Blog Keyword - Midland PaperClips - fine paper, packaging and supply systems distributor

06.06.2012

Finch Supports Extended-Size Digital Print Platforms including Xerox iGen4 and Kodak NexPress

Finch Paper is one of the first uncoated paper mills to recognize and respond to the extended size breakthroughs made by the fastest, leading electrophotographic production presses on the market today. New 14×20 and 14×26 sizes have been added to the Finch digital portfolio to meet the demands of OEM partner solutions such as the Xerox iGen4 and Kodak NexPress.

NEW! Finch Fine Color Copy now available in 14×20 and 14×26 sizes

Optimized for dry-toner print production, Finch Fine Color Copy – the best value for digital printing – is one of the smoothest and brightest papers for full-process color printing and copying.

Now available in 14×20 and 14×26 sizes to meet the demands of newer digital solutions available from OEMs, this high-quality sheet is ideal for both office and digital production printing, features FSC® and SFI certification, and 10% post-consumer recycled fiber.

The Finch Fine Color Copy line serves a variety of leading print engines, including:
Canon imagePRESS and Canon CLC® series; Kodak NexPress; Konica Minolta bizhub® PRESS C6000, C7000, C8000, and Konica Minolta bizhub PRO series; Ricoh Pro C751/C751EX/C651EX and Ricoh Pro C901 (using the coated matte setting); Xerox iGen3™ and iGen4™ series, and the Xerox Docucolor® series.

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06.06.2012

Facebook increases ad delivery options

Facebook will allow marketers to choose whether Sponsored Stories will appear on fans' desktop News Feeds, mobile News Feeds, within the sidebar, or in any combination of the three, said a Facebook spokesperson.

“The basic key takeaway from today's news is that now Facebook is making it easier for people to buy the ads they want and giving more delivery choices,” the spokesperson said. “Previously, mobile ads were purchased as part of Sponsored Stories, with the advertiser not being able to say where they wanted their Sponsored Stories to run – now they can choose desktop, mobile or both.”

Sponsored Stories are updates from Promoted Posts, a product released by Facebook last week that increases the number of fans that see a given post. Facebook charges a fee for Promoted Posts based on the number of fans the company distributing the Promoted Post has. When fans interact with these Promoted Posts, it creates Sponsored Stories, which are viewable by friends of those fans.

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06.06.2012

Deluxe Acquires OrangeSoda, Inc.

Deluxe Corporation today announced it has acquired OrangeSoda, Inc., a leading internet marketing services company specializing in search, mobile, and social media campaign strategies for small businesses. OrangeSoda provides services directly to small businesses as well as through a growing number of strategic partners in media, telecommunications, home services, and other industries. The company employs approximately 175 people and will continue to be headquartered in American Fork, Utah.

“Deluxe will accelerate revenue growth in marketing solutions and other services by combining our organic capabilities with OrangeSoda’s innovative solutions, scalable provisioning platform and tools, and established market presence,” said Malcolm McRoberts, senior vice president small business services at Deluxe. “Orange Soda has built compelling services offers and channels targeted at key small business marketing pain points. As a result of this acquisition, Deluxe adds differentiated solutions and capability that help support growth for our small business customers.”

Deluxe purchased OrangeSoda for $27.7 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to generate approximately $15 million in incremental revenue and be slightly dilutive to EPS for the remainder of 2012, after including transaction costs and acquisition-related amortization expense.

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06.06.2012

Saddleback Publishing Announces Partnership with On Demand Books

Saddleback Publishing, the leader in high-interest, low-reading ability (known as hi-lo) curriculum solutions and quality fiction, is proud to become the first educational publisher to partner with On Demand Books to provide instant access to their extensive catalog of young adult literature, workbooks and guides dedicated to helping struggling and at-risk learners in grades 5-12. This partnership will for the first time allow parents, teachers and students the ability to print materials specific to a child or classroom’s particular needs in just minutes at their local book retailer or library using On Demand Books Espresso Book Machine®.

“We are so excited to be partnering with On Demand Books for their entry into the educational publishing market,” says Arianne McHugh , President of Saddleback Publishing. “This innovative technology allows our consumers access to an incredible resource of literature and tools that can be used to fit the needs of each specific student.”

“Offering parents and teachers the ability to print Saddleback Publishing’s fiction and workbooks instead of having to wait for them to be printed and shipped is a wonderful use of our technology and something bookstores and universities can now offer their communities. We are thrilled that our partnership with Saddleback Educational will allow all this, “ says Dane Neller , CEO of On Demand Books.

The Espresso Book Machine, the only digital-to-print at-retail solution on the market today, will carry over 500 titles available from Saddleback Publishing, including frontlist books (titles that are active and have been released recently within the last 12 months) such as their award-winning urban fiction titles for struggling readers, as well as the latest teacher guides and workbooks, active backlist books (older than 12 months but are still actively selling and being stocked and printed by the publisher) and non-active backlist titles, which will only be available via the Espresso Book Machine.

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06.06.2012

Oil Gains on Demand Outlook as Crude Stockpiles Drop

Oil rose for a third day in New York on shrinking stockpiles and signs of economic improvement in the U.S., the world’s largest consumer of crude.

West Texas Intermediate futures gained as much as 1.3 percent. Crude inventories fell 1.8 million barrels last week to 384.1 million barrels, the industry-funded American Petroleum Institute said yesterday. An Energy Department report today may show supplies slid by 500,000 barrels, according to a Bloomberg News survey. U.S. service-industry growth unexpectedly increased, and Australia’s economic expansion beat estimates.

“The U.S. recovery is a bright star in a dim firmament,” said Christopher Bellew, senior broker at Jefferies Bache Ltd. in London. “But there is no reason for prices to hold here, and the market may well turn lower again.”

Oil for July delivery climbed as much as $1.10 to $85.39 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $85.17 at 10:50 a.m. London time. The contract yesterday rose 0.4 percent to $84.29, the highest close since May 31.

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06.06.2012

AF&PA Responds to Solicitor General's Recommendation in Forest Roads Case

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) filed today a request for U.S. Supreme Court review or summary reversal of the Ninth Circuit court decision to require National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for logging activity on forest roads.

The Ninth Circuit court’s decision overturned EPA’s 35-year approach to managing runoff from forest roads. The U.S. Solicitor General admitted that the Ninth Circuit’s decision was wrong. However, he also concluded that Supreme Court review is not necessary, because EPA intends to issue regulations to provide flexible approaches to managing forest road runoff.

“The fact that EPA may finalize regulations in the future is no reason to allow the Ninth Circuit’s decision to stand. In fact, leaving the decision in place will require EPA to develop a rule around what the U.S. agrees is wrongly-decided law,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “Forest landowners and others in the supply chain still are faced with the reality that any administrative action by EPA will take months if not years to be put in place and will be open to court challenge."

“We believe that the best means of providing much-needed certainty to the situation is a favorable U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Without Supreme Court intervention, there will be considerable confusion as states and EPA attempt to sort out how to comply. This only perpetuates an atmosphere of uncertainty, which is harmful to our industry and its 900,000 employees that depend on a steady supply of fiber to make products essential for everyday life,” Harman concluded.

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06.06.2012

Verso Sartell Mill Update

As many of you know, on Monday May 28th, there was a significant explosion and fire at the Sartell mill. As previously reported, a Verso employee was fatally injured in this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family and all those impacted by this event.

For most of the past week, significant portions of the mill remained inaccessible to Verso officials as emergency response operations continued at the facility. In the last couple of days, assessment by Verso officials and external authorities has begun. We are hopeful that the preliminary analysis of this assessment will be concluded within the next week.

In the interim, our sales, customer service, planning, and logistics organization have been working to minimize potential disruption to your operations for the orders that we have in hand. With the utilization of our full system, all June Coated Groundwood orders originally planned for S3 paper machine have been accommodated with only modest impacts to delivery dates. Status of your orders will be communicated to you promptly as updates are available. We thank all of you who have provided flexibility with regards to your orders.

As more information is learned, we will keep you informed.

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06.06.2012

Discover Brighter Savings with Norbrite® 92

At Midland we know it’s important for your preferred papers to deliver top value and maximum performance, both on press and when drawing readers’ attention. So we are pleased to introduce Norbrite® 92, a new uncoated mechanical paper that offers higher yield, greater opacity, and a remarkable brightness for publications that stand out.

Get more for your money with Norbrite® 92. This high-brightness innovation from NORPAC offers all the printing and environmental performance you need with greater opacity and uniformity than alternatives. Norbrite® 92 delivers a yield advantage of 5-25 percent over uncoated free sheet (UCFS) products, offering superior opacity and equivalent caliper in a lower basis weight and price. That advantage ensures you — and your customers — enjoy greater value.

Contact your Midland Paper Sales professional for more information about this exciting new product from NORPAC.

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06.05.2012

Sun Chemical to Raise Prices on Heatset Products in the United States and Canada

Faced with volatility in the global supply chain and increases in the costs of certain raw materials, such as distillates, solvents and resins, Sun Chemical will raise prices in the United States and Canada on all heatset products and certain pressroom consumables on July 1, 2012.

The price increases will vary as different products have a different chemical composition, but the average cost increase will be approximately 10 percent for most products.

All heatset products will be affected by the price increase, inclusive of directory inks. Certain Rycoline® solvent-based washes will also be impacted.

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06.05.2012

Sun Chemical’s Investment in New Ink Manufacturing Facility in Montreal Saves Costs, Benefits Customers

Sun Chemical reinforced its commitment to customers in Montreal and the Province of Quebec with the opening of its new state-of-the-art ink manufacturing plant in Laval, a $3.1 million (CAD) investment designed to provide stronger customer service, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

The 50,000 square foot facility consolidates four manufacturing plants located in Ottawa, Quebec City and two buildings located in the Montreal suburbs of Boucherville and Anjou, into one brand new manufacturing plant that will service the needs of customers primarily located in Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City areas.

Strategically located just off the highway in the north suburb of Montreal, the single location in Laval is better positioned for getting through Montreal’s traffic patterns and delivering product to customers across Quebec and Eastern Ontario. Additionally, consolidating the two plants in Montreal into one facility will make it easier for customers in the city find Sun Chemical.

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06.05.2012

Two Duluth printing companies to merge

Two Duluth printing companies announced last week that they have merged operations.

Pro Print Inc. and Christie Printing announced Friday that the new combined company will continue to operate under the Pro Print name. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The merger will benefit customers with expanded resources from the combined operations while giving Pro Print a strengthened position in the marketplace, the company said in its announcement.

Operations will be combined at the Pro Print facility in the Duluth Airpark, said Scott Cooke, co-owner of Pro Print.

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06.05.2012

PRC to Review U.S. Postal Service’s Second Proposal to Cut Post Office Costs and Operations

On May 31, the Postal Regulatory Commission issued Order No. 1361 establishing Docket N2012-2 to provide a public hearing and issue an advisory opinion on the U.S. Postal Service’s Post Office Structure Plan (POStPlan). The primary focus of the proposal is to reduce costs by changing operating hours at approximately 17,700 of the 32,000 postal retail locations nationwide. The Service’s previous plan, the Retail Access Optimization Initiative, to close 3,700 post offices has been put on hold.

Vice Chairman Nanci E. Langley will serve as “Presiding Officer” for this docket. “This proceeding will provide all interested persons with a full opportunity to provide input,” said Vice Chairman Langley. “At the same time, the Postal Service has said it would like to be able to begin to implement its plan in September, and the Commission will conduct a timely review with this in mind.”

The Commission proceeding provides a transparent, on-the-record process to ensure that any nationwide changes in postal services are consistent with the Postal Service’s obligation to provide prompt, reliable, and efficient postal services to customers in all areas and to all communities. The public is encouraged to share their written views with the Commission. Comments may also be shared via the Commission’s online customer service form at www.prc.gov.

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06.05.2012

Dollar General Q1 profit jumps 36%; on track for 625 new stores and 550 remodels

Dollar General Corp. on Monday reported a 36% jump in quarterly profit and raised its expectations for the year as its momentum continued.

Dollar General earned $213.4 million in the fiscal first quarter ended on May 4, up from $157.0 million a year earlier. Sales rose 13% to $3.9 billion. Same-store sales increased 6.7%.

Dollar General is starting off 2012 with strong performance in the first quarter due to excellent same-store sales growth of 6.7%, representing the fifth consecutive quarter of accelerating improvement,” said Rick Dreiling, chairman and CEO. “I believe we are positioned well to invest in the future of our business as we continue to redefine small-box retailing and reinforce Dollar General’s role as America’s general store.”

The company plans to open approximately 625 stores, including 40 Dollar General Market stores in 2012. In addition, it plans to remodel or relocate a total of approximately 550 stores.

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06.05.2012

Starbucks buys San Francisco bakery chain; to build into national brand

Starbucks Coffee Co. is looking to expand its food business. The chain has entered into an agreement to acquire San Francisco-based Bay Bread and its La Boulange bakery brand, as well as to hire its well-known French baker, Pascal Rigo. The cash deal is valued at $100 million.

La Boulange, which also serves salads and sandwiches, has 19 locations in the Bay Area. In addition to serving the bakery’s pastries, breads and sandwiches under the La Boulange name in its U.S. stores, Starbucks also plans to accelerate the expansion of the company’s retail footprint over time in key U.S. cities.

“This is an investment in our core business. After more than 40 years, we will be able to say that we are bakers too,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and CEO.

In recent years, Starbucks has made major enhancements to its food offerings based on customer feedback, including diversifying its portfolio to include smaller portion sizes. Food now accounts for $1.5 billion in revenues in U.S. company-operated stores and has grown by double digits in each of the last two fiscal years.

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06.05.2012

Hearst Magazines Launches HGTV

After all the fanfare surrounding the October 2011 and January 2012 test issues of HGTV--the joint venture between Hearst Magazines and the Scripps Networks-owned HGTV cable channel--the official launch of the magazine last week was quiet.

The reason was that the test issues' success made HM president (since June 2010) David Carey giving the go-ahead on March 19 a fait accompli. The June/July HGTV opens with a 450,000 rate base and 50 ad pages, with releases this year also scheduled for Sept., Oct./Nov., and Dec.

HGTV is following a similar pattern to the three-year-old Food Network, which is also HM-Scripps Network-partnered. HGTV, too, is showcasing stars from the cable network, with Sabrina Soto, Emily Henderson and Chip Wade among those in the launch issue.

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06.05.2012

Good Cuts Most of its Edit Team

Good—self-described as the magazine "for people who give a damn"—has laid off at least five editorial staffers, including executive editor Ann Friedman, the day after holding a launch party for its newest issue.

The cuts appear to have eliminated all but three edit staffers—co-founding creative director Casey Caplowe, education editor Liz Dwyer, and assistant editor Zak Stone. The magazine has not immediately returned a request for comment.

Others included are managing editor Megan Greenwell, senior editor Cord Jefferson, lifestyle editor Amanda Hess, business editor Tim Fernholz, and associate editor Nona Willis Aronowitz. Wylie Overstreet, a writer for Good, left voluntarily.

The Los Angeles-based magazine, which boasts a rate base of 65,000 and an audience of 4.5 million monthly unique online visitors, may be exploring a community-based publishing system to include content aggregation and social networking, according to Poynter's MediaWire.

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06.05.2012

Oil Declines on Speculation Debt Crisis Will Curb Demand

Oil dropped on speculation Europe’s debt woes would curb energy demand after manufacturing in the continent contracted as global policy makers discuss the region’s crisis.

West Texas Intermediate futures fell, giving up earlier gains of as much as 1.1 percent. Euro-area services and manufacturing output contracted in May, adding to signs the economy is suffering from worsening debt. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven countries will hold a call today on the European debt crisis, according to Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

“Emergency talks for the G7 are a little bit dangerous because they raise expectations,” Ole Hansen, senior manager of trading advisory at Saxo Bank A/S, said by phone from Copenhagen. “Europe can go from bad to worse and China is obviously slowing. These two areas have a significant impact for general demand of most commodities, including oil.”

Crude for July delivery fell as much as 42 cents to $83.56 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $83.92 at 10:25 a.m. London time. The contract yesterday rose for the first time in five days by 0.9 percent to $83.98.

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06.05.2012

Appleton Coated announces winners in U360 Competition

The winning entries to Appleton Coated’s U360 Competition for 2012 have been announced. An online gallery of winners can be found at UtopiaPaper.com by clicking on the U360 section. This autumn, the 2012 Showbook will be available on request and distributed throughout North America.

“U360 celebrates design, content and printing excellence, and all that paper makes possible. The winning selections recognize the all-around, effective, creative role that print communication plays in the marketing mix,” says Ferkó X. Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager.

The U360 Competition was judged by members of the Appleton Coated Design Council. Entries were evaluated on overall communication, creative expression and execution, including environmental impact. Submissions must be printed all, or in part, on Utopia and/or Curious Collection, accompanied by a completed entry form, and produced in 2011.

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06.05.2012

Amazon Publishing Acquires Avalon Books

Amazon.com, Inc. and Avalon Books today announced that Amazon Publishing has acquired the publication rights from Avalon Books to over 3,000 backlist titles predominantly in the Romance, Mystery and Western categories. Established in 1950 by Thomas Bouregy, Avalon Books has long been a home to writers specializing in wholesome entertainment across popular genres, such as Holly Jacobs, Carolyn Hughey and Carolyn Brown, whose book “The Ladies’ Room” is nominated for a 2012 RITA by the Romance Writers of America.

“I’ve been running Avalon Books--which was founded by my father--since 1995, and it is time for me to explore the next chapter of my life,” said Ellen Bouregy Mickelsen, Publisher of Avalon Books. “I chose Amazon Publishing because they care deeply about the writers, readers, and categories that have long mattered to our family business and they are uniquely positioned to assure that our titles make the leap forward into the digital future. I am pleased they have asked me to assist during a period of transition to provide continuity and support for our authors.”

Avalon books will be published under the West Coast imprints of Amazon Publishing, including Montlake Romance and Thomas & Mercer. These books will continue to be available in print for booksellers and libraries nationwide. Ms. Mickelsen will be assisting for several months to support a smooth transition for authors and to help secure eBook amendments for some of the older Avalon titles whose digital rights are not owned by Avalon, with the intention of bringing these books to a wider audience.

Avalon Books was advised on the transaction by Bill Barry who acted as exclusive broker on its behalf.

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06.05.2012

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Announces Equity Investment in Flores Online, A Leading Brazilian Floral and Gift Retailer

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., the world's leading florist and gift shop, today announced that it has made an equity investment in Flores Online, one of Brazil's leading floral and gift retailers. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM has teamed with San Paolo, Brazil-based BR Opportunities, which has also taken an equity stake in Flores Online.

Jim McCann, Founder and CEO, said, "As the world's leading Florist and Gift Shop, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM is in the business of delivering smiles for our customers. We believe this mission transcends geographic and cultural borders and, increasingly, our customers expect us to help them with their social expressions both locally and around the world. That is why we are very excited to be partnering with Flores Online, one of Brazil's and, indeed South America's, leading floral and gift retailers. We are especially pleased to be working with Eduardo Casarini and his family, the founders of Flores Online, because they share both our family business culture and our passion for engaging directly with our customers to build deep and lasting relationships."

McCann added that, "This investment also offers us the opportunity to work with Carlos Miranda and his San Paolo, Brazil-based BR Opportunities private equity fund. Carlos is someone whose business acumen and style I have long admired. Together with Eduardo Casarini and his family, we have formed a team that, we believe, will be able to leverage our combined assets and expertise to build an even stronger and more prosperous Flores Online business in what is one of the most exciting economies in the world today."

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06.05.2012

Verso resumes control of warehouse

Firefighters today transferred authority for most of the Verso Paper warehouse back to the company, one week after an explosion and fire left one worker dead and four people injured. The explosion area remains under the control of investigators.

Small fires continue to flare from paper rolls as they are exposed to oxygen during building demolition, but the flames can be handled by a demolition contractor, Sartell City Administrator Patti Gartland said.

Four rail boxes that had been in the warehouse area were taken to Maiers Transport in St. Cloud. Workers found smoldering paper when a rail box was opened, and St. Cloud Fire Department was called to the scene.

Eighty fire departments, 14 other agencies and 26 businesses have assisted at the Sartell fire during the past week. Sartell’s ladder truck remains at the site and is expected to stay there Tuesday with staffing by the Verso fire brigade.

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06.04.2012

Sappi announces Printers of the Year for 2012

Sappi's Printers of the Year awards are regarded as the world's most respected accolade in printed communications. Winners of the program showcase innovation and excellence, and demonstrate how print continues to be a vital and relevant medium.

Find out who won gold in 2012.

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06.04.2012

Charming Shoppes Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

Charming Shoppes, Inc., a leading apparel retailer specializing in women's plus-size apparel, today reported sales and operating results for the three months ended April 28, 2012.

Commenting on the quarter, Anthony M. Romano, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charming Shoppes, Inc. said, "We are pleased to have delivered our sixth consecutive quarter of improved year over year Adjusted EBITDA results, with an increase of $1.3 million, or 3.1%, to $42.6 million for the first quarter. Although we generated healthy gross margins during the quarter, our gross margins continued to be impacted by increases in product costs compared to a year ago. We also executed deeper discounts to ensure seasonal unit sell-throughs as we experienced continuing challenging traffic trends. Nonetheless, we were able to fully offset the impacts to our gross margin through strong expense management at each of our brands in both SG&A and Occupancy and Buying expenses. At each of our brands, we produced improved conversion rates and higher Average Unit Retails. We maintained our disciplined inventory management to reduce overall inventory levels. Our consolidated comparable store inventories at cost at the end of the period were 7% lower than the prior year period, with units decreasing by 16%."

Net sales were $481.3 million for the first quarter ended April 28, 2012, a decrease of 4.6% compared to $504.4 million for the prior year period. The $23.1 million decrease includes the impact of operating 157 fewer stores than in the prior year period, partially offset by an increase of 18% in e-commerce sales. First quarter comparable store sales were flat compared to the prior year, including a 1% comparable store sales increase for Lane Bryant, a 5% comparable store sales increase for Catherines, and a 3% comparable store sales decrease for Fashion Bug. The inclusion of e-commerce sales with the bricks and mortar comparable store sales would result in a comparable sales increase of 2% for the quarter.

Gross profit was $261.7 million or 54.4% of sales in the quarter, compared to $285.3 million or 56.6% of sales in the same quarter last year.

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06.04.2012

UPM paper range for packaging end-use - The Unique way forward

After the sale of UPM’s packaging paper operations in its two mills in Pietarsaari (PM1) and Tervasaari (PM7), Finland, to the Swedish Billerud, UPM will continue producing one side coated (C1S) papers for packaging end-use in its Jämsä River Mills as before. Also all other existing paper grades for packaging end-use will remain available as before.

At the same time, UPM is renaming some of its packaging papers. The former UPM SwanCoat will be changed to UPM Unique coat. UPM’s newly launched barrier paper range, UPM SwanBarrier and UPM SwanBarrier light will be known in the future as UPM Unique barrier and UPM Unique barrier light.

“With the sale of our packaging operations in Pietarsaari and Tervasaari mills we needed to re-brand our remaining packaging paper offering. From now on, we will be using the UPM Unique name as an umbrella for our one side coated papers. UPM Unique is already a well-known brand and it is mainly sold to packaging end-uses. We can now concentrate on our C1S papers and build a portfolio under a well-known brand name. We have done a lot of development work on our C1S grades, and now it really starts to show,” says Jaakko Nikkilä, VP, UPM Converting sales.

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06.04.2012

Macmillan Puts Its Green Foot Forward

John Sargent is well-known in publishing circles for doing things a little differently than most CEOs (see his stance in the Department of Justice lawsuit over the agency pricing model), and that also applies to his approach to Macmillan’s environmental efforts. More than two years ago, Sargent named industry veteran and now consultant Bill Barry to review all of Macmillan’s operations with the goal of determining the most efficient ways to lower the company’s carbon footprint. In a meeting at Macmillan’s headquarters in the Flatiron Building last month, the two men discussed how, after reviewing reams of information that sometimes produce conflicting recommendations, they set a goal of reducing the company’s carbon footprint by 65% by 2019 from a 2009 baseline.

Like other publishers, Macmillan is focused on cutting carbon emissions from its paper usage, but, unlike most other houses, it is not emphasizing greater use of recycled paper; rather, it is looking to source paper from mills that are the most energy efficient. “We’ve challenged our mills to become more efficient producers,” Barry said. Macmillan’s analysis of a mill’s CO2 emissions includes not only how and where it sources timber, but also how its fuels its operations and transport materials. At the beginning of 2012, Macmillan bought nearly 60% of its paper from mills that run largely on hydropower and/or other renewable sources. It will use recycled paper where its benefits can best be optimized. Other steps Macmillan has taken to cut emissions associated with manufacturing include lowering the basis weight of its paper and changing the process of making jackets and covers that, according to Sargent and Barry, reduces emissions by two-thirds. Smaller print runs (brought about to some degree, but not solely, by higher e-book sales) and an overhaul to its packaging process have also contributed to a reduction in emissions and is in keeping with what Sargent calls the “basic truth” of sustainability—“using less is better than using more.”

In another step to use less paper, Macmillan will phase out its use of paper catalogues by this winter season and, to reduce gasoline consumption, the company plans to complete the switch of its fleet of company cars to hybrid by the end of this year. The installation of more efficient lighting in its warehouses cut energy consumption associated with lighting by 50% last year. But not all Macmillan’s plans for its warehouses worked out. At one point, the company had considered putting solar panels on its Virginia warehouse, but a review determined that the cost (about $1.5 million), without meaningful subsidies, would have been prohibitive (the company is now reviewing the possibility of using geothermal power in the plant). “You have to examine everything issue by issue,” Barry noted.

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06.04.2012

Producers seek to hold on to pulp prices in June amid buyer pressure

Pulp producers are facing increasing pressure on prices as conditions shift more in favor of buyers.

The slowing of China demand that began in April has spread from one extent or another to other markets. Producers of various kinds of pulp acknowledged that June could be difficult both price- and volume-wise, and that the third quarter, which tends to be slow anyway during the Northern summer, is likely to follow the usual pattern.

Bleached hardwood kraft pulp (BHKP) markets remain stronger than those of bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) markets around the world. But weakening BSKP prices, especially in China and to some extent in Europe, coupled with recent rising global BHKP prices, have brought the two sectors so close together in price that customers are shifting some demand to BSKP.

For the most part, the announced May bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP) price hikes did not go through fully during the May, and given current market conditions, it could be a struggle to achieve the remainder during June.

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06.04.2012

Nike puts Cole Haan on the selling block

Nike Inc. is trimming its portfolio. The company announced it will sell its Cole Haan and Umbro brands to cut costs and focus on its core namesake brand.

Nike acquired Cole Haan, which specializes in casual and dress shoes, handbags and accessories, in 1988 for $80 million, plus the assumption of $15 million in debt. Cole Haan operates more than 180 stores throughout the United States, Canada, the Middle East and Asia.

Nike bought the soccer gear and apparel company Umbro in 2008 for $565 million.

In a statement, Nike said it will begin selling off the brands immediately. It expects to complete the sale by May 2013.

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06.04.2012

Fewer shoppers follow retailers on social media

51% of consumers follow at least one retailer on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, a 12% dip from 58% a year ago, according to a new report by Shop.Org, the online retail division of the industry trade group National Retail Federation.

Concerns about privacy and sharing their personal information were the chief reasons respondents said they do not follow brands on social media, according to the survey, which examined consumer’s attitudes about social media. The survey, which polled 1,507 consumers, was conducted by web measurement firm comScore Inc., Shop.org and the Partnering Group consultancy.

The survey also found that consumers who do follow retailers on social media increasingly are doing so on visual-focused social network Pinterest, rather than Facebook and Twitter. Shoppers who follow brands on Pinterest follow 9.3 merchants, on average, compared to 8.5 on Twitter and 6.9 retailers on Facebook.

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06.04.2012

Canfor Pulp Products Inc. Announces Production Curtailment

Canfor Pulp Products Inc. announces today that production at the Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership’s Northwood Pulp Mill has been curtailed to investigate a failure in one of its two recovery boilers. There were no injuries reported in the incident but the number one recovery boiler has been shutdown to determine the cause of the malfunction. As a result, only one of the two production lines in the mill is currently operating.

The cost of repair and the duration of curtailment cannot be reliably determined until a detailed inspection of the facility is completed. However, based on a preliminary review, it is estimated that the curtailment will be for at least a three week duration with an estimated reduction in production of NBSK pulp of approximately 25,000 tonnes.

To mitigate the impact of the incident, management intends to continue operation of the second production line at the mill and will advance certain mill maintenance activities previously scheduled to be performed during a planned mill shutdown in September. Production at the Partnership’s Intercontinental Pulp Mill and Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill is not affected by the curtailment at Northwood.

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06.04.2012

Oil Falls a Fifth Day on Concern U.S., China Demand Will Falter

Oil fell for a fifth day in New York to the lowest price in almost eight months on signs of an economic slowdown in the U.S. and China. London-traded Brent crude dropped from the lowest close in more than a year.

Futures tumbled as much as 2.4 percent to the lowest intraday price since Oct. 6, extending last week’s 8.4 percent decline after U.S. unemployment rose and payrolls increased less than the most-pessimistic forecasts. China’s purchasing managers’ index for non-manufacturing industries fell to the lowest level in a year, the National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said yesterday in Beijing. European leaders remain divided on solutions for the region’s debt crisis.

“We’re very, very negative on the outlook” for oil demand this year, Johannes Benigni, managing director of JBC Energy GmbH, a researcher in Vienna, said in an interview with Francine Lacqua on Bloomberg Television’s “On the Move.” Crude consumption will contract in advanced economies even as demand grows in Asia and the Middle East, he said. “Economic indicators are not looking great.”

Oil for July delivery lost as much as $2.02 to $81.21 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $81.79 at 11:16 a.m. in London.

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06.01.2012

Talbots to be Acquired by Sycamore Partners

The Talbots, Inc. and Sycamore Partners today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which an affiliate of Sycamore Partners will acquire all the outstanding common stock of the Company for $2.75 per share in cash. The transaction is valued at approximately $369 million, including net debt. The transaction is currently expected to close in the third quarter of this year.

The announcement follows a comprehensive review undertaken by the Talbots Board to maximize stockholder value. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by the Company's Board of Directors, Talbots stockholders will receive $2.75 in cash for each outstanding share of Talbots common stock they own. The purchase price represents a 113% premium to the closing price on May 30, 2012 and a 76% premium to the closing price on December 6, 2011, the closing price prior to the public disclosure of Sycamore's initial proposal to acquire the Company.

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06.01.2012

Saks Incorporated Announces May Comparable Store Sales

Retailer Saks Incorporated today announced that owned sales totaled $215.8 million for the four weeks ended May 26, 2012 compared to $208.2 million for the four weeks ended May 28, 2011, a 3.7% increase. Comparable store sales increased 4.0% for the month.

For May, the strongest categories included women’s contemporary and WEAR NOW apparel, women’s shoes, fashion and fine jewelry, cosmetics and fragrances, men’s contemporary apparel, and men’s shoes.

For the four months ended May 26, 2012, owned sales totaled $959.7 million compared to $921.8 million for the prior year four months ended May 28, 2011, a 4.1% increase. Comparable store sales increased 4.6% for the four months.

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06.01.2012

Nordstrom Reports May Sales

Nordstrom, Inc. today reported a 5.3 percent increase in same-store sales for the four-week period ended May 26, 2012 compared with the four-week period ended May 28, 2011. Preliminary total retail sales of $870 million for May 2012 increased 9.3 percent compared with total retail sales of $796 million for the same period in fiscal 2011.

Year-to-date same-store sales increased 7.7 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2011. Preliminary year-to-date total retail sales of $3.40 billion increased 12.6 percent compared with total retail sales of $3.02 billion for the same period in fiscal 2011.

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06.01.2012

Kohl's Corporation Reports May Comparable Store Sales

Kohl’s Corporation reported today that for the four-week month ended May 26, 2012 total sales decreased 2.6 percent and comparable store sales decreased 4.2 percent from the four-week month ended May 28, 2011.

For the year-to-date period, total sales increased 0.8 percent and comparable store sales decreased 0.9 percent.

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06.01.2012

Gap Inc. Reports May Sales

Gap Inc. today reported that May 2012 net sales increased 4 percent compared with last year.

Net sales for the four-week period ended May 26, 2012 were $1.10 billion compared with net sales of $1.06 billion for the four-week period ended May 28, 2011. The company’s comparable sales for May 2012 were up 2 percent compared with a 4 percent decrease for May 2011.

Year-to-date net sales were $4.59 billion for the 17 weeks ended May 26, 2012, an increase of 5 percent compared with net sales of $4.36 billion for the 17 weeks ended May 28, 2011. The company’s year-to-date comparable sales increased 3 percent compared with a 3 percent decrease last year.

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06.01.2012

AAA Fuel Gage & Exchange Rates

AAA’s Fuel Gage Report as of 6/01/12
National Unleaded Regular:
Current Average - $3.611/gallon
Month Ago Average - $3.803/gallon
Year Ago Average - $3.775/gallon
Highest Recorded Average - $4.114/gallon on 7/17/08
Diesel:
Current Average - $3.920/gallon
Month Ago Average - $4.095/gallon
Year Ago Average - $4.045/gallon
Highest Recorded Average - $4.845/gallon on 7/17/08

Current Exchange Rates as of 5/31/12
American Dollar to Canadian Dollar = 0.97195 (120 day high - 1.01905 on April 26, 2012; low 0.964227 on December 14, 2011)
American Dollar to Chinese Yuan = 0.157022 (120 day high – 0.157022 on May 31, 2012; low 0.159363 on May 2, 2012)
American Dollar to Euro = 1.2403 (120 day high - 1.3454 on February 28, 2012; low 1.2403 on May 31, 2012)
American Dollar to Japanese Yen = 0.0127002 (120 day high – 0.0131387 on February 2, 2012; low 0.0119026 on March 21, 2012)
American Dollar to Mexican Peso = 0.0706065 (120 day high – 0.0793808 on March 14, 2012; low 0.0706065 on May 31, 2012)

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06.01.2012

UPM Raflatac to acquire Gascogne’s labelstock operations in Switzerland

UPM Raflatac, one of the world’s leading suppliers of self-adhesive labelstock, has signed an agreement to acquire the business operations of Gascogne Laminates Switzerland SA. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The closing of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

Gascogne Laminates Switzerland is the labelstock business of Gascogne Group, a major player in the French wood industry. Gascogne’s labelstock operations’ sales totaled EUR 44 million in 2011. The company employs approximately 110 persons in its factory in Martigny, Switzerland.

“UPM Raflatac in Europe has focused in the past years especially in growth in special labelstock products. Gascogne Laminates has a strong and long-standing brand in this product area in Europe and through this acquisition we are proud to add those capabilities to our product platform. As a result of this transaction, customers will enjoy stronger speciality offering available through UPM Raflatac’s extensive distribution network,” says Tapio Kolunsarka, Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle-East and Africa.

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06.01.2012

Stein Mart, Inc. Reports May 2012 Sales

Stein Mart, Inc. today reported comparable store sales for the four-week period ended May 26, 2012 increased 3.1 percent. Total sales for the period were $101.9 million, an increase of 3.4 percent from $98.5 million in the same period in 2011.

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06.01.2012

Authors Guild Responds to Chin's Latest Ruling in Google Case

Responding to a positive twist in the Google case, after Judge Denny Chin granted authors class certification, the Authors Guild's executive director, Paul Aiken, called the decision a "key ruling for all U.S. authors whose literary works have been appropriated by Google."

The statement from the Guild continued:
"The class of authors includes all U.S. authors and their heirs with a copyright interest in books scanned by Google as part of its Library Project. Google has scanned 12 million books in that project, the majority of which are believed to be protected by copyright. Books from all over the world were copied, but U.S. works predominate.

"Google's liability for copyright infringement has not yet been determined by the court. Google's primary defense to infringement is that its actions are protected by fair use.

"If Google is found liable for infringement, copyright law prescribes statutory damages for willful infringement at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work."

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06.01.2012

Court Approves Nebraska Book Co. Restructuring Plan

After operating for almost one year under Chapter 11 as it worked its way through a prepackaged bankruptcy, Nebraska Book Co. won court approval Wednesday of a restructuring plan that eliminates about $270 million in debt.

NBC, the nation’s third largest operator of college bookstores as well as a distributor, filed for Chapter 11 last June and the process took longer to complete than originally expected. Its first plan collapsed after credit markets tightened and the company was unable to obtain $250 million in exit financing.

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06.01.2012

Pregis offers custom protective packaging solutions for e-commerce fulfillment, distribution center packing operations

Pregis Corp. offers customized protective packaging solutions for e-commerce fulfillment and distribution centers.

“Packing operations for facilities that support retail commerce require a high degree of flexibility. Shipments can range widely in size and content. Not only do protective packaging systems have to address packing variables, but they also have to be efficient, cost-effective and easy-to-use,” said Daché Davidson, director of marketing, Pregis.

Pregis has developed a wide array of systems options that are ideal for fulfillment and distribution operations. These include both air pillow and hybrid cushioning alternatives with custom delivery systems which are designed around customer needs and packing area configuration.

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06.01.2012

Catalyst Paper publishes notice of sale and investor solicitation process

Catalyst Paper Corporation advises that under order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia authorizing procedures for a sale and investor solicitation process, the following notice was published today in The Globe & Mail and The Wall Street Journal:

TAKE NOTICE THAT pursuant to certain Court Orders of the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") in respect of Catalyst Paper Corporation and related entities (collectively "Catalyst Paper") in the matter of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, the Canada Business Corporations Act, and the British Columbia Business Corporations Act, Catalyst Paper obtained Court approval to conduct a sale and investor solicitation process (the "SISP"). Pursuant to the SISP, Catalyst Paper, with the assistance of its financial advisor Perella Weinberg Partners LP ("Perella"), is soliciting proposals from prospective strategic and financial parties to acquire the property, assets and business of, or to invest in, Catalyst Paper.

Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint and pulp. Its customers include retailers, publishers and commercial printers in North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Europe. With four mills, located in British Columbia and Arizona, Catalyst Paper has a combined annual production capacity of 1.8 million tonnes. Catalyst Paper is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada and is ranked by Corporate Knights magazine as one of the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada.

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06.01.2012

International Paper Announces Agreements to Sell Three U.S. Containerboard Mills Under Terms of Temple-Inland Settlement Agreement With the DOJ

International Paper (NYSE: IP) today announced that it has reached two agreements to sell three U.S containerboard mills in order to satisfy the company's obligations in its February 2012 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Under the terms of the DOJ settlement agreement, entered into in connection with the company's acquisition of Temple-Inland, International Paper agreed to divest the following mills:
•the former Temple-Inland mill in Ontario, CA
•the former Temple-Inland mill in New Johnsonville, TN
•the International Paper mill in Oxnard (Hueneme), CA

After conducting a robust auction process, International Paper has entered into agreements for the sale of the New Johnsonville mill to Hood Companies, Inc., and for the sale of the Ontario and Hueneme mills to New-Indy Containerboard LLC, a newly formed joint venture of The Kraft Group, LLC and Schwarz Partners, LP.

"We are pleased to have reached these agreements within the timeline established in our settlement with the DOJ," said Chairman and CEO John Faraci. "The purchasers are experienced operators in the paper, forest products and packaging industries, and we look forward to working with them to close these transactions in a timely manner."

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06.01.2012

Great Northern Corporation Marks 50 Years in Business

In the month of May, Great Northern Corporation celebrated its 50th anniversary in business, having grown from a handful of employees operating leased equipment in a rented building to an industry leader with more than 1,000 employees and operations in seven states.

Still headquartered where it all began in Appleton, Wis., Great Northern is one of the nation's largest independent producers of corrugated packaging. In addition to commercial and custom packaging, Great Northern is also a leader in consumer packaging, point-of-sale displays, edge protection solutions and protective roll cradles.

J. James Davis and Robert W. Brown are still active on the board of directors of the privately held company, which they founded in 1962 on the site of the current headquarters. They credit the company's success, growth and future potential to the core values that have guided it from the beginning: integrity, personal commitment, entrepreneurial spirit and a shared future.

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06.01.2012

The Container Store enhances digital catalogs

The Container Store has selected Zmags, a provider of multichannel marketing platforms, to build themed digital catalogs for the company's website, said Catherine Davis, direct marketing director at the Container Store. The platform optimizes the catalogs for different mobile devices, allows for the incorporation of video and audio, and enhances customer targeting.

Zmags had previously worked with the Container Store to build its latest catalog, titled “Go Organized! Travel Sale,” the company said in a statement. Zmags was selected partly because of its flexibility with different mobile and tablet devices, Davis said. She expects the increase of online customers accessing the website through mobile devices for e-commerce to continue.

“We felt like [Zmags was] the partner who could bring us the most opportunity,” Davis added. “The interface is quicker and slicker and larger than what we had before.” The new interface also allows for embedded videos and audio, she said, making it a richer customer experience than a traditional catalog.

In addition, Zmags is designed to allow better targeting of consumers, said Sean Ford, COO and CMO of Zmags. “Using [the Container Store's] data around the customers, they … can package up those products in ways that are appealing and fresh, and market them as a [digital catalog] campaign,” he said.

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06.01.2012

Indigo's revenue falls on lower book sales

Canadian retailer Indigo Books & Music Inc reported lower fourth-quarter revenue, hurt by a decline in book sales.

Canada's biggest book seller said a C$165 million gain on the sale of its e-reader business, Kobo Inc, boosted net earnings attributable to shareholders to C$131.5 million, compared with a loss of C$19.4 million last year.

Rakuten Inc, a Japanese Internet services and e-commerce company, struck a deal last year to buy Kobo Inc from Indigo for $315 million, to expand its electronic book offerings.

Indigo's loss from continuing operations in quarter was C$10.7 million, or 43 Canadian cents per share.

Revenue fell 2 percent to C$196 million as growth in its digital, gift, lifestyle and toy businesses was offset by lower sales of books.

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06.01.2012

Brent Oil Falls Below $100 a Barrel for First Time Since October

Brent crude dropped below $100 a barrel for the first time in almost eight months, reaching a level targeted by Saudi Arabia’s oil minister, as concern that Chinese growth is slowing pushed equities and commodities lower.

Brent slid to its lowest since Oct. 4 in London as China’s manufacturing grew at the weakest pace since December. Saudi Arabian oil output advanced to the highest level since 1989, according to a Bloomberg survey. U.S. jobless claims rose and the country’s crude stockpiles increased to a 22-year high last week, reports showed yesterday.

“In the oil market we have a mixture of weak demand, ample supplies, some nervous investors and a stronger U.S. dollar,” said Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt. “It’s a really poisonous cocktail.”

Brent futures for July settlement fell as much as $2.27 a barrel, or 2.2 percent, to $99.60 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London, and traded at $100.01 at 10:50 a.m. local time.

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06.01.2012

Billerud announces completion of the acquisition of UPM's packaging paper operations

Billerud Finland Oy's acquisition of UPM's packaging paper operations at Pietarsaari and Tervasaari is now completed. Billerud Finland Oy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Billerud AB. The purchase price is around EUR 130 million.

The acquired operations will be consolidated as of 1 June 2012, and will be included in the Packaging & Speciality Paper business area.

In the January–June 2012 interim report, sales of the Billerud Group's market pulp will continue to be reported as a separate business area, that is Market Pulp. As of 1 July 2012, market pulp sales will not be reported separately but will be included in the Packaging and Speciality Paper business area.

Financial pro forma information will be published in the January–June 2012 interim report.

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06.01.2012

Questex acquires Ataway Exchange

Questex Media Group has acquired Ataway Exchange from Vantage Strategy. Questex and Vantage have also formed an alliance to offer digital consulting services to hospitality and travel companies.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ataway Exchange is a community network, events producer and information provider serving CMOs, CTOs and e-commerce management in the travel and hospitality industries.

“We're pleased to complete this transaction and bring the services of our Hospitality+Travel group to this important community,” Kerry Gumas, president-CEO of Questex, said in a statement.

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05.31.2012

J.Crew Group, Inc. Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2012 Results

J.Crew Group, Inc. today announced financial results for the three months ended April 28, 2012.

First Quarter highlights:
Revenues increased 23% to $503.5 million, with comparable company sales increasing 16%. Comparable company sales decreased 3% in the first quarter last year. Store sales increased 26% to $354.0 million. Store sales decreased 3% in the first quarter last year. Direct sales increased 19% to $143.4 million following an increase of 5% in the first quarter last year.

Gross margin increased to 47.6% from 44.7% in the first quarter last year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $164.2 million, or 32.6% of revenues, from $131.1 million, or 32.0% of revenues, in the first quarter last year.

Operating income increased 45% to $75.7 million, or 15.0% of revenues, compared to $52.0 million, or 12.7% of revenues, in the first quarter last year.

Net income was $30.7 million compared to $16.2 million in the first quarter last year.

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