ITEM 8.01. OTHER EVENTS.
On December 22, 2008, in response to a softening of demand in the containerboard
markets, Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic
Packaging Holding Company (the "Company"), shut down its No. 1 paper machine at
its West Monroe, Louisiana mill. The No. 1 paper machine produces approximately
128,000 tons of corrugated medium annually, which is primarily used in the
production of containerboard. The Company currently expects the shut down to
last approximately two weeks and to incur certain unusual costs and charges
related to such shut down.
The decision to shut down the No. 1 machine was made after November turned out
to be an unprecedented weak month for containerboard box shipments across the
industry. Given the unusual economic conditions, the Company took this action to
better balance inventory levels with customer demand and minimize costs
associated with excess working capital. If volatile market conditions continue
in 2009, the Company plans to take similar extraordinary actions to align all of
its mill operating schedules to match customer demand and minimize its
investment in working capital.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements of the Company's plans relating to the No. 1 paper machine and with
respect to aligning mill operations to customer demand in this report constitute
"forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on currently available information
and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
actions to differ materially from the Company's present expectations. Undue
reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as such
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company
undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Additional information
regarding these and other risks is contained in the Company's other periodic
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Table of Contents