Paperclips Blog | Japs-Olson Results

  • 02.07.2012

    Global Outlook on Paper Packaging Industry

    Global Industry Analysts (GIA) has released a research report on the worldwide paper packaging industry. The report comprises summaries of research findings, market briefs, statistical information, major market challenges and growth drivers.

    It also includes evaluation of regional markets, including Mexico, Brazil, India, China, UK, Germany, France, Canada and the U.S.

    Paper packaging, an extensively used packaging format, has rising demand from end-users. This is due to a large number of benefits that include low-cost, easy handling and storage, recycling benefit and availability of a broad range of sources. Through continuous innovations in technology and production techniques, paper packaging products can be used as a potential alternative for metal, steel, plastic, glass and wood packaging types. The paper packaging industry is likely to see tremendous growth with the development of new products and technologies and also with the availability of an enhanced range of paper packaging products.

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  • 02.07.2012

    Sonoco-Alcore to Increase European Paperboard Prices

    Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. today announced it will raise prices by 75 Euro or £60 per metric ton on all recycled paperboard grades in continental Europe. The price change is effective with shipments on or after February 15, 2012.

    According to Adam Wood, vice president, Sonoco-Alcore, the price increase is necessary to manage higher costs, primarily associated with recovered paper. “In the current economic climate, low OCC generation is causing high market volatility resulting in a rapid increase in price of OCC. As a significant part of our base cost for coreboard, we have little choice than to pass along these higher input costs as soon as possible,” Wood explained.

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  • 02.07.2012

    United States Postal Service Ranked No. 1 in the World

    A review of the performance of universal postal service providers by the Oxford Strategic Consulting (OSC) firm ranks the U.S. Postal Service the best postal service within the world’s top 20 largest economies for access to services, resource efficiency and public trust.

    “We’re proud to lead the world in postal services and we will continue to deliver superior performance for future generations,” said Postmaster General and CEO Patrick Donahoe. “Our best days are ahead of us. I have no doubt the Postal Service will overcome its current financial challenges and endure as the world’s leading postal service.”

    The review ranked USPS, Japan Post, Australia Post, Korea Post and Deutsche Post in its top five.  USPS earned the premier ranking due to its high operating efficiency and public trust in its performance.

    The ranking considered such factors as the average number of citizens served by the postal system in a country, the number of letters and parcels delivered by each postal employee and data on service reliability and public trust measured over three years.

    The report found that USPS delivers nearly double the number of letters per employee as its closest competitor and more than five times more letters per employee than fifth-place Deutsche Post.

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  • 02.07.2012

    Walmart Canada plans record expansion year

    Today Walmart Canada confirmed that it plans to complete at least 73 projects in the company’s current fiscal year, which runs from February 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013. This represents a record year for Walmart Canada, which will add 4.6 million square feet of retail space to its operations in the next 12 months.

    The 73 projects will include building new stores and expanding, remodelling or relocating existing stores. Included in these projects are most of the 39 former Zellers stores for which Walmart Canada purchased leasehold rights in June 2011 and which will reopen as Walmarts in this fiscal year.

    These 73 projects will represent an investment of more than $750 million in Canadian communities and are expected to generate more than 14,000 store, trade and construction jobs.

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  • 02.07.2012

    Wausau Paper Announces Fourth-Quarter, Year-End Financial Results

    Wausau Paper today reported that: Fourth-quarter net losses of $0.58 per share compared to net earnings of $0.31 per share a year ago. Excluding special items, adjusted net earnings of $0.04 per share compared to $0.14 per share in the prior year.

    Full-year net losses of $0.44 per share compared to prior-year net earnings of $0.75 per share. Excluding special items, adjusted net earnings of $0.25 per share compared with $0.48 per share a year ago, reflecting year-over-year fiber and energy cost increases equivalent to $0.32 per share.

    The Company completed the previously announced sale of its print & color premium brands and plans to close papermaking operations at its Brokaw manufacturing facility in the first quarter of 2012. As a result, fourth-quarter and full-year results included after-tax asset impairment and other closure charges equivalent to $1.08 per share.

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  • 02.07.2012

    Edwards Brothers and Malloy Merge to Form Nation’s Sixth-Largest Book Printer

    Edwards Brothers (EB) and Malloy Inc., two leading book manufacturers, announced that they would merge effective Feb. 6, 2012, forming a new company called Edwards Brothers Malloy. The new company will have combined sales of $115 million and will be the sixth-largest book manufacturing firm in the United States, offering publishers a global distributed print program and fulfillment services that combine to form a single print supply chain solution.

    Edwards Brothers Malloy will have three offset facilities—Edwards Brothers’ plants in Ann Arbor, MI, and Lillington, NC, and Malloy’s operation in Ann Arbor—along with 11 digital print plants in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. With Edwards Brothers’ gps Global Print Solutions distributed print partnership, publishers will be able to print and distribute books with one order, one file, and one invoice around the world.

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  • 02.07.2012

    Fibrek receives independent formal valuation and provides update on strategic alternatives review process

    February 6, 2012- Fibrek Inc. announces the results of Canaccord Genuity Corporation’s formal valuation of Fibrek's common shares that complies with the requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). Based upon and subject to the analyses and assumptions set out in its Valuation, Canaccord Genuity is of the opinion that, as at February 3, 2012, the fair market value of a common share of Fibrek was in the range of $1.25 to $1.45.

    After a review of the Valuation, the Board has unanimously reaffirmed its recommendation to Fibrek shareholders that they REJECT the unsolicited insider bid made by AbitibiBowater Inc.(carrying on business as Resolute Forest Products) on December 15, 2011 and NOT TENDER their common shares to the Insider Bid.

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  • 02.06.2012

    Crude Falls Along With Gas

    Oil fell from the highest price in three days in New York on speculation Greece’s steps to avert a financial collapse may fall short, threatening Europe’s economy and demand for fuel.

    Crude for March delivery slid as much as 89 cents to $96.95 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $96.97 at 4:32 p.m. Singapore time. The contract rose $1.48 to $97.84 on Feb. 3, the highest settlement since Jan. 31.

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  • 02.06.2012

    nyloflex® FAM Digital plates now globally available

    After the successful launch of the nyloflex® FAM Digital printing plate into the North American market, Flint Group Flexographic Products now introduces the medium hard plate on a worldwide scale. The digital photopolymer printing plate is ideal for clean printing of fine image elements and smooth solids.

    nyloflex® FAM Digital, is suitable for a broad range of applications, especially for flexible packaging printing. Usable for a wide variety of both absorbent and non-absorbent substrates ranging from textured to very smooth surfaces, the plates are able to print fine process details as well as solids. Due to its flexibility, nyloflex® FAM Digital plates require a lower impression setting, resulting in clean print results and lower dot gain as compared to traditional plates on the market of the same durometer range. Due to its robust and hard-wearing properties, the plates exhibit a long run life with less cleaning stops on press, thus being very economical for the user.

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  • 02.06.2012

    Ziff Davis Enterprise Sold to Lead-Gen Company QuinStreet

    Ziff Davis Enterprise, one-half of what remains of one of the most storied companies in the history of publishing, was sold Friday to QuinStreet, a publicly-traded lead-generation marketing company based in Foster City, California.

    Rumors of the transaction began popping up on Facebook and blogs late Friday, and ZDE CEO Steve Weitzner confirmed to Folio: on Saturday that the sale had occurred.

    ZDE, which owns several brands in the IT space, including Baseline, CIO Insight, eWeek and ChannelInsider, was formed when the former Ziff Davis Media sold off its enterprise division in 2007 to private equity firm Insight Venture Partners for $160 million. That move split the company into two units, both with the Ziff Davis name. The other Ziff Davis Media, publisher of PC Magazine, entered bankruptcy in 2008. Both companies have converted to a digital-only posture in recent years.

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  • 02.06.2012

    Aveda Environmental Award Honorees Choose FutureMark Recycled Paper

    Two FutureMark Paper Company customers were among the three magazine publishers honored in the 2012 Aveda Environmental Award competition for their “environmental leadership and achievement in the magazine industry through use of environmentally responsible paper and production practices.”

    Dirt Rag, a top magazine for mountain biking enthusiasts, won this year’s prestigious Aveda Environmental Award. GRIT, a 130-year-old publication celebrating rural American lifestyles, earned the Finalist honor. Both magazines print on FutureMark’s Future Connection® coated mechanical paper containing 90+ percent recycled fiber—the highest recycled content for paper of its type made in North America.

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  • 02.06.2012

    ELLE China Launches Semi-Monthly Edition Starting February 2012

    Hearst Magazines China, part of Hearst Magazines International, today announced that starting February 5, 2012, ELLE China will publish semi-monthly with publication on 5th and 20th of each month. 

    A global publishing phenomenon, ELLE, a brand owned by Lagardère Active, is the world’s largest fashion magazine brand with at present 43 international editions reaching over 21 million people across the globe from the U.K. to the U.S., Europe to Africa, South America, Russia, Asia and the Middle East. In 2010, 552 issues were published with worldwide copy sales of 79 million.

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  • 02.06.2012

    Walgreens January Sales Decrease 2.3 Percent

    Walgreens had January sales of $5.80 billion, a decrease of 2.3 percent from $5.93 billion for the same month in fiscal 2011.

    Total front-end sales increased 2.7 percent in January 2012 compared with the same month in 2011, while comparable store front-end sales increased 1.6 percent, following a 0.6 percent increase in December. Customer traffic in comparable stores decreased 0.6 percent while basket size increased 2.2 percent.

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  • 02.06.2012

    Resolute Unveils Align™ Family of Environmentally Responsible Papers

    Resolute Forest Products today unveiled its Align™ family of high brightness, environmentally responsible papers that can be used as alternatives to chemical pulp coated and uncoated freesheet in most commercial printing applications.

    Typical freesheet papers are designed for brightness and use more trees and chemicals than are needed for most print applications. Align papers are made with up to 50% less wood fiber and have a smaller environmental footprint than traditional offset papers, including some containing recycled content. By delivering higher opacity and bulk at a lower basis weight than traditional freesheet, Align also helps reduce paper, postage and transportation costs.

    "For several years, Resolute has seen growing demand for high-quality, eco-conscious papers that can reduce print costs," said Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer. "With our Align papers, customers can reduce fiber consumption and save money without sacrificing quality in their printed products. Align makes sense for their budgets and the environment."

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  • 02.03.2012

    Weyerhaeuser Reports Fourth Quarter, Full Year Results

    Weyerhaeuser Company today reported net earnings of $65 million for the fourth quarter, or 12 cents per diluted share, on net sales from continuing operations of $1.6 billion. This compares with net earnings of $171 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, on net sales from continuing operations of $1.5 billion for the same period last year.

    Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 include net after-tax charges of $12 million for restructuring and asset impairments. Excluding these items, the company reported net earnings of $77 million, or 14 cents per diluted share. This compares with net earnings before special items of $52 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

    For the full year 2011, Weyerhaeuser reported net earnings of $331 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, on net sales from continuing operations of $6.2 billion. This compares with net earnings of $1.281 billion on net sales from continuing operations of $6.0 billion for the full year 2010. Earnings for the full year 2010 include $1.064 billion from income tax adjustments related to Weyerhaeuser's conversion to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

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  • 02.03.2012

    Ahlstrom's Global Filtration Technical Center advances filtration testing

    Ahlstrom Corporation, a global high-performance materials company, announced that it has completed significant upgrades to its Global Filtration Technical Center in Turin, Italy.

    Ahlstrom has been investing in testing and processing equipment in its Global Filtration Technical Center in Turin during the last year. Now the state of the art technical center is equipped with various filtration testing and simulation equipment. Testing can be carried out as finished filters or flat sheet configuration, and the testing facility focuses on research and development for all transportation, air and liquid filtration applications.

    Ahlstrom is the world's largest filtration material producer. Ahlstrom Filtration has 5 other Technical Centers in North and South America and in Asia, which offer research and development support globally for testing and development of filter media.

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  • 02.03.2012

    Oil Rises From Near Six-Week Low Before Jobs Report

    Oil rose, paring some of this week’s decline before a U.S. government report on hiring levels in December. Brent crude’s premium to the New York price is set for the largest weekly gain in a month.

    Futures were set for a weekly loss after dropping a fifth day yesterday, the longest losing streak since August. The U.S. added 140,000 jobs last month after gaining 200,000 in December, according to a Bloomberg News survey of economists before a Labor Department report today. London-traded Brent’s premium to West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, widened 30 percent this week to the most since Nov. 12.

    “Payroll numbers will dominate macro-driven trading today,” said Andrey Kryuchenkov, an analyst at VTB Capital in London, who predicts prices may decline further. “Global demand growth is slowing this year, while developed nations will see contracting consumption.”

    Crude for March delivery was at $96.85 a barrel, up 49 cents, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:22 a.m. London time. The contract fell 1.3 percent to $96.36 yesterday, the lowest settlement since Dec. 19.

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  • 02.03.2012

    Chesapeake joins Pan-European Sustainability Project

    Chesapeake, a leading manufacturer of consumer packaging, is contributing to a pan-European project that aims to revolutionise paper packaging. The project, coordinated by the UK’s Sheffield Hallam University, has secured EU funding in-excess of €3m (£2.5m) and is expected to result in the development of ‘NEWGENPACK’ - the next generation of environmentally friendly paper packaging.

    Experts from across Europe are pooling ideas and resources to ‘change the face of paper packaging’ and create innovative sustainable packaging with enhanced properties.

    Carol Hammond, Head of R&D at Chesapeake, who is one of the research partners, declared that the expertise bought together for the project has the potential to create a new generation of packaging.

    The group, with specialists from Sweden, Poland, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK, said it will focus on the development of new packaging that is both sustainable and economically viable. The participants are carrying out top level, individual research projects to advance in three major fields: next generation packaging composites; cellulose fibre based active packaging and the effect of packaging production on the environment, the economy and society as a whole.

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  • 02.03.2012

    Publishers Seek Solutions as USPS Nears Brink

    The United States Postal Service is teetering at the edge of collapse, and magazine publishers—almost completely dependent on the postal service—are desperately looking for answers.

    The challenges are enormous. Publishing companies face a massive shift in consumer habits online, but revenue isn't following nearly as fast as the reader. Consequently, print-magazine revenue remains a key to the economics of most companies. These topics and more were discussed Thursday at the MPA's first-ever Postal Summit, held in New York. The keynote was Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.

    In a discussion of what a smaller, slower and possibly more expensive postal service would look like, People managing editor Larry Hackett laid out what would happen if delivery service went from six to five days.

    “We’re closing by Tuesday afternoon and we’re generally on sale in major transit hubs by Wednesday morning," he said. "We aim to have 70 percent of our subscribers have a copy by Friday evening. Customers expect to get their magazines at a certain period of time. If you start disappointing them, they may stop subscribing.”

    Nina La France, vice president of Consumer Marketing for Forbes Media, was asked by Hearst Magazine EVP John Loughlin if a publication could pass postal-rate increases on to customers.

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  • 02.03.2012

    Domtar Corporation reports preliminary fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 financial results

    Domtar Corporation today reported net earnings of $61 million ($1.63 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to net earnings of $117 million ($2.95 per share) for the third quarter of 2011 and net earnings of $325 million ($7.59 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2010. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 amounted to $1.4 billion. Excluding items listed below, the Company had earnings before items1 of $93 million ($2.49 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to earnings before items1 of $123 million ($3.10 per share) for the third quarter of 2011 and earnings before items1 of $103 million ($2.41 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2010.

    For fiscal year 2011, net earnings amounted to $365 million ($9.08 per share) compared to net earnings of $605 million ($14.00 per share) for fiscal year 2010. The Company had earnings before items1 of $452 million ($11.24 per share) for fiscal 2011 compared to earnings before items1 of $471 million ($10.90 per share) for fiscal 2010. Sales amounted to $5.6 billion for fiscal year 2011.

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  • 02.03.2012

    Caraustar's Uncoated Mills Receive FSC and SFI Certification

    Caraustar Industries, Inc., one of North America's largest producers of uncoated recycled boxboard (URB), has recently achieved certification in the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)™ Chain of Custody Standard for the following mills: Austell Boxboard Mill #2 in Austell, GA, Carotell Paperboard in Taylors, SC, Cincinnati Paperboard in Cincinnati, OH and Tacoma Paperboard in Tacoma, WA.  Other Caraustar mills received their certification earlier, Austell Boxboard Mill #1 and Sweetwater Paperboard.

    Caraustar is pleased to now have all six URB mills certified. This certification supports the continuation of sustainable fiber sourcing as the mills produce a 100% recycled paperboard product. A variety of grades and major markets are served from the mills, among them folding cartons, tubes and cores, gypsum facing papers, and specialty products.

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  • 02.03.2012

    Rite Aid Reports 2.2 Percent Same Store Sales Increase for January

    Rite Aid Corporation today announced sales results for January.  For the four weeks ended January 28, 2012, same store sales increased 2.2 percent over the prior-year period. January front-end same store sales increased 2.7 percent. Pharmacy same store sales, which included an approximate 230 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, increased 2.1 percent. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 1.6 percent over the prior-year period.
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  • 02.03.2012

    DS Smith’s shareholders approved the acquisition of SCA´s packaging operations

    Today, Friday February 3, 2012, the shareholders of UK-based packaging group DS Smith Plc approved the company´s proposal to acquire SCA’s packaging operations, excluding the two kraftliner mills in Sweden.

    The transaction remains subject, amongst other things, to antitrust clearance from the European Commission. Closing is expected during the second quarter of 2012. Regarding the French part of the packaging operations, DS Smith has made a formal offer to acquire this business. This process is subject to an information and consultation procedure with the relevant works councils and will be treated separately.

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  • 02.03.2012

    Tetra Pak opens a new packaging material factory in Finland

    Tetra Pak inaugurates today its new packaging material factory in Finland. The factory, located in the town of Imatra, with a planned capacity of 500 million packages per year, will expand Tetra Pak’s gable top capacity for Northern Europe.

    The laminated paper board used to produce the packaging material comes from the Imatra paper mills only six km from the location of the new factory, and the short distance helps reduce the CO2 emissions for the transportation of paperboard to the factory.

    The production facilities are expected to be ISO 14001 certified during Quarter 1, 2013, and plans are underway to implement World Class Manufacturing (WCM) practices at the plant. ISO 14001 is an environmental management system standard; WCM is a tool to help drive and visualise improvements in various areas, including cost, efficiency, competence, maintenance, availability, quality, safety and environment.

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  • 02.03.2012

    Twin Rivers Paper Company Expands Footprint in the Label Market

    Twin Rivers Paper Company, a leading manufacturer of lightweight specialty label, packaging, and publishing papers, has announced that their market-proven Alliance® TT (Thermal Transfer) product is now available in 40 lb. This newly designed 40 lb basis weight (24x36/500) broadens the company’s comprehensive label product offering. This label portfolio includes release liner, C1S wet strength, thermal transfer and specialty base stock.

    Alliance TT, long known for its excellent performance, Flexo (flood coat) and thermal transfer ribbon printability as well as pleasing aesthetics - eliminates many of the hassles that converters encounter when picking a thermal transfer label. With its specialized coating and surface smoothness, it delivers high quality images across a wide range of ribbon combinations. Its high brightness combined with its appealing blue-white shade provides an unparalleled print contrast for better bar code readability. And now with Alliance TT in 40 lb, converters can get more units out of a roll bringing even further savings to their customers.

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  • 02.03.2012

    The New York Times Company Reports 2011 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

    The New York Times Company announced today 2011 fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $.39 compared with $.44 in the same period of 2010. Excluding severance and the special items discussed below, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $.45 in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with $.46 in the fourth quarter of 2010.

    The Company had an operating profit of $106.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with $111.6 million in the same period of 2010. Excluding depreciation, amortization, severance and the special items discussed below, operating profit increased 3.1 percent to $151.0 million from $146.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

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  • 02.03.2012

    MWV Expands Melodie(R) Pump Capacity and Global Patent Protection for Fragrance Dispensing Systems with NoC(R) Dip Tubes

    MeadWestvaco Corp., global leader in packaging and packaging solutions, today announced the startup of its expanded production capacity for the popular Melodie(R) fragrance pump in the company's Barcelona, Spain facility. Along with this increased capacity, the company is pleased to confirm that the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China has approved the company's patent application for a fragrance dispensing system using fluoropolymer dip tubes - such as MWV's NoC(R) dip tube - and that related patents have also been granted in Mexico and Russia.

    MWV's patented Melodie pump with the NoC dip tube dispensing system offers brands complete freedom to design a premium fragrance package where the decoration and design features of the bottle take center stage in the consumer's eye. The elegant pairing of MWV's virtually invisible NoC dip tube and Melodie pump allows the fragrance to stand out as a superior, prestige product. Furthermore, the recognition of MWV's innovation by the U.S., Chinese, Mexican, and Russian patent offices allows MWV to offer patent-protected, innovative packaging solutions to customers around the world.

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  • 02.03.2012

    The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Announces January Sales

    The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. today announced comparable store sales for the four weeks ended January 28, 2012 decreased 3.5%. Total sales decreased 3.2% to $174.4 million for the four weeks compared with $180.1 million for the prior year period. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, comparable stores sales decreased 2.6%. Total sales for the thirteen weeks ended January 28, 2012 decreased 2.7% to $983.2 million compared with $1,010.0 million for the prior year period.
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  • 02.03.2012

    Nordstrom Reports January Sales

    Nordstrom, Inc. today reported a 5.0 percent increase in same-store sales for the four-week period ended January 28, 2012 compared with the four-week period ended January 29, 2011. Preliminary total retail sales of $688 million for January 2012 increased 13.2 percent compared with total retail sales of $607 million for the same period in fiscal 2010.
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  • 02.03.2012

    Saks Incorporated Announces January Comparable Store Sales

    Retailer Saks Incorporated today announced that owned sales totaled $175.6 million for the four weeks ended January 28, 2012 compared to $163.8 million for the four weeks ended January 29, 2011, a 7.2% increase. Comparable store sales increased 10.5% for the month.
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  • 02.03.2012

    Kohl's Corporation Reports January Comparable Store Sales

    Kohl's Corporation reported today that for the four-week month ended January 28, 2012 total sales increased 2.4 percent and comparable store sales increased 0.6 percent over the four-week month ended January 29, 2011. For the year, total sales increased 2.2 percent and comparable store sales increased 0.5 percent.
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  • 02.03.2012

    Target Reports January Sales Results

    Target Corporation today reported that its net retail sales for the four weeks ended January 28, 2012 were $4,608 million, an increase of 5.1 percent from $4,383 million for the four weeks ended January 29, 2011. On this same basis, January comparable-store sales increased 4.3 percent.
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  • 02.03.2012

    American Direct Adding a Sanden Web Offset Press, Its Third in 12 Months

    American Direct, a sister company to Tidewater Direct, has announced the purchase of a 10-color Sanden 1500 web offset printing press. This marks the third Sanden 1500 press the company has acquired in less than a year.

    Utilizing printing cylinder inserts compatible with the two eight-color Sanden presses that precede it, this press is the ideal complement to American Direct’s pressroom layout. The addition of the third press, which is the fifth press at this facility and number 14 across the company, allows the printer to perform fewer cylinder changes in its regular workflow, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing cost.

    Adding a third press shows an astounding commitment to the direct mail printing and pharmaceutical printing markets in which the company continues to be a growing player. Notably, this press will now enable American Direct to print 10-color forms with 17?, 22? and 28? repeats. This lends itself well to direct mail printing that requires four-color printing on both sides, plus a spot color (which in many cases can be a logo or a another critical color).

    The press is fully capable of producing additional formats that use all 10 units. This new capability brings value to the printer’s already capable pressroom.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Limited Brands Reports January 2012 Sales

    Limited Brands, Inc. reported a comparable store sales increase of 9 percent for the four weeks ended Jan. 28, 2012, compared to the four weeks ended Jan. 29, 2011.  The company reported net sales of $774.5 million for the four weeks ended Jan. 28, 2012, compared to net sales of $772.6 million last year.

    The company reported a comparable store sales increase of 7 percent for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28, 2012, compared to the fourth quarter ended Jan. 29, 2011.  The company reported net sales of $3.515 billion for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28, 2012, compared to sales of $3.456 billion last year.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Abercrombie & Fitch Provides Fourth Quarter 2011 Business Update

    Abercrombie & Fitch today reported on the Company's performance for the quarter ended January 28, 2012.  Net sales increased 16% to $1.329 billion for the quarter, compared to net sales of $1.149 billion for the fiscal quarter ended January 29, 2011.

    Comparable store sales for the quarter were flat to last year.  Comparable store sales for the quarter were below expectations, primarily due to lower than expected sales in U.S. stores.

    Total U.S. sales, including direct-to-consumer sales, increased 4% to $962.2 million.  Total international sales, including direct-to-consumer sales, increased 62% to $366.6 million.  Total Company direct-to-consumer sales, including shipping and handling, increased 41% to $212.3 million. 

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  • 02.02.2012

    Gap Inc. Reports January Sales

    Gap Inc. today reported that January 2012 net sales decreased 1 percent compared with last year.

    Net sales for the four-week period ended January 28, 2012 were $833 million compared with net sales of $843 million for the four-week period ended January 29, 2011. The company’s comparable sales for January 2012, which include the associated comparable online sales, were down 4 percent compared with a 3 percent increase for January 2011.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Macy's, Inc. Fiscal 2011 Same-Store Sales Rise 5.3%

    Macy's, Inc. today reported total sales of $1.336 billion for the four weeks ended Jan. 28, 2012, an increase of 2.0 percent compared with total sales of $1.310 billion in the four weeks ended Jan. 29, 2011. On a same-store basis, Macy's, Inc. sales were up 2.4 percent in January.

    For the 13-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, Macy's, Inc.'s sales totaled $8.723 billion, up 5.5 percent from total sales of $8.269 billion for the final 13 weeks of 2010. On a same-store basis, the company's fourth quarter sales were up 5.2 percent.

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  • 02.02.2012

    United Retail Group Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

    United Retail Group, owner of the Avenue® brand of women’s fashion apparel and a subsidiary of Redcats USA, today announced that it has voluntarily initiated Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, and that it is pursuing a sale process under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.

    In conjunction with the filing, United Retail Group has entered into an asset purchase agreement with an entity controlled by Versa Capital Management, which it intends to submit to the Court to serve as the “stalking horse” bid for a Court-supervised auction of the business. Versa Capital, a private equity firm with significant experience in revitalizing retail operations, has agreed to buy the company's assets through the bankruptcy process for cash and the assumption of certain liabilities.

    Versa Capital has agreed to operate Avenue as a going concern while keeping the majority of Avenue stores open. The Company has filed motions to maintain critical vendor relationships and payments, as well as motions to honor gift cards and the Avenue loyalty reward program.

    To provide liquidity during the restructuring process, United Retail Group has arranged a $40 million Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) facility from its existing revolving credit lender, Wells Fargo, to provide sufficient working capital for Avenue to continue to operate the business as usual.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Crude Oil Falls to Six-Week Low as U.S. Stockpiles Rise, Fuel Demand Slip

    Oil fell to the lowest in six weeks as U.S. crude stockpiles increased more than estimated and gasoline use fell to a 10-year low. Brent crude in London was at the biggest premium to New York oil in 12 weeks.

    Futures declined for a fifth day, losing as much as 1 percent after an Energy Department report yesterday showed crude supplies in the U.S. rose by 4.2 million barrels last week. Inventories were projected to increase 2.6 million barrels, according to a Bloomberg News survey. Talks on Iran’s nuclear program have made little progress, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a speech in Beijing today.

    “The bears worried about poor demand after last night’s data and prices weakened,” said Christopher Bellew, a senior broker at Jefferies Bache Ltd. in London, who expects Brent crude to trade in a range of $110.50 to $112.50 a barrel this week. “But Iran is still a cause for concern.’’

    Crude for March delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell as much as 95 cents to $96.66 a barrel, the lowest since Dec. 20, and was at $96.88 at 10:17 a.m. London time. The contract fell 0.9 percent yesterday to $97.61 a barrel. Prices are down 2 percent this year.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Social ad revenue shows strong growth

    Advertising on social sites continues to surge, with Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter all achieving strong advertising revenue growth year over year, according to a new report by eMarketer.

    Facebook continues to lead all social sites in ad revenue, reaching an estimated $3.8 billion in 2011, double the $1.9 billion in ad sales the year before. Facebook also has widened its lead in the display-ad market, with 27.9% of monies spent in the U.S. last year, ahead of Yahoo with 11%.

    LinkedIn ad revenue hit $154.6 million last year, up 95% from the $79.3 million the year before. EMarketer estimates that LinkedIn's ad sales will cool somewhat this year, growing 46% to $226 million. Twitter ad sales grew 233% to $139.5 million, up from $59.9 million in 2010. The report estimates that Twitter's international growth will push ad sales to $259.9 million this year, a year-over-year rise of 83%.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Hickory Printing Solutions Achieves G7 Master Qualified Printer Status at Both Locations

    Hickory Printing Solutions, a Consolidated Graphics, Inc. company and full service print provider, announced today it has achieved G7 Master Qualified Printer status at both Hickory locations in Conover and Greensboro, NC, through IDEAlliance, the nonprofit industry organization that develops, educates, and validates best practices in publishing and information technology. Hickory Printing Solutions' G7 Master Qualified Printer designation highlights the company's commitment to quality, consistency and color management.

    "Our focus is on providing a high level of quality and expanding our extensive production capabilities to constantly meet the evolving needs of our customers. Acquiring G7 Master Qualified Printer status at both of our facilities reinforces this promise," said Stephen Patton, President of Hickory Printing Solutions. "Having certification at both locations confirms that we are taking the steps necessary to verify color consistency across all presses, giving us a flexibility that makes our clients' lives easier."

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  • 02.02.2012

    Crown Holdings Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

    Crown Holdings, Inc. today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

    Net sales in the fourth quarter grew to $2,058 million over the $1,949 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, primarily driven by the pass-through of higher raw material costs and higher sales unit volumes of beverage cans, offset by lower sales unit volumes of food cans and a decrease of $27 million from foreign currency translation.  Approximately 74% of net sales were generated outside the U.S. in the fourth quarter compared to 73% in the fourth quarter of 2010.

    Fourth quarter gross profit improved to $289 million over the $288 million in the 2010 fourth quarter and included a decrease of $5 million from foreign currency translation.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Time Inc.’s MAGHOUND Shuttering

    Time Inc.’s print magazine venture MAGHOUND is closing. The service debuted in 2008, and is expected to fold early this year. Dubbed the “Netflix of the magazine industry” in the press, MAGHOUND hawked multiple titles for a discount price, without the commitment of a subscription.

    The Time Inc. subsidiary offered three titles for $4.95 a month, five for $7.95, seven mags for $9.95 and $1.00 per title for eight magazines or more. The service, which billed customers’ credit/debit cards directly, operated on a monthly cycle.

    According to a Time Inc. representative, the publisher will close the division in order to focus budgets and manpower on the digital push (all 21 Time titles were digitized in 2011). There will be a grace period in which users are made aware of the
    changes and advised to subscribe directly to their magazines of choice.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Harte-Hanks Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

    Harte-Hanks, Inc. today reported fourth quarter 2011 diluted earnings per share of $0.23 on revenues of $224.6 million. These results compare to diluted earnings per share of $0.24 on $236.0 million in revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010.

    For the three months ended December 31, 2011, the company generated free cash flow (defined below) of $16.2 million, down from $17.3 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter. Capital expenditures for the quarter were $4.6 million compared to $4.8 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter.

    For the year, the company’s revenues decreased to $850.8 million and operating income decreased 17.2% to $75.4 million. Diluted earnings per share for the year were $0.70 compared to $0.84 for 2010.

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  • 02.02.2012

    International Paper Reports Fourth-Quarter and 2011 Earnings

    International Paper reported preliminary full-year 2011 net earnings attributable to common shareholders totaling $1.3 billion ($3.07 per share) compared with $644 million ($1.48 per share) in full-year 2010. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the company reported net earnings of $257 million ($0.59 per share) compared with $316 million ($0.73 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010. Amounts in all periods include special items.

    Full-year 2011 earnings from continuing operations and before special items were $1.4 billion ($3.10 per share) compared with $890 million ($2.05 per share) in 2010. Earnings from continuing operations and before special items in the fourth quarter of 2011 totaled $288 million ($0.66 per share) compared with $296 million ($0.68 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010.

    Annual sales totaled $26.0 billion in 2011 compared with $25.2 billion in 2010. Quarterly net sales were $6.4 billion in the fourth quarter compared with $6.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010.

    Full-year 2011 operating profits were $2.2 billion compared with $1.7 billion in 2010. Operating profits in the fourth quarter were $577 million compared with $561 million in 2010, both of which included special items.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Tupperware Brands Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

    Tupperware Brands Corporation today reported fourth quarter 2011 sales and profit, with a sales increase in dollars of 3% and 7% in local currency+.

    GAAP net income for the quarter of $86.9 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, compared with 2010 fourth quarter GAAP net income and EPS of $80.7 million and $1.26 per share, respectively.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.50 in the quarter was 12 cents, or 9%, better than 2010 in U.S. dollars, including a negative foreign currency impact of 7 cents.  Excluding the impact of foreign exchange on the comparison, adjusted diluted earnings per share was up 19 cents, or 15%.

    For the 53 weeks ended December 31, 2011, the Company reported sales of $2.6 billion, a 12% increase in dollars and 9% in local currency compared with 2010.  For the same period, the Company's GAAP net income of $218 million decreased 3%, and diluted earnings per share of $3.55, was up 2 cents or 1% versus prior year.  Excluding certain adjustment items, diluted earnings per share of $4.45 improved 20% in U.S. dollars compared with 2010, and excluding a favorable 11 cent impact on the comparison from foreign exchange rates, improved 16%.

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  • 02.02.2012

    Quad Acquires Commercial and Specialty Printer Williamson Printing Corporation

    Quad/Graphics, Inc., a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions, today announced it has purchased Dallas-based Williamson Printing Corporation, a full-service commercial and specialty products printer specializing in short- to medium-runcatalogs, case-bound books, direct mail and other promotional products.The acquisition expands the company’s growing U.S. network of commercial and specialty print facilities to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, home to one of the largest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the United States.

    “Williamson is an exceptional printing company with a long list of regional and national clients,” said Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President & CEO of Quad/Graphics. “It has a superior reputation for quality, service and innovation, and its experience and success in growing its commercial and specialty printing business will complement our own growth plans for that segment.”

    Williamson’s two Dallas facilities will join Quad/Graphics’ Commercial & Specialty group, which also operates facilities in Burlington, Menomonee Falls and New Berlin, Wis.; Enfield, Conn.; and Leominster, Mass. The group provides publishers, marketers and retailers with specialized print products and services, including specialty books, catalogs and directories; marketing collateral; print-on-demand custom publications; specialty binding; and mailing and fulfillment.

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  • 02.01.2012

    RockTenn Continues to Grow and Invest in Automated Sorting Capabilities for Recycled Materials

    RockTenn announced today the opening of a new single-stream recycling facility in Memphis, TN, expanding the Company’s recycling capabilities and increasing its presence and service capabilities.

    The new 150,000 square-foot facility will complement RockTenn’s established single-stream recycling plants in Chattanooga and Knoxville. The automated, single-stream system allows designated recyclable materials to be fully commingled during collection instead of separated into different bins, a process that offers significant benefits to homes and businesses.

    The opening of the Memphis plant, as the first single-stream facility in the city’s metropolitan area, represents a key investment in RockTenn’s Recycling and Waste Solutions growth plan. This is RockTenn’s ninth single-stream system within its thirty-nine recycling facilities. The Company will continue to expand its recycling powers nationwide in the upcoming year in order to reinforce its commitment to provide easy recycling solutions to better serve customers worldwide.

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  • 02.01.2012

    Neenah Completes Purchase of Premium Brands from Wausau Paper

    Neenah Paper, Inc. announced today completion of the previously announced purchase of certain premium paper brands and other assets from Wausau Paper Corp.

    Key components of the transaction include: A cash payment of $21 million to acquire: Astrobrights®, Astroparche® and Royal brands. Exclusive license rights for a portion of Exact® brand specialty business, including Index, Tag and Vellum Bristol. Approximately one month of finished goods inventory. Converting equipment for retail grades. A supply agreement under which Wausau will manufacture and supply certain products to Neenah Paper during a transition period.

    Annual sales from the purchased brands are estimated to be approximately $100 million and the Company expects to incur one-time costs related to the integration of approximately $10 million.

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  • 02.01.2012

    American Eagle Outfitters to Open Stores Throughout Israel

    American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. today announced that its first store in Israel will open to the public on Thursday, February 2, at Ramat Aviv Mall, in Tel Aviv. Ten additional stores are planned over the next month, in locations such as The Big Mall in Petach Tikva, Kiryat Ono Mall, and Mall of Haifa. The franchise stores will be operated by Fox-Wizel Ltd., a leading retailer and wholesaler in the region.

    AEO has been expanding its international presence for the past three years, now with 21 stores in 10 countries, partnering with retail experts in each region. Today, there are franchise stores open in Russia, China, Hong Kong and various cities throughout the Middle East. The first stores in Japan are slated to open in the coming months.

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