London, UK, 12 May 2000 - A group of shareholders owning more than 90% of the share capital and votes of Biocel a.s. ("Biocel") has advised the company that they are considering strategic alternatives for this shareholding which may include especially the sale of the shareholding. The shareholder group has appointed JP Capital International as their advisor in considering strategic alternatives regarding the group's ownership of Biocel.
Biocel is the largest commercial pulp producer in the Czech Republic with an annual capacity of 250,000 tons of TCF bleached sulphite softwood pulp. In 1999 sales were CZK 3,521 million (EUR 96.8 million). Biocel exports approximately 90% of its production to a total of 20 countries predominantly in Western Europe. Biocel has been certified under both the ISO 9200 and ISO 14001 Quality Assurance Standards.
JP Capital International is the London-based investment banking arm of Jaakko Pöyry Consulting, which is recognised as the world's leading advisor to the global forest industry cluster. Jaakko Pöyry Consulting, operating in 18 countries, concentrates on identifying, analysing and implementing creative business solutions designed to enhance stakeholder value and create winning companies. JP Capital has special expertise on professional corporate finance services for the Forest Products Industry.
JP Capital International Ltd
London, UK