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

01.16.2012

White Birch closes Stadacona permanently after union rejects offer

The Stadacona newsprint mill in Quebec City which has been idle since December is now permanently closed, says owner White Birch Paper. The closure follows the rejection by members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of what was termed a "final offer" presented by the owner on Jan. 6.

The decision leaves about 600 workers without a job.

White Birch president Christopher Brant said the company was forced to close the mill. "The decision was not made lightly and we did everything we could to avoid this scenario."

Brant continued, "The mill's financial situation and the economic deterioration in the newsprint industry mean the end of the road for Stadacona. The union's rejection of our final offer left us with no other choice but to close the mill for good."

The CEP union told Canadian Press that the rejected Jan. 6 offer called for a 21% pay cut, and significant reductions to pensions. It was said that workers over age 55 would lose 45% of the value of their pension, while younger workers would lose 65% of the value.

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01.16.2012

Oil Climbs From Four-Week Low as Iran Warns of Hormuz Supply Disruption

Oil climbed from the lowest price in almost four weeks as Iran said that a disruption to crude supplies through the Strait of Hormuz would cause a shock to markets that “no country” could manage.

Futures rose as much as 0.9 percent after sliding 2.8 percent last week. Iran has threatened to shut the strait, a transit route for about a fifth of global oil trade, in response to international sanctions on its exports. Any disruption will harm the world’s crude markets, Iran’s governor to OPEC said, according to the state-run Mehr news agency. Nigerian labor unions suspended protests after saying they would consider shutting down oil output in opposition to higher fuel prices.

“Supply worries in Iran and Nigeria combined with the recovering U.S. economy and demand from developing markets are driving oil prices higher,” Christopher Bellew, a senior broker at Jefferies Bache Ltd. in London, who predicts crude prices will rise further. “It’s only the weakness of the euro that’s stopping oil from making bigger advances.”

Crude for February delivery rose as much as 89 cents to $99.59 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $99.54 at 11:25 a.m. London time. The contract fell 0.4 percent to $98.70 on Jan. 13, the lowest close since Dec. 21. There will be no floor trading in New York today because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Brent oil for February settlement was at $111.12 a barrel, up 68 cents on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

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01.16.2012

Catalyst board of directors recommends support for recapitalization transaction

Catalyst Paper Corporation announced today that the company has entered into an agreement (the Agreement) for a recapitalization transaction that will result in a significantly reduced debt burden.

Catalyst Paper’s management team and Board of Directors believe that the proposed recapitalization offers substantial benefits to Catalyst Paper, including:

• enhanced flexibility to respond to the downturn in the market for paper, newsprint and pulp;
• improved capital structure: $315.4 million reduction in debt; and
• reduced cash interest expense: up to $25.5 million reduction in annual cash interest expense ($37.0 million if paid in kind to the maximum extent possible).

Catalyst Paper’s management team and Board of Directors believe that, in view of the challenges and risks to the company’s ongoing viability created by the current paper, newsprint and pulp markets and the company’s existing capital structure, the recapitalization is the best alternative available to the company and its noteholders, shareholders and other stakeholders. The new capital structure will provide a stronger financial base for the execution of the company’s operating strategy and enhance the long-term value of the company.

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01.16.2012

Twin Rivers Paper Company Announces Additional Financing

Twin Rivers Paper Company, a leading manufacturer of lightweight specialty packaging, publishing and label papers, announced today it has secured additional financial support from the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) and Business New Brunswick (BNB).

Business New Brunswick has agreed to provide a loan guarantee while FAME has agreed to provide loan insurance. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), the company’s current lender, has also approved an extension and amendments to Twin Rivers Paper's existing revolving credit facility.

"This support from FAME and BNB and the continued support of CIBC are expected to provide the momentum to allow us to continue towards our strategic objectives while affording greater financial flexibility to manage our business,” said Wayne Johnson, Vice President of Finance.

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01.16.2012

UPM To Close Down The Albbruck Paper Mill and Transfer The Sheeting Lines To Plattling

UPM will permanently close down the unprofitable Albbruck paper mill in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The discussions between UPM, the employee representatives and local authorities did not lead to a solution for continuing the operations at the mill. Neither was the search for an investor successful. The closure of the mill is affecting the 508 employees of the mill. The personnel reductions will take place on 31 January 2012.

“UPM Albbruck mill has been making a loss for several years due to the age and relatively small size of the machines and the mill is not cost competitive within UPM asset and global customer portfolio. Under the difficult circumstances the highly qualified employees have done an excellent job. Unfortunately, it would not have been possible to improve the mill’s profitability to an extent that would have allowed sustainable operations,” says Jyrki Ovaska, President, UPM’s Paper Business Group.

During the negotiations concerning reconciliation of interest and social plan, issues such as pension schemes, support for re-employment, relocations within the company, re-training and compensation payments were discussed and agreed.

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01.13.2012

M-real divests the Reflex mill’s Premium Paper business to Hahnemühle FineArt GmbH and private shareholders of Hahnemühle

M-real Corporation, part of Metsäliitto Group, has agreed to divest the Reflex mill’s Premium Paper business to Walzmühle AG that is owned by Hahnemühle FineArt GmbH, the Hahnemühle management and private shareholders of Hahnemühle. The divestment includes the complete Premium Paper business and related assets as well as approximately 100 of M-real’s employees.

Premium Paper products are used in high-quality graphical end-uses, such as letterhead, brochures, books, calendars and envelopes.

The divestment is expected to be closed during 1Q 2012. The divestment would decrease M-real’s annual sales by approximately EUR 20 million and it would not have a material impact on M-real’s operative result.

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01.13.2012

Non-recurring items in M-real's 4Q 2011 results

M-real Corporation, a part of Metsäliitto Group, is expected to book approximately EUR 205 million negative non-recurring items in the operating result of the last quarter of 2011. The main items are the following:

EUR 105 million cost provisions and write-downs in Office Papers business area related to the planned closure of the Alizay mill announced on 18 October 2011.
EUR 70 million cost provisions and write-downs in Speciality Papers business area related to the planned discontinuation of the unprofitable production at Gohrsmühle and Reflex mills announced on 18 October 2011.
EUR 25 million impairment of assets, write-downs and cost provisions in Consumer Packaging business area related to the restructuring at Äänekoski mill including the closure of the paper machine 2 announced on 2 November 2011.
EUR 5 million additional cost provisions and adjustments to the sales price in Market Pulp and Energy related to the divestment of Hallein pulp mill materialised in September 2011.

Of the total non-recurring items approximately EUR 190 million will have an impact at the EBITDA level. The write offs will reduce M-real's annual depreciations by approximately EUR 2 million from 2012 onwards.

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01.13.2012

Oil Futures Head for Weekly Decline on Plans to Delay Iranian Embargo

Oil headed for its biggest weekly decline in a month on signs that the European Union may delay the enforcement of a ban on Iranian oil imports.

Futures have lost 2.3 percent this week after a European Union official said sanctions on Iran may be postponed by six months to allow some countries to find alternative petroleum supplies. The measures are also likely to include an exemption for Italy so crude can be sold to pay off debts to Eni SpA, the nation’s largest oil company, the official said.

“I think it’s in no one’s interests for this to escalate beyond words, which will probably keep tension high,” said Michael Hewson, an analyst at CMC Markets in London, which handles about $240 million a day in U.S. crude contracts. “Any flare-up in the Straits of Hormuz would obviously send oil spiking sharply but that would be something that both parties would want to avoid.”

Crude for February delivery was at $99.25 at 11:13 a.m. London time on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract yesterday fell $1.77 to $99.10, the lowest close since Dec. 30.

Brent oil for February settlement fell 48 cents to $110.78 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

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01.13.2012

Grand View Media Takes Over Operations of Shooting Sports Retailer

Grand View Media Group, a consumer, b-to-b and custom publisher in the outdoor market, has taken over management of Shooting Sports Retailer magazine, including all editorial, management, accounting, sales, production and circulation operations for the bi-monthly title and its digital products.

“Because we already have numerous outdoor titles, including Archery Business, a b-to-b magazine for archery retailers, it was a natural progression for us to go after firearms retailers,” says Grand View general manager Barry Lovette.

Grand View Media, a Birmingham, Alabama-based subsidiary of international information services and publishing company EBSCO Industries, publishes fifteen titles including the custom Cabela’s Outfitter Journal and consumer magazines Whitetail Journal, Predator Xtreme and Waterfowl & Retriever.

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01.13.2012

Metso-supplied fine paper production line started up at Zhanjiang Chenming Pulp & Paper in China

The Metso-supplied fine paper production line, PM 1, of Zhanjiang Chenming Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd. came successfully on stream on September 1, 2011 at the company’s greenfield pulp and paper mill in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China.

The 11.15-m-wide PM 1 has an annual dimensional production capacity of close to 600,000 tonnes of wood free uncoated printing paper within the basis weight range of 45 to 120 g/m2. The design speed is 2,000 m/min.

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01.13.2012

MWV Responds to Market Need for Matching Heavyweight Coated One-Side Cover

In the current array of competitive offerings, designers and brand owners have had to accept low brightness, off-white alternatives for their printed applications that require a heavyweight (14 pt and above) coated one-side cover. But that is no longer the case. MeadWestvaco Corporation announced today that its Commercial Print business has extended its Tango® C1S coated cover to include 14 through 24 pt. heavyweight calipers with the same 92 brightness, clean-white shade and consistent print performance that has made the Tango coated cover line the preferred choice of printers, designers and brand owners.

“Designers and brand owners have been asking for this, and we have responded,” said Steve Anderson, director, Marketing for MWV’s Commercial Print business. He continued, “In this competitive environment, our customers want to present a consistent, high quality brand image across any print campaign. In doing so, they need their direct mail pieces to match up with their brochures, and their pocket folders to match up with their in-store displays. By extending our C1S offering up to 24 pt. caliper, they can now do that.”

MWV’s Tango line is available as a coated one-side or coated two-side cover from 8 pt. through 24 pt. (or the equivalent of 70# to 170# cover). MWV will continue to offer its 86 brightness Tango Blanks product in heavyweight C1S calipers for less critical print applications.

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01.12.2012

Buckeye Announces Closure of Americana Cotton Linter Pulp Production Line

Buckeye Technologies Inc. today announced the closure of its Americana, Brazil cotton linter pulp production line. The company will work closely with its customers to continue to meet their needs from its Memphis, Tennessee facility.

Buckeye's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Crowe said, “This closure has become necessary due to the facility’s uncompetitive cost position for the products it makes. This is primarily driven by the high cost of its cotton linter raw material supply. It is unfortunate that this closure will result in the termination of employment for approximately 60 dedicated employees. We have owned and operated the facility since 2000, and we value and appreciate the many contributions of the organization over the past 12 years. Buckeye will continue to operate the waste water treatment facility for the shared industrial site while we continue discussions with interested parties for the sale of the facility.

We expect to incur about $2.4 million in restructuring expenses in calendar 2012 and a non-cash asset impairment charge of about $49 million in the October-December 2011 quarter. The closure is expected to generate an approximate $20 million cash benefit, primarily due to tax benefits related to the investment loss, assuming we are able to utilize all of our potential cellulosic biofuel credits by June 2016. Any additional cash benefit will be dependent on the final outcome of the facility sale process.”

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01.12.2012

Oil Advances From Lowest This Year on Nigeria Disruptions, Iranian Tension

Oil rose from the lowest settlement in almost two weeks in New York on concern that a strike in Nigeria and the threat of sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program will curb crude supplies.

Futures gained as much as 1.3 percent after sliding 1.3 percent yesterday. A Nigerian union said it started shutting platforms in Africa’s largest crude producer to support protests against the end of fuel subsidies. Japan said it may reduce petroleum imports from Iran, which has threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz in response to sanctions on its oil exports.

“Tensions in Nigeria are helping to keep a solid floor under prices,” Andrey Kryuchenkov, an analyst at VTB Capital in London who correctly predicted crude would end 2011 near $100 a barrel. “Growing concerns over global crude shipments escalated as Tehran threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz while the Pentagon made it clear that closing this vital checkpoint remains out of the question.”

Crude for February delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange gained as much as $1.34 to $102.21 a barrel in electronic trading. It was at $102.13 at 11:32 a.m. London time. The contract yesterday slipped $1.37 to $100.87, the lowest close since Dec. 30. Prices are up 3.3 percent this year.

Brent oil was trading $1.37 higher at $113.61 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

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01.12.2012

Chesapeake installs new folder at Hicksville, Long Island, NY

Chesapeake Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Packaging, a leading global supplier of paperboard packaging, has installed its second Vijuk MV-2011 Large Format Folder at its Hicksville, Long Island, NY facility. The folder, which is part of a major global investment program, will produce patient-information leaflets for the healthcare market.

Christopher Cassidy, Chesapeake VP Sales & Marketing – North America, stated, “This purchase is in response to the FDA requirement for larger font sizes and additional prescribing information for packaging inserts. This recommendation is expected to manage the risk of medical product use and reduce medication errors. The increased type size necessitates the need for larger inserts. It’s a challenge for many pharmaceutical companies to meet this requirement without having to make major changes to their existing packaging lines. Chesapeake can now offer an effective solution.”

The MV-11 Outsert System folds outserts as small as 1-1/8” x 1-1/8”, flatter, 15% thinner, and with up to 40% more panels than previous models. The MV-11 Triple Knife Outsert System can fold outserts with up to 238 panels; it also features an upgraded glue system and a digital water score system.

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01.12.2012

Hearst’s Food Network Magazine Sees 7th Ratebase Increase in 3 Years

Food Network Magazine seems to be cooking up excitement with readers—Hearst Magazines announced Wednesday that the publication will increase its ratebase by 50,000 up to 1.45 million.

This is the 7th ratebase increase for the title since it launched in 2009, with this most recent increase taking effect for the January/February 2012 issue. Test issues of the magazine were first contemplated back in the fall of 2008 with an initial circulation pool of 300,000 issues. In August 2011 Hearst announced the January/February issue of the magazine would reach 1.4 million, up from 1.3 million at the time, and now surpassing that initial figure by 50,000.

Shortly after the publication debuted it was named one of the most notable launches of 2009 and the publisher was able to triple its circulation by 2010. The magazine now expects circulation for the second half of 2011 to be about 21 percent above ratebase.

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01.12.2012

Norske Skog and NTE enter into long-term energy contract

Norske Skog has signed a long-term energy contract with NTE (Nord-Trøndelag Elektrisitetsverk) for the supply of electricity for the paper mill at Skogn.

The new agreement, together with an agreement that was signed with Statkraft last year, secures Norske Skog Skogn sufficient energy for full operation of the mill. The agreement has been entered into on commercial terms and has a duration of 7 years from 1 January 2012. The new agreement with NTE ensures supply of 0.4 TWh per year until 31.12.2018.

We are very pleased with this agreement. Norske Skog Skogn is important both for the group and for the forest industry in central Norway. This is an important contribution to securing jobs in Skogn, says president and CEO in Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt.

Skogn is one of the most environmentally sound and effective paper mills in Europe. A strong Norwegian krone and the challenging market conditions in the industry, means that the mill must have access to stable and secure energy supplies at an acceptable price in order to maintain operations, says president and CEO in Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt.

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01.12.2012

Thermoformed tray enables crop waste-based packaging

Sustainable packaging upstart Ecovative Design LLC has received tremendous attention over the past year for its disruptive technology introduction of protective packaging materials grown from agricultural byproducts bound together by mycelium, or mushroom “roots.” As Sam Harrington, Ecovative sales and marketing, told Packaging World last summer after winning a 2011 Greener Package Award, “The materials we’ve developed … represent the first time humans have capitalized on the amazing structural properties of another kingdom of biology: fungi.”

To bring this unprecedented material to market, not only did Ecovative have to learn how to harness a biological process for the purpose of creating a revolutionary packaging material, but it also had to develop custom machinery and tools to “manufacture” the material on a commercial scale. Primary to the manufacturing process are what Ecovative has labeled “thermoformed grow trays.” The grow trays are reusable plastic molds in which the biological material is placed while it grows.

In spring 2010, Ecovative began developing a line of standard-size shipping coolers made from EcoCradle™ Mushroom® Packaging as an alternative to those made from petroleum-based expanded polystyrene. To design and create the molds for this project, the company worked closely with custom thermoformer Dordan Manufacturing. The result was a meticulously engineered a custom grow-tray solution capable of increasing the overall efficiency of Ecovative’s unique manufacturing process.

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01.12.2012

Colbert Packaging to close Louisville plant

Colbert Packaging Corp., a manufacturer of folding cartons, rigid paper boxes and paperboard specialty products, announced Wednesday that it's closing its 33,500-square-foot manufacturing facility in Louisville.

Colbert obtained the facility in its December 2009 acquisition of folding carton manufacturer Dayton Carton. Colbert said in a news release that it will cease operations in Louisville within 60 days.

"With increased manufacturing capacity in our three other production facilities, and in an effort to streamline operations to meet the increasing demand from customers for cost containment, we have made the difficult, albeit necessary, decision to close our Louisville manufacturing plant," said Jim Hamilton, president of Colbert Packaging.

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01.12.2012

Sappi Fine Paper North America Opens 2012 Printers of the Year Call for Entries

Today, Sappi Fine Paper North America opened its call for entries for the 2012 North American Printers of the Year awards, a competition that recognizes print excellence and innovation in 10 categories for work produced on Sappi papers. Since 1999, the Sappi Printers of the Year Awards program has been regarded as the world's most respected accolade of excellence in the printing industry.

Entering this competition is easy — printers can submit any work printed between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 that uses Sappi paper as the dominant stock and is printed in the U.S. or Canada. For each entry, six copies of the printed piece must be submitted by mail along with one copy of the entry form. An online version of the entry form and downloadable PDF entry form are available online. All entries for Sappi's 2012 North American Printers of the Year must be received by the February 3, 2012 deadline. For more details and the entry form, visit: www.sappi.com/na/poy or contact Sappi at 1.800.882.4332.

As well as receiving industry-wide recognition, award-winning printers can win up to $20,000 to support their marketing and branding initiatives. In addition, selected printers will gain increased visibility with current and potential clients by being featured in Sappi's Printers of the Year Online Resource, a searchable database for designers, printer buyers and corporations.

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01.12.2012

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Announces 2011 Holiday Results

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. today announced that net revenues for the 8-week holiday period ended December 25, 2011 increased 4.2% to $901 million versus the 8-week holiday period ended December 26, 2010, including a comparable brand revenue increase of 4.9%. The company projects Q4 11 diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.10 to $1.15 which is at or marginally below the low end of the previous guidance range of $1.15 to $1.20 due to the promotional environment during the holiday season. On a full-year basis, the company still expects to deliver record pre-tax operating profits and diluted earnings per share. The company also announced that it is increasing its quarterly dividend by 29% to $0.22 per share for shareholders of record on January 27, 2012 and is authorizing a new $225 million stock repurchase program.

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01.12.2012

Two Sides Launches U.S. Website

Two Sides, the fast-growing non-profit organization established to promote the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper, today launched its U.S. website, www.twosides.us. The site, filled with facts from well-known, credible sources, provides an easily accessible resource for anyone who wants trustworthy information about the environmental impacts of paper-based communication.

“Print and paper have a great environmental story to tell, but that story often gets lost among misleading claims, misconceptions and one-sided communications,” says Two Sides President Phil Riebel. “On the Two Sides website, we present information from a wide range of authoritative sources – organizations like the World Resources Institute, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the U.S. Forest Service and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development – to dispel the myths and help people better understand the true sustainability of print and paper.”

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01.11.2012

RR Donnelley Awarded New Multi-Year Print Management Agreement by Chrysler

R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company today announced that it has been awarded a new multi-million dollar, multi-year Print Management agreement by Chrysler Group LLC. This new agreement significantly expands the companies' relationship.

Under the terms of the award RR Donnelley will provide a comprehensive array of Print Management services, including on-site premedia resources and sourcing support, commercial printing, direct mail, logistics, labels and forms. Chrysler will also draw upon RR Donnelley's proprietary CustomPoint® intelligent print management system, which facilitates a range of services, including variable digital printing and individualized communications.

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01.11.2012

Oil Falls From Near a One-Week High as German Economy Approaches Recession

Oil fell from near the highest settlement in almost a week, as concern that a shrinking German economy may drag Europe into a recession, reducing demand.

Crude fell as much as 0.9 percent and the euro weakened 0.6 percent against the dollar after Germany’s Federal Statistics Office said the biggest economy in the euro region contracted in the fourth quarter. Spanish factory output declined the most since 2009, a separate report showed.

“The macroeconomic uncertainty and fairly robust U.S. dollar will continue to limit the upside” of the price of oil, said Andrey Kryuchenkov, an analyst at VTB Capital in London who correctly predicted crude would end 2011 near $100 a barrel.

Crude for February delivery fell as much as 89 cents to $101.35 a barrel and was at $101.43 at 11:44 a.m. London time. The contract yesterday climbed 0.9 percent to $102.24, the highest close since Jan. 4. Prices are up 2.6 percent this year.

Brent oil for February settlement fell 30 cents to $112.98 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

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01.11.2012

2011 Overall Magazine Advertising Revenue Flat

The consumer magazine industry generated $20,086,199,882 in full-year 2011 print advertising revenue, a slight $8 million increase compared to 2010’s advertising revenue of $20,078,0916,149, according to the Publishers Information Bureau (PIB). Pages dipped 3.1% from 169,552 in 2010 to 164,225 in 2011.

“The magazine industry posted positive 2011 Q1 and Q2 advertising performances in pages and revenue, but a weakened economy in the second half of the year offset those gains as advertisers grew more skittish from diminished consumer spending, wild stock market swings and zero job growth,” said Nina Link, President and CEO, MPA – The Association of Magazine Media. "There were pockets of strength in some categories for full-year 2011. Advertisers in the apparel, cosmetics and financial sectors increased their magazine marketing spend last year. Magazines were negatively impacted by the food sector in 2011 as rising energy and production costs in the food industry resulted in a decreased overall advertising spend. Similarly, magazines were also affected by a decline in overall advertising spending in home furnishing and supplies, a result of the soft housing market.”

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01.11.2012

Consumer magazine ad pages decrease 3.1% in 2011, 8.0% in fourth quarter

Consumer magazine ad pages fell 3.1% to 164,225 in 2011 compared with 2010, according to Publishers Information Bureau figures released by MPA. The drop off in ad pages accelerated in the fourth quarter of last year, with pages declining 8.0% to 47,874 for the period.

“The magazine industry posted positive 2011 Q1 and Q2 advertising performances in pages and revenue, but a weakened economy in the second half of the year offset those gains as advertisers grew more skittish from diminished consumer spending, wild stock market swings and zero job growth,” said Nina Link, the MPA's president-CEO, in a statement.

Nonetheless, some business publications enjoyed strong growth in ad pages in 2011 led by Bloomberg Businessweek, which posted 19.0% growth in ad pages for the year compared with 2010. Harvard Business Review (16.5%), Wired (8.9%), Barron's (6.8%) and Fast Company (5.8%) were also positive for the year.

Inc. was the biggest decliner among consumer business publications for the full year, with pages falling 9.5%. Other business publications losing pages in 2011 were Forbes (-3.9%), Entrepreneur (-3.8%), The Economist (-2.9%) and Fortune (-0.9%).

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01.11.2012

BPA Issues New and Amended Rules for 2012

Media auditor BPA Worldwide approved a number of new and amended rules during its December 2011 meeting in New York City, including several that address the increasing difficulty of measuring a magazine’s digital audience.

Reporting app usage, specifically, has been a challenge, increasingly so as the format is moving toward “push,” rather than email, notification of a new issue’s delivery, for which there is no mechanism for tracking successful delivery.

To address this, the BPA board has approved reporting “downloaded apps” by month within a BPA Brand Report, as opposed to a standard BPA report, along with a footnote disclosing the limitations of the figures. Apps related to the brand but not serving editorial content—such as a game—must be reported as their own channel in the Brand Report and cannot be counted as a digital copy. App copies, as opposed to downloaded issues, cannot be reported as qualified circulation.

Subscriber access to digital copies will now be used to substantiate a renewal in the following cases: when a weekly publication has been accessed nine times every six months, when a monthly publication has been accessed twice every six months, when a quarterly publication has been accessed once every six months and when a semiannual publication has been accessed once per audit period.

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01.11.2012

F+W Buys World Tea Media

F+W Media, a Blue Ash, Ohio-based media company serving enthusiasts in about 20 verticals including antiques and collectibles, crafts, writing and horticulture, has acquired World Tea Media, organizer of the World Tea Expo.

The deal gives F+W a foothold in the food and cooking market, a vertical the company plans on expanding through organic and further acquisition. Right now, F+W has a line of cookbooks serving a variety of dietary segments.

"We're excited to welcome World Tea Media, as they're an ideal match for our community-focused philosophy and our broader strategy of expansion into the cooking and food communities," says F+W Media CEO David Nussbaum in a statement.

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01.11.2012

Standard Register Installs Four HP Indigo Digital Presses

Standard Register, a leading U.S. provider of communications management solutions, has installed four HP Indigo digital presses to produce color-critical, personalized collateral for a broad base of clients in healthcare, financial services, commercial and industrial markets.

Standard Register installed an HP Indigo press 5500 at each of its print-on-demand (POD) hubs in Boston and Atlanta and two HP Indigo 7500 digital presses at its Charlotte, NC, hub. The installations support an overall initiative at Standard Register to help enterprises develop a competitive marketing advantage through high-end, targeted communications.

“HP Indigo presses are the only digital presses that allow for six- or seven-color process printing, and that extra level of color capability will allow us to deliver outstanding printing for even the most color-critical work.” said Steve McDonell, vice president of engineering and sustainability, Standard Register. “Our company believes in a customer-focused, ‘advancing your reputation’ strategy, and HP Indigo technology fits perfectly because it helps us enhance our customers’ brand value.”

The HP Indigo 7500’s high productivity and broad substrate compatibility also help Standard Register provide improved quality and service to one of the world’s leading cruise lines. The company recently started using its new Indigo 7500s to print the cruise line’s boarding packs, including fully personalized pocket folders, boarding passes, luggage tags and excursion tickets.

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01.11.2012

Cereplast Introduces Next Generation Hybrid Resins

Cereplast, Inc., a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, has introduced the next generation of Cereplast Hybrid Resins(R), an expansion of the Biopropylene(R) PP-based resin product offering through two new bioplastic resin grades, Hybrid 102D and 105D. Cereplast anticipates going to market with the new resin grades during the first half of 2012 in the United States and Europe.

Cereplast Hybrid Resins replace up to 50% of the petroleum content in traditional plastic products with biobased materials such as starches from annually renewable plants. Cereplast Hybrid Resins are suitable for durable goods, including consumer products, interior automotive parts, and furniture, and have a lower carbon footprint than traditional plastics. The new grades Hybrid 102D and Hybrid 105D are both injection molding grades, a heating and cooling manufacturing process in which the material is molded in different shapes.

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01.11.2012

Visual Pak Expands Capability and Geography with Two Acquisitions

The Visual Pak Companies today announced two acquisitions that will greatly expand its service offerings throughout the United States. The first acquisition involves the purchase of Cosmetic Labs of America (CLA) from Unilever. Located in Chatsworth, California, CLA is widely regarded as a premier West Coast contract packaging company producing unique and inventive formulas and packages within the personal care and cosmetic industries.

The second acquisition is for the plant facility and equipment assets of Hexagon Packaging Corporation, which specializes in consumer and industrial cleaning products, chemical processing and filling services.

"At a time when many of our competitors are struggling or looking to downsize, we are aggressively looking to grow both organically and through acquisitions to strengthen our company," said Clayton Bolke, CEO, The Visual Pak Companies. "These acquisitions enhance both our product offering and our geographic footprint to better serve existing and new customers."

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01.11.2012

KapStone Records $63.6 Million Tax Benefit in Q4 2011 Upon Finalization of IRS Exam

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation announced that the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has notified the company that the Joint Committee on Taxation approved KapStone's 2007-2009 examination reports as filed. As a result of the finalization of the IRS examination, KapStone will reverse in the fourth quarter $63.6 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest expense related to the company's position on alternative fuel mixture tax credits.

Upon reversal of this liability, KapStone's net income and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2011 will reflect an increase of $63.6 million and $1.34, respectively.

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01.10.2012

Sprint Raises the Bar on Sustainable Design Through New Product and Packaging Standards

Recently earning the No. 3 spot on Newsweek’s 2011 Green Rankings, Sprint has updated its environmental scorecard evaluation criteria for phones and packaging for device manufacturers and vendors. The scorecard is revised each year to ensure continuous improvement of sustainable design considerations across Sprint’s portfolio.

Starting Jan. 1, Sprint’s environmental scorecard now requires all phones go through the UL Environment certification process – an industry first; specifications to improve reparability; and criteria that will drive more sustainable packaging. The changes will ultimately reduce the company’s overall impact on the environment and save the company money.

New criteria for packaging within the standard will also drive more sustainable solutions. These new standards are expected to encourage the reduction of packaging volume and size; improve the material composition and structure; and minimize the use of glues, inks, labels and plastics. There will also be an increase in recycled fiber, post-consumer waste, and chlorine-free bleach in paper packaging materials.

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01.10.2012

Craig Kelman & Associates Announces Commitment to Green Printing

In a time when the need to be environmentally conscious is becoming more-and-more apparent, Craig Kelman & Associates are leading the publishing industry with their green printing practices. From utilizing a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified paper supplier to magazine content that encourages readers to reuse and recycle, Kelman are living these important values.

“An Environmentally friendly printing process is no longer an option; it’s a requirement,” said Cole Kelman, co-owner, and Vice President of Craig Kelman & Associates. “Kelman’s Commitment to ‘greener’ printing and business in general is made apparent by our processes.”

Craig Kelman & Associates are showing their commitment to the environment through the following actions:

Use of lighter publication stock that consists of recycled paper provided by a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified supplier. Using computer-to-plate technology reduces the amount of chemistry required to create plates for the printing process. The resulting chemistry is neutralized to the extent that it can be safely discharged to the drain. Printing magazines using vegetable oil-based inks.

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01.10.2012

Resolute Reaffirms its Offer for Fibrek Inc.

AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, today announced that it would issue a notice of variation to the offer circular and other ancillary documentation in connection with its outstanding offer to acquire Fibrek Inc. (Fibrek, TSX: FBK). The notice of variation will describe certain changes to the offer documents, including the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the sole purpose of which are to address comments from the SEC in its customary review process. From the perspective of Fibrek's shareholders, the terms of the offer are substantially consistent with the original offer.

"We are committed to move forward and are addressing one of the regulatory steps in our offer to purchase Fibrek," said Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We also acknowledge Fibrek's directors' circular filed on SEDAR on December 30. It does not change our firm belief that the offer we announced on November 28th presents Fibrek's shareholders with a compelling opportunity. The fact that three of their largest individual shareholders, representing approximately 46% of the outstanding shares, have agreed to tender their shares to our offer supports that belief."

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01.10.2012

Oil Advances for First Day in Four on Iranian Dispute, Euro Debt Meeting

Oil rose in New York for the first time in four days on growing concern that the dispute between Iran and western governments may lead to a disruption in Middle East crude exports.

West Texas Intermediate climbed as much as 1.5 percent as German Chancellor Angela Merkel prepared to meet International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde today in Berlin. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries can’t get involved in a dispute between the U.S. and Iran over sanctions, according to Venezuela’s oil minister Rafael Ramirez. President Barack Obama is prepared to use military force to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon if sanctions and diplomacy fail, his former special assistant on Iran said.

“Iran is still the main reason why WTI surpassed the $100 mark,” said Hannes Loacker, an analyst at Raiffeisen AG in Vienna, who plans to raise his first-quarter forecast of $82 because of the conflict. “If there is military escalation, though I don’t think this will happen, Iranian oil exports will disappear from the global market. If there’s no intensification, the risk premium will be priced out in the next couple of months.”

Crude for February delivery rose as much as $1.56 to $102.87 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $102.69 at 10:40 a.m. London time. Yesterday, the contract slid 0.3 percent to $101.31, the lowest close since Dec. 30.

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01.10.2012

HardingPoorman Group Selects EFI Monarch MIS Solution

EFI™, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced that HardingPoorman Group has selected EFI Monarch and EFI PrintStream Fulfillment for its Indianapolis-based print, mailing and fulfillment operations.

The locally owned and operated HardingPoorman Group is one of North America's leading commercial graphics providers. Consisting of several integrated companies all under one roof, HardingPoorman Group's broad portfolio of services includes: sheetfed offset printing, UV printing, digital printing, variable data services, CD/DVD replication and automated packaging, mailing, comprehensive bindery, wide format signage, and fulfillment.

"We have always been committed to investing in the best technology available to support our employees and our customers," said David Harding, president. "Due to the growing needs of our customers and the expanding array of services that we offer, we outgrew our old systems. EFI's integrated solutions will not only bridge that gap but will serve our needs well into the future as we continue to expand."

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01.10.2012

Parents Mag Births New Design in February Issue

Having kids doesn’t have to mean not taking care of yourself. Parents magazine teaches by doing. The magazine reveals its new look and content with the February issue. The design aimed for a warmer, softer, even more “emotional” feel for the 86-year-old title, according to Meredith. The individual pages have broken out of the template approach and often contain bits of handcrafted design.

At its core the magazine has been redesigned around five sections: Fun (projects), Kids (childhood info and news), You (health, fitness and beauty), Home (upkeep and décor) and Grow (age and stage-based content).

For the first half of 2011, Parents ad pages were down 6.5% compared to the same period in 2010, according to the Publishers Information Bureau. Meredith claims the title has 15 million monthly readers.

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01.10.2012

Tips for Packaging Optimization

Increasingly, carriers are looking at package cube when pricing transportation. Why? because virtually every form of transportation, from airplanes to truck trailers, rail, ocean, and air freight, tends to "cube out" before it reaches it's maximum weight capacity. And this recent change is reflected in the ever tightening DIM factors that carriers have introduced over the past two years.
What is cube optimization? It means right-sizing your packages and fitting your orders into packaging dimensions that are as small as possible without threatening the integrity of the order.

Cube optimization analysis is a study of actual weight versus dimensional weight with the objective of reducing or eliminating dimensional weight charges in favor of actual weight charges.

Merchants should conduct a comprehensive and detailed cube analysis with an eye toward determining where these improvements can be made for better package optimization. Cube improvements will result in a number of downstream benefits:

Less corrugated utilization. Lower damage rates due to smaller, stiffer boxes. In some cases, billing weights will drop by one lb or more, due to less packaging content. Reduce or eliminate dunnage material. Better fill rates for ocean containers, pallets, and air freight ULD's...Read more:

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01.10.2012

PaperWorks Adds a KBA Rapida 142 Large-Format Press

KBA North America announces that PaperWorks Industries, a leading North American integrated full-service packaging provider based in Philadelphia, will be adding a new 56?Rapida 142 seven-color press with UV capabilities to its facility in Mt. Gilead, NC. The press is due to be delivered in the next few days with a mid-March start-up date after installation and press training.

“Our new KBA Rapida 142 will service our entire customer base of high-end packaging brands,” says Jim Downey , general manager of the facility. “It will provide us with the ability to offer even faster turnaround times and higher quality and allow us to be more responsive to our customers due to the unique features on press that we didn’t have before.”

These features, explains Downey, include UV capabilities as well as KBA’s unique QualiTronic Color Control closed loop in-line color density measurement and control system, the first of its kind in sheetfed offset.

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01.10.2012

M&D Printing Launches Tabloid Co-Mailing Operation

M&D Printing has launched M&D Logistix, a division dedicated to tabloid-format, mixed-class co-mailing for printers. Housed in a separate facility, M&D Logistix enhances the company’s co-mailing services by targeting the tabloid-size markets, allowing your clients to realize additional postage savings and predictable delivery times.

The new division has begun ramping up production of mixed-class, co-mail pools. M&D Logistix has partnered with Print & Mailing Solutions-ALG in order to provide a nationwide distribution platform that delivers daily to hundreds of USPS sorting facilities for optimal mail stream penetration.

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01.09.2012

Verso Paper Corp. Completes $45 Million Renewable Energy Project at Mill in Quinnesec, Michigan

Verso Paper Corp. today announced that the company has completed a $45 million renewable energy project at its pulp and paper mill in Quinnesec, Michigan. The project includes design upgrades to the mill's existing combination boiler (which burns biomass from waste wood sources), a new biomass handling system, and a new turbine generator. The project is delivering 28 megawatts of additional green energy for consumption within the mill, which is equivalent to the amount of electricity consumed by 18,000 homes in a year.

"The completion of the Quinnesec renewable energy project is a milestone in the implementation of Verso's long-term energy strategy," said Verso President and CEO Mike Jackson. "Besides delivering annual energy savings, the project helps Verso deliver on our commitment to increase our use of renewable biofuel and thereby reduce our carbon footprint."

The boiler upgrades enable the mill to use renewable, carbon-neutral, wood-based biofuel for more than 95 percent of its on-site electricity generation. The new biomass handling system expands the mill's capabilities for processing residual wood such as tree tops, limbs and bark. Verso ensures that the expanded harvesting of this logging residue meets forest sustainability standards. The mill's boilers also will continue to burn black liquor, a byproduct of the wood pulping process.

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01.09.2012

Vibe Holdings to Merge with Access Network

The Yucaipa Johnson Fund and InterMedia will merge the Vibe Holdings and Uptown businesses with the BlackBook Media business and its owner Access Network. The resulting company, which will operate under the moniker Vibe Media, will manage Vibe, Uptown and BlackBook magazines.

In a prepared press statement, Magic Johnson (co-partner of the Yucaipa Johnson Fund) says, “We're interested in consolidating great brands that reach a large and attractive audience - specifically those which index well in the online and mobile arena. The technology we acquired as part of the Access Network will serve as a very important piece to enable us to reach consumers.”

According to Access Network’s website, its proprietary content management system acts as a “location-based service and marketing platform”. The local content management software is used by brands like ELLE and Maxim. Through the deal, all the media properties across the Vibe Media network will utilize Access Networks’ CMS and distribution platform, deemed AccessGeo.

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01.09.2012

Bonnier and AOL Strike Digital Content and Sales Partnership

Bonnier and AOL have partnered to share content and sales efforts around Bonnier's Parenting Group. Through the deal, Bonnier will provide AOL with Parenting.com content and AOL, with help from Bonnier, will create digital advertising programs around it.

The alliance allows AOL to bolster its mom-related content, giving it more targeted sales opportunities for that market, with Bonnier sharing in those sales while also reaping the traffic benefits. Parenting.com content will be integrated into various AOL channels—Huffington Post Parents, the AOL Family Channel and AOL's home page. Direct links back to Parenting.com will be promoted across those channels.

The partnership kicks off this quarter and essentially gives both companies bigger scale in the parenting vertical. Combined, Parenting.com, AOL Family and Huffington Post Parents reached 12.5 million users in November, per ComScore numbers. By itself, Parenting.com reaches an average of almost 3 million monthly uniques, according to Omniture.

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01.09.2012

Metsäliitto is testing the new Finnish FSC standard

Metsäliitto Group has started the testing of Finland's new FSC certification standard in part of its own forests. The Group's forests have already been certified according to the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) standard. In future, the FSC standard will be applied in these forests as well.

The project covers the forests owned by Metsä-Botnia and Metsäliitto Cooperative, both part of the Metsäliitto Group. The total surface area of the forests is approximately 35,000 hectares. Metsäliitto expects to get the FSC certificate by the end of 2012, and will then offer its members who have forest management service agreement the option to join Metsäliitto’s FSC group certificate. Metsäliitto already offers a similar PEFC group certification to its members who have forest management service agreement.

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01.09.2012

White Birch Paper Company Presents Global Proposal to Union Employees of Idled Stadacona Mill

White Birch Paper Company today announced that it has presented a global proposal to the employees of the idled Stadacona mill in Quebec City. Following a thorough analysis of the mill's cost structure, White Birch's proposal represents the final opportunity to implement the savings necessary for Stadacona to avoid permanent closure in light of significant manufacturing cost disadvantages, as well as the ongoing deterioration of economic conditions in the newsprint industry.

Commenting on the proposal, Christopher Brant, President, White Birch Paper Company said, "While I remain acutely aware of the pain that Stadacona's idling has already imposed on our valued employees and community, I must emphasize that the situation at the mill is extremely grave. Without significant reductions in salary, pension benefits and other costs Stadacona simply cannot survive." Brant continued, "In spite of the mill's dire economic situation, White Birch has made a final proposal to its unionized employees. Acceptance of this proposal is essential for the mill to resume operations and will help ensure the mill's long-term viability, while reestablishing its position as a valued employer in the Quebec community. The proposal we have submitted today represents the final opportunity to secure that outcome and I urge Stadacona's employees to give it serious consideration."

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01.06.2012

Best Buy Reports December Revenue of $8.4 Billion

Best Buy Co., Inc., a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services, today reported revenue for the five weeks ended Dec. 31, 2011, of $8.4 billion, which was flat compared to the prior-year period and included a comparable store sales decline of 1.2 percent.

The company's Domestic segment generated $6.5 billion in revenue for fiscal December, an increase of 0.4 percent when compared with the prior-year period. The Domestic segment's revenue performance was driven by the addition of new stores in the past 12 months, partially offset by a comparable store sales decline of 0.4 percent.

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01.06.2012

Accessibility Driving Demand for Content According to Deloitte's "State of the Media Democracy" Survey

The proliferation of devices is increasing access to content, which recent data suggest is driving more consumption. Released today, Deloitte's sixth edition "State of the Media Democracy" survey reveals that the introduction of new platforms has led to increases in the consumption of movies and books.

Deloitte's State of the Media Democracy (sixth edition) survey assesses media consumption preferences of nearly 2,000 consumers, ages 14 to 75 years old in the United States, revealing significant trends including increased access to content driving consumption, smartphones continuing to challenge other devices, and the role of DVRs in preserving consumers' cable and satellite television subscriptions.

The phenomenon of eBook readers increasing consumer purchases of books is another encouraging sign that digital content married with new devices can increase consumption. While only 23 percent of respondents preferred to be able to download their books, magazines and newspapers to a digital device in 2007, more than one-third of respondents (36 percent) now express interest in this option.

Newspapers have also benefitted from increased accessibility via smartphones. This year's survey found that 20 percent of leading millennials (respondents between the ages of 23 and 28) have read their favorite newspaper in the last six months on a smartphone - up from 9 percent last year. Eleven percent of leading millennials have also stated that this is their favorite method for reading the newspaper - up from 3 percent last year.

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01.06.2012

Crude Oil Futures Head for Weekly Gain on U.S. Economy, Iranian Tensions

Oil headed for a weekly gain in New York on signs that the U.S. economic recovery is gaining momentum and concern that tensions with Iran may lead to a disruption in Middle East exports.

West Texas Intermediate futures have advanced 3.4 percent this week. Hiring in the U.S. probably accelerated in December for a second month, pointing to a strengthening labor market heading into 2012, economists said before a report today. The European Union is working to halt oil purchases from Iran, said Victoria Nuland, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman. European foreign ministers aim to announce harsher penalties on the Persian Gulf nation’s energy and banking industries at a meeting Jan. 30, according to EU spokesman Michael Mann.

“The recent string of better-than-expected macroeconomic indicators from the U.S. has rebuilt some of the optimism and risk appetite,” said Thina Saltvedt, an analyst at Nordea Bank AB in Oslo. “Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, which would have an immense effect on the global oil market.”

Crude for February delivery was at $102.21, up 40 cents, at 11:05 a.m. London time. Yesterday, the contract fell $1.41 to $101.81, the lowest settlement this week. Prices gained 8.2 percent in 2011.

Brent oil for February settlement on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange rose 52 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $111.26 a barrel. The European benchmark contract was at a $11.05 premium to New York-traded West Texas Intermediate crude.

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01.06.2012

CEPIFINE Reports November European Fine Paper Statistics

Total CWF deliveries declined 4.2% vs. November 2010 and were down 4.8% year to date. Total UWF deliveries declined 5.5% vs. November 2010 and were down 2.7% year to date.

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01.06.2012

Japan's largest publisher adds digital book production

Tokyo-based Kodansha is the first graphic arts company in Japan to invest in a SigmaLine digital book production system by Muller Martini. The leading Japanese publisher will in future have some of its books printed by a partner company using an HP T300 digital printing web press and will bind them using Muller Martini's Pantera perfect binder connected to the SigmaLine.

Kodansha is breaking new ground in response to steadily declining print runs in Japan. In the future, the country's largest publisher will print some of its mangas, bunkos and shinjos with runs of between 400 and 3,000 copies using a T300 digital web printing press from HP. The publications will be bound using a SigmaLine digital book production system by Muller Martini, which consists of a SigmaFolder (folding), a SigmaCollator (gathering) and a SigmaBuffer (buffering), as well as a Pantera digital perfect binder with a Esprit three-knife trimmer connected inline.

As Kodansha explained, the new production methods are designed to lower production and storage costs, as well as simplify the printing of new editions of out-of-print works. Kodansha itself has a small printing plant, but largely works together with various book binderies. The new digital book production system will be put into operation this coming spring at one of those partner companies located in Saitama, a neighbouring province of Tokyo.

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