SWM and Neenah Complete Merger to Become Mativ, a ~$3 Billion Global Leader in Specialty Materials – Well-Positioned to Serve Customers with Leading Technologies, Innovation, and Global Scale
Clear Path to Deliver $65+ Million Cost Synergy Plan, With Additional Upside Opportunities to Accelerate Revenue Growth
ALPHARETTA, Ga.– July 6, 2022 – Mativ Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MATV) (“Mativ” or the “Company”) today announced the successful completion of the merger of equals between Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (“SWM”) and Neenah, Inc. (“Neenah”), two leading global manufacturers of specialty materials, effective July 6, 2022. Mativ has approximately $3 billion in sales, supporting customers in more than 100 countries, and manufacturing capabilities on four continents. Beginning Wednesday, July 6, 2022, the Company will commence trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the market open, under the new ticker symbol “MATV.”
Pursuant to the merger agreement, Neenah shareholders received 1.358 shares of SWM common stock for each share of Neenah common stock owned. SWM’s shareholders will continue to hold their shares of SWM common stock. All SWM shares are now shares of Mativ common stock.
Julie Schertell, President and CEO of Mativ, commented, “I am extremely excited and proud to mark this important milestone in the journey of our two companies with the formation of Mativ. This merger is a unique opportunity to boldly reimagine our future as a stronger and faster-growing global enterprise. As we come together, we see significant near and long-term value creation opportunities to accelerate growth and amplify margins. With compelling strategic touch-points in key market categories, complementary geographies and technologies, increased global scale, and a passionate workforce with deep roots in material science, we are ideally suited to help solve our customer’s most critical challenges, which is the foundation of our cultural, commercial and financial success.”
Schertell continues, “As we bring the best of these two organizations together, our priorities are centered around supporting our customers, accelerating our growth, delivering the $65 million, or more, of deal-enabled cost synergies, and driving margins and cash flows to support deleveraging and a strong dividend. We will also continue to execute our strategy, including investments in our fastest growing and most profitable business units and decisive actions to optimize our portfolio over time. Mativ has tremendous potential, and, as we celebrate this new beginning, I want to recognize the efforts of our outstanding employees who work tirelessly every day to push the limits of what is possible.”
“Today marks an exciting new chapter in the rich histories of both companies, forming a scaled global leader in specialty materials to drive value for customers, employees, stakeholders, and our shareholders,” said Dr. John Rogers, Chairman of Mativ’s Board of Directors. “We will continue executing a well-defined strategy, maintain an attractive financial profile, and advance our corporate stewardship and governance efforts. Mativ is committed to providing attractive returns to shareholders while maintaining a prudent balance sheet and disciplined approach to capital allocation. We have assembled an exceptional, diverse, and experienced leadership team, and we look forward to working with Julie and her talented group of leaders to deliver on the promise of this transaction.”
Financial Reporting
Mativ will disclose financial results for two reporting segments: Advanced Technical Materials (ATM) and Fiber-Based Solutions (FBS). The ATM segment is comprised of five non-reporting business units: Filtration, Protective Solutions, Release Liners, Healthcare, and Industrials. This segment generally represents the combination of SWM’s legacy Advanced Materials and Structures and Neenah’s Technical Products reporting segments. ATM will deliver solutions that filter and purify air and liquids, support adhesive and protective applications, advance healing and wellness, and solve some of material science’s most demanding performance needs.
The FBS segment is comprised of two non-reporting business units: Engineered Papers and Packaging and Specialty Paper – and represents SWM and Neenah’s respective legacy paper segments. FBS will leverage the combined company’s extensive natural fiber capabilities to provide specialty solutions for various end-uses, including sustainable packaging, imaging and communications, home and office, and consumer goods, among other applications.
For the second quarter of 2022, Mativ will report financial results for legacy SWM and select financial and business highlights from Neenah. A call to discuss results, business performance, and future outlook, will be scheduled for August 10, 2022. Beginning in the third quarter of 2022, Mativ’s financials will be reported on a consolidated basis consistent with the timing effectiveness of the merger.
The Company intends to announce its first quarterly dividend distribution in conjunction with its second-quarter earnings release, following approval by its Board of Directors.
Additional information and an overview of Mativ’s products and services can be found at www.mativ.com.
About Mativ
Mativ Holdings, Inc. is a global leader in specialty materials headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Company offers a wide range of critical components and engineered solutions to solve our customers’ most complex challenges. With over 7,500 employees worldwide, we manufacture on four continents and generate sales in more than 100 countries. The Company’s two operating segments, Advanced Technical Materials and Fiber-Based Solutions, target premium applications across diversified and growing end-markets, from filtration to healthcare to sustainable packaging. Our broad portfolio of technologies combines polymers, fibers, and resins to optimize the performance of our customers’ products across multiple stages of the value chain. Our leading positions are a testament to our best-in-class global manufacturing, supply chain, and materials science capabilities. We drive innovation and enhance performance, finding potential in the impossible.