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LONGUEUIL, QC, June 21 /CNW Telbec/ - Fibrek Inc. (TSX: FBK) announces that Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised, on June 18, 2010, its corporate credit rating from CCC+ to B-, with a "positive" outlook.
"We are very pleased with this revision in our rating. This upgrade coupled with our refinancing are positive signs towards recovery and are aligned with our strategy of strengthening our balance sheet," indicated Pierre Gabriel Côté, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Forward-looking statement
Certain statements in this press release, including but not limited to, the anticipated benefits of the Refinancing Transactions and the ability to pursue business objectives and other statements that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" which reflect the intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs of Fibrek's management ("Management") regarding the Fibrek's future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. In certain instances, these statements require Management to make assumptions and there is significant risk that these assumptions may not be correct. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions, as they relate to Fibrek or Management, often identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect Management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to Management. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors outside Management's control. A number of factors could cause actual results of Fibrek to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: risks associated with pulp prices and sales volume, exchange rate fluctuations, wood fibre and wastepaper supply and costs at the Saint-Félicien mill, the Fairmont mill and the Menominee mill (collectively, the "Mills"), cost and supply of raw materials (including chemicals and energy), pension contributions, competition, dependence upon key customers, increased production capacity in the market, equipment failure, disruptions of production, capital requirements, labour relations, transportation disruptions, insurance matters, environment, health and safety requirements, loan defaults, credit facilities and interest rates, availability of capital to meet obligations, acquisitions and failure to integrate businesses, and other factors referenced under "Risk Factors" in SFK Pulp Fund's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in the Fund's and Fibrek's continuous disclosure filings. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon what Management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Management cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Certain assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained in this press release and in Fibrek's and SFK Pulp Fund's continuous disclosure filings include assumptions to the effect that wood fibre deliveries to Fibrek will continue as contemplated in Fibrek's fibre supply agreements, future cash flows will be sufficient to cover operating needs contemplated, capital expenditures and contractual obligations, no extraordinary event will require increased capital expenditures, wood fibre and wastepaper deliveries to Fibrek will be sufficient to fulfill the requirements, wood fibre and wastepaper costs will not increase materially, pulp prices and exchange rates will not significantly deteriorate, pulp demand will not significantly deteriorate, the trends underlying the increase in demand for RBK pulp will continue, operation costs will not increase materially, interest expenses and production outputs will remain stable. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and, except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, Management assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. These statements do not reflect the potential impact of any special items or of any business combination or other transaction that may be announced or that may occur after the date hereof. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
About Fibrek
Fibrek (TSX: FBK) is a leading producer and marketer of high-quality virgin and recycled kraft pulp. The company operates three mills located in Saint-Félicien, Québec, Fairmont, West Virginia, and in Menominee, Michigan with a combined annual production capacity of 745,000 tonnes. Fibrek has approximately 500 employees. The Saint-Félicien mill provides northern bleached softwood kraft pulp (product known as NBSK pulp) to various sectors of the paper industry mainly in Canada, the United States and Europe, for use in the production of specialized products. The Fairmont and Menominee mills manufacture air-dried recycled bleached kraft pulp (product known as RBK pulp) and primarily supply manufacturers of fine uncoated paper, household paper for commercial and industrial uses, and coated paper in the United States.
For further information: Investor Relations: Patsie Ducharme, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (450) 442-8884; Media Relations: Dany Paradis, Vice President, Change Management and Supply Chain, (450) 442-8882
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