Paperclips Blog | NewPage Results

  • 12.21.2012

    Oil Declines Most in Two Weeks as U.S. House Delays Budget Vote

    Oil declined the most in more than two weeks because of concern that U.S. lawmakers may fail to avert spending cuts and tax increases that threaten the economy of the world’s biggest crude consumer.

    West Texas Intermediate dropped as much as 1.6 percent, paring a second weekly gain, after House Speaker John Boehner scrapped a plan to allow higher tax rates on annual income above $1 million, throwing talks on budget issues known as the fiscal cliff into turmoil. Oil rose a fifth day yesterday, the longest rally since September, after government data showed the U.S. economy grew at a 3.1 percent annual rate in the third quarter, higher than a previous estimate of 2.7 percent.

    “We are seeing a negative reaction to Republicans rejecting the latest proposal on tax hikes,” Andrey Kryuchenkov, a commodities analyst at VTB Capital in London, said in an e-mail. “It could have a U.S. demand impact.”

    WTI for February delivery fell as much as $1.45 to $88.68 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the biggest drop since Dec. 6, and was at $88.98 at 11:25 a.m. London time. Prices are up 2.6 percent this week.

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  • 12.21.2012

    U.S. mobile ad spending to top $4 billion this year

    U.S. mobile ad spending is growing faster than previously expected, spurred by the success of so-called “native” ad formats like Facebook's mobile news feed ads and Twitter's Promoted Products, according to a report by eMarketer.

    EMarketer forecasts that overall spending on mobile advertising in the U.S., including display, search and message-based ads, will reach beyond $4.0 billion by year's end, up 180.0% over 2011. In September, the consultancy had projected slower growth of 80.0%, to $2.6 billion. Google Inc. is set to control a 56.6% share of the U.S. mobile advertising market by year's end, ahead of Facebook Inc., Pandora Media and Twitter, in that order.

    The company also projected that U.S. mobile ad spending will reach $7.2 billion in 2013 and nearly $21.0 billion by 2016, a forecast that eMarketer said was "a significant upward revision."

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  • 12.21.2012

    American Forest & Paper Association Releases November 2012 Kraft Paper Sector Report

    The American Forest & Paper Association released its November 2012 Kraft Paper Report on Dec. 18.

    Total Kraft paper shipments were 120.4 thousand tons, a decrease of 11.2 percent compared to the prior month. Bleached Kraft paper shipments increased year-over-year 21.2 percent.  Unbleached Kraft paper declined 15.7 percent year-over-year.  Total month-end inventory increased 4.3 percent to 76.0 thousand tons this month compared to October 2012 month-end inventories.

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  • 12.21.2012

    American Forest & Paper Association Releases November 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report

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

    According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 4 percent in November compared to November 2011.  Three out of the four major printing-writing grades posted decreases compared to last November, with coated free sheet posting the only year-over-year increase.

    Additional key findings:
    ·November shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers increased year-over-year for the sixth time in the past 12 months.  CFS shipments increased 1 percent when compared to November 2011 to 330,800 tons, the fourth highest total in 2012.

    ·While uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers shipments decreased 2 percent compared to November 2011 to 705,500 tons, October exports increased year-over-year for the third consecutive month.  Year-to-date shipments of UFS paper are down 3 percent compared to the same months in 2011.  Exports of UFS increased year-over-year in October, up 15 percent.  Year-to-date UFS exports are up 11 percent in 2012 compared to same 10 months in 2011.

    ·November uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 24 percent when compared to November 2011, the twentieth consecutive month of year-over-year decline.

    ·November shipments of coated mechanical (CM) papers decreased 5 percent compared to November 2011. Year-to-date shipments of CM are down 5 percent compared to the same 11 months in 2011.

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  • 12.21.2012

    EFI's UV Ink Sales Reach Record One Million Liters in Less Than Twelve Months

    A record achievement was announced by EFI™ today — that the company has sold more than one million liters of UV-curable ink during the first eleven months of 2012. This reflects the continuing increase in popularity for the company's wide-format and narrow web portfolios, with diversity in creativity, application opportunities and material capabilities resulting in more output being generated using the company's inkjet technologies.

    "Our company-record sales of one million liters of UV-curable ink in an eleven-month period confirms EFI's position as a leader in the inkjet arena with reliable, cost-effective and more environmentally-friendly inks for the digital marketplace," explains Scott Schinlever, senior vice president and general manager of inkjet solutions at EFI. "Reaching this milestone is yet another indication that EFI is producing high quality ink formulations, combined with wide format printing system technologies that meet the demand for greater profitability through producing shorter runs with superior print quality at production speeds. We've experienced 12 consecutive quarters of over 20% year-over-year UV ink volume growth, which indicates that customers utilizing our technology are experiencing business growth."

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  • 12.21.2012

    Mayr Melnhof Karton to acquire Södra's Follafoss mill

    Södra and Mayr Melnhof Karton have signed a Letter of Intent where Mayr Melnhof Karton intends to purchase 100% of the shares in Södra Cell Folla AS and thereby take over Södra's pulp mill in Follafoss.

    Mayr Melnhof Karton intends to resume operations at Folla as soon as possible, hopefully early in 2013. The parties' intention is to close the deal during the first quarter of next year.Södra's pulp mill in Follafoss, Norway, has a capacity of 105,000 tpy of CTMP pulp. Södra announced its intention to divest the mill earlier this year. Mayr Melnhof, based in Vienna, is a world leader in the field of coated, recycled cartonboard and Europe's leading manufacturer of folding cartons. The group's business is focused on MM-Karton and MM-Packaging.

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  • 12.21.2012

    Discover Financial Services Reports Fourth Quarter Net Income of $551 Million or $1.07 Per Diluted Share

    Discover Financial Services today reported net income of $551 million or $1.07 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to $513 million or $0.95 per share for the fourth quarter of 2011. The company’s return on equity was 23%.

    Fourth Quarter Highlights
    Total loans, credit card loans and Discover card sales volume all grew 6% from the prior year.
    Credit card net charge-offs reached historic lows with a net charge-off rate of 2.29%. Credit card loan delinquencies over 30 days past due increased 5 basis points sequentially to 1.86%.
    Payment Services pretax income was down 21% from the prior year to $33 million. Transaction volume for the segment was $49.0 billion in the quarter, an increase of 13% from the prior year.

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  • 12.20.2012

    Tetra Pak acquires US Filtration company

    Tetra Pak has acquired Minneapolis-based Filtration Engineering Company, Inc., the US market leader in membrane filtration technology for the dairy and cheese industries.
     
    Filtration Engineering, a privately-held company established in 1982, specializes in the design, construction and commissioning of membrane filtration systems used in the areas of milk, whey and specialised waste treatment systems. The company employs 39 people.
     
    The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, combines Filtration Engineering’s expertise in spiral membrane technology with Tetra Pak’s existing ceramic membrane systems portfolio, expanding Tetra Pak’s broad-based portfolio of system and application knowledge for dairy, cheese and whey processing applications.
     
    “The acquisition of Filtration Engineering strengthens our portfolio of products, solutions and services for dairy and cheese applications as well as provides us with additional knowledge and competence,” said Tim High, Executive Vice President Processing Systems, Tetra Pak.
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  • 12.20.2012

    Rite Aid Reports Net Income and Record Adjusted EBITDA in Third Quarter Fiscal 2013

    Rite Aid Corporation today reported improved financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 1, 2012. The company reported revenues of $6.2 billion, net income of $61.9 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, and Adjusted EBITDA of $295.3 million, or 4.7 percent of revenues.

    Revenues for the 13-week quarter were $6.2 billion versus revenues of $6.3 billion in the prior year third quarter. Revenues decreased 1.2 percent primarily due to the impact of the introduction of lower cost generics on pharmacy same store sales as well as store closings. 
     
    Same store sales for the quarter decreased 1.5 percent over the prior year 13-week period, consisting of a 1.1 percent increase in front end sales offset by a 2.7 percent decrease in pharmacy sales. Pharmacy sales included an approximate 924 basis point negative impact from new generic introductions. The number of prescriptions filled in same stores increased 3.6 percent over the prior year period, which includes the benefit of additional prescriptions resulting from the Walgreens/Express Scripts dispute. Prescription sales accounted for 67.8 percent of total drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue was 96.5 percent of pharmacy sales. 
     
    Net income was $61.9 million or $0.07 per diluted share compared to last year’s third quarter net loss of $52.0 million or $0.06 per diluted share. The improvement in net income resulted primarily from an increase in Adjusted EBITDA as well as a lower LIFO charge. 

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  • 12.20.2012

    American Greetings Announces Third Quarter Earnings

    American Greetings Corporation today announced its results for the third fiscal quarter ended November 23, 2012.

    For the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company reported total revenue of $506.8 million, a pre-tax loss of $2.1 million, and a net loss of $0.8 million or 3 cents per share (all per-share amounts assume dilution).   

    The Company announced, on June 7, 2012, the acquisition of certain assets of United Kingdom-based Clinton Cards, including approximately 400 stores and related overhead as well as the Clinton Cards and related brands.  As a result of the acquisition, the Company recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 a revenue increase of approximately $67.6 million from the operations of the Clintons retail stores, reflected in the Company's new Retail Operations segment.  This revenue increase was partially offset by the revenue reduction of approximately $25.5 million from inter-segment sales eliminations, reflected in the Company's International Social Expressions segment, resulting in a net increase in consolidated revenue of approximately $42.1 million in the quarter.  The revenue being eliminated would have been third party sales in the prior year quarter.

    The Company recognized a loss of $11.5 million (after-tax of approximately $7.0 million or 22 cents per share) from the operation of its Retail Operations segment.  The Company also recognized a reduction in pre-tax income of approximately $4.1 million (after-tax of approximately $2.5 million or 8 cents per share) as a result of inter-segment items within the International Social Expressions segment.  The total consolidated net reduction in pre-tax income associated with the operation of the Clintons retail stores during the third fiscal quarter was approximately $15.6 million (after-tax of approximately $9.5 million or 30 cents per share).

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  • 12.20.2012

    FedEx Corp. Reports Second Quarter Earnings

    FedEx Corp. today reported earnings of $1.39 per diluted share for the second quarter ended November 30, compared to $1.57 per share last year.  Superstorm Sandy impacted the quarter’s results by $0.11 per diluted share due to reduced shipment volumes and incremental operating costs.

    “Operating income for the quarter improved at FedEx Freight and FedEx Ground due to increased volumes and higher yields, while persistent weakness in the global economy and increased demand for lower-yielding international services limited profits at FedEx Express,” said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman, president and chief executive officer.  “Earnings also were negatively impacted by disruptions caused by Superstorm Sandy.  We are hard at work on another record-setting holiday shipping season, driven by the continued growth of e-commerce.  I would like to thank all of our team members for their hard work and dedication during our peak season.”

    FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the second quarter:

     • Revenue of $11.1 billion, up 5% from $10.6 billion the previous year
     • Operating income of $718 million, down 8% from $780 million last year
     • Operating margin of 6.5%, down from 7.4% the previous year
     • Net income of $438 million, down 12% from last year’s $497 million

    The results of the quarter also reflect, primarily at FedEx Express, the net year-over-year negative impact from the timing lag that exists between when fuel prices change and indexed fuel surcharges automatically adjust.

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  • 12.20.2012

    Catalyst Paper and Pacifica Deep Sea Terminals Inc. unable to close agreement on sale of Elk Falls site

    Catalyst Paper today announced that the sale of its Elk Falls site in Campbell River to Pacifica Deep Sea Terminals Incorporated did not close and the sale agreement has been terminated. The sale of the 400-acre industrial site and adjacent properties was initially expected to close on September 5, 2012.  A non-refundable prepayment of a portion of the purchase price was received and the transaction timeline was extended multiple times up to the ultimate deadline of December 18, 2012.
     
    “It’s disappointing that this transaction with Pacifica could not be completed even with the extended timeline. This is a fully serviced property in an excellent location and we remain confident that the right fit between site and buyer will be found that will bring new jobs and opportunities to Campbell River,” said Kevin J. Clarke, Catalyst President and Chief Executive Officer. “In the meantime, site personnel are maintaining safety, security and environmental requirements and complying with all applicable legislation.”
     
    The former pulp and paper site was indefinitely curtailed in 2009 and closed permanently in 2010. It has since been decommissioned with removal of chemicals, process wastes, and key papermaking equipment.  The landfills remain intact as does the wastewater system which continues to operate in preparation for the site’s redevelopment to other industrial uses. The Elk Falls mill began operation in 1952, and at its peak, produced 784,000 tonnes of pulp, paper and kraft paper annually.
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  • 12.20.2012

    Brent Crude Drops From Two-Week High on U.S. Budget Talks

    Brent crude fell from the highest close in two weeks amid speculation that U.S. budget negotiations faltered, threatening the economy of the world’s biggest oil user.

    Futures slid as much as 0.6 percent, snapping two days of gains. Officials from President Barack Obama’s administration told leaders of business and financial services groups that talks with House Speaker John Boehner have deteriorated in the past 24 hours, a person familiar with the meeting said. U.S. crude inventories last week were 15 percent above the five-year average, a report from the Energy Department showed.

    “The market is reasonably well-balanced,” Ole Hansen, senior manager of trading advisory at Saxo Bank A/S, said by phone from Copenhagen today. Brent will probably trade above its technical support level at $108.90 a barrel, he said.

    The North Sea grade for February settlement slid as much as 63 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $109.73 a barrel on the London- based ICE Futures Europe exchange and was at $110.11 as of 11:15 a.m. local time.

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  • 12.20.2012

    American Forest & Paper Association Releases November 2012 Containerboard Statistics Report

    The American Forest & Paper Association released its November 2012 U. S. Containerboard Statistics Report today.  Containerboard production fell 1.5 percent over October 2012 but rose 1 percent over the same month last year.  However, the month-over-month average daily production increased 1.7 percent. The containerboard operating rate for November 2012 gained 0.6 points over October 2012, from 96.3 percent to 96.9 percent.
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  • 12.20.2012

    American Forest & Paper Association Releases November 2012 Paperboard Statistics Report

    The American Forest & Paper Association released its November 2012 U.S. Paperboard Report.

    Total boxboard production increased by 2.1 percent compared to November 2011 and increased 1.7 percent from last month.  Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production increased over the same month last year and increased compared to last month.  Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production increased compared to November 2011 and increased compared to last month.  The production of Recycled Boxboard increased compared to November 2011 but decreased when compared to last month.

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  • 12.20.2012

    American Forest & Paper Association Releases November 2012 Recovered Fiber Monthly Statistics Report

    The American Forest & Paper Association released its November 2012 U.S. Recovered Fiber Monthly Report on Dec. 19.

    According to the report, total U.S. industry consumption of recovered paper in November was 2.36 million tons, 5 percent lower than in October 2012. Inventories increased for most grades. Year-to-date total consumption in 2012 is 4 percent lower than during the same period last year. 

    U.S. exports of recovered paper showed strong gains across all grades, except for High Grade Deinking.  Corrugated exports increased to levels not seen since April 2011.  Year-to-date exports of recovered paper in 2012 are 6 percent lower than during the same period in 2011.

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  • 12.19.2012

    SCA launches efficiency program at Forest Products

    Against the backdrop of the prevailing economic and currency situation, SCA is introducing a comprehensive program to enhance the efficiency of its forest products operation. The program will generate annual earnings improvements of SEK 1,300m with full effect from 2015.

    The total cost of the program is SEK 370m, of which SEK 250m is cash flow impacting and SEK 120m comprises impairment losses. Of the total costs, SEK 175m will be charged to profit for the fourth quarter and will be recognized as items affecting comparability. The remaining SEK 195m will be charged to profit for the first six months of 2013.
     
    Actions include the previously announced closures of the sawmills in Vilhelmina and Holmsund, and cutbacks at Ortviken paper mill, SCA Transforest’s terminals in Sundsvall and Umeå, and at SCA’s R&D Center. About 200 positions are affected, the majority of which have already been announced. 
     
    The program includes a structured plan to reduce fixed and variable costs, income improvements by way of increased production and streamlining activities, and a changed product and market mix. This will be achieved through improved raw material yield at the sawmills, higher productivity in harvesting activities, an increased share of value-added publication papers and a larger share of container transportation.

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  • 12.19.2012

    SCA divests publication paper mill in Laakirchen

    SCA is divesting its Austrian publication paper mill in Laakirchen to Heinzel Group. In conjunction with the divestment, SCA and Heinzel Group have concluded a sales cooperation agreement.

    In 2011 Laakirchen reported totaled sales of EUR 335m and had just over 500 employees. The annual capacity amounts to more than 500,000 tons.
     
    The initial purchase consideration is EUR 100m with a possible maximum additional purchase price of EUR 100m based on a two-year profit-sharing model. In conjunction with the transaction, an impairment of EUR 50m has been recognized, which will be charged to profit in the fourth quarter of 2012.
     
    The transaction is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2013 following approval by the relevant authorities.

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  • 12.19.2012

    Penguin Settles with DoJ; Terms Will Apply to Merged Company

    In a move that had been expected since the announcement of the Penguin-Random House merger, Penguin Group (USA) has reached a settlement with the Department of Justice in the government's e-book price fixing lawsuit. Terms are identical to agreements reached with Simon & Schuster, Hachette and HarperCollins, but according to the government, if the Random House-Penguin merger is approved the newly formed company must abide by the agreement.

    “The department is currently reviewing the proposed joint venture announced by Penguin and Random House Inc., the largest U.S. book publisher. Should the proposed joint venture proceed to consummation, the terms of Penguin’s settlement will apply to it,” the DoJ said in its press release.

    In a prepared statement, Penguin said it maintains that is has “done nothing wrong,” but that it is “in everyone's interests that the proposed Penguin Random House company should begin life with a clean sheet of paper.”

    Under the proposed agreement, which still must be approved by the court after a 60-day comment period, Penguin will terminate its agreements with Apple and other e-books retailers and will be prohibited for two years from entering into new agreements that constrain retailers’ ability to offer discounts or other promotions to consumers. The proposed settlement agreement also will impose an antitrust compliance program on Penguin, which will include a requirement that it provide advance notification to the department of any e-book ventures it plans to undertake jointly with other publishers and that it regularly report to the department on any communications it has with other publishers. Also for five years, Penguin will be forbidden from agreeing to any kind of most favored nation agreement that could undermine the effectiveness of the settlement.

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  • 12.19.2012

    Gap Inc. Announces Plans to Open First Gap Stores in Brazil

    Today, Gap Inc. announced plans for the first stand-alone Gap stores in Brazil as part of the company’s continuing global expansion strategy. Gap Inc. signed an agreement with Tudo Bom Comércio Ltda. for the planned opening of the first stores in the fall of 2013.
     
    Gap Inc. plans to expand its store base in the country over the next five years, part of its strong platform of growth in the Brazilian retail market.
     
    “Brazil is a critical next step in our global expansion strategy and we are excited to introduce our store experience to customers,” said Stefan Laban, Managing Director of Strategic Alliances, Gap Inc. “Given that Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and the largest Latin American economy, we feel that this market provides us with an incredible growth opportunity.”
     
    Previously, Gap offered its products solely through duty-free channels throughout Brazil. The first Gap stores will open in Sao Paulo, the country’s largest city followed by Rio de Janerio. The stores will house Gap, GapKids and babyGap collections.
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  • 12.19.2012

    Fortress Paper Announces Launch of First Durasafe® Banknote

    Fortress Paper Ltd. is pleased to announce the launch of the world's first banknote printed on the Company’s new Durasafe® substrate, an innovative paper-polymer-paper composite produced at its Landqart mill.

    With the issuance of the new Moroccan 25 Dirhams scheduled for this month, Bank al Maghrib, Morocco's central bank, will become the first in the world to issue a banknote printed on Durasafe®.

    The front of the banknote features an Intaglio vignette and a watermark of King Mohammed VI, and a magenta/green colourshift security thread developed by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Fortress Optical Features Ltd. ("FOF"). The thread, like the watermark, is embedded inside the banknote yet visible behind a one-sided polymer window. It also has a fully transparent polymer window embossed with the King's royal crest. The back of the note carries a print vignette commemorating 25 years of banknote printing at the Moroccan State Printing Works, Dar As Sikkah.

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  • 12.19.2012

    B-to-B Content Marketing Spend Is Up, Despite Mixed Effectiveness

    If content is king, then content marketing is a king’s trade.

    According to new research from the Content Marketing Institute and MarketingProfs, b-to-b marketers, on average, are spending 33 percent of their marketing budgets on content marketing—a 7 percent jump since 2011. About 54 percent say they plan on increasing content marketing spending next year.
     
    While more and more b-to-b marketers are turning to content marketing, just 36 percent of respondents say they believe they are effective at content marketing. The data saw a total of 1,416 respondents from North American companies and represented a full rage of industries, functional areas and company sizes.
     
    B-to-b marketers continue to rate in-person events as the most effective tactic they use, with 67 percent believing so. About 64 percent of respondents said case studies are an effective marketing tactic, which inched slightly past Webinars and Webcasting at 61 percent.
     
    In all, 91 percent of b-to-b respondents use content marketing and, in general, the larger the company the more tactics used. Articles on a website ranks among the most popular content marketing tactic at 83 percent followed by newsletters at 78 percent. Print magazine use, the study finds, stayed the same at 31 percent.

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  • 12.19.2012

    Catalyst Paper accepts bid for Snowflake mill assets

    Catalyst Paper announced that it has accepted, subject to US Court approval, a binding bid from an acquisition vehicle organized by Hackman Capital and its affiliates to purchase the assets of the closed Snowflake facility and the shares of Apache Railway for US$13,460,000 and other non-monetary consideration. The buyer intends to continue to operate the Apache Railway as a going concern, and the transaction is supported by the Town of Snowflake and various local interests.
     
    “We are pleased that this transaction has progressed efficiently and that the community’s interests have been considered through the process and in the successful bid,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin J. Clarke. “While paper manufacturing is part of Snowflake’s past, this transaction puts the asset on a path to a new future that can continue to bring value to the region.”
     
    The winning bid was made at the auction held on December 17, 2012 under the US Court-approved sale and investor solicitation procedures. The sale is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2013 and is subject to various closing conditions.  A hearing in the US Court is scheduled for December 19, 2012 to consider approval of the sale.
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  • 12.19.2012

    Arctic Paper gets boost from HarperCollins' bumper Hobbit print run

    HarperCollins has published the Visual Companion and Official Movie Guide for The Hobbit, as well as children's books The Movie Story Book and The World of Hobbits to coincide with the cinema release of the first of three films based on the prequel to JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

    Arctic Paper delivered 404 tonnes of Arctic Silk 130gsm to Italian book printer Rotolito Lombarda Spa for the 740,000 books that made up the initial print runs of the four titles, reprints of which are already in the pipeline.

    Adrian Sutcliffe, group production and purchasing manager of HarperCollins, said: "The books had to be produced on a silk coated with FSC accreditation, and they had to give excellent quality of print.
     
    "At HarperCollins we particularly look for smoothness on both sides and excellent bulk to make our books really stand out and look like prestigious. Arctic Silk is our standard silk coated grade used by HarperCollins across Europe.
     
    "It gives bulk and thickness to the pages without compromising on smoothness which some coated sheets lack. This gives us a superb printing surface every time and automatically gave The Hobbit books the high-end appeal we are looking for as a publisher."

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  • 12.19.2012

    Brent Crude Gains for Second Day as U.S. Stockpiles Decline

    Brent crude rose for a second day in London after an industry report showed stockpiles fell the most in more than three months in the U.S., the world’s biggest oil consumer.

    Futures gained as much as 0.9 percent after closing $1.20 a barrel higher yesterday. U.S. crude supplies dropped by 4.1 million barrels in the seven days ended Dec. 14, the most since the week to Aug. 31, data from the American Petroleum Institute showed. A government report today may say inventories fell by 1.75 million barrels, according to a Bloomberg News survey. Oil has advanced this week amid speculation that U.S. lawmakers will agree on steps to avert tax increases and spending cuts known as the fiscal cliff.

    “Any kind of progress in the fiscal-cliff debate will drive prices up,” Thina Saltvedt, an analyst at Nordea Bank AB, said today by telephone. “That’s been the main driver in the last few days, and in the short term the inventory report today could have an impact.”

    Brent for February settlement on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange was up 84 cents at $109.68 a barrel at 10:45 a.m. local time. The European benchmark crude was at a premium of $20.89 to the corresponding WTI contract, from $20.44 yesterday.

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  • 12.19.2012

    New DriBulk™ Container Liners from Berry Plastics Offer Optimal Solution for Transporting and Storing Bulk Products

    Berry Plastics Group, Inc., a leading global manufacturer and marketer of value-added plastic packaging and engineered materials, introduces its latest product line of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC) - DriBulk&rade; Container Liners. New DriBulk Container Liners offer an easy, economical, and efficient solution for storing, shipping, and transporting dry bulk goods for a variety of industries, including agriculture, minerals, chemicals, food, and more.

    "As one of North America's largest FIBC manufacturers, we believe Berry Plastics has set the global standard for top-quality flexible intermediate bulk containers," explained Ernie Giordano, Director Sales and Marketing for Berry Plastics' FIBC Group. "We are very excited to introduce DriBulk Container Liners which will serve as an innovative solution to assist our customers with maximizing their efficiencies."

    "DriBulk Container Liners are inserted into and secured in an empty trailer, allowing the transporter to directly load the product to maximize container space," added Giordano. "As we like to explain, there are super sacks, and then there are SUPER SACKS. DriBulk Container Liners allow you to place a truckload of dry bulk goods, such as agricultural items, chemicals, minerals, foods, plastics, and more, into one 'super sack,' protecting the load and minimizing post delivery trailer cleaning."

    Available in standard 20-foot and 40-foot container sizes, DriBulk Container Liners can also be made in custom dimensions. With optional features including industrial fasteners, buckles, closures, and top- or side-spouts, DriBulk Container Liners can be customized in endless ways to suit the needs of virtually any application.

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  • 12.19.2012

    Clearwater Paper Adds New TAD Paper-Making Capabilities in Shelby, N.C., Upgrades in Las Vegas

    Clearwater Paper Corporation today announced the completion of the next phase of the company's newest facility at Shelby, N.C., culminating in the start-up of the company's new through-air-dried (TAD) paper machine. The machine produced its first finished ton and converted product on December 13.

    "Construction of all phases to date of the nearly one-million-square-foot facility came in on-time and on-budget," said Gordon Jones, chairman and CEO. "The dedication and support of Clearwater Paper's 200 Shelby employees have already made this facility a huge success."

    Upgrades to a second Clearwater Paper TAD paper machine, located at the company's facility in North Las Vegas, have also been completed. The enhancements enable the facility to produce TAD ultra-bathroom tissue and household towels.

    New production and distribution capability at Shelby is expected to increase the company's ultra and premium offerings to existing southern and East Coast customers. Collectively, the two TAD machines will create new opportunities to expand the company's private label consumer tissue business around a national manufacturing footprint, supplying these key products to customers across the United States.

    "The completion of the flagship facility in Shelby fulfills one of Clearwater Paper's primary business strategies — to focus on growing the consumer products segment of the company," said Linda Massman, president and COO. "Combined with the recent upgrade at our North Las Vegas facility, these two important projects have helped Clearwater Paper achieve our goal of a coast-to-coast manufacturing footprint focused on best serving our private label customers."

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  • 12.19.2012

    Stora Enso and Chalmers enter collaboration in intelligent pharmaceutical packaging

    Stora Enso and Chalmers’ Encubator have reached a co-operation agreement under which Stora Enso will act as a partner to Encubator. The focus of the collaboration is an innovation project developing intelligent pharmaceutical packaging. The idea comes from Stora Enso, and Encubator will run the business development together with Chalmers School of Entrepreneurship.

    “This gives us a new approach to innovations supporting our packaging business. Forming a dedicated team will create an environment that can enable successful market entry and create a growth company,” says Mats Nordlander, Executive Vice President, Stora Enso Renewable Packaging.

    The innovation project will develop intelligent pharmaceutical packaging to address the problem of poor adherence to prescription instructions by patients, a problem which in Sweden alone causes costs of over SEK 20 billion annually. The package simplifies communication between patient and doctor by registering when pills are removed from the package. If the medication is missed, a reminder is sent wirelessly to, for example, a mobile phone. Information may also be shared with family members to increase support.

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  • 12.18.2012

    Priority Plastics, Inc. Expands National Footprint and Product Offerings With Acquisition of CCW Products, Inc.

    Priority Plastics, Inc., a national plastics manufacturer of custom and stock plastic containers, announced today the acquisition of CCW Products, Inc. The acquisition expands Priority Plastics' footprint across the US and increases its product offerings. The two combined companies will exceed $70 million in sales with over 350 employees.

    CCW Products, Inc. is a manufacturer of FDA approved food grade PVC and PET plastic containers in a variety of shapes, sizes and fluid capacities. CCW specializes in wide mouth PVC and PET plastic containers providing over 300 SKUs for more than 500 customers with annual sales exceeding $19 million. CCW's 80,000 square foot Denver facility and close proximity to three interstate highways will amplify product and shipping options for Priority customers.

    "CCW is a great fit for Priority. With a similar culture and 30 year business history, our two companies will meld together well," says Andrew Srenco, President & CEO, Priority Plastics, Inc. "We are continuing to make investments for our customers and we will now be able to offer more products and increased shipping efficiencies to meet customer priorities. We look forward to working with the 103 employees of CCW Products as we integrate our two companies," said Srenco.

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  • 12.18.2012

    Metso to supply grade conversion rebuild from newsprint to lightweight coated grades for Norske Skog in Australia

    Metso will supply Norske Skog with a grade conversion rebuild from newsprint to lightweight coated (LWC) grades of their PM 2 machine at their Boyer mill in Tasmania, Australia. The rebuilt production line will be fully operational after several phases of rebuild during the first quarter of 2014. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

    The main target of the rebuild is to convert the newsprint machine into a competitive lightweight coated paper (LWC) production line. The delivery also includes a cooperation agreement aimed at achieving key objectives of the conversion.

    The future capacity of the PM 2 machine after the rebuild will be 140,000 tonnes per year of lightweight coated grades.

    Metso’s delivery will include a rebuild of the existing machine calender and a new ValSizer sizing section, a coating preparation and supply system, a TurnDry Compact air dryer, an OptiLoad calender, a ValReel reeler, a WinBelt C winder and parent roll handling equipment.

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  • 12.18.2012

    87% Of Newspaper, Mag Publishers Have iPad Apps

    A large majority of newspaper and magazine publishers have introduced iPad apps for their publications, with 87% offering content to Apple’s popular tablet computer this way, according to a new survey by the Alliance for Audited Media (the newly rebranded Audit Bureau of Circulations). And that’s just the tip of the iceberg: the AAM survey found that publishers are bullish on tablets across the board.
     
    Most notably, 63% of publishers surveyed by the AAM said they believe “tablets are the most important digital channel for their publication’s future.” And they’re looking beyond Apple: the proportion of publishers developing apps for Amazon’s Kindle devices jumped from 24% in 2011 to 67% this year, while the proportion developing for Nook soared from 14% to 57% over the same period.
     
    In terms of delivery mechanism, native and Web-based apps are both still popular, with 70% of publishers producing native apps, and 67% producing Web-based apps. The proportions vary noticeably between magazine and newspaper publishers: magazine publisher favor native apps over Web-based apps by 80% to 50%, while 69% of newspaper publishers use native apps, compared to 74% using Web apps. Looking ahead, 31% said they plan to continue using native apps next year, while 41% said they will experiment with HTML 5, and 44% said they are undecided.
     
    Most publishers are also developing multiple apps for each device, producing an average 3.4 apps for the iPad and iPhone, three apps for the Kindle, and 2.4 apps for the Nook.
     
    Turning to the all-important question of monetization, 77% of publishers surveyed said their mobile businesses will have to rely on both circulation and advertising revenue; that’s up from 52% in 2009.
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  • 12.18.2012

    Oil Advances After Progress on U.S. Budget Agreement

    Oil rose for a third day in New York on speculation that an agreement will be reached to avert a U.S. budget impasse that would trigger automatic spending cuts and tax increases next year, sapping demand for fuels.

    West Texas Intermediate futures gained as much as 0.8 percent following yesterday’s close at the highest level in almost two weeks. In discussions on the so-called fiscal cliff, President Barack Obama made a new offer after House Speaker John Boehner dropped his opposition to raising tax rates for some top earners. Crude supplies shrank last week while fuel stockpiles rose, according to a Bloomberg News survey before an Energy Department report tomorrow.

    “It seems highly like that an acceptable compromise to avert the fiscal cliff will emerge in time,” said Christopher Bellew, a senior broker at Jefferies Bache Ltd. in London.

    Crude for January delivery climbed as much as 70 cents to $87.90 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $87.71 at 11:59 a.m. London time.

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  • 12.18.2012

    U.S. ad spending increases 7.1% in Q3

    Third-quarter advertising expenditures totaled $34.5 billion, up 7.1% from the year-earlier period, according to marketing information company Kantar Media. Spending for the first nine months of the year grew 3.8% year-over-year, to $101.3 billion.

    Political campaigns and the Summer Olympics dominated the ad market in the third quarter, with TV advertising showing the largest gains. Network TV spending jumped 29.9%, with the London Games generating approximately $1.0 billion for the sector, Kantar said. Spot TV spending grew 19.8% with the expected flood of money from political ads. Spanish-language TV budgets increased 17.8%.

    However, Internet display advertising fell 4.3% in the third quarter, Kantar said. Spending totals, which do not include video or mobile ad formats, were dragged down by weaker results from midsize websites, the company said. Magazine advertising overall fell 2.9% for the quarter, with b2b magazines dropping 4.2%. National newspaper advertising dropped 17.2% for the quarter.

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  • 12.18.2012

    American Forest & Paper Association Voices Concern Over East Coast Port Strike

    Despite last week’s successful negotiations between the West Coast International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the USMX on the East Coast remain unresolved.  As a major import/export business, the U.S. forest products industry has a significant interest in swift resolution to avoid strike. 

    “If the ILA and the USMX are not able to negotiate an agreement, any impending strike and subsequent shutdown of major East Coast port would have far-reaching, costly, and disruptive implications for not only the U.S. forest products industry, but for manufacturers and distributers across the supply chain,” said American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman.

    “On behalf of the more than 900,000 men and women employed by the forest products industry, we urge negotiators to work together to develop a long-term labor agreement to avoid further strain on our already fragile economy.”

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  • 12.18.2012

    Canadian Fair Rail Freight Service Act is a Step in the Right Direction - Resolute Forest Products

    Resolute Forest Products welcomes the Government of Canada's introduction of Bill C-52, the Fair Rail Freight Service Act, which will provide a framework to make railways more accountable to their customers for providing acceptable levels of service. The bill is expected to be voted into law in spring 2013.

    Bill C-52 is an important first step in the process of rebalancing the commercial relationship between the railways and their customers, the companies that depend on rail services to bring their products to market. The legislation gives shippers the right to negotiate Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with railways, and sets up a dispute resolution process if negotiations fail, as well as penalties for non-performance by the rail service providers.

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  • 12.18.2012

    Grainger Announces Intent To Acquire Techni-Tool, Inc.

    Grainger, the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products serving businesses and institutions, today announced its intent to acquire Techni-Tool, Inc., and its affiliate Wassco Inc., leading specialist distributors serving manufacturing customers with 2011 sales of $88 million.  Grainger expects the transaction to close by December 31, 2012, subject to standard conditions, and be neutral to 2013 earnings per share.  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

    Founded in 1959 and based in Worcester, Pa., Techni-Tool, along with Wassco, employs approximately 200 people and provides nearly 25,000 products and related services to manufacturers in the electronics, telecommunications and medical services industries.

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  • 12.18.2012

    Cenveo Announces Refinancing

    Cenveo Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cenveo, Inc., today announced that it had completed the steps necessary to refinance the remainder of its 7.875% senior subordinated notes due 2013 ("7.875% Notes").  The Company received the necessary consents to amend and supplement its existing senior secured credit agreement to, among other things, (i) allow for up to $50 million of a new unsecured loan to be prepaid on substantially similar terms as its currently outstanding 7.875% Notes, and (ii) modify certain financial covenants for increased financial flexibility.  Simultaneously, the Company raised an additional $15 million of secured term loans due 2016 ("Additional Term Loan") under its senior secured credit agreement.  The Company also announced that it secured a commitment from Macquarie Capital for a $50 million unsecured term loan due 2017 ("Unsecured Loan"), subject to customary terms and conditions.  Together with the company's revolving credit facility, proceeds of the Unsecured Loan will be used to fund the redemption of the 7.875% Notes. Lastly, the Company announced that it has initiated a mandatory and irrevocable redemption of the 7.875% Notes.  The 7.875% Notes will be repaid at par plus accrued and unpaid interest on January 22, 2013. 

    Robert G. Burton, Sr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated:
    "We are pleased to complete the process of putting the 2013 maturity behind us, and we can now focus 100% of our efforts back on operating and growing the business.  We appreciate the strong support of our lender group, in particular Macquarie, to allow us to get this process completed as we expected.  We will continue to use our cash flow to repay debt, reduce our leverage, and reinvest in the business. We remain focused on executing our game plan and are excited about opportunities ahead of us in 2013 and beyond."

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  • 12.17.2012

    TC Media and TC Transcontinental Printing win Canopy 2012 Ancient Forest Friendly Awards

    TC Transcontinental is pleased to announce that TC Media and TC Transcontinental Printing were recently awarded 2012 Ancient Forest Friendly Awards by Canopy, a leading organization that seeks to protect forests and the environment through the transformation of business practices.

    TC Media won for their continued progress in forest protection and significant increase in the use of ecopapers between 2011 and 2012 across all their publications. TC Transcontinental Printing won the Best in Class (Printers over 250,000 tonnes) award.
     
    "TC Transcontinental is proud to see that the efforts of management and employees are having a tangible impact," said François Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer. "By making informed choices, led by vision and through a concerted effort as a corporation, we are leading the way in our industry. We thank Canopy for drawing attention to our process by naming us for these awards; we share this honour with our customers and advertisers."
     
    To earn a place among the 2012 winners, TC Media and TC Transcontinental Printing, like all applicants, had to complete a rigorous survey and go through a full evaluation by Canopy, formerly known as Markets Initiative. For details about the Ancient Forest FriendlyTM Awards, visit the Canopy site at http://canopyplanet.org/business/ancient-forest-friendly/aff-awards/.

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  • 12.17.2012

    Valassis Announces Full-Year 2013 Financial Guidance

    Valassis today provided financial guidance for full-year 2013, expecting diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.50, which is calculated based on an estimated 39.7 million in weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding for the year ending Dec. 31, 2013. Additionally, our 2013 guidance includes the expectation of adjusted EBITDA* of approximately $315.0 million and capital expenditures of approximately $25 million, primarily for our digital business and process improvements. 

    "We are confident that the actions we have taken throughout 2012 have set the stage for growth of both revenue and diluted EPS in 2013," said Rob Mason, Valassis President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our commitment to driving shareholder value will be enhanced through an expected combination of improved earnings, continued stock repurchases, a thoughtful approach to capital expenditures and the adoption of a cash dividend policy."

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  • 12.17.2012

    AD Communications to support Two Sides and Print Power with PR services

    AD Communications, the specialist agency with long term experience of the Graphic Media industries has announced that it will be assisting the UK Two Sides and Print Power organisation to develop its communication channels and spread the story of print media’s effectiveness and sustainability. Two Sides seeks to foster better understanding of print and paper as a sustainable communications medium, and to dispel some of the negative myths that surround paper-based products in the digital age.

    Print Power UK is the representative of a European initiative dedicated to strengthening the position of print media in a multi-media world. The organisation comprises a wide range of companies representing the entire print media value chain—production, distribution, printing, content and delivery.

    AD Communications will be acting on a pro bono basis to lend its communications expertise to these not-for-profit organisations.
    For Two Sides UK, in addition to contributing strategically and creatively as a member of the marketing committee, AD Communications will support the Two Sides team with the creation and distribution of press materials. Chair and Director of Two Sides Martyn Eustace will continue to be the principal point of media contact for the organisation.

    For Print Power UK, AD Communications will create and distribute press materials and will participate in the committee responsible for the definition of content for the regular Print Power magazine. This bi-annual printed publication carries the message of print’s role in the contemporary marketing mix to a UK-wide community of senior marketing decision makers.

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  • 12.17.2012

    PaperWorks Invests Across Packaging Facilities

    PaperWorks Industries, a leading North American integrated full-service packaging provider, has committed substantial resources to enhance printing capabilities, with several packaging projects underway at locations across North America. The addition of advanced printing equipment, a major facility expansion, and new printing capabilities will allow PaperWorks to meet growing demand, expand customer offerings, and maximize packaging manufacturing efficiency.
     
    “We are strongly committed to investing in the future of PaperWorks and its customers,” according to Lisa Pruett, senior vice president, sales, PaperWorks Packaging Group. “With a focus on acquiring the latest in packaging technology, expansion, and enhanced product offerings, we can exceed customer expectations and meet increased demand as we continue to grow.”

    Going operational in the spring of 2012, PaperWorks installed one large-format Flexo press, to help increase production speed, enhance print quality and reduce waste. In addition, a second large-format sheetfed offset press was brought online to provide new printing options, decrease lead times and improve color quality.

    A new 240,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art line expansion was added at the Baldwinsville, NY facility, greatly increasing PaperWorks’ printing capacity. In addition, more than doubling in size from 45,000- to 105,000-square-feet, PaperWorks’ Greensboro, NC facility underwent a major expansion to meet customer demand and increase the range of customer packaging options. Finally, a new air handling system was installed to support PaperWorks’ sheeting capabilities at a separate facility.

    “New packaging technology and expansion projects are underway as part of our continued efforts to provide our customers with increased manufacturing efficiency,” says John Hartwell, executive vice president, PaperWorks Packaging Group. “These ongoing customer-specific efforts will establish PaperWorks as a leading supplier of streamlined, cost-effective packaging options for a variety of applications.”

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  • 12.17.2012

    Nearly half of SMBs expect business conditions to improve in six months

    Nearly half (49%) of small- and midsize-business leaders said they expect business conditions to be slightly or much better in six months, according to a report by cloud computing company Cbeyond.

    The report, “Winter 2012 Cbeyond Business Leader Snapshot,” was based on an online survey of 435 senior executives at small and medium businesses, conducted in November.

    Only 27% of SMB executives said they expect business conditions will be slightly or much worse in six months.

    Despite the optimism, 45% of SMB leaders said hiring next year will fall short of this year's hiring levels.

    The top concerns that were cited as threats to their business next year are taxes (51%), government regulations (41%), labor costs (34%) and the federal deficit (32%).

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  • 12.17.2012

    American Forest & Paper Association Statement Regarding EPA’s Final PM NAAQS Standards

    American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman released the following statement today following the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of its final National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM).

    “We are disappointed that EPA chose to lower the annual PM standard, imposing burdensome new restrictions on economic growth and ignoring the significant uncertainty in the underlying science.  This lower annual PM standard means that businesses seeking air quality permits to construct new equipment or modify existing plants even in rural areas will find it very difficult to model compliance.  We are concerned that manufacturing facilities may be forced to look at pollution controls that are technically infeasible or cost prohibitive, preventing expanded production and job growth.  In setting this new PM NAAQS standard, EPA apparently relied on a few selected studies to support their hypothesis of health effects resulting from PM exposure, while discounting studies that showed no association.

    “This is yet another example of where regulation by consent decree creates costly rules with huge scientific uncertainty and, in this case, at a time when the economy is struggling.”

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  • 12.17.2012

    U.S. Bankruptcy Court Confirms NewPage Chapter 11 Plan

    NewPage Corporation announced today that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington has confirmed the Company's Chapter 11 Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan was accepted by the overwhelming majority of NewPage creditors entitled to vote. The Company will now proceed to close on the restructuring transactions contemplated by the Plan.

    "We are pleased that the Court has confirmed our Chapter 11 Plan, clearing the way for us to officially exit bankruptcy, hopefully by the end of this year," said George Martin, president and chief executive officer for NewPage. "We will exit bankruptcy with substantially less debt and new financing at lower interest rates. NewPage will be well positioned to serve the needs of our customers and compete successfully in the North American paper industry."

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  • 12.17.2012

    Brent Crude Declines Amid Disagreement Over U.S. Budget

    Brent crude fell for a second time in three days amid concern that deadlock in U.S. budget talks may threaten to curb economic growth and fuel demand.

    The North Sea benchmark dropped as much as 45 cents, reversing earlier gains. European stocks declined for a third day on concern U.S. lawmakers won’t agree to a budget before more than $600 billion in tax increases and spending cuts known as the fiscal cliff start taking effect in January. The Stoxx Europe 600 (SXXP) slid 0.3 percent to 278.53, while indexes in the U.K., Germany and France slumped.

    “Debt reduction negotiations in the U.S. congress continue to cloud the macro outlook going into 2013,” Andrey Kryuchenkov, an analyst at VTB Capital in London, said in a note. “Oil investors would prefer to wait on the sidelines until this is resolved before placing large bets.”

    Brent for February settlement fell 25 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $107.91 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange as of 12:30 p.m. local time. The January contract settled $1.24 higher at $109.15 when it expired Dec. 14.

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  • 12.14.2012

    Twin Rivers Paper Company Honors Technicote

    Twin Rivers Paper Company, a leader in lightweight specialty packaging, label and publishing papers, honors Technicote, Inc. with the Twin Rivers Label Recognition. This Label Recognition honors the leadership of key customers, suppliers as well as employees who have helped to drive innovation in the industry.

    “We value the strong relationship we have had with Technicote in the last two decades and admire the perseverance that they have shown in the face of challenging events. They are a true innovator in the label market,” says Jim Gehrman, President, Twin Rivers Paper Company.

    “We appreciate this recognition by Twin Rivers. As one of Twin Rivers’ first customers of release liners, we have had a long relationship that has been good for both companies. We value their outstanding technical support and service,” says Doug O’Connell, President, Technicote, Inc.

    Twin Rivers is a label supplier of choice for release-liner products, as well as label-face papers and wet-strength labels. Our highly engineered label papers are engineered to meet stringent customer requirements and are optimized to perform through the rigors of the supply chain.

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  • 12.14.2012

    Harper and Rainforest Action Network Collide Over New Warning

    HarperCollins is challenging the methodology behind the newest advisory from the Rainforest Action Network that some of its children’s books contain paper harvested from vulnerable Indonesian rainforests. According to RAN, a test conducted in November of seven HC titles found three with “significant” quantities of acacia fiber that is mainly sourced from Indonesian rainforest and trace amounts in “several” others. At least one of those books, Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas, was printed before February 2012 when, according to HC, they began sourcing paper from certified mills.

    RAN officials acknowledged that its tests of Fancy Nancy could have been on a book not produced by new paper sources. Still said RAN’s Robin Averbeck, "the fact that acacia was found in several other books raises questions about what they mean when they say they switched paper sources and points to a high likelihood that they are still sourcing from [paper companies] APP and/or APRIL and affiliates." But the deeper problem is that RAN has had no communication with HC about its paper policies. That is the way HC also sees it. A spokesperson acknowledged that HC has not answered RAN’s questionnaire about its paper policy and added that RAN has refused to provide HC with details about their test results. “We have requested information from RAN including the results of their testing and they have refused to share the information which would help us address their issues,” HC said in a statement. “ We call on RAN to share its data and findings with us so we can address any anomalies in our supply chain if they exist and we are instituting a testing regime with an independent lab to ensure our that our books are meeting our policy goals.”

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  • 12.14.2012

    Green light for revised USPS Standard Mail Flats rate rise

    US postal regulators have finally approved controversial new Standard Mail Flats prices at the US Postal Service.
     
    USPS had suggested the Postal Regulatory Commission was going a little further than its remit when it rejected its original proposals last month, and demanded an above-average price rise for the rate category that includes items like catalogues.
     
    Under protest, USPS went away and proposed a fresh rate increase, which yesterday was approved by the regulators.
     
    As approved, Standard Mail Flats rates will increase by an average of 2.617% as of 27th January, 2013.
     
    This compares to a 2.61% increase for Standard Mail Letters, a 3.081% increase for Standard Mail Parcels, a 2.059% increase for Standard Mail High Density Letters and a 2.092% increase for Standard Mail High Density Flats and Parcels.
     
    USPS is changing other prices as well from next month, as approved by the Commission earlier this month.
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  • 12.14.2012

    Domtar to close one pulp machine at Kamloops, British Columbia pulp facility

    Domtar Corporation announced today that it will permanently shut down one pulp machine at its Kamloops, British Columbia facility.  This decision will result in a permanent curtailment of Domtar's annual pulp production by approximately 120,000 air-dried metric tons of sawdust softwood pulp and will affect approximately 125 employees.
     
    The pulp machine, known at the mill as the "A-Line" is expected to be closed by the end of March 2013.
     
    "Prevailing economic conditions in the global pulp markets and the deteriorated competitiveness of this small pulp manufacturing line, coupled with unforeseen boiler repair costs, have forced us to rationalize this pulp production capacity.  We will focus our energy and resources on optimizing the larger, more competitive, 'B' pulp manufacturing line which will continue to operate," said Mike Edwards , Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Manufacturing. "Employees affected by this change have earned our appreciation and we thank them for their contributions to the Kamloops Mill."
     
    The Kamloops pulp operation will continue to operate its remaining pulp manufacturing line with an annual capacity of approximately 350,000 air-dried metric tons of softwood kraft pulp and employ approximately 300 people.
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  • 12.14.2012

    Mondi Syktyvkar Mill Earns EU Ecolabel for All Its Paper Products

    Mondi Syktyvkar in Komi, Russia was recently awarded the EU Ecolabel for all papers produced at the mill.

    The EU Ecolabel is a certificate issued by the European Union, which verifies the environmental profile of a product or service. Products and services bearing the EU Ecolabel are certified as having a lower impact on the environment than other products in the same product group. The EU Ecolabel is a purely voluntary scheme enacted to encourage the purchasing of green products and services.

    According to Mondi, the main criteria examined by the EU Ecolabel are emissions to air and water, energy use, sustainable forest management, the presence of hazardous chemical substances, waste management, information on packaging, fitness-for use/performance, and information provided about the EU Ecolabel. Specific for paper products, the EU Ecolabel stipulates the use of recycled fibres or virgin fibres from sustainably managed forests.

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