NYSE, TSX: NTR
SASKATOON, Jan. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - Nutrien Ltd. (Nutrien) (TSX and
NYSE: NTR) today announced the successful completion of the merger of equals between Agrium Inc. (Agrium) and Potash Corporation
of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp), creating the world's premier provider of crop inputs and services. Nutrien has the largest
crop nutrient production portfolio combined with an unparalleled global retail distribution network that includes more than 1,500
farm retail centers. With nearly 20,000 employees – and operations and investments in 14 countries – the company is committed to
providing products and services that help growers optimize crop yields and their returns.
"Today we are proud to launch Nutrien, a company that will forge a unique position within the agriculture industry," said
Chuck Magro, President & Chief Executive Officer of Nutrien. "Our company will have an
unmatched capability to respond to customer and market opportunities, focusing on innovation and growth across our retail and
crop nutrient businesses. Importantly, we intend to draw upon the depth of our combined talent and best practices to build a new
company that is stronger and better equipped to create value for all our stakeholders."
Nutrien common shares will trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NTR
beginning today. Trading of common shares of Agrium and PotashCorp was halted on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock
Exchange concurrently with the listing of Nutrien common shares on such exchanges. The merger of equals resulted in PotashCorp
shareholders receiving 0.40 common shares of Nutrien for each common share of PotashCorp they owned, and Agrium shareholders
received 2.23 common shares of Nutrien for each common share of Agrium they owned.
Additional information about Nutrien, including introductory videos, is available on our website at www.nutrien.com .
Nutrien Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team
As previously announced, Nutrien's Board of Directors has equal representation from Agrium and PotashCorp. Mr. Jochen Tilk will serve as the Executive Chair, with Mr. Derek Pannell as the
Board's independent Lead Director.
The Company's directors were selected to ensure that Nutrien has the experience, independence and perspective to provide
strong corporate governance and the successful management of our business.
In addition to Mr. Magro and Mr. Tilk, previously announced members of Nutrien's senior leadership team include Wayne Brownlee, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, and Steve
Douglas, Executive Vice President & Chief Integration Officer.
Additional members of Nutrien's senior leadership team include:
- Harry Deans, Executive Vice President and President, Nitrogen
- Michael Frank, Executive Vice President and President, Retail
- Kevin Graham, Executive Vice President and President, Sales
- Susan Jones, Executive Vice President and President, Phosphate
- Lee Knafelc, Executive Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer
- Leslie O'Donoghue, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy & Corporate Development
Officer
- Joe Podwika, Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer
- Brent Poohkay, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer
- Raef Sully, Executive Vice President and President, Potash
- Mike Webb, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
For more information on Nutrien's Board of Directors and senior leadership team please visit our website at www.nutrien.com .
Nutrien Operating Synergies
The company is expected to generate US$500-million of annual operating synergies, primarily from
distribution and retail integration, production and SG&A optimization, and procurement savings. We expect to achieve
approximately US$250-million of these synergies by the end of 2018 with the full annualized
run-rate achieved by the end of 2019.
Nutrien Capital Allocation
With major capacity expansion projects complete, expected proceeds from the divestiture of equity investments and significant
cash flow generation capability, Nutrien will have flexibility to invest in focused growth initiatives and return excess capital
to shareholders, while also prioritizing a strong investment grade credit rating profile.
Nutrien intends to target a stable and growing dividend that reflects the anticipated strengthened cash flow profile of the
company.
Nutrien Financial Outlook
Nutrien intends to provide guidance for the 2018 fiscal year in connection with the reporting of fourth quarter 2017 results
of each Agrium and PotashCorp on February 5, 2018.
About Nutrien
Nutrien is the world's largest provider of crop inputs and services, playing a critical role in helping growers increase food
production in a sustainable manner. We produce and distribute over 25 million tonnes of potash, nitrogen and phosphate products
world-wide. With this capability and our leading agriculture retail network, we are well positioned to supply the needs of our
customers. We operate with a long-term view and are committed to working with our stakeholders as we address our economic,
environmental and social priorities. The scale and diversity of our integrated portfolio provides a stable earnings base,
multiple avenues for growth and the opportunity to return capital to shareholders. For further information visit us at www.nutrien.com .
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements and other information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" or
"forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All statements in
this press release, other than those relating to historical information or current conditions, are forward-looking statements,
including, but not limited to, statements relating to certain strategic benefits expected to result from the transaction, the
nature and timing of operating synergies and Nutrien's expected capital allocation strategy and dividend policy.
Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Nutrien,
including expectations and assumptions concerning: customer demand for Nutrien's products; commodity prices and interest and
foreign exchange rates; operating synergies, capital efficiencies and cost-savings; applicable tax laws; future production rates;
future debt ratings; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; and the availability
and cost of labour and services. Although Nutrien believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such
forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements
because Nutrien can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.
Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results and experience
to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this press release. Key risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited: general global economic, market and business conditions; weather conditions
including impacts from regional flooding and/or drought conditions; crop plant area, yield and
prices; the supply and demand and price levels for major products of Nutrien may vary from what
we currently anticipate; failure to realize anticipated synergies or cost savings; risks regarding the integration;
failure to realize governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities, including
changes in government policy, government ownership requirements, changes in environmental,
tax and other laws or regulations and the interpretation thereof, and political
risks, including civil unrest, actions by armed groups or conflict,
regional natural gas supply restrictions as well as counterparty and sovereign risk; and relationships with
employees, customers, business partners and competitors.
Nutrien disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release as a
result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable U.S. federal securities laws or applicable
Canadian securities legislation.
Contacts
Investors & Media:
Richard Downey
Vice President, Investor & Corporate Relations
(403) 225-7357
richard.downey@nutrien.com
SOURCE Nutrien Ltd.
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