Each outstanding Weyerhaeuser stock option (whether vested or unvested) will be surrendered to Weyerhaeuser in exchange for an option granted by the Company to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the Weyerhaeuser stock option, a number of shares of Company common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share), determined by multiplying the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares subject to the Weyerhaeuser stock option by a fraction, the numerator of which is the volume-weighted average (rounded to the nearest 1/10,000) of the trading prices of Weyerhaeuser common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets for the date of the Distribution and the denominator of which is the volume-weighted average (rounded to the nearest 1/10,000) of the trading prices of Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets for the last trading day immediately prior to the date of the Distribution (this fraction is referred to as the “fraction”).

 

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Each outstanding Weyerhaeuser stock appreciation right (whether vested or unvested) will be surrendered to Weyerhaeuser in exchange for a stock appreciation right granted by the Company with respect to a number of shares of Company common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) determined by multiplying the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares subject to the Weyerhaeuser stock appreciation right by the fraction.

 

   

Each outstanding Weyerhaeuser restricted stock unit will be surrendered to Weyerhaeuser in exchange for a restricted stock unit granted by the Company with respect to a number of shares of Company common stock determined by multiplying the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares subject to the Weyerhaeuser restricted stock unit by the fraction.

 

   

Each Company stock option and each Company stock appreciation right so granted will have an exercise price (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) determined by dividing the per share exercise price of the corresponding Weyerhaeuser option or stock appreciation right by the fraction.

Non-Solicitation; Superior Proposal; Break-Up Fee

Subject to certain exceptions, Domtar has agreed in the Transaction Agreement that it will not solicit offers by any third parties to effect a business combination with any third party. The Transaction Agreement also provides for certain procedures regarding any acquisition proposals that may be made by third parties and for the payment by Domtar of a $62 million break-up fee to Weyerhaeuser in the event the Transaction is not completed under certain circumstances.

Directors and Officers Indemnification and Insurance

Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, the parties have agreed that for a period of six years following the Transactions, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless, and provide advancement of expenses to, all past and present directors or officers of Domtar, Newco and their respective subsidiaries, and each individual who prior to the Effective Time becomes a director or officer of Domtar, Newco and their respective subsidiaries, to the maximum extent allowed under applicable law in respect of acts or omissions that occurred at or prior to the Effective Time and, in the case of directors and officers of Newco, related to the Newco Business or in connection with the Transactions.

The Transaction Agreement further requires that, for six years following the Effective Time, subject to certain limitations, the Company will maintain in effect, for the same persons as referenced in the preceding paragraph, policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance of at least the same coverage and containing terms and conditions which are, in the aggregate, no less advantageous to the insured as the current policies maintained by Domtar or Weyerhaeuser, with respect to claims arising from acts or omissions that occurred at or prior to the Effective Time and, in the case of directors and officers of Newco, related to the Newco Business or in connection with the Transactions.

Conditions to the Consummation of the Transactions

The respective obligations of Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Domtar to consummate the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions. For more information on these conditions, see “The Transactions—Conditions to the Transactions.”

Termination

The Transaction Agreement may be terminated by the mutual written consent of each party thereto. Additionally, either Weyerhaeuser or Domtar may terminate the Transaction Agreement in the following circumstances:

 

   

if the Transactions have not been consummated on or before August 21, 2007, unless the failure to consummate the Transactions is the result of a material breach of the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby by the party seeking to terminate the Transaction Agreement;

 

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if Domtar has failed to obtain the required vote at the meeting of Domtar Shareholders and Optionholders;

 

   

if any law has been passed that makes consummation of the Transactions illegal or otherwise prohibited or if any injunction, order or decree enjoining Weyerhaeuser or Domtar from consummating the Transactions has been entered that has become final and non-appealable; or

 

   

if any condition to the obligation of such party to consummate the Transactions has become incapable of satisfaction prior to August 21, 2007, unless the failure of that condition is the result of a breach of the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby by the party seeking to terminate the Transaction Agreement.

Weyerhaeuser may terminate the Transaction Agreement at any time prior to the Effective Time in the following circumstances:

 

   

if Domtar breaches or fails to perform in any respect any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby, resulting in a failure of a condition to Weyerhaeuser’s obligation to effect the Transactions, and such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written notice to Domtar of such breach (provided that Weyerhaeuser or Newco is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby); or

 

   

if the board of directors of Domtar has failed to recommend, withdrawn, modified or changed in a manner adverse to Weyerhaeuser its approval or recommendation of the Transaction Agreement or the Arrangement or has recommended an acquisition proposal by a third party.

Domtar may terminate the Transaction Agreement at any time prior to the Effective Time in the following circumstances:

 

   

if Weyerhaeuser or the Company breaches or fails to perform in any respect of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby, resulting in a failure of a condition to Domtar’s obligation to effect the Transactions, and such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written notice to Weyerhaeuser of such breach (provided that Domtar is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby); or

 

   

in order to enter into a definitive written agreement with respect to a superior proposal, provided that Domtar notifies Weyerhaeuser of the acquisition proposal in accordance with the Transaction Agreement and, unless an event has occurred and is continuing that has a material adverse effect on the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, pays to Weyerhaeuser the break-up fee described under “—Non-Solicitation; Superior Proposal; Break-Up Fee.”

Indemnification

Under the Transaction Agreement, Domtar and the Company are obligated to jointly and severally indemnify Weyerhaeuser and its affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders and representatives against all losses and expenses to the extent arising out of or resulting from any of the following:

 

   

any breach by Domtar of the representation that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by Domtar for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Domtar proxy statement or certain Weyerhaeuser or Company SEC filings (including the registration statement of which this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange forms a part) will, at the time each such document is filed with the Canadian

 

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Securities Administrators or the SEC, as applicable, at any time it is amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under applicable Canadian securities legislation, the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading;

 

   

any violation of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any applicable Canadian securities legislation, any applicable corporate laws with respect to the Arrangement or the approval of the Transactions by the Domtar shareholders, except to the extent such violation results from a breach by Weyerhaeuser of any of its representations and warranties or covenants set forth in the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby;

 

   

any claim brought by third parties alleging that the consummation of the Transactions violated any agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (including any debt instrument) to which Domtar or any affiliate of Domtar is or was a party; and

 

   

any claim brought by shareholders or former shareholders of Domtar in their capacity as shareholder or former shareholder, except to the extent such claim results from a breach by Weyerhaeuser of any of its representations and warranties or covenants set forth in the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby.

Under the Transaction Agreement, Weyerhaeuser is obligated to indemnify Domtar, its affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees or shareholders against all losses and expenses to the extent arising out of or resulting from any of the following:

 

   

any breach by Weyerhaeuser of the representation that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by Weyerhaeuser or the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Domtar proxy statement or certain Weyerhaeuser or Company SEC filings (including the registration statement of which this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange forms a part) will, at the time each such document is filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators or the SEC, as applicable, at any time it is amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under applicable Canadian securities legislation, the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading;

 

   

any violation of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any applicable corporate laws with respect to the Distribution, except to the extent such violation results from a breach by Domtar of any of its representations and warranties or covenants set forth in the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby;

 

   

any claim brought by third parties alleging that the consummation of the Transactions violated any agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (including any debt instrument) to which Weyerhaeuser or any affiliate of Weyerhaeuser is or was a party; and

 

   

any claim brought by shareholders or former shareholders of Weyerhaeuser in their capacity as shareholder or former shareholder, except to the extent such claim results from a breach by Domtar of any of its representations and warranties or covenants set forth in the Transaction Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement or certain other agreements contemplated thereby.

Amendments; No Third-Party Beneficiaries

The Transaction Agreement may be amended by the parties thereto at any time, provided, that after the Distribution, no amendment is permitted that by law requires further approval by the stockholders of the Company or Domtar without the further approval of these stockholders. The Transaction Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties thereto. The Transaction Agreement is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties thereto any rights or remedies.

 

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Expenses

The Transaction Agreement provides that all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions will be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses, provided, that in the event the Transactions are consummated, the Company will reimburse Weyerhaeuser for (i) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the financing described under “Financing,” (ii) up to 50% of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the separation of certain facilities that will be owned in part by Weyerhaeuser or its subsidiaries and in part by the Company or its subsidiaries after the Effective Time, and (iii) up to an amount of $28 million of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions. The Transaction Agreement also provides that Weyerhaeuser and the Company will each be responsible for 50% of the capital expenditures and one-time start-up expenses incurred by either party in connection with the actions required to separate certain facilities. In addition, the tax sharing agreement provides that all transfer taxes incurred in connection with the Transactions will be paid by the Company.

 

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THE COMPANY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH WEYERHAEUSER AFTER THE DISTRIBUTION

General

The Company and Weyerhaeuser, or their respective subsidiaries, will enter into various agreements that will govern the ongoing relationships between Weyerhaeuser and the Company and provide for an orderly transition after the consummation of the Transactions. Certain of these agreements are summarized below. These summaries are qualified by reference to the agreements, which are filed with the SEC as exhibits to this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Tax Sharing Agreement

General Ordinary Course Taxes

The tax sharing agreement will govern both Weyerhaeuser’s and the Company’s rights and obligations after the Distribution with respect to taxes for both pre- and post-Distribution periods. Under the tax sharing agreement, Weyerhaeuser generally will be required to indemnify the Company for any taxes attributable to all pre-Distribution periods and the Company will be required to indemnify Weyerhaeuser for any taxes attributable to its operations for all post-Distribution periods.

Distribution-Related Taxes

The Company will generally be required to indemnify Weyerhaeuser against any tax resulting from the Distribution if that tax results from Disqualifying Actions, including those involving (1) an issuance, redemption, recapitalization or repurchase of the Company’s equity securities or the involvement of the Company, its subsidiaries or certain affiliates of the Company in acquisitions of the Company’s equity securities (excluding the Distribution and the Arrangement described in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange), (2) other actions or omissions (such as those described in the following paragraph) by the Company, its subsidiaries or certain of its affiliates or (3) any undertakings by the Company referred to in the tax sharing agreement being breached. If Weyerhaeuser should recognize gain on the Distribution for reasons not related to a Disqualifying Action by the Company, Weyerhaeuser would be responsible for such taxes and would not be entitled to indemnification by the Company under the tax sharing agreement.

In addition, to preserve the tax-free treatment to Weyerhaeuser of the Distribution, for a two year period following the date of the Distribution, the following actions will be subject to restrictions:

 

   

redemption, recapitalization, repurchase or acquisition by the Company of its capital stock;

 

   

issuance by the Company of capital stock or convertible debt;

 

   

liquidation of the Company;

 

   

discontinuance of the operations of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business;

 

   

sale or disposition of (other than in the ordinary course of business) all or a substantial part of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business; or

 

   

other actions, omissions to act or transactions that could jeopardize the tax-free status of the Distribution.

The Company will be permitted to take any of the actions described above in the event that the Company receives the prior written consent of Weyerhaeuser. Should the taking of such actions by the Company undermine the tax-free status of the Distribution and result in tax related losses to Weyerhaeuser, the Company generally will be required to indemnify Weyerhaeuser for such losses, without regard to whether Weyerhaeuser has given the Company prior consent.

 

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Administrative Matters

The tax sharing agreement will set forth Weyerhaeuser’s and the Company’s respective obligations with respect to the filing of tax returns, the administration of tax contests, assistance and cooperation and other matters.

Intellectual Property License Agreement

Pursuant to the intellectual property license agreement, Weyerhaeuser will grant Newco a fully paid-up, royalty free, non-exclusive license to use certain intellectual property and technology that is used in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business but retained by Weyerhaeuser. If Newco makes modifications or improvements to any retained intellectual property, Newco will have sole and exclusive ownership of such modifications and improvements. If Weyerhaeuser makes modifications or improvements to any retained intellectual property, Weyerhaeuser will have sole and exclusive ownership of such modifications and improvements.

The license for the retained intellectual property and technology extends (i) for the period during which retained patents and any renewals thereof are in force with respect to each retained patent, (ii) for the period during which retained copyrights are in force with respect to each retained copyright and (iii) indefinitely with respect to retained technology.

Transition Services Agreement

Pursuant to the transition services agreement, Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited or certain third parties with whom Weyerhaeuser has a contractual arrangement will provide services to the Company relating to finance and administration, human resources, payroll and information technology and any other areas as they agree to enable the Company to manage an orderly transition in its operation of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business. The transition services agreement will terminate when all of the terms of the services have expired or otherwise terminated. Generally, the transition services are initially priced at cost but the prices paid to Weyerhaeuser will be subject to an escalating cost structure. With respect to finance, administration, human resources and payroll services, the service fee will increase by 25% after 6 months and by 50% after 12 months. With respect to information technology services, the service fee will increase by 25% after 18 months and by 50% after 24 months.

Supply Agreements

The Company and Weyerhaeuser, or their respective subsidiaries, will enter into a Plymouth pine chip supply agreement, a Plymouth hog fuel supply agreement, a Columbus pine chip supply agreement, Canadian fiber supply agreements and a slush pulp sales agreement.

Pursuant to the Plymouth pine chip supply agreement, Weyerhaeuser will agree to supply approximately 350,000 tons of softwood residual chips annually to Newco’s Plymouth, North Carolina mill for five years, at a price to be negotiated annually.

Pursuant to the Plymouth hog fuel supply agreement, Weyerhaeuser will agree to supply approximately 106,000 tons of hog fuel annually to Newco’s Plymouth, North Carolina mill for an initial period of one year, subject to renewal for an additional four year term, at a price to be negotiated annually.

Pursuant to the Columbus pine chip supply agreement, Weyerhaeuser will agree to supply approximately 3,100 tons of softwood chips to Newco’s Columbus, Mississippi mill for a period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on May 31, 2007.

Pursuant to the Canadian fiber supply agreements, Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub will agree to provide fiber to Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s Kenora and Wawa mills in Ontario and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan

 

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Ltd.’s Carrot River, Hudson Bay Plywood and Hudson Bay SOB mills in Saskatchewan, and Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. will agree to provide fiber to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub’s pulp mill in Kamloops, British Columbia (and its mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan if it re-opens) and hog fuel to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub’s Dryden, Ontario mill. The term of the Canadian fiber supply agreement will be between 5 and 20 years, subject to the duration of the relevant forest licenses. The volume of fiber to be supplied in any year is expected to be similar to the volumes supplied during the preceding five years. Actual volumes will be determined annually. Increases or decreases of allowable harvest under the relevant forest licenses will be shared proportionately among Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub, on the one hand, and Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd., on the other hand. Prices will be negotiated in advance based on fair market value taking into account prevailing local market price for similar fiber on similar terms and other factors.

Pursuant to the slush pulp sales agreement, Weyerhaeuser’s Columbus, Mississippi pulp mill will agree to provide 75,000 tons per year of slush pulp to Newco’s Columbus, Mississippi coated groundwood mill at a market price adjusted for freight allowances, avoided bale and processing costs and a market-based discount for a period of one year, subject to annual renewal.

Site Services Agreements

The Company and Weyerhaeuser, or their respective subsidiaries, will enter into site services agreements with respect to certain facilities that will be owned in part by Weyerhaeuser or its subsidiaries and in part by the Company or its subsidiaries after the Effective Time.

Pursuant to site services agreements relating to Newco’s Columbus, Mississippi coated groundwood mill, Weyerhaeuser will agree, subject to certain conditions, to provide Newco with certain products and services, including parking, temporary use of Weyerhaeuser roads, and steam, electricity, gas, air and water and effluent handling services, in each case at a price based on fully allocated costs. Weyerhaeuser will also lease certain office space at Weyerhaeuser’s Columbus, Mississippi facility to Newco pursuant to an annually renewable lease so long as Newco does not sell products that compete with products manufactured by Weyerhaeuser at the facility. The rent payable under this lease will equal the actual average regional cost for comparable commercial office leases in the area.

Pursuant to site services agreements relating to Newco’s Plymouth, North Carolina mill, Newco will agree, subject to certain conditions, to provide Weyerhaeuser with certain products and services, including steam for a period not to exceed two years or until another alternative is available to Weyerhaeuser, access for Weyerhaeuser employees to Newco’s exercise facilities, fire water for a period not to exceed one year, stormwater handling services, and effluent handling services for a period not to exceed one year, in each case at a price based on fully allocated costs. In addition, pursuant to the site services agreements relating to Newco’s Plymouth, North Carolina mill, Weyerhaeuser will retain an undivided interest in certain Newco facilities at Plymouth allowing Weyerhaeuser to transmit electricity from a local utility for use at Weyerhaeuser’s sawmill for a period not to exceed one year or until the local utility installs at Weyerhaeuser’s sawmill the equipment necessary to receive electricity directly from the utility.

Pursuant to a site services agreement relating to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub’s Kamloops, British Columbia mill, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited will agree to allow Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub to use Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s weigh scales and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub will agree to provide Weyerhaeuser Company Limited access to its gravel pit and landfill for an indefinite period of time. The parties will also share the costs of emergency route and haul road access.

Joint Purchase Agreement

The Contribution and Distribution Agreement provides that Weyerhaeuser and Newco will in good faith negotiate and use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into a joint purchase agreement to obtain the benefit of combined bulk purchases from various suppliers.

 

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FINANCING

Financing Commitments

On August 22, 2006, the Company, Domtar, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. entered into a commitment letter. The financing commitments provided for by the commitment letter are subject to customary conditions, including the absence of any state of facts, change, effect, condition, development, event or occurrence that has been or would reasonably be likely to be material and adverse to (A) the business, assets, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), or results of operations of Domtar and its subsidiaries or of Newco and its subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole, or of their respective business, operations and affairs, subject to certain exceptions, or to (B) the ability of any of Domtar, Weyerhaeuser or Newco to perform their respective obligations under the Transaction Agreement or related documents or consummate the Transactions. The Company has agreed to pay J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. certain fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by the commitment letter and has agreed to indemnify J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and their respective affiliates against certain liabilities.

The commitment letter provides for a financing commitment of an aggregate amount of up to $2.775 billion, consisting of the following:

 

   

a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility to be available to the Company, Newco and Domtar in a principal amount of $750 million, up to $350 million (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof) of which may be borrowed by Domtar; and

 

   

a three-month unsecured term loan facility to be available to the Company in a principal amount of $1.35 billion, which, upon consummation of the Transactions, will be refinanced, in part, by a new seven-year senior secured term loan facility to be available to the Company in an aggregate amount up to $1.7 billion, which may be increased at the option of the Company by incremental loans to be available to the Company and Domtar of up to $325 million to the extent necessary to refinance the existing accounts receivable securitization of Domtar and/or to redeem notes if tendered pursuant to a change of control offer with respect to Domtar’s $125 million 9.5% Debentures due August 2016.

Proposed Terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities

During the first quarter of 2007, the Company expects to enter into a three-month unsecured term loan facility, a seven-year senior secured term loan facility (which will refinance, in part, the three-month unsecured term loan facility) and a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility. Set forth below is a summary of the expected terms of the new credit facilities. The final terms and, subject to the commitments described above, amounts of the new credit facilities have not been finalized and, therefore, may differ from those set forth herein.

Immediately prior to the Company Contribution, the Company will draw down the three-month unsecured term loan facility to finance the $1.35 billion cash payment by the Company to Weyerhaeuser as partial consideration for the Company Contribution. In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, the $1.35 billion three-month unsecured term loan facility will be refinanced by the Company with (i) a portion of the net proceeds of a seven-year senior secured term loan facility, which the Company expects will be in a principal amount of approximately $800 million, and (ii) cash on hand, including the net proceeds from the sale by Domtar in December 2006 of its 50% interest in Norampac. The proceeds of the seven-year senior secured term loan facility will also be used to finance a portion of the Transactions, including fees, expenses and obligations related to or triggered by the Transactions. The five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, which the Company expects will provide for borrowings up to $750 million (up to $150 million (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof) of which will be available to Domtar) may be used by the Company, Newco and Domtar for working capital needs and for general corporate purposes, and a portion will be available for letters of credit and swingline loans. The seven-year senior secured term loan facility and the five-year senior secured revolving credit facility are referred to herein as the “senior secured credit facilities.”

 

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Guarantors

The Company’s direct and indirect, existing and future, U.S. wholly-owned subsidiaries will serve as guarantors of the senior secured credit facilities for any obligations thereunder of the Company and Newco, subject to exceptions for U.S. subsidiaries of Domtar and other exceptions to be agreed. Domtar’s direct and indirect, existing and future, wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as the Company and Newco and their respective subsidiaries will serve as guarantors of Domtar’s obligations as a borrower under the new senior secured credit facilities, subject to exceptions to be agreed.

Security

The obligations of the Company and Newco (and the obligations of the U.S. guarantors) in respect of the senior secured credit facilities and any hedge agreements or cash management arrangements entered into with a lender thereunder will be secured by all of the equity interests of certain of the Company’s direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries (other than the U.S. subsidiaries of Domtar) and 65% of the equity interests of the Company’s direct and indirect “first-tier” foreign subsidiaries, and a perfected first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s and its direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries’ (other than the U.S. subsidiaries of Domtar) tangible and intangible assets, except for those assets as to which the administrative agent will determine in its reasonable discretion that the costs of obtaining a security interest therein are excessive in relation to the value of the security to be afforded thereby. The obligations of Domtar (and the obligations of foreign guarantors) in respect of the senior secured credit facilities and any hedge agreements or cash management arrangements entered into with a lender thereunder will be secured by all of the equity interests of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, and a perfected first priority security interest, lien and hypothec in the inventory of Domtar and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, except for those assets as to which the administrative agent determines in its reasonable discretion that the costs of obtaining a security interest therein are excessive in relation to the value of security to be afforded thereby and the amount of indebtedness to be secured and subject to certain limitations if such a security interest would require Domtar to equally and ratably secure its existing indebtedness.

Interest Rates

With respect to loans (other than swingline loans) under the senior secured credit facilities denominated in U.S. dollars, the Company, Newco or Domtar, as the case may be, may elect to make borrowings at an annual rate based either on (A) (i) in the case of the Company and Newco, the alternative base rate (which means the greater of (x) the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate, and (y) the federal funds effective rate from time to time in effect plus 0.5%), and (ii) in the case of Domtar, the U.S. base rate (which means a fluctuating rate of interest which is equal at all times to the greater of (x) the reference rate of interest (however designated) of the administrative agent under the facilities for determining interest chargeable by it on U.S. dollar commercial loans made in Canada, and (y) the federal funds effective rate from time to time in effect plus 0.5%), or (B) LIBOR (which means the rate, adjusted as appropriate for statutory reserve requirements for Eurocurrency liabilities, for U.S. dollar deposits appearing on page 3750 of the Telerate screen for a period, selected by the applicable borrower, equal to one, two, three or six months or such longer period if all of the lenders so agree) plus, in each case, the applicable margin.

With respect to revolving loans (other than swingline loans) under the senior secured credit facilities denominated in Canadian dollars, Domtar will be entitled to make borrowings at an annual rate per annum equal to the Canadian prime rate (which means the greater of (i) the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. under the facilities from time to time as its reference rate then in effect for determining interest rates on Canadian dollar commercial loans made in Canada, and (ii) the average annual rate as determined by the administrative agent as being the “BA 1 month” rates applicable to bankers’ acceptances in Canadian dollars displayed and identified as such on the “Reuters screen CDOR page” at approximately 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on such day, or if such day is not a business day, then on the immediately preceding business day, plus 1.0%) plus the applicable margin. If the Canadian prime rate does not appear on the Reuters screen CDOR page, then such rate shall be selected as of the immediately preceding business day for which such rate was available.

 

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In addition, Domtar may issue bankers’ acceptances denominated in Canadian dollars for acceptance and, at Domtar’s option, purchase by the lenders at the discount rate (which means (i) for certain agreed lenders, the average discount rate of bankers’ acceptances having periods identical to the period of such bankers’ acceptance as quoted on Reuters screen CDOR page as of approximately 10:00 a.m. on such day, or if such day is not a business day, then on the immediately preceding business day, and (ii) for other lenders, the rate determined by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. under the facilities as being the arithmetic average (rounded upwards to the nearest multiple of 0.01%) of the discount rates, calculated on the basis of a year of 365 days, of certain agreed reference lenders established in accordance with their normal practices at or about 10:00 a.m. on the issuance date of such bankers’ acceptance, for bankers’ acceptances having maturities identical to the maturities of such bankers’ acceptances so long as the discount rate of such other lenders will not exceed for any issue the discount rate established pursuant to (i) above plus 0.1% per annum). The acceptance fee, payable on the date of acceptance, shall be calculated at a rate per annum equal to the applicable margin and shall be denominated in Canadian dollars.

Interest on the loans will be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days (or 360 days, in the case of loans accruing interest based on LIBOR, and solely 365 days, in the case of bankers’ acceptances) for actual days elapsed.

The applicable margin means a percentage determined on the closing date of the Transactions equal to:

 

   

if the Company’s senior secured long-term debt is rated greater than or equal to BB- and Ba3 on such date (in each case with a stable outlook),

 

   

1% per annum in the case of loans accruing interest based on the alternative base rate, the U.S. base rate or the Canadian prime rate; and

 

   

2% per annum in the case of loans accruing interest based on LIBOR or in the case of bankers’ acceptances.

 

   

if the Company’s senior secured long-term debt is not rated at least BB- and Ba3 on such date (in each case with a stable outlook),

 

   

1.25% per annum in the case of loans accruing interest based on the alternative base rate, the U.S. base rate or the Canadian prime rate; and

 

   

2.25% per annum in the case of loans accruing interest based on LIBOR or in the case of bankers’ acceptances.

With respect to any borrowings under the five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, the applicable margin will be subject to change after the Company has delivered financial statements for the first full fiscal quarter after the closing date of the Transactions in amounts to be agreed based on the achievement of specified leverage targets or credit ratings.

Amortization Payments

The loans outstanding under the seven-year senior secured term loan facility will be repayable in quarterly installments equal to 1% per annum for the first six years and nine months with the unpaid principal balance to be due on the seventh anniversary of the closing date of the Transactions.

Interest and Fee Payments

Interest will be payable (i) in the case of loans accruing interest based on LIBOR, on the last day of each relevant interest period and, in the case of any interest period longer than three months, on each successive date three months after the first day of such interest period, and (ii) for loans accruing interest based on the alternative base rate, the U.S. base rate or the Canadian prime rate, quarterly in arrears on the last business day of each quarter. In addition, a commitment fee will be payable calculated at a rate equal to 0.375% per annum on the average daily amount of the unused revolving credit commitment, subject to change after the Company has

 

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delivered financial statements for the first full fiscal quarter after the closing date of the Transactions in amounts to be agreed based on the achievement of performance targets to be determined and provided that no Event of Default is in existence.

Maturity

The seven-year senior secured term loan facility will mature on the date that is seven years after the closing date of the Transactions. The five-year senior secured revolving credit facility will mature on the date five years after the closing date of the Transactions or with respect to any borrowing for which the relevant borrower so elects, a date which is on or prior to five years after the closing date of the Transactions and prior to 365 days after such borrowing is made.

Prepayments

Optional prepayments of borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities and optional reductions of the unutilized portion of the five-year senior secured revolving credit facility will be permitted at any time without premium or penalty in minimum amounts of $10 million or CDN$10 million, as the case may be, or a whole multiple of $1 million or CDN$1 million in excess thereof. In addition, subject to certain exceptions to be agreed upon by the parties, 100% of the net cash proceeds from asset sales and the incurrence of debt and, subject to reduction based on the achievement of certain leverage targets to be agreed upon by the parties, 50% of excess cash flow will be required to be applied to prepay the term loans under the senior secured credit facilities.

Covenants

Under the terms of the senior secured credit facilities, after the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will be required to meet certain financial tests, including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. In addition, the Company will agree to covenants that, among other things, will limit its ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to make capital expenditures and will place restrictions on other matters customarily restricted in senior secured loan agreements, including restrictions on indebtedness, liens (including sale and leasebacks and guarantee obligations), fundamental changes, sales or disposition of property or assets, investments (including loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions), transactions with affiliates, hedge agreements, dividends and other payments in respect of capital stock, changes in fiscal periods, environmental activity, optional payments and modifications of other material debt instruments, negative pledges and agreements restricting subsidiary distributions, changes in lines of business, and amendments to the transaction documents to the extent that any such amendment would be materially adverse to the interests of the lenders. Furthermore, the senior secured credit facilities will contain representations and warranties and affirmative covenants customarily contained in senior secured loan agreements.

Other

The senior secured credit facilities will contain customary events of default, including payment defaults, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant defaults (subject, in the case of certain covenants to a grace period of 30 days), cross-defaults, certain bankruptcy events, certain ERISA-related events, material judgments, change in control, and actual or asserted invalidity of the definitive financing documentation or any guarantee or security document or non-perfection of security interest. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities would be entitled to take various actions, including acceleration of amounts due under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor.

The senior secured credit facilities will also contain customary provisions protecting the lenders against increased costs or loss of yield resulting from changes in reserve, tax, capital adequacy and other requirements of law and from the imposition of or changes in withholding or other taxes and indemnifying the lenders for “breakage costs” incurred in connection with, among other things, any prepayment of a loan accruing interest based on LIBOR on a day other than the last day of an interest period with respect thereto.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

The Company does not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company’s ability to pay dividends will be restricted by current and future agreements governing the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ debt, including the Company’s senior secured credit facilities. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Company Common Stock—You will not receive dividends for the foreseeable future” and “Financing—Proposed Terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.”

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY

The Company is a newly formed holding company organized for the sole purpose of indirectly holding the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and consummating the Arrangement with Domtar. This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange describes the Company as if it held the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (indirectly through Newco) for all periods and dates presented but not as if it held the Domtar business. The following combined balance sheet data of the Company as of the last Sunday of December 2005 and 2004 and combined statement of operations data for each of the fiscal years ended the last Sunday of December 2005, 2004 and 2003 have been derived from the audited financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business. The combined balance sheet data of the Company as of the last Sunday of December 2003, 2002 and 2001 and the combined statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended the last Sunday of December 2002 and 2001 have not been audited. The combined balance sheet data of the Company as of the last Sunday of September 2006 and 2005 and the combined statement of operations data for the thirty-nine week periods then ended have been derived from the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business’ unaudited financial statements. This information is only a summary and you should read the table below in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company” and the financial statements of the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

 

    Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended   Year Ended  

U.S. GAAP/U.S. dollar

  September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
  December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
    December 28,
2003
    December 29,
2002
  December 30,
2001
 
(Dollars in millions)   (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                     (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  

Combined Statement of Operations Data:

             

Sales

  $ 2,433     $ 2,456   $ 3,267     $ 3,026     $ 2,854     $ 2,801   $ 1,525  

Charges for restructuring, closure of facilities, and goodwill impairment

    766       4     538       17       24       —       —    

Operating income (loss)

    (711 )     7     (578 )     (41 )     (96 )     69     (34 )

Net income (loss)

    (718 )     9     (478 )     (17 )     (67 )     57     (17 )
    September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
  December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
    December 28,
2003
    December 29,
2002
  December 30,
2001
 
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  

Combined Balance Sheet Data:

             

Total assets

  $ 4,073     $ 5,549   $ 4,970     $ 5,565     $ 5,649     $ 5,590   $ 2,426  

Long-term obligations

    30       24     22       27       32       37     —    

Business Unit equity

    2,957       4,194     3,773       4,261       4,316       4,303     1,257  

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY

The following discussion and analysis describes the Company as if it held the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (indirectly through Newco) for all periods and dates presented but not as if it held the Domtar business.

The following discussion and analysis presents the factors that had a material effect on the results of operations of the Company during the thirty-nine-week periods ended the last Sunday of September 2006 and 2005 and the fiscal years ended the last Sunday of December 2005, 2004 and 2003.

The pro forma information in this discussion gives effect to the Transactions (including the Arrangement) and certain pro forma adjustments described under “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company.” The Company’s pro forma operating results are not indicative of the operating results that the Company would have achieved had the Transactions actually taken place at the dates indicated, and do not purport to indicate what the Company’s future financial position or operating results will be. The Company’s future operating results and financial position may differ materially from the pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company due to various factors, including those described under “Risk Factors” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company.” As discussed in “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company,” the Company has not completed the detailed valuation studies necessary to determine the required estimates of the fair value of Domtar’s assets that will be acquired and liabilities that will be assumed by the Company. Accordingly, the estimates of fair value of these assets and liabilities will change when the Company completes its valuation studies.

You should read this discussion in conjunction with the historical financial statements of the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the notes to those statements and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and the notes to the pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

Introduction

As more fully described in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the results of operations of the Company after the Transactions will be significantly different than the results of operations of the Company prior to the Transactions. This difference results from, among other things, the separation from Weyerhaeuser and the combination with Domtar.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to provide investors with an understanding of the historical performance of the Company, its financial condition and its prospects.

Overview

The Company principally manufactures and sells fine paper, including uncoated free sheet and coated groundwood. The Company operates six uncoated free sheet mills in the United States and two in Canada (one of which is currently not in operation) and one coated groundwood mill in the United States. The Company also manufactures papergrade pulp at several paper mills, fluff pulp at a pulp mill in Plymouth, North Carolina and papergrade pulp and specialty pulp at a pulp mill in Kamloops, British Columbia. Fluff pulp and specialty pulp are sold to third parties. Papergrade pulp is sold to the extent the Company has greater capacity for pulp production than is required for internal use at its paper mills. The sale of papergrade pulp to third parties allows

 

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for optimization of pulp capacity while reducing overall manufacturing costs. The Company operates two sawmills in Canada (one of which is currently not in operation) and hold forest licenses to support its Canadian paper, pulp and lumber operations. Wapawekka Lumber Limited Partnership, in which the Company owns a 51% equity interest, also has one sawmill in Canada (which is currently not in operation).

The Company’s segments are:

 

   

pulp and fine paper, which manufactures and sells pulp, uncoated free sheet and coated groundwood to wholesalers, retailers and industrial users;

 

   

softwood lumber, which manufactures and sells softwood lumber for residential construction; and

 

   

other, which sells logs and manages certain forest licenses in Canada and conducts other ancillary activities.

Separation of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business from Weyerhaeuser

The Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business is currently operated by Weyerhaeuser but will be transferred to Newco and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub prior to the Distribution and the Arrangement. Weyerhaeuser will subsequently transfer the limited liability company interests in Newco to the Company and distribute all the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock to its shareholders. The Distribution will occur pursuant to this Exchange Offer and, if this Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed, as a dividend of any unexchanged Company shares. See “The Transactions—The Distribution” and “This Exchange Offer.”

The Company is a newly formed holding company organized for the sole purpose of holding the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and consummating the Arrangement with Domtar. The Company has had no operations prior to the Contribution. Following the Transactions, the Company will be an independent public company, owned approximately 55% by Weyerhaeuser shareholders or former Weyerhaeuser shareholders and approximately 45% by former Domtar shareholders, in each case on a fully diluted basis. The Company will be a holding company and will directly or indirectly own all shares or other equity interests in Newco (which will hold and operate the U.S. operations of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business), in Newco Canada Exchangeco (which will hold and operate the Canadian operations of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business) and in Domtar (which holds and operates the Domtar business) other than certain preferred shares of Domtar, which will remain outstanding.

The Company will record assets and liabilities received from Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited or Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. at the amount that the assets and liabilities are carried on Weyerhaeuser’s consolidated financial statements. Neither the exchange of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares for Company common stock in this Exchange Offer nor the distribution of Company common stock in a pro rata distribution, in and of themselves, will affect the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. See “The Transactions—Accounting Treatment and Considerations.”

Although Weyerhaeuser will not have a continuing proprietary interest in the Company after the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will enter into several agreements with Weyerhaeuser and/or certain of its subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions, including a tax sharing agreement, an intellectual property licensing agreement, a transition services agreement, supply agreements and site services agreements. The Company also expects to enter into a joint purchase agreement with Weyerhaeuser. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser after The Distribution.” These agreements will enable the Company to conduct the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business promptly following the completion of the Transactions.

Combination with Domtar

Following the Distribution, the Company will consummate a plan of arrangement with Domtar in accordance with Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporation Act that will result in the Company directly or indirectly owning all of the outstanding Domtar common shares. See “The Transactions—The Arrangement.”

 

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The Company will account for the Arrangement using the purchase method of accounting, with the Company treated as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes. As a result, the assets and liabilities of Domtar will be recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date that the Arrangement occurs. See “The Transactions—Accounting Treatment and Considerations.”

Factors Affecting Results of Operations

Most of the Company’s pulp, paper and wood products are commodity products that are widely available and can be readily produced by its competitors. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition for these products is primarily based on price, which is determined by supply relative to demand. A number of factors outside the Company’s control may affect supply, demand and pricing, including industry cyclicality, substitution of competing technologies and materials, competition from low-cost producers, closures and new capacity, all of which may affect the Company’s operating results. Because the Company competes largely on selling price, the Company’s ability to maintain satisfactory margins on its products also depends in a large part on its ability to control its costs. The Company’s costs are also affected by a number of factors outside its control, including transportation, energy and raw material costs (especially costs related to fiber and chemicals), fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and lumber export taxes and/or countervailing and antidumping duties. The Company’s operating results are also affected by charges associated with restructurings, closures and the impairment of goodwill, and income taxes. See “Risk Factors” for a more detailed discussion of the risks related to the Company’s industries and business after the consummation of the Transactions.

Industry Cyclicality

The overall level of demand for fine paper is affected by, among other things, levels of white-collar employment. Accordingly, the Company believes that its financial results depend in large part on general macroeconomic conditions in North America, as well as on regional economic conditions in the geographic markets in which the Company operates. These factors, such as the health of the economy and the strength of the U.S. dollar, are cyclical in nature. In addition, demand for wood products is affected by, among other things, levels of housing starts, interest rates, levels of employment and regional economic conditions. As a result, revenues in the pulp, paper and wood products industry and in the Company’s business tend to be cyclical, with periods of shortage and rising market prices, leading to increased production and increased industry investment until supply exceeds demand. Those periods are then typically followed by periods of reduced market prices and excess and idled capacity until the cycle is repeated. The global economy grew at a healthy pace in 2005 and into 2006.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—The pulp, paper and wood product industries are highly cyclical. Fluctuations in the prices of and the demand for the Combined Company’s products could result in smaller profit margins and lower sales volumes.”

Long-Term Decline in Demand

Although, historically, demand for uncoated free sheet, like demand for paper products generally, has correlated positively with general economic activity, over the past six years, demand for some paper grades has decreased as the use of electronic transmission and document storage alternatives has become more widespread. In 2005, demand for uncoated free sheet in North America decreased approximately 4% compared to 2004.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—Some of the Combined Company’s products are vulnerable to long-term declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials.”

 

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Competition from Competing Technologies and Products

In addition to competition with electronic transmission and document storage alternatives, the Company’s paper business competes with paper grades it does not produce. In particular, high brightness uncoated groundwood grade paper is increasingly being substituted for uncoated freesheet paper produced by the Company. As a result of such competition, the Company has experienced decreased demand for some of its existing commercial printing products. As the use of these alternatives grows, demand for uncoated freesheet produced by the Company is likely to decline further. The Company’s wood product businesses also compete with alternative products such as engineered wood products.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—Some of the Combined Company’s products are vulnerable to long-term declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials.”

Intense Competition from Low-Cost Suppliers

The Company competes with North American and, for many of its product lines, global producers, some of which may have greater financial resources and lower production costs than the Company has. With the appreciation of the Canadian dollar in recent years, the Company’s Canadian operations, in particular, have been unable to compete as effectively with U.S. producers protected, in part, in the case of softwood lumber, by the imposition of countervailing and antidumping duties. In addition, foreign competition increasingly has been putting pressure on prices as new lower-cost producers from South America enter the North American market.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—The Combined Company will face intense competition in its markets, and the failure to compete effectively would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Impact of Closures and Imports on Supply

Industry supply of commodity pulp, paper and wood products is affected by the number of operational or idled facilities, the building of new capacity and the shutting down of existing capacity. Capacity also tends to increase gradually over time without significant capital expenditures, as manufacturers implement production efficiencies. Generally, more capacity is added or employed when supply is tight and margins are relatively high, and capacity is idled or eliminated when supply significantly exceeds demand and margins are poor. Margins tend to decrease with lower capacity utilization because of downward price pressure and because fixed costs attributable to a product are spread across lower volumes.

While new capacity additions in the pulp and paper industry are constrained by the high capital investment and long lead times required to plan, obtain regulatory approvals for and build a new mill, a favorable pricing environment may prompt manufacturers to initiate expansion projects.

Faced with declining demand, rising costs (especially energy costs) and, in some cases, a rising Canadian dollar, several North American paper producers, including Weyerhaeuser, announced facility closures that decreased or will decrease supply. In 2005, Weyerhaeuser announced the indefinite closure of its pulp and paper mill at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan together with its vertically-integrated sawmill facilities as well as a paper machine at the Dryden, Ontario mill.

Industry supply of commodity pulp, paper and wood is also influenced by the level of imports and overseas production capacity, which has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. While the weakness of the U.S. dollar has mitigated the level of imports in recent years, a strengthening in the U.S. dollar is likely to increase imports of commodity wood products, pulp and papers from overseas, thereby offsetting domestic capacity rationalization and putting downward pressure on prices.

 

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Transportation, Energy and Raw Material Costs

The Company depends on the transportation of a large number of products, both domestically and internationally. The Company relies primarily on third parties for transportation of the products it manufactures, as well as delivery of raw materials for its operations. In particular, a significant portion of the goods the Company manufactures and the raw materials it uses are transported by railroad or trucks, which are highly regulated. Increases in transportation rates or fuel surcharges have adversely affected the Company’s profit margins in the past and could continue to do so in the future. In addition, any failure of a third-party transportation provider to deliver raw materials or finished products in a timely manner could harm the Company’s reputation, negatively impact its customer relationships and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operation.

The Company consumes substantial amounts of energy such as electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, coal and hog fuel (wood waste) and raw materials such as chemicals and fiber. In recent years increases in energy and chemical costs have adversely affected the Company’s profit margins. There can be no assurance that there will not be substantial increases in the price, or less availability, of energy and raw materials in the future or that the Company can pass on any such increases through increases in the price of its products.

On average, industry prices for uncoated free sheet increased in 2005 compared to 2004 and continued to rise in 2006. Margins declined from 2004 to 2005 despite the increase in prices as costs increased at a faster pace than prices. In 2006, margins improved as price increases were implemented that exceeded cost escalation.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—An increase in the cost of the Combined Company’s purchased energy or chemicals would lead to higher manufacturing costs, thereby reducing its margins.”

Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Sales of pulp and fine paper by the Company’s Canadian manufacturing facilities are invoiced in U.S. dollars in accordance with industry practice; therefore, no currency effects are presented in the Company’s analysis of the change in net sales for its pulp and paper operations. However, the Company is exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates because most of the costs relating to its Canadian pulp and paper business are incurred in Canadian dollars. As a result, any decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar will reduce the Company’s profitability. Through much of the periods presented in this analysis, the value of the U.S. dollar has been declining relative to the Canadian dollar.

See “—Factors Affecting Results of Operation—Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—The Combined Company will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates.”

Lumber Export Taxes and/or Countervailing and Antidumping Duties

The Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business paid countervailing and antidumping duties on softwood lumber that it exported from Canada into the United States of $2 million, $6 million, $7 million, $8 million and $15 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005 and the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively. The United States and Canada reached a final settlement to this long-standing dispute in 2006. Under the settlement agreement, a Canadian export tax was instituted that requires Canadian softwood lumber exporters to pay the tax when the price of lumber is at or below a threshold and Canadian softwood lumber exporters received refunds of approximately 81% of countervailing and antidumping duties paid between 2002 and 2006. Under present market conditions, Canadian softwood lumber exports are subject to a 15% export charge, which may rise to 22.5% in the event a province exceeds its total allotted export share. The export charge will be included in costs of products sold in the Company’s statements of operations and will reduce the margins earned on sales of softwood lumber. The Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business received a refund of countervailing and antidumping duties of $65 million and recognized the refund as income in the fourth quarter of 2006.

 

102


See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—The Combined Company may be required to pay significant lumber export taxes and/or countervailing and antidumping duties.”

Charges associated with the Restructurings, Closures and the Impairment of Goodwill

As more fully described herein, the comparability of the Company’s operating results across periods in its pulp and fine paper segment has been affected by certain significant charges associated with restructurings, closures and the impairment of goodwill as follows:

 

     Thirty-nine weeks ended    Year ended
(Dollars in millions)    September 24,
2006
   September 25,
2005
   December 25,
2005
   December 26,
2004
   December 28,
2003

Charges for restructuring, closure of facilities and impairment of goodwill:

              

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ 765    $ 3    $ 461    $ 16    $ 24

Softwood Lumber

     1      1      74      —        —  

Other

     —        —        3      1      —  
                                  

Total charges for restructuring, closure of facilities and impairment of goodwill

   $ 766    $ 4    $ 538    $ 17    $ 24
                                  

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets and goodwill when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable through future operations. In addition, goodwill is assessed annually in the fourth quarter for impairment.

The Company periodically reviews the performance of its facility portfolio. If it appears unlikely that a facility will achieve a desired level of financial performance, the facility may be subject to a “fix, sale or close” assessment. This assessment or any other event that calls into question the future cash generation capability of a facility also triggers a review to determine if there has been an impairment of the carrying value of the facility. In recent years this process has led to the shutdown of one facility and of several paper machines, and the recording of significant asset impairment charges and severance costs. During the fourth quarter of 2005, Weyerhaeuser announced an indefinite closure of the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan mill and one of the two paper machines at the Dryden, Ontario mill due to poor market conditions and recognized charges of $534 million in connection with the closure. It is possible that the Company will incur additional charges and costs in future periods should such triggering events occur.

As of December 25, 2005, the carrying amount of goodwill for the pulp and fine paper segment was $760 million, which included $749 million related to the fine paper operations and $11 million related to pulp operations. Weyerhaeuser announced in April 2006 that it was considering alternatives for the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business that ranged from continuing to hold and operate the assets to a possible sale or other disposition. In connection with this announcement, Weyerhaeuser received information that indicated that the carrying value of fine paper operations exceeded the fair value of such operations. Based on an evaluation of the value of assets and liabilities relating to fine paper operations, Weyerhaeuser believed that the implied value of fine paper goodwill was zero. Weyerhaeuser recognized a charge of $749 million in 2006 for the impairment of goodwill associated with fine paper operations. Further restructuring activities, protracted economic weakness or poor operating results, among other factors, could trigger an impairment of $11 million of goodwill related to pulp operations at some future date.

 

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Impact of Prices for Energy and Raw Materials on Product Margins

Most of the Company’s pulp and paper products are commodity products that are widely available and can be readily produced by its competitors. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition for these products is primarily based on price, which is determined by supply relative to demand. Generally, market conditions beyond the Company’s control determine the price for its commodity products, and the price for any one or more of these products may fall below the Company’s cash production costs. Therefore, the Company’s profitability with respect to these products depends on managing its cost structure, particularly energy and raw material costs, which also exhibit commodity characteristics.

The Company consumes substantial amounts of energy such as electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, coal and hog fuel (wood waste) and raw materials such as chemicals and fiber. There can be no assurance that there will not be substantial increases in the price, or less availability, of energy and raw material sources in the future or that the Company can pass on any such increases through increases in the price of its products.

On average, industry prices for uncoated free sheet increased in 2005 compared to 2004 and continued to rise in 2006. Margins declined from 2004 to 2005 despite the increase in prices as costs increased at a faster pace than prices. In 2006, margins improved as price increases were implemented that exceeded cost escalation.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—An increase in the cost of the Combined Company’s purchased energy or chemicals would lead to higher manufacturing costs, thereby reducing its margins.”

Income Taxes

Under current U.S. tax law, the ability to use tax credits from the production of non-conventional fuel would be phased out ratably if the average annual domestic wellhead price published by the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) is $53 to $67 per barrel (in 2005 dollars) and would be fully phased out if the top end of the price range is reached. Based on domestic wellhead prices at the end of the third quarter of 2006, the Company expects to be in the phase out range for 2006. Total phase out would result in an incremental loss of approximately $7.6 million in tax credits from the production of non-conventional fuel through September 24, 2006.

As of December 25, 2005, the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $319 million that will expire during the period from 2010 to 2013. The deferred tax asset associated with the foreign net operating loss carryforwards is $109 million, reduced by a valuation allowance of $108 million. As a result of the Canadian Asset Transfer, the foreign net operating loss carryforwards will not transfer to the Company. Therefore, net operating loss carryforwards will not be available to offset future taxable income of the Company.

The Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business accrued a deferred tax asset of $145 million related to deductions for asset impairments in 2005. See “—Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Charges associated with the Restructurings, Closures and the Impairment of Goodwill.” As a result of the Canadian Asset Transfer, the historical book—tax difference in Canadian assets will not transfer to the Company. Therefore, this deferred tax asset will not be available to offset future income taxes of the Company.

As a result of the Canadian Asset Transfer, the Canadian depreciable assets will have a basis determined by reference to the consideration paid for them, and the historical book—tax difference related to these assets will no longer generate a deferred tax liability of $223 million.

 

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Results of Operations

Overview

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results for the thirty-nine weeks ended the last Sunday of September 2006 and 2005 and the fiscal years ended the last Sunday of December 2005, 2004 and 2003:

 

     Thirty-nine weeks ended     Year ended  
(Dollars in millions)    September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
    December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
    December 28,
2003
 

Sales:

          

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ 2,303     $ 2,309     $ 3,072     $ 2,867     $ 2,661  

Softwood Lumber

     64       98       127       113       101  

Other

     66       49       68       46       92  
                                        

Total sales

     2,433       2,456       3,267       3,026       2,854  
                                        

Costs and expenses:

          

Cost of products sold

     2,000       2,037       2,760       2,485       2,388  

Depreciation and amortization

     228       263       357       348       338  

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes

     19       17       24       22       20  

Selling, general and administrative

     129       130       174       192       186  

Charges for restructuring, closure of facilities and impairment of goodwill

     766       4       538       17       24  

Other operating costs (income)

     2       (2 )     (8 )     3       (6 )
                                        

Total costs and expenses

     3,144       2,449       3,845       3,067       2,950  
                                        

Operating income (loss)

   $ (711 )   $ 7     $ (578 )   $ (41 )   $ (96 )
                                        

Contribution (charge) to earnings:

          

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ (703 )   $ 13     $ (492 )   $ (39 )   $ (76 )

Softwood Lumber

     (7 )     (7 )     (83 )     (1 )     (19 )

Other

     (1 )     1       (3 )     (1 )     (1 )
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (711 )     7       (578 )     (41 )     (96 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     7       (2 )     (100 )     (24 )     (33 )
                                        

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     (718 )     9       (478 )     (17 )     (63 )

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —         —         —         —         (4 )
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (718 )   $ 9     $ (478 )   $ (17 )   $ (67 )
                                        

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 24, 2006 Compared to Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 25, 2005

Sales. Net sales and revenues of $2,433 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006 (the “2006 Period”) decreased $23 million, or 0.9%, compared to net sales and revenues of $2,456 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 25, 2005 (the “2005 Period”). This decrease is mainly attributable to reduced sales volumes as a result of the closures of the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan pulp and paper mill and a Dryden, Ontario paper machine and the market downtime taken at the Company’s sawmills, partially offset by increases

 

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in average selling prices in the pulp and fine paper segment. The specific factors affecting net sales and revenues are described in each segment discussion below.

Net sales in the pulp and fine paper segment of $2,303 million in the 2006 Period decreased $6 million, or 0.3%, compared to $2,309 million in the 2005 Period. Unit shipments of fine paper in the 2006 Period declined approximately 8% compared to the 2005 Period accounting for a decrease in net sales of $160 million. Average selling prices of fine paper in the 2006 Period increased approximately $69 per ton, or 9%, compared to the 2005 Period resulting in an increase in net sales of $154 million. The volume decline is primarily caused by the closures of the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan mill and a paper machine at the Dryden, Ontario mill. The increase of average selling prices is a result of an overall improvement in the uncoated free sheet market.

Net sales in the softwood lumber segment of $64 million in the 2006 Period decreased $34 million, or 34.7%, compared to $98 million in the 2005 Period. This decrease in sales is primarily a result of indefinite downtime at two of the segment’s sawmill facilities during 2006. The sawmills sold chips and hog fuel to the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan mill that was indefinitely closed in the first quarter of 2006 and the sawmills do not have a viable alternative market for such residuals. Without a market for the chips and hog fuel, the sawmills cannot generate positive cash flows.

Other operations comprises the Company’s Canadian timber sourcing operations and other ancillary activities. This segment’s sales of fiber to third parties of $66 million in the 2006 Period increased $17 million, or 34.7%, compared to sales of fiber to third parties of $49 million in the 2005 Period. These operations generally operate as cost centers to the facilities they support with fiber sourcing activities and increases or decreases in sales are generally fully offset by the associated costs.

Costs and Expenses. Costs and expenses of $3,144 million in the 2006 Period increased $695 million, or 28.4%, compared to costs and expenses of $2,449 million in the 2005 Period. This increase was primarily due to charges associated with the impairment of goodwill and the closure of facilities, partially offset by a decrease in the cost of goods sold and a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense. The specific factors affecting costs and expenses are described in each cost category below.

Cost of goods sold was $2,000 million in the 2006 Period, which is a decrease of $37 million, or 1.8%, compared to cost of goods sold of $2,037 million in the 2005 Period. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in production costs of approximately $156 million as a result of the closures of the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan mill and a paper machine at the Dryden, Ontario mill. In addition, the fine paper and pulp operations experienced higher costs in the amount of approximately $90 million associated with an increase of operating costs of the Canadian facilities as a result of the strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and an increase in raw material, chemical and logistics costs during the 2006 Period for the facilities that continued to operate. Other product sales increased $17 million resulting in a corresponding increase in cost of goods sold of approximately $17 million.

Depreciation and amortization expense of $228 million in the 2006 Period decreased $35 million, or 13.3%, compared to depreciation and amortization expense of $263 million in the 2005 Period, primarily as a result of facility closures.

An impairment of fine paper goodwill and charges for closure of facilities were recorded in the amounts of $749 million and $17 million, respectively, in the 2006 Period compared to a charge for restructuring in the amount of $4 million in the 2005 Period.

Operating Income (Loss). Operating loss of $711 million in the 2006 Period increased $718 million compared to operating income of $7 million in the 2005 Period. Excluding the items previously discussed under “—Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Charges associated with Restructurings, Closures and the Impairment of Goodwill” totaling $766 million in the 2006 Period and $4 million in the 2005 Period, there would

 

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have been an operating profit of $55 million in the 2006 Period compared to $11 million in the 2005 Period, primarily as a result of average selling prices increasing at a higher rate than production costs.

Income Taxes. The Company recognized an income tax expense of $7 million in the 2006 period compared to an income tax benefit of $2 million in the 2005 Period. This increase in income taxes is primarily due to the generation of taxable income in the 2006 Period compared to a tax loss in the 2005 Period. Charges associated with the impairment of goodwill of $749 million recognized in the 2006 Period are not deductible for income tax purposes and represent a permanent book-tax difference. As a result, no tax benefit has been recognized for these charges.

During the second quarter of 2006, the Company recognized a $4 million income tax benefit related to a change in Texas state income tax law.

Net Income (Loss). The Company recognized a net loss of $718 million in the 2006 Period compared to net income of $9 million in the 2005 Period. This increase in net loss is primarily due to the items discussed above.

Fiscal Year Ended December 25, 2005 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2004

Sales. Net sales and revenues of $3,267 million in 2005 increased $241 million, or 8.0%, compared to net sales and revenues of $3,026 million in 2004. This increase is mainly the result of an increase in average selling prices and shipment volumes for pulp and fine paper. The specific factors affecting net sales and revenues are described in each segment below.

Net sales of the pulp and fine paper segment of $3,072 million in 2005 increased $205 million, or 7.2%, compared to net sales of $2,867 in 2004 resulting from a general improvement in U.S. economic conditions. In 2005, average selling prices for fine paper increased approximately $37 per ton, or 5%, compared to average selling prices in 2004 accounting for an increase in net sales of $125 million. Unit shipments of fine paper in 2005 increased approximately 3%, compared to unit shipments in 2004 accounting for an increase in net sales of $72 million. In 2005, average selling prices for pulp products increased approximately $6 per ton, or 1%, compared to 2004 accounting for an increase in net sales of $5 million. Unit shipments of pulp products declined approximately 1% in 2005 accounting for a decrease in net sales of $3 million.

Net sales of the softwood lumber segment of $127 million in 2005 increased $14 million, or 12.4%, compared to net sales of $113 million in 2004, primarily as a result of increased shipment volumes. Average selling prices increased modestly, but shipment volume increased 13% in 2005 compared to 2004. The Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business sawmill operations took five months less market-related downtime at one of its mills in 2005 compared to 2004.

Other operations comprise the Company’s Canadian timber sourcing operations and other ancillary activities. This segment’s sales of fiber to third parties of $68 million in 2005 increased $22 million, or 47.8%, compared to sales of fiber to third parties of $46 million in 2004. These operations generally operate as a cost center to the facilities they support with fiber sourcing.

Costs and Expenses. Costs and expenses of $3,845 million in 2005 increased $778 million, or 25.4%, compared to costs and expenses of $3,067 million in 2004. This increase in costs and expenses is primarily caused by charges for closures of facilities and increased cost of goods sold. The specific factors affecting costs and expenses are described in each cost category below.

Cost of goods sold of $2,760 million in 2005 increased $275 million, or 11.1%, compared to cost of goods sold of $2,485 million in 2004. An increase in fine paper product shipments resulted in an increase in cost of goods sold of approximately $81 million. In the pulp and fine paper operations, energy and chemical costs increased approximately $46 million in 2005. Transportation costs increased approximately $56 million in 2005,

 

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primarily due to fuel related cost increases. The strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar during 2005 compared to 2004 resulted in a $54 million increase of operating costs of the segment’s Canadian facilities when translated into U.S. dollars. Cost of goods sold for softwood lumber and other increased $48 million, primarily due to the incremental sales volumes.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (including allocated Weyerhaeuser costs) of $174 million in 2005 decreased $18 million, or 9.4%, compared to $192 million in 2004, primarily as a result of efforts to reduce controllable costs.

Restructuring charges of $3 million in 2005 decreased $14 million, or 82.4%, compared to restructuring charges of $17 million in 2004. The Company incurred these restructuring charges in 2004 primarily for restructuring activities associated with the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and Dryden, Ontario mills.

Charges for closure of facilities in the amount of $534 million were recorded in 2005 when Weyerhaeuser announced the closure of facilities as part of an ongoing strategic review. The charges largely related to decisions to close the pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan together with its vertically-integrated sawmill facilities as well as a paper machine at the Dryden, Ontario mill.

Operating Income (Loss). Operating loss of $578 million in 2005 increased $537 million compared to an operating loss of $41 million in 2004. Excluding the items previously discussed under “—Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Charges associated with Restructurings, Closures and the Impairment of Goodwill” totaling $538 million in 2005 and $17 million in 2004, there would have been an operating loss of $40 million in 2005, representing an increase of $16 million, or 67%, compared to an operating loss before restructuring, facility closure and goodwill impairment charges of $24 million in 2004. This increase resulted from the items discussed above.

Income Taxes. The benefit from income taxes of $100 million in 2005 increased $76 million compared to the income tax benefit of $24 million in 2004, primarily due to a higher operating loss, offset in part by an increase of $106 million in the valuation allowance associated with Canadian net operating losses and income tax credits.

During 2005, the Company recognized a $1 million income tax benefit related to a reduction in a British Columbia provincial income tax rate and a $3 million income tax benefit related to change in Ohio state income tax laws.

Net Income (Loss). Net loss of $478 million in 2005 increased $461 million compared to a net loss of $17 million in 2004. This increase resulted from the items discussed above.

Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2004 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2003

Sales. Net sales and revenues of $3,026 million in 2004 increased $172 million, or 6.0%, compared to sales of $2,854 million in 2003, primarily as a result of an increase in average selling prices and shipment volumes for fine paper and pulp. The specific factors affecting net sales and revenues are described in each segment below.

Net sales for pulp and fine paper products in the amount of $2,867 million in 2004 increased $206 million, or 7.7%, compared to sales of $2,661 million in 2003, primarily as a result of higher average sales prices and increased shipment volumes, in part resulting from a general improvement in U.S. economic conditions and in part resulting from the elimination of market downtime taken in 2003. In 2004, average selling prices for fine paper and pulp increased $5 per ton and $58 per ton, respectively, as compared to average selling prices in 2003 accounting for an increase in net sales of $15 million. In 2004, unit shipments of fine paper and pulp increased approximately 6% and 3%, respectively, as compared to unit shipments in 2003 accounting for an increase in net sales of $47 million. The Company’s fine paper mills took no market downtime in 2004. The elimination of

 

108


market downtime and additional productivity improvements resulted in an increase of nearly 200,000 tons in 2004 sales volume as compared to 2003 accounting for an increase in net sales of $144 million.

The softwood lumber segment’s sales of $113 million in 2004 increased $12 million, or 11.9%, compared to sales of $101 million in 2003 as an increase in average selling prices more than offset a 3% reduction in shipment volumes. The Company took market-related downtime at one of its softwood lumber mills for 6 months of the year in 2004 and 2003.

Other operations comprise the Company’s Canadian timber sourcing operations and other ancillary activities. This segment’s sales of fiber to third parties of $46 million in 2004 decreased $46 million, or 50.0%, compared to sales of fiber to third parties of $92 million in 2003. These operations generally operate as a cost center to the facilities they support with fiber sourcing.

Costs and Expenses. Costs and expenses of $3,067 million in 2004 increased $117 million, or 4.0%, compared to costs and expenses of $2,950 million in 2003. This increase in costs and expenses is primarily caused by increased cost of goods sold. The specific factors affecting costs and expenses are described in each cost category below.

Cost of goods sold of $2,485 million in 2004 increased $97 million, or 4.1%, compared to cost of goods sold of $2,388 million in 2003. Fine paper and pulp operations experienced a cost increase for raw materials in 2004 compared to 2003 due to an increase in the price of wood chips, resulting in a $17 million increase in operating costs. Rising transportation costs due to fuel surcharges and longer transport distances after the closure of Weyerhaeuser’s Longview, Washington fine paper mill were $32 million higher in 2004 than in 2003. Energy costs decreased in 2004 compared to 2003 as a result of increased internal power generation, resulting in a $21 million decrease in operating costs. Reorganization measures taken in 2003 resulted in a reduction in staffing at the operating facilities and a corresponding labor cost reduction of approximately $30 million. The strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar during 2004 compared to 2003 resulted in a $52 million increase in operating costs of the segment’s Canadian facilities when translated into U.S. dollars. Sales volumes increased for fine paper and pulp products resulting in a higher cost of goods sold in the approximate amount of $124 million. Other product sales declined $46 million resulting in an equal decline in cost of goods sold.

Depreciation and amortization expense of $348 million in 2004 increased $10 million, or 3.0%, compared to costs and expenses of $338 million in 2003, primarily as a result of the added depreciation resulting from 2003 capital additions.

Income Taxes. The benefit from income taxes of $24 million in 2004 decreased $9 million compared to the income tax benefit of $33 million in 2003, primarily due to a lower operating loss in 2004.

Net Income (Loss). The Company’s net loss of $17 million in 2004 decreased $50 million, or 74.6%, compared to the net loss of $67 million in 2003, primarily due to the items discussed above.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historical

Historically, the Company’s principal source of liquidity was cash flow generated from operating activities and intercompany borrowings from Weyerhaeuser.

The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended the last Sunday of September 2006 and 2005 and the fiscal years ended the last Sunday of December 2005, 2004 and 2003:

 

     Thirty-nine weeks ended     Year ended  
(Dollars in millions)    September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
    December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
    December 28,
2003
 

Net cash provided by (used for):

          

Operating activities

   $ 191     $ 176     $ 190     $ 209     $ 290  

Investing activities

     (53 )     (82 )     (109 )     (82 )     (221 )

Financing activities

     (138 )     (94 )     (82 )     (126 )     (69 )
                                        

Net change in cash

   $ —       $  —       $ (1 )   $ 1     $ —    
                                        

Cash provided by operating activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $191 million in the 2006 Period compared to $176 million in the 2005 Period and $190 million, $209 million and $290 million for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The increase in the cash provided by operating activities in the 2006 Period, compared to the cash provided by operating activities in the 2005 Period, was primarily the result of the following:

 

   

Cash received from customers, net of cash paid to employees, suppliers and others, increased $62 million in the 2006 Period as compared to the 2005 Period. As discussed in “—Results of Operations” above, prices for, and margins earned on, pulp and paper products increased in the 2006 Period. Even though the volume of pulp and paper products sold in the 2006 Period declined primarily due to the closures of the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan facility and a Dryden, Ontario paper machine, the net cash generated increased.

 

   

The amount of cash that the Company paid for income taxes to Weyerhaeuser increased $47 million in the 2006 Period as compared to the 2005 Period, primarily due to higher taxable earnings in the 2006 Period. The Company earned $38 million before taxes in the 2006 Period, prior to a $749 million goodwill impairment charge, compared to earnings of $7 million before taxes in the 2005 Period. The goodwill impairment is not deductible for income tax purposes and represents a permanent book-tax difference. As a result, no tax benefit was recognized for the goodwill impairment charge. The amount of current income taxes due are assumed to be paid by the Company to Weyerhaeuser in the period owing in the combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business. See notes to the financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

The decrease in the cash provided by operating activities in 2005, compared to the cash provided by operating activities in 2004, was primarily the result of the following:

 

   

Cash received from customers, net of cash paid to employees, suppliers and others, decreased $8 million in 2005 as compared to 2004. As discussed in “—Results of Operations,” an increase in sales in 2005 was more than offset by increases in manufacturing costs.

 

   

The amount of cash that the Company paid for income taxes to Weyerhaeuser increased $11 million in 2005 as compared to 2004, primarily due to higher taxable earnings in 2005.

 

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The decrease in the cash provided by operating activities in 2004, compared to the cash provided by operating activities in 2003, was primarily the result of the following:

 

   

Cash received from customers, net of cash paid to employees, suppliers and others, increased $11 million in 2004 as compared to 2003. As discussed in “—Results of Operations,” an increase in sales in 2004, primarily due to higher prices and shipment volumes, was slightly greater than increases in manufacturing costs.

 

   

The amount of cash that the Company paid for income taxes to Weyerhaeuser increased $92 million in 2004 as compared to 2003, primarily due to higher taxable earnings in 2004.

Cash used for investing activities

The following table sets forth a summary of cash flow for investing activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended the last Sunday of September 2006 and 2005 and the fiscal years ended the last Sunday of December 2005, 2004 and 2003:

 

     Thirty-nine weeks ended    Year ended
(Dollars in millions)    September 24,
2006
   September 25,
2005
   December 25,
2005
   December 26,
2004
   December 28,
2003

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ 53    $ 82    $ 104    $ 77    $ 221

Softwood Lumber

     —        —        3      5      —  

Other

     —        —        2      —        —  
                                  
   $ 53    $ 82    $ 109    $ 82    $ 221
                                  

The Company’s operations are highly capital intensive and require annual capital investment to improve the efficiency of operations, ensure environmental compliance and replace aging equipment. In the 2006 Period, new capital investment totaled $53 million, including approximately $3 million for environmental compliance and the remainder for optimizing facilities, replacing equipment and reducing costs. In 2005, new capital investment totaled $113 million, more than half of which for optimizing facilities and reducing costs. In 2004, the Company incurred capital expenditures totaling $89 million, including $23 million for environmental compliance and the remainder for projects focused on replacement of major equipment and optimization. In 2003, capital expenditures totaled $223 million. Capital expenditures in 2003 were largely driven by a project to reduce emissions at the Dryden, Ontario mill and continuing expenditures on the modernization of the facilities in Kingsport, Tennessee.

The Company currently anticipates capital expenditures for 2006 of approximately $75 million; however, this level of capital expenditures could increase or decrease as a consequence of a number of factors, including future economic conditions, weather and the timing of equipment purchases.

Historically, internally generated cash flows or capital from Weyerhaeuser provided the cash needed to meet the Company’s capital expenditures, investment and other requirements.

Cash used for financing activities

Historically, the Company obtained its financing through intercompany borrowings with Weyerhaeuser. The Company paid $134 million, $76 million, $121 million and $63 million to Weyerhaeuser in the 2006 Period, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Any outstanding receivables or payables under these intercompany borrowings will not be transferred or assumed, respectively, by Newco as part of the Contribution or by Newco Canada Exchangeco (or a subsidiary of Newco Canada Exchangeco) as part of the Canadian Asset Transfer.

 

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Pro Forma

In August 2006, the Company, Domtar, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. entered into a commitment letter. The commitment letter provides, subject to customary conditions, for financing commitments in an aggregate amount of up to $2.775 billion, consisting of a five–year senior secured revolving credit facility in a principal amount of $750 million, up to $350 million (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof) of which may be borrowed by Domtar; and a three-month unsecured term loan facility in a principal amount of $1.35 billion, which, upon consummation of the Transactions, will be converted to be part of a new seven-year senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate amount of up to $1.7 billion, which may be increased by incremental loans of up to $325 million at the Company’s option to the extent necessary to refinance Domtar’s existing accounts receivable securitization program and/or to redeem notes tendered pursuant to a change of control offer with respect to Domtar’s $125 million 9.5% Debentures due August 2016.

The three-month unsecured term loan facility is expected to be used to finance the $1.35 billion cash payment by the Company to Weyerhaeuser as part of the consideration for the Company Contribution. In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, the $1.35 billion three-month unsecured term loan facility will be refinanced by the Company with (i) a portion of the net proceeds of a seven-year senior secured term loan facility, which the Company expects will be in a principal amount of approximately $800 million, and (ii) cash on hand, including the net proceeds from the sale by Domtar in December 2006 of its 50% interest in Norampac. The proceeds of the seven-year senior secured term loan facility will also be used to finance a portion of the Transactions, including fees, expenses and obligations related to or triggered by the Transactions. The five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, which the Company expects will provide for borrowings up to $750 million (up to $150 million (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof) of which will be available to Domtar) may be used by the Company, Newco and Domtar for working capital needs and for general corporate purposes, and a portion will be available for letters of credit and swingline loans.

See “Financing” for more information on the terms of the senior secured credit facilities, including with respect to guarantees and security.

Following the Transactions, the Company expects its credit ratings to be substantially lower than the current ratings of Weyerhaeuser. Differences in credit ratings affect the interest rates at which the Company may sell debt securities or borrow funds, as well as the amounts of indebtedness and types of financing structures that may be available to the Company. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Transactions—The Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to meet its debt service obligations.”

The Combined Company’s primary future recurring cash needs will be working capital, capital expenditures and debt service. The Company believes that the Combined Company’s cash flows from operations, together with the amounts available for borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities discussed above, will be sufficient to meet the Combined Company’s recurring cash needs during the 12 month period after the Transactions and for the foreseeable future thereafter. There can be no assurance, however, that this will be the case. If the Combined Company’s cash flows from operations are less than is expected, the Company may need to incur additional debt. The Company may from time to time incur additional debt.

The Company’s ability to make payments on and to refinance its indebtedness, including the debt the Company intends to incur under the senior secured credit facilities, and to fund working capital, capital expenditures, debt service and investments will depend on the Company’s ability to generate cash in the future, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond its control. The terms of the debt the Company intends to incur under the senior secured credit facilities, the terms of debt incurred by Domtar under its existing debt instruments and the terms of future indebtedness may impose various restrictions and covenants on the Company that could limit its ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for unanticipated capital investments or to take advantage of business opportunities.

 

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

Off-balance sheet arrangements have not had, and are not reasonably likely to have, a material effect on the Company’s current or future financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company expects that, following the Transactions, it will finance certain of its activities off balance sheet through leases and accounts receivable securitizations. See the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” section contained in Domtar’s annual report for the period ended December 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on Form 40-F on March 27, 2006, Domtar’s report for the period ended September 30, 2006 provided to the SEC on Form 6-K on October 31, 2006 and Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006, in each case as amended by Domtar’s report on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Hedging Arrangements

The Company purchases natural gas at the prevailing market price at the time of delivery. In order to manage the cash flow risk associated with purchases of natural gas, the Company participates in a Weyerhaeuser hedging program whereby Weyerhaeuser utilizes derivative financial instruments to fix the price of up to 30% of forecasted natural gas purchases for periods up to 18 months.

Following the Distribution, the Company will no longer participate in this hedging program. See note 13 to the combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—An increase in the cost of the Combined Company’s purchased energy or chemicals would lead to higher manufacturing costs, thereby reducing its margins.” The Company intends to evaluate new hedging arrangements upon the consummation of the Transactions.

Dividends

The Company does not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company’s ability to pay dividends will be restricted by current and future agreements governing the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries’ debt, including the Company’s senior secured credit facilities. For further information, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Transactions.”

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Historical

The following table summarizes the Company’s significant contractual obligations as of December 25, 2005:

 

(Dollars in millions)    Total   

Less than

1 Year

   1-3 Years    3-5 Years    More than
5 Years

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

   $ 32    $ 7    $ 13    $ 10    $ 2

Operating lease obligations

     15      5      6      2      2

Purchase obligations(1)

     31      31      —        —        —  

Estimated minimum pension funding requirement

     7      7      —        —        —  
                                  
   $ 85    $ 50    $ 19    $ 12    $ 4
                                  

(1) Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Company and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Purchase obligations exclude arrangements that the Company can cancel without penalty.

See note 15 to the combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

 

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Pro Forma

The following table summarizes the Company’s significant contractual obligations on a pro forma basis as of the end of fiscal 2005.

 

(Dollars in millions)    Total   

Less than

1 Year

   1-3 Years    3-5 Years   

More than

5 Years

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

   $ 41    $ 7    $ 14    $ 11    $ 9

Operating lease obligations

     88      26      29      15      18

Purchase obligations(1)

     212      106      63      28      16

Estimated minimum pension funding requirements

     71      71      —        —        —  
                                  
   $ 412    $ 209    $ 106    $ 54    $ 43
                                  

(1) Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Company and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Purchase obligations exclude arrangements that the Company can cancel without penalty.

For further information, see “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company.”

Environmental Matters, Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to a small number of claims and litigation matters that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of any legal proceeding is subject to many variables and cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, management currently believes that the ultimate outcome of these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s long-term results of operations, cash flows or financial position. See note 15 to the combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Environmental Matters

During the first quarter of 2006, the Company closed its pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and the Big River sawmill in Saskatchewan due to poor market conditions. These facilities are currently not in operation. The Company has not determined at this time whether these facilities will be reopened, sold or permanently closed. In the event the facilities are permanently closed, the Province of Saskatchewan may require active decommissioning and reclamation at one or both facilities. In the event decommissioning and reclamation is required at either facility, the work is likely to include investigation and remedial action for areas of significant environmental impacts. The Province of Saskatchewan has required certain facilities located in the Province to submit preliminary decommissioning and reclamation plans and to include in such plans estimates of costs associated with decommissioning and reclamation activities. Weyerhaeuser submitted such a plan for its pulp and paper facility in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In its preliminary decommissioning and reclamation plan, Weyerhaeuser has included a preliminary, generalized estimate of costs ranging from CDN$20 to CDN$25 million. Weyerhaeuser has advised the Province of Saskatchewan that it was not providing a detailed delineation of costs at this time because such costs will depend on site specific factors, the professional judgments of environmental specialists and experts, further detailed environmental site assessments, and, most fundamentally, a decision about the future use or closure of the site. The estimate referred to above does not take into account the equipment resale value or scrap material value which is considered to be significant, nor does it include the cost of completing a phase II environmental site assessment.

The Company is party to various proceedings relating to the cleanup of hazardous waste sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as “Superfund,”

 

114


and similar state laws. The EPA and/or various state agencies have notified the Company that it may be a potentially responsible party with respect to other hazardous waste sites as to which no proceedings have been instituted against the Company. As of the end of the third quarter of 2006, the Company has established reserves totaling $6 million for estimated remediation costs on the three active sites in the Company’s operations. Environmental remediation reserves totaled $9 million at the end of 2005. The decrease in environmental remediation reserves reflects the incorporation of new information on all sites concerning remediation alternatives, updates on prior cost estimates and new sites, and the costs incurred to remediate these sites during this period. Based on currently available information and analysis, the Company believes that it is reasonably possible that costs associated with all identified sites may exceed current accruals by up to $20 million. These costs may be incurred over several years. This estimate of the upper end of the range of reasonably possible additional costs is much less certain than the estimates upon which accruals are currently based, and utilizes assumptions less favorable to the Company among the range of reasonably possible outcomes. In estimating both the Company’s current accruals for environmental remediation and the possible range of additional future costs, the Company has assumed that it will not bear the entire cost of remediation of every site to the exclusion of other known potentially responsible parties who may be jointly and severally liable. The ability of other potentially responsible parties to participate has been taken into account, generally based on each party’s financial condition and probable contribution on a per-site basis. No amounts have been recorded for potential recoveries from insurance carriers.

The Company has not recognized a liability under Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations—an Interpretation of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 143 (“FIN 47”), for certain legal obligations, primarily special handling for the removal and disposal of encapsulated asbestos from facilities and equipment. The fair value of such obligations cannot be reasonably estimated because the settlement dates are not reasonably determinable. The Company will establish a liability under FIN 47 at the time the fair value becomes reasonably estimable.

See note 15 to the combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in note 2 to the combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. The Company’s critical accounting policies are those that may involve a higher degree of judgment, estimates and complexity. The Company’s most critical accounting policies include those related to the basis of presentation of the combined financial statements, the Company’s portion of Weyerhaeuser’s pension and post-retirement benefit plans and potential impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill. While the Company bases its judgments and estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that management believes are appropriate and reasonable under current circumstances, actual resolution of these matters may differ from recorded estimated amounts.

Basis of Presentation of Financial Statements

Historically, the Company has operated as an integral part of Weyerhaeuser. Separate stand-alone financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have not historically been prepared for this business unit. The combined financial statements have been derived from historical accounting records of Weyerhaeuser and include many assumptions regarding apportionment of central general and administrative cost for accounting, human resources, purchasing, information systems, transaction services, payroll processing costs, legal fees and other overhead costs. These centralized costs were allocated to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business using a three-part apportionment factor based on relative headcount, assets and certain revenue. Pension and post-retirement benefits expense was allocated based on relative salaried headcount. The Company believes the basis for allocation of these costs is reasonable; however, these estimates are highly subjective.

 

115


Certain of the Company’s working capital assets, property, plant and equipment and liabilities are common assets and liabilities shared with Weyerhaeuser facilities not subject to the Transactions. The Company performed allocations in order to reflect the appropriate portion of each asset and liability in the accounts of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business. These allocations were based on a three-part apportionment factor based on relative headcount, assets and certain revenue. The Company believes the methodologies used for the asset and liability allocations are reasonable. However, these estimates are highly subjective.

The results of operations, balance sheet and cash flows are presented under the current funding structure, which is supported by Weyerhaeuser. Significant changes could have occurred in the funding and operation of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business if it had operated as an independent, stand-alone entity, including the need for debt and the incurrence of interest expense, which would have a significant impact on the financial position and results of operations of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business.

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Accounting

The Company participates in several retirement programs for its employees that are sponsored by Weyerhaeuser. In the United States, this includes pension plans that are qualified under the Internal Revenue Code (qualified) as well as a plan that provides benefits in addition to those provided under the qualified plans for a select group of employees, which is not qualified under the Internal Revenue Code (unqualified). In Canada, plans are registered under the Income Tax Act and under their respective provincial pension acts (registered), or plans may provide additional benefits to a select group of employees, and not be registered under the Income Tax Act or provincial pension acts (nonregistered). Weyerhaeuser also provides benefits under a post-retirement healthcare and life insurance plan to eligible salaried employees in both countries. Benefits provided under the post-retirement healthcare and life insurance plan are currently funded by the general assets of Weyerhaeuser. The measurement date for all plans sponsored by Weyerhaeuser is the end of the fiscal year.

Four Canadian pension plans will be transferred to Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub at closing. Except for these four plans, the Company has not allocated a portion of Weyerhaeuser’s pension assets or prepared detailed employee benefit plan disclosures for the stand-alone financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business in a manner that would be consistent with the level of detail provided in Weyerhaeuser’s consolidated financial statements.

As described above in “—Basis of Presentation of Financial Statements,” a portion of the pension costs have been allocated to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business for purposes of presenting the results of operations in the stand-alone financial statements. Not only is the allocation subject to management’s subjective estimates, but the key assumptions used to determine the amounts recorded in Weyerhaeuser’s financial statements also include subjective estimates including the discount rate, the expected return on plan assets, anticipated trends in health care costs, assumed increases in salaries, mortality rates, and other factors. These assumptions are reviewed with external advisors at the end of each fiscal year and are updated as appropriate. Actual experience that differs from the assumptions could have a significant effect on the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business’ financial position, results from operations or cash flows. Other factors that affect the level of net periodic benefit income or expense that is recognized in a given year include actual pension fund performance, plan changes and changes in plan participation or coverage.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets and goodwill when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable through future operations. In addition, goodwill is assessed annually in the fourth quarter for impairment. In order to determine whether long-lived assets and goodwill are impaired, and the amount and timing of impairment charges, the Company is required to estimate future cash flows, residual values and fair values of the related assets. Key assumptions used in those calculations include the probability of alternative outcomes, product pricing, raw material costs, volumes

 

116


of product to be sold and discount rates. Management believes that the estimates of future cash flows and fair values are reasonable; however, changes in estimates of such cash flows, changes in the likelihood of alternative outcomes, and changes in estimates of fair value could affect the evaluations.

The Company grew substantially through acquisitions over the last several years. A large portion of the net book value of the Company’s property and equipment represents amounts allocated to those assets as part of the allocation of the purchase price of those acquisitions. Due to these allocations, a large portion of the Company’s long-term assets are valued at relatively current amounts. Also as a result of acquisitions, the Company reported goodwill of approximately $770 million on its balance sheets, of which $749 million was deemed impaired in the first quarter of 2006.

Prospective Accounting Pronouncements

See note 2 to combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange for a summary of prospective accounting pronouncements.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company monitors and manages these risks as an integral part of its overall risk management program.

Commodity Risk

The Company purchases natural gas at the prevailing market price at the time of delivery. In order to manage the cash flow risk associated with purchases of natural gas, the Company participates in a Weyerhaeuser hedging program whereby Weyerhaeuser utilizes derivative financial instruments to fix the price of up to 30% of forecasted natural gas purchases for periods up to 18 months into the future. Weyerhaeuser formally documents the hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, the risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transactions, and the methodologies used to assess effectiveness and measure ineffectiveness. Changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments are allocated by Weyerhaeuser to individual facilities based on projected usage of natural gas. The Company recognizes its allocable share of the gains and losses on Weyerhaeuser’s derivative financial instruments in earnings when the forecasted purchases occur. A summary of amounts related to the Company’s participation in the Weyerhaeuser hedging program follows:

 

(Dollars in millions)   

Thirty-nine
Weeks ended

September 24,

2006

   

Year ended

December 25,

2005

  

Year ended

December 26,

2004

  

Year ended

December 28,

2003

 

Net gain (loss) recognized in cost of products sold

   $ 2     $ 12    $ 1    $ (2 )

Unrealized gains (losses) not yet recognized in the statements of operations at the end of the period

   $ (12 )   $ 18    $ 3    $ 1  

Following the Distribution, the Company will no longer participate in this hedging program. The Company intends to evaluate new hedging arrangements upon the consummation of the Transactions. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—An increase in the cost of the Combined Company’s purchased energy or chemicals would lead to higher manufacturing costs, thereby reducing its margins.”

See note 13 to the combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

 

117


Foreign Currency Risk

The Company’s results of operations and cash flows are affected by changes in the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar. See “—Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company’s Industries and Business after the Consummation of the Transactions—The Combined Company will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates.”

The Company has historically not actively hedged its foreign currency risk, except to the extent that foreign currency liabilities provide a natural hedge.

 

118


SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF WEYERHAEUSER

The following summary historical financial data of Weyerhaeuser for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 25, 2005 and the financial data as of September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005 and for the thirty-nine week periods then ended has been derived from the consolidated financial statements of Weyerhaeuser. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of Weyerhaeuser and the notes thereto and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” section contained in Weyerhaeuser’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2005 and Weyerhaeuser’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the thirty-nine week period ended September 24, 2006, and Weyerhaeuser’s report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2007, each of which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus–Offer to Exchange. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Weyerhaeuser has restated its financial statements for each of the years in the five year period ended December 25, 2005 to present its North American and Irish composite panels facilities as discontinued operations pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“FAS 144”). These restated financial statements can be found in the Form 8-K dated January 22, 2007 as filed with the SEC. Weyerhaeuser’s restated financial statements for each of the years in the two year period ended December 29, 2002 and as of December 28, 2003, December 29, 2002 and December 30, 2001 are not audited.

 

    Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended   Year Ended
U.S. GAAP/U.S. dollar   September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
  December 25,
2005
  December 26,
2004
  December 28,
2003
  December 29,
2002
  December 30,
2001
(Dollars in millions,
except per share data)
  (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)   (Restated)   (Restated)   (Restated)   (Unaudited/
Restated)
  (Unaudited/
Restated)

Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:

             

Net sales and revenues

  $ 16,241     $ 16,329   $ 22,046   $ 21,411   $ 18,865   $ 17,533   $ 13,923

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

    (101 )     808     569     1,215     319     226     360

Net earnings (loss)

    (55 )     944     733     1,283     277     241     354

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

    (0.41 )     3.31     2.33     5.16     1.44     1.02     1.64

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

    (0.41 )     3.30     2.32     5.14     1.44     1.02     1.64

Basic net earnings (loss) per share

    (0.22 )     3.86     3.00     5.45     1.25     1.09     1.61

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

    (0.22 )     3.85     2.98     5.43     1.25     1.09     1.61

Dividends paid per share

    1.60       1.40     1.90     1.60     1.60     1.60     1.60
    September 24,
2006
    September 25,
2005
  December 25,
2005
  December 26,
2004
  December 28,
2003
  December 29,
2002
  December 30,
2001
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)   (Restated)   (Restated)   (Unaudited/
Restated)
  (Unaudited/
Restated)
  (Unaudited/
Restated)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Total assets

  $ 27,372     $ 29,157   $ 28,229   $ 29,954   $ 28,599   $ 28,317   $ 18,293

Long-term debt (net of current portion)

    7,683       8,862     8,255     10,135     12,372     12,688     5,715

Shareholders’ interest

    9,221       10,126     9,800     9,255     7,109     6,623     6,695

 

119


SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF DOMTAR

The following summary historical financial information of Domtar for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 31, 2005 and the financial data as of September 30, 2006 and 2005 and for the nine-month periods then ended has been derived from the consolidated financial statements of Domtar. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the audited restated financial statements of Domtar and the notes thereto and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” contained in Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on October 31, 2006 and Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006, in each case as amended by Domtar’s report on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 and February 1, 2007. Each of these reports is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Effective in the second quarter of 2006, Domtar has presented its Vancouver paper mill as a discontinued operation and as assets held for sale in its consolidated financial statements pursuant to FAS No. 144. In accordance with the relevant accounting and SEC requirements, Domtar has restated its historical financial statements for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 31, 2005, and the related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 to present the Vancouver paper mill as a discontinued operation. This reclassification has no effect on Domtar’s reported net earnings; “Earnings (loss) from continuing operations” and “Loss from discontinued operations” are presented as new lines in the statement of earnings and “Assets held for sale” is presented as a new line item on the balance sheet. Domtar’s restated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 are not audited.

Domtar’s historical financial information reflects Domtar’s ownership of a 50% equity interest in Norampac. Under Canadian GAAP, Domtar’s financial statements include 50% of each item in Norampac’s financial statements and present Norampac as a separate segment. Under U.S. GAAP, Domtar’s financial statements present this interest as an equity investment. On December 29, 2006, Domtar sold its interest in Norampac to Cascades Inc. for a cash consideration of CDN$560 million (the U.S. dollar equivalent of which is $480.6 million at an exchange rate of 1.1652 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar, the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 29, 2006). The unaudited pro forma financial information of Domtar and the notes thereto reflecting the sale of Norampac and the related reconciliation of Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP are contained in Domtar’s reports on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 and February 1, 2007. See “Business of Domtar” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended December 31,
CANADIAN GAAP/ CDN$    2006    2005     2005     2004     2003     2002    2001
(Dollars in millions, except per
share data)
   (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)     (Restated)     (Restated)     (Restated)    

(Unaudited/

Restated)

  

(Unaudited/

Restated)

Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:

                

Sales

   $ 3,527    $ 3,743     $ 4,880     $ 5,029     $ 5,039     $ 5,792    $ 4,569

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

     13      (29 )     (307 )     (24 )     (158 )     138      148

Net earnings (loss)

     5      (40 )     (388 )     (42 )     (193 )     141      140

Net earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted

     0.05      (0.13 )     (1.34 )     (0.10 )     (0.70 )     0.60      0.76

Net earnings (loss) per share—basic

     0.02      (0.18 )     (1.69 )     (0.19 )     (0.86 )     0.62      0.72

Net earnings (loss) per share—diluted

     0.02      (0.18 )     (1.69 )     (0.19 )     (0.86 )     0.61      0.72

 

120


     As at September 30,         As at December 31,
     2006    2005    2005    2004    2003    2002    2001
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)    (Restated)    (Restated)   

(Unaudited/

Restated)

  

(Unaudited/

Restated)

  

(Unaudited/

Restated)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

                    

Total assets

   $ 4,881    $ 5,519    $ 5,192    $ 5,681    $ 5,848    $ 6,847    $ 7,055

Total long-term debt (including current portion, excluding capital leases)

     2,080      2,060      2,248      2,023      2,048      2,503      2,910

Shareholders’ equity

     1,596      1,951      1,609      2,046      2,168      2,554      2,426

Domtar’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which differs in some respects from U.S. GAAP. The following provides Domtar’s consolidated financial information as reconciled to U.S. GAAP and translated from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars for the periods presented. This information should be read in conjunction with the discussion of the principal differences between Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP as well as the reconciliation and other financial information provided in note 25 to Domtar’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 contained in Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006 and Domtar’s U.S. GAAP reconciliation for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 provided to the SEC on Form 6-K on November 20, 2006, in each case as amended by Domtar’s report on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 and February 1, 2007.

The consolidated earnings and consolidated balance sheets are expressed in Canadian dollars and, solely for the convenience of the reader, the consolidated earnings and consolidated balance sheet for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 31, 2005, the financial data as of September 30, 2006 and 2005 and for the nine-month periods then ended, and the tables of certain related notes, have been translated into U.S. dollars using the period end rate for the balance sheet and the average of the monthly average rates during the period for the statement of earnings, as set forth in the note to the table below. This translation should not be construed as an application of the recommendations relating to the accounting for foreign currency translation, but rather as supplemental information for the reader. The pro forma financial information with respect to the Combined Company contained in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange was prepared using Domtar’s U.S. GAAP/U.S. dollar results as derived by the reconciliations and transactions described above.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended December 31,
U.S. GAAP/ U.S. dollar(1)    2006     2005     2005     2004     2003     2002    2001
(Dollars in millions, except per
share data)
   (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Restated)     (Restated)     (Restated)     (Unaudited/
Restated)
  

(Unaudited/

Restated)

Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:

               

Sales

   $ 2,672     $ 2,657     $ 3,498     $ 3,372     $ 3,183     $ 3,237    $ 2,563

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

     (4 )     (33 )     (332 )     (45 )     (86 )     166      61

Net earnings (loss)

     (11 )     (41 )     (414 )     (58 )     (109 )     139      54

Net earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted

     (0.03 )     (0.15 )     (1.44 )     (0.19 )     (0.38 )     0.73      0.32

Net earnings (loss) per share—basic

     (0.05 )     (0.18 )     (1.81 )     (0.26 )     (0.49 )     0.61      0.28

Net earnings (loss) per share—diluted

     (0.05 )     (0.18 )     (1.81 )     (0.26 )     (0.49 )     0.60      0.28

 

121


     As at September 30,    As at December 31,
     2006    2005    2005    2004    2003    2002    2001
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)    (Restated)    (Restated)   

(Unaudited/

Restated)

  

(Unaudited/

Restated)

   (Unaudited/
Restated)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

                    

Total assets

   $ 4,070    $ 4,644    $ 4,172    $ 4,554    $ 4,384    $ 4,202    $ 4,279

Total long-term debt (including current portion, excluding capital leases)

     1,691      1,621      1,741      1,534      1,437      1,452      1,702

Shareholders’ equity

     1,389      1,771      1,348      1,849      1,801      1,690      1,570

(1) The following table sets forth, for each period indicated, for one U.S. dollar expressed in Canadian dollars, the exchange rate at the end of the period and the average of the monthly average rates during the period, based on the Bank of Canada noon rate:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Year Ended December 31,
         2006            2005        2005    2004    2003    2002    2001

Period end

   1.1153    1.1611    1.1659    1.2036    1.2924    1.5796    1.5926

Average

   1.1327    1.2241    1.2114    1.3015    1.4015    1.5704    1.5485

 

122


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

OF THE COMPANY

The Company, which will own the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (indirectly through Newco), and Domtar have entered into the Transaction Agreement, which provides, among other things, for a plan of arrangement under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act that will result in the Company indirectly owning all of the outstanding Domtar common shares. See “The Transactions” for a summary of the various transaction steps.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheets give effect to the Transactions and the Norampac disposition as if they occurred on September 24, 2006. The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of earnings give effect to the Transactions and the Norampac disposition as if they occurred on December 27, 2004, the first day of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 25, 2005. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information includes adjustments directly attributable to the Transactions and the Norampac disposition. The pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes and are based upon available information and assumptions, including the consummation of the Transactions and the Norampac disposition, that are factually supportable.

Weyerhaeuser can elect to effect the Distribution as a pro rata dividend, as an exchange offer or as a combination of both. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is representative of either scenario. Weyerhaeuser has not decided how it will effect the Distribution.

THIS UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED HAD THE TRANSACTIONS AND THE NORAMPAC DISPOSITION ACTUALLY TAKEN PLACE AT THE DATES INDICATED, AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE INDICATIVE OF FUTURE FINANCIAL POSITION OR OPERATING RESULTS. ACTUAL ADJUSTMENTS MAY DIFFER FROM THE PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS. FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION PRESENTED BELOW DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS INCLUDING THOSE DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS,” “SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS—OFFER TO EXCHANGE.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company” and the historical financial statements of the Company, the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and in the documents described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

As of the date of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, the Company has not completed the detailed valuation studies necessary to determine the required estimates of the fair value of the assets and liabilities of Domtar acquired or assumed by the Company. However, as indicated in note 2 of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, the Company has made certain adjustments to the historical book values of the assets and liabilities of Domtar. These adjustments reflect certain preliminary estimates of fair value necessary to prepare the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

123


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

as at September 24, 2006

(Dollars in millions)

    Company
as at
September 24,
2006
  Weyerhaeuser
Fine Paper
Business
as at
September 24,
2006
  Domtar
as at
September 30,
2006
    Domtar
Purchase
price
allocation
pro forma
adjustments
        Other
pro forma
adjustments
        Combined
Company
pro forma
            (Note 1)     (Note 2)         (Note 2)          

Assets

               

Current assets:

               

Cash

  $ —     $ 1   $ 47     $ —         $ —         $ 48

Accounts receivable, net

    —       339     195       —           2     A     536

Inventories

    —       523     499       26     B     (24 )   A     1,024

Prepaid expenses

    —       8     21       (4 )   C     —           25

Income and other taxes receivable

    —       —       18       —           —           18

Deferred income taxes

    —       18     31       6     K     4     L     59
                                 

Total current assets

    —       889     811               1,710

Property, plant & equipment, net

    —       3,139     2,758       (42 )   P     3     D     5,858

Goodwill

    —       14     21       (21 )   E     —           14

Deferred pension and other assets

    —       31     480       101     F     34     G     137
              (509 )   H  
                                 

Total assets

  $ —     $ 4,073   $ 4,070             $ 7,719
                                 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

               

Current liabilities:

               

Bank indebtedness

  $ —     $ —     $ 49     $ —         $ —         $ 49

Trade and other payables

    —       272     455       6     I     3     D     742
              (22 )   A  
              28     O  

Long-term debt and capital leases due within one year

    —       12     1       —           56     G     22
              (47 )   H  
                                 

Total current liabilities

    —       284     505               813

Long-term debt and capital leases

    —       21     1,700       (49 )   J     1,328     G     2,538
              (462 )   H  

Deferred income taxes

    —       766     120       (10 )   K     76     L     952

Other liabilities and deferred credits

    —       45     356       (75 )   M     25     N     351
                                 

Total liabilities

    —       1,116     2,681               4,654

Minority interest

    —       —       —         —           30     Q     30

Preferred shares

    —       —       30       —           (30 )   Q     —  

Common shares

    —       —       1,602       —           (65 )   Q     1,537

Additional paid in capital

    —       2,880     13       —           (1,472 )   Q     1,421

Retained earnings

    —       —       17       —           (17 )   Q     —  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    —       77     (273 )     —           273     Q     77
                                 

Total shareholders’ equity

    —       2,957     1,389               3,035
                                 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ —     $ 4,073   $ 4,070             $ 7,719
                                 

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

124


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006

(Dollars in millions, except for share and per share data)

 

   

Company

39-weeks ended

September 24,
2006

 

Weyerhaeuser
Fine Paper
Business

39-weeks ended

September 24,
2006

    Domtar nine
months ended
September 30,
2006
    Domtar
Purchase
price
allocation
pro forma
adjustments
        Other pro
forma
adjustments
        Combined
Company
pro forma
 
              (Note 1)     (Note 3)         (Note 3)            

Sales

  $ —     $ 2,433     $ 2,672     $ —         $ (29 )   U   $ 5,076  
                                                 

Operating expenses

               

Cost of sales

    —       2,000       2,294       (13 )   R     7     T     4,259  
          —           (29 )   U  

Selling, general and administrative

    —       150       128       (7 )   R     —           271  

Depreciation and amortization

    —       228       188       —           —           416  

Closure and restructuring costs

    —       17       26       —           —           43  

Impairment of goodwill

    —       749       —         —           —           749  
                                                 
    —       3,144       2,636       (20 )       (22 )       5,738  
                                                 

Operating profit (loss) from continuing operations

    —       (711 )     36       20         (7 )       (662 )

Financing expenses

    —       —         103       6     V     76    

W

    159  
          1     AA     3    

Z

 
          (2 )   AB     (28 )   Y  

Share of joint ventures’ net earnings

    —       —         (28 )     —           30     X     2  

Derivative instruments loss

    —       —         8       —           —           8  
                                                 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

    —       (711 )     (47 )     15         (88 )       (831 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    —       7       (43 )     4     AC     (26 )  

AE

    (47 )
              11     AD  

Minority interest

    —       —         —         —           1    

AF

    1  
                                                 

Net loss from continuing operations

  $ —     $ (718 )   $ (4 )   $ 11       $ (74 )     $ (785 )
                                                 

Basic loss per share

    $ (2.58 )   $ (0.02 )           $ (1.54 )
                                 

Diluted loss per share

    $ (2.58 )   $ (0.02 )           $ (1.54 )
                                 

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

      277,890,098 (*)     230,429,507               509,368,520 (**)
                                 

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

      277,890,098 (*)     230,429,507               509,368,520 (**)
                                 

(*)

Represents the estimated total number of shares of Company common stock to be distributed by Weyerhaeuser to its shareholders in connection with the Distribution.

(**)

Represents the estimated total number of shares of Company common stock outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Transactions as described in item Q of Note 2.

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

125


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

Year ended December 25, 2005

(Dollars in millions, except for share and per share data)

 

     Company
year ended
December 25,
2005
   Weyerhaeuser
Fine Paper
Business
year ended
December 25,
2005
    Domtar
year ended
December 31,
2005
    Domtar
Purchase
price
allocation
pro forma
adjustments
         Other pro
forma
adjustments
         Combined
Company
pro forma
 
                (Note 1)     (Note 3)          (Note 3)             

Sales

   $ —      $ 3,267     $ 3,498     $ —          $ (51 )   U    $ 6,714  
                                                     

Operating expenses

                   

Cost of sales

     —        2,760       3,070       (17 )   R      (29 )   T      5,733  
                 (51 )   U   

Selling, general and administrative

     —        190       189       (8 )   R      3     S      374  

Depreciation and amortization

     —        357       335       —            —            692  

Closure and restructuring costs

     —        537       267       —            —            804  

Impairment of goodwill

     —        1       —         —            —            1  
                                                     
     —        3,845       3,861       (25 )        (77 )        7,604  
                                                     

Operating profit (loss) from continuing operations

     —        (578 )     (363 )     25          26          (890 )

Financing expenses

     —        —         118       8     V      80     W      180  
            1     AA      4     Z   
            (3 )   AB      (28 )   Y   

Share of joint ventures’ net loss

     —        —         6       —            (3 )   X      3  

Derivative instruments loss

     —        —         7       —            —            7  
                                                     

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

     —        (578 )     (494 )     19          (27 )        (1,080 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     —        (100 )     (162 )     6     AC      (117 )   AE      (358 )
                 15     AD   

Minority interest

     —        —         —         —            1     AF      1  
                                                     

Net loss from continuing operations

   $ —      $ (478 )   $ (332 )   $ 13        $ 74        $ (723 )
                                                     

Basic loss per share

      $ (1.72 )   $ (1.45 )             $ (1.42 )
                                     

Diluted loss per share

      $ (1.72 )   $ (1.45 )             $ (1.42 )
                                     

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

        277,890,098 (*)     229,714,058                 509,368,520 (**)
                                     

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

        277,890,098 (*)     229,714,058                 509,368,520 (**)
                                     

(*)

Represents the estimated total number of shares of Company common stock to be distributed by Weyerhaeuser to its shareholders in connection with the Distribution.

(**)

Represents the estimated total number of shares of Company common stock outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Transactions as described in item Q of Note 2.

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

126


Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company has been prepared based upon historical financial information of the Company, the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar, giving effect to the Transactions and other related adjustments described in these footnotes. This unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved had the Transactions actually taken place at the dates indicated, and does not purport to be indicative of future financial position or operating results. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of the Company, the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar and the notes thereto, which are included or referred to in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

The historical financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business were prepared using specific identification of income and expenses and assets and liabilities, where available, and, where not available, include allocations and estimates that the Company believes are reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. However, these allocations and estimates may not necessarily reflect the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented had the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business operated as a separate entity. For a more detailed discussion on the basis of presentation and allocation methodology used in the historical financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, please refer to notes 1 and 2 to the financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business for the thirty-nine week periods ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005, and the fiscal years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. In addition, please refer to “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Transactions—The historical financial information of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business may not be representative of its results if it had been operated independently of Weyerhaeuser and, as a result, may not be a reliable indicator of its future results.”

The Company’s financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are presented in U.S. dollars. Domtar’s historical consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and are presented in Canadian dollars. Canadian GAAP differs in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. Domtar’s historical consolidated financial statements were reconciled to U.S. GAAP and were translated from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars using the period end rate for the balance sheet and the average of the monthly average rates during the period for the statements of earnings, based on the Bank of Canada noon rate. See “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data,” “Selected Historical Financial Data of Domtar” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was prepared using the purchase method of accounting with respect to the Arrangement, with the Company being treated as the “acquirer” for accounting purposes. Immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will be an independent public company, with approximately 55% of the Company’s common stock owned by Weyerhaeuser shareholders or former Weyerhaeuser shareholders, and approximately 45% owned by former Domtar shareholders, in each case on a fully-diluted basis. The Company will be a holding company that will, directly or indirectly, own and operate the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the Domtar business.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information assumes that Domtar’s acquisition has been accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 141, Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141) and that the resulting goodwill and other intangible assets are accounted for under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangibles Assets (SFAS No. 142). The total purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the Company’s preliminary estimates of their fair value, and changes are expected as valuations of certain tangible and intangible assets are finalized. As a result, actual fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and related operating results, including actual depreciation and amortization expense, could differ materially from those reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial

 

127


Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company—(Continued)

 

information included herein. The allocation of the purchase price to liabilities related to potential reorganizations and restructurings have not been reflected in this initial purchase price allocation. Obligations for pension and other post-retirement benefits have been determined based upon preliminary actuarial assessments.

Domtar’s fiscal year ends on December 31, while the Company’s and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business’ fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of each December. Domtar’s most recent fiscal year ended on December 31, 2005. The Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business’s most recent fiscal year ended on December 25, 2005. Because these fiscal year ends do not differ by more than 93 days, SEC rules permit the reporting periods to be combined without adjustments for the purposes of pro forma financial information. Therefore, the periods covered by Domtar’s historical consolidated financial information (which are the periods ended September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005) have not been adjusted to correspond to the Company’s period end dates (which are the periods ended on September 24, 2006 and December 25, 2005) in the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts shown in this section are in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In preparing the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, a review was undertaken to identify differences between Domtar’s accounting policies and financial statements presentation and those used by the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business where the impact was potentially material and could be reasonably estimated. The accounting policies and presentation used in the preparation of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information are those set out in the audited historical financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business for the year ended December 25, 2005 and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, except for adjustments to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business financial statements to account for stock based compensation expense under the fair value method. Further accounting policy and presentation differences may be identified after the consummation of the Transactions.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of earnings do not reflect operational and administrative cost savings or synergies that the Company estimates may be achieved as a result of the Transactions, or non-recurring, one-time costs or gains that may be incurred or received as a direct result of the Transactions.

Note 2: Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheets to Reflect the Arrangement and the Norampac Disposition

For accounting purposes, the purchase price is based upon the estimated fair value of Domtar plus estimated acquisition costs directly related to the Transactions. Since no quoted market price yet exists for the shares of the Company common stock, the purchase price is based on the fair value of the net assets acquired, or the fair value of Domtar, on August 23, 2006, the date the terms of the Transactions were agreed to and announced. The fair value of Domtar common shares of $6.63 per share used in the calculation of the purchase price is based upon the average closing price of Domtar common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five trading days beginning August 21, 2006 and ended August 25, 2006, converted at the average daily foreign exchange rate of the Bank of Canada. The number of outstanding Domtar common shares used in the calculation of the fair value of Domtar is based on the same periods.

The Company believes that Domtar’s market capitalization includes the fair value of vested Domtar equity awards. The Company will calculate the fair value of Domtar equity awards given in exchange for vested Company equity awards as of the announcement date of the Transactions, utilizing the Black-Scholes model. The Company will recognize fair value of vested Company equity awards as of the consummation date of the Transactions in excess of the fair value of the Domtar equity awards as compensation cost.

 

128


Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company—(Continued)

 

The Company will measure the fair value of unvested Company equity awards issued to former Domtar employees as of the consummation date of the Transactions. The fair value of the unvested Company equity awards will be allocated to the post-acquisition period and recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service periods based on the relationship of the post-consummation requisite service periods to the total requisite service periods from the dates of the original Domtar grants.

The following table summarizes the components of the total purchase price (in millions of U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data):

 

Number of issued and outstanding shares

     231,436,850

Price per share

   $ 6.63
      

Fair value of Domtar’s net assets

   $ 1,534

Estimated direct acquisition costs to be incurred by the Company

     28
      

Estimated total purchase price, excluding assumed debt

   $ 1,562
      

The Company’s purchase price allocation is based on initial estimates of fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities. The purchase price allocation is preliminary as the Company is awaiting additional information necessary to finalize the purchase price allocation, including completion of detailed valuation studies by an outside valuation firm. The following steps are required to complete the Company’s purchase price allocation and are expected to be completed during 2007:

 

   

identify all intangible assets that need to be recorded;

 

   

finalize detailed valuation studies of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets;

 

   

evaluate the expected useful lives of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets; and

 

   

assess the completeness and valuation of assumed liabilities.

The Company’s preliminary purchase price allocation resulted in excess fair value of net assets acquired over cost. The difference has preliminarily been allocated to property, plant and equipment for the purposes of this unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial information. Finalization of the purchase price allocation could result in a change in the excess in fair value of net assets acquired over cost, and could eliminate such excess. The current estimate for property, plant and equipment as well as depreciation and amortization represents management’s best estimate at this time.

The Company anticipates the identification of intangible assets such as but not limited to non-contractual customer relationships, patents, trademarks and cutting rights. A preliminary allocation has not been made to intangible assets because the Company has not identified all intangible assets that need to be recorded and is awaiting sufficient information to value intangible assets. Any portion of the purchase price that is allocated to intangible assets will result in a decrease in the amount preliminarily allocated to property, plant and equipment. The Company is unable at this time to estimate the amount that might be reclassified from property, plant and equipment to intangible assets.

The Company has not currently identified any significant contingencies. However, contingencies associated with the Transactions could be identified and will be taken into consideration in the finalization of the purchase price allocation. Any increase in liabilities would result in an increase in the amount preliminarily allocated to property, plant and equipment. The Company is unable at this time to estimate the amount by which property, plant and equipment might increase.

 

129


Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company—(Continued)

 

A    Working capital adjustments

To adjust for the elimination of $4 million of intercompany payables and $4 million of intercompany receivables of the Company. Further, certain centralized divisional working capital amounts in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business will not be transferred to the Company by Weyerhaeuser but will be settled in cash after closing. As such, $52 million of trade accounts receivable, $24 million of inventory and $18 million of accounts payable were reclassified to be a net receivable of $58 million from Weyerhaeuser. These adjustments result in a $2 million net increase in receivables, a $24 million decrease in inventory and a $22 million decrease in accounts payable.

B    Fair value of Domtar inventories

To increase inventories to fair value less costs to sell to reflect the preliminary purchase accounting allocation. The non-cash inventory purchase accounting adjustment of $26 million may impact the cost of sales during the first quarter after the closing of the Transactions, during which time the finished goods inventory on hand on the date of the Transactions will be consumed. This amount has not been reflected as a pro forma adjustment in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of earnings.

C    Fair value of Domtar prepaid expenses

To reduce prepaid expenses to fair value to reflect the preliminary purchase accounting allocation.

D    Business set-up cost obligations

To record business set-up costs as part of property, plant and equipment that are obligations of the Company to Weyerhaeuser at the time of the consummation of the Transactions.

E    Domtar historical goodwill write-off

To reverse historical goodwill of Domtar as the value of acquired goodwill is required to be reduced to $0.

F    Fair value of Domtar deferred pension and other assets

To reduce other assets to fair value to reflect the preliminary purchase accounting allocation, consisting of the write-off of assumed deferred debt issue costs ($16) million and accrued benefit pension assets ($147) million, as well as the recording of the fair value of pension benefit plans $5 million and other adjustments ($1) million. To increase the fair value of Domtar’s interest in Norampac by $260 million to reflect the consideration received for the sale of this investment subsequent to the balance sheet date. On December 29, 2006, Domtar sold its 50% interest in Norampac to Cascades Inc. for a cash consideration of CDN$560 million (the U.S. Dollar equivalent of which is $502 million based on the Bank of Canada noon rate on September 30, 2006, the period end for the balance sheet).

G    Senior secured term loan facility draw-down

To record the draw-down under the three-month unsecured term loan facility in the amount of $1.35 billion, which will be converted upon the consummation of the Transactions to be part of the seven-year senior secured term loan facility, in order to fund the Company Contribution to Weyerhaeuser and to record an additional draw-down under the seven-year senior secured term loan facility in the amount of $34 million to fund financing costs. The financing costs will be deferred and amortized over the term of the seven-year senior secured term loan facility.

 

130


Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company—(Continued)

 

H    Sale of Domtar’s interest in Norampac

To reflect the sale of Domtar’s interest in Norampac on December 29, 2006. For purposes of this unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, the Company has assumed that the proceeds from the sale of Domtar’s 50% interest in Norampac to Cascades Inc. will be used to reduce the initial financing requirements of the Transactions. As a result, the Company has treated the proceeds from the sale of Norampac as a $502 million reduction of the seven-year senior secured term loan facility resulting in a related $7 million reduction in financing costs.

I    Fair value of Domtar trade and other payables

To adjust for pension and post-retirement fair value of ($3) million. To adjust the fair value of a put option on the investment in a joint venture of $12 million. To adjust for approximately $2 million of Domtar employee compensation payments payable upon the closing and directly related to the Transactions. To adjust other accrued liabilities of ($5) million.

J    Fair value of Domtar long-term debt

To adjust long-term debt to fair value based on public market quotes on September 30, 2006.

K    Income tax impact purchase price allocation

To tax effect the purchase price allocation pro forma adjustments.

L    Other income tax adjustments

To reflect the tax effect of other pro forma adjustments. The primary adjustment results from the change in the tax basis of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business Canadian assets as a result of the Transactions.

M    Fair value of Domtar other liabilities and deferred credits

To reduce certain other liabilities and deferred credits to fair value ($7) million, to write-off a deferred gain related to a previous termination prior to maturity of an interest rate swap contract of ($11) million, to adjust accrued benefit pension obligation, post-retirement and post-employment liabilities of ($55) million and other adjustments ($2) million.

N    Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business post-retirement benefits

Post-retirement benefits were accounted for in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business financial statements using a multi-employer approach. As such, an adjustment of $25 million was necessary to reflect the post-retirement benefit liability related to employees transferred to the Company.

O    Transaction costs

The Company will incur approximately $28 million of direct transaction costs, which are recognized as liabilities.

P    Property, plant and equipment

To allocate the excess in fair value of net assets acquired over cost to property, plant and equipment as part of the Company’s preliminary purchase price allocation based on the Company’s best estimates, pending the results of the valuation studies.

 

131


Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company—(Continued)

 

Q    New equity structure

New equity structure of the Company following the Transactions:

 

(Dollars in millions)    Common
stock,
at par
    Additional
paid in
capital
    Preferred
shares
    Other
comprehensive
income
    Retained
earnings
    Total
shareholders’
equity
 

The Company as at September 24, 2006

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business Business Unit Equity balances as at September 24, 2006 (1)

     —         2,880       —         77       —         2,957  

Pro forma adjustments to Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business Business Unit Equity (2)

     —         (106 )     —         —         —         (106 )

The Contribution

     3       (3 )     —         —         —         —    

The Distribution (3)

     —         (1,350 )     —         —         —         (1,350 )

Domtar balances at September 30, 2006

     1,602       13       30       (273 )     17       1,389  

Eliminate Domtar historical equity balances (4)

     (1,602 )     (13 )     (30 )     273       (17 )     (1,389 )

Domtar shareholders’ shares exchanged (5)

     1,534       —         —           —         —         1,534  
                                                

Company balances at September 24, 2006

   $ 1,537     $ 1,421     $ —       $ 77     $ —       $ 3,035  
                                                

(1) Contribution of Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business to Newco and the equity interests in Newco to the Company in exchange for issuance of 277,890,098 Company common shares and the roll-over of Weyerhaeuser equity awards into 8,237,354 Company equity awards, assuming all former Weyerhaeuser employees that transfer to Newco elect to convert all their Weyerhaeuser equity awards into Company equity awards.
(2) To reflect the impact of pro forma adjustments relating to items “L” and “N” described above.
(3) Distribution of cash with the net debt proceeds (“G” above) to Weyerhaeuser as part of the Contribution and Distribution Agreement.
(4) Preferred shares of Domtar are presented as a minority interest in the Company’s financial information.
(5) Exchange of all 231,478,422 outstanding Domtar common shares at September 30, 2006 into 231,478,422 shares of Company common stock and roll-over of former Domtar equity awards into 2,626,675 Company equity awards.

Note 3: Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Earnings to Reflect the Arrangement and the Norampac Disposition

R    Domtar pension, post-retirement and post-employment benefits

To adjust for pension, post-retirement and post-employment expenses as of January 1, 2005 to reflect the fair value of all plans. Expense reduction has been allocated 67% to cost of goods sold and 33% to selling, general and administrative expenses representing an estimated split of the costs between these two financial statement captions.

S    Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business stock based compensation under the fair value method

To record the stock based compensation expense for the year ended December 25, 2005 related to share based awards granted to Company employees using the fair value method. The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, for 2006 and, therefore, no pro forma adjustment was required for 2006.

 

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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company—(Continued)

 

T    Domtar inventory under Last In First Out (“LIFO”)

To record the impact of conforming Domtar’s U.S. domestic inventory to the LIFO cost method with the Company’s accounting policies.

U    Intercompany purchases and sales elimination

To eliminate intercompany purchases and sales between the Company and Domtar.

V    Amortization of debt discount

To record the amortization of discount on long-term debt of $49 million resulting from recording assumed Domtar debt at its estimated fair value.

W    Senior secured term loan facility interest expense and other financing considerations

To record the interest expense on the seven-year senior secured term loan facility as well as incremental interest on the five-year senior secured revolving credit facility at the anticipated rate of interest, plus applicable margins. The anticipated rates of interest used were 3.31% for the year ended December 25, 2005 and 4.96% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006. Should the interest rate increase or decrease by 1/8%, the impact on the earnings (loss) before income taxes would be $1.7 million for the year ended December 25, 2005 and $1.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006.

Under the provisions of the indenture governing Domtar’s 9.5% debentures due August 2016 in the outstanding principal amount of $125 million, Domtar will be obligated to make an offer to the debenture holders to repurchase their debentures at 101% of the face value of the debentures. Given that the debentures are currently trading higher than the offer price of 101% of face value, it is unlikely the debenture holders will accept this offer and, accordingly, no repurchase of these debentures was reflected in the pro forma financial statements. If needed, the credit available under the senior secured term loan will be used to fund the repurchase of these debentures.

X    Sale of Domtar’s interest in Norampac

To reflect the impact of the sale of Domtar’s 50% interest in Norampac to Cascades Inc. on December 29, 2006. Norampac is presented as an equity interest in Domtar’s U.S. GAAP financial statements. As a result of this sale, Domtar will exit the packaging business. As this source of income will not reoccur in the future, the income from the Norampac investment was removed from the pro forma condensed combined statements of earnings through this adjustment.

Y    Use of proceeds from sale of Domtar’s interest in Norampac

To reflect the reduction in interest expense resulting from the use of the proceeds on the sale of Domtar’s 50% interest in Norampac to reduce the seven-year senior secured term loan facility. Based on the debt level after the assumed application of the proceeds from the sale of Norampac, should the interest rate on the seven-year senior secured term loan facility increase or decrease by 1/8%, the impact on the earnings (loss) before income taxes would be $1.1 million for the year ended December 25, 2005 and $0.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006.

Z    Amortization of deferred financing costs

To record the amortization of the deferred financing costs under the seven-year senior secured term loan facility.

 

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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Company—(Continued)

 

AA    Deferred gain amortization reversal

Domtar amortizes a deferred gain to income related to a previous termination of an interest rate swap contract prior to maturity. This adjustment reverses the amortization benefit recognized in Domtar's historical consolidated financial statements.

AB    Deferred financing cost amortization reversal

Represents the reversal of amortization of deferred financing costs recognized in Domtar's historical consolidated financial statements resulting from recording acquired other assets at fair value on September 30, 2006.

AC    Tax effect of pro forma adjustments

To tax effect the purchase price allocation pro forma adjustments using the combined statutory rates in effect in the relevant jurisdictions.

AD    Tax effect of Domtar’s interest in Norampac

To reflect the tax effect of the reduction in the interest expense relating to the sale of Domtar’s 50% interest in Norampac to Cascades Inc.

AE    Other income tax adjustments

To reflect the tax effect of pro forma adjustments using the combined statutory rates in effect in the relevant jurisdictions. The primary adjustments are the result of additional interest expense as a result of the senior secured term loan facilities and the reversal of the valuation allowance recorded in 2005 by the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, as the net operating loss carryforwards to which that valuation allowance corresponds are eliminated as a result of the Transactions.

AF     Minority Interest

To reflect the presentation of Domtar preferred shares as a minority interest in the Company’s financial information.

 

134


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL

INFORMATION OF WEYERHAEUSER

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet gives effect to the Transactions as if they occurred on September 24, 2006 and assumes this Exchange Offer was fully subscribed and consummated as of such date. The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of earnings give effect to the Transactions as if they occurred on December 27, 2004, the first day of Weyerhaeuser’s fiscal year ended December 25, 2005 and assumes this Exchange Offer was fully subscribed and consummated as of December 27, 2004. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information includes adjustments directly attributable to the Transactions. The pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes and are based upon available information and assumptions, including the consummation of the Transactions, that are factually supportable.

THIS UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED HAD THE TRANSACTIONS ACTUALLY TAKEN PLACE AT THE DATES INDICATED, AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE INDICATIVE OF FUTURE FINANCIAL POSITION OR OPERATING RESULTS. ACTUAL ADJUSTMENTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION PRESENTED BELOW DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS INCLUDING THOSE DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS,” “SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS—OFFER TO EXCHANGE.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical financial statements of Weyerhaeuser, the Company and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and in the documents described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

September 24, 2006

(Dollars in millions)

 

    

Weyerhaeuser

September 24,

2006

  

Pro forma

adjustments

        

Weyerhaeuser

pro forma

September 24,

2006

Assets

          

Current assets:

          

Cash

   $ 114    $ (1 )   A    $ 113

Receivables, less allowances

     1,816      (339 )   A      1,477

Inventories

     1,983      (523 )   A      1,460

Prepaid expenses

     440      (8 )   A      432

Deferred income taxes

     —             —  

Assets of discontinued operations

     88           88
                  

Total current assets

     4,441           3,570

Property & equipment, net

     14,231      (3,139 )   A      11,092

Goodwill

     2,254      (14 )   A      2,240

Deferred pension and other assets

     2,669      (31 )   A      2,638

Assets of Real Estate and Related Assets

     3,777           3,777
                  

Total assets

   $ 27,372         $ 23,317
                  

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

          

Current liabilities:

          

Notes payable and commercial paper

   $ 222    $ —          $ 222

Trade and other payables

     2,240      (272 )   A      1,968

Current maturities of long-term debt

     492      (12 )   A      480

Liabilities of discontinued operations

     18           18
                  

Total current liabilities

     2,972           2,688

Long-term debt

     7,082      (1,350 )   D      5,732

Deferred income taxes

     3,848      (748 )   A      3,100

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     2,390      (66 )   A      2,324
                  
     16,292           13,844

Liabilities of Real Estate and Related Assets

     1,859           1,859
                  

Total liabilities

     18,151           15,703

Common and exchangeable shares

     438      (33 )   C      405

Other capital

     4,108      (1,974 )   C      2,134

Retained earnings

     4,390      477     B      4,867

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     285      (77 )   A      208
                  

Total shareholders' equity

     9,221           7,614
                  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 27,372         $ 23,317
                  

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings

Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

    

Weyerhaeuser

39-weeks ended

September 24,

2006

   

Pro forma

adjustments

        

Weyerhaeuser

pro forma

39-weeks ended

September 24,

2006

 

Net sales and revenues

   $ 16,241     $ (2,433 )   E    $ 13,944  
       136     F   

Operating expenses

         

Weyerhaeuser:

         

Cost of products sold

     11,017       (2,000 )   E      9,092  
       75     G   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     916       (228 )   E      688  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,228       (150 )   E      1,078  

Charges for closure and restructuring costs

     83       (17 )   E      66  

Impairment of goodwill

     749       (749 )   E      —    
                           
     13,993       (3,069 )        10,924  
                           

Real Estate and Related Assets

         

Costs and operating expenses

     1,570       —            1,570  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     238       —            238  

Depreciation and amortization

     17       —            17  
                           
     1,825       —            1,825  
                           
     15,818       (3,069 )        12,749  
                           

Operating income from continuing operations

     423       772          1,195  

Interest expense and other

         

Weyerhaeuser

     (336 )     78     H      (258 )

Real Estate and Related Assets

     70       —            70  
                           

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     157       850          1,007  

Income taxes

     258       (7 )   E      305  
       54     I   
                           

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

   $ (101 )   $ 803        $ 702  
                           

Basic net earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ (0.41 )        $ 3.18  
                     

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ (0.41 )        $ 3.17  
                     

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     247,123,000            220,456,644 *
                     

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     247,123,000            221,756,588 **
                     

* Represents the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding reduced by the estimated total number of shares of Weyerhaeuser common stock expected to be tendered as part of the Exchange Offer.
** Represents the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding reduced by the estimated total number of shares of Weyerhaeuser common stock expected to be tendered as part of the Exchange Offer.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings

Year ended December 25, 2005

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

    

Weyerhaeuser

year ended

December 25,

2005

   

Pro forma

adjustments

        

Weyerhaeuser

pro forma

year ended

December 25,

2005

 

Net sales and revenues

   $ 22,046     $ (3,267 )   E    $ 19,200  
       421     F   

Operating expenses

         

Weyerhaeuser:

         

Cost of products sold

     14,940       (2,760 )   E      12,312  
       132     G   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     1,281       (357 )   E      924  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,522       (190 )   E      1,332  

Charges for closure and restructuring costs

     714       (537 )   E      177  
                           
     18,457       (3,712 )        14,745  
                           

Real Estate and Related Assets

         

Costs and operating expenses

     1,945       —            1,945  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     288       —            288  

Depreciation and amortization

     16       —            16  
                           
     2,249       —            2,249  
                           
     20,706       (3,712 )        16,994  
                           

Operating income from continuing operations

     1,340       866          2,206  

Interest expense and other

         

Weyerhaeuser

     (522 )     113     H      (409 )

Real Estate and Related Assets

     69       —            69  
                           

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     887       979          1,866  

Income taxes

     318       100     E      575  
       157     I   
                           

Net earnings from continuing operations

   $ 569     $ 722        $ 1,291  
                           

Basic net earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 2.33          $ 5.93  
                     

Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 2.32          $ 5.90  
                     

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     244,447,000            217,780,644 *
                     

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     245,559,000            218,892,644 **
                     

* Represents the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding reduced by the estimated total number of shares of Weyerhaeuser common stock expected to be tendered as part of the Exchange Offer.
** Represents the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding reduced by the estimated total number of shares of Weyerhaeuser common stock expected to be tendered as part of the Exchange Offer.

 

138


Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Information of Weyerhaeuser

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information of Weyerhaeuser has been prepared based upon historical financial information of Weyerhaeuser and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, giving effect to this Exchange Offer and other related adjustments described in these footnotes. This unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved had this Exchange Offer actually taken place at the dates indicated, and does not purport to be indicative of future financial position or operating results. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the historical financial information of Weyerhaeuser and the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and the notes thereto, which are included or referred to in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

The historical financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business were prepared using specific identification of income and expenses and assets and liabilities, where available, and, where not available, include allocations and estimates that we believe are reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. However, these allocations and estimates may not necessarily reflect the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented had the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business operated as a separate entity. For a more detailed discussion on the basis of presentation and allocation methodology used in the historical financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, please refer to notes 1 and 2 to the financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business for the thirty-nine week periods ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005, and the fiscal years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003 included elsewhere in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange.

Note 2: Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

The pro forma condensed consolidated financial information assumes that Weyerhaeuser will offer to its shareholders 10.42 shares of Company common stock in exchange for each Weyerhaeuser common share or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share, which would result in approximately 27 million Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares being exchanged for approximately 278 million shares of Company common stock.

This unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information assumes this Exchange Offer is fully subscribed. If less than 26,666,356 Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, the number of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares that must be tendered in order for Weyerhaeuser to distribute all of its shares of Company common stock in this Exchange Offer, are exchanged, Weyerhaeuser will distribute in a pro rata dividend to its shareholders the remaining shares of Company common stock that it will own as a result of the Company Contribution.

 

139


Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Information of Weyerhaeuser—(Continued)

 

The effect on the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is calculated as follows:

 

Expected number of Company common shares expected

  

To be issued to Weyerhaeuser as par of the Company Contribution

     277,890,098  

Exchange ratio

     10.4210  
        

Total Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares tendered

     26,666,356  
        

Estimated fair value of Weyerhaeuser common shares tendered (at $75.25 per share based on the three day average share price of Weyerhaeuser common shares as of January 29, 2007, the date of preparation of this unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information)

   $ 2,007  

Cash consideration received in the Company Contribution

     1,350  
        

Estimated fair value of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business

     3,357  

Less net book value of Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business net assets at September 24, 2006

     (2,957 )

Add allocable portion of cumulative translation gains

     77  
        

Net gain

   $ 477  
        

A  Elimination of Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business balances

Adjustment to remove Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business balances from the Weyerhaeuser balance sheet.

B  Gain on this Exchange Offer

Adjustment to record the estimated gain to be recognized by Weyerhaeuser as a result of this Exchange Offer.

C  Acquisition of Treasury Shares

To record Weyerhaeuser’s acquisition of treasury shares:

 

26,666,356 Weyerhaeuser common and exchangeable shares at $1.25 par value

   $ 33

Cost of Weyerhaeuser shares allocable to other capital

     1,974
      

Estimated fair value of Weyerhaeuser shares tendered

   $ 2,007
      

D  Reduction of long-term debt

To apply the $1.35 billion consideration received by Weyerhaeuser as part of the Company Contribution to reduce Weyerhaeuser long-term debt.

Note 3: Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

E  Elimination of Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business balances

Adjustment to remove Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business revenues and expenses from the Weyerhaeuser statements of earnings.

 

140


Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Information of Weyerhaeuser—(Continued)

 

F  Sales by Weyerhaeuser to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business

Adjustment to record sales of pulp, fiber and packaging supplies by Weyerhaeuser to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business previously eliminated in Weyerhaeuser consolidated financial statements.

G  Purchases by Weyerhaeuser from the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business

Adjustment to record purchases of pulp, fiber, paper and lumber by Weyerhaeuser from the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business previously eliminated in Weyerhaeuser consolidated financial statements.

H  Reduction of interest expense

To reduce interest expense based on the application of the $1.35 billion consideration to be received as part of the Company Contribution to the reduction of Weyerhaeuser long-term debt.

I  Income tax adjustment

To reflect the tax effect of pro forma adjustments assuming a marginal income tax rate of 39%.

 

141


BUSINESS OF THE COMBINED COMPANY

Overview

Upon consummation of the Arrangement, based on current market data, the Combined Company will be the largest integrated manufacturer of uncoated free sheet in North America and the second largest in the world based on production capacity as well as one of the largest manufacturers of papergrade pulp in North America.

The Combined Company will design, manufacture, market and distribute a wide range of fine paper products for a variety of consumers including merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters and end-users. The Combined Company will have a production capacity of approximately 4.9 million tons of uncoated free sheet at 15 paper mills. The Combined Company will also have one paper mill at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan that is currently not in operation but has a production capacity of approximately 290,000 tons of uncoated free sheet. In addition, the Combined Company will have a production capacity of approximately 240,000 tons of coated groundwood paper at one paper mill.

The Combined Company will manufacture and sell fluff pulp and specialty pulp. It will also manufacture papergrade pulp, which it will sell to the extent it produces more pulp than is required for internal use in its paper mills. The sale of papergrade pulp to third parties will allow optimization of pulp capacity while reducing overall manufacturing costs. On a pro forma basis, the Combined Company shipped approximately 1.4 million tons of pulp in excess of its internal requirements during 2005.

The Combined Company will operate 5 sawmills and one remanufacturing facility with a production capacity of approximately 550 million board feet of lumber. In addition, the Combined Company will own five sawmills that are currently not in operation but have an aggregate production capacity of approximately 760 million board feet of lumber.

On a pro forma basis, the Combined Company had combined revenues of more than $6.7 billion in 2005, of which approximately 77% was from pulp and paper, approximately 13% was from paper merchants operations and approximately 9% was from wood products.

Competitive Strengths

The Company believes that the Combined Company’s competitive strengths will provide a solid foundation for the execution of its business strategy:

Leading Market Position. The Combined Company will be the largest integrated manufacturer of uncoated free sheet in North America and the second largest in the world based on production capacity. This leading market position will provide the Combined Company key competitive advantages, including economies of scale, wider sales and marketing coverage and broad product offerings, such as business, printing and publishing and technical and specialty grade paper.

Efficient and Cost-Competitive Assets. The Combined Company’s fine paper business will encompass a mix of assets allowing it to be a low-cost producer of high volume papers and an efficient producer of value-added specialty papers. The Combined Company’s six largest mills will focus on production of high volume copy and offset papers while the other mills will focus on the production of value-added paper products for which quality, flexibility and service are key determinants. Most of the Combined Company’s paper production will be at mills with integrated pulp production and cogeneration facilities, reducing exposure to price volatility for purchased pulp and energy.

Proximity to Customers. The Combined Company will have a broad geographic coverage with a strong manufacturing presence in eastern North America complemented by service locations throughout North America. This proximity to customers will provide opportunities for enhanced customer service and minimization of

 

142


freight distance, response time and delivery cost, which constitute key competitive advantages particularly in the high volume copy and offset paper grades market segment. Customer proximity will also allow just-in-time delivery of high demand paper products in less than 48 hours to most major North American cities.

Strong Franchise with Unique Service Solutions. Both the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar sell paper to multiple market segments, through a variety of channels, including paper merchants, converters, retail companies and publishers throughout North America. In addition, the Combined Company will maintain a strong market presence through its ownership of both the Domtar Distribution Group and the Enterprise Group, Domtar’s and Weyerhaeuser’s respective paper merchant and distribution divisions. Both companies have developed strong positions as reliable and responsive suppliers to their markets. The Company believes that the Combined Company will build on those positions by maximizing its strengths in centralized planning capability and supply-chain management solutions.

High Quality Products with Strong Brand Recognition. Both the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar enjoy strong reputations for producing high quality fine paper products and the Combined Company will market some of the most recognized and preferred papers in North America, including a wide range of business and commercial printing paper brands, such as Domtar Offset-Windsor®, Domtar Opaque-Plainfield®, Titanium®, Cornwall®, Microprint®, Bobcat®, Cougar®, Husky®, Jaguar®, Lynx®, Clarion®, Sonora®, Choctaw®, First Choice® and EarthChoice®. The Company believes that the Combined Company will be a supplier of choice in the fine paper market.

Focus on Shareholder Value. The Company believes that the Combined Company will have the ability to build value for its shareholders. The Combined Company’s large base of cost-competitive and efficient assets should allow it to realize cost savings through economies of scale, enhanced buying power and synergies, which should result in higher margins.

Experienced Management Team with Proven Integration Expertise. The Company’s management team following the Transactions will have significant experience and a record of success in the North American paper industry, including with respect to business integration issues. For example, Raymond Royer, the Company’s president and chief executive officer, has been the president and chief executive officer of Domtar for ten years and Marvin Cooper, the Company’s chief operating officer, has more than 25 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry, including 22 years at Willamette Industries, Inc. (“Willamette”) and four years at Weyerhaeuser. Mr. Royer led Domtar’s integration of four U.S. mills acquired from Georgia Pacific in 2001 while Marvin Cooper worked on the integration of Willamette’s pulp and fine paper business after it was acquired by Weyerhaeuser in 2002. To support the management team, the Company believes its employees’ expertise and know-how should help create operational efficiencies and better enable the Combined Company to deliver improved profitability from its manufacturing operations.

Business Strategy

The Company’s goal is to be recognized as the supplier of choice of branded and private branded paper products for consumer channels, stationers, merchants, printers and converters in North America. The Company intends to enhance cash flow and generate shareholder value by implementing the following business strategies:

 

   

successfully integrating the combined businesses and optimizing paper production to improve operating efficiency and reduce costs;

 

   

leveraging existing customer relationships;

 

   

increasing depth of product offerings including the Combined Company’s offering of environmentally and ethically responsible line of papers;

 

   

maintaining financial discipline to create shareholder value; and

 

   

conducting operations in a sustainable way.

 

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Successfully Integrating the Combined Businesses and Optimizing Paper Production to Improve Operating Efficiency and Reduce Costs. The Company believes that the combination of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar represents a strategic fit because of the similarity of both their fine paper offerings in uncoated free sheet grades and their geographic presence. The Company’s integration efforts will initially focus on providing a single face to the Combined Company’s customers, utilizing its greater sales and marketing coverage to enhance customer service and achieving synergies. The combination of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar will provide an opportunity to combine the operational strengths and best practices of two of the industry’s leading manufacturers. The Company is developing plans to improve the Combined Company’s operating efficiency and cost structure and to achieve certain synergies within two years through a combination of process optimization resulting in lower operating costs, reductions in transportation, logistics and purchasing costs, implementation of best-in-class business practices and reductions in sales and administrative costs. The Company also intends to optimize the Combined Company’s distribution network and plans to review its organizational structure, consolidating its regional centers and back-office functions where appropriate.

Leveraging Existing Customer Relationships. The Company intends to build on the successful relationships that the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business and Domtar have developed with key customers to support their businesses and to provide inventory reduction solutions through just-in-time delivery for most-demanded products. The Company believes that the Combined Company will be among the suppliers of choice for customers who seek competitively-priced paper products and services.

Increasing Depth of Product Offerings Including the Combined Company’s Offering of Environmentally and Ethically Responsible Line of Papers. The Company believes that the Combined Company will be able to deliver improved service to customers through increased depth of product offerings and greater access to volume. The Company believes the development of EarthChoice®, the Combined Company’s line of environmentally and ethically responsible papers, will provide a platform upon which to expand its offerings to customers. The EarthChoice® line of papers, a product line endorsed and supported by leading environmental groups, offers customers solutions and peace of mind through the use of a combination of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) virgin fiber and recycled fiber. FSC is the certification recognized by environmental groups as the most stringent and is third-party audited.

Maintaining Financial Discipline to Create Shareholder Value. The Company believes that value creation will initially be better achieved by de-leveraging. The Company intends to manage the Combined Company’s capital expenditures effectively and minimize its working capital requirements.

Conducting Operations in a Sustainable Way. Customers and end-users as well as all stakeholders in communities where the Combined Company will operate seek assurances from the pulp and paper industry that resources are managed in a sustainable manner. The Company will strive to provide these assurances by certifying the Combined Company’s forest, manufacturing and distribution operations and intends to subscribe to internationally recognized environmental management systems, namely ISO 14001.

 

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BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

History

The Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business is currently operated by Weyerhaeuser but will be transferred to Newco and Newco Canada Exchangeco Sub prior to the Distribution and the Arrangement. Weyerhaeuser will subsequently transfer the limited liability company interests in Newco to the Company, which was incorporated in Delaware in August 2006. This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange describes the business of the Company as if it held the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (indirectly through Newco) but not the Domtar business for all periods and dates presented.

Overview

The Company principally manufactures and sells fine paper, including uncoated free sheet and coated groundwood and is the second largest integrated manufacturer of uncoated free sheet in North America and the third largest in the world based on production capacity, with annual uncoated free sheet production capacity of approximately 2.7 million tons (or 3 million tons including the Company’s Prince Albert, Saskatchewan mill, which is currently not in operation), representing approximately an 18% share of the North American uncoated free sheet production capacity in 2005. The Company also manufactures papergrade pulp at several of its paper mills, fluff pulp at a pulp mill in Plymouth, North Carolina and papergrade pulp and specialty pulp at a pulp mill in Kamloops, British Columbia. Fluff pulp and specialty pulp are sold to third parties. Papergrade pulp is sold to the extent the Company has greater capacity for pulp production than is required for internal use at its paper mills. The sale of papergrade pulp to third parties allows for optimization of pulp capacity while reducing overall manufacturing costs.

The Company generated revenues of $3.3 billion during 2005 and $2.4 billion during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006 of which the revenues generated by pulp and fine paper products represented approximately 94% in both periods.

The following table sets forth the breakdown of net sales sold in each product category of the Company’s business as well as the percentage of sales accounted for by each product category, in each case for each of the last three fiscal years and the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006:

 

     Thirty-Nine
Weeks Ended
    Year Ended  
     September 24,
2006
    December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
    December 28,
2003
 
(Dollars in millions)    Sales    % of
Sales
    Sales    % of
Sales
    Sales    % of
Sales
    Sales    % of
Sales
 

Fine Paper

   $ 1,961    80.6 %   $ 2,629    80.5 %   $ 2,426    80.2 %   $ 2,278    79.8 %

Pulp

   $ 342    14.1 %   $ 443    13.6 %   $ 441    14.6 %   $ 383    13.4 %

Softwood Lumber

   $ 64    2.6 %   $ 127    3.9 %   $ 113    3.7 %   $ 101    3.5 %

Other

   $ 66    2.7 %   $ 68    2.0 %   $ 46    1.5 %   $ 92    3.3 %
                                                    
   $ 2,433    100 %   $ 3,267    100 %   $ 3,026    100 %   $ 2,854    100 %
                                                    

Products

Fine Paper

The net sales of the Company’s fine paper business were approximately $2,629 million in 2005, $2,426 million in 2004 and $2,278 million in 2003, representing approximately 81%, 80% and 80%, respectively, of the Company’s total sales in such years. The Company’s fine paper products include the following commodity papers:

Business Papers. Business papers represented approximately 36% of the Company’s sales of fine paper products in 2005. Business papers include copier and electronic imaging papers used with ink jet and laser printers, photocopiers and plain-paper fax machines.

 

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Printing, Publishing and Converting Papers. Printing, publishing and converting papers represented approximately 39% of the Company’s sales of fine paper products in 2005. Printing and publishing papers include products used in commercial printing applications such as annual reports, brochures and direct mail. Converting papers products are the base papers that are converted into finished products such as envelopes, tablets, business forms and data processing/computer forms.

Computer Papers, Preprinted Forms and Digital Papers. Computer papers, preprinted forms and digital papers represented approximately 18% of the Company’s sales of fine paper products in 2005. These papers are sold by the Company’s enterprise group.

Coated Groundwood Papers. Coated groundwood papers represented approximately 7% of the Company’s sales of fine paper products in 2005. Coated groundwood papers are used primarily in magazines, catalogs and inserts.

Pulp

The net sales of the Company’s pulp business were approximately $443 million in 2005, $441 million in 2004 and $383 million in 2003, representing approximately 14%, 15%, and 13%, respectively, of the Company’s total sales in such years. The Company manufactures the following types of pulp:

Papergrade Pulp. Papergrade pulp represented approximately 65% of the Company’s pulp sales in 2005. Papergrade pulp is used in the manufacturing of fine paper products.

Fluff Pulp. Fluff pulp represented approximately 19% of the Company’s pulp sales in 2005. Fluff pulp is used in baby diapers and adult incontinence products.

Specialty pulp. Specialty pulp represented approximately 16% of the Company’s pulp sales in 2005. The specialty pulp manufactured by the Company is used in cement siding.

Softwood Lumber

The net sales of the Company’s softwood lumber business were approximately $127 million in 2005, $113 million in 2004 and $101 million in 2003, representing approximately 4% of the Company’s total sales in each year. The Company manufactures and sells softwood lumber for use in residential construction.

Other

The net sales of the Company’s other operations were approximately $68 million in 2005, $46 million in 2004 and $92 million in 2003, representing approximately 2%, 2%, and 3%, respectively, of the Company’s total sales in such years. Other operations consist of the Company’s Canadian timber sourcing operations and other ancillary activities.

Facilities and Properties

The Company owns eight uncoated free sheet mills and one coated groundwood mill in the United States and Canada, all of which are integrated with pulp mills. The Company’s mills had a total annual uncoated free sheet capacity of approximately 2.7 million tons (or 3 million tons including the Company’s Prince Albert, Saskatchewan mill, which is currently not in operation) and a coated groundwood capacity of approximately 240,000 tons as of December 25, 2005.

The Company owns all of its production facilities with the exception of certain portions that are subject to leases with government agencies in connection with industrial development bond financings or fee-in-lieu-of-tax

 

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agreements, and lease substantially all of the Company’s sales offices, regional replenishment centers and warehouse facilities. The Company believes its properties are in good operating condition and are suitable and adequate for the operations for which they are used. The Company owns substantially all of the equipment used in its facilities.

The following table sets forth the locations of the Company’s principal production facilities and operating equipment as well as annual capacities of uncoated free sheet and coated groundwood manufacturing locations in the Company’s business as of September 24, 2006, and production for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2005. Each of the listed facilities is owned by the Company, except that portions of some of these facilities are subject to leases with government agencies in connection with industrial development bond financings or fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements.

 

     Number
of
Machines
   Production
Capacity(1)
   Production(2)
          (short tons in thousands)

Uncoated Free Sheet Mills:

     

Hawesville, Kentucky

   2    600    597

Marlboro, South Carolina

   1    370    382

Kingsport, Tennessee

   1    410    397

Rothschild, Wisconsin

   1    160    137

Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania

   2    360    360

Dryden, Ontario(3)

   2    315    443

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan(4)

   1    —      277

Plymouth, North Carolina

   2    470    468

Total Uncoated Free Sheet

   12    2,685    3,061

Coated Groundwood:

        

Columbus, Mississippi

   1    240    234

(1) Production capacity reflects expected production under normal operating conditions and product mix and expected maintenance downtime in 2006. Actual production may vary.
(2) Production reflects actual production in 2005.
(3) Production at the Company’s mill in Dryden, Ontario reflects the output of a paper machine that was shut down in 2005.
(4) Operations ceased at the Company’s mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 2006. This mill had a production capacity of approximately 290,000 short tons in 2005.

The Company’s fine paper mills are supported by forms and converting operations at its uncoated free sheet mills in Rothschild, Wisconsin; Plymouth, North Carolina and Dryden, Ontario as well as at 12 other facilities that collectively have the capacity to convert approximately 1.62 million tons of roll paper into cut sized sheets, approximately 0.32 million tons of roll paper into folio sized sheets and approximately 0.27 million tons of roll paper into forms paper annually.

The Company manufactures papergrade pulp at all of the uncoated free sheet mills listed above as well as at its facility in Kamloops, British Columbia, fluff pulp at the Company’s facility in Plymouth, North Carolina and specialty pulp at its facility in Kamloops, British Columbia.

The Company owns chip mills in the vicinity of its uncoated free sheet mills in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania; Hawesville, Kentucky; Kingsport, Tennessee and Marlboro, South Carolina but typically lease such mills to third parties who operate them. The Company also owns sawmills at Ear Falls, Ontario and Big River, Saskatchewan and a 51% equity interest in Wapawekka Lumber Limited Partnership, which has one sawmill in Wapawekka, Saskatchewan.

 

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The Company owns forest licenses covering 0.850 million cubic meters of softwood and 0.570 million cubic meters of hardwood in the proximity of its Dryden, Ontario mill and is party to a forest management agreement covering 1.846 million cubic meters of softwood and 0.976 million cubic meters of hardwood in the proximity of the Company’s Prince Albert, Saskatchewan mill.

The Company’s operational headquarters are located at Fort Mill, South Carolina.

During the first quarter of 2006, the Company shut down indefinitely its pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and the sawmill in Big River, Saskatchewan due to poor market conditions. The Wapawekka sawmill also was shut down. These facilities are currently not in operation. The Company has not determined at this time whether these facilities will be reopened, sold or permanently closed.

Supply

Wood fiber is the principal raw material in this segment. The primary sources of wood fiber are timber and its by-products, such as wood chips, wood shavings and sawdust. Prior to the Transactions, Weyerhaeuser supplied the Company’s paper mills with fiber from the Weyerhaeuser chip and saw mills as well as from third parties. Concurrent with the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will enter into a number of fiber supply agreements with Weyerhaeuser and/or its subsidiaries, including Canadian fiber supply agreements pursuant to which Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. will agree to supply wood chips to the Company’s Kamloops, British Columbia mill (and the Company’s Prince Albert, Saskatchewan mill if it re-opens) for a period not to exceed 20 years, a pine chip supply agreement pursuant to which Weyerhaeuser will agree to supply softwood chip residuals to its Plymouth, North Carolina mill for a period of five years, a pine chip supply agreement pursuant to which Weyerhaeuser will agree to supply approximately 3,100 tons of softwood chips to Newco’s Columbus, Mississippi mill for a period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on May 31, 2007 and a slush pulp sales agreement pursuant to which Weyerhaeuser’s Columbus, Mississippi pulp mill will agree to supply 75,000 tons of slush pulp to the Company’s Columbus, Mississippi coated groundwood mill for a period of one year, subject to annual renewal. Fiber purchased under these agreements will be purchased at prices that approximate market levels. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution—Supply Agreements.”

Following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will supply its paper mills with fiber that it will obtain through a combination of different sources depending on the location of the paper mills. The Company will obtain fiber from timber harvested pursuant to its forest licenses and forest management agreements and processed in its own chip and saw mills, pursuant to fiber supply contracts with Weyerhaeuser as well as pursuant to fiber supply agreements with other third parties and open market purchases.

All of the Company’s uncoated free sheet mills have onsite pulp production facilities. The Company’s coated groundwood mill and some of the Company’s uncoated free sheet mills also purchase pulp from third parties. Other important raw materials used in this segment include precipitated calcium carbonate, sodium chlorate, sodium hydroxide and dyes.

The Company’s business consumes substantial amounts of energy such as electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, coal and hog fuel (wood waste). During 2005 and the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006, purchased energy costs comprised approximately 8% and 7%, respectively, of the aggregate amount of materials, labor and other operating costs and fiber costs. The Company purchases substantial portions of the energy it consumes under supply contracts, most of which are between a specific plant and a specific provider. Under most of these contracts, providers are committed to provide quantities within specified ranges that provide the Company with its needs for a particular type of energy at a specific facility. Most of the contracts have pricing mechanisms that set prices based on current market rates. Natural gas, fuel oil, coal and hog fuel are consumed primarily in the production of steam to be used in the manufacturing process or to a lesser extent to provide direct heat to be used in the chemical recovery process. Electricity is used primarily to drive motors and other equipment as well as

 

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provide lighting. Two of the Company’s facilities have substantial co-generation capabilities and utilize steam generated from these fuels to generate and sell more electricity into the regional grids than they consume internally. The revenue from electricity sales was able to offset approximately 8% of the Company’s total energy requirements in both 2005 and the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006.

Customers

On a pro forma basis, the Combined Company’s largest customer, Unisource, an independent marketer and distributor of commercial printing and business imaging papers in North America, represented approximately 12% of its sales revenues in the fiscal year ended December 25, 2005. Both Weyerhaeuser and Domtar currently supply products to Unisource on a per-order basis, subject to a published price list and neither company currently has any long-term contractual commitments to Unisource. The commercial relationship between Unisource and the Combined Company is expected to be consistent with these existing relationships. The Combined Company also will have other significant customers as well as a large number of other fine paper customers, which will vary in size but none of which will individually represent a material portion of the Combined Company’s sales. The Company’s customers include paper merchants, commercial and financial printers, paper converters, such as envelope and form manufacturers, retailers and customers who use the Company’s paper for specialty applications, such as label and release products. The majority of these customers purchase products through individual purchase orders.

Competition

The markets in which the Company’s business competes are generally worldwide and highly competitive. Grades of fine paper are globally traded, with numerous worldwide manufacturers. All of the Company’s paper manufacturing facilities are located in the United States or Canada. Although the Company sells primarily in North America, it faces competition from foreign producers, some of which have lower operating costs than the Company. In general, paper production does not rely on proprietary processes or formulas, except in highly specialized or custom grades.

Approximately five major manufacturers produce and sell uncoated free sheet in North America, and dozens more sell uncoated free sheet worldwide. Although price is the primary basis for competition in most of the Company’s paper grades, quality and service are important competitive determinants, especially in value-added grades. The Company’s paper products also compete with other paper grades, including coated groundwood, and electronic transmission and document storage alternatives. As the use of these alternative products continues to grow, the Company may see a decrease in the overall demand for paper products or shifts from one type of paper to another.

Employees

The Company expects that it will have approximately 5,500 employees and that the Combined Company will have approximately 14,000 employees. Approximately 3,524, or 64%, of the Company’s employees and approximately 11,424, or 81.6%, of the Combined Company’s employees will be covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Intellectual Property

Most of the brand name paper products of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business are protected by registered trademarks. Key trademarks used in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business include Bobcat®, Cougar®, Husky®, Jaguar®, Lynx®, Clarion®, Sonora®, Choctaw® and First Choice®. These brand names and trademarks are important to the business and, historically, Weyerhaeuser has vigorously pursued apparent infringements. The numerous trademarks of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business have been registered in the United States and throughout the world where the products of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business are sold. The current

 

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registrations of these trademarks are effective for various periods of time. These trademarks may be renewed periodically, provided that the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, as the registered owner, or their licensees comply with all applicable renewal requirements, including the continued use of the trademarks in connection with similar goods.

Although there are several patent applications pending, no patents have been issued. The Company’s management regards these patent applications as important but does not consider any one or group of them to be materially important to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business as a whole.

Under the terms of the Contribution and Distribution Agreement and the intellectual property license agreement, Newco will receive, after the consummation of the Transactions, a fully paid-up, royalty free, non-exclusive license to use certain intellectual property and technology that is used in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business but retained by Weyerhaeuser. This license does not, however, include the right to use the Weyerhaeuser name. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution—Intellectual Property License Agreement.”

Seasonality

Demand for uncoated free sheet, the Company’s principal product, is typically not seasonal. The most significant seasonal impact on the Company’s uncoated free sheet operations is caused by its annual scheduled maintenance outages. During an outage period, a pulp mill and/or paper machine is taken out of operation so that maintenance can be performed. During these time periods, it is normal to incur significant maintenance expenditures as well as above normal expenditures for operating supplies. In addition, some facilities may elect to operate their paper machines on higher cost purchased fiber and incur other incremental costs to minimize the period of time that the paper machine is out of operation.

Working Capital

The Company typically maintains 30 to 35 days of raw material inventories and 15 to 20 days of chemical inventories to support its pulp and paper operations.

The Company maintains approximately 30 days of finished goods inventory. However, this inventory may build up in anticipation of seasonal maintenance outages. In addition, the Company maintains paper rolls for 15 days before they are converted to free sheet to fill customer orders.

Environmental Matters

The Company’s business is subject to a wide range of general and industry-specific laws and regulations in the United States and Canada relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, the storage, management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of contaminated sites, landfill operation and closure obligations and health and safety matters. Compliance with these laws and regulations is a significant factor in the operation of the Company’s business. The Company may encounter situations in which its operations fail to maintain full compliance with applicable environmental requirements, possibly leading to civil or criminal fines or penalties or in enforcement actions, including those that result in governmental or judicial orders that stop or interrupt the Company’s operations or require the Company to take corrective measures at substantial costs, such as the installation of additional pollution control equipment or other remedial actions.

Compliance with U.S. federal, state and local and Canadian federal and provincial environmental laws and regulations usually involves capital expenditures as well as additional operating costs. For example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated regulations dealing with air emissions from pulp and paper mills, including regulations on hazardous air pollutants that require use of maximum achievable control

 

150


technology and controls for pollutants that contribute to smog and haze. The Company cannot quantify future amounts of capital expenditures required to comply with these laws, regulations and demands, or the effects on operating costs, because, in some instances, compliance standards have not been developed or have not become final or definitive. In addition, compliance frequently serves other purposes, such as extension of facility life, increase in capacity, changes in raw material requirements or increase in economic value of assets or products. While it is difficult to isolate the environmental component of most manufacturing capital projects, the Company estimates that capital expenditures for environmental compliance were approximately $4 million in 2005. The Company anticipates capital expenditures of approximately $3 million in 2006 to comply with environmental requirements.

The Company’s air permit for its Kamloops, British Columbia pulp manufacturing facility requires that the facility reduce air emissions of particulate matter by December 31, 2007. Compliance with the permit requirements is likely to require significant capital expenditures. The Company continues to evaluate its options and is currently in discussions with the Province of British Columbia to extend the deadline for compliance. If the deadline is not extended, the facility may not be able to operate after 2007 without significantly curtailing output or incurring significant capital expenditures.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has repealed the regulations promulgated in 2000 that would have required states to develop total maximum daily load (“TMDL”) allocations for pollutants in water bodies determined to be water-quality-impaired. However, certain states continue to promulgate TMDL requirements. The state TMDL requirements may set limits on pollutants that may be discharged to a body of water to reduce the amounts of pollutants. It is not possible to estimate the capital expenditures that may be required for the Company to meet pollution allocations across the various proposed state TMDL programs until a specific TMDL is promulgated.

The Company is involved in the environmental investigation or remediation of numerous sites. Some of the sites are on property owned by the Company where the Company has the sole obligation to remediate the site or share that remediation obligation with a small number of other parties. Other sites are third-party sites involving several parties who may have a joint and several remediation obligation. Remediation efforts are currently ongoing, for example, at the Company’s Plymouth, North Carolina facility in respect of dioxins/furans and mercury, and at the Company’s Rothschild, Wisconsin facility in respect of pulp manufacturing by products. The Company’s liability for environmental investigation and remediation ranges from insignificant at some sites to substantial at others, depending on the quantity, toxicity and nature of materials deposited by the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business at the site and, at some sites, the number and economic viability of the other potentially responsible parties. The Company spent less than $1 million in 2005 and estimates that the Company spent approximately $7 million in 2006, on environmental remediation of these sites.

During the first quarter of 2006, the Company closed its pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and the Big River Sawmill in Saskatchewan due to poor market conditions. These facilities are currently not in operation. The Company has not determined whether either of these facilities will be reopened, sold or permanently closed. In the event the facilities are permanently closed, the Province of Saskatchewan may require active decommissioning and reclamation at one or both facilities, which would likely include investigation and remedial action for areas of significant environmental impacts.

The Company’s forest operations in Canada are carried out on public forestlands under forest licenses and forest management agreements. All forest operations are subject to forest practices and environmental regulations, and operations under licenses also are subject to contractual requirements between the Company and the relevant province designed to protect environmental and other social values. In Canada, the federal Species at Risk Act (“SARA”) was enacted in 2002. SARA contains protective measures for species identified as being at risk and for critical habitat. To date, SARA has not had a significant effect on the Company’s operations; however, it is anticipated that SARA will, over time, result in some additional restrictions on timber harvests and other forest management practices and increase some operating costs for operators of forestlands in Canada. For these reasons, SARA is expected to affect timber supply and prices in the future.

 

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Legal Proceedings

Pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement and the Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement entered into or to be entered into in connection with the Transactions, the Company will assume responsibility for claims and litigation matters arising out of or primarily relating to the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business whether or not asserted prior to the Transactions. Currently, a small number of claims and litigation matters have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of any legal proceeding is subject to a great many variables and cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, management currently believes that the ultimate outcome of these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s long-term results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

 

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BUSINESS OF WEYERHAEUSER

Weyerhaeuser Company is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate development and construction. Its business segments are timberlands (which includes logs, chips and timber), wood products (which includes softwood lumber, plywood, veneer, oriented strand board (OSB), hardwood lumber, engineered lumber, raw materials and building materials distribution), cellulose fiber and white papers (which includes pulp, paper and liquid packaging board), containerboard, packaging and recycling, real estate and related assets, and corporate and other. Weyerhaeuser generated revenues of $22.0 billion during 2005 and $16.2 billion during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006.

For a more detailed description of the business of Weyerhaeuser, see Weyerhaeuser’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on Form 10-K, as restated on the Form 8-K dated January 22, 2007 as filed with the SEC and Weyerhaeuser’s report for the period ended September 30, 2006 filed with the SEC on Form 10-Q, each of which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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BUSINESS OF DOMTAR

Domtar is the third largest integrated manufacturer of uncoated free sheet in North America and the fourth largest in the world based on production capacity with four pulp and paper mills in Canada and five in the United States. On December 29, 2006, Domtar sold its 50% equity interest in Norampac to Cascades Inc. for a cash consideration of CDN$560 million (the U.S. dollar equivalent of which is $480.6 million at an exchange rate of 1.1652 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar, the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 29, 2006). The net after tax proceeds of the sale will be used primarily to reduce debt to be incurred by the Company in connection with the Transactions or to repay Domtar’s existing indebtedness. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Domtar’s paper business is its most important segment, and represented 62% of Domtar’s consolidated sales in 2005 (excluding 50% of Norampac’s sales, which were required to be included in Domtar’s consolidated financial statements under Canadian GAAP), or 68% when including sales of Domtar paper through its paper merchants business. In addition to its paper business, Domtar manufactures and markets lumber and wood-based value-added products and engages in the paper merchants business, which involves the purchasing, warehousing, sale and distribution of various paper products made by Domtar and by other manufacturers.

For a more detailed description of the business of Domtar, see the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” sections and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Domtar’s “Annual Information Form” contained in Domtar’s annual reports on Form 40-F and Form 40-F/A for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on March 27, 2006, Domtar’s report for the period ended September 30, 2006 provided to the SEC on Form 6-K on October 31, 2006 and Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006, in each case as amended by Domtar’s reports on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 and February 1, 2007. Each of these reports is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

As discussed under “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data—Summary Selected Historical Financial Data of Domtar,” Domtar has restated its historical financial statements for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 31, 2005 to present the reclassification of the Vancouver paper mill as discontinued operations and assets held for sale. See Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006 and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE

COMPANY FOLLOWING THE TRANSACTIONS

Board of Directors

The Company expects that its board of directors immediately following the consummation of the Transactions will be comprised of 13 directors, seven of whom are to be designated by Weyerhaeuser and six of whom are to be designated by Domtar. Of these 13 directors, 11 are expected to be independent under the independence requirements of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Harold MacKay will serve as the non-executive chairman of the board of directors.

Set forth below is information concerning those persons that the Company expects will become its directors as of the consummation of the Arrangement. The board of directors will be divided into three classes. The first class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the consummation of the Transactions, another class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the consummation of the Transactions, and another class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the consummation of the Transactions. For more information, see “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law.”

 

Name

  

Position

Harold H. MacKay

  

Chairman of the board of directors

Jack C. Bingleman

  

Director

Marvin D. Cooper

  

Director

Louis P. Gignac

  

Director

Brian M. Levitt

  

Director

W. Henson Moore

  

Director

Michael R. Onustock

  

Director

Raymond Royer

  

Director

Robert J. Steacy

  

Director

William C. Stivers

  

Director

Pamela B. Strobel

  

Director

Richard Tan

  

Director

Denis Turcotte

  

Director

Harold H. MacKay, age 66, has served as Counsel to the law firm MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP in Regina, Saskatchewan since 2005. Prior to that, he was a partner in MacPherson from 1969 to 2004. He also served as the Clifford Clark policy advisor to the Department of Finance of Canada and chaired the Task Force on the Future of the Canadian Financial Services Sector in 1997 and 1998. He is a director of The Toronto-Dominion Bank and The Mosaic Company. Mr. MacKay is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Jack C. Bingleman, age 64, has been the president of Indian River Asset Management Inc. since 2001. Previously he held a number of executive positions with Staples Inc., including president of Staples International from 1997 to 2000. He has been a director of Domtar since 2005; he is also a director of Tractor Supply Co.

Marvin D. Cooper, age 63, was the senior vice president, cellulose fiber, white papers and containerboard manufacturing and engineering of Weyerhaeuser Company from 2002 to 2006 when he stepped down to work full-time on the Transactions. Prior to joining Weyerhaeuser in 2002, he held a number of executive positions with Willamette Industries, Inc., including executive vice president, pulp and paper mills from 1998 to 2002. His career in the pulp and paper industry spans over 36 years.

Louis P. Gignac, age 56, has been a corporate director and consultant since November 2006. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Cambior Inc. since 1986. He has been a director of Domtar since 1995; he is also a director of Gaz Metro Inc.

 

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Brian M. Levitt, age 59, has been the chair of the board of Domtar since 2004 and the co-chair of the law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP since 2001. Previously, he held a number of executive positions with Imasco Limited, including president and chief executive officer from 1995 to 2000. Mr. Levitt has been a director of Domtar since 1997; he is also a director of BCE Inc.

W. Henson Moore, age 67, has been until August 2006 president and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association since 1995. Previously, he served in a number of senior U.S. government appointments and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the Sixth District of Louisiana. Mr. Moore is a director of USEC, Inc.

Michael R. Onustock, age 67, has retired as senior vice president, pulp and white paper with Weyerhaeuser Company in 2004. Prior to joining Weyerhaeuser in 2002, he held a number of executive positions in Willamette Industries, Inc., including executive vice president, pulp and fine paper marketing from 1989 to 2002. He is a director of the University of Washington Pulp and Paper School Foundation.

Raymond Royer, age 68, has been the president, chief executive officer and a director of Domtar since joining Domtar in 1996. He is also a director of Power Financial Corporation and Shell Canada Limited. Mr. Royer is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Commander of the Order of Léopold II of Belgium and an Officer of the Ordre national du Québec.

Robert J. Steacy, age 56, has been a corporate director since May 2005. Previously, he served as the senior financial officer of Torstar Corporation since 1989 including as executive vice-president and chief financial officer from 2002 to 2005. He has been a director of Domtar since 2005; he is also a director of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund and Somerset Entertainment Income Fund.

William C. Stivers, age 68, has retired as executive vice president of Weyerhaeuser Company in 2003, serving as chief financial officer from 1990 to 2003. Mr. Stivers is a former director of Factory Mutual Insurance Company and a past member of Chase Manhattan Bank’s National Advisory Board. He is a director of Minerals Technologies Inc.

Pamela B. Strobel, age 54, has retired as executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Exelon Corporation in 2005. During her tenure with Exelon and its predecessor companies since 1993, she also served as president of Exelon’s Business Services Company and as chairman and CEO of Exelon Energy Delivery, the holding company for Exelon’s energy delivery businesses. She is a director of Sabre Holdings Corporation and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.

Richard Tan, age 51, is the founder, president and CEO of Pacific Millennium Holdings Corporation since 1977, an investment and operating group involved over the years in various industries including pulp and paper, forest plantation, information technology, and development and global joint ventures in Asia.

Denis Turcotte, age 45, has been president and CEO of Algoma Steel Inc. since 2002. Previously, he held a number of senior executive positions with companies in the pulp and paper industry, including president of the Paper Group and executive vice president of corporate development and strategy of Tembec Inc. from 1999 to 2002.

 

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The Company’s Management

Set forth below is information concerning those persons that the Company expects will become its executive officers as of the consummation of the Arrangement.

 

Name

  

Position

Raymond Royer

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

Marvin D. Cooper

  

Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Buron

  

Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer

Steven A. Barker

  

Senior Vice-President, Marketing

Roger H. Brear

  

Senior Vice-President, Southern Region Mills

Michel Dagenais

  

Senior Vice-President, Human Resources

Ghislain Dinel

  

Senior Vice-President, Northern Region Mills

Michael Edwards

  

Group Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Manufacturing

James F. Lenhoff

  

Senior Vice-President, Distribution

Jean-François Mérette

  

Senior Vice-President, Forest Products

Bart Nicholson

  

Senior Vice-President, Specialty Mills and Converting Operations

Gilles Pharand

  

Senior Vice-President, Law and Corporate Affairs

Richard L. Thomas

  

Senior Vice-President, Sales

Raymond Royer, age 68, has been the president, chief executive officer and a director of Domtar since joining Domtar in 1996. He is also a director of Power Financial Corporation and Shell Canada Limited. Mr. Royer is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Commander of the Order of Léopold II of Belgium and an Officer of the Ordre national du Québec.

Marvin D. Cooper, age 63, was the senior vice president, cellulose fiber, white papers and containerboard manufacturing and engineering of Weyerhaeuser Company from 2002 to 2006 when he stepped down to work full-time on the Transactions. Prior to joining Weyerhaeuser in 2002, he held a number of executive positions with Willamette Industries, Inc., including executive vice president, pulp and paper mills from 1998 to 2002. His career in the pulp and paper industry spans over 36 years.

Daniel Buron, age 42, has been the senior vice president and chief financial officer of Domtar since May 2004. He joined Domtar in 1999. Prior to May 2004 he was vice president, finance, pulp and paper sales division and, prior to September 2002, he was vice president and controller. He has over 18 years of experience in finance.

Steven A. Barker, age 53, has been the senior vice president pulp and paper sales and marketing of Domtar since December 2004. He joined Domtar in 2000 following the acquisition of Ris Paper Company, Inc. (“Ris”) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Domtar since 2000) where he held a number of executive positions. His career in the paper industry spans over 25 years.

Roger H. Brear, age 58, has been senior vice president, paper manufacturing of Domtar since 2001 when he joined following the acquisition of four U.S. paper mills from Georgia-Pacific Corporation, where he held various senior manufacturing positions. His career in the paper industry spans over 35 years.

Michel Dagenais, age 57, has been vice president, human resources of Domtar since 2005. Previously, he was director, human resources of the Forest Products Group since joining Domtar in 2001. During his career that spans over 36 years, he has held various management and consulting positions in human resources and labor relations.

Ghislain Dinel, age 58, has been vice president, operations, optimization and technology of Domtar since 2004. Since joining Domtar in 1970, he has held various management positions in the pulp and paper operations. His career in the pulp and paper industry spans over 37 years.

 

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Michael Edwards, age 58, has been vice president, fine paper manufacturing of Weyerhaeuser since 2002. Since joining Weyerhaeuser in 1994, he has held various management positions in the pulp and paper operations. Prior to Weyerhaeuser, Mr. Edwards worked at Domtar for 11 years. His career in the pulp and paper industry spans over 44 years.

James F. Lenhoff, age 56, has been senior vice president, Domtar Distribution Group since 2004. He joined Domtar in 2000 following the acquisition of Ris Paper Company Inc. where he was vice president, sales and marketing. His career in the paper industry spans over 26 years.

Jean-François Mérette, age 40, has been vice president, sawmills since he joined Domtar in 2005. Previously, he has held various management positions with a major forest products company. His career in the forest products industry spans over 16 years.

Bart Nicholson, age 47, has been vice president, fine paper converting operations since joining Weyerhaeuser in 2002. Previously, he held various management positions in the pulp and paper operations of Willamette Industries, Inc. since 1981. His career in the pulp and paper industry spans over 26 years.

Gilles Pharand, age 62, joined Domtar in 1970; he has been senior vice president, corporate affairs since 1994 and general counsel since 1986, being responsible for secretariat, environmental and legal affairs, communications and government relations, internal audit and head office operations. His career in the pulp and paper industry spans over 37 years.

Richard L. Thomas, age 53, has been vice president of fine papers of Weyerhaeuser since 2005. Prior to 2005, he was vice president, business papers of Weyerhaeuser. Mr. Thomas joined Weyerhaeuser in 2002 when Willamette Industries, Inc. was acquired by Weyerhaeuser. At Willamette, he held various management positions in operations since joining in 1992. Previously, he was with Champion International Corporation for twelve years.

Annual Meeting

The Company’s by-laws provide that an annual meeting of its stockholders will be held each year on a date specified by its board of directors. The Company expects the first annual meeting of its stockholders after the consummation of the Transactions to be held in 2008.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Pursuant to the Company’s by-laws, its board of directors is permitted to establish committees of three or more directors from time to time as it deems appropriate. Initially the Company’s board of directors will have the following committees: audit committee, nominating and corporate governance committee, human resources committee and environment and health and safety committee. The membership and function of each committee are described below.

Audit Committee

The audit committee will be comprised solely of directors who meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and the Exchange Act and are financially literate, as required by the New York Stock Exchange. At least one member of the audit committee will be a financial expert, as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

The audit committee, through regular or special meetings with management, the director of internal audit and the Company’s independent auditors, will provide oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company, including the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and such other duties as the board of directors or the chairperson of the audit committee deems appropriate.

 

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The audit committee will be governed by the audit committee charter, which will be available on the Company’s website at www.domtar.com.

The Company expects that the members of the audit committee immediately following the consummation of the Transactions will be: Messrs. Bingleman, Gignac, Moore, Steacy and Stivers.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee will be comprised solely of directors who meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.

The nominating and corporate governance committee will take a leadership role in

 

   

shaping the governance of the Company;

 

   

reviewing the compensation of the Company’s directors; and

 

   

providing oversight and direction regarding the functioning and operation of the board of directors, including reviewing and recommending to the board of directors candidates for election as directors.

The nominating and corporate governance committee will be governed by the nominating and corporate governance committee charter, which will be available on the Company’s website at www.domtar.com.

The Company expects that the members of the nominating and corporate governance committee immediately following the consummation of the Transactions will be: Messrs. Bingleman, Levitt, MacKay and Steacy and Ms. Strobel.

Human Resources Committee

The human resources committee will be comprised solely of directors who meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, meet the requirements for a “Non-Employee Director” under the Exchange Act and meet the requirements for an “outside director” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

The human resources committee will have responsibility for

 

   

reviewing and approving the strategy and design of the Company’s compensation and benefits systems;

 

   

making recommendations to the board of directors with respect to incentive compensation and equity-based plans;

 

   

managing the processes used by the board of directors to evaluate the Company’s chief executive officer;

 

   

reviewing the compensation of the Company’s chief executive officer;

 

   

reviewing and approving salaries and incentive compensation of the Company’s officers and certain other positions; and

 

   

administering the Company’s stock option and incentive compensation plans.

The human resources committee will be governed by the human resources committee charter, which will be available on the Company’s website at www.domtar.com.

The Company expects that the members of the human resources committee immediately following the consummation of the Transactions will be: Messrs. Levitt, Onustock, Tan and Turcotte and Ms. Strobel.

 

159


Environment and Health and Safety Committee

The environment and health and safety committee will have responsibility for

 

   

reviewing the policy, management plans, programs and practices, and the performance of the Company in environmental and health and safety matters; and

 

   

keeping the board of directors informed and making recommendations to the board of directors on environmental and health and safety matters.

The environment and health and safety committee will be governed by the environment and health and safety committee charter, which will be available on the Company’s website at www.domtar.com.

The Company expects that the members of the environment and health and safety committee immediately following the consummation of the Transactions will be: Messrs. Moore, Gignac, Onustock, Stivers and Tan.

Compensation of Directors

The Company intends to establish a compensation policy with respect to compensation for the Company’s directors shortly after the consummation of the Transactions. This compensation policy will be prepared in accordance with standard market practice. Pursuant to this policy non-executive directors may, among others, receive director’s fees, committee fees in respect of those committees on which they serve, travel expense reimbursement and/or stock-based compensation.

Compensation of Executive Officers

The Company did not have any employees during the period ended December 31, 2006 and accordingly has not included any compensation information with respect to that period. The Company expects to complete and implement its executive compensation policy after the Transactions are consummated and its board of directors takes office. In that connection, at the request of the designated directors, Huggessen Consulting Inc., an executive compensation consulting firm, has been engaged by Domtar to provide advice and support to the board of directors in the design and implementation of an executive compensation program for the Combined Company. Huggessen Consulting Inc. was selected by, and reports directly to, the designated directors. The designated directors have not imposed any limitations on the recommendations of such firm within such scope of its engagement. Information as to the historical compensation by Weyerhaeuser and Domtar of the persons who will become executive officers of the Company upon consummation of the Transactions (see “—The Company’s Management”) would not necessarily be indicative of the compensation of those executives following consummation of the Transactions. Accordingly, the Company has not included information regarding compensation and other benefits paid to those executives by Weyerhaeuser or Domtar, as the case may be, during 2006 or prior years.

 

160


OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK

Directors and Executive Officers

As Weyerhaeuser intends to effect the Distribution as an exchange offer, the beneficial ownership of Company common stock of certain of the Company’s directors and executive officers, being those directors and executive officers who own Weyerhaeuser common shares or Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, and therefore of all directors and executives officers as a group, will depend on whether those directors and executive officers elect to tender shares in this Exchange Offer as well as the number of shares they decide to tender and the number of shares tendered by other shareholders. As this information is necessarily unavailable, it is not possible to present projected Company common stock ownership information in respect of the Company’s directors and executive officers.

Accordingly, the following table sets forth an estimate of the number of shares of Company common stock immediately following the consummation of the Transactions that would be beneficially owned by each of the Company’s directors and executive officers, and all directors and executive officers as a group, based upon information available to the Company and Weyerhaeuser concerning ownership of and market prices for Weyerhaeuser common shares, Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and Domtar common shares as of January 19, 2007. For directors and executive officers, the following table assumes that all Weyerhaeuser shares directly owned by them are exchanged in this Exchange Offer at the maximum ratio of 11.1442 as of February 1, 2007; however, if the actual exchange ratio is below the limit and/or shares tendered in this Exchange Offer are subject to proration, the number of shares of Company common stock they would receive in this Exchange Offer and the number of shares they would beneficially own after this Exchange Offer could be lower. The actual number of shares of Company common stock beneficially owned by the Company’s directors and executive officers will depend on the number of outstanding Domtar common shares and the number of shares of Company common stock issuable pursuant to equity awards held by former Weyerhaeuser employees and Domtar employees whose equity awards are converted into Company equity awards, which will not be determined until shortly before the Distribution occurs. See “The Transactions—The Contribution—Determination of Number of Shares of Company Common Stock to be Issued to Weyerhaeuser”, “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Domtar Equity Awards” and “—Treatment of Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards.” The mailing address of each of these individuals is c/o Domtar Corporation, 395 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, QC Canada H3A 1L6. As used in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, “beneficial ownership” means that a person has, or may have within 60 days, the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting of a security and/or the sole or shared investment power with respect to a security (i.e., the power to dispose or direct the disposition of a security).

 

Name

  

Shares Projected to be

Beneficially Owned (1)

   Percent of Class  

Harold H. MacKay

   4,458    0.0 %

Jack C. Bingleman (3)

   42,528    0.0 %

Louis P. Gignac (4)

   29,819    0.0 %

Brian M. Levitt (5)

   90,018    0.0 %

W. Henson Moore

   —      —    

Michael R. Onustock (6)

   1,376,364    0.3 %

Robert J. Steacy (7)

   20,808    0.0 %

William C. Stivers (8)

   22,288    0.0 %

Pamela B. Strobel

   —      —    

Richard Tan

   —      —    

Denis Turcotte

   —      —    

Raymond Royer (9)

   880,110    0.2 %

Marvin D. Cooper (2)

   1,392,975    0.3 %

Steven A. Barker (10)

   205,699    0.0 %

Roger H. Brear (11)

   374,723    0.1 %

Daniel Buron (12)

   171,491    0.0 %

Michael Edwards(2)

   115,302    0.0 %

Richard L. Thomas (2)

   378,888    0.1 %

Proposed directors and executive officers as a group (24 persons) (13)

   5,974,621    1.2 %

 

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(1) Except as otherwise noted, the directors and executive officers, and all directors and executive officers as a group, have sole voting power and sole investment power over the shares listed.
(2) Messrs. Cooper’s, Edwards’ and Thomas’ holdings assume the roll-over of all Weyerhaeuser options into Company options. See “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards.”
(3) Mr. Bingleman’s estimated holdings include 22,528 deferred shares of Company common stock.
(4) Mr. Gignac’s estimated holdings include 27,019 deferred shares of Company common stock.
(5) Mr. Levitt’s estimated holdings include 84,218 deferred shares of Company common stock.
(6) Mr. Onustock’s estimated holdings are based on his direct ownership of Weyerhaeuser common shares as of January 19, 2007, which do not include any Weyerhaeuser shares that he may acquire upon the exercise of Weyerhaeuser options.
(7) Mr. Steacy’s estimated holdings consist of 20,808 deferred shares of Company common stock.
(8) Mr. Stivers’ estimated holdings are based on his direct ownership of Weyerhaeuser common shares as of January 19, 2007, which do not include any Weyerhaeuser shares that he may acquire upon the exercise of Weyerhaeuser options.
(9) Mr. Royer’s estimated holdings include 35,959 deferred shares of Company common stock, 78,000 restricted shares of Company common stock, rights to receive 17,500 shares of Company common stock and 268,261 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Company common stock.
(10) Mr. Barker’s estimated holdings include 63,000 restricted shares of Company common stock and 14,949 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Company common stock.
(11) Mr. Brear’s estimated holdings include 54,000 restricted shares of Company common stock and 56,615 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Company common stock.
(12) Mr. Buron’s estimated holdings include 56,000 restricted shares of Company common stock and 10,260 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Company common stock.
(13) Includes 197,789 deferred shares of Company common stock, rights to receive 20,000 shares of Company common stock, 358,300 restricted shares of Company common stock and 2,515,206 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Company common stock.

 

162


Beneficial Owners of More Than 5%

Based upon information available to the Company concerning ownership of Weyerhaeuser common shares, Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and Domtar common shares as of January 19, 2007, the following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares by persons known by the Company to own more than 5% of the common stock of either Weyerhaeuser or Domtar.

 

     Common Stock of
Weyerhaeuser
     Common Stock of
Domtar
 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Shares
Beneficially
Owned
    Percent
of
Class
     Shares
Beneficially
Owned
    Percent
of
Class
 

Capital Research and Management Company

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles CA 90071

   33,137,400     13.9 %    —       —    

Franklin Resources Inc.

One Franklin Parkway

Buildings 920

San Mateo, CA 94403

   18,100,951 (1)   7.6 %    15,806,322 (2)   6.8 %

Wellington Management Company, LLP.

75 State Street

Boston, MA

   13,190,918     5.5 %    —       —    

CDP Capital, Inc.

1000, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle

Montreal, Quebec

Canada

H2Z 2B3

   177,248     0.1 %    35,692,933     15.4 %

Brandes Investment Partners, LP

11988 El Camino Real, Suite 500

San Diego, CA 92130

   —       —        17,350,445     7.5 %

Donald Smith & Co., Inc.

152 West 57th Street, 22nd Floor

New York, NY 10019

   —       —        16,338,160     7.1 %

AIM Trimark Investments

5140 Yonge Street, Suite 900

Toronto, Ontario

Canada M2N 6X7

   362,014 (3)   0.2 %    11,926,700     5.1 %

(1) Includes 18,015,689 shares held by Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, 43,634 shares held by Franklin Advisers, Inc., 21,925 shares held by Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. and 19,703 shares held by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Ltd.
(2) Includes 4,943,876 shares held by Franklin Templeton Investments Corp., 846,500 shares held by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Ltd., 515,600 shares held by Franklin Advisers, Inc., 156,610 shares held by Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group and 16,600 shares held by Franklin Templeton Investments Australia Ltd.
(3) Shares held by AIM Management Group, Inc.

As Weyerhaeuser intends to effect the Distribution as an exchange offer, the beneficial ownership of Company common stock will depend on whether certain Weyerhaeuser shareholders elect to tender shares in this Exchange Offer as well as the number of shares they decide to tender. This information is necessarily unavailable and, for this reason, the Company has not presented the anticipated beneficial ownership of Company common stock by persons anticipated to own more than 5% of the common stock of the Company.

 

163


DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY CAPITAL STOCK

Authorized Capital Stock

Immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company’s authorized capital will consist of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and one share of special voting stock, par value $0.01 per share. Based on approximately 235,000,000 Domtar common shares that the Company expects to be outstanding on the last trading day immediately prior to the day of the Contribution (on a fully diluted basis) and 7,214,835 shares of Company common stock subject to Company equity awards that the Company expects will be issuable to Weyerhaeuser employees that validly elect to roll-over their Weyerhaeuser equity awards into Company equity awards, approximately 512,000,000 shares of Company common stock will be outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Transactions. All of the outstanding shares of Company common stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

The following is a summary description of the Company’s capital stock. For more complete information you should read the Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws, which have been filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Common Stock

The holders of Company common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote, except that, unless otherwise required by law, the holders of Company common stock are not entitled to vote on any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or by any resolution adopted by the Company’s board of directors designating any series of preferred stock, Company common stock will have the exclusive right to vote for the election of the members of the board of directors of the Company and for all other purposes.

Subject to the rights of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock as to dividends, the holders of Company common stock will be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property as may be declared on the common stock by the Company’s board of directors at any time or from time to time out of any funds legally available therefor. See “Dividend Policy.”

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and subject to the rights of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of shares of Company common stock will be entitled to receive all of the Company’s remaining assets available for distribution to the Company’s stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of common stock held by them.

The holders of Company common stock have no preemptive rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of Company common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock.

The Company has been authorized to list Company common stock on the New York Stock Exchange and has applied for listing of Company common stock on the Toronto Stock Exchange, in each case under the symbol “UFS.”

After the consummation of the Transactions, the transfer agent and registrar for the Company common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

164


Preferred Stock

The Company may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series. The Company’s certificate of incorporation expressly authorizes its board of directors, without the approval of its stockholders, to provide, out of the unissued shares of preferred stock, for series of preferred stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series.

In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will enter into a rights agreement with Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as rights agent, pursuant to which it will reserve a portion of its authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock equal to the number of shares of preferred stock that will be sufficient to permit exercise in full of all outstanding rights under the rights agreement. One right will be attached to each share of Company common stock and will represent the right to purchase, under specified circumstances, one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share. In the event that a person (other than certain exempted persons) together with its affiliates and associates (referred to as an acquiror) acquires beneficial ownership of 10% or more, or announces its intention to commence a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in beneficial ownership of 10% or more, of the outstanding Company common stock, each right (other than any rights beneficially owned by the acquiror) will convert into the right to acquire shares of Company common stock with a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the right as of such date. The foregoing will not apply to the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any person who is and will remain eligible to file a Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act. If after such event any person were to merge or otherwise combine with the Company, or the Company were to sell or transfer 50% or more of its assets, cash flow or earning power, each right will convert into the right to acquire that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company with a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. See “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law—Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan—Rights Plan.” A complete description of the terms of the rights is set forth in the rights agreement, which appears as an exhibit to the Company’s filing on Form 10 on January 26, 2007. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The issuance of shares of preferred stock of the Company, or the issuance of rights to purchase shares of preferred stock of the Company, could be used to discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. See “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law—Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan.” In addition, under some circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Company common stock.

Exchangeable Shares and Special Voting Stock

Exchangeable Shares

In connection with the Arrangement, each outstanding common share of Domtar that is not held by a holder who has exercised its dissent rights will be transferred by the holder thereof to Newco Canada Exchangeco in exchange for one Class B common share. Following the exchange, each outstanding Class B common share will be transferred by the holder thereof to Newco Canada Exchangeco in exchange for (i) one fully paid and non-assessable share of Company common stock or (ii) one fully paid and non-assessable non-voting exchangeable share of Newco Canada Exchangeco and certain rights under a voting and exchange trust agreement to be entered into between the Company, Newco Canada, Newco Canada Exchangeco and Computershare Trust Company of Canada as trustee (the “Trustee”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of Class B common shares will not be entitled to elect to receive exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco if the holder is (i) a non-resident of Canada, (ii) a resident of Canada exempt from tax under the Canadian Income Tax Act, or (iii) a partnership of which all of the partners are non-residents of Canada and/or residents of Canada exempt from tax under the Canadian Income Tax Act.

 

165


The exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco are intended to be substantially economic equivalent to shares of Company common stock. The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco include the following:

 

   

any holder of exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco is entitled at any time to require Newco Canada Exchangeco to redeem any or all of the exchangeable shares registered in his/her name in exchange for one share of Company common stock for each exchangeable share presented and surrendered;

 

   

in the event the Company declares a dividend on its common stock, the holders of exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco are entitled to receive from Newco Canada Exchangeco the same dividend, or an economically equivalent dividend, on their exchangeable shares;

 

   

the holders of the exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco are not entitled to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of Newco Canada Exchangeco or to vote at any such meeting, except as required by law or as specifically provided in the exchangeable share conditions;

 

   

the exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco may be redeemed by Newco Canada Exchangeco on a redemption date to be set by the board of directors of Newco Canada Exchangeco, which date cannot be prior to July 31, 2023 (or earlier upon the occurrence of certain specified events) in exchange for one share of Company common stock for each exchangeable share presented and surrendered by the holder thereof, together with all declared but unpaid dividends on each exchangeable share; and

 

   

the right of holders of exchangeable shares to require Newco Canada Exchangeco to redeem their exchangeable shares and the obligation of Newco Canada Exchangeco to redeem the exchangeable shares, both as described above, are subject to the overriding right of Newco Canada to purchase such shares for one share of Company common stock for each exchangeable share, together with all declared and unpaid dividends thereon.

The holders of exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco will be entitled to instruct the Trustee to vote the special voting stock as described below.

Special Voting Stock

In connection with the Arrangement, the Company will issue to the Trustee one share of special voting stock, to be held by the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco (other than the Company or an affiliate thereof) in accordance with the voting and exchange trust agreement. Pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the holder of the share of special voting stock will be entitled to vote on each matter on which holders of Company common stock or stockholders generally are entitled to vote, and the holder of the share of special voting stock will be entitled to cast on each such matter a number of votes equal to the number of shares of Company common stock into which the exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco outstanding on the record date for holders of shares of Company common stock entitled to vote on any such matter are then exchangeable (i) that are not owned by the Company or its affiliates and (ii) as to which the Trustee has timely received, as determined pursuant to the voting and exchange trust agreement, voting instructions from the holders of such exchangeable shares. The holder of the share of special voting stock and the holders of shares of Company common stock will vote together as one class for the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.

The Trustee will not be entitled to receive dividends or distributions in its capacity as holder or owner thereof. In the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Trustee will be entitled to receive out of the assets available for distribution to the stockholders, an amount equal to $0.01 before any distribution is made on Company common stock. After payment of the liquidation preference, the Trustee will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of the Company’s assets.

At such time as no exchangeable shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco will be outstanding (other than shares of Newco Canada Exchangeco owned by the Company or an affiliate thereof), the share of special voting stock will automatically be redeemed and cancelled.

 

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COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK AND WEYERHAEUSER SHARES

The Company is a Delaware corporation subject to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“Delaware law”). Weyerhaeuser is a Washington corporation subject to the provisions of the Washington Business Corporation Act (“Washington law”). Holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares, whose rights are currently governed by Weyerhaeuser’s Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation”), Weyerhaeuser’s By-Laws (the “Weyerhaeuser by-laws”) and Washington law, will, with respect to the shares validly tendered and exchanged in this Exchange Offer, become stockholders of the Company and their rights will be governed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the Company’s by-laws and Delaware law. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement, prior to the effective time of the Arrangement, the Company will amend its certificate of incorporation and by-laws to read as the forms of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange forms a part, certain provisions of which are summarized below.

The following description summarizes the material differences that may affect the rights of Weyerhaeuser shareholders whose shares are accepted for exchange in this Exchange Offer, but does not purport to be a complete statement of all of those differences or a complete description of the specific provisions referred to in this summary. The identification of specific differences is not intended to indicate that other equally or more significant differences do not exist. The following description is qualified in its entirety by, and Weyerhaeuser shareholders should read carefully the relevant provisions of, Delaware law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the Company’s by-laws, the Company’s rights agreement, the Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation and the Weyerhaeuser by-laws. The Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation and the Weyerhaeuser by-laws have been publicly filed with the SEC as an exhibit to Weyerhaeuser’s filing on Form 10-K on March 13, 2000 and February 22, 2006, respectively. See also “Description of Company Capital Stock.”

Authorized Capital Stock

The following table sets forth the authorized capital stock of the Company and the estimated number of shares of capital stock of the Company that would have been outstanding if the Transactions had been consummated as of February 1, 2007 and the authorized and issued capital stock of Weyerhaeuser and Weyerhaeuser Company Limited as of February 1, 2007, without giving effect to this Exchange Offer.

 

Class of Security

   Authorized    Outstanding

The Company:

     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

   2,000,000,000    1,000

Special voting stock, par value $0.01 per share

   1    0

Weyerhaeuser:

     

Common shares, par value $1.25 per share

   400,000,000    236,549,422

Preferred shares, par value $1.00 per share

   7,000,000    0

Preference shares, par value $1.00 per share

   40,000,000    0

Special voting share, par value $0.01 per share

   1    1

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited

     

Exchangeable shares

   Unlimited    2,017,770

Weyerhaeuser Exchangeable Shares

In connection with Weyerhaeuser’s acquisition of MacMillan Bloedel Limited (“MacMillan”) in June of 1999, certain MacMillan shareholders received, instead of Weyerhaeuser common shares, exchangeable shares of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, a Canadian subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser. These exchangeable shares are referred to in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange as “Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares” and are substantially economically equivalent to, and have similar rights and restrictions as, Weyerhaeuser common shares. Rights,

 

167


privileges, restrictions and conditions of the exchangeable shares include the following: (i) a holder of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares is entitled, at any time, to require Weyerhaeuser Company Limited to redeem any or all of such holder’s exchangeable shares in exchange for one Weyerhaeuser common share, (ii) in the event Weyerhaeuser declares a dividend with respect to its common shares, the holders of the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are entitled to receive the same or an economically equivalent dividend and (iii) the holders of the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are not entitled to receive notice of or to attend or to vote at any meeting of the members of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited.

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited has the right to compulsorily redeem all of the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares, on the basis of one Weyerhaeuser common share for each Weyerhaeuser exchangeable share so redeemed, on or after December 31, 2007.

The holders of the Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares may instruct a trustee, who holds one Weyerhaeuser special voting share, how to vote at Weyerhaeuser shareholder meetings. The Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation give the trustee the right to vote the special voting share in person or by proxy on each matter on which Weyerhaeuser common shareholders generally are entitled to vote, and the trustee is entitled to cast a number of votes equal to the number of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares then outstanding (i) that are not owned by Weyerhaeuser or its affiliates and (ii) as to which the trustee has received voting instructions from the holders of such exchangeable shares. The trustee and the holders of Weyerhaeuser common shares vote together as one class for the election of Weyerhaeuser directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of Weyerhaeuser shareholders.

 

STOCKHOLDER RIGHT

  

THE COMPANY

  

WEYERHAEUSER

Dividend Policy

   The Company does not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. Under Delaware law, the Company’s board of directors (the “Company board”) may not authorize payment of a dividend unless it is either paid out of a surplus, as calculated in accordance with Delaware law, or, if the Company does not have a surplus, it is paid out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. See “Dividend Policy.”    As of the third quarter of 2006, Weyerhaeuser increased its quarterly dividend from $0.50 per share to $0.60 per share. At any time, Weyerhaeuser’s board of directors (the “Weyerhaeuser board”) can decrease or increase the dividend paid, or decided to not pay a dividend at all. See “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data Historical Per Share Data, Market Price and Dividend Data.”
Number and Classification of Board of Directors    The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that the number of directors on the Company’s board will not be less than three. The exact number will be fixed from time to time by a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors the Company would have if there were no vacancies (such total number comprising the “whole Company board”). Immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, the Company board will be comprised of thirteen directors. See   

The Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation set the number of directors on Weyerhaeuser’s board at no fewer than nine, nor more than thirteen, directors. The exact number of directors will be fixed from time to time by a resolution adopted by a majority of the number of directors fixed by the most recent resolution of the Weyerhaeuser board (the “entire Weyerhaeuser board”). The current number of directors is twelve.

 

The Weyerhaeuser board is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in

 

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STOCKHOLDER RIGHT

  

THE COMPANY

  

WEYERHAEUSER

  

“The Board of Directors and Management of the Company Following the Transactions.”

 

The Company board is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with the term of office of one class expiring each year.

   number as possible, with the term of office of one class expiring each year.

Removal of Directors

   The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Company voting stock”) then outstanding, voting together as a single class.    The Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed from office (i) for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting capital stock, and (ii) without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of 67% of the voting capital stock. If, however, applicable law permits a corporation to require a higher percentage of votes to approve the removal of a director, then Weyerhaeuser directors may be removed, with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 80% of the voting capital stock and (ii) the maximum percentage of voting capital stock permitted to be required by a corporation for removal of its directors.

Special Meetings

   The Company’s by-laws provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the Company’s stockholders for any purpose may be called only by (i) a resolution approved by a majority of the whole Company board or (ii) by the chairman of the Company board. Only business stated in the notice of the meeting may be transacted at any special meeting.    The Weyerhaeuser by-laws provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of shareholders may be called only by a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Weyerhaeuser board. Special meetings are to be held at the time and place stated in the notice of the special meeting and solely for the purpose or purposes stated in such notice.

Quorum of Stockholders

   The Company’s by-laws state that, except as otherwise required by law, the holders of one-third of the Company voting stock, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. When specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class,    Washington law provides that a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter by the voting group entitled to vote on a matter constitutes a quorum of that voting group for action on that matter.

 

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STOCKHOLDER RIGHT

  

THE COMPANY

  

WEYERHAEUSER

   however, the holders of one-third of the shares of such class or series will constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business.   
Advance Notice Procedures for a Stockholder Proposal    The Company’s by-laws provide that a stockholder wishing to nominate a director or properly bring other business before an annual meeting must deliver written notice of nomination or business to the secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company no later than 90 days, and no earlier than 120 days, prior to the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting. For the purposes of the Company’s first annual meeting to be held in 2008, the anniversary date will be deemed to be May 9, 2008. The notice must include (i) certain information about each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (ii) a brief description of any business the stockholder desires to bring before the meeting, including the text of the proposal, and the reasons for conducting the business at the annual meeting and (iii) certain information concerning the stockholder submitting the proposal.    Weyerhaeuser’s by-laws provide that a stockholder wishing to nominate a director or properly bring other business before an annual meeting must deliver written notice of such nomination or business to Weyerhaeuser’s secretary no later than 90 days, and no earlier than 120 days, prior to the meeting. The notice must include (i) a brief description of any business the stockholder desires to bring before the meeting and the reasons for conducting the business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address of record of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class or series and number of Weyerhaeuser shares that the stockholder owns and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business.
Amendment of Certificate or Articles of Incorporation   

Under Delaware law, a proposed amendment to a corporation’s certificate of incorporation usually requires approval by its board of directors and an affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on the amendment. The Company’s certificate of incorporation, however, requires the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the voting power of the Company voting stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class, to adopt any provision inconsistent with, alter, amend or repeal certain provisions relating to the following matters:

 

•      stockholder action;

   Under Washington law, a proposed amendment to a company’s articles of incorporation usually requires the company’s board of directors to recommend the amendment to its shareholders and requires approval by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the proposed amendment and of any other voting group entitled to vote separately on the proposed amendment. The Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation, however, require the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Weyerhaeuser board and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders, to adopt any

 

170


STOCKHOLDER RIGHT

  

THE COMPANY

  

WEYERHAEUSER

  

•      the board of directors, including provisions related to the number and terms, election and removal of directors, and the filling of vacancies on the board of directors;

 

•      the amendment of the Company’s by-laws; or

 

•      the amendment of the Company’s certificate of incorporation.

  

provision inconsistent with, alter, amend or repeal provisions relating to the following matters:

 

•      the number and terms, election and removal of directors;

 

•      stockholder rights to vote in the election of directors;

 

•      the amendment of the Weyerhaeuser by-laws;

 

•      the amendment of the Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation; or

 

•      the ability to call special meetings of stockholders.

Amendment of By-Laws

  

The Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that by-laws may be adopted, altered, amended or repealed (i) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Company board or (ii) by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all Company voting stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either (i) the affirmative vote of 75% of the whole Company board or (ii) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of all Company voting stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class, will be required to alter, amend or repeal certain provisions relating to the following matters:

 

•      committees of the Company board;

 

•      the election of the chairman of the board of directors; or

 

•      the designation, powers, election and terms of the elected officers of the Company.

  

The Weyerhaeuser articles of incorporation and by-laws provide that the by-laws may be adopted, altered, amended or repealed (i) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Weyerhaeuser board or (ii) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote on such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either (i) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the voting stock, voting together as a single class or (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Weyerhaeuser board, with the concurring vote of a majority of continuing directors, will be required to adopt any provision inconsistent with, alter, amend or repeal certain provisions relating to the following matters:

 

•      the time and place of and ability to call annual and special meetings of stockholders;

 

•      the number and terms, election and removal of directors;

 

171


STOCKHOLDER RIGHT

  

THE COMPANY

  

WEYERHAEUSER

     

 

•      indemnification of directors, officers and employees; or

 

•      the amendment of the Weyerhaeuser by-laws.

Rights Agreement

   The Company will have a rights agreement that will have the effect of inhibiting the acquisition of 10% or more of the Company voting stock without the prior approval of the Company board. See “Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan and of Delaware Law—Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan.”    Weyerhaeuser does not have a rights agreement.

 

172


CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, BY-LAWS AND RIGHTS PLAN AND OF DELAWARE LAW

Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rights Plan

The Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain certain provisions that could make the acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise more difficult. The description of these provisions set forth below is intended as a summary only. For more complete information, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Classified Board of Directors

The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that its board of directors, subject to the rights of holders of the Company’s preferred stock, will be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. Class I will initially be elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2008, Class II will initially be elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2009, and Class III will initially be elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2010. Thereafter the directors in each class will serve for a three-year term, with each director to hold office until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

This structure of electing directors may discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company because the staggered terms, together with the removal and vacancy provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation discussed below, would make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to gain control of the Company’s board of directors.

Number of Directors; Filling Vacancies; Removal

The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to the rights of holders of the Company’s preferred stock, the Company’s board of directors will fix the number of directors to comprise its board of directors. Subject to the rights of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Company’s common stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect directors under specified circumstances, any director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all the Company’s shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors then outstanding, voting together as a single class. Additionally, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over the Company’s common stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up to elect directors under specified circumstances, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of the Company’s directors and any vacancies on its board of directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause will be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the board of directors, and not by the Company’s stockholders. As discussed above, these provisions, in combination with the classified board of directors, have the effect of making it difficult for a potential acquirer to gain control of the Company’s board of directors.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings

The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by its stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing of such stockholders. Under the Company’s by-laws, special meetings may be called only by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total authorized number of directors that the Company would have if there were no vacancies or by the chairman of the board of directors. These provisions may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting unless a special meeting is called by the Company’s board of directors or the chairman of the board of directors.

 

173


Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

The Company’s by-laws establish advance notice procedures for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before a meeting of the stockholders. The business to be conducted at an annual meeting will be limited to business brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the Company’s board of directors or by a stockholder who has properly given notice to the Company’s secretary of that stockholder’s intention to bring such business before such meeting.

For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Company and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will be delivered to the Company’s secretary not later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, provided that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 calendar days before or more than 60 calendar days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day prior to such annual meeting. In the event that less than 100 calendar days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made by the Company to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th calendar day following the calendar day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public announcement was made by the Company, whichever first occurs. For purposes of determining whether a stockholder’s notice will have been delivered in a timely manner for the annual meeting of stockholders in 2008, the first anniversary of the previous year’s meeting will be deemed to be May 9, 2008.

The notice of a stockholder must contain specified information, including, without limitation:

 

   

as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, under the Exchange Act;

 

   

as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and

 

   

as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made

 

   

the name and address of record of such stockholder and of such beneficial owner,

 

   

the class and number of the Company’s shares which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner,

 

   

a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, and

 

   

a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (i) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (ii) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination.

The advance notice provisions may preclude a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if the proper procedures are not followed. Additionally, the advance notice provisions may deter a third party from conducting a solicitation for the election of its own slate of directors or for the approval of its own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of those nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.

 

174


Preferred Stock

The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes its board of directors, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of one or more series of preferred stock, which may be greater than those of the Company’s common stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase shares of preferred stock, could be used to discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. In addition, under some circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the Company’s common stockholders.

Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation

The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that the affirmative vote of holders of record representing at least 75% of the voting power of all shares of capital stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class, is required to alter, amend or adopt any provision inconsistent with the provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation relating to:

 

   

stockholder action, including the inability of the Company’s stockholders to take action by written consent;

 

   

the board of directors, including the provisions relating to the classification of the board of directors, the board of directors’ right to fix the number of directors and to fill vacancies on the board of directors; and

 

   

the percentage of voting power required to adopt, alter, amend or repeal existing, or adopt new, by-laws.

These supermajority voting requirements have the effect of making any amendment by the stockholders of certain important provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation more difficult, even if a majority of the Company’s stockholders believes that the amendment would be in their best interest.

Rights Plan

The Company will enter into a rights agreement with Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as rights agent. Under the rights agreement, the shares of Company common stock will include certain attached rights associated with a significant change in beneficial ownership of the Company. Under the rights agreement, one right is attached to each share of the Company’s common stock outstanding, but is not detachable until a distribution triggering event. The exercise price of the rights is $24, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the rights agreement. A complete description of the terms of the rights is set forth in the rights agreement, which was publicly filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Company’s filing on Form 10 on January 26, 2007. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Under the rights agreement, the rights will detach from the shares of Company common stock upon the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days after the public announcement or a notice to the Company that a person (other than certain exempted persons) together with its affiliates and associates (referred to as an acquiror) acquired beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in the rights agreement) of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Company common stock; or (ii) 10 business days (or, if determined by the board of directors of the Company, a specified or unspecified later date) after an acquiror commences or announces its intention to commence a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Company common stock (in each case, referred to as a distribution triggering event). The foregoing will not apply to the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any person who is and who will remain eligible to file a Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act.

Upon a distribution triggering event, the rights will be evidenced by separate certificates distributed to holders of Company common stock, and the rights will become both exercisable and transferable separately from the Company common stock. If the acquiror purchases or otherwise acquires an equity position in the Company equal to or greater than a 10% interest (referred to as a flip-in triggering event), each right (other than any rights

 

175


beneficially owned by the acquiror) will convert into the right to acquire shortly after the flip-in triggering event shares of Company common stock with a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the right as of the such date. Valuation of the flip-in conversion right will be based upon the average trading price of the Company common stock during the 30 trading days preceding the occurrence of a flip-in triggering event. This feature of the rights agreement will provide the stockholders with the power to substantially dilute an acquiror’s equity ownership in the Company and therefore substantially increase the cost of a takeover. After the distribution triggering event, if any person were to merge or otherwise combine with the Company, or the Company were to sell or transfer 50% or more of its assets, cash flow or earning power (referred to as a flip-over triggering event), each right will convert into the right to acquire that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company with a market value equal to twice the exercise price of the right. The right will therefore provide the stockholders of the Company with a dilutive 50% discount on the purchase of the acquiror’s equity. The rights agreement will enforce this flip-over feature by prohibiting any business combination transaction unless the acquiring company agrees to assume the obligations under the plan.

The rights will not be exercisable before a distribution triggering event and will expire on the second anniversary of the consummation of the Transactions, unless such date is extended or the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company. At any time before the expiration date of this Exchange Offer or, if earlier, before a distribution triggering event, the Company may, at its option and without the approval of any holder of the rights:

 

   

redeem all, but not less than all, of the then outstanding rights at a redemption price of $0.01 per right, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the rights agreement; and

 

   

supplement or amend any provision of the rights agreement, except that no supplement or amendment shall be made that changes the redemption price of the rights.

After a distribution triggering event, the Company may, at its option, elect to exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable rights (other than rights beneficially owned by the acquiror) for shares of Company common stock at an exchange ratio equal to one share of Company common stock per right, provided, however, that the Company may not effect such an exchange after any person (other than the Company and certain of its affiliates) becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the shares of Company common stock then outstanding.

Until a right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company other than the rights associated with actual ownership of shares of Company common stock.

Delaware Law

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law will apply to the Company. Section 203 provides that, subject to the exceptions specified in that section, a corporation may not engage in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder unless:

 

   

prior to that time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding certain shares); or

 

   

subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and by the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

176


Pursuant to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is defined to include:

 

   

any person that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within three years immediately prior to the relevant date; and

 

   

the affiliates and associates of any person described in the preceding clause.

Under certain circumstances, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law makes it more difficult for a person who would be an interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. It is anticipated that the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may encourage persons interested in acquiring the Company to negotiate in advance with its board of directors, since those persons could avoid the stockholder approval requirement if a majority of the directors then in office approves either the business combination or the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder.

 

177


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Some of the Company’s directors and executive officers own Weyerhaeuser common shares and vested Weyerhaeuser options or are former employees of Weyerhaeuser. Following the Transactions and after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding equity awards, the Company expects, based on their holdings as of January 19, 2007, that its directors and executive officers will beneficially own up to 563,741 Weyerhaeuser common shares depending on whether they elect to continue to hold all of their equity awards or elect to exchange all of their equity awards in exchange for equity awards to be granted by the Company and whether any of their Weyerhaeuser shares are exchanged in this Exchange Offer. See “The Transaction Agreement—Treatment of Weyerhaeuser Equity Awards.” This represents up to 0.24% of the outstanding Weyerhaeuser common shares. Ownership of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser equity awards by the Company’s directors and officers after its separation from Weyerhaeuser could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest for such directors and officers when faced with decisions that could have disparate implications for Weyerhaeuser and the Company.

In connection with the Transactions, the Company and/or Newco will enter into a tax sharing agreement, an intellectual property license agreement, a transition services agreement, a Plymouth pine chip supply agreement, a Plymouth hog fuel supply agreement, a Columbus pine chip supply agreement, Canadian fiber supply agreements, a slush pulp sales agreement and site services agreements. The site services will relate to facilities in Columbus, Mississippi; Plymouth, North Carolina and Kamloops, British Columbia with Weyerhaeuser, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited or Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd. In addition, the Company expects to enter into a joint purchase agreement with Weyerhaeuser. See “The Company’s Relationship With Weyerhaeuser After the Distribution.”

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of Company common stock offered hereby and certain legal matters with respect to the transaction are being passed upon for the Company by Mr. Sandy McDade, general counsel of Weyerhaeuser. Certain tax and other legal matters are being passed upon for Weyerhaeuser by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The combined financial statements of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company) as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 25, 2005, have been included herein, and the consolidated financial statements of Weyerhaeuser Company as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 25, 2005, have been incorporated by reference herein, in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere and incorporated by reference herein, respectively, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Domtar incorporated in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange by reference to Domtar’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on March 27, 2006, Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006 and Domtar’s report on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 have been so incorporated by reference in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent chartered accountant firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

178


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The Company has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Forms S-4 and S-1 under the Securities Act, of which this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange forms a part, to register with the SEC the shares of Company common stock to be delivered in this Exchange Offer to shareholders whose Weyerhaeuser common shares and Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares are accepted for exchange. Weyerhaeuser will also file a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO with the SEC with respect to this Exchange Offer. This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange constitutes Weyerhaeuser’s offer to exchange, in addition to being a prospectus of the Company.

This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, the exhibits to the registration statement or the Schedule TO, selected portions of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information pertaining to Weyerhaeuser and the Company, reference is made to the registration statement and its exhibits.

Statements contained in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange or in any document incorporated by reference into this document as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to within this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange or other documents that are incorporated herein by reference are not necessarily complete and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of the applicable contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each statement in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange regarding an agreement or other document is qualified in all respects by such agreement or other document.

The SEC allows certain information to be “incorporated by reference” into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, except for any information superseded or modified by information contained directly in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange or in any document subsequently filed by Weyerhaeuser, or furnished by Domtar, that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference. This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that Weyerhaeuser has filed with, or Domtar has furnished to, the SEC and any future filings by Weyerhaeuser or reports furnished by Domtar under sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange to the date that shares are accepted pursuant to this Exchange Offer (or the date that this Exchange Offer is terminated). Subsequent filings with the SEC will automatically modify and supersede information in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. These documents contain important information about Weyerhaeuser, Domtar and their respective business and financial condition:

Weyerhaeuser:

 

   

Weyerhaeuser’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2005;

 

   

Weyerhaeuser’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 24, 2006;

 

   

Weyerhaeuser’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 25, 2006;

 

   

Weyerhaeuser’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 26, 2006;

 

   

Weyerhaeuser’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on March 10, 2006;

 

   

Weyerhaeuser’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 22, 2007;

 

   

Weyerhaeuser’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 2, 2007; and

 

   

Weyerhaeuser’s Report on Form 8-K provided to the SEC on February 9, 2007.

Domtar:

 

   

Domtar’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on March 27, 2006;

 

   

Domtar’s Report on Form 6-K for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006 provided to the SEC on October 31, 2006;

 

179


   

Domtar’s Report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on November 20, 2006;

 

   

Domtar’s Report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006;

 

   

Domtar’s Report on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007;

 

   

Domtar’s Report on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on February 1, 2007; and

 

   

Domtar’s Report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on February 6, 2007.

You may read and copy all or any portion of the registration statement at the offices of the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. The SEC maintains a website, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and prospectus and other information regarding registrants, such as Weyerhaeuser and Domtar, that file electronically with the SEC. Upon the consummation of the Transactions, the Company will become subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference rooms and the SEC’s website. You can also find additional information about Weyerhaeuser at www.weyerhaeuser.com and about Domtar at www.domtar.com.

All documents filed by Weyerhaeuser pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange to the date that shares are accepted for exchange pursuant to this Exchange Offer (or the date that this Exchange Offer is terminated) shall also be deemed to be incorporated into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange by reference.

Documents incorporated by reference are available without charge upon request to Weyerhaeuser’s information agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated. In order to ensure timely delivery, any request should be submitted no later than February 23, 2007.

Weyerhaeuser, the Company and Domtar have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about this Exchange Offer that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange or in any of the materials that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to exchange or sell, or solicitations of offers to exchange or purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

Effective in the second quarter of 2006, Domtar has presented its Vancouver paper mill as a discontinued operation and as assets held for sale in its consolidated financial statements pursuant to FAS No. 144. In accordance with the relevant accounting and SEC requirements, Domtar has restated its historical financial statements for each of the fiscal years in the five year period ended December 31, 2005 to present the Vancouver paper mill as a discontinued operation. This reclassification has no effect on Domtar’s reported net earnings; “Earnings (loss) from continuing operations” and “Loss from discontinued operations” are presented as new lines in the statement of earnings and “Assets held for sale” is presented as a new line item on the balance sheet. Domtar’s restated audited financial statements for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 and as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 together with the related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” are contained in Domtar’s report on Form 6-K provided to the SEC on December 15, 2006, as amended by Domtar’s report on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007.

The unaudited pro forma financial information of Domtar and the notes thereto reflecting the sale of Norampac and the related reconciliation of Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP are contained in Domtar’s reports on Form 6-K/A provided to the SEC on January 26, 2007 and February 1, 2007.

 

180


Weyerhaeuser has restated its financial statements for each of the years in the five year period ended December 25, 2005 to present its North American and Irish composite panels facilities as discontinued operations pursuant to FAS No. 144. This reclassification has no effect on Weyerhaeuser’s reported net earnings. These restated financial statements can be found in the Form 8-K dated January 22, 2007 as filed with the SEC.

Indicative exchange ratios will be available at www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on each day during the exchange offer period, calculated as though that day were the expiration date of this Exchange Offer. The final exchange ratio will be available at www.WeyerhaeuserDomtarExchange.com by 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on the final day of the exchange offer period. During the period of the Valuation Dates, when the per share values of Weyerhaeuser common shares and Domtar common shares are calculated for the purposes of this Exchange Offer, the website will show the indicative exchange ratios based on indicative calculated per share values which will equal (i) on the first Valuation Date, the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day, (ii) on the second Valuation Date, the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day averaged with the actual daily VWAP on the first Valuation Date and (iii) on the third Valuation Date, the intra-day VWAP during the elapsed portion of that day averaged with the actual daily VWAP on the first Valuation Date and with the actual daily VWAP on the second Valuation Date.

The Company and Weyerhaeuser believe that the information presented herein is accurate as of the date hereof. Changes will occur after the date of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange, and neither the Company nor Weyerhaeuser will update the information except to the extent required in the normal course of their respective public disclosure practices and as required pursuant to the federal securities laws.

 

181


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Domtar Corporation (formerly known as Weyerhaeuser TIA, Inc.)

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2006

   F-3

Notes to Balance Sheet

   F-4

Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-6

Combined Balance Sheets as of September 24, 2006 (unaudited), December 25, 2005, and December 26, 2004

   F-7

Combined Statements of Operations for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and for the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004, and December 28, 2003

   F-8

Combined Statements of Business Unit Equity for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and for the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004, and December 28, 2003

   F-9

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and for the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004, and December 28, 2003

   F-10

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

   F-11

 

F-1


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Sole Stockholder

Domtar Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Domtar Corporation (formerly known as Weyerhaeuser TIA, Inc. and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Company) as of December 31, 2006. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Domtar Corporation (formerly known as Weyerhaeuser TIA, Inc. and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Company) as of December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Seattle, Washington

January 25, 2007

 

F-2


DOMTAR CORPORATION

(formerly known as Weyerhaeuser TIA, Inc. and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Balance Sheet

 

     December 31, 2006  

Assets

  

Cash

   $ —    
        

Stockholder’s Equity

  

Common shares, $.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding

   $ 10  

Amount receivable from Weyerhaeuser Company

     (10 )
        

Stockholders’ equity

   $ —    
        

 

 

See accompanying notes to balance sheet.

 

F-3


DOMTAR CORPORATION

(formerly known as Weyerhaeuser TIA, Inc. and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Balance Sheet

December 31, 2006

1. Organization

Domtar Corporation (formerly known as Weyerhaeuser TIA, Inc.) (the “Company”) was organized in the State of Delaware on August 16, 2006, and is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Company (“Weyerhaeuser”). The Company is a holding company organized for the sole purpose of holding Weyerhaeuser’s Fine Paper Business and consummating a combination of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business with Domtar Inc. (“Domtar”). The Company has had no operations to date.

Following the combination, the Company will be an independent public company, owned approximately 55% by current and former Weyerhaeuser shareholders and approximately 45% by former Domtar shareholders, in each case on a fully diluted basis.

The shares of Company common stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

2. Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has obtained commitments from financial institutions to provide an aggregate amount of up to $2.775 billion in financing consisting of:

 

   

A five-year senior secured revolving credit facility in a principal amount of $750 million, up to $350 million of which may be borrowed or utilized for letters of credit by Domtar; and

 

   

A three-month unsecured loan facility in the principal amount of $1.35 billion, which, upon consummation of the combination, will be refinanced, in part, by a new seven–year senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate amount of up to $1.7 billion, which may be increased at the option of the Company by incremental loans available to the Company and Domtar of up to $325 million to the extent necessary to refinance the existing accounts receivable securitization of Domtar and/or to redeem notes if tendered pursuant to a potential change of control offer with respect to Domtar’s $125 million 9.5% debentures due August 2016.

The three-month loan facility is expected to be used to finance a $1.35 billion cash payment to Weyerhaeuser as consideration for Weyerhaeuser’s contribution of the Fine Paper Business.

3. Existing Weyerhaeuser and Domtar Equity Awards

Weyerhaeuser employees that hold equity awards and who will become employees of the Company may elect to continue to hold their Weyerhaeuser equity awards, or may surrender those awards in exchange for Company equity awards.

Domtar stock options that have an exercise price equal to or less than the volume weighted average trading price of the Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets on the last trading day prior to the Distribution, will be exchanged for an option to purchase that number of shares of Company common stock equal to the number of Domtar common shares subject to the Domtar stock option. The exercise price will be equal to the exercise price per share of such option immediately prior to the exchange. Domtar stock options that have an exercise price greater than the volume weighted average trading price of the Domtar common shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets on the last trading day prior to the Distribution, will be exchanged for an option to purchase a number of shares of Company common stock of equivalent value determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Other Domtar equity awards will be exchanged for Company equity awards on a one–for–one basis.

 

F-4


DOMTAR CORPORATION

(formerly known as Weyerhaeuser TIA, Inc. and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Balance Sheet—(Continued)

December 31, 2006

 

4. Taxes

Weyerhaeuser and the Company will enter into a tax sharing agreement whereby Weyerhaeuser will generally be required to indemnify the Company for any taxes attributable to all pre-distribution periods and the Company will be required to indemnify Weyerhaeuser for any taxes attributable to its operations for all post-distribution periods.

5. Transition Services

Weyerhaeuser, its affiliates, or certain third parties will provide services to the Company relating to finance and administration, human resources, payroll and information technology, and other areas the Company may request. The agreement will terminate when all of the terms of the services have expired or otherwise terminated.

6. Site Services Agreements

The Company and Weyerhaeuser will enter into site services agreements with respect to certain facilities that are jointly owned between the Company and Weyerhaeuser. The site service agreements will include parking, office space, temporary use of roads, chips, steam, natural gas, and electricity.

7. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

F-5


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Weyerhaeuser Company:

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company) as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, and the related combined statements of operations, Business Unit equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 25, 2005. These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company) as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 25, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Seattle, Washington

November 14, 2006, except for note 19, which is
as of January 5, 2007

 

F-6


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Combined Balance Sheets (note 2(a))

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

    

September 24,
2006

   December 25,
2005
   December 26,
2004
     (Unaudited)          

Assets

        

Current assets:

        

Cash

   $ 1    $ 1    $ 2

Receivables, less allowances of $2, $2, and $2

     339      321      281

Inventories (note 3)

     523      562      548

Prepaid expenses

     8      4     

Deferred income taxes (note 7)

     18      20      25
                    

Total current assets

     889      908      856

Property, plant and equipment, net (notes 4 and 15)

     3,085      3,219      3,882

Construction in progress

     54      51      41

Goodwill (note 5)

     14      763      769

Deferred pension and other assets (note 12)

     31      29      17
                    

Total assets

   $ 4,073    $ 4,970    $ 5,565
                    

Liabilities and Business Unit Equity

        

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (notes 6 and 16)

   $ 272    $ 318    $ 276

Debt and current portion of capital leases (notes 8 and 15)

     12      12      13
                    

Total current liabilities

     284      330      289

Environmental and landfill reserves (notes 14 and 15)

     23      26      28

Other liabilities (note 15)

     43      24      37

Deferred income taxes (note 7)

     766      817      950
                    

Total liabilities

     1,116      1,197      1,304

Contingencies and commitments (note 15)

        

Business Unit equity (note 9)

     2,957      3,773      4,261
                    

Total liabilities and Business Unit equity

   $ 4,073    $ 4,970    $ 5,565
                    

 

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

F-7


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Combined Statements of Operations (note 2(a))

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                    

Sales (a)

   $ 2,433     $ 2,456     $ 3,267     $ 3,026     $ 2,854  

Costs and expenses:

          

Cost of products sold (b)

     2,000       2,037       2,760       2,485       2,388  

Depreciation and amortization

     228       263       357       348       338  

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes

     19       17       24       22       20  

Selling, general and administrative including allocated Weyerhaeuser Company costs

     129       130       174       192       186  

Charges for restructuring (note 16)

     —         4       3       17       17  

Charges for closure of facilities (note 16)

     17       —         534       —         7  

Impairment of goodwill (note 5)

     749       —         1       —         —    

Other operating costs (income)

     2       (2 )     (8 )     3       (6 )
                                        

Total costs and expenses

     3,144       2,449       3,845       3,067       2,950  
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (711 )     7       (578 )     (41 )     (96 )

Income tax expense (benefit) (note 7)

     7       (2 )     (100 )     (24 )     (33 )
                                        

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     (718 )     9       (478 )     (17 )     (63 )

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of income taxes (note 2(u))

     —         —         —         —         (4 )
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (718 )   $ 9     $ (478 )   $ (17 )   $ (67 )
                                        

(a) Includes sales of $75, $93, $132, $146, and $84 to related parties (note 10).
(b) Includes purchases of $136, $185, $421, $338, and $332 from related parties (note 10).

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

F-8


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Combined Statements of Business Unit Equity (note 2(a))

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
     (Unaudited)                    

Balance, beginning

   $ 3,773     $ 4,261     $ 4,316     $ 4,303  

Net loss

     (718 )     (478 )     (17 )     (67 )

Other comprehensive income:

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     29       (50 )     38       122  

Additional minimum pension liability adjustment, net of taxes

     —         (6 )     2       15  

Net change in cash flow fair value adjustments, net of taxes

     (18 )     9       2       1  
                                

Comprehensive income (loss)

     (707 )     (525 )     25       71  

Net payments from (to) Weyerhaeuser

     (134 )     (76 )     (121 )     (63 )

Net non-cash contributions from Weyerhaeuser

     25       113       41       5  
                                

Balance, ending

   $ 2,957     $ 3,773     $ 4,261     $ 4,316  
                                

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

F-9


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Combined Statements of Cash Flows (note 2(a))

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                    

Cash provided by (used in):

          

Operations:

          

Net income (loss)

   $ (718 )   $ 9     $ (478 )   $ (17 )   $ (67 )

Items not involving cash:

          

Depreciation and amortization

     228       263       357       348       338  

Deferred income taxes, net (note 7)

     (47 )     (9 )     (135 )     (48 )     35  

Impairment of goodwill
(note 5)

     749       —         1       —         —    

Charges for closures and restructurings (note 16)

     17       4       537       17       24  

Changes in non-cash operating working capital:

          

Receivables

     (18 )     (85 )     (40 )     (19 )     27  

Inventories

     41       (17 )     (25 )     (56 )     (41 )

Prepaid expenses

     (4 )     (34 )     (4 )     4       3  

Deferred pension and other assets

     (2 )     (5 )     (12 )     2       (16 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (63 )     38       (9 )     (13 )     (27 )

Other liabilities

     8       12       (2 )     (9 )     14  
                                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     191       176       190       209       290  

Investments:

          

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (53 )     (82 )     (113 )     (89 )     (223 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     —         —         4       7       2  
                                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (53 )     (82 )     (109 )     (82 )     (221 )

Financing:

          

Net payments from (to) Weyerhaeuser

     (134 )     (90 )     (76 )     (121 )     (63 )

Debt and capital lease payments

     (4 )     (4 )     (6 )     (5 )     (6 )
                                        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (138 )     (94 )     (82 )     (126 )     (69 )
                                        

Change in cash

     —         —         (1 )     1       —    

Cash, beginning

     1       2       2       1       1  
                                        

Cash, ending

   $ 1     $ 2     $ 1     $ 2     $ 1  
                                        

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

F-10


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

1. Background and nature of operations:

On August 22, 2006, Weyerhaeuser Company and certain wholly-owned subsidiaries (“WY”) entered into an agreement providing for:

 

   

a series of transfers and other transactions resulting in the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business (the “Business Unit”) becoming wholly-owned by Domtar Corporation (“Spinco”). Spinco is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of WY:

 

   

the distribution of shares of Spinco to WY’s shareholders; and

 

   

the acquisition of Domtar, Inc. (“Domtar”) by Spinco.

There is no assurance that the transactions described above will be consummated.

The Business Unit consists of pulp and paper mills, converting operations, sawmills, forest management licenses and related assets of WY. These facilities are principally engaged in the harvesting of timber and the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products, including softwood lumber and pulp and paper products.

The Business Unit’s segments are:

 

   

Pulp and Fine Paper, which manufactures and sells pulp and coated and uncoated paper to wholesalers, retailers and industrial users in North America, the Pacific Rim and Europe.

 

   

Softwood Lumber, which manufactures and sells softwood lumber products in North American markets.

 

   

Other which includes Forest Management Agreements in Canada and ancillary activities.

These combined financial statements do not reflect any effects of the proposed plan of arrangement with Domtar.

2. Significant accounting policies:

(a) Basis of presentation of financial statements:

These combined financial statements include the accounts of WY’s Fine Paper operations, one pulp operation and certain Canadian logging, forest management and sawmill operations. All significant transactions and balances between operations within the Business Unit have been eliminated.

The accompanying unaudited combined financial statements as of September 24, 2006 and for the 39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005 reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

The accompanying combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for the purpose of presenting the Business Unit’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Financial statements historically have not been prepared for the Business Unit. The accompanying combined financial statements have been derived from historical accounting records of WY. The historical operating results and cash flows of the Business Unit may not be indicative of what they would have been had the Business Unit been a stand-alone entity, nor are they necessarily indicative of what the Business Unit’s operating results and cash flows may be in the future.

 

F-11


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

The combined statements of operations for the Business Unit include allocations of certain costs from WY directly related to the operations of the Business Unit, including an apportionment of central general and administrative costs for accounting, human resources, purchasing, information systems, transaction services, payroll processing costs, legal fees and other overhead costs. These centralized costs were allocated to the Business Unit using a three-part apportionment factor based on relative headcount, assets and certain revenue. WY pension and post-retirement benefits expense was allocated based on relative salaried headcount, with the exception of pension expense of four Business Unit Canadian pension plans which are directly included in the combined statements of operations.

Management believes the methodologies applied for the allocation of these costs are reasonable. Except for an immaterial amount of interest on capital leases and debt that will be assumed by Spinco, interest expense has not been allocated to the Business Unit.

Certain of the Business Unit’s working capital assets, property, plant and equipment and liabilities are common assets and liabilities shared with WY facilities not part of the Business Unit. Allocations were performed in order to reflect the appropriate portion of each asset and liability in the accounts of the Business Unit. The allocations were based on third party sales percentages, headcount percentages or a three-part apportionment factor based on relative headcount, assets and certain revenue. Goodwill is allocated based on relative fair value. Management believes the methodologies used for the asset and liability allocations are reasonable.

Significant changes could have occurred in the funding and operation of the Business Unit if it operated as an independent, stand-alone entity, including the need for debt and the incurrence of interest expense, which could have a significant impact on its financial position and results of operations.

(b) Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of estimates and measurement uncertainty include the allocation of assets and costs as described in notes 2(a), 10, 12 and 13; the determination of net realizable value for receivables and inventory; the depreciation rates for property, plant and equipment; assessment of impairment for property, plant, equipment and goodwill; environmental matters; pension and other postretirement benefit plans; income taxes; and asset retirement obligations. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates based on currently available information. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(c) Fiscal year end:

The Business Unit’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of each calendar year. The Business Unit’s fiscal years in 2005, 2004 and 2003 each had 52 weeks. The Business Unit’s fiscal year in 2006 has 53 weeks.

(d) Business Unit equity:

Business Unit equity represents WY’s interest in the carrying value of the net assets of the Business Unit. WY uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of operations. As a result, none of

 

F-12


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

WY’s cash, cash equivalents or direct indebtedness has been allocated to the Business Unit in the financial statements. All transactions between the Business Unit and WY, including the allocation of centralized costs, income taxes and cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments flow through the Business Unit equity account.

(e) Trade accounts receivable:

Trade accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts.

(f) Inventories:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost includes labor, materials and production overhead. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method is used to cost certain domestic raw materials, in process and finished goods inventories. LIFO inventories were $299 million, $283 million and $227 million at September 24, 2006, December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, respectively. The balance of domestic raw material and product inventories, all materials and supplies inventories and all foreign inventories is costed at either the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or moving average cost methods. Had the FIFO method been used to cost all inventories, the amounts at which product inventories are stated would have been $89 million, $65 million and $55 million greater at September 24, 2006, December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, respectively.

(g) Property, plant and equipment:

The Business Unit’s property accounts are maintained on an individual basis. Improvements to and replacements of major units are capitalized. Maintenance, repairs and minor replacements are expensed. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method at rates based on estimated service lives. Property under capital leases are stated at the present value of minimum lease payments and amortized over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the assets.

The cost and accumulated depreciation of property sold or retired are removed from the accounts and the gain or loss is included in the statements of operations.

(h) Forest management licenses:

The Business Unit holds forest management licenses in two Canadian provinces. The provincial governments grant these licenses for initial periods of 5-20 years, and the licenses are renewable every five years, provided the Business Unit meets normal reforestation, operating and management guidelines. Calculation of fees payable on harvested volumes varies between the two provinces, but is tied to product market pricing and the allocation of land management responsibilities agreed to in the licenses.

(i) Goodwill:

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually, or whenever events indicate a potential impairment, using a fair-value-based approach. The annual assessment is performed as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

 

F-13


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

(j) Revenue recognition:

The Business Unit recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, price to the buyer is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. The timing of revenue recognition is dependent on shipping terms. Substantially all product sales are sold free on board (“FOB”) shipping point and revenue is recognized at the time of shipment except for export sales where revenue is recognized when title transfers at the foreign port. For sales transactions that are designated FOB destination, revenue is recognized when the product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.

(k) Concentration of credit risk

Net sales to the Business Unit’s two largest customers accounted for approximately 27 percent, 27 percent, 27 percent, 27 percent and 28 percent of total sales in the thirty nine weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005 and the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10 percent of net sales for any of these periods.

(l) Shipping and handling costs:

The Business Unit classifies shipping and handling costs as a component of costs of products sold in the statements of operations.

(m) Impairment of long-lived assets:

The Business Unit accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. Statement 144 requires management to review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. The primary method used to estimate fair value is discounted cash flows.

(n) Stock-based employee compensation:

Some of the Business Unit’s employees participate in Weyerhaeuser Company’s Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Incentive Compensation Plan”) as described in note 11. Through December 25, 2005, WY applied the intrinsic-value method for stock-based compensation to employees prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”), Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations.

As described in “accounting pronouncements implemented,” APB Opinion No. 25 was superseded by FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share Based Payment, as of the beginning of fiscal 2006. Employee awards issued, modified, repurchased or cancelled after implementation of Statement 123R under share-based payment arrangements are measured at fair value as of the grant dates and the resulting costs is recognized in the combined statements of operations over the service period.

 

F-14


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

(o) Foreign currency translation:

The local currency is considered the functional currency for the Business Unit’s operations in Canada. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at the rate of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. Dollars at average monthly exchange rates.

(p) Income taxes:

The Business Unit is a business unit of WY and, for purposes of federal, state and provincial taxes, is not subject to income taxes. Its results of operations are included in WY’s tax returns. For purposes of these combined financial statements, the Business Unit’s tax expense (benefit) for federal, state and provincial income taxes has been determined on a separate return basis. All income tax expense (benefit) of the Business Unit is recorded in the statements of operations with the offset recorded through the Business Unit equity account or deferred tax accounts.

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

(q) Pension plans:

The Business Unit participates in WY pension plans covering most of its employees. Both U.S. and Canadian plans covering salaried employees provide pension benefits based on each employee’s highest monthly earnings for five consecutive years during the final 10 years before retirement. Plans covering hourly employees generally provide benefits of stated amounts for each year of service. The benefit levels for these plans are typically set through collective bargaining agreements with the unions representing the employees participating in the plans. Contributions to U.S. plans are based on funding standards established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Contributions to Canadian plans are based on funding standards established by the applicable Provincial Pension Benefits Act and by the Income Tax Act.

(r) Derivatives:

The Business Unit accounts for its derivatives in accordance with FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. The Business Unit participates in a WY hedging program whereby WY utilizes derivative financial instruments to fix the price of forecasted natural gas purchases. The Business Unit does not hold or issue financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. See note 13 for additional information.

(s) Environmental Costs:

Liabilities for loss contingencies, including environmental costs not within the scope of FASB Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been

 

F-15


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. Such accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. Costs of future expenditures for environment remediation obligations are not discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from third parties, which are probable of realization, are separately recorded as assets, and are not offset against the related environmental liability, in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts.

(t) Advertising costs:

Advertising costs are charged to expense in the period incurred. Advertising expense was $4 million, $5 million, $7 million, $6 million, and $6 million for the 39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005 and the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively.

(u) Accounting pronouncements implemented:

Consolidation of variable interest entities—WY adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, in 2004. Interpretation 46R addresses consolidation of certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The Business Unit consolidated one entity, Wapawekka Lumber LP (“Wapawekka”), as a result of adopting Interpretation 46R. Wapawekka is a 51 percent owned limited partnership that operates a sawmill in Saskatchewan, Canada. Wapawekka had net liabilities of $4 million and $3 million at September 24, 2006 and December 25, 2005, respectively, and net assets of $6 million at December 26, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46R did not have a material effect on the Business Unit’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Accounting for asset retirement obligations—WY adopted the provisions of Statement 143 as of the beginning of 2003. Statement 143 requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The cumulative effect of adopting the accounting principle on the Business Unit was a charge of $6 million before taxes, or $4 million after taxes.

Accounting for share-based compensation—WY adopted Statement 123R as of the beginning of fiscal year 2006. Statement 123R is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25. Statement 123R requires the fair value of employee awards issued, modified, repurchased or cancelled to be measured as of the grant dates. The resulting cost is then recognized in the combined statements of operations over the required service period. See note 11.

Accounting for inventory costs—WY adopted FASB Statement No. 151, Inventory Costs—An Amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, as of the beginning of 2006. Statement 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, Inventory Pricing, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). Among other provisions, Statement 151 requires that items such as idle facility expense, excessive spoilage, double freight, and rehandling costs be recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal” as stated in ARB No. 43. Additionally, Statement 151 requires that the allocation of fixed production overheads to the

 

F-16


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

costs of conversions be based on normal capacity of the production facilities. Adoption of Statement 151 did not have a material effect on the Business Unit’s financial position or results of operations.

The adoption of the following recent accounting pronouncements did not have a material effect on the Business Unit’s results of operations or financial condition:

 

   

FASB Statement No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets—An Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions.

   

FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.

(v) Prospective accounting pronouncements:

Fair value measurements—The FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, in September 2006. Statement 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Business Unit is currently evaluating the effect that Statement 157 will have on its financial position and results of operations for fair value measurements incurred after the adoption of Statement 157 in fiscal 2008.

Accounting for defined benefit pension and other post retirement plans—The FASB issued Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R), in September 2006. Statement 158 requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans (other than multiemployer plans) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position through comprehensive income. Statement 158 does not allow prior balance sheets to be adjusted and also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement balance sheet. The Business Unit is currently evaluating the effect that Statement 158 will have on its financial position when Statement 158 is adopted in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Uncertainty in income taxes—The FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, in June 2006. Interpretation 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with Statement 109. The Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Business Unit is currently evaluating the effect that Interpretation 48 will have on its financial position and results of operations when the Interpretation is adopted in the first quarter of 2007.

Accounting for planned major maintenance activities—The FASB issued Staff Position AUG AIR – 1, Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities, in September 2006. The Staff Position prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in annual and interim financial reporting periods. The three accounting methods permitted under the Staff Position are: 1) direct expensing method, 2) built-in overhaul method and 3) deferral method. The Business Unit currently uses the accrue-in-advance method to smooth planned major maintenance costs within years. The Business Unit is required to adopt the Staff Position in the first quarter of 2007 and will reflect major maintenance costs in the periods incurred for all interim periods presented after the effective date of the Staff Position.

 

F-17


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

Quantifying financial statement misstatements—The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in the Current Year Financial Statements, in September 2006. The Staff Accounting Bulletin requires registrants to quantify misstatements in current-year financial statements using both the balance sheet and income statement methods, commonly referred to as the iron curtain and rollover methods. The Business Unit is currently evaluating the effect that this Staff Accounting Bulletin will have on its financial position and results of operations when the Staff Accounting Bulletin is adopted in the fourth quarter of 2006.

3. Inventories:

 

      September 24,
2006
  

December 25,

2005

  

December 26,

2004

     (Unaudited)          

Logs and chips

   $ 23    $ 40    $ 36

Lumber

     2      4      6

Pulp and paper

     331      354      331

Materials and supplies

     167      164      175
                    
   $ 523    $ 562    $ 548
                    

4. Property, plant and equipment:

 

      Range of
Lives
   September 24,
2006
   

December 25,

2005

   

December 26,

2004

 
          (Unaudited)              

Land

      $ 34     $ 33     $ 29  

Buildings and improvements

   10-40      847       823       779  

Machinery and equipment

   2-25      5,784       5,646       5,463  

Other

   3      51       48       44  
                           
        6,716       6,550       6,315  

Less allowance for depreciation and amortization

        (3,632 )     (3,335 )     (2,433 )

Allocated property, plant and equipment

        1       4       —    
                           
      $ 3,085     $ 3,219     $ 3,882  
                           

5. Goodwill:

 

    

Pulp and

Fine Paper

    Softwood
Lumber
    Total  

Balance as of December 26, 2004

   $ 765     $ 4     $ 769  

Impairment of goodwill

     —         (1 )     (1 )

Foreign exchange impact on goodwill

     (5 )     —         (5 )
                        

Balance as of December 25, 2005

     760       3       763  

Impairment of goodwill

     (749 )     —         (749 )
                        

Balance as of September 24, 2006 (unaudited)

   $ 11     $ 3     $ 14  
                        

 

F-18


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

WY announced in April 2006 that it was considering alternatives for Fine Paper that range from continuing to hold and operate the assets to a possible sale or other disposition. In connection with this announcement, WY received information that indicated that the carrying value of the Fine Paper reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit. Based on an evaluation of the value of the assets and liabilities within the reporting unit, WY concluded that the implied value of the Fine Paper reporting unit’s goodwill was zero. Goodwill of the pulp reporting unit, which is part of Pulp and Fine Paper, was not impaired.

The goodwill impairment is not deductible for income tax purposes and represents a permanent book-tax difference. As a result, no tax benefit has been recognized for the goodwill impairment charge.

6. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

 

      September 24,
2006
  

December 25,

2005

  

December 26,

2004

     (Unaudited)          

Accounts payable

   $ 132    $ 151    $ 145

Payroll—wages and salaries, incentive awards, retirement and vacation pay

     74      98      65

Taxes—Social Security and real and personal property

     6      8      4

Other

     60      61      62
                    
   $ 272    $ 318    $ 276
                    

7. Income taxes:

Operating loss is comprised of the following:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                    

Domestic earnings (loss)

   $ (733 )   $ 103     $ 46     $ 50     $ (10 )

Foreign earnings (loss)

     22       (96 )     (624 )     (91 )     (86 )
                                        

Operating loss

   $ (711 )   $ 7     $ (578 )   $ (41 )   $ (96 )
                                        

 

F-19


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

Provisions for income taxes include the following:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                    

Federal:

          

Current

   $ 31     $ 5     $ 27     $ 9     $ (16 )

Deferred

     (19 )     (2 )     (32 )     (8 )     11  

State

          

Current

     8       1       8       4       (5 )

Deferred

     (6 )     (4 )     (8 )     (1 )     2  

Foreign

          

Current

     —         —         2       3       3  

Deferred

     (7 )     (2 )     (97 )     (31 )     (28 )
                                        

Income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 7     $ (2 )   $ (100 )   $ (24 )   $ (33 )
                                        

The provisions for income taxes of the Business Unit differ from the amount computed by applying the statutory income tax rate of 35% to operating loss before income taxes due to the following:

 

     Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 

US federal statutory income tax

   $ (202 )   $ (14 )   $ (34 )

State income taxes

     1       1       (2 )

Foreign income taxes

     120       4       5  

Tax credits

     (16 )     (15 )     (2 )

Tax rate changes and other

     (3 )     —         —    
                        

Income tax benefit

   $ (100 )   $ (24 )   $ (33 )
                        

 

F-20


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:

 

     

September 24,
2006

    December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
 
     (Unaudited)              

Inventories

   $ 10     $ 10     $ 5  

Vacation pay

     8       8       7  

Environmental and landfill reserves

     10       10       11  

Severance and closure reserves

     8       13       5  

Asset impairments

     152       145       —    

Net operating loss carryforwards

     124       109       70  

Other

     19       —         10  
                        

Gross deferred tax assets

     331       295       108  

Valuation allowance

     (109 )     (108 )     (2 )
                        

Net deferred tax assets

     222       187       106  
                        

Depreciation

     (962 )     (979 )     (1,028 )

Pension

     (8 )     (5 )     (3 )
                        

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (970 )     (984 )     (1,031 )
                        

Total net deferred taxes

   $ (748 )   $ (797 )   $ (925 )
                        

During 2005, the Business Unit recognized one-time deferred tax benefits of $3 million and $1 million resulting from a change in the Ohio state income tax law and a one-time reduction in the British Columbia provincial corporate income tax rate, respectively. Both benefits were due to the effect of the lower tax rates on accumulated temporary differences.

As of December 25, 2005, the Business Unit had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $319 million that expire from 2010 to 2013.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which 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. Management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets.

The valuation allowance increased $1 million and $106 million in the 39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 and the year ended December 25, 2005, respectively. The 2006 increase is due primarily to an increase in the foreign net operating loss carryforward. The 2005 increase is due primarily to reserves established in 2005 for facility closures and an increase in the foreign net operating loss carryforward.

8. Debt:

The Business Unit’s consolidated variable interest entity (“VIE”), Wapawekka, has a demand loan from a bank outstanding in the amount of $6 million, $6 million and $7 million at September 24, 2006, December 25,

 

F-21


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

2005 and December 26, 2004, respectively. The loan is repayable in full on demand or before June 30, 2007 at an interest rate equal to the bank’s prime interest rate plus 1%. A letter of undertaking regarding duties recoverable pursuant to a letter of commitment with Weyerhaeuser Company Limited (“WY Ltd.”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of WY, has been pledged as specific security.

Wapawekka also has a demand loan from a bank outstanding in the amount of $1 million at September 24, 2006, December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004. The loan is repayable in full on demand or before June 30, 2007 at an interest rate equal to the bank’s prime interest rate plus 1%, with interest payable monthly. A $1 million guarantee from Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of WY Ltd., has been pledged as specific security.

9. Accumulated other comprehensive income:

Business Unit equity contains the following items:

 

     September 24,
2006
    December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
     (unaudited)            

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   $ 90     $ 61     $ 111

Additional minimum pension liability adjustments

     (6 )     (6 )     —  

Cash flow hedge fair value adjustments

     (7 )     11       2
                      
   $ 77     $ 66     $ 113
                      

10. Related party transactions:

The Business Unit engages in various transactions with WY that are characteristic of a consolidated group under common control. The receipts, disbursements and net cash position of the Business Unit are currently managed by WY through a centralized treasury system. Accordingly, both cash generated by and cash requirements of the Business Unit flow through Business Unit equity on the accompanying financial statements of the Business Unit.

Expenses in the amount of $70 million, $63 million, $93 million, $109 million and $102 million of WY were allocated to the Business Unit for the 39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005 and the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively. See notes 2(a) and 12 for nature of costs allocated and the allocation methodologies.

The Business Unit purchased the following from WY:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
   39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)               

Pulp and fiber

   $ 102    $ 168    $ 388    $ 322    $ 309

Corrugated boxes

     34      17      33      16      23
                                  

Total purchases

   $ 136    $ 185    $ 421    $ 338    $ 332
                                  

 

F-22


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

These purchases were at current market values with the exception of purchases from WY timberlands (which represent 40 percent, 34 percent, 46 percent, 39 percent and 36 percent of purchases) which were at a fully absorbed cost basis. One of the Business Unit’s facilities also purchases energy at cost from WY.

The Business Unit sold the following to WY:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
   39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)               

Pulp and fiber

   $ 2    $ 9    $ 12    $ 7    $ 7

Paper

     16      27      33      52      33

Lumber

     57      57      87      87      44
                                  

Total sales

   $ 75    $ 93    $ 132    $ 146    $ 84
                                  

These sales were at current market values.

11. Stock-based compensation plan:

Some of the Business Unit’s employees participate in the Incentive Compensation Plan. The Incentive Compensation Plan awards these employees options to purchase Weyerhaeuser Company’s common stock at the market prices as of the date granted.

WY applied the intrinsic value method for stock-based compensation to employees prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25 through December 25, 2005.

Compensation costs required to be disclosed by Statement 123 would have an immaterial effect on the Business Unit’s results from operations for 2005, 2004 and 2003. As disclosed in note 2(n), Statement 123R required WY to measure the fair value as of the grant dates of employee awards issued, modified, repurchased or cancelled after December 25, 2005 and to recognize the resulting cost in the statements of operations over the service period. The Business Unit recognized compensation costs in the 39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 of $2 million.

12. Employee benefit plans:

(a) Pension plans and postretirement benefits

The Business Unit participates in several retirement programs for its employees which are sponsored by WY. In the United States, this includes pension plans that are qualified under the Internal Revenue Code (qualified) as well as a plan that provides benefits in addition to those provided under the qualified plans for a select group of employees, which is not qualified under the Internal Revenue Code (unqualified). In Canada, plans are registered under the Income Tax Act and under their respective provincial pension acts (registered), or plans may provide additional benefits to a select group of employees, and not be registered under the Income Tax Act or provincial pension acts (non-registered). WY also provides benefits under a

 

F-23


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

postretirement health care and life insurance plan to eligible salaried employees in both countries. Benefits provided under the postretirement health care and life insurance plan are currently funded by the general assets of WY. The measurement date for all plans sponsored by WY is the end of the fiscal year.

Other than four Canadian pension plans (“Canadian Plans”) that will be transferred to Domtar at closing, management determined that it was not practical to allocate a portion of WY’s pension assets or to prepare detailed employee benefit plan disclosures for the stand-alone financial statements of the Business Unit in a manner that would be consistent with the level of detail provided in WY’s consolidated financial statements. Disclosures related to the Canadian Plans are included in this note.

The defined benefit pension expense (other than the Canadian Plans) relating to certain hourly employees and salaried employees is based on an allocation method described in note 2(a) and postretirement benefits expense is charged directly to the Business Unit. The defined benefit pension expense related to the Canadian Plans is charged directly to the Business Unit. The expense recognized for such plans by the Business Unit is as follows:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)               

Pension, net—allocated

   $ 4     $ 7    $ 9    $ 6    $ 2

Pension, net—direct

     (3 )          —        5      7

Postretirement benefits

     6       7      9      8      8
                                   

Net charge

   $ 7     $ 14    $ 18    $ 19    $ 17
                                   

(b) Canadian Plans

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the Canadian Plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets over the two year period ended December 25, 2005:

 

     December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
 

Reconciliation of benefit obligation:

    

Benefit obligation as of prior year-end

   $ 253     $ 223  

Service cost

     5       6  

Interest cost

     15       14  

Plan participants’ contributions

     2       1  

Actuarial loss

     40       —    

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     18       14  

Benefits paid

     (12 )     (12 )

Plan amendments

     10       1  

Curtailments

     (22 )     4  

Special termination benefits

     1       2  
                

Benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 310     $ 253  
                

 

F-24


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

     December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
 

Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year (actual)

   $ 235     $ 189  

Actual return on plan assets

     37       32  

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     16       13  

Employer contributions

     9       8  

Plan participants’ contributions

     2       1  

Benefits paid

     (12 )     (12 )
                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year (estimated)

   $ 287     $ 231  
                

WY funds its registered pension plans. WY expects to contribute approximately $7 million to the Canadian Plans in 2006.

The Business Unit estimates the projected benefit payments as of December 25, 2005 under the Canadian Plans over the next ten years will be as follows:

 

2006

   $ 40

2007

     14

2008

     14

2009

     14

2010

     14

2011-2015

     80
      
   $ 176
      

The funded status of the Canadian Plans at December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004 is as follows:

 

     December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
 

Funded status

   $ (23 )   $ (22 )

Unrecognized prior service cost

     10       5  

Unrecognized net loss

     37       23  
                

Prepaid benefit cost

   $ 24     $ 6  
                

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:

 

     December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
 

Prepaid benefit cost

   $ 18     $ 11  

Accrued liability

     (3 )     (7 )

Intangible asset

     —         2  

Cumulative other comprehensive loss

     9       —    
                

Net amount recognized

   $ 24     $ 6  
                

 

F-25


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for the Canadian Plans was $286 million and $221 million at December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, respectively.

The components of net periodic benefit costs for the Canadian Plans are as follows:

 

    

39 Weeks ended

September 24,
2006

    39 Weeks ended
September 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                    

Service cost

   $ 5     $ 4     $ 5     $ 6     $ 5  

Interest cost

     11       11       15       14       11  

Expected return on plan assets

     (20 )     (16 )     (22 )     (18 )     (12 )

Prior service cost recognized

     1       1       2       2       1  

Actuarial loss (gain) recognized

     —         —         —         1       2  
                                        
     (3 )     —         —         5       7  

(Gain) loss due to closure, sale, plan termination and other

     4       (6 )     (8 )     6       3  
                                        
   $ 1     $ (6 )   $ (8 )   $ 11     $ 10  
                                        

Registered Plans The investment strategy of the Canadian pension trust is to concentrate direct investments into cash and cash equivalents while gaining return exposures through financial instruments, such as total return and index swaps. WY has not established target allocations for the direct investment portfolio or the derivatives.

The Canadian registered plans are exposed to the risk of nonperformance by counterparties to the indirect investments but the Business Unit does not expect any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations. However, because there are no exchanges of principal on the indirect investments, only the amount of unsettled net receivables is at risk. The Business Unit manages this risk through selection of counterparties with a defined minimum credit quality, diversification, settlement provisions and documented agreements. Investments in hedge funds and private partnerships are controlled through selection and diversification of managers and strategies and use of limited liability vehicles. Portfolio risk is managed through diversification and by constraining the risk profile of the portfolio within defined boundaries.

In all periods presented, the discount rate is based on yields for corporate bonds rated AA or better, by matching cash flows to a spot rate yield curve.

The assets of the Canadian Plans are held in a master trust that also holds assets of other WY-sponsored plans. The allocation of the net assets held by the Canadian master trust and the U.S. master trust combined are as follows:

 

     December 25,
2005
    December 25,
2004
 

Private equity and related funds

   23.6 %   24.7 %

Real estate and related funds

   5.2     9.5  

Common stock and equity index instruments

   1.0     3.4  

Fixed income

   27.5     23.4  

Hedge funds

   43.0     39.1  

Net receivables

   0.1     0.4  

Accrued liabilities

   (0.4 )   (0.5 )
            
   100.0 %   100.0 %
            

 

F-26


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

The assumptions used in the measurement of the Canadian Plans’ benefit obligations are as follows:

 

     December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
 

Discount rate

   5.15 %   6.00 %

Rate of compensation increase

   3.25 %   3.50 %
            

The assumptions used in the measurement of the Canadian Plans’ net pension costs are as follows:

 

     Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
 

Discount rate

   6.00 %   6.25 %

Expected return on plan assets

   9.50 %   9.50 %

Rate of compensation increase

   3.50 %   3.50 %
            

The expected return on plan assets assumption reflects WY’s best estimate regarding the long-term expected return on the U.S. portfolio. The expected return assumption is based on historical fund returns. The Canadian fund’s investment strategy has mirrored that of the U.S. plan since 1998. The determination of the expected return on plan assets assumption requires a high degree of judgment and places weight on more recent pension plan asset performances.

(c) Defined Contribution Plan

The Business Unit participates in various defined contribution plans for salaried and hourly employees. The basis for determining plan contributions varies by plan. The amounts contributed to the plans for participating employees were $5 million, $5 million, $8 million, $7 million and $7 million in the 39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005, and the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively.

 

F-27


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

13. Derivatives:

(a) Hedging:

The Business Unit purchases natural gas at the prevailing market price at the time of delivery. In order to manage the cash flow risk associated with purchases of natural gas, the Business Unit participates in a WY hedging program whereby WY utilizes derivative financial instruments to fix the price of up to 30 percent of forecasted natural gas purchases for periods up to 18 months into the future. WY formally documents the hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, the risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transactions, and the methodologies used to assess effectiveness and measure ineffectiveness. Changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments are allocated by WY to individual facilities based on projected usage of natural gas. The Business Unit recognizes its allocable share of the gains and losses on WY’s derivative financial instruments in earnings when the forecasted purchases occur. A summary of amounts related to the Business Unit’s participation in the WY hedging program follows:

 

   

39 Weeks ended

September 24,
2006

    39 Weeks ended
September 25,
2005
  Year ended
December 25,
2005
  Year ended
December 26,
2004
  Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)              

Net gain recognized in cost of products sold

  $ 2     $ 3   $ 12   $ 1   $ (2 )

Unrealized gains (losses) not yet recognized in the statements of operations at the end of the period

  $ (12 )   $ 26   $ 18   $ 3   $ 1  
                                 

(b) Other:

The Business Unit is a party to purchase and sale contracts for commodities that meet the definition of a derivative. However, the arrangements are accounted for as normal purchases and normal sales, not derivatives, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2004 because the Business Unit expects to take delivery on the purchase contracts and to ship product on the sales contracts. Losses recognized in the Business Unit’s combined statements of operations for the contracts were $3 million and $4 million in the years ended December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively.

14. Asset retirement obligations:

The Business Unit’s asset retirement obligations principally include landfill capping obligations and asbestos removal obligations. The Business Unit has estimated the net present value of its asset retirement obligations to be $17 million, $17 million and $18 million at September 24, 2006, December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, respectively. The majority of the asset retirement obligations are estimated to be settled by 2030. However, some settlement scenarios call for obligations to be settled as late as 2048. There were no significant changes in the asset retirement obligations for the periods presented.

The Business Unit has not recognized a liability under Interpretation 47 for certain legal obligations, primarily special handling for the removal and disposal of encapsulated asbestos from facilities and equipment. The fair value cannot be reasonably estimated because the settlement dates are unknown.

 

F-28


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

15. Legal proceedings, commitments and contingencies:

(a) Legal proceedings

The Business Unit is subject to a small number of claims and litigation matters that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of any legal proceeding is subject to a great many variables and cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, management currently believes that the ultimate outcome of these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Business Unit’s long-term results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

(b) Environmental matters

During the first quarter of 2006 the Business Unit closed its pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and the Big River sawmill in Saskatchewan due to poor market conditions. These facilities are currently not in operation. Spinco has not determined at this time whether the facilities will be reopened, sold or permanently closed. In the event the facilities are permanently closed, the Province of Saskatchewan may require active decommissioning and reclamation at one or both facilities. In the event decommissioning and reclamation is required at either facility, the work is likely to include investigation and remedial action for areas of significant environmental impacts.

The Business Unit is a party to various proceedings relating to the cleanup of hazardous waste sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as “Superfund,” and similar state laws. The EPA and/or various state agencies have notified the Business Unit that it may be a potentially responsible party with respect to other hazardous waste sites as to which no proceedings have been instituted against the Business Unit. As of the end of the third quarter of 2006, the Business Unit has established reserves totaling $6 million for estimated remediation costs on the three active sites across its operations. Environmental remediation reserves totaled $9 million at the end of 2005. The decrease in environmental remediation reserves reflects the incorporation of new information on all sites concerning remediation alternatives, updates on prior cost estimates and new sites, and the costs incurred to remediate these sites during this period. Based on currently available information and analysis, the Business Unit believes that it is reasonably possible that costs associated with all identified sites may exceed current accruals by up to $20 million, which may be incurred over several years. This estimate of the upper end of the range of reasonably possible additional costs is much less certain than the estimates upon which accruals are currently based, and utilizes assumptions less favorable to the Business Unit among the range of reasonably possible outcomes. In estimating both its current accruals for environmental remediation and the possible range of additional future costs, the Business Unit has assumed that it will not bear the entire cost of remediation of every site to the exclusion of other known potentially responsible parties who may be jointly and severally liable. The ability of other potentially responsible parties to participate has been taken into account, generally based on each party’s financial condition and probable contribution on a per-site basis. No amounts have been recorded for potential recoveries from insurance carriers.

(c) Purchase obligations

Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Business Unit and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction.

 

F-29


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

Purchase obligations exclude arrangements that the Business Unit can cancel without penalty. As of December 25, 2005, the Business Unit’s commitments under non-cancelable purchase obligations were $31 million in 2006 and $0 thereafter.

(d) Commitments

The Business Unit leases various equipment, warehouse space and office space under operating leases. The equipment leases cover light duty vehicles, forklifts and office equipment. The Business Unit recognized rent expense of approximately $13 million, $15 million, $20 million, $18 million and $20 million in the 39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005, and the years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively. The Business Unit also leases certain equipment under capital leases.

The Business Unit’s future commitments under operating and capital leases as of December 25, 2005 are as follows:

 

     Capital
Leases
   Operating
Leases
   Total

2006

   $ 7    $ 5    $ 12

2007

     7      4      11

2008

     6      2      8

2009

     6      1      7

2010

     4      1      5

Thereafter

     2      2      4
                    
     32    $ 15    $ 47
                

Less amounts representing interest

     5      
            

Present value of minimum lease payments

     27      

Less current portion of capital lease obligations

     5      
            

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

   $ 22      
            

Equipment under capital leases are as follows:

 

      Range of
Lives
   September 24,
2006
    December 25,
2005
    December 26,
2004
 
          (Unaudited)              

Equipment under capital lease

   3–11    $ 59     $ 47     $ 47  

Accumulated depreciation

        (26 )     (22 )     (16 )
                           
      $ 33     $ 25     $ 31  
                           

16. Charges for restructuring and closures of facilities:

(a) Restructuring Charges:

As WY has acquired businesses and consolidated them into existing operations, WY has incurred charges associated with the transition and integration of those activities. Certain of those charges were

 

F-30


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

incurred by the Business Unit. The charges reflected in the following table are primarily associated with WY’s 2002 acquisition of Willamette Industries, Inc., which included Fine Paper facilities and restructuring activities at the Dryden, Ontario and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan facilities:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
   39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)               

Severance and outplacement costs

   $ —      $ 3    $ 2    $ 10    $ 13

Pension curtailment

     —        —        1      6      3

Professional services

     —        1      —        1      1
                                  
   $ —      $ 4    $ 3    $ 17    $ 17
                                  

As of September 24, 2006 and December 25, 2005, the Business Unit’s accrued liabilities included approximately $3 million and $5 million of severance accruals related to integration and restructuring charges.

(b) Closures of facilities:

Facilities that do not represent a long-term strategic fit for the Business Unit, or that cannot achieve top-quartile performance without significant capital investments, are assessed for closure or sale. Changing market conditions and increasing productivity at many of the Business Unit’s operating facilities have provided the Business Unit with opportunities to rationalize its production capacity while retaining its ability to fulfill customer needs.

Closure charges recognized in 2005 include costs related to the closure of a pulp and paper facility and a fine paper machine. Additionally, the Business Unit recognized impairment charges for Wapawekka and a sawmill as they sell chips and hog fuel to the closed pulp and paper facility and do not have an alternate market for such residuals.

Activities associated with these closures are expected to continue through the end of 2006, but the Business Unit does not expect to incur any additional material charges related to these closures. Charges for closure of facilities include:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                

Asset impairments

   $ —       $ —      $ 499     $ —      $ —  

Termination benefits

     —         —        43       —        1

Other closure costs

     20       —        —         —        6

(Gain) loss on curtailment of pension benefits

     2       —        (8 )     —        —  

Reversals of closure charges recorded in prior periods

     (5 )     —              —        —  
                                    
   $ 17     $ —      $ 534     $ —      $ 7
                                    

 

F-31


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

Changes in accrued termination benefits related to facility closures during the 39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 and the years ended December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004 were as follows:

 

      September 24,
2006
    December 25,
2005
   December 26,
2004
     (Unaudited)           

Accrued severance—beginning balance

   $ 43     $ —      $ —  

Costs incurred and charged to expense

     —         43      —  

Payments

     (19 )     —        —  

Other adjustments

     (4 )     —        —  
                     

Accrued severance—ending balance

   $ 20     $ 43    $ —  
                     

17. Business segments:

The Business Unit is principally engaged in the harvesting of timber and the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products, including softwood lumber and pulp and paper. Management evaluates segment performance based on the contributions to earnings of the respective segments. Transfer of products between segments is accounted for at current market values.

An analysis and reconciliation of the Business Unit’s business segment information to the respective information in the combined financial statements is as follows:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                    

Sales to and revenues from customers external to the Business Unit:

          

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ 2,303     $ 2,309     $ 3,072     $ 2,867     $ 2,661  

Softwood Lumber

     64       98       127       113       101  

Other

     66       49       68       46       92  
                                        
     2,433       2,456       3,267       3,026       2,854  
                                        

Intersegment sales:

          

Pulp and Fine Paper

     1       1       2       1       —    

Softwood Lumber

     11       15       20       17       10  

Other

     45       89       123       109       69  
                                        
     57       105       145       127       79  
                                        

Total sales and revenues

     2,490       2,561       3,412       3,153       2,933  

Inter segment eliminations

     (57 )     (105 )     (145 )     (127 )     (79 )
                                        
   $ 2,433     $ 2,456     $ 3,267     $ 3,026     $ 2,854  
                                        

 

F-32


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
    39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 25,
2005
    Year ended
December 26,
2004
    Year ended
December 28,
2003
 
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                    

Contribution (charge) to earnings:

          

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ (703 )   $ 13     $ (492 )   $ (39 )   $ (76 )

Softwood Lumber

     (7 )     (7 )     (83 )     (1 )     (19 )

Other

     (1 )     1       (3 )     (1 )     (1 )
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (711 )     7       (578 )     (41 )     (96 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     7       (2 )     (100 )     (24 )     (33 )
                                        

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     (718 )     9       (478 )     (17 )     (63 )

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —         —         —         —         (4 )
                                        
   $ (718 )   $ 9     $ (478 )   $ (17 )   $ (67 )
                                        

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
   39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)               

Depreciation and amortization:

              

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ 221    $ 252    $ 341    $ 335    $ 325

Softwood Lumber

     7      11      15      13      13

Other

     —        —        1      —        —  
                                  
   $ 228    $ 263    $ 357    $ 348    $ 338
                                  

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
   39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)               

Charges for restructuring, closure of facilities and goodwill impairment:

              

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ 765    $ 3    $ 461    $ 16    $ 24

Softwood Lumber

     1      1      74      —        —  

Other

     —        —        3      1      —  
                                  
   $ 766    $ 4    $ 538    $ 17    $ 24
                                  

 

F-33


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
   39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)               

Capital expenditures:

              

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ 53    $ 82    $ 108    $ 84    $ 223

Softwood Lumber

     —        —        3      5      —  

Other

     —        —        2      —        —  
                                  
   $ 53    $ 82    $ 113    $ 89    $ 223
                                  

 

      September 24,
2006
   December 25,
2005
   December 26,
2004
   December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)              (Unaudited)

Total assets:

           

Pulp and Fine Paper

   $ 3,996    $ 4,883    $ 5,418    $ 5,506

Softwood Lumber

     54      66      134      131

Other

     23      21      13      12
                           
   $ 4,073    $ 4,970    $ 5,565    $ 5,649
                           

18. Geographical areas:

The Business Unit attributes sales to and revenues from customers in different geographical areas on the basis of the location of the customer.

Export sales from the United States consist principally of pulp. Long-lived assets consist of goodwill and property and equipment used in the generation of revenues in the different geographical areas.

Selected information related to the Business Unit’s operations by geographical area is as follows:

 

     39 Weeks
ended
September 24,
2006
   39 Weeks
ended
September 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 25,
2005
   Year ended
December 26,
2004
   Year ended
December 28,
2003
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)               

Sales to and revenues from customers external to the Business Unit:

              

United States

   $ 2,045    $ 2,050    $ 2,663    $ 2,737    $ 2,609

Canada

     388      386      559      288      231

Other foreign countries

     —        20      45      1      14
                                  
   $ 2,433    $ 2,456    $ 3,267    $ 3,026    $ 2,854
                                  

 

    

September 24,
2006

   December 25,
2005
   December 26,
2004
     (Unaudited)          

Long-lived assets:

        

United States

   $ 2,344    $ 3,164    $ 3,366

Canada

     809      869      1,326
                    
   $ 3,153    $ 4,033    $ 4,692
                    

 

F-34


WEYERHAEUSER FINE PAPER BUSINESS

(a Business Unit of Weyerhaeuser Company)

Notes to Combined Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollar amounts in millions)

39 weeks ended September 24, 2006 (unaudited) and September 25, 2005 (unaudited) and

Years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003

 

19. Subsequent event:

The U.S. and Canada reached a final settlement in 2006 to a long-standing trade dispute over Canadian exports of softwood lumber into the U.S. Under the settlement agreement, a Canadian export tax was instituted that replaced countervailing and antidumping duties imposed by the U.S., and Canadian softwood lumber exporters received refunds of approximately 81% of countervailing and antidumping duties paid between 2002 and 2006. The Business Unit received its refund of countervailing and antidumping duties of $65 million and recognized the refund as income in the fourth quarter of 2006.

 

F-35


 

 

 

 

 

 

This Prospectus—Offer to Exchange can be recycled. Thank you for recycling.

LOGO


The letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares and certificates evidencing Weyerhaeuser common shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each shareholder or his broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the exchange agent at one of its addresses set forth below. The letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and certificates evidencing Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each shareholder or his broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the Canadian depositary at one of its addresses set forth below.

The exchange agent for this Exchange Offer for the tender of Weyerhaeuser common shares is:

LOGO

 

By Mail:

   By Overnight Courier:    By Hand:

Mellon Investor Services LLC

  

Mellon Investor Services LLC

  

Mellon Investor Services LLC

Attn: Reorganization Dept.

  

Attn: Reorganization Dept.

  

Attn: Reorganization Dept.

P.O. Box 3448

  

480 Washington Boulevard

  

120 Broadway, 13th Floor

South Hackensack, NJ 07606

  

Mail Drop–Reorg

  

New York, NY 10271

  

Jersey City, NJ 07310

  

You may transmit manually signed facsimile copies of the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser common shares and the notice of withdrawal for Weyerhaeuser common shares to the exchange agent by facsimile transmission at 201-680-4626 and confirm the receipt of such facsimile transmission at 201-680-4860.

The Canadian depositary for this Exchange Offer for the tender of Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares is:

CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY

By Mail:    By Hand, Registered Mail or by Courier:
CIBC Mellon Trust Company    CIBC Mellon Trust Company

P.O. Box 1036

Adelaide Street Postal Station

Toronto, ON M5C 2K4

Attention: Corporate Actions

  

199 Bay Street

Commerce Court West

Securities Level

Toronto, ON M5L 1G9

Attn: Courier Window

 

Telephone: 416-643-5500

Toll Free: 800-387-0825

E-Mail: inquires@cibcmellon.com

  

Suite 1600

1066 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6E 3X1

You must return an original executed copy of the letter of transmittal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to the Canadian depositary. Signed facsimiles of such letter of transmittal may not be used in lieu of the original. You may transmit manually signed facsimile copies of the notice of withdrawal for Weyerhaeuser exchangeable shares to the Canadian depositary by facsimile transmission at 416-643-3148 and confirm the receipt of such facsimile transmission at 416-643-5500 or 800-387-0825 (toll free).

Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the information agent at the addresses and telephone numbers listed below. Additional copies of this Prospectus—Offer to Exchange and the applicable letter of transmittal and instructions thereto may be obtained from the information agent. A shareholder may also contact brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies for assistance concerning this Exchange Offer.

The information agent for this Exchange Offer is:

LOGO

501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, New York 10022

Shareholders Call Toll-free:

877-750-9497 (English speakers)

877-825-8777 (French speakers)

Banks and Brokers Call Collect: 212-750-5833

Until March 2, 2007, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.