Filed by The Mead Corporation
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: The Mead Corporation
Commission File No. 1-2267
The following is an investor relations slide presentation prepared jointly by
The Mead Corporation and Westvaco Corporation:
[Mead LOGO] [Westvaco LOGO]
"A COMBINATION TO CREATE
SHAREHOLDER VALUE"
JERRY TATAR JOHN A. LUKE, JR.
CHAIRMAN & CEO CHAIRMAN & CEO
MEAD CORPORATION WESTVACO CORPORATION
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SAFE HARBOR
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This presentation contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of federal securities laws about our financial condition, results of
operations and business.
You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as "believes",
"expects", "anticipates", "estimates", or similar expressions used in this
presentation.
These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks
and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from our assumptions about future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by us in those
statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
statements, which speak only as of the date of this presentation.
The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section should be
considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking
statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. We undertake no
obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to
release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of this presentation or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events. Our SEC filings discuss these assumptions;
please consult them.
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 1
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MEADWESTVACO:
A COMBINATION TO CREATE SHAREHOLDER VALUE
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--------------------------- | \
| IMPROVED RETURNS, LOWER | | \
| COST, HIGHER GROWTH | | \
| | | \
--------------------------- | \
--------------------------- | \
| $325+ MM ANNUAL | | \
| COST SAVINGS | | \
--------------------------- | \
--------------------------- | \ INCREASED
| | | \ SHAREHOLDER
| EVALUATE NON-CORE ASSETS| | / VALUE
| | | /
--------------------------- | /
--------------------------- | /
| INCREASED FINANCIAL | | /
| STRENGTH | | /
--------------------------- | /
--------------------------- | /
| EXPERIENCED | | /
| MANAGEMENT TEAM | | /
--------------------------- | /
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 2
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TRANSACTION SUMMARY
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------------------- |X| Merger of Mead and Westvaco to form MeadWestvaco
| TRANSACTION | Corporation
| STRUCTURE | |X| Tax-free stock exchange
------------------- |X| New purchase accounting
-------------------
| EXCHANGE RATIOS | |X| 1 MeadWestvaco share per Mead share
------------------- |X| 0.97 MeadWestvaco share per Westvaco share
-------------------
| OWNERSHIP | |X| Approximately 50/50
-------------------
-------------------
| SPECIAL CASH | |X| $1.20 per Mead share
| PAYMENT |
-------------------
-------------------
| DIVIDEND | |X| $0.92 per share annually
-------------------
-------------------
| CORPORATE | |X| Stamford, CT
| HEADQUARTERS |
-------------------
-------------------
|SIGNIFICANT STAFF| |X| Dayton, OH
| & OPERATIONS |
-------------------
-------------------
| BOARD | |X| 50/50 Composition
-------------------
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 3
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MEADWESTVACO COMPANY PROFILE
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-----------------
| MEADWESTVACO |
| |
| SALES $8.0BN |
| EBITDA 1.6BN |
-----------------
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------
| | | |
---------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------
| PACKAGING | | PAPER | | CONSUMER AND | | SPECIALTY |
| | | | |OFFICE PRODUCTS| | CHEMICALS |
| | | | | | | |
| SALES $3.8BN | | SALES $3.1BN | | SALES $0.8BN | |SALES $0.3BN |
| EBITDA 855MM | | EBITDA 586MM | | EBITDA 109MM | |EBITDA 88MM |
---------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------
NOTE: BASED ON FY 2000 DATA; SEGMENT SALES AND EBITDA EXCLUDE INTERSEGMENT
TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER CORPORATE ITEMS.
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 4
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WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS
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[World map dotting locations of Mead and Westvaco worldwide operations]
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 5
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GLOBAL PACKAGING PLATFORM
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----------------------------- |\
| | | \
| FOCUS ON HIGH-MARGIN, | | \
| FAST-GROWTH SEGMENTS | | \
| | | \
----------------------------- | \
----------------------------- | \
| | | \
| ENHANCED GROWTH AND | | \
|CROSS-SELLING OPPORTUNITIES| | \ $3.8 BILLION
| | | \ GLOBALLY
----------------------------- | / INTEGRATED HIGH-
----------------------------- | / VALUE PACKAGING
| INNOVATION WITH MULTIPLE | | / BUSINESS
| SUBSTRATES AND PROCESS | | /
| CAPABILITIES | | /
----------------------------- | /
----------------------------- | /
| GROWTH THROUGH PACKAGE | | /
| DESIGN CAPABILITIES AND | | /
| STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS | | /
----------------------------- |/
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 6
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[MEAD LOGO] PACKAGING
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MAJOR PRODUCTS
|X| Coated natural kraft paperboard for high-
performance packaging systems for food
and beverage products and folding cartons
|X| Corrugating medium converted into [Graphics showing an
corrugated shipping containers for home assortment of beverage
and leisure, meat and poultry packing, packaging]
food processing and appliance manufacturing
OPERATING FACILITIES
Cottonton, AL
1,000,000 tons per year
Stevenson, AL
840,000 tons per year
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 7
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[Westvaco LOGO] PRIMARY
PACKAGING PRODUCTS
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MAJOR PRODUCTS
|X| Bleached paperboard for high-
value consumer packaging
|X| Graphic paperboard for
advertising inserts, book covers
and lottery tickets
|X| Unbleached paperboard for many [Graphics of Bleached
consumer applications Board and Unbleached
|X| Saturating kraft used in Paper and Board packaging]
decorative laminates for furniture,
countertops and other uses
|X| Aseptic board for extended shelf-
life, non-refrigerated beverage
and food packaging
|X| Linerboard for corrugated boxes
OPERATING FACILITIES
Covington, VA, mill Evadale, TX, mill
940,000 tons per year 760,000 tons per year
Charleston, SC, mill
880,000 tons per year 2 extrusion plants
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 8
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[Westvaco LOGO] CONSUMER PACKAGING
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MAJOR PRODUCTS
|X| CD and DVD packaging made from
paperboard and injection-molded plastic
|X| Packaging for prescription and over the
counter pharmaceuticals
|X| High value paperboard and rigid folded [Graphics showing
plastic packaging for cosmetics, personal consumer packaging]
care and other consumer products such
as candy
|X| Point-of-purchase displays
|X| Printed labels, booklets, inserts and
outserts
OPERATING FACILITIES
45 consumer packaging plants in 9 countries Alfred Wall AG
Westvaco packaging resources: Mebane Packaging
AGI/Klearfold Rigesa, Ltda.
AGI/Media
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 9
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COATED PAPER - A NEW LEADER
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------------------------------- |\
| | | \
| BROAD PRODUCT LINE | | \
| | | \
------------------------------- | \
------------------------------- | \
| NORTH AMERICA'S SECOND- | | \
| LARGEST COATED PRODUCER | | \ SIGNIFICANTLY
| 2.2 MILLION TPY | | \ ENHANCED
------------------------------- | \ EFFICIENCY, QUALITY
------------------------------- | / AND FINANCIAL
| STRONG CUSTOMER | | / RETURNS
| RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH | | /
| DIRECT AND MERCHANT SALES | | /
| CHANNELS | | /
------------------------------- | /
------------------------------- | /
| OPPORTUNITY FOR SIGNIFICANT | | /
| COST REDUCTION AND | | /
| MACHINE RATIONALIZATION | |/
-------------------------------
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 10
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[Mead LOGO] PAPER
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MAJOR PRODUCTS
|X| Coated offset for advertising, promotional
materials, annual reports, catalogs,
magazines and books
|X| Specialty papers for labels and wrappers,
decorative laminates and other industrial [Graphics showing magazines]
applications
|X| Carbonless copy paper for business
forms
|X| Card stock for greeting cards
OPERATING FACILITIES
3 Mills; 12 Paper machines
1,755,000 tons per year
Specialty papers
4 mills; 105,000 tons per year
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 11
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[Westvaco LOGO] PAPER SEGMENT
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MAJOR PRODUCTS
|X| Coated one-side papers for
labels, wraps and direct mail
|X| Coated papers for catalogs,
magazines and commercial
printing [Graphics showing Digital
|X| Digital papers for desk top Papers, Envelopes and
publishing Fine Papers products]
|X| Envelopes for high volume
bank, utility and credit card
customers
|X| Columbian(R) brand envelopes
for retail distribution
OPERATING FACILITIES
2 Mills; 5 Paper machines
745,000 tons per year
9 envelope plants and 7 print centers nationwide
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 12
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FIRST NAME IN CONSUMER & OFFICE PRODUCTS
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------------------------------- |\
| STRONG GROWTH DRIVEN BY | | \
| INNOVATIVE PRODUCT | | \
| DEVELOPMENT | | \
------------------------------- | \
------------------------------- | \
| STABLE CASH FLOW WITH | | \ A LEADING MANUFACTURER
| ATTRACTIVE RETURNS | | \ AND MARKETER OF BRANDED
| | | \ SCHOOL SUPPLIES,
------------------------------- | \ COMMERCIAL OFFICE
------------------------------- | / PRODUCTS AND TIME
| SUPERIOR MARKETING AND | | / MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS IN
| DISTRIBUTION THROUGH | | / NORTH AMERICA
| MULTIPLE CHANNELS | | /
------------------------------- | /
------------------------------- | /
| NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED | | /
| BRANDS | | /
| | | /
------------------------------- |/
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 13
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[Mead LOGO] CONSUMER & OFFICE PRODUCTS
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MAJOR PRODUCTS
[X] Mead(R) office and school supplies
[X] AT-A-GLANCE(R) time management planners
[X] Cambridge(R) business portfolios and padfolios [Graphics showing Mead
[X] Five Star(R) school supplies notebooks and binders]
[X] First Gear(R) school products
[X] Time Line(R) calendars
[X] Trapper Keeper(R) notebooks and school supplies
OPERATING FACILITIES
9 manufacturing plants KEY CUSTOMER SEGMENTS
in North America Mass retailing
Warehouse clubs
10 distribution centers Office supply superstores
in North America Commercial/contract stationers
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 14
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SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
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--------------------------- |\
| HIGH RETURNS AND STRONG | | \
| STABLE CASH FLOW | | \
| | | \
--------------------------- | \
| \
--------------------------- | \
| LEADING POSITIONS IN | | \ HIGH-VALUE SPECIALTY
| MULTIPLE SEGMENTS | | \ CHEMICALS FOR GROWING
| | | / GLOBAL MARKETS
--------------------------- | /
| /
--------------------------- | /
| STRONG GROWTH DRIVEN BY | | /
| INNOVATIVE PRODUCT | | /
| DEVELOPMENT | | /
--------------------------- | /
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 15
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[Westvaco LOGO] SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
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MAJOR PRODUCTS
|X| Asphalt emulsifiers for road
repair and construction
|X| Activated carbon for vehicle
emission controls
|X| Ink resins for printing uses [Graphics showing use of
|X| Agrichemicals Ink Resins, Asphalt Emulsifiers
|X| Dye dispersants for fabric and Activated Carbon]
dyes
|X| Paper sizing for printing
papers
OPERATING FACILITIES
Covington, VA
Wickliffe, KY
DeRidder, LA
North Charleston, SC
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 16
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FOREST RESOURCES
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------------------------------- |\
| 3.5 MILLION ACRES OF | | \
| SUSTAINABLY MANAGED | | \
| FORESTLANDS | | \
------------------------------- | \
------------------------------- | \
| ENHANCED WOOD BASKET | | \
| EFFICIENCIES | | \
| | | \ STRONG, SECURE,
------------------------------- | \ HIGH QUALITY
------------------------------- | / FIBER SUPPLY
| INCREASED MONETIZATION | | /
| OPPORTUNITIES | | /
------------------------------- | /
------------------------------- | /
| STRONG AND INNOVATIVE | | /
| RESEARCH CAPABILITY DRIVING | | /
| PRODUCTIVITY AND NEW | | /
| COMMERCIAL VENTURES | | /
------------------------------- |/
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 17
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COMPELLING COST SAVING AND SYNERGIES
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------------------
| OPERATING | [X] $325+ mm annual pre-tax operating synergies
| SYNERGIES | [X] MeadWestvaco pro-forma EPS impact of $1.01(1)
------------------
------------------
| | [X] 30% in year 1
| TIMING | [X] 75% in year 2
| | [X] Fully realized by end of year 2
------------------
------------------
| CAPEX/ | [X] Increased efficiency in combined capital spending
|WORKING CAPITAL | [X] Reduced working capital needs
------------------
------------------
| REVENUE | [X] Significant cross-selling opportunities
| | (broader range of products and customers)
------------------
NOTE: (1) ASSUMING FULL $325 MM OF SYNERGIES AND A 38% MARGINAL TAX RATE.
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 18
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TOP PRIORITY - REALIZE SYNERGIES
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Initial Opportunities Identified
--------------------------------
Paper $ 125 MM
Packaging 40
Purchasing & Logistics 70
Corporate Overhead / IT 90
----------------
TOTAL $ 325+ MM
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 19
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EVENTS SINCE MERGER ANNOUNCEMENT
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MEAD
[X] Announced planned closing of consumer and office products
facility in Atlanta, GA
WESTVACO
|X| Announced planned closing of paper mill, including 2 paper
machines, in Tyrone, PA
|X| Announced restructuring of consumer packaging operations
including closing of two plants in Richmond, VA, and
Memphis, TN
|X| Announced other restructuring and right-sizing actions which,
in combination with the above items, will lead to an estimated
$65 million pretax charge against fiscal 4Q01 earnings and
about $60 million a year in pretax annual savings
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 20
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SHARPEN BUSINESS FOCUS
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FOCUS ON BUSINESSES MEETING STRICT PARAMETERS
FOR STRATEGIC FIT, GROWTH AND FINANCIAL RETURNS
|X| Assets not meeting criteria will be restructured,
sold or closed
|X| Such assets may include:
-- Selected containerboard operations
-- Non-strategic woodlands
-- Selected paper operations
|X| Take appropriate action within 12 months
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 21
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COMMITMENT TO DELIVER SHAREHOLDER VALUE
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|X| Enhanced returns on capital and increased free cash flow
|X| Increase the return of capital to shareholders
-- Dividends
-- Share repurchases
|X| Reduce pro forma capital expenditures
-- Prudently assess growth capital
|X| Maintain strong investment-grade credit ratings
|X| Initial annual dividend of $0.92 per share
-- Increase of $0.24 for Mead shareholders
-- Maintains Westvaco on exchange ratio adjusted basis
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 22
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PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT
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2000(1)
------------------------------------
W/OUT SYNERGIES W/ SYNERGIES(2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $8,301 MM
EBITDA 1,613 1,938
EBIT 962
Net Income 407
EPS $2.04 $3.05
(1) Based on fiscal year end data
(2) Assumes $325 million of synergies and a 38% marginal tax rate
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 23
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PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
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MOST RECENT PERIOD(1)
------------------------------------
W/OUT SYNERGIES WITH SYNERGIES(2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets(2) $13,101 MM
Total Debt 4,533
Shareholders' Equity(3) 5,285
Debt / Total Capitalization 40%
Debt / EBITDA(4) 3.2x 2.6x
(1) As of the most recent published 10Q
(2) Adjusted for new goodwill
(3) Assumes $1.20 special dividend to Mead shareholders
(4) Assumes $325 million of synergies
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 24
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EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP TEAM
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NAME RESPONSIBILITY
------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Jerry Tatar Chairman
John Luke President & CEO
Jim Buzzard Integration
Karen Osar Chief Financial Officer
Ray Lane Primary Packaging
Richard Block Consumer Packaging
Rita Foley
Ian Millar Coated Papers
Tim McLevish Strategic Planning, Specialty Paper,
Consumer & Office Prods, and Forest Resources
Sam Torrence Specialty Chemicals
Wendell Willkie General Counsel
Mark Watkins Technology
Jim McGrane Information Resources
Linda Schreiner Human Resources
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 25
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The Mead Corporation ("Mead") and Westvaco Corporation ("Westvaco")
will be filing a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant
documents concerning the proposed transaction with the SEC. INVESTORS ARE
URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE
AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors will be able to
obtain the documents free of charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). In
addition, documents filed with the SEC by Mead or Westvaco with respect to
the proposed transaction may be obtained free of charge by contacting The
Mead Corporation, Mead World Headquarters, Courthouse Plaza Northeast,
Dayton, Ohio 45463, Attention: Mark Pomerleau, Director of Investor Relations
(tel.: (937) 495-3456), or Westvaco Corporation, One High Ridge Park,
Stamford, Connecticut 06905, Attention: John W. Hetherington (tel.: (203)
461-7500). INVESTORS SHOULD READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
CAREFULLY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT
DECISION.
Mead and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from Mead shareholders. The
directors and executive officers of Mead include: John G. Breen, Duane E.
Collins, William E. Hoglund, James G. Kaiser, Robert J. Kohlhepp, John A.
Krol, Susan J. Kropf, Raymond W. Lane, Sue K. McDonnell, Timothy R. McLevish,
Ian Millar, Heidi G. Miller, Lee J. Styslinger, Jr., Jerome F. Tatar and J.
Lawrence Wilson. Collectively, as of January 31, 2001, the directors and
executive officers of Mead beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of Mead's common stock (excluding shares subject to options).
Shareholders may obtain additional information regarding the interests of
such participants by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it
becomes available.
Westvaco and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from Westvaco stockholders. The
directors and executive officers of Westvaco include: Michael E. Campbell,
Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr., David F. D'Alessandro, David L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Richard B. Kelson, Douglas S. Luke, William R. Miller, Jane L. Warner,
Richard A. Zimmerman, Rudolph G. Johnstone, Jr., John A. Luke, Jr., Robert C.
McCormack, David E. McIntyre, Karen R. Osar and Wendell L. Willkie, II.
Collectively, as of November 30, 2000, the directors and executive officers
of Westvaco beneficially owned approximately 4.8% of the outstanding shares
of Westvaco's common stock. Stockholders may obtain additional information
regarding the interests of such participants by reading the joint proxy
statement/prospectus when it becomes available.
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] Source: Skadden, Arps 26
[Mead LOGO] [Westvaco LOGO]
Certain statements in this document and elsewhere by management of
the company that are neither reported financial results nor other
historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such information
includes, without limitation, the business outlook, assessment of market
conditions, anticipated financial and operating results, strategies, future
plans, contingencies and contemplated transactions of the company. Such
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which
may cause or contribute to actual results of company operations, or the
performance or achievements of each company, or industry results, to differ
materially from those expressed, or implied by the forward-looking
statements. In addition to any such risks, uncertainties and other factors
discussed elsewhere herein, risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause or contribute to actual results differing materially from those
expressed or implied for the forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, events or circumstances which affect the ability of Mead
and Westvaco to integrate successfully and achieve the anticipated benefits
of the transaction; competitive pricing for each company's products;
changes in raw materials; energy and other costs; fluctuations in demand
and changes in production capacities; changes to economic growth in the
U.S. and international economies, especially in Asia and Brazil; government
policies and regulations, including, but not limited to those affecting the
environment and the tobacco industry; and currency movements. Mead and
Westvaco undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Investors are advised, however, to consult any further
disclosures made on related subjects in each company's reports filed with
the SEC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following slide 7 was revised and added to the investor relations
slide presentation prepared jointly by The Mead Corporation and Westvaco
Corporation:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[MEAD LOGO] PACKAGING
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAJOR PRODUCTS
|X| Coated natural kraft paperboard for high-
performance global beverage packaging systems
and for folding carton applications
|X| Corrugating medium converted into [Graphics showing an
corrugated shipping containers for home assortment of beverage
and leisure, meat and poultry packing, packaging]
food processing and appliance manufacturing
OPERATING FACILITIES
Cottonton, AL
1,000,000 tons per year
Stevenson, AL
840,000 tons per year
12 packaging plants in North America,
Europe and Japan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[MEADWESTVACO LOGO] 7
The Mead Corporation ("Mead") and Westvaco Corporation ("Westvaco")
will be filing a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant
documents concerning the proposed transaction with the SEC. INVESTORS ARE
URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE
AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors will be able to
obtain the documents free of charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). In
addition, documents filed with the SEC by Mead or Westvaco with respect to
the proposed transaction may be obtained free of charge by contacting The
Mead Corporation, Mead World Headquarters, Courthouse Plaza Northeast,
Dayton, Ohio 45463, Attention: Mark Pomerleau, Director of Investor Relations
(tel.: (937) 495-3456), or Westvaco Corporation, One High Ridge Park,
Stamford, Connecticut 06905, Attention: John W. Hetherington (tel.: (203)
461-7500). INVESTORS SHOULD READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
CAREFULLY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT
DECISION.
Mead and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from Mead shareholders. The
directors and executive officers of Mead include: John G. Breen, Duane E.
Collins, William E. Hoglund, James G. Kaiser, Robert J. Kohlhepp, John A.
Krol, Susan J. Kropf, Raymond W. Lane, Sue K. McDonnell, Timothy R. McLevish,
Ian Millar, Heidi G. Miller, Lee J. Styslinger, Jr., Jerome F. Tatar and J.
Lawrence Wilson. Collectively, as of January 31, 2001, the directors and
executive officers of Mead beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of Mead's common stock (excluding shares subject to options).
Shareholders may obtain additional information regarding the interests of
such participants by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it
becomes available.
Westvaco and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from Westvaco stockholders. The
directors and executive officers of Westvaco include: Michael E. Campbell,
Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr., David F. D'Alessandro, David L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Richard B. Kelson, Douglas S. Luke, William R. Miller, Jane L. Warner,
Richard A. Zimmerman, Rudolph G. Johnstone, Jr., John A. Luke, Jr., Robert C.
McCormack, David E. McIntyre, Karen R. Osar and Wendell L. Willkie, II.
Collectively, as of November 30, 2000, the directors and executive officers
of Westvaco beneficially owned approximately 4.8% of the outstanding shares
of Westvaco's common stock. Stockholders may obtain additional information
regarding the interests of such participants by reading the joint proxy
statement/prospectus when it becomes available.
Certain statements in this document and elsewhere by management of
the company that are neither reported financial results nor other
historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such information
includes, without limitation, the business outlook, assessment of market
conditions, anticipated financial and operating results, strategies, future
plans, contingencies and contemplated transactions of the company. Such
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which
may cause or contribute to actual results of company operations, or the
performance or achievements of each company, or industry results, to differ
materially from those expressed, or implied by the forward-looking
statements. In addition to any such risks, uncertainties and other factors
discussed elsewhere herein, risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause or contribute to actual results differing materially from those
expressed or implied for the forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, events or circumstances which affect the ability of Mead
and Westvaco to integrate successfully and achieve the anticipated benefits
of the transaction; competitive pricing for each company's products;
changes in raw materials; energy and other costs; fluctuations in demand
and changes in production capacities; changes to economic growth in the
U.S. and international economies, especially in Asia and Brazil; government
policies and regulations, including, but not limited to those affecting the
environment and the tobacco industry; and currency movements. Mead and
Westvaco undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Investors are advised, however, to consult any further
disclosures made on related subjects in each company's reports filed with
the SEC.