Feb 7 2011
Fulida Group Holdings Ltd ("Fulida") has purchased Neucel Specialty Cellulose from a consortium of investors led by Wellspring Capital Management.
Fulida, together with Zhejiang Fulida Ltd, which had established a minority equity position along with a strategic supply agreement with Neucel in 2010, is now assuming full ownership of the company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"We are very pleased to become fully integrated into the Fulida organization given their leadership in the rayon market and their strong support of our Port Alice Mill. The new ownership enables Neucel to explore new growth opportunities while continuing our aggressive cost and capacity initiatives. Wellspring has been a visionary and dedicated owner of our business and we are very pleased to have helped make this a successful investment for them," said Bob Taylor, President and CEO of Neucel who will continue to lead the business.
"Viscose rayon fibre competition in China has become intense. With the purchase of Neucel, Fulida gains a stable supply of dissolving pulp along with cost advantages and quality assurance which extends the value chain of our business. I strongly believe that this purchase will ensure a stable, sustainable and rapid development for Neucel, and thus help it to further achieve its unique enterprise value," said Jianer Qi, Chairman of Fulida Group Holdings.
Joshua Cascade, a Partner of Wellspring, commented, "We are very proud of what Neucel has accomplished in recent years. The mill's success is a result not only of our investment, but of the vision and commitment of our management team, the hard work of the mill's employees, and the support of local officials and governments. Today, the Neucel mill is a symbol of Port Alice's stability and future, and we believe it will continue to thrive as part of Fulida. We are honored to have partnered with Bob Taylor and his team and the town of Port Alice, and wish them every success in the future."