Smurfit-Stone Emerges from Bankruptcy

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Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, Ill. USA, reports that it has successfully completed its financial restructuring and has officially emerged from Chapter 11 as a newly reorganized, publicly traded company that will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SSCC, effective today (July 1). The company's Plan of Reorganization, which was confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on June 21, and recognized by a Canadian court order, has become effective. All outstanding closing conditions have been satisfied or waived.

"This is an exciting day for Smurfit-Stone. We have successfully completed our financial restructuring in just 17 months and we exit Chapter 11 as a well-positioned industry leader with a healthier balance sheet and improved cost structure," said Patrick J. Moore, CEO. "We are re-energized, committed to serving the needs of our customers, and achieving long-term profitable growth for our shareholders."

In conjunction with the company's completion of its financial restructuring, it announced a new board of directors, including Ralph F. Hake, who has been appointed non-executive chairman of the Smurfit-Stone board of directors. Hake is the former chairman and CEO of Maytag Corp. Additional board members include:

• Timothy J. Bernlohr, former president and CEO of RBX Industries
• Terrell K. Crews, former EVP and chief financial officer of Monsanto
• Eugene I. Davis, chairman, CEO and chief restructuring officer for Pirinate Consulting Group
• Michael E. Ducey, former president and CEO of Compass Minerals International
• Jonathan F. Foster, managing director, Current Capital
• Ernst A. Haberli, former president, commercial operations, international, Gillette Co.
• Arthur W. Huge, former president and CEO of Menasha Corp.
• Steven J. Klinger, president and COO, Smurfit-Stone
• Patrick J. Moore, CEO, Smurfit-Stone
• James J. O'Connor, former chairman and CEO of Unicom Corp. and the former Smurfit-Stone lead independent director.

As previously announced, in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Reorganization, Smurfit-Stone's previous common stock and preferred stock have been cancelled. However, the Plan provides that 2.25% of the New Smurfit-Stone Common Stock Pool will be distributed pro rata to the company's previous preferred stockholders and 2.25% of the New Smurfit-Stone Common Stock Pool will be distributed pro rata to the company's previous common stockholders. Upon completion of all distributions to former creditors under the Plan (as well as holders of the former preferred stock and the former common stock), the company will have approximately 100 million shares of common stock issued