WestRock Reports Recent Share Repurchases

NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WestRock (NYSE:WRK) today announced that it has repurchased more than 3.7 million shares of its common stock since November 10, 2015, at an average price of less than $45 per share.  The vast majority of these shares were purchased after December 15, 2015, via an ongoing 10b5-1 program.  Since July 1, 2015, the Company has repurchased 9 million shares under its 40 million share repurchase authorization.

"WestRock has a great business platform and strong cash flows, and we are executing on our disciplined and balanced capital allocation strategy,” said Steve Voorhees, chief executive officer of WestRock.   

About WestRock

WestRock Company (NYSE:WRK) aspires to be the premier partner and unrivaled provider of paper and packaging solutions in consumer and corrugated markets. WestRock's 41,000 team members support customers around the world from 268 operating and business locations spanning North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Learn more at www.westrock.com.

Cautionary Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, plans or forecasts and are typically identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "would," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "target," "prospects," "potential" and "forecast," and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. WestRock cautions readers that a forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements among other things, that our belief that we have a great business platform and strong cash flows, and we are executing on our disciplined and balanced capital allocation strategy. With respect to these statements, WestRock has made assumptions regarding, among other things, the results and impacts of the merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn; whether and when the spin-off of WestRock's Specialty Chemicals business will occur; economic, competitive and market conditions generally; volumes and price levels of purchases by customers; competitive conditions in WestRock's businesses and possible adverse actions of their customers, competitors and suppliers. Further, WestRock's businesses are subject to a number of general risks that would affect any such forward-looking statements including, among others, decreases in demand for their products; increases in energy, raw materials, shipping and capital equipment costs; reduced supply of raw materials; fluctuations in selling prices and volumes; intense competition; the potential loss of certain customers; the scope, costs, timing and impact of any restructuring of our operations and corporate and tax structure; the occurrence of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, winter or tropical storm, earthquake, tornado, flood, fire, or other unanticipated problems such as labor difficulties, equipment failure or unscheduled maintenance and repair, which could result in operational disruptions of varied duration; our desire or ability to continue to repurchase company stock; and adverse changes in general market and industry conditions. Such risks and other factors that may impact management's assumptions are more particularly described in RockTenn's and MeadWestvaco's past filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption "Business – Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" in WestRock's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 and "Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations – Forward-looking Statements". These risks, as well as other risks associated with RockTenn, MeadWestvaco and WestRock are also more fully discussed under the caption "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by WestRock on March 10, 2015 (which registration statement was amended on April 20, 2015, May 6, 2015, and May 18, 2015, and was declared effective on May 19, 2015). The information contained herein speaks as of the date hereof and WestRock does not have or undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contacts:
John Stakel
Senior Vice President, Treasurer
678-291-7901
[email protected]

Jason Thompson
Director, Investor Relations
804-444-2556
[email protected]

Media Contact:
Tucker McNeil
Director, Corporate Communications
804-444-6397
[email protected]