Lesprom
05:32 AM / May 31, 2022,
PotlatchDeltic Corporation and CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction. The acquisition by PotlatchDeltic will strengthen and diversify a leading integrated timber REIT and continue to enhance shareholder value.
Based on the closing stock prices of PotlatchDeltic and CatchMark on May 27, 2022, the combined company is expected to have a pro forma market capitalization over $4 billion and total enterprise value of more than $5 billion, including $557 million in net debt.
Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of both companies, CatchMark stockholders will receive 0.23 common shares of PotlatchDeltic stock for each common share of CatchMark that they own. This reflects a price per share of $12.88 for each common share of CatchMark, and a 55% premium to CatchMark’s common share price as of the close of business on May 27, 2022. Following close of the transaction, PotlatchDeltic stockholders will own approximately 86% of the combined company, and CatchMark stockholders will own approximately 14% on a fully diluted basis.
The combination brings together two high quality timberland REITs resulting in PotlatchDeltic owning approximately 2.2 million acres of diversified timberlands including 626,000 acres in Idaho and over 1.5 million acres in strengthening markets in the U.S. South. PotlatchDeltic also remains the timber REIT with the most leverage to lumber prices, including 1.1 billion board feet of lumber capacity. The transaction also combines two successful and complementary real estate businesses.
The Board of Directors of the combined company will consist of nine Directors from PotlatchDeltic and one Director from CatchMark. The corporate headquarters will be maintained in Spokane, Washington. A regional office will be maintained in Atlanta, Georgia.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022. The transaction requires approval of stockholders of CatchMark and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
PotlatchDeltic is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that owns approximately 1.8 million acres of timberlands in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota and Mississippi.
Headquartered in Atlanta and focused exclusively on timberland ownership and management, CatchMark began operations in 2007 and owns interests in approximately 350,000 acres of timberlands located in the U.S. South.