Paperclips Blog | Fraser Papers Results

12.09.2011
Closure of Follum approved by Norske Skog's corporate assembly

The corporate assembly has today considered the proposal from the board of directors of Norske Skog ASA to permanently close the paper production at Norske Skog Follum AS. The corporate assembly, which consists of 12 shareholder elected representatives and 6 employee elected representatives, to a total of 18 members, decided against 4 votes to support the resolution of the BoD from yesterday. This is obviously a difficult matter for the employees and suppliers at Follum, but the decision strengthens the basis for future competitiveness and profitability at Norske Skog's other Norwegian operations. The corporate assembly has confidence in the way the BoD has considered this matter, says Tom Ruud, chair of the corporate assembly of Norske Skog.

This has been a difficult time for Norske Skog, but it is our opinion that it is imperative to reduce capacity. Continued operation of Follum with another owner would make the situation considerably more difficult for our mills in Trøndelag and Østfold. Today's decision means continued full operations at our mills in Skogn and Halden, although it is not possible to issue guarantees for the future for these mills, says President and CEO of Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt.

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12.09.2011
Nippon Paper Chemicals Completes Installation of No. 6 Coater at Higashimatsuyama Mill

Nippon Paper Chemicals Co., Ltd. (President: Masami Yamaki), a Nippon Paper Group company, today completed the installation of a new coater (coating machine, No. 6 coater) at its Higashimatsuyama Mill (Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture), the Company's production base for its film coating business.

The decision to install the new machine was made in November 2010 with a view to strengthening the Group's businesses other than paper as well as its paper business, and construction work has been in progress since that time. With an investment value of 2.2 billion yen, this brings to four the total number of LCD optical film coaters at the Higashimatsuyama Mill.

The Nippon Paper Chemicals Higashimatsuyama Mill manufactures distinctive functional film making full use of advanced film processing technology, and offers LCD optical film in particular that meets the rigorous quality requirements of the market. There is expected to be fresh growth in demand for LCD optical film as a result of the expansion of smartphones and tablet terminals, and the installation of this new No. 6 coater will allow Nippon Paper Chemicals to respond quickly to market needs.
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12.09.2011
Justice Department Says It Is Looking Into E-Book Pricing

The Justic Department is following suit with the European Union, confirming that it too is looking into e-book pricing. A number of outlets have reported that the Justice Department's acting antitrust chief stated her group has launched a probe into e-book pricing models. In a statement to the public, Sharis Pozen said the Justic Department is "investigating the electronic book industry, along with the European Commission and the states attorneys general."

The Justice Department's announcement Wednesday came after the European Union said, earlier this week, that it would be investigating potential antitrust issues involving five major publishers and Apple. In the States, a number of lawsuits have been filed charging the same thing--that publishers colluded with Apple, just before the release of the iPad, to create what has come be known as agency pricing.

The case is built around the notion that publishers worked with Apple to create a pricing model that would pressure Amazon, which sold e-books on the wholesale model, to abandon that practice. Publishers had long been concerned that Amazon, which regularly took losses in selling e-books atlow prices, was devaluing their content. Under the agency model, publishers set the price of their e-books, and retailers take a cut of the set price. Under the wholesale model, retailers paid a set fee for the publishers' content, but could then sell it to consumers at any price they wanted.

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12.09.2011
Vertis Communications Named Exclusive Provider of Advertising Inserts Printing and Logistics for Save Mart Supermarkets

In a move to optimize its marketing investment and outpace its competition, Save Mart Supermarkets has named Vertis Communications, a results-driven marketing communications company, its exclusive provider of advertising inserts printing and logistics. This new contract, a complement to Media Services Vertis currently provides to Save Mart, will enhance the quality and speed to market of compelling inserts that capture attention and drive sales.

Save Mart, a fast growing grocery retailer, chose Vertis in order to leverage the company’s substantial footprint in the grocery industry and proven expertise in providing marketing communications support to clients such as Kroger and Sunflower Farmers Market. Vertis will help Save Mart grab attention and motivate shoppers faster than ever with same day delivery of highly versioned, superior quality advertising inserts. With Vertis Logistics, Save Mart will take advantage of Vertis’ nationwide purchasing power and industry expertise to optimize the cost of reliable, speedy distribution that will even accommodate last minute merchandising adjustments, creating another point of differentiation among the competition.

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12.09.2011
John Wiley & Sons Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2012 Results

John Wiley & Sons, a global provider of content and workflow solutions in the areas of scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly research; professional and personal development; and education today announced results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2012:

Revenue growth of 1% including FX (-0.4% excluding foreign exchange, or "FX")
Revenue growth by segment, including FX: STMS +3%, P/T -1%, Education flat
Revenue growth by segment, excluding FX: STMS +1%, P/T -2%, Education -1%
Adjusted EPS fell 6% to $0.83 (both including and excluding FX). Top line results and higher technology and facility costs offset improved gross margins and lower interest expense.

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12.09.2011
Maine Executive Order Puts Forest Certification on Equal Footing

Maine Governor Paul LePage signed an executive order today directing that "any new or expanded state buildings shall incorporate 'Green Building' standards that give certification credits equally to forest products grown, manufactured, and certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard, Forest Stewardship Council, American Tree Farm System, and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification systems."

"This policy is great news for North American communities and shows that the Governor and people of Maine are true leaders by being the first jurisdiction in North America to take this important position," said Kathy Abusow, president and CEO of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® Inc. (SFI Inc.) "Inclusive and leading programs such as ANSI/GBI 01-2010: Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings and the ANSI/ICC 700-2008: National Green Building Standard for residential construction would meet the requirements set out for state construction in Maine. However, green building rating tools like the US Green Building Council's LEED rating tools that do not recognize forest certification equally would not meet the requirements of this executive order, in our opinion."

The Maine Executive Order comes after 100 Members of Congress and Governors, and over 6,000 individuals around the world, encouraged the USGBC to reward wood from North American forests by equally recognizing SFI, ATFS, CSA, PEFC and FSC in their LEED rating system. Currently, the LEED rating tool fails to recognize nearly three-quarters of North America's certified forests leaving builders to give preference to FSC wood offshore over SFI certified wood in North America. Maine's forest-products industry has an enormous impact on the state's economy. It directly and indirectly supports 55,000 jobs, annually creates more than $3 billion in earning and contributes $4.3 billion annually to Maine gross domestic product.
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12.08.2011
Transcontinental Inc. generates organic revenue and profit growth in 2011 and is well positioned for the future

In 2011, Transcontinental Inc. increased its revenues by 1%, from $2,028.3 million to $2,043.6 million, driven primarily by the Printing sector as a result of numerous new contracts, most notably from the expanded relationship with The Globe and Mail, and to a lesser extent by increased volume in our distribution and community newspaper publishing activities. This growth was mitigated by lower volume from the printing of magazines, books and catalogues and marketing products as well as educational book publishing activities. Excluding acquisitions, divestitures and closures, the impact of the exchange rate and the paper component variance, organic revenue growth was slightly positive and was generated in all three operating sectors.

For this same period, adjusted operating income increased 1%, from $249.9 million to $252.7 million, driven primarily by the Printing sector through the contribution of new contracts coupled with the synergies associated with the use of our most productive assets and continued efficiency improvement initiatives. This growth was partially offset by continued strategic investments in the Media and Interactive sectors. Excluding acquisitions, divestitures and closures and the impact of the exchange rate, we generated close to 5% of organic profit growth.

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12.08.2011
M-real’s result will weaken clearly in the 4Q 2011 and statutory negotiations to prepare for low delivery volumes will be started in Finland

M-real Corporation, a part of Metsäliitto Group, expected in connection to the 3Q 2011 result announcement that its operating result, excluding non-recurring items, will in the 4Q 2011 be roughly at the 3Q 2011 level. The 3Q 2011 operating result, excluding non-recurring items, was EUR 6 million.

The delivery volumes of pulp and paper have however been lower than expected and the pulp price has decreased more than anticipated. Also the board delivery volumes have been somewhat lower than expected as a result of rapid inventory reduction in different parts of the delivery chain. Due to these facts the 4Q 2011 operating result, excluding non-recurring items, will be clearly weaker than in 3Q 2011.

M-real starts statutory negotiations concerning all mills in Finland with the target to adapt the production temporarily for low volumes by temporary layoffs and working time arrangements. This is an anticipatory measure if no material improvement in the order volumes experienced in late 2011 emerges. Possible actions will be decided locally at the mills. All in all, the negotiations concern approximately 1.200 people.

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12.08.2011
UPM to permanently close down the paper machine 3 at UPM Ettringen and to restructure overlapping operations in Germany

UPM will permanently close down the paper machine 3 at UPM Ettringen paper mill on 14 December 2011 as being uncompetitive. In addition, overlapping operations are being restructured in the supply chain, paper sales and functions in the Ettringen, Plattling and Hürth mills. The negotiations concerning reconciliation of interest and social plan are concluded at the German units except Albbruck.

The aim of the changes is to improve the profitability and cost-efficiency of UPM's paper business in Europe and to adapt the company's paper production to the needs of its global customer base.

The restructuring measures will affect 54 people at UPM Ettringen, 17 people at UPM Plattling and 7 people at UPM Hürth. Personnel reductions will start in January 2012.

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12.08.2011
Crude Oil Rises From One-Week Low in New York Before Europe Debt Meetings

Oil rose from the lowest in almost a week in New York on speculation the European Central Bank will announce measures to boost the region’s economy and as leaders meet to tackle the sovereign debt crisis.

Futures gained as much as 0.6 percent as investors bet that the ECB may cut rates to stimulate bank lending when it meets in Frankfurt, while the region’s leaders convene in Brussels to lay the foundations for a fiscal union. A recession would curb demand for raw materials. Saudi Arabia is in no rush to agree a new OPEC production limit at the group’s Dec. 14 meeting, Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said.

“Investors are positioning for a positive outcome from European leaders,” Torbjoern Kjus, an oil-market analyst at DnB NOR ASA, said by phone from Oslo. Crude is being boosted by “increased risk appetite” on expectations of an ECB rate cut, he said.

Crude for January delivery climbed as much as 60 cents to $101.09 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $100.73 at 11:38 a.m. London time. Yesterday, the contract fell 0.8 percent to $100.49, the lowest settlement since Dec. 1. Futures are up 10 percent this year after advancing 15 percent in 2010.

Brent oil for January settlement on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange gained 0.6 percent to $110.16 a barrel. The European benchmark contract was at premium of $9.42 to New York-traded West Texas Intermediate grade.

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12.08.2011
Paper-based packaging industry takes a commitment on mineral oils in food packaging

Recent studies on mineral oils found in foodstuffs have raised concerns about consumer safety. According to these studies, traces of mineral oils migrate to food from inks found on the printed surface of packaging and in recycled packaging papers.

Although no toxicological studies on the effects of human exposure to mineral oil traces currently exist, the paper-based packaging industry takes this matter very seriously and is proactively working to address any concerns.

Despite the absence of clear scientific and regulatory guidance the industry has already made significant progress towards reducing the levels of mineral oils contained in its processes and products. In some cases a reduction of up to 90% in mineral oil levels has been observed over the last 24 months.

To formalise and further strengthen its efforts to reduce the use of mineral oils, the industry has agreed on a European-wide self-commitment. This will phase out the use of printing inks based on mineral oils for printing paper and board packaging, and mineral oil-based process chemicals for food contact paper and board packaging material.

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12.08.2011
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Announce Strategic Alliance

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. today announced they have entered into a strategic alliance and will join forces to create a unique and comprehensive retail experience featuring Martha Stewart products, know-how and advice.

Beginning in February 2013, customers will be able to visit distinct Martha Stewart retail stores inside the majority of jcpenney department stores. These Martha Stewart stores are intended to be destinations where consumers can experience an engaging and inspiring environment and buy a variety of affordable, high-quality home and lifestyle merchandise designed and curated by Martha Stewart and her team. Staffed by trained associates, the Martha Stewart stores will also give consumers direct access to the products and educational tips that have made Martha Stewart America's leading lifestyle expert. J. C. Penney will market and source the products.

Under the terms of this 10-year commercial agreement, the two companies will also jointly develop an e-commerce site, expected to launch in 2013. The site will offer Martha Stewart expertise and enable consumers to purchase a wide range of home and lifestyle products, including those sold in the Martha Stewart stores inside jcpenney, and other merchandise designed or selected by Martha Stewart. MSLO is expected to receive in excess of $200 million from J. C. Penney over the initial 10-year contract period.

J. C. Penney has invested $38.5 million for 11 million newly issued shares of Class A common stock at $3.50 a share, for a 16.6 percent stake in MSLO. In addition, J. C. Penney will have representation on MSLO's Board of Directors.

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12.08.2011
Greif Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2011 Results

Greif, Inc., a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year, which ended Oct. 31, 2011. The company reported:

Fiscal 2011 net sales of $4.2 billion, operating profit of $337.1 million, net income of $176.1 million or $3.01 per diluted Class A share, operating profit before special items of $396.5 million, net income before special items of $218.2 million or $3.73 per diluted Class A share before special items and EBITDA before special items of $526.6 million; and

Fourth quarter net sales of $1.1 billion, operating profit of $69.1 million, net income of $20.8 million or $0.36 per diluted Class A share, operating profit before special items of $94.9 million, net income before special items of $39.0 million or $0.64 per diluted Class A share before special items and EBITDA before special items of $132.3 million.

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12.08.2011
It’s Imperative for USPS to Meet Delivery Standards

In light of the U.S. Postal Service’s filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission this week and a proposed change in standards governing First-Class Mail, it’s now imperative that the USPS meets the delivery standards upon which Americans will now plan their mailings.

Jerry Cerasale, senior vice president of government affairs for The Direct Marketing Association, says the USPS must shed costs and capacity in order to remain an affordable, viable communications channel.

“If a birthday card should reach my grandson in two days, it better,” he says. “Consistent meeting of delivery standards is a requirement – 95% is not good enough.”

For business mailers of all classes, USPS must now have 24/7 acceptance of mail at facilities with no long lines or difficult scheduling procedures, Cerasale says. “With the elimination of in-home delivery dates, the USPS places more pressure on itself to meet the delivery standards.”

The USPS will show First-Class mailers how to enter mail at the proper time so that they might receive overnight delivery. “The USPS must also beef up its caller service so that businesses depending upon receiving checks in the mail may receive their mail at a postal facility later in the day rather than waiting for carrier delivery the next day,” Cerasale says.

Since 2006, total mail volume has fallen by about 45 billion pieces, or almost 21%. In First-Class mail, volume has declined even more significantly. After a First-Class mail peak in 2001 at 104 billion pieces, it has since fallen by about 30 billion pieces, or 29%. The decline in single-piece First-Class Mail has been even more precipitous, falling 52% over the same time period.

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12.08.2011
Booksellers Unhappy With Amazon’s Latest Moves

Just moments after Amazon announced late yesterday afternoon that it is buying Marshall Cavendish's U.S. book titles, Twitter and Facebook were buzzing not just with the news, but with reactions from booksellers like Suzanna Hermans, co-owner of Oblong Books & Music in Rhinebeck and Millerton, N.Y., who tweeted that she was “excited” to be returning her Marshall Cavendish stock in the morning. Todd Dickinson, co-owner of Aaron's Books in Lititz, Pa. commented: “We’ll treat them the same as self-published authors that use Amazon, only on consignment if they are local and link to our store.”

But booksellers had even more to worry about because yesterday Amazon also announced a promotion slated for December 10, during the heart of the holiday selling season, that encourages shoppers to use its price check app. By simply checking a price while in a bricks-and-mortar store, Amazon customers get an additional 5% discount (up to $5) off Amazon's price for a total of three items (or $15) in qualifying categories, which include toys, music, DVDs, electronics and sporting goods. While books aren't specifically included, a number of sidelines typically found in bookstores are.

Speaking to the Cavendish purchase, Cynthia Compton, owner of 4 Kids Books & Toys in Indianapolis, told PW. “I will miss them. While I wish the best for our friends at Marshall Cavendish, and I know how difficult the publishing market has become, it makes me sad that this sale to Amazon seemed to be their best business option going forward.” She is also concerned about the reps who sold their line, especially in the Midwest, where rep groups also lost Borders.

Some booksellers have become resigned that Amazon wants them gone. “Nothing really surprises us much anymore,” says Leslie Reiner, co-owner of Inkwood Books in Tampa, Fla. “A few wonderful California booksellers, Green Apple with their videos and Diesel with the Occupy Amazon buttons, manage to amuse and educate simultaneously. We try to follow that example.” Others are less worried about customer loyalty. “I really don’t think my customers are paying so much attention to all the [Amazon] hype. They are still coming in and seeking human advice and a friendly conversation. So far, Amazon has not been able to do this,” says Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston.
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12.08.2011
McGraw-Hill Updates Growth and Value Plan

The McGraw-Hill Companies today provided an update on its Growth and Value Plan (announced September 12, 2011), which includes the creation of two independent companies: the newly named McGraw-Hill Financial, a world leader in content and analytics for financial markets, and McGraw-Hill Education, a global leader in education services and digital learning. This update includes several significant actions to facilitate the Corporation's successful separation and deliver enhanced shareholder value.

Harold (Terry) McGraw III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of McGraw-Hill, said, "We believe the substantial actions we are taking to create two powerful new companies, McGraw-Hill Financial and McGraw-Hill Education, will increase their growth prospects and deliver superior shareholder value. McGraw-Hill Financial will comprise fast-growing and highly profitable global brands such as S&P Ratings, S&P Indices, Platts and S&P Capital IQ, creating the potential for double-digit growth, strong cash flow and profit margins in excess of 30%.

"At the same time, we are returning immediate value to shareholders. We are building on the successful $1 billion 2011 share repurchase program by launching today a new $500 million Accelerated Share Repurchase Transaction. We also have taken substantial actions to achieve cost reductions of approximately $50 million in annualized savings, making us highly confident that we will exceed our initial target of $100 million.

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12.08.2011
Wausau Paper Enters Agreement to Sell Premium Print & Color Brands

Wausau Paper announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the sale of its premium Print & Color brands - including Astrobrights(R), Astroparche(R) and the Royal family of products - and closure of its Brokaw, Wisconsin, paper mill. The sale, to Neenah Paper, Inc., is scheduled to close on January 31, 2012. The Brokaw mill will be permanently closed by March 31, 2012, marking the end of the Company's material participation in the Print and Color markets. The Brokaw shutdown will affect approximately 450 hourly and salaried jobs.

Today's announcement reflects the outcome of a strategic review of alternatives for the Print & Color business, begun early in 2011. Commenting on the announcement, Wausau Paper President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Howatt stated, "I wish to express my sincere gratitude to our Print & Color employees for their unceasing efforts to reengineer and sustain this business. Our decision to exit Print & Color was ultimately driven by dramatic and irreversible market demand decline and the need for consolidation to bring these markets properly into balance." Mr. Howatt continued, "While the effort to secure a buyer for the mill was unsuccessful, the employees of the Print & Color business have done all that has been asked and this closure is in no way a reflection of their skill, talents or determination to return this business to acceptable levels of profitability."

The Company will continue to support the product needs of its customers during transfer of the business to Neenah Paper.

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12.08.2011
Neenah to Enhance Fine Paper Portfolio with Purchase of Premium Brands From Wausau Paper

Neenah Paper, Inc. announced today it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase certain premium brands, including Astrobrights(R) and Royal, from Wausau Paper. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is subject to customary closing conditions. The purchase would be financed through existing credit facilities and operating cash flows. Closing is expected to occur on January 31, 2012 and additional details will be shared at that time.

"The purchase of these profitable brands is consistent with our stated intent to participate in the consolidation of the premium paper category when it can create significant value for our shareholders with minimal investment," said John O'Donnell, Chief Executive Officer. "The timing of this opportunity enables us to improve returns through greater utilization of our existing asset base and growth in new channels such as retail. In addition, our strategy and commitment remains to generate value by expanding in growth categories outside of paper."

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12.08.2011
Temple-Inland Stockholders Overwhelmingly Approve Merger with International Paper

Temple-Inland Inc. announced that at its Special Meeting of Stockholders held today, Temple-Inland stockholders voted to approve the adoption of the merger agreement with International Paper Company (IP), with 86,908,118 shares of Temple-Inland common stock voting in favor of the merger, representing over 98 percent of the shares voted. All other matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders were also approved.
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12.07.2011
Talbots Receives Unsolicited Letter from Sycamore Partners Proposing to Acquire All Outstanding Common Stock

The Talbots, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors has received an unsolicited letter, dated December 6, 2011, from Sycamore Partners outlining a non-binding proposal to acquire all of the Company’s outstanding common stock for $3.00 per share. The Board, in consultation with its external legal and financial advisors, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP and Perella Weinberg Partners, intends to evaluate the proposal consistent with its fiduciary duties to act in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders.

The Talbots, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of women’s apparel, shoes and accessories. At the end of the third quarter 2011, the Company operated 551 Talbots stores in 46 states and Canada.

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12.07.2011
Amazon Publishing to Acquire Marshall Cavendish US Children’s Books Titles

Amazon.com, Inc. and Marshall Cavendish, one of the world’s leading educational and consumer book publishers and classroom digital solutions providers, today announced that Amazon has signed a deal to acquire over 450 titles of its US Children’s trade books business, Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books (MCCB).

The list from Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books has been nominated for more than 150 industry awards and includes a diverse range of titles including “The Night Before Christmas” illustrated by Gennady Spirin, “Three Little Tamales” by Eric A. Kimmel, “Chalk” by Bill Thomson and “Yellow Star” by Jennifer Roy, as well as the National Book Award finalist “My Name is Not Easy” by Debby Dahl Edwardson. The acquisition creates the foundation for Amazon Publishing to further expand into picture books, chapter books and Young Adult novels.

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12.07.2011
Billerud carries out environmental and energy improvements in Skärblacka

The Board of Billerud AB has decided to proceed with an environmental and energy investment at Skärblacka mill outside Norrköping. The goal is to strengthen the mill for the future by improving environmental performance and energy efficiency as well as enabling future expansion. The investment is expected to amount to SEK 900 million.

The investment includes upgrading the recovery boiler and its flue gas cleaning system with the best available technology. In addition a new evaporation unit will be build to improve energy efficiency at the mill. This will lead to a substantial reduction in consumption of fossil oil and external biofuels. Billerud has applied to the Land andEnvironment Courtin Växjö for permission to implement these changes and received approval on 29 November 2011. The entire project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2013.

The investment is expected to amount to SEK 900 million, broken down as follows: approximately 15% in 2011, approximately 50% in 2012 and approximately 35% in 2013. With this investment in Skärblacka, the Billerud Group’s total investments in property, plant and equipment for 2012 are estimated to amount to approximately SEK 800 million. Depreciation amounts to approximately SEK 600 million per year.

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12.07.2011
Crude Oil Erases Gains on Concern EU Summit May Not Resolve Debt Crisis

Oil erased earlier gains on concern that the European Union’s debt crisis may not be resolved by the group’s summit this week.

Crude was little changed in New York after rising as much as 0.7 percent, snapping three days of gains. Futures retreated as the dollar gained against the euro after a German government official said Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government is more pessimistic of the outcome of a European Union leaders’ summit in Brussels beginning tomorrow.

“Investors are not convinced that the upcoming EU summit will address the sovereign debt issue and they feel that the struggling continent will show a drop in demand,” said Glen Ward, head of retail derivatives at London Capital Group Ltd.

Crude for January delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange was at $101.26 a barrel, down 2 cents, after gaining as much as 66 cents to $101.94 a barrel. It was at $101.61 at 10:30 a.m. London time. Yesterday, the contract added 29 cents to $101.28, the highest settlement since Nov. 16. Prices are up 11 percent this year after climbing 15 percent in 2010.

Brent oil for January settlement on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange was down 11 cents at $110.70 a barrel after rising as much as 0.6 percent to $111.49 a barrel. The European benchmark contract was at a premium of $9.45 to New York-traded West Texas Intermediate. The spread reached a record $27.88 on Oct. 14.

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12.07.2011
B-to-b media revenue grew 7.1% in first half of year

Total b-to-b media revenue increased 7.1% to $12.9 billion in the first half of the year compared with the year-earlier period, according to Business Information Network data released by American Business Media. The BIN figures comprise data, digital, print and trade show revenue.

The digital revenue category gained most, growing 23.2% to $3.0 billion in the first half of this year. Data also increased 7.8% to $900 million.

Print and trade show revenue also grew. Print revenue was up 4.9%, climbing to $3.9 billion in the first half, and trade show revenue increased 1.0% to $5.1 billion.

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12.07.2011
EFI Acquires Alphagraph

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced that it has acquired privately-held alphagraph team GmbH ("Alphagraph "). Alphagraph, with headquarters in Essen, Germany, is a provider of MIS/ERP (management information systems and enterprise resource planning) software products for the printing industry, including Prinance, Printy and Primus. While financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, the acquisition is not expected to be material to EFI's 2011 results.

"We are very pleased to have Alphagraph join the EFI family and our expanding portfolio of business automation technologies. We welcome their over 6,000 customer strong install base in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and throughout the rest of the world to our large global client base," said Marc Olin, GM of EFI's Software Applications ("APPS") business unit.

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12.07.2011
Hearst Corporation Completes the Acquisition of the Majority of Hachette China Operations

Hearst Corporation today announced that it has completed the acquisition of the majority of the Hachette China operations. The remaining operations, which include a joint venture with Marie Claire, are expected to conclude in the near future. This will mark the final portion of Hearst’s overall transaction with Lagardère SCA to acquire the company’s nearly 100 titles in 14 countries outside of France, including the U.S.

The acquisition includes most of Hachette’s magazine-related activities in China and oversight of seven titles, including global media superbrand ELLE, as well as Car and Driver, Woman’s Day and Psychologies.

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12.07.2011
Postal Pain Continues With First-Class Mail Changes

Don Landis, vice president of postal affairs for catalog printer Arandell Corp., has seen it all in the mailing industry. That is until the U.S. Postal Service filed (28404 in New Media) for change of standards that will dramatically alter the First-Class Mail process and also close 252 of 487 mail processing facilities in the next two years.

“From someone who has been in the mailing industry for over 40 years, I am sorry to see this,” Landis says. “Yet, the reality is First-Class volume is declining at an alarming rate. The system is designed around First-Class C mail so obviously something has to be done by postal management since Congress seems to be reluctant to act. I am afraid this action will speed up the decline in First-Class volume, which could cause a decline in volume for all classes.”

While Congress sits and debates the potentially devastating postal issues, members are already calling for Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe’s job – a position he’s only for just over a year.

“I find it somewhat amusing when a congressman wants PMG Donahoe fired when it is Congress that will not act,” Landis says. “What do they expect PMG to do? It is time for the American public to decide what kind of postal service they want and are willing to pay for."

The U.S. Postal Service must reduce its operating costs by $20 billion by 2015 in order to return to profitability, said David Williams, vice president of network operations for the USPS. “The proposed changes to service standards will allow for significant consolidation of the postal network in terms of facilities, processing equipment, vehicles and employee workforce and will generate projected net annual savings of approximately $2.1 billion.”

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12.07.2011
Discover U.S. Spending MonitorSM Consumer Confidence Jumps in November

Consumer confidence increased substantially in November as more consumers viewed both the economy and their personal finances as improving, according to the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor. The Monitor, a 4-year-old daily poll tracking economic confidence and spending intentions of nearly 8,200 consumers throughout the month, recorded more than a 7-point rise from the previous month to 86.3 percent.

Nearly 19 percent of consumers felt economic conditions were getting better in November, a rise of more than 4 points from October. Similarly, those who believe economic conditions were getting worse declined by 7 points from October to 55 percent.

While most consumers still view the economy as poor, the percentage of consumers giving the economy poor marks dropped seven points from last month to 61 percent. Only 8 percent of consumers rate the economy as good or excellent.

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12.07.2011
Meredith Announces Microsoft Tag as 2D Barcode Standard for Magazine Portfolio

Meredith Corporation, the leading media and marketing company serving American women, announced plans today to make Microsoft Tag the 2D barcode standard across its portfolio of magazines, which reach nearly 80 million readers every month. The initiative, effective in early 2012, aims to provide readers with an easy to use and quality experience month after month, and increase engagement with value-added content behind the mobile barcodes.

Mobile barcodes, like Microsoft Tag, link physical objects to digital content by scanning a printed code with a mobile device. Meredith has already leveraged Microsoft's Tag technology across their network in publications including Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Ladies' Homes Journal, Traditional Home and Recipe.com to allow readers to watch how-to recipe videos, link to holiday decorations and gift ideas, connect with leading designers and decorators, and create special events and experiences for their families.

"We are excited to launch this initiative to standardize the 2D barcode experience for our readers," said Liz Schimel, EVP/Chief Digital Officer, Meredith. "We chose the Microsoft Tag platform, as it offers the innovation, scale and product features to create a dynamic and consistent experience for our readers across our published content."

"Microsoft Tag technology enables partners to offer rich, interactive mobile experiences and Meredith Corporation is a great example of a partner that has already employed hundreds of creative campaigns to make the most out of Tag," says Aaron Getz, Tag product unit manager at Microsoft Corp. "We're thrilled to extend our relationship with Meredith to drive a consistent 2D barcode experience across all of their publications and bring the magazine pages to life with added value at every turn."

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12.07.2011
Presstek Announces Sale of Two Additional 75DI Digital Offset Presses in North America

Presstek, Inc., a leading supplier of digital offset printing solutions to the printing and communications industries, today announced the sale of two 75DI digital offset presses in North America. The first, a five-color 75DI with coater, was sold to a Midwest commercial print operation. The second, a four-color 75DI, was sold to a West coast based communications company. Presstek has sold seven 75DI presses since the product was commercialized this year, five of which are in North America.

"It is very exciting to see the momentum around our 75DI program continue to grow," said Jeff Jacobson, Presstek's Chairman, President & CEO. "We have been thrilled with the market reaction to this dynamic and versatile press. When printers see the press in action they recognize immediately the productivity and profitability that it can bring to their businesses. The return on investment statistics are truly remarkable." Jacobson adds, "The real key for one of these customers was the fact we were able to run 11 jobs of 1,000 sheets each in just over 3 hours. The speed and quality of the 75DI truly amazes our customers. We are equally pleased with the positive reaction we are receiving from our potential packaging customers, as this will be a fairly new market segment for Presstek."

The Presstek 75DI is a highly automated 29" digital offset press that is available in 4- to 10-color configurations. It has a full range of productivity enhancing options, including an inline aqueous coater. The 75DI features support for 300 lpi and FM screening, 6-minute job-to-job turnover (including on-press plate imaging), and a small environmental footprint. The press prints up to 16,000 six-up sheets or 96,000 letter-sized pages per hour.

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12.06.2011
Allen Press Offers BrightCopy, A Digital Publication Platform

Allen Press, Inc., publisher and printing services provider, has introduced BrightCopy?, a digital publication platform that allows publishers to leverage traditional print media for optimized reading online.

BrightCopy provides an outlet for publishers who need an online solution that preserves the look and feel of their print publication, supports robust advertising opportunities, and offers a media-rich experience for readers. Built on an HTML5 mobile optimized platform, BrightCopy extends the accessibility of content from printed page, to desktop computer, to mobile device, ensuring that readers can access content whenever and wherever.

BrightCopy is a full-featured digital publication platform that meets the needs of users and publishers alike. User tools such as linking, searching, zooming, and social sharing functionality are standard features. Publishers enjoy robust reporting capabilities, advertising and sponsorship opportunities designed to capitalize on advertising profitability, and sophisticated access control and digital rights management (DRM ) options.

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12.06.2011
Oil Snaps Two-Day Gain as S&P Threatens Europe Debt Downgrades

Oil dropped from the highest in almost three weeks in New York as investors speculated that fuel demand will falter amid signs Europe is struggling to tame its sovereign debt crisis.

West Texas Intermediate futures slid as much as 0.6 percent, snapping two days of gains, after Standard & Poor’s said it may strip Germany and France of AAA credit ratings as it put 15 euro nations on review for downgrades. U.S. gasoline and distillate stockpiles rose last week while crude supplies shrank, according to a Bloomberg News survey. London-traded Brent oil may average from $90 to $100 a barrel next year, BP Plc’s chief executive officer said today.

“The market is anticipating the implications to global growth from Europe,” said Michael McCarthy, a chief market strategist at CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty. in Sydney, who forecasts WTI’s discount to Brent will shrink to parity in the absence of “supply-rattling,” events.

Crude for January delivery fell as much as 61 cents to $100.38 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $100.66 at 3:40 p.m. Singapore time. Yesterday, the contract gained 3 cents to $100.99, the highest settlement since Nov. 16. Futures are up 10 percent this year after rising 15 percent in 2010.

Brent oil for January settlement on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange dropped 40 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $109.41 a barrel. The European benchmark contract was at an $8.77 premium to New York-traded West Texas grade, compared with $8.82 yesterday and a record $27.88 on Oct. 14. Brent last closed at a discount to WTI in August 2010.

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12.06.2011
Canfor Announces Permanent Closure of Rustad and Tackama Operations

After a lengthy indefinite shut that followed the collapse of the United States residential housing market in 2008, Canfor Corporation has decided to close its historic Rustad Sawmill in Prince George, British Columbia and Tackama Mill in Fort Nelson, British Columbia.

Canfor has determined that the capital investment needed to bring the Rustad facility up to globally competitive operating standards is prohibitive. The company has instead focused a $300 million, 3-year capital investment plan on other facilities where smaller amounts of capital spending can realize significant improvements in cost performance and capacity.

Canfor acquired the Rustad Sawmill in 1999, and operated the facility for 10 years until slowing US lumber demand forced operations to cease in 2009. To that point, the mill had been in continuous operation for 62 years. The Tackama operation in Fort Nelson was part of Canfor’s 2004 acquisition of Slocan Forest Products, and at the time was BC’s largest plywood facility.

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12.06.2011
ZenithOptimedia, GroupM soften global ad spend predictions

Media services companies ZenithOptimedia and WPP's GroupM have softened their independent global ad spending predictions for 2012 in forecasts released Dec. 5.

GroupM expects a 6.4% increase in global ad spending in 2012, which is less than the 6.8% prediction the company had reported in July. ZenithOptimedia is more conservative in its estimates and predicts that global advertisers will increase spending 4.7% to $486 billion in 2012, which is down from its October forecast when the company predicted 5.3% growth for 2012.

Jonathan Barnard, head of forecasting at ZenithOptimedia, said the predictions were downgraded because of weak economic activity in Western Europe. “Since October we've seen the euro zone market failure, which has darkened our prediction a lot in Western Europe and the euro zone,” he said. “But I was surprised that globally, the prediction is quite positive.”

While ZenithOptimedia has predicted a slower global ad spend than it had anticipated two months ago, it is still expected to grow 3.5% from 2011. “There is rapid growth in developing markets and advertisers cut back heavily in 2009, so there is no need for large cost cutting again,” he said.

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12.06.2011
DMA Urges USPS to Withdraw Request for Exigent Postal Increase

Today, the Direct Marketing Association; the Association for Postal Commerce; Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers; and MPA-The Association of Magazine Media, asked the Postmaster General to withdraw the Postal Service (USPS) request for a $2.3 billion exigent (above inflation) postage increase. This increase would be over and above the announced inflation-capped postage increases scheduled for January 22, 2012.

Although USPS has told its customers that it will not raise postage above inflation, it continues to pursue an above inflation postage increase before the Postal Regulatory Commission. This action requires mailers to plan for an exigent postage increase which lowers the amount of mail they will send. At a time when mail volume is falling precipitously and USPS cannot shed excess capacity quickly enough, USPS should send no signal through its actions to customers to mail less. USPS should withdraw the exigent case, thereby showing mailers, through its actions, that it does not want postage increases higher than inflation.

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12.06.2011
60 Percent of B-to-B Marketers Plan Increased Spend on Content Marketing in 2012

Content marketing, which is viewed as one of the hottest trends in publishing in 2011, is poised to continue its market dominance in the upcoming year. “B2B Content Marketing: 2012 Benchmarks, Budgets and Trends”, a recent survey conducted by the Content Marketing Institute, reports 60 percent of surveyed business-to-business marketing personnel plan to increase content market spending in 2012.

On average, the surveyed marketing personnel allocate 26 percent of their total budget to content marketing initiatives.

Joe Pulizzi, founder of the Constitute Marketing Institute, told FOLIO: earlier this year, "If you look at branded and custom content, it's all the same. We decided to go with ‘content marketing' because brands didn't get 'custom publishing'--they automatically thought book publishing or print. The idea is that marketers need to be publishers today. When you talk to a brand now, they get it right away."

According to CMI’s findings (the survey was conducted in August 2011 with 1,092 marketers by CMI and MarketingProfs), b-to-b marketers use an average of 8 content marketing tactics to achieve their goals. Article posting ranks the highest with 79 percent usage; social media is used by 74 percent of survey respondents.

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12.06.2011
Fortress Paper Commences Dissolving Pulp Production and Provides Corporate Update

Fortress Paper Ltd. announced today that it has commenced dissolving pulp production at its Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill in Thurso, Quebec. The centerpiece of the project, a new state of the art pre-hydrolized kraft cooking plant, came on line successfully on Sunday. The commencement of dissolving pulp production signifies the successful completion of the conversion of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill into a dissolving pulp operation.

Chad Wasilenkoff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fortress Paper, commented: “This is a momentous day in the history of Fortress Paper and a culmination of our work at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill since acquiring the mill in April 2010. We are very proud to join the limited group of dissolving pulp producers in the world and look forward to completing our first shipments. We would like to thank all those involved in helping bring this project on line.”

The Dresden Mill continues to lead the non-woven wallpaper base market globally. The order book remains strong and its recent upgrades to improve speed and capacity have been successfully implemented.

The Landqart Mill has continued to experience challenges throughout the fourth quarter as a result of a strong Swiss franc, high raw material costs, and less than optimal production efficiency on its paper machines. The company expects that these issues will continue to materially impact results of operations in the fourth quarter.

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12.06.2011
HP Acquires Hiflex, a Web-to-print and Management Information Systems Software Company

HP today announced it has acquired Hiflex Software GmbH, a privately held global software solutions provider specializing in web-to-print and management information systems solutions for printing services. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1991, Hiflex is headquartered in Aachen, Germany. Following the acquisition, Hiflex will continue to evolve its offerings and service its current customers.

“HP wants to break the traditional barriers of how and where business customers print, making it easy for them to produce custom or personalized materials anywhere, anytime,” said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. “Hiflex’s technology provides a powerful platform to deliver on this goal as part of our overall cloud printing strategy.”

Technologies from Hiflex will enable continued innovation across HP’s imaging and printing offerings and will extend the company’s portfolio of cloud-based technologies and solutions. HP also remains committed to supporting a broad range of partner solutions, giving customers maximum choice and flexibility.

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12.06.2011
IWCO DIRECT Announces Purchase of DGI Services Assets

IWCO Direct, a leading national provider of direct marketing solutions, announced it has purchased a portion of the assets of DGI Services, LLC. DGI Services is a fully integrated direct marketing services provider headquartered in Swedesboro, N.J. with an additional location in Cerritos, Calif. IWCO Direct will transition the acquired assets to its existing locations in California, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. The acquisition will advance IWCO Direct’s strategic capital investment plan and allow the company to offer its customers the broadest range of direct marketing services. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“This transaction presented a unique opportunity for IWCO Direct to serve the immediate needs of DGI’s customer base while enhancing value to our current customers and DGI’s customers through additional equipment options,” commented Jim Andersen, IWCO Direct chief executive officer.

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12.06.2011
Monadnock - The Un-Plastic

In the past, when brand owners and retailers needed durable substrates, they often turned to plastics for longevity, durability and water resistance.

While plastics certainly meet these criteria, many marketers have a growing concern about their use, in terms of sustainability and environmental impact, as well as their burden on the waste stream.

Monadnock Paper Mills worked with leading brand owners to develop a line of durable papers that is an alternative to plastics. Unlike plastics, these papers are designed to provide maximum performance while minimizing environmental impacts. Unlike the plastics they are designed to replace, all of these new papers are:

Made with Renewable Resources; FSC® Certified (C018866); Manufactured Carbon Neutral (VERs); Manufactured with 100% Renewable Electricity (RECs).

Designed as a replacement for HDPE, styrene and PLA, Envi Durable Tag is made from renewable wood fiber and is ideal for high-moisture applications (such as horticulture tags and wraps), as well as exterior point-of-purchase (POP) signage where quality printing and water resistance are required. The stock is ideal for die cuts, embosses and foil stamps, all while resisting fading and curling, and it prints using standard offset inks.

Monadnock DuraprintTM turned-edge stocks are engineered to replace plastic laminates in projects where durability, detailed printing and repetitive folding are required — making them perfect for slipcases, media box sets and two-sided posters.

Made from wood fiber, Envi Card Stock is an environmentally preferable replacement for the heavy plastics typically used in retailer gift and loyalty cards and hotel keys. Durable and recyclable, Envi Card Stock prints crisply using standard offset printing techniques. These papers emboss and foil stamp beautifully, and are available in 14 pt. and 28 pt. calipers.

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12.06.2011
Postal Service Progresses With Operational Efficiencies

The U.S. Postal Service today announced it will move forward with its proposal to change service standards. This action is being taken in response to on-going financial challenges caused by the dramatic and continual decline in First-Class Mail volume and the resulting revenue loss.

“The U.S. Postal Service must reduce its operating costs by $20 billion by 2015 in order to return to profitability,” said David Williams, vice president, Network Operations. “The proposed changes to service standards will allow for significant consolidation of the postal network in terms of facilities, processing equipment, vehicles and employee workforce and will generate projected net annual savings of approximately $2.1 billion.” This is part of the overall savings expected from the network optimization initiative, which is projected to save up to $3 billion by 2015.

The size of the existing Postal Service network is dictated by the current overnight transit time in existing service standards. The Postal Service is proposing, through the rulemaking process, to move First-Class Mail to a 2?3 day standard for contiguous U.S. destinations; however, there would be an opportunity for mailers who properly prepare and enter mail at the destinating processing facility prior to the day's critical entry time to have their mail delivered the following delivery day.

On Sep. 15, the Postal Service announced it would begin studying 252 out of 487 mail processing facilities for possible closure. At that time, the Postal Service also announced it would be considering changes to service standards in an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register. The Advance Notice filing was a formal effort to gather input from the public early in the process to ensure their views can be factored into the service change proposal.

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12.06.2011
Walgreens November Sales Increase 4.2 Percent

Walgreens had November sales of $6.09 billion, an increase of 4.2 percent from $5.84 billion for the same month in fiscal 2011.

Total front-end sales increased 4.0 percent in November, while comparable store front-end sales increased 2.7 percent. Customer traffic in comparable stores decreased 0.3 percentage point and basket size increased 3.0 percent.

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12.02.2011
Bemis Company Acquires Shield Pack

Bemis Company, Inc. today announced that it has acquired the common stock of Shield Pack, LLC of West Monroe, Louisiana, a manufacturer of high barrier liners for bulk container packaging with annual net sales of approximately $25 million. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. This transaction does not impact Bemis’ earnings per share guidance for 2011.

“This acquisition expands our reach into new market applications for bulk liquids and other products that require barrier packaging,” said Henry Theisen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bemis Company, Inc. “Shield Pack’s expertise in moisture and oxygen barrier technology complements our existing technological capabilities and our focus on high barrier packaging solutions.”

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12.02.2011
Crude Oil Futures Rise Amid Middle East Tension, Head for Weekly Gain

Oil rose, heading for its first weekly gain in three, as investors bet U.S. employers quickened the pace of hiring last month and concern deepened that tension between Iran and the west will disrupt Middle East exports.

Futures gained as much as 0.9 percent and are up 4.3 percent this week. European governments tightened sanctions on Iran, the second-biggest oil producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, in a clampdown over the Persian Gulf nation’s nuclear program. Bank of America Corp. cut its 2012 Brent forecast.

“The oil market is strongly supported by the geopolitical risks over Iran, and a physical market that’s already very tight,” said James Zhang, a strategist at Standard Bank Plc in London, who forecasts prices will remain at current levels for the rest of the year. “Oil will be range-bound without a crisis in Iran or blow-up in the euro zone.”

Crude for January delivery climbed as much as 89 cents to $101.09 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was $100.94 at 11:25 a.m. London time.

Brent oil for January settlement was at $109.62 a barrel, up 63 cents, on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract slid $1.53, or 1.4 percent, to $108.99 yesterday.

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12.02.2011
Boise Inc. Completes Hexacomb Acquisition

Boise Inc. today announced that it had completed the acquisition of the Hexacomb protective packaging business of Pregis Corporation. Hexacomb is a leader in kraft-paper-based honeycomb protective packaging and operates twelve manufacturing facilities across six countries.

"We are pleased to complete this acquisition and welcome Hexacomb employees to Boise,” said Alexander Toeldte, president and chief executive officer of Boise Inc. “Hexacomb expands our position in the protective packaging market, provides a platform for further growth, steps up our vertical integration within our containerboard business, and delivers synergies with limited execution risk.”

In 2010, Hexacomb had revenues of $102 million and converted approximately 60,000 tons of containerboard. The $125 million transaction was financed through cash on hand.

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12.02.2011
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Announces November Sales

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. today announced comparable store sales for the four weeks ended November 26, 2011 decreased 4.9%. Total sales decreased 4.9% to $303.6 million for the four weeks compared with $319.1 million for the prior year period.

Year-to-date comparable store sales through November 26, 2011 decreased 3.3%. Year-to-date total sales through November 26, 2011 decreased 3.7% to $2,205.1 million compared with $2,289.6 million for the prior year period.

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12.02.2011
Study: Fifty percent of consumers prefer direct mail to email

Fifty percent of U.S. consumers prefer direct mail to email, according to a study released by marketing services firm Epsilon on Dec. 1. The study also found that one-quarter of all U.S. consumers said they found direct mail to be “more trustworthy” than email.

Of the 2,226 U.S. consumers surveyed for the third Consumer Channel Preference Study, 60% said they enjoy checking their physical mailboxes, highlighting what the study refers to as an “emotional connection” to postal mail.

Over-reliance on email messaging may actually hurt marketers, according to the study, which found the perception that reading email is faster than reading postal mail declined among U.S. email account holders from 47% in 2010 to 45% this year.

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12.02.2011
Regional Mag Publisher Looks to Resuscitate Local Newspaper Business with Weekly Offering

Dan Shannon, publisher of North Carolina city titles Chapel Hill and Durham Magazines, has spotted a hole in the current news publishing model.

“We have mere shadows of what newspapers used to be. We can bring Chapel Hill a lively, local newspaper,” says Shannon. “A weekly that includes things not easily accessible on the internet––like middle school and high school sports, births, deaths, marriages, divorces, land transfers, arrests, acquittals, bankruptcies and new business startups.”

Enter Chapel Hill Magazine’s The Weekly, a high-frequency print publication intended to fill the gap Shannon believes is left by newspapers currently serving the community (which include McClatchy’s local subsidiary the News & Observer). Set to debut in February 2012, a six-month beta period will ensue. During this time, The Weekly will be delivered without charge to 2,000 randomly chosen households. An additional 5,000 copies will be distributed for newsstand sale.

The Weekly will follow the business model of its parent publication. Twelve thousand affluent Chapel Hill households receive Chapel Hill Magazine for free, and it’s sold on newsstands for $5.00 an issue. The publication has an average 85 percent sell-through rate, which equates to about 1,000 copies.

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12.02.2011
USPS promises to fix “unacceptable” flats processing delays

US Postal Service executives resolved to fix problems in their periodicals processing yesterday, as mailers pressed their concerns about significant delays.

On-time performance levels for one-to-two day periodicals delivery have slumped to as low as 44% this year as USPS expanded its use of automated flats sequencing systems (FSS) as a way of improving efficiency in processing flats immediately prior to delivery.

FSS machines automatically sequence newspapers and magazines into delivery order for houses along a mail carrier’s route, meaning the mail carrier does not have to sequence the items manually.

Over the past year the Postal Service has accelerated its plans to expand its FSS fleet from 10 machines in five sites to 100 machines in 42 sites, as an extra effort to cut costs from the network. But, after the roll-out was completed this summer, the new machines have been plagued with problems that has seen significant periods of down-time.

Largely because of the FSS issues, the number of delays to Standard Mail flats has increased 16% this year, while delays to Standard Mail overall fell 20%.

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12.02.2011
Huhtamaki Continues Foodservice Expansion with Acquisition of Ample Industries

Huhtamaki, a global leader in foodservice and paperboard packaging, today announced it has acquired the business and assets of Ample Industries, Inc., a privately held manufacturer of folding paperboard cartons for the foodservice industry.

Ample Industries, Inc. employs approximately 230 people in its Franklin, OH plant and adds to Huhtamaki North America a new product technology, a talented workforce and additional manufacturing presence in the Midwest.

"Ample Industries' nested trays, fry cartons and clamshells further expand Huhtamaki's product portfolio of tableware, cups, containers, carriers, and serviceware," says Clay Dunn, president, Huhtamaki North America.

"We're excited to join Huhtamaki," says Bob Fairchild, president of Ample Industries, Inc. "Our state-of-the-art N-line machinery and high quality foodservice cartons now have the backing of a global company with a broad product range, strong management and financial stability. Today is a good day for our customers and employees."

Huhtamaki also announced today plans to expand capacity in the paper drink cup and pressed paperboard plate businesses for foodservice and retail customers in North America.

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