Sep 04, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. DS Smith Plc publishes its Interim Management Statement in respect of the period since 30 April 2012, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. On 30 June 2012 DS Smith completed its acquisition of SCA Packaging, as planned, for consideration of Euro 1.58 billion, funded from bank facilities and cash raised earlier in the year via an equity issue. Accordingly, net debt increased commensurately and SCA Packaging is consolidated in the accounts of DS Smith from this date. Save for this acquisition, there has been no material change in the financial position of the Group since the publication of our full year results to 30 April 2012. “On completion of the acquisition, we immediately put in place a combined management structure, and communicated our plans to both customers and employees. We have been pleased with the reaction from our key customers and the enthusiasm of all our employees for the creation of this leading pan European recycled packaging supplier. The integration work is proceeding slightly ahead of the planned schedule and we are pleased with progress to date. We look forward to updating investors with more details at our scheduled presentation on 11 October 2012,” the company said. In the period since 30 April 2012, DS Smith has transformed its position in the European market for recycled packaging, having completed its acquisition of SCA Packaging on 30 June 2012 as planned. Trading for the Group in the period has continued in line with our expectations, with good corrugated box volumes in the legacy DS Smith business, slightly ahead of our GDP+1% target, with particularly encouraging volume growth continuing in Continental Europe. “In the period we have seen good performance from the legacy DS Smith business despite the ongoing tough trading environment. Trading in the SCA Packaging business has been fully in line with expectations, reflecting the continuing difficult market conditions. As previously announced, we expect to deliver a return on capital from the acquisition above our weighted average cost of capital, in the financial year. This is based on the cost and capital synergies previously announced. We also continue to expect net debt / EBITDA to fall below 2.0x by the end of the first full financial year of ownership,” the company said. The company is trading in line with current market expectations for substantial year-on-year EPS growth and the Board views the remainder of the year with confidence. Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive, said: “The Group has made a good start to the year by focusing on what our customers value - service, quality and innovation. The SCA Packaging business is very complementary to DS Smith's strengths and creates a significantly enlarged geographic footprint. Together, we are now better positioned to meet the needs of our pan-European customers and to deliver substantial value for our customers, shareholders and employees.” DS Smith Plc is a leading international supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods, and one of the largest manufacturers of corrugated products in Europe, with a strong focus on service, quality and innovation.