Jun 08, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Arauco has signed a purchase agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Flakeboard Company Limited, a leading panel company in the North American market. The price for the shares to be paid by Arauco is $242.5 million, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Flakeboard operates in Canada and the US with 7 production facilities, which are strategically located in relation to centers for consumption and supply of raw materials (Oregon, Arkansas, South Carolina, New Brunswick and Ontario). With the purchase of Flakeboard – to be completed once the conditions precedent in the purchase agreement have been fulfilled and currently expected to occur during the second semester of this year - the annual production of Arauco panels in North America is expected to increase to 2.9 million cubic metres (1,600,000 MSF ¾” basis), as a result of which Arauco would become a leading producer of MDF panels and Particleboard in North America. Matías Domeyko, Arauco’s CEO, stated that, “This transaction reflects the significant internationalization process that Arauco is undertaking. With this important transaction, Arauco confirms its commitment to leadership in the panel business and would become one of the most important actors in this market at the global level”. With this acquisition, Arauco would become the largest panel producer in America in terms of volume and third at the global level. After the transaction is completed, in 2012 the company is expected to experience a volume growth of approximately 74% in its panel business, as compared to 2011.