form6k.htm
 


 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of June 2011

Commission file number: 1-14872

SAPPI LIMITED
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

48 Ameshoff Street
Braamfontein
Johannesburg 2001

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  x
Form 40-F  o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (1):      o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (7):      o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to
Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes  o
No   x
 
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):  N/A
 
 


 
 
 

 

 
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Sappi Limited’s announcement, furnished by the Registrant under this Form 6-K, is incorporated by reference into (i) the Registration Statements on Form S-8 of the Registrant filed December 23, 1999, December 15, 2004 and February 2, 2010 in connection with The Sappi Limited Share Incentive Scheme, (ii) the Section 10(a) Prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the Registrant’s shares to Participants under The Sappi Limited Share Incentive Scheme, (iii) the Registration Statements on Form S-8 of the Registrant filed December 15, 2004 and December 21, 2005 in connection with The Sappi Limited 2004 Performance Share Incentive Plan and (iv) the Section 10(a) Prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the Registrant’s shares to Participants under The Sappi Limited 2004 Performance Share Incentive Plan.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In order to utilize the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”), Sappi Limited (the “Company”) is providing the following cautionary statement. Except for historical information contained herein, statements contained in this Report on Form 6-K may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Reform Act. The words “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate “, “plan”, “assume”, “positioned”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “risk” and other similar expressions, which are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, which do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. In addition, this Report on Form 6-K may include forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s potential exposure to various types of market risks, such as interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk and commodity price risk. Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are in some cases beyond the control of the Company, together with its subsidiaries (the “Group”), and may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements (and from past results, performance or achievements). Certain factors that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: the impact of the global economic downturn, the highly cyclical nature of the pulp and paper industry (and the factors that contribute to such cyclicality, such as levels of demand, production capacity, production, input costs including raw material, energy and employee costs, and pricing), adverse changes in the markets for the group’s products, consequences of substantial leverage, including as a result of adverse changes in credit markets that affect our ability to raise capital when needed, changing regulatory requirements, unanticipated production disruptions (including as a result of planned or unexpected power outages), economic and political conditions in international markets, the impact of investments, acquisitions and dispositions (including related financing), any delays, unexpected costs or other problems experienced with integrating acquisitions and achieving expected savings and synergies and currency fluctuations. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings with and submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this Report on Form 6-K. Shareholders and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of the submission of this Report on Form 6-K and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Sappi Limited
 

Announcement
 

Immediate release

2 June 2011

Sappi Limited
Reg No 1936/008963/06
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
JSE Code SAP
ISIN code ZAE 000006284
NYSE code SPP
(“Sappi” or “the Company”)


VESTING OF CONDITIONAL SHARE AWARDS GRANTED TO DIRECTORS OF
LISTED COMPANY

In terms of paragraph 3.63 of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, we hereby provide the following information regarding the vesting of conditional share awards granted by Sappi to the undermentioned directors of the Company and its major subsidiary companies.  The necessary authority in terms of paragraph 3.66 was obtained and these were off-market transactions:


Nature of transaction
:
Vesting of grants of conditional share awards in terms of the Sappi Limited Performance Share Incentive Plan.
     
Date of transaction
:
2 June 2011 (date participants informed of vesting)
     
Number of conditional Share awards granted
:
Various, see table below
Date of Grants
:
31 May 2007 and 15 December 2008 (6 additional grants for every 5 existing grants at R20,27 to take cognizance of Sappi Limited rights offer).  Applicable to 4 year performance period 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2010
     
Vesting period
:
4 years from date of grant
     
Percentage of grants vested
:
50%, see table below
     
Class of security
:
Ordinary shares
     
Extent of interest   : Direct beneficial 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Director’s Name
:
S Blyth
Company
of which he is a director
:
Sappi  International


Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  4,000       2,000       2,000  
Nil
    2,000       72,860.00  
  4,800       2,400       2,400  
1,335 shares
    1,065       38,797.05  
  8,800       4,400       4,400         3,065       111,657.95  


Company Secretary Name
:
J B Boner
Company
:
Sappi Fine Paper Europe

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  6,500       3,250       3,250  
Nil
    3,250       118,397.50  
  7,800       3,900       3,900  
2,170 shares
    1,730       63,023.90  
  14,300       7,150       7,150         4,980       181,421.40  


Director’s Name
:
H de Jongh
Company
:
Sappi Southern Africa
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  15,000       7,500       7,500  
Nil
    7,500       273,225.00  
  18,000       9,000       9,000  
5,008 shares
    3,992       145,428.56  
  33,000       16,500       16,500         11,492       418,653.56  


 
 

 


Director’s Name
:
L Di Amato
Company
:
Sappi  International
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  1,500       750       750  
Nil
    750       27,322.50  
  1,800       900       900  
501 shares
    399       14,535.57  
  3,300       1,650       1,650         1,149       41,858.07  


Director’s Name
:
T S Hawkes
Company
:
Sappi Southern Africa
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  4,000       2,000       2,000  
Nil
    2,000       72,860.00  
  4,800       2,400       2,400  
1,335 shares
    1,065       38,797.95  
  8,800       4,400       4,400         3,065       111,657.95  


Director’s Name
:
R D Hope
Company
:
Sappi Fine Paper North America, Sappi Southern Africa
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  30,000       15,000       15,000  
Nil
    15,000       546,450.00  
  36,000       18,000       18,000  
10,015 shares
    7,985       290,893.55  
  66,000       33,000       33,000         22,985       837,343.55  


 
 

 


Director’s Name
:
D M Mncube
Company
:
Sappi Southern Africa
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  20,000       10,000       10,000  
Nil
    10,000       364,300.00  
  24,000       12,000       12,000  
6,677 shares
    5,323       193,916.89  
  44,000       22,000       22,000         15,323       558,216.89  


Director’s Name
:
C M Mowatt
Company
:
Sappi Southern Africa
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  15,000       7,500       7,500  
Nil
    7,500       273,225.00  
  18,000       9,000       9,000  
5,008 shares
    3,992       145,428.56  
  33,000       16,500       16,500         11,492       418,653.56  


Director’s Name
:
L J Newman
Company
:
Sappi International
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  6,000       3,000       3,000  
Nil
    3,000       109,290.00  
  7,200       3,600       3,600  
2,003 shares
    1,597       58,178.71  
  13,200       6,600       6,600         4,597       167,468.71  


 
 

 


Company Secretary Name
:
D J O’Connor
Company
:
Sappi Limited

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  2,500       1,250       1,250  
Nil
    1,250       45,537.50  
  3,000       1,500       1,500   R30,405.00     1,500       54,645.00  
  5,500       2,750       2,750         2,750       100,182.50  


Director’s Name
:
J Pässler
Company
:
Sappi  International
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  8,000       4,000       4,000  
Nil
    4,000       145,720.00  
  9,600       4,800       4,800  
2,671 shares
    2,129       77,559.47  
  17,600       8,800       8,800         6,129       223,279.47  


Director’s Name
:
G Pearce
Company
:
Sappi Fine Paper Europe
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  4,500       2,250       2,250  
Nil
    2,250       81,967.50  
  5,400       2,700       2,700  
1,502 shares
    1,198       43,643.14  
  9,900       4,950       4,950         3,448       125,610.64  


 
 

 


Director’s Name
:
R Peelman
Company
:
Sappi  International
of which she is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  3,000       1,500       1,500  
Nil
    1,500       54,645.00  
  3,600       1,800       1,800  
1,002 shares
    798       29,071.14  
  6,600       3,300       3,300         2,298       83,716.14  


Director’s Name
:
A Rossi
Company
:
Sappi Fine Paper North America
of which he is a director
 
Sappi Southern Africa

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  12,000       6,000       6,000  
Nil
    6,000       218,580.00  
  14,400       7,200       7,200  
4,006 shares
    3,194       116,357.42  
  26,400       13,200       13,200         9,194       334,937.42  


Director’s Name
:
L Swartz
Company
:
Sappi Southern Africa, Sappi Fine Paper North America
of which she is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  14,000       7,000       7,000  
Nil
    7,000       255,010.00  
  16,800       8,400       8,400  
4,674 shares
    3,726       135,738.18  
  30,800       15,400       15,400         10,726       390,748.18  


 
 

 


Director’s Name
:
A Thiel
Company
:
Sappi Southern Africa
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  13,000       6,500       6,500  
Nil
    6,500       236,795.00  
  15,600       7,800       7,800  
4,340 shares
    3,460       126,047.80  
  28,600       14,300       14,300         9,960       362,842.80  


Director’s Name
:
G M Van Aarde
Company
:
Sappi Southern Africa
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  4,000       2,000       2,000  
Nil
    2,000       72,860.00  
  4,800       2,400       2,400  
1,335 shares
    1,065       38,797.95  
  8,800       4,400       4,400         3,065       111,657.95  


Director’s Name
:
A J W van der Merwe
Company
:
Sappi Southern Africa
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  8,000       4,000       4,000  
Nil
    4,000       145,720.00  
  9,600       4,800       4,800  
2,671 shares
    2,129       77,559.47  
  17,600       8,800       8,800         6,129       223,279.47  


 
 

 


Director’s Name
:
B Wiersum
Company
:
Sappi Fine Paper Europe
of which he is a director
   

Number of Grants Awarded
   
Number of Grants Vested
   
Number of Grants Lapsed
 
Payment for original Grants nil/ settlement of additional Grants at R20,27 per Grant
 
Number of Shares to Participant
   
Value
(R)
 
  50,000       25,000       25,000  
Nil
    25,000       910,750.00  
  60,000       30,000       30,000  
16,692 shares
    13,308       484,810.44  
  110,000       55,000       55,000         38,308       1,395,560.44  


 
 

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  June 3, 2011


 
SAPPI LIMITED,
 
 
 
 
 
 
by
/s/ L. Newman
 
 
 
Name:
L. Newman
 
 
 
Title:
Group Financial Controller