Paperclips Blog | Clearwater Paper Results

10.01.2012
Oil Declines From One-Week High as China Manufacturing Weakens

Oil slipped from the highest close in a week in New York as manufacturing contracted unexpectedly in China, raising speculation that fuel demand may decline in the world’s second-biggest crude consumer.

Futures slid as much as 1 percent after capping the biggest quarterly gain since December on Sept. 28. China’s Purchasing Managers’ Index was 49.8 in September, the government said today. That compares with the median forecast of 50.1 in a Bloomberg survey. An index from HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics showed an 11th contraction. Data released later today will probably show U.S. output shrank a fourth month.

“All indicators point towards a controlled and orderly landing of the Chinese economy,” said Michael Poulsen, an analyst at Global Risk Management in Middelfart, Denmark, who predicts Brent crude will average $112 a barrel this quarter. “On average, we see prices ending the year at roughly the same level as now, but there are some wild cards.”

Crude for November delivery fell as much as 93 cents to $91.26 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $91.97 at 10:33 a.m. London time.

click here
Send to a Friend
10.01.2012
American Greetings Announces Second Quarter Earnings

American Greetings Corporation today announced its results for the second fiscal quarter ended August 24, 2012.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company reported total revenue of $393.8 million, a pre-tax loss of $6.1 million and a net loss of $4.3 million or 13 cents per share (all per-share amounts assume dilution).

The Company announced, on June 7, 2012, the acquisition of assets of Clinton Cards, including approximately 400 stores and related overhead as well as the Clinton Cards and related brands. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recognized during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 a revenue increase of approximately $39.9 million from the operations of the Clintons retail stores, reflected in the Company's new Retail Operations segment. This revenue increase was offset partially by the revenue reduction of approximately $13.5 million from inter-segment sales eliminations, reflected in the Company's International Segment, resulting in a net increase in consolidated revenue of approximately $26.3 million in the quarter. The sales being eliminated would have been third party sales in the prior year quarter.

Also as a result of the acquisition, the Company incurred, during the second quarter, pre-tax transaction costs and fees of approximately $3.9 million (after-tax of approximately $2.4 million or 7 cents per share) and pre-tax costs of approximately $2.3 million (after-tax of approximately $1.4 million or 4 cents per share) associated with impairment of the acquired Clinton Cards senior secured debt. The Company also recognized a reduction in pre-tax income of approximately $7.4 million (after-tax of approximately $5.6 million or 16 cents per share) as a result of inter-segment profit eliminations. The Company recognized a loss of $5.1 million (after-tax of approximately $3.1 million or 9 cents per share) from the operation of its retail stores. The total consolidated net reduction in pre-tax income associated with the acquisition and operation of the Clintons retail stores was approximately $18.7 million (after-tax of approximately $12.4 million or 37 cents per share).

In addition, revenue was reduced by $4.4 million as a result of scan-based trading conversions that occurred during the current-year's second quarter. The impact of scan-based trading conversions on pre-tax income was $3.6 million (after-tax of approximately $2.2 million or 7 cents per share). Also included within these results was a pre-tax benefit of $3.2 million (after-tax of approximately $1.9 million or 6 cents per share) from a gain on the sale of a portion of a legacy minority investment.

For the second quarter of the prior fiscal year 2012, the Company reported total revenue of approximately $370.2 million, pre-tax income of approximately $25.0 million, and net income of approximately $14.5 million or 35 cents per share. Revenue was reduced by approximately $0.6 million as a result of scan-based trading conversions that occurred during the quarter. The impact of scan-based trading conversions on pre-tax income was approximately $0.7 million (after-tax of approximately $0.4 million or 1 cent per share). Included within these results was a pre-tax benefit from the sale of certain minor characters in our intellectual property portfolio of approximately $4.5 million (after-tax of approximately $2.8 million or 7 cents per share).

click here
Send to a Friend
10.01.2012
RR Donnelley Awarded New Multi-Year Print Management Agreement by Guideposts

R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company today announced that it has been awarded a new multi-year multi-million dollar enterprise-wide print management agreement by Guideposts, a leading nonprofit organization whose products and services inspire, encourage and uplift. Its flagship magazine title, Guideposts, has a paid circulation of two million and it annually sells more than 5.7 million books direct to consumers and through retail channels.

Under the terms of the agreement RR Donnelley will provide comprehensive magazine, book, direct response, forms, labels and other production and print management services as well as premedia, book fulfillment and other logistics services.

"Millions of people regard Guideposts as a trusted partner," said Dave Teitler, Senior Vice President at Guideposts. "We look for the same spirit of collaboration in our supply chain and found that RR Donnelley's end-to-end solution offers exceptional value."

"We are very proud to have earned Guideposts' trust and to have the opportunity to serve them across the enterprise with comprehensive print management services," stated John Paloian, RR Donnelley's Chief Operating Officer. "Our unique production, service and print management offering allows us to optimize value for customers while also enabling them to take advantage of industry-leading innovations."

click here
Send to a Friend
10.01.2012
Report: Investcorp puts SourceMedia up for sale

Private equity company Investcorp is putting b-to-b media company SourceMedia up for sale, according to a report in peHUB.

SourceMedia publishes American Banker, On Wall Street and The Bond Buyer, among several other print publications.

The report in peHUB, a website owned by Thomson Reuters that covers the M&A field, quoted a source as saying that SourceMedia's EBITDA has been falling and is now around $10 million. Another source was quoted as saying that the company will fetch around five-to-six-times EBITDA.

Investcorp acquired SourceMedia, known at the time as Thomson Media, for $350 million in 2004.

Since taking charge in 2010, SourceMedia CEO Doug Manoni has added several new groups at the company, including digital, marketing services, research and training, in an effort to balance digital-oriented revenue against the company's still-significant exposure to print advertising.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Walgreen Co. Reports Fiscal 2012 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Walgreen Co. today announced earnings and sales results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012 ended Aug. 31.

Net earnings determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter were $353 million or 39 cents per diluted share, compared with $792 million or 87 cents per diluted share in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted fiscal 2012 fourth quarter net earnings were $553 million or 63 cents per diluted share, compared with adjusted net earnings of $599 million or 66 cents per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. This year’s adjusted fourth quarter results exclude the negative impacts of 9 cents per diluted share related to the company’s transaction with Alliance Boots GmbH, 10 cents per diluted share from the quarter’s LIFO provision and 5 cents per diluted share in acquisition-related amortization costs. The company intends to account for its 45 percent investment in Alliance Boots using the equity method of accounting on a one-month lag basis. Because the closing of this investment occurred within one month of the company’s fiscal year end, the results of operations of Alliance Boots GmbH are not reflected in the company’s reported net earnings for the fiscal quarter or year ended Aug. 31, 2012.

Last year’s adjusted fourth quarter results exclude an after-tax gain of 30 cents per diluted share associated with the company’s sale of its pharmacy benefits management business, Walgreens Health Initiatives, Inc. (WHI), and the negative impacts of 4 cents per diluted share from the quarter’s LIFO provision and 5 cents per diluted share in acquisition-related amortization costs.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Quad/Graphics Expands and Extends Agreement to Print and Distribute USA WEEKEND

Quad/Graphics, Inc., announced today that it has expanded and extended its agreement with Gannett Co., Inc., to print copies of USA WEEKEND, a Sunday magazine inserted into 700+ newspapers weekly. The new, longer-term multiyear agreement will include additional incremental print volume beginning in 2016, as well as additional freight, logistics and distribution services volume.

“USA WEEKEND has an impressive reach and impact with a circulation of more than 22 million copies,” said Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President & CEO. “Under this new agreement, Quad/Graphics will continue to print the major portion of those copies, using a new manufacturing plan that optimizes all the strengths of our industry-leading gravure printing network. We are picking up additional future volume and we look forward to a growing service relationship with Gannett.”

J. Austin Ryan, Senior Vice President of Operations for Gannett Publishing Services, said the new agreement with Quad/Graphics offers multiple improvements to the manufacturing and distribution model. “Quad configured a new and improved services platform that will provide significant savings in time and money for us,” Ryan said. “We appreciate Quad/Graphics partnering with us to improve this aspect of our business.”

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Mag Bag: Digital Will Raise Total Magazine Revs

Magazines’ digital advertising is paying off, according to an eMarketer report, which says they will lift overall magazine revenues in coming years, despite decreases on the print side. Magazines may finally be “over the hump” in their transition from print to digital publishing.

However, on the print side, the picture isn’t exactly cheery, as eMarketer predicts that total print ad revenues will decrease from $15.19 billion this year to $15.13 billion in 2013, $15.09 billion in 2014, and $15.05 billion in 2014. But digital ad revenues will more than offset these declines, rising from $3.14 billion in 2012 to $3.52 billion in 2013, $3.77 billion in 2014, and $3.96 billion in 2015.

Thanks to digital advertising’s growing contribution, total magazine ad revenues will increase from $18.3 billion in 2012 to $18.6 billion in 2013, $18.8 billion in 2014, and $19 billion in 2015, per the same eMarketer forecast. (These figures don’t include new circulation revenues from digital subscriptions, which are also growing fast.)

Looking at digital advertising’s proportional contribution to magazines’ bottom line, its share of total ad revenues will increase from 17% in 2012 to nearly 21% in 2015, while print ads’ share will shrink commensurately.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
More Declines Predicted For Newspapers

All the trend lines for newspaper advertising are pointing down, and the latest forecast from eMarketer does nothing to dispel this gloomy picture.

According to the research firm’s most recent report, total ad revenues for newspapers will decline from $22.5 billion in 2012 to $21.5 billion in 2013, $21 billion in 2014, $20.63 billion in 2015, and $20.4 billion in 2016, for a 9.5% drop over the next four years.

The drop is due to continuing declines in print advertising, which eMarketer sees falling steadily from $19.1 billion this year to $16.4 billion in 2016 -- a 14.7% drop.

Separately, newspapers’ digital ad revenues will continue to experience modest growth, but not enough to offset losses on the print side. Here, eMarketer sees total digital ad revenues edging up from $3.4 billion in 2012 to $4 billion in 2016, for a 17.6% increase in four years.

The forecast is yet another piece of bad news for an industry under siege since the middle of the last decade. According to the Newspaper Association of America, total newspaper ad revenues -- including print and digital -- plunged from $49 billion in 2006 to $24 billion in 2011, for a 51.5% decline in just five years.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Iggesund Mill to streamline its organisation

Holmen’s paperboard mill in Iggesund is to make its operations more efficient, with employee numbers being cut from 900 to 800. The intention is for the cuts to be made through normal personnel turnover (retirement) over a two-year period.

“We are active in a market that is subject to fierce competition and that is under immense cost pressure. High-quality products and high productivity are our competitive weapons, but we also need to constantly review our costs,” says Björn Kvick, President of Iggesund Paperboard.

The cuts will be made through various initiatives such as reviewing the sheeting and wood chipping operations. SEK 2.3 billion has recently been invested at the mill in a new recovery boiler, laying the foundations for maintaining the company’s competitive edge in the future.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Eaten by software: British Publisher to trim print titles

UBM, the $1.5 billion British targeted media company that traces its lineage back to Samuel Morse's Journal of Commerce, staged a further retreat from print offerings this week after having closed and sold several titles in recent years. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, it is putting up several titles for sale at an asking price of around $400 million.

The company, which publishes close to a hundred publications serving the health, technology, and transportation industries, has experienced a decrease in print margins and, as a result, focuses on trade shows and conferences for revenues. It operates some 300 of them globally in diverse markets such as furniture, jewelry, hospitality, and even spying. Its Black Hat cyber-security show draws attendees who not only don't wear name tags, but often don't reveal what organizations they represent.

The company did not name any specific publications that might be for sale. Its titles include Property Week, Travel Trade Gazette, Music Week, and Farmers Guardian.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
AAA Fuel Gage & Exchange Rates

AAA’s Fuel Gage Report as of 9/28/12
National Unleaded Regular:
Current Average - $3.787/gallon
Month Ago Average - $3.804/gallon
Year Ago Average - $3.465/gallon
Highest Recorded Average - $4.114/gallon on 7/17/08
Diesel:
Current Average - $4.086/gallon
Month Ago Average - $4.063/gallon
Year Ago Average - $3.846/gallon
Highest Recorded Average - $4.845/gallon on 7/17/08

Current Exchange Rates as of 9/28/12
American Dollar to Canadian Dollar = 1.019566
American Dollar to Chinese Yuan = 0.159090
American Dollar to Euro = 1.292288
American Dollar to Japanese Yen = 0.012882
American Dollar to Mexican Peso = 0.077839

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Oil Poised for Strongest Quarter This Year on Economic Optimism

Oil climbed for a second day in New York and headed for the biggest quarterly gain this year before a report forecast to show personal spending rose in the U.S., signaling an economic recovery that may boost fuel demand.

Futures advanced as much as 0.9 percent after increasing 2.1 percent yesterday, the most in eight weeks. U.S. household purchases probably climbed 0.5 percent last month, up from 0.4 percent in July, according to a Bloomberg survey before Commerce Department data today. Oil has rebounded since closing below $90 a barrel for the first time in almost two months on Sept. 26. It surged yesterday as Spain pledged to cut its deficit to ease Europe’s debt crisis.

“Things are looking more positive with Spain, but we are not out of the woods yet,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S in Copenhagen, who expects Brent crude to average $105 to $110 a barrel in the fourth quarter. “I think the rally we are seeing will run out of steam as the fundamental factors don’t stack up.”

Crude for November delivery gained as much as 86 cents to $92.71 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $92.49 at 10:34 a.m. London time.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Nova Scotia court approves sale of NewPage paper mill to Pacific West Commercial

After a year of legal wrangling, the $33-million sale of the former NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill to Vancouver-based Pacific West Commercial Corp. was officially sanctioned Thursday by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

"We're hopeful that everything is in place," George Kinsman, a spokesman for court-appointed monitor Ernst & Young, said outside the Halifax courtroom. "We are ready to go."

However, the sale wasn't expected to close until late Friday when the province, company officials and a battery of lawyers sign the closing documents in Halifax and Toronto.

As well, the Nova Scotia Utility Review Board has to sign off on an amended discount power rate agreement with Nova Scotia Power Inc., which was also expected by Friday.

"That's the last piece of prime document that people are waiting for," said Kinsman.

Given all of the procedural steps that have yet to fall into place, the court also granted approval to extend the sale process to Oct. 5 if there are any last-minute glitches.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Weyerhaeuser makes breakthrough in thermoplastic composites

Weyerhaeuser Company, a global leader in cellulose fiber technology and sustainable forestry, today announced the launch of a proprietary, patent-pending form of thermoplastic composite that uses sustainably sourced cellulose fiber as a reinforcement additive.

Called THRIVE™ composites, the product will initially be used in household goods and automotive parts. In addition, THRIVE can be used in a variety of composite plastic applications, including office furniture, kitchenware, small and large consumer appliances, and other industrial goods. THRIVE composites offer several advantages over materials reinforced with short glass fibers or natural fibers such as sisal, hemp and kenaf. The product is available in masterbatch form for custom compounders and ready-to-mold thermoplastic pellets for molders.

"THRIVE composites are economical and widely available, and they are low mass yet demonstrate excellent tensile strength and flexural properties," said Don Atkinson, vice president, marketing and new products for Weyerhaeuser's Cellulose Fibers business. "These composites can improve molding cycle times up to 40 percent. Products made with THRIVE require less energy to produce and can reduce wear and tear on processing equipment when compared with those containing abrasive short glass fibers. These substantial benefits create significant advantages for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprints while enhancing performance and productivity."

THRIVE composites are currently available as cellulose blended with polypropylene with both high and low melt flow indices. Because cellulose fibers are compatible with various "workhorse" polymers, Weyerhaeuser plans to expand the THRIVE line of products beyond polypropylene to a range of hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon polymers.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.28.2012
Discover Financial Services Reports Third Quarter Net Income of $627 Million

Discover Financial Services today reported net income of $627 million or $1.21 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2012, as compared to $649 million or $1.18 per share for the third quarter of 2011. The company’s return on equity was 28%. Strong year-over-year revenue growth and lower charge-offs were offset by lower loan loss reserve releases and increased legal expense due to accruals associated with the recently concluded Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulatory matter.

Third Quarter Highlights
Total loans grew $5.1 billion, or 9%, from the prior year to $59.2 billion.

Credit card loans grew $1.9 billion, or 4%, to $48.1 billion and Discover card sales volume increased 4% from the prior year.

Credit card loan delinquencies and net charge-offs reached historic lows with a delinquency rate for loans over 30 days past due of 1.81% and a net charge-off rate of 2.43%.

Payment Services pretax income was up 31% from the prior year to $49 million. Transaction volume for the segment was $50.3 billion in the quarter, an increase of 13% from the prior year.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
Postal Service Statement on Sept 30 Retiree Health Benefits Prefunding Payment

For the second time in two months, the U.S. Postal Service will not make a mandated payment to prefund retiree health benefits. Absent legislative action, the Postal Service is unable to make a scheduled $5.6 billion payment to the U.S. Treasury on Sept. 30. As was the case with the default of a similar $5.5 billion payment due August 1, customers can be confident in the continued regular operations of the Postal Service. We will continue to deliver the mail and pay our employees and suppliers. Postal Service retirees and employees will also continue to receive their health benefits. The health care for current retirees is paid from the Postal Service’s general operating budget and is not affected by the Postal Service’s inability to make the accelerated payments mandated by Congress as part of a 2006 law.

Comprehensive reform of the laws governing the Postal Service is urgently needed in order for the Postal Service to fully implement its five-year business plan and return to long-term financial stability. The Postal Service continues to encourage comprehensive legislative action in this Congress.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
UPM Produces the First Newsprint to Carry the EU Ecolabel

UPM has positioned itself as the frontrunner in the sustainable transformation of the paper industry by obtaining the first EU Ecolabel for newsprint. UPM News and UPM EcoBasic have obtained the EU Ecolabel after fulfilling strict criteria that include requirements related to energy and chemical use, forest sustainability (origin of wood), and production-related emissions to water and air.

UPM News and UPM EcoBasic are the first newsprints in Europe to receive the EU Ecolabel since the criteria were approved in July 2012. They are produced with at least 70% recovered fibres with the balance of fibres from PEFC or FSC certified sources. The EU Ecolabel for newsprint further certifies that the energy use, chemicals used as well as emissions and waste management comply with strict benchmark standards.

“UPM aspires to deliver products that have minimal environmental impact. The EU Ecolabels help our customers to choose the most environmentally responsible products available on the market. The label also shows that UPM is committed to its European customers,” states Wolfgang Bucher, Vice-President of Newspaper Publishers, UPM Paper.

UPM’s EU ecolabelled newsprint paper is produced in seven different paper mills; Kaipola (Finland), Ettringen, Schongau, Schwedt (Germany), Steyrermühl (Austria), Shotton (UK), and Chapelle (France).

click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
New York Magazine Tries Manhattan Hand-Delivery to Counter Postal Cutbacks

New York magazine is trying to remedy rising postal costs and slower postal deliveries by distributing many subscriber copies by hand -- at least for Manhattan subscribers with doormen.

After a test than began in May, sparked by concerns that post-office cutbacks would only continue to worsen, New York is now rolling out hand delivery to doorman buildings and commercial addresses in Manhattan. "Hand delivery means you'll get New York on Monday mornings -- earlier than is possible by U.S. Mail," New York explained in a letter to some subscribers.

The cost is competitive with the post office or cheaper, a New York spokeswoman said in an email. "It also gives us experience in this arena, in preparation for future USPS changes that may be more onerous."

Once the rollout is complete, New York will be hand-delivering nearly 60,000 subscriber and complimentary copies to Manhattan addresses, the spokeswoman said, calling that about 60% of the magazine's file in Manhattan.

Hand delivery, of course, will only partly address the problems created by reduced postal services and higher postage fees. New York magazine averaged paid and verified circulation of 405,149 in the first half of the year, the majority outside Manhattan, according to its report with the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
Web and other non-store holiday sales will increase 15% to 17% this year

As research firms began taking their first sneak peeks into the holiday sales stocking, it is looking like the web and other non-store sales will once again outpace total holiday retail sales growth.

A new holiday spending forecast from Deloitte LLP predicts that non-store holiday sales will increase 15% to 17% this year compared with 2011. Web retailers will account for nearly three-quarters of non-store sales, with the rest coming from catalogs and interactive TV merchants, Deloitte says.

The Deloitte projection is in line with what research firm eMarketer predicted earlier this month. It forecast online shoppers in the United States will spend $54.47 billion this holiday season, up 16.8% from $46.63 billion last year.

That sales growth is significantly larger than the 3.5% to 4% Deloitte forecasts for total retail sales growth for November through January (excluding motor vehicles and gasoline). Deloitte expects total holiday sales to increase more slowly than last year’s total retail holiday sales, which grew 5.9% over 2010.

"Non-store sales continue to outpace overall growth, but increasingly influence consumers' experience with the retail store, from trip planning, to in-store product research, and post-purchase reviews and sharing," says Alison Paul, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and retail and distribution sector leader. "This holiday season, retailers' most lucrative customers may be the ones they engage across physical and virtual storefronts."

Mobile will matter—even, or perhaps especially, in stores—this holiday season, Deloitte says. Mobile-influenced retail store sales such as product research, price comparison or mobile app use will account for 5.1% of retail store sales over the holidays, Deloitte predicts.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
Ennis, Inc. Reports Results for the Three Months and Six Months Ended August 31, 2012

Ennis, Inc., today reported financial results for the three and six months ended August 31, 2012.

Our consolidated net sales were $138.3 million for the second quarter ended August 31, 2012 compared to $130.4 million for the second quarter ended August 31, 2011, or an increase of 6.1%. Print sales increased 24.3% for the quarter, from $69.2 million to $86.0 million. Apparel sales for the quarter declined by 14.5% (down 4.5% on units and down 10% on price) from $61.2 million to $52.3 million. Our consolidated gross profit margin ("margin") decreased from 26.1% to 24.5% for the quarters ended August 31, 2011 and August 31, 2012, respectively. Our print segment margin increased from 28.6% to 30.7%, while our apparel segment margin, which continues to be impacted by higher cotton costs, decreased from 23.4% to 14.4% for the quarter. As a result, our net earnings decreased from $9.7 million, or 7.4% of net sales, for the quarter ended August 31, 2011 to $7.6 million, or 5.5% of net sales, for the quarter ended August 31, 2012. Diluted earnings per share decreased from $0.37 to $0.29 for the quarters ended August 31, 2011 and August 31, 2012, respectively.

For the six month period, net sales increased from $273.6 million to $280.9 million, or 2.7%. Print sales for the six month period were $173.4 million, compared to $136.3 million for the same period last year, an increase of $37.1 million, or 27.2%. Apparel sales for the six month period were $107.5 million, compared to $137.3 million for the same period last year, or a decrease of 21.7% (down 14.7% on units and down 7% on price). Overall our margin decreased from 27.0% to 22.1% for the six months ended August 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Our print margin increased during the period from 28.7% to 29.3%, while our apparel margin decreased from 25.3% to 10.6%, again due to higher cotton costs. Net earnings for the period decreased from $21.1 million, or 7.7% of net sales, for the six months ended August 31, 2011 to $11.5 million, or 4.1% of net sales, for the six months ended August 31, 2012. Diluted earnings per share decreased from $0.81 to $0.44 for the six months ended August 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

During the second quarter, the Company generated $15.7 million in EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) compared to $19.0 million for the comparable quarter last year. For the six month period ended August 31, 2012, the Company generated $25.7 million of EBITDA compared to $40.9 million for the comparable period last year.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
Oil Recovers From 8-Week Low After U.S. Inventories Drop

Oil rebounded from the lowest close in almost two months after U.S. crude inventories declined and as investors speculated that recent losses were excessive.

Futures rose as much as 0.6 percent in New York after falling close to technical-support levels. Prices slid 1.5 percent yesterday, the seventh decline in eight days, over concern that the European debt crisis may worsen and derail the global economy. Spaniards held protests and Greek police fired tear gas when a general strike turned violent. U.S. crude inventories slid 2.45 million barrels to 365.2 million last week, the Energy Department said. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had forecast a gain of 1.9 million barrels.

“The inventories surprised the market and stabilized prices,” Thina Saltvedt, an analyst at Nordea Bank AB, said by telephone from Oslo. “Now it’s a waiting game, as the turbulence in Spain and Greece is dampening risk appetite.”

Oil for November delivery gained as much as 57 cents to $90.55 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $90.24 at 10:39 a.m. London time. The contract yesterday fell $1.39 to $89.98, the lowest close since Aug. 2.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
VSS predicts b-to-b media will grow 4.9% this year

The b-to-b media sector will grow 4.9% to $26.60 billion this year, according to the “VSS Communications Industry Forecast” released by Veronis Suhler Stevenson. The increase in the sector is being driven by a turnaround in live and virtual events as well as gains in Web and mobile platforms, according to VSS.

VSS projected that the b-to-b media sector will post a compound annual growth rate of 5% from 2011 to 2016, when it will reach $34.03 billion. Between 2006 and 2011, CAGR for b-to-b media was essentially flat.

VSS said the Business & Professional Information & Services sector will grow 7.2% to $204.40 billion this year. The sector will post a 7% CAGR from 2011 to 2016, fueled by growth in business and professional services related to economic, financial, marketing, and scientific and technical Information, as well as technology services, VSS said.

Overall communications industry spending in the U.S. is expected to rise 5.2% this year to $1.18 trillion. It will grow at a 5.2% CAGR from 2011 to 2016.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
Study: Two-thirds of b-to-b marketers will commit to content marketing next year

Most b-to-b marketers are ramping up their content marketing efforts, according to a new study by BtoB magazine. The study, Content Marketing: Ready for Prime Time, reports that 66 percent of b-to-b marketers plan to be “very” or “fully” committed to content marketing next year, leading to a whole new group of competitors, or partners, for b-to-b publishers. The new research also found that 34 percent of b-to-b marketers today are already “very” or “fully” engaged with content marketing (last year, the number was 18 percent).

“Digital platforms ushered in a whole new class of content that is now taking hold in the b-to-b space,” John DiStefano, research director for BtoB, told ABM. “At the same time, it's transforming media companies' marketing services outreach. Editorial shares readership with marketing content—the two are often indistinguishable, in fact—and b-to-b publishers need to offer marketing services that provide thought leadership, brand awareness, customer relations, prospecting and of course, sales.”

The data in the recently released report is based on 425 interviews with U.S. b-to-b marketers. The study takes a look at the current state of content marketing adoption, trends, key marketing goals and the most difficult challenges marketers face.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
Sonoco Launches Family of New Insulated Pallet Shippers

ThermoSafe Brands, a unit of Sonoco, has launched a family of new temperature-assured polyurethane-insulated pallet shippers for use in the United States and Europe for the bulk distribution of pharmaceuticals and other biotechnology products.

According to Vicki Arthur, vice president of Sonoco's Protective Packaging division, a leading North American provider of protective packaging solutions, the ThermoSafe® SPS Series Pallet Shippers are designed to provide off-the-shelf convenience and easy assembly, meeting the unique needs of high-value life science products.

"ThermoSafe's new insulated pallet shippers use Sonoco's patented SonoPost® components, which provide structural stability and air flow for top and bottom refrigerants – a first in the industry," said Arthur. "These proven temperature-assurance shippers have fewer packing components with self-supporting panels that can be assembled in 15 minutes or less. They are ideal for third-party logistics and bulk shipments of biologic products and can use the same configuration for all seasons."

click here
Send to a Friend
09.27.2012
Sappi Alfeld Mill to refocus production

Sappi Alfeld Mill to refocus production to meet strong growth in demand from the Release Liner and Flexpack paper markets. Coated paper production to be moved to other Sappi Mills in Europe.

In response to strong growth and positive market forecasts for the packaging market, Sappi Fine Paper Europe has begun the process of converting its Sappi Alfeld Mill in Germany to focus exclusively on producing one-sided coated paper for packaging, labels and technical applications. The project will take 12 months to complete.

At the same time, Sappi will actively manage its graphic paper capacity by transferring the current coated paper production of the Sappi Alfeld Mill to other Sappi Mills in Europe in close consultation with these customers. This action will further improve Sappi’s cost position in coated woodfree paper in Europe and elsewhere.

The strong growth and improved margins in this market are due to the growth in the demand for paper packaging and a lack of standardisation; high degree of customisation; and the long qualification times imposed by customers. Sappi has also been successful in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions for this market in close co-operation with end-use customers and converters.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Why Small Businesses Still Need Paper in a Digital World

At one time, experts predicted we’d gradually move toward a paper-free world. But the modern small business is far from it. According to The Economist, in the past 30 years, worldwide paper consumption has gone up by 50 percent. Even though some things can be converted to a digital format, printed communication still excels as a marketing tool.

Why are we using more paper than ever? We have more to print. With access to so much information, 24 hours a day, we are constantly finding things we need to have in front of us. This is especially prevalent among small businesses, where workers have an ongoing need to print, copy and share presentations and meeting agendas with multiple people.

As a marketing tool, printed communications have been proven to be just as effective as ever. An eye-catching presentation to a client can be one of the things that seal a deal for a crucial sale.

So, paper is here to stay, for the time being. How small businesses deal with paper is an important matter. Here are ten tips to help better market your business and increase office efficiency:
¦Have at least one color device. ¦Show your clients how important they are by using color ink, quality paper and overall good presentation materials. ¦Be creative and use imagery to convey a point or key message. ¦Use a spot color in a “black and white” piece – it lightens things up. ¦Invest in a multi-function printer (MFP). ¦Scan important documents. ¦Enable security. ¦Utilize double-sided printing. ¦Pay attention to printer features. ¦Don’t cut corners on supplies.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Verso Paper Corp. Awards First Verso Forest Certification Grant To Sustainable Resource Institute (SRI) Inc.

Verso Paper Corp. today announced that Sustainable Resources Institute (SRI) Inc. will be the first recipient of a Verso Forest Certification Grant. The two-year grant will enable SRI to target the owners of small, private non-industrial properties (2,400 acres or less) in Michigan and help them achieve certification at an affordable cost. Third-party certification to credible forest management standards advances responsible management practices that keep U.S. forests vibrant and healthy. SRI's first-year goal to certify an additional 15,000 acres has the potential to add up to 35,000 tons of certified fiber in the marketplace.

"We launched the Verso Forest Certification Grant program to increase certified fiber and certified acreage on lands near Verso's three paper mills," said Verso Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Energy Lyle Fellows. "SRI's grant proposal demonstrated not only a solid plan to help us advance this goal, but also strong partnerships with the Michigan Master Logger Certification program, the Michigan Association of Timbermen and others that provide a strong foundation for success."

"The start-up funds provided by the Verso Forest Certification Grant will help us reach out to landowners who already have responsible forest management plans and offer them a more accessible path to affordable certification," said SRI Executive Director Don Peterson. "We're anxious to get underway and are committed to seeking additional funding from other sources to make sure we're able to continue the terrific certification opportunities that Verso's initial two-year funding provides."

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
The environmental cost of data centres, Does this cast doubt on e-billing initiatives?

Jeff Rothschild’s machines at Facebook had a problem he knew he had to solve immediately. They were about to melt.

The company had been packing a 40-by-60-foot rental space here with racks of computer servers that were needed to store and process information from members’ accounts. The electricity pouring into the computers was overheating Ethernet sockets and other crucial components.

Thinking fast, Mr. Rothschild, the company’s engineering chief, took some employees on an expedition to buy every fan they could find — “We cleaned out all of the Walgreens in the area,” he said — to blast cool air at the equipment and prevent the Web site from going down.

That was in early 2006, when Facebook had a quaint 10 million or so users and the one main server site. Today, the information generated by nearly one billion people requires outsize versions of these facilities, called data centers, with rows and rows of servers spread over hundreds of thousands of square feet, and all with industrial cooling systems.

They are a mere fraction of the tens of thousands of data centers that now exist to support the overall explosion of digital information. Stupendous amounts of data are set in motion each day as, with an innocuous click or tap, people download movies on iTunes, check credit card balances through Visa’s Web site, send Yahoo e-mail with files attached, buy products on Amazon, post on Twitter or read newspapers online.

A yearlong examination by The New York Times has revealed that this foundation of the information industry is sharply at odds with its image of sleek efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Most data centers, by design, consume vast amounts of energy in an incongruously wasteful manner, interviews and documents show. Online companies typically run their facilities at maximum capacity around the clock, whatever the demand. As a result, data centers can waste 90 percent or more of the electricity they pull off the grid, The Times found.

To guard against a power failure, they further rely on banks of generators that emit diesel exhaust. The pollution from data centers has increasingly been cited by the authorities for violating clean air regulations, documents show. In Silicon Valley, many data centers appear on the state government’s Toxic Air Contaminant Inventory, a roster of the area’s top stationary diesel polluters.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Tetra Pak invests €25 million in Turkish packaging material plant

Plant technology upgrade in Izmir enables local production and export of innovative packages, including Tetra Gemina® Aseptic and Tetra Prisma® Aseptic

Tetra Pak marking its 40th year of operations in Turkey, inaugurates a new laminator at its packaging material factory in Izmir, Turkey. The new VT laminator will increase production capacity by 20%, delivering innovative packages with shorter lead time to customers in the Turkey and Caucasus, and enabling export to the region.

The new laminator, which begins production in January 2013, boosts production capacity from 5 billion packs to approximately 6 billion. It is capable of laminating all types and sizes of Tetra Pak packages, including Tetra Prisma® Aseptic, Tetra Gemina® Aseptic and Tetra Brik® Aseptic packages with Helicap caps.

Tetra Pak Turkey & Caucasus Managing Director Francis Goodenday said: “In an increasingly competitive world, Tetra Pak recognizes the need to offer our customers the very best products, technology and service. This investment will enable us to meet our customers’ needs in a continuously growing, dynamic market by providing them with faster lead times, innovative packages and all the advantages of local supply and support.”
click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
SKG to acquire Orange County Container Group

Smurfit Kappa Group plc announces that it has agreed to acquire Orange County Container Group for a total cash consideration of US$340 million (c. €260 million).

OCCG is a private corrugated and containerboard manufacturer with operations in Northern Mexico and the Southern United States (“US”). OCCG employs 2,800 people (2,000 of whom are employed in Mexico), and is expected to generate US$53 million of EBITDA for the full year (“FY”) 2012. OCCG’s strong strategic fit with SKG’s existing businesses is expected to deliver at least US$14 million of synergies by the end of year 2.

The US$340 million cash consideration will be funded from the Group's existing cash resources. It is anticipated that the Transaction will complete in the fourth quarter of 2012 subject to customary completion conditions and regulatory approval, and is expected to be EPS accretive on completion.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Pactiv Canada Acquires Interplast Packaging, Inc.

Pactiv LLC announced today that Pactiv Canada Inc. has acquired the assets of Interplast Packaging, Inc. (http://www.interplast.net). Based in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, Interplast produces custom-labeled Recycled PET (RPET) egg cartons for customers throughout North America.

“Interplast’s family of RPET cartons enhances our existing line of molded fiber egg cartons and offers an environmental and sustainable alternative, particularly for packers and retailers of premium label eggs,” said Pactiv President and CEO, John McGrath. “Much like we have done in other food packaging segments, Pactiv will now be able to offer solutions in multiple materials to the egg packaging market, providing this customer base with the opportunity for increased value.”

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Consumer Confidence Index increases in September

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in August, improved in September to 70.3 -- up from 61.3 in August.

The Expectations Index increased to 83.7 from 71.1. The Present Situation Index rose to 50.2 from 46.5 last month.

"The Consumer Confidence Index rebounded in September and is back to levels seen earlier this year (71.6 in February 2012),” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers were more positive in their assessment of current conditions, in particular the job market, and considerably more optimistic about the short-term outlook for business conditions, employment and their financial situation. Despite continuing economic uncertainty, consumers are slightly more optimistic than they have been in several months."

Consumers' appraisal of present-day conditions improved in September. Those claiming business conditions are "good" edged up to 15.5% from 15.3%, while those saying business conditions are "bad" declined to 33.3% from 34.3%. Consumers' assessment of the labor market was also more upbeat. Those stating jobs are "plentiful" rose to 8.3% from 7.2%, while those claiming jobs are "hard to get" edged down to 39.9% from 40.6%.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
ICSC: Holiday chain store sales to rise 3%

A holiday preview report released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers said that sales are forecasted to rise 3% during the traditional November-December 2012 holiday period.

Additionally, ICSC said it anticipates that the other two measures of U.S. industry holiday sales – shopping-center sales and GAFO-store sales – will increase slightly as well.

However, the group cautioned that this year’s season comes with a bit more uncertainty than usual because of the increased crosscurrents—a softening in the economy, improving housing prices and markets, rising gasoline prices, a presidential election and the looming $500 billion in automatic spending cuts to the federal budget and tax increases slated for January 1, 2013.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Digital Gains May Balance Print Losses For Mags

For years traditional media have been complaining that the migration of time and audiences to the Web was forcing companies to trade offline dollars for (as Jeff Zucker famously said) “digital dimes.” The CPMs for print and TV were and usually still are multiples higher than for digital. But leaner organizations and new business models may help old media learn new tricks in the end. Tablets will be lynchpin of revenue growth. According to a new report from eMarketer, magazine publishers will see their digital revenues climb sufficiently to offset most but not all the losses from a declining print ad economy.

The new report projects that in 2012, magazine ad revenue will see print income decline 3.14% to $14.19 billion and see digital ad revenue increase 15.5% to $3.14 billon. The overall drop for magazines will net out to -2.6%. But that gap will narrow in coming years. Even as print ad revenue bottoms out around 2015 and 2016 to just over $15 billion, continued double digit increases in digital revenues will keep the magazine industry growing at just under 1% a year. eMarketer figures include b2b, consumer, local and Sunday magazines.

eMarketer analysts see tablets as one of the best opportunities for magazine brands to recapture the lost income from print. The company projects that more than half of Internet users will use tablets by 2015, 133.5 million. Monetizing tablet audiences is the industry’s biggest challenge and opportunity in coming years to making up for print declines, the research firm says. Citing Pew Internet & American Life research, the report suggests that a minority of tablet users are willing to pay regularly for content. Convincing advertisers to move more of their budget into tablets is a critical necessity for magazines.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Metso to relocate and rebuild paper machine for Chinese Shandong Chenming Paper for increased production

Metso will supply Chenming Jilin, part of Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Ltd., with the relocation and rebuild of a paper machine for the company’s new mill site in Jilin Province, China. The value of the order will not be disclosed. A typical market value of this type of a relocation and rebuild project ranges from EUR 10 to 20 million.

“The main target of the project is to increase production by improving the efficiency of the paper making line and by increasing the drying capacity of the paper machine,” says Metso’s Sales Manager Jukka Vuorela.

A paper machine of Chenming Jilin will be relocated within Jilin City from the current mill site to the company’s new mill site. Metso will supervise the dismantling and packing of the paper machine line and supervise the installation and start-up of the relocated equipment. Metso’s delivery will also include a rebuild of the relocated PM 12. The start-up of the relocated and rebuilt machine is scheduled for the second half of 2013.

The order is included in Metso’s Pulp, Paper and Power third quarter 2012 orders received.

The paper machine to be relocated is the 6.95-m-wide (wire) PM 12 paper machine. The modernization will include forming and drying section modifications and a press section rebuild with a new SymBelt shoe press. Originally the PM 12 produces coated wood-containing LWC (light weight coated) paper grades and after the rebuild the target is to also produce other new paper grades.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Metsä Group’s tissue and cooking paper business area to begin statutory negotiations in Finland

Metsä Tissue, Metsä Group’s tissue and cooking paper business, is to commence statutory negotiations in its Finnish units. The negotiations are part of company-wide organisational restructuring targeted to improve profitability.

The statutory negotiations announced today will concern white-collar personnel in Finland, excluding frontline sales teams. Roughly 150 employees will be involved in the process and the maximum headcount reduction is not expected to exceed 40. Metsä Tissue’s Finnish offices are based in Espoo and Mänttä.

“Increasing competition and continuous tightening of EU regulation pose additional challenges for Metsä Tissue. Additionally, the Finnish government’s stricter national adaptation of EU directives concerning areas such as waste taxation and landfill regulations is a major threat to our competitiveness. By restructuring and reorganising our operations, we aim to secure our future competitiveness on the growing tissue and cooking paper market,” says Metsä Tissue’s CEO Mika Joukio.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Deloitte Predicts A Moderately Merry Season

While it won’t be quite as jolly as it was last year, Deloitte is predicting a solid-enough holiday, with total sales expected to climb between 3.5% and 4%, reaching the $920 billion to $925 billion range. That compares with an actual 5.9% increase in November through January spending, somewhat higher than Deloitte’s prediction.

“When we looked at the last few years, we saw we had been somewhat pessimistic,” Alison Paul, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and retail & distribution sector leader, tells Marketing Daily. “Consumers continue to be resilient, even more resilient than we expect them to be, and to ignore our best prognostications.”

Much rosier, however, are the gains the consulting firm anticipates in non-retail channels, with Deloitte forecasting a jump of between 15 and 17% in non-store sales, with three-quarters coming from online shopping, and the balance from catalogs and interactive TV.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
The Economist Sets Rate Base for Digital-Only Subscribers

In a move that takes a step closer to making it easier to encourage advertisers to place ads in digital editions, The Economist is implementing a rate base of 50,000 digital-only subscribers paying an average of about $106 per sub. The guarantee will take effect in January 2013.

The rate base only applies to North American digital edition subscribers on iPad, iPhone and Android products and excludes replicas, e-readers, website subscribers and multi-user licenses.

"We know that the agency community has been asking for it," says David Kaye, vice president of advertising for The Economist. "They're frustrated with digital being lumped in with print. We also believe that transparency is important and it's difficult to get at with so many places for the audience to be engaging with the brand. It's not a perfect solution, but it's a step in the right direction."

Other steps would include performance-related metrics, numbers that agencies are definitely interested in seeing, but are not as easily guaranteed, says Kaye.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
EURO-Graph Publishes August Monthly Statistics of the European Graphic Papers Industry

Total European shipments of all Graphic Papers was down 2.2% in August and is down 3.8% year-to-date.
Total European shipments of Newsprint was down 0.2% in August and is down 3.6$ y-t-d.
Total European shipments of SC-Magazine was down 1.6% in August and is down 4.0% y-t-d.
Total European shipments of Coated Mechanical Reels was down 7.6% in August and is down 6.4% y-t-d.
Total European shipments of Uncoated Mechanical (Improved & Others) was up 2.5% and is down 4.0% y-t-d.
Total European shipments of Coated Woodfree was down 2.9% in August and is down 2.4% y-t-d.
Total European shipments of Uncoated Woodfree was up 0.3% in August and is down 2.7% y-t-d.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
This book cannot be read on a Kindle

It happened first when Johanna Skibsrud’s The Sentimentalists won the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and it is happening again with the publication (by the same small Nova Scotia press) of Stephen Marche’s Love and the Mess We’re In: The Canadian literary avant-garde is boldly retreating to a bucolic past where paper is sacred and digital technology makes no impression whatsoever.

“This is a book you cannot read on a Kindle,” the author says proudly, brandishing the artifact in question during an interview in Toronto. “It’s not possible to do. This is a physical book, and the experience of holding it in your hands is integral to its reality.”

The thing that makes Marche’s third novel so resistant to digitization is its form. Between the covers is a poignant, fractured narrative of adultery and madness that is sometimes laid out in parallel columns like a script, sometimes in typographic patterns like concrete poetry, and sometimes like flowing waves set sideways. Designed by Andrew Steeves of Gaspereau Press, it revives the kind of black-and-white formal experimentation that flourished in the dying days of hot type 50 years ago – as does the unconventional, non-linear text, which picks up where the experimenters at Coach House Press left off in 1973.
http://www.teleread.com/books/this-book-cannot-be-read-on-a-kindle/

In occupying the minds of online shoppers, social media is the 1%
Social media may be the shiny object for marketers. But consumers aren't as enamored with social when it comes to prompting purchases. In fact, 39 percent of new customers who make purchases on e-commerce sites are led there by paid or organic search links, and 30% percent of transactions completed by repeat customers begin with a click on an email from the retailer.

Those are the key findings of a study of 77,000 online transactions over a two-week period conducted by Forrester Research and GSI Commerce, eBay's e-commerce services unit. Social media darlings such as Facebook and Pinterest, meanwhile, proved to be far less powerful drivers to consumers' wallets. Fewer than 1% of purchases examined in the study could be traced to social media activity.

One fifth of both new and repeat customers who arrived at e-commerce sites via one touchpoint did so by direct visit. When multiple touchpoints were involved, 12% of new customers used organic or paid search and 17% of repeat customers opened an email.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
Oil Falls to 7-Week Low on Demand Outlook, Stockpile Gain

Oil fell to the lowest level in seven weeks after a report showed rising U.S. stockpiles and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Charles Plosser said a new stimulus plan probably won’t boost economic growth.

Futures slid as much as 1.1 percent, extending yesterday’s 0.6 percent decline. The American Petroleum Institute said crude supplies increased 335,000 barrels, a third weekly gain, while Citigroup Inc. cut its global demand forecasts. Bond purchases announced by the Fed this month probably won’t spur expansion or hiring, Plosser said in a speech yesterday. Oil surged to $100.42 a barrel on Sept. 14, its highest this year, after the Federal Open Market Committee said it will undertake a third round of quantitative easing.

“The quantitative easing euphoria has eased,” Ole Hansen, senior manager of trading advisory at Saxo Bank A/S, said by phone from Copenhagen. “Renewed worries, especially in Spain, are putting the focus back onto global growth and the potential for subdued demand for oil.”

Crude for November delivery fell as much as $1.04 to $90.33 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $90.73 at 11:01 a.m. London time.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
American Forest & Paper Association Releases August 2012 Containerboard Report

The American Forest & Paper Association released its August 2012 U.S. Containerboard Statistics Report last week.

Containerboard production rose 2.2 percent over July 2012 and was flat when compared to the same month last year. The month over month average daily production increased 2.2 percent. The containerboard operating rate for August 2012 gained 2.1 points over July 2012, from 95.4 percent to 97.5 percent.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
American Forest & Paper Association Releases August 2012 Kraft Paper Sector Report

The American Forest & Paper Association released its August 2012 Kraft Paper Sector Report last week.

Total Kraft paper shipments were 133,000 tons, a decrease of 3.6 percent compared to the prior month. Total inventory was 77,800 tons this month. Both unbleached and bleached Kraft shipments decreased year over year.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
AF&PA Releases August 2012 U.S. Recovered Fiber Monthly Report

The American Forest & Paper Association released its August 2012 U.S. Recovered Fiber Monthly Report on Friday, Sept. 21.

According to the report, total U.S. industry consumption of recovered paper in August was 2.56 million tons, 6 percent higher than July 2012. Year-to-date total consumption in 2012 is 4 percent lower than during the same period last year.

U.S. exports of recovered paper, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, increased 5 percent in July compared to June, led by a 14 percent increase in Mixed Papers exports. Year-to-date exports of recovered paper in 2012 are 6 percent lower than during the same period in 2011.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.26.2012
American Forest & Paper Association Releases August 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report

The American Forest & Paper Association has released its August 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5 percent in August compared to August 2011. All four major printing-writing grades posted single-digit decreases compared to last August. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers also decreased, down 6 percent in August. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 5 percent from last month, primarily due to double-digit decreases in mechanical-grade paper inventories. Additional key findings include:

Shipments of coated free sheet papers decreased year-over-year, but August shipments reached the highest level since October 2011.
Shipments of uncoated free sheet papers down year-over-year, the sixth consecutive single-digit year-over-year decrease.
Uncoated mechanical paper inventories dropped sharply.
Inventory of coated mechanical papers also dropped and hit the lowest point since December 2007.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.24.2012
Maxim Cuts Circulation 20%

Maxim magazine is cutting the paid circulation it guarantees advertisers from 2.5 million to 2 million next year, a 20% drop, and reducing its publishing frequency to 10 issues next year from 11 this year. Last year Maxim published 12 issues.

Maxim President Ben Madden said the magazine continues to occupy a solid position among men's monthlies. "We're falling all the way to No. 1," Mr. Madden said. (Or to a tie, at least: ESPN The Magazine also promises advertisers paid circulation of 2 million, Mr. Madden added.)

With the circulation cut, Maxim will abandon a rate base it has maintained since 2001, when it was a white-hot challenger to established men's magazines. Many publishers have been reevaluating the benefits and costs of maintaining larger circulations, particularly as digital media competes for advertising and consumers. Established magazines that head the other way have become exceptions.

There are benefits to maintaining large circulation, but that's not the only factor, Mr. Madden added. "It's about being the most efficient and the best."

Maxim has been working on efforts to expand on digital platforms, where it had an average of 79,447 individually paid subscriptions in the first half, as well as in areas such as events. Maxim is hosting 70 events this year, a spike from about 50 last year and the number will expand next year, Mr. Madden said. The title also expects to publish two Salute to the Military newsstand specials next year following the publication of one over the summer and another last year.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.24.2012
Fairways + Greens Becomes GolfGetaways

Golf publication Fairways + Greensis set to rebrand itself as GolfGetaways, cementing an editorial change to the niche travel market and coinciding with a new digital effort built around apps for Apple and Nook devices.

The changes will officially occur when its next issue hits newsstands and app stores on November 6.

Editorially, the name change signifies a commitment to the golf travel market the magazine had been moving toward for the last two years. With golf equipment and instructional markets already packed, and closing of American Express’ Travel + Leisure Golf in 2009, the editor-in-chief Vic Williams says the shift happened easily.

“We’ve discovered that golf travel is really a strong niche for us to pursue,” Williams says. “It was a combination, where it kind of happened naturally and our ad base was almost exclusively resorts and destinations. So to give it a more cohesive editorial and advertising mix, we migrated that way.”

Between the move to a more associative brand name and the offer of digital access, Williams expects to see a 15 to 20 percent bump in audience for the short-term.
click here
Send to a Friend
09.24.2012
Metrics and technology unite!

Linking marketing activities to sales performance has become increasingly important for B2B marketers. A new study shows that doing so is more effective with a bit of support from marketing automation tools.

Generally speaking, B2B marketers tend to track such traditional marketing metrics as leads generated, or they also track ROI-focused measure like leads conversion rates. According to the 2012 Lenskold Group / The Pedowitz Group Lead Gen Marketing Effectiveness Study, companies that use marketing automation with either measurement type will improve their marketing outcomes. But those using ROI measures outperform their traditionally focused counterparts.

The study, based on an online survey of 373 B2B marketers at companies with revenues of between $5 million and $50 million, found that marketing automation improves lead generation efforts overall. Adding marketing automation helped increase the quantity of leads generated for 61% of respondent, the quality of leads passed to sales for 60% of them, and the lead-to-closed-sale conversion for 40%. Even revenue per sale increased, for 28% of respondents.

However, companies that use ROI metrics to track marketing performance in combination with marketing automation improve their marketing outcomes significantly over those that use traditional metrics. The study showed gaps of 25% or more between the two groups in percentage of leads accepted to sales, quality of leads, conversions, and revenue per sale. The gap was a full 50% in terms of total marketing revenue contribution. Sixty-nine percent of respondents that track ROI-focused metrics—versus only 19% of marketers who use traditional metrics—saw total marketing revenue contribution improve as a result of implementing marketing automation.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.24.2012
Oil Drops From 1-Week High in New York on Europe Debt Woe

Oil dropped from the highest close in almost a week as renewed discord among European leaders on measures to stem the region’s debt crisis outweighed concern that tensions in the Middle East may disrupt crude supplies.

New York futures fell as much as 1.7 percent after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande disagreed over closer integration of Europe’s banking system at the weekend. Iran, OPEC’s third-largest oil producer, will defend itself if attacked by Israel, according to excerpts of a CNN interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad scheduled for broadcast today.

“European leaders are spending more time bickering amongst themselves than solving their massive problems,” Michael Hewson, a London-based analyst at CMC Markets, said by phone. “Unless there’s a shocker out of the Middle East, I don’t see anything but downward pressures on oil.”

Oil for November delivery declined as much as $1.55 to $91.34 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $91.63 at 11:50 a.m. London time. It rose 47 cents to $92.63 on Sept. 21, the highest close since Sept. 18.

click here
Send to a Friend
09.24.2012
Nova Scotia reaches new agreement in bid to reopen Cape Breton paper mill

The government of Nova Scotia has reached a new agreement to reopen the shuttered NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill, one day a Vancouver company's bid to buy the plant collapsed, Premier Darrell Dexter announced late Saturday.

Dexter announced the revised deal with Pacific West Commercial Corp., which has offered $33 million for the 50-year-old facility, during a news conference at the provincial legislature.

He said the agreement means the money the provincial government has spent in an effort to restart the mill should be repaid in as little as 12 years. That includes a $124.5 million aid package announced last month and $36.8 million that the government has spent so far to keep the mill in a so-called hot idle state in order to quickly resume operations.

"My government has worked for a year to restart the mill," Dexter said.

"We didn't do it because it was popular. We did it because it was the right thing to do."

Pacific West Commercial announced late Friday that an unfavourable tax ruling earlier this month from the Canada Revenue Agency made it impossible to ensure the economic viability of the Cape Breton mill.

But Dexter said Saturday that the government and the company resumed negotiations later in the night and eventually came up with a revised agreement.

"We were not prepared to support something that was backward-looking," he said.

"The paper industry is going through change, but there's always going to be a paper industry and this is one of the most high-tech mills anywhere in the world."

click here
Send to a Friend

Paperclips Blog | Clearwater Paper Results

View by Week:

Category:

Popular Keywords