J-M Manufacturing Co. and PW Eagle Inc., manufacturers of plastic pipe, fittings and tubing products, announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which J-M will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of PW Eagle for $33.50 per share in cash. The transaction represents an implied total equity value of approximately $400 million.

J-M, headquartered in Livingston, NJ, operates a total of 14 plastic pipe manufacturing facilities and serves customers throughout North America. Based in Eugene, OR, PW Eagle operates 12 plastic pipe manufacturing facilities in eight states and serves customers throughout the United States.

The merger agreement culminates the work of a strategic committee formed last May by the PW Eagle Board of Directors to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. The transaction is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2007, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, and approval by PW Eagle’s shareholders.