PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)– \n\u201cFor months, I\u2019ve said that we can\u2019t get to the future fast enough. Today, I can say the future is now. We are acquiring Big River Steel, the cornerstone of our \u2018Best of Both\u2019 strategy,\u201d said David B. Burritt, President and Chief Executive Officer of U. S. Steel. \u201cWith Big River Steel, we can offer customers the high performance, innovative steel products they expect from U. S. Steel\u2019s scientists and application engineers made through a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable and efficient mini mill process.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cI\u2019m extremely proud of what our Big River Steel team has achieved in building the most technologically advanced and only LEED certified steel mill, and I\u2019m equally proud that we are joining a company that not only values our many accomplishments, but shares our vision as well,\u201d said Big River Steel CEO David Stickler. \u201cBeing an entrepreneurial disrupter is in our DNA and I\u2019m excited about the possibilities we have already demonstrated by leveraging U. S. Steel\u2019s industry-leading research and development capabilities. I can\u2019t wait to show the world what the \u2018Best of Both\u2019 truly means.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nBig River Steel operates a LEED-certified Flex Mill\u2122 in northeast Arkansas that is believed to be the newest and most advanced flat-rolled mill in North America. Big River Steel\u2019s advanced manufacturing technology and skilled operators combined with U. S. Steel\u2019s product development capabilities and intellectual property have allowed Big River Steel to produce eleven advanced U. S. Steel grades, including substrate for its XG3\u2122 grade of Generation 3 advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). Big River Steel offers high-quality products and services to discerning customers in the automotive, energy, construction, and agricultural industries. Big River Steel\u2019s Phase II-A expansion doubled the mill\u2019s hot-rolled steel production capacity to 3.3 million tons annually, establishing it as one of the largest electric arc furnace-oriented flat-rolled mills in North America. The Phase II-A expansion was completed in November of this year, ahead of schedule and below Big River Steel\u2019s previously disclosed budget.\n<\/p>\n \nBurritt continued, \u201cWe are acquiring now to expand the benefits of this powerful partnership. This is aligned with the strong strategic execution and meaningful progress we\u2019ve demonstrated in 2020 toward our goal of $1 billion in capital and operational cash improvements. By completing our top strategic priority, Big River Steel, we expect to strengthen our order book, increase our competitiveness and accelerate further product innovation for our customers. Longer term, the lower, variable cost structure will increase our efficiency, profitability and cash flow across the business cycle.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cWe look forward to welcoming the Big River Steel team to the U. S. Steel family. We have already successfully produced eleven of U. S. Steel\u2019s proprietary grades at Big River, including our most innovative Generation 3 grades of advanced high-strength steel. With Big River Steel, we expect to more nimbly respond to improving market conditions in the near-term and disrupt the steel industry to the long-term benefit of our customers.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nSince its October 31, 2019, acquisition of a 49.9% ownership interest in Big River Steel, U. S. Steel has created strategic benefits, validating the strong strategic rationale expected to be realized upon full ownership of Big River Steel. Key accomplishments to date include:\n<\/p>\n Terms of the Transaction<\/b><\/p>\n \nU. S. Steel delivered notice of the exercise of its option to acquire the remaining equity in Big River Steel. Under the terms of the 2019 agreement between Big River Steel, U. S. Steel and the other Big River Steel equity holders, U. S. Steel and the relevant parties will enter into a purchase agreement providing for the purchase of outstanding equity interests not already owned by U. S. Steel for an aggregate price of $774 million, which will contain customary terms and conditions. In order to preserve certain tax benefits related to Big River Steel\u2019s Phase II-A expansion, U. S. Steel will defer the closing of the purchase of a de minimis percentage of the equity in Big River Steel for a limited period.\n<\/p>\n Timing and Approvals<\/b><\/p>\n \nClosing of the transaction is anticipated in the first quarter of 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including antitrust approval.\n<\/p>\n Advisors<\/b><\/p>\n \nBarclays is serving as exclusive M&A financial advisor, while PJT Advisors and Rothschild & Co. are serving as financing advisors to U. S. Steel on the acquisition, and Milbank LLP is providing legal counsel.\n<\/p>\n Conference Call Information<\/b><\/p>\n \nU. S. Steel will conduct a conference call to discuss the details of this transaction on December 8, 2020, at 8 a.m. EST. To listen to the webcast of the conference call and to access the company\u2019s slide presentation, please visit the U. S. Steel website, www.ussteel.com<\/a>, and click on the \u201cInvestors > Events & Presentations<\/a>\u201d section. Replays of the conference call will be available on the website after 10:30 a.m. EST on December 8, 2020.\n<\/p>\n FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \nThis release contains information that may constitute \u201cforward-looking statements\u201d within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in those sections. Generally, we have identified such forward-looking statements by using the words \u201cbelieve,\u201d \u201cexpect,\u201d \u201cintend,\u201d \u201cestimate,\u201d \u201canticipate,\u201d \u201cproject,\u201d \u201ctarget,\u201d \u201cforecast,\u201d \u201caim,\u201d “should,” \u201cwill,\u201d “may” and similar expressions or by using future dates in connection with any discussion of, among other things, operating performance, trends, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, the consummation of the Big River Steel acquisition (the \u201cTransaction\u201d); potential capital and operational cash improvements; the Company\u2019s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; the financial condition, results of operations and business of the combined company; the combined company\u2019s products and potential; the Company\u2019s ability to obtain financing for other strategic projects; and the anticipated timing of closing of the Transaction; and statements expressing general views about future results. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company\u2019s beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company\u2019s control. It is possible that the Company\u2019s actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to the satisfaction of the conditions to closing the Transaction in the anticipated timeframe or at all and the possibility that the Transaction does not close; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transaction, including the possibility that the expected benefits, synergies and cost savings from the proposed Transaction or the capital and operational cash improvements will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; risks related to the satisfaction of the conditions to closing (including the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals) and the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully following acquisition; disruption from the Transaction making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; negative effects of the announcement or the consummation of the proposed Transaction on the market price of the Company\u2019s common stock; significant transaction costs; unknown liabilities; the risk of litigation and\/or regulatory actions related to the Transaction; other business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions; future exchange and interest rates; changes in tax and other laws, regulations, rates and policies; future business combinations or disposals; and competitive developments. All forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions, estimates and data concerning future results and events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements. Accordingly, the Company cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by these and other important factors and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements. For more information on additional potential risk factors, please review the Company\u2019s Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.\n<\/p>\n \nFounded in 1901, the United States Steel Corporation is a Fortune 250 company and leading integrated steel producer. With extensive iron ore production and an annual raw steelmaking capability of 22 million net tons, U. S. Steel produces high value-added steel products for the automotive, infrastructure, appliance, container, and energy industries. The company\u2019s customer-centric \u201cBest of Both\u201d world competitive integrated and mini mill technology strategy is advancing a more secure, sustainable future for U. S. Steel and its stakeholders. With renewed emphasis on innovation and customer focus, the company produces cutting-edge products such as U. S. Steel\u2019s proprietary XG3\u2122 advanced high-strength steel. U. S. Steel is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with world-class operations across the United States and in Central Europe. For more information, please visit www.ussteel.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20201208005606\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \nJohn O. Ambler <\/span>Kevin Lewis KEYWORDS:<\/b> Pennsylvania United States North America<\/p>\n INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Steel Manufacturing<\/p>\n
\nUnited States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) (\u201cU. S. Steel\u201d) announced today it has exercised its call option to acquire the remaining equity of Big River Steel (\u201cBig River Steel\u201d) for approximately $774 million from cash on hand. The company ended November with approximately $2.9 billion of liquidity, including over $1.7 billion of cash. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings with the potential for significant synergies to further support long-term value creation. The transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including antitrust approval, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021.\n<\/p>\n\n
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Vice President
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Corporate Communications
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T \u2013 (412) 433-2407
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E \u2013 joambler@uss.com
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Vice President
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Investor Relations
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T \u2013 (412) 433-6935
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E \u2013 klewis@uss.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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