Neenah announces the highly anticipated launch of Touché Papers

Neenah announces the highly anticipated relaunch of Touché Papers. With new color additions to the line, Neenah now has a complete portfolio of the best-selling soft touch papers on the market. The name Touché, which comes from the French verb toucher, meaning, “to touch,” depicts the essence of these papers. “Soft touch papers are ideal for projects that are meant to get noticed. Handing someone a business card that not only looks beautiful, but also feels unique is guaranteed to make an impression. An elegant book cover with this soft, subtle texture instantly invites the consumer to reach out and touch it. These papers are elegant and sophisticated, are known for their on-press performance, and offer a luxurious touch like no other paper can,” says Auburne Gahlman, Marketing Manager, Neenah. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Graphic Packaging Holding Company Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

Graphic Packaging Holding Company reported Net Income for third quarter 2017 of $47.3 million, or $0.15 per share, based on 310.9 million weighted average diluted shares. This compares to third quarter 2016 Net Income of $57.8 million, or $0.18 per share, based on 320.4 million weighted average diluted shares. Net Sales increased 3.1% to $1,137.6 million in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $1,103.7 million in the prior year period. When comparing against the prior year quarter, net sales were positively impacted by $29.7 million of improved volume/mix related to an acquisition and modestly positive core volumes, and $7.8 million of favorable foreign exchange. These benefits were partially offset by $3.6 million of lower pricing. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Nosco Announces Acquisition of Gooding Company, Inc.

Nosco, Inc., a subsidiary of Holden Industries, Inc., announced that it has acquired Gooding Company, Inc., a New York-based insert and outsert manufacturer with over 141 years of printing experience. Through the acquisition of Gooding, Nosco will add an additional manufacturing facility on the east coast that will help reduce lead times, lower packaging costs and provide an expanded portfolio of folded literature. Gooding was established in 1876 in Lockport, New York. In 1990, the company was sold to current president, Jerry Hace. Under Hace's leadership, the company began focusing on enclosures for the medical and pharmaceutical industries, in addition to other markets. "Over the years, Jerry Hace built a great team at Gooding that behaves very consistently with the employee-owned culture at Nosco," said Russ Haraf, Nosco President. "Gooding is a great company that will complement our On_Demand Solutions Center in Philadelphia very well – offering a full line of healthcare printed packaging solutions with best-in-class cycle times for the eastern portion of the U.S." Click Read More below for additional information.
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TimberWest is the First SFI Program Participant to be Certified Under the Progressive Aboriginal Relations Program

TimberWest is the first Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Program Participant to achieve the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Bronze certification under the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program. This certification demonstrates to Indigenous communities that TimberWest is a good business partner, a great place to work and is committed to the prosperity of Indigenous communities. TimberWest is also the first BC forest company to earn PAR certification. “As a forester by training I am very pleased that TimberWest has shown its commitment to Indigenous communities by undergoing PAR certification. This leadership demonstrates to other forest companies, and other companies outside BC’s forest sector, that strong Indigenous relations make good corporate policy,” said JP Gladu, President and CEO of the CCAB. The PAR framework evaluates companies on four PAR performance areas known as the PAR drivers, which are designed to ensure comprehensive business engagement with a community. The four PAR drivers are: leadership actions, employment, business development, and community relationships. PAR certification provides a high level of assurance to communities because the designation is supported by an independent, third-party verification of company reports. The final PAR level achieved by a company is determined by a jury comprised of Indigenous business people. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Kohl’s Donates $800,000 to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to Support New Mission: Healthy Kids Program

Kohl’s announced its continued partnership with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin with a donation of $800,000 over the next two years to fund a new program, Mission: Healthy Kids, that raises awareness statewide about the importance of healthy eating and active living in children’s physical development, ability to learn and emotional well-being. “Kohl’s shares Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s commitment to children’s health,” said Jen Johnson, Kohl’s vice president, corporate communications. “We are proud to partner with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to encourage children and families across the state to make active and healthy choices in support of a healthy lifestyle.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Minuteman Press Franchise in Davenport, Iowa Wins Best Printing and Promotions Business Service Provider Award

The Minuteman Press franchise located at 3523 Eastern Avenue, Suite 4 in Davenport has been awarded the #1 ranking in the Printing and Promotions category by Locals Love Us Quad Cities. The #1 ranking was based on online votes that Locals Love Us tallied from local area residents in over 200 categories via their secure, online survey. During the voting period, Minuteman Press in Davenport used an effective cross media marketing approach to let their customers know about the online voting. Sue Grant of Minuteman Press Davenport explains, "We did an email blast to our customers at the beginning of September and a reminder again on September 25th. In addition, we visited our customers and gave them a Minuteman Press two-color 1/4 pad with voting directions on the top sheet. We also handed out orange foil wrapped chocolate coins in our store and explained the online voting process to our walk in customers as well." Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases September 2017 Printing-Writing Paper Report

According to the September 2017 Printing-Writing Monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in September compared to September 2016. All four of the major printing-writing grades posted year-over-year shipment declines. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers also decreased, down six percent in September. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased one-half of one percent from August. •September uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased year-over-year following the year-over-year increase in August. Imports of UFS decreased by 18% year-over-year in August – this follows two consecutive decreases of 20% or more. Meanwhile, exports of UFS papers increased 17% year-over-year in August, which follows three consecutive increases of 20% or more. •Operating rate for coated free sheet (CFS) paper producers in September hits highest level since September 2016. U.S. imports of CFS papers decreased 9% year-over-year in August, the second consecutive year-over-year decline. Exports of CFS papers increased 6% year-over-year in August, the sixth increase in the past eight months. •Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year in September for the fourth consecutive month. Imports of CM increased in August, up 7% compared to August 2016. Exports of CM also increased, up 28% in August to 35,700 tons – the highest level since November 2016. •Shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers have declined year-over-year in every month when compared to the same month in 2016. Imports of UM decreased 11% year-over-year in August while exports of UM increased 1% year-over-year in August – the fifth year-over-year increase in the first eight months of 2017.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases September 2017 Boxboard Report

Total boxboard production increased 3.3 percent when compared to September 2016, and decreased 6.3 percent from last month. Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production increased over the same month as last year but decreased compared to last month. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production increased when compared to September 2016, but decreased compared to last month. The production of Recycled Boxboard increased compared to September 2016, but decreased when compared to last month.
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Canfor Reports Results for Third Quarter of 2017

Canfor Corporation reported net income attributable to shareholders (“shareholder net income”) of $66.2 million, or $0.51 per share, for the third quarter of 2017, compared to shareholder net income of $81.3 million, or $0.61 per share, for the second quarter of 2017 and net income attributable to shareholders of $50.9 million, or $0.38 per share, for the third quarter of 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, shareholder net income was $213.6 million, or $1.62 per share, compared to $112.9 million, or $0.85 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The Company reported operating income of $105.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, down $25.6 million from reported operating income of $131.0 million for the second quarter of 2017, with the decline reflecting lower operating earnings in both the lumber and pulp and paper segments. Lumber segment results were impacted by a decline in Southern Yellow Pine (“SYP”) lumber prices, a 5 cent, or 7%, stronger Canadian dollar, as well as increased log costs in Western Canada, the latter reflecting continued weather-related challenges and the effects of the worst fire season in recorded history in the BC Interior. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Canfor Pulp Products Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2017 Results

Canfor Pulp Products Inc. reported net income of $12.6 million, or $0.19 per share, for the third quarter of 2017, compared to $20.2 million, or $0.31 per share, for the second quarter of 2017 and $22.4 million, or $0.34 per share, for the third quarter of 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s net income was $56.9 million, or $0.86 per share, compared to $47.7 million, or $0.70 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The Company reported operating income of $21.1 million for the third quarter of 2017, down $10.4 million from the $31.5 million reported for the second quarter of 2017. While pulp shipments and production were both up quarter-over-quarter, the related increase in operating income was more than offset by the impact on unit pulp and paper sales realizations of a significantly stronger Canadian dollar. Pulp shipments and production volumes were up 10% and 11%, respectively, from the previous quarter, principally reflecting a decline in scheduled maintenance outages. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Paper Industry Innovation – More Than You Might Think

Today, it seems we are conditioned to think about innovation in terms of disruption or the emergence of products that are bigger, brighter, sharper, contain more memory or longer battery life. Paper has been so embedded in our lives over multiple generations that it is not only taken for granted, but sometimes thought of as an analog industry in a digital world. Yet our industry has survived recessions, war, global competition, soaring energy costs, increasing environmental regulation, e-books, tablet computers. We have proven time and again, through the resilience and ingenuity of our people, we can evolve our products and meet new customer needs. The paper industry has found innovative ways to reduce costs, increase productivity and developed new, value-added products that continue to make life better. Innovation comes in many forms; sometimes accompanied by press releases and media coverage and sometimes through continuous improvement and optimization of operations that are implemented without major fanfare or hoopla. All deserve to be recognized during National Forest Products Week, celebrated this year from October 15- 21. By leveraging emerging technologies, the U.S. paper industry has made dramatic improvements in energy use, resource efficiency and operational flexibility, which has enabled it to compete in the global marketplace. Through innovation, older, inefficient facilities have been transformed into world-class operations that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, reduce water intake, extract more value from renewable biomass and are positioned to capture value in emerging markets. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Near $52 as OPEC Touts Record Compliance, Rig Count Drops

December futures were little-changed in New York. OPEC and its partners including Russia achieved a record-high level of compliance to output cuts during September, according to a statement on Saturday. In the U.S., drillers reduced the rig count for a third week to the lowest since June, according to Baker Hughes. “The lower U.S. rig count number, the OPEC compliance number and the geopolitical headlines from northern Iraq and Iran on sanctions have helped futures higher,” Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S said. “But there are signs the market could be weakening with the seasonal refinery demand slowdown.” One sign that demand could be weakening is the Brent market structure known as backwardation -- when prompt prices are more expensive than later-dated futures -- which isn’t as strong as a month ago, said Hansen. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Statement from Mark Mosher, Vice President, Irving Pulp & Paper Division

We work hard to ensure we meet and surpass all environmental regulations. In 1995, the pulp mill owned by Irving Pulp & Paper, Limited invested $300 million to modernize and significantly improve the mill’s environmental performance. This investment allowed the mill to become compliant with the newly released federal emission regulations by using world-first technology. Today the pulp mill is: - The only mill in North America to meet environmental regulations without the use of a large external lagoon. As the pulp mill is located in the middle of the city and on a 100+ year old site, a traditional treatment lagoon was not practical. - The only mill in North America to operate without a solid waste landfill by reusing or reducing its solid waste. The pulp mill treats and diverts virtually all solid waste to value added materials. - Over 95% energy self-sufficient through significant efficiency investments. - One of the lowest odour emitting pulp mills in North America through investments to collect and incinerate most emission sources. Recently Irving Pulp & Paper was charged for releasing “deleterious substance in water frequented by fish”. It is important to note that no fish died in the river, and that all releases were self-reported to regulators. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Kimberly-Clark Announces Third Quarter 2017 Results

Executive Summary: ◦Third quarter 2017 net sales of $4.6 billion increased 1 percent compared to the year-ago period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited sales by nearly 1 percent and organic sales rose slightly. Organic sales were similar in North American consumer products. Outside North America, organic sales increased 3 percent in developing and emerging markets and fell 3 percent in developed markets. ◦Diluted net income per share for the third quarter was $1.60 in 2017 and $1.52 in 2016. Results benefited from volume growth, cost savings and reduced marketing, research and general spending, while performance was impacted by lower net selling prices and input cost inflation. ◦The company continues to expect that full-year 2017 net sales and organic sales will be similar, or up slightly, year-on-year. The company also continues to anticipate that full-year 2017 earnings per share will be at the low end of its target range of $6.20 to $6.35. Click Read More below for additional information.
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WestRock Recognized for Design Excellence by Paperboard Packaging Council

WestRock Company was recognized for design excellence at the 74th annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition. The company won 13 awards—the most of any entrant—including the prestigious Eco Award for its unique 8 pack designs for Budweiser and Bud Light’s 16 oz aluminum bottles. Sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), the competition is judged by a panel of packaging experts. The awards recognize cartons that represent the best in converting excellence, innovation, and sustainability that the North American folding carton industry has provided its customers over the past year. The Eco Award recognizes an outstanding use of paperboard in replacing a non-paperboard substrate, creating extremely sustainable packaging, and/or fostering materials reductions or better cubing. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Master Graphics Purchases a Goss Sunday 2000 Press System

The Sunday 2000 has a proven reputation for delivering high quality, productivity and efficiency across a varied range of web offset applications. Innovative gapless blanket technology accelerates speed and leads to dramatic savings in both time and cost. The Sunday 2000’s exclusive combination of premium print quality and faster production on wider webs makes this press the most versatile, competitive and cost-effective press in its category. Ken Love, CEO of Master Graphics, says, “We currently successfully operate two Goss Sunday 2000 press systems as well as three Goss M1000 presses. We are very happy with the performance of those machines and with the excellent parts and service support from Goss, so as we move our business forward it made perfect sense to build on the existing partnership with Goss and invest in another Sunday 2000 press system.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Clearwater Paper Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

The company reported net sales of $426.5 million for the third quarter of 2017, down 2.0% compared to net sales of $435.3 million for the third quarter of 2016. Net earnings determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for the third quarter of 2017 were $0.9 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, comparable to net earnings for the third quarter of 2016 of $0.9 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, as a $2.4 million tax benefit from Federal tax credits in the third quarter of 2017 more than offset a pre-tax loss of $2.2 million for the quarter. Excluding certain non-core items identified in the attached Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, third quarter 2017 adjusted net earnings were $5.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to third quarter 2016 adjusted net earnings of $2.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, were $31.3 million for the third quarter of 2017 compared to $32.0 million for the third quarter of 2016. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $37.6 million, up 9.7% compared to third quarter 2016 Adjusted EBITDA of $34.3 million. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Book Publishers Go Back to Basics (WSJ)

Book publishers are giving an advance review of the industry’s future, and it looks a lot like the past. After a decade of technological upheaval and lackluster growth, executives at the top four U.S. consumer book publishers say they are done relying on newfangled formats to boost growth. It has been nearly 10 years since Amazon.com Inc. introduced its Kindle e-book reader amid the financial crisis, destabilizing publishers and challenging their well-honed business models. Now, e-book sales are on the decline, making up a fraction of publishers’ revenue, and traditional book sales are rising. The consumer books industry is enjoying steady growth in the U.S., with total revenue increasing about 5% from 2013 to 2016, according to the Association of American Publishers. Executives gathered in Frankfurt for the industry’s biggest trade fair said they are returning to fundamentals: buying and printing books that readers want to buy—and they are streamlining their businesses to get them out faster than ever before. It is about “knowing what [readers] want,” said Markus Dohle, chief executive of Bertelsmann SE and Pearson PLC’s joint venture Penguin Random House, “to drive demand at scale.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Amazon Launches Biggest Wind Farm Yet – Company’s Renewable Energy Projects Will Together Generate Enough Clean Energy to Power More Than 330,000 Homes

Amazon announced that its largest wind farm yet—Amazon Wind Farm Texas—is now up and running, adding more than 1,000,000 MWh of clean energy to the grid each year. Amazon has launched 18 wind and solar projects across the U.S., with over 35 more to come. Together, these projects will generate enough clean energy to power over 330,000 homes annually. These projects also support hundreds of jobs and provide tens of millions of dollars of investment in local communities across the country. Amazon Wind Farm Texas includes more than 100 turbines – each over 300 feet tall with a rotor diameter more than twice the wingspan of a Boeing 787. Amazon Wind Farm Texas is built, owned, and operated by Lincoln Clean Energy (LCE), an I Squared Capital portfolio company and a leading developer of wind and solar projects across the U.S. Amazon, LCE, and local officials and residents celebrated the grand opening of the wind farm with a BBQ event onsite. To thank and support the local community, Amazon is donating $50,000 to the Snyder Education Foundation to provide students and teachers with STEM learning opportunities. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Geopolitical-Risk Rally Fades as Iraq Works to Revive Fields

While oil investors are grappling with geopolitical risks, the potential impact of tensions in the Middle East is uncertain, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said Tuesday. While the conflict between Iraq’s central government and the semi-autonomous Kurds cut crude flows through a Turkish pipeline, the disruption may be short lived. Meanwhile, OPEC sent its strongest signal yet that its output cuts will be extended until the end of 2018. The flow rate through the pipeline from Kurdish region to the Turkish port of Ceyhan was about 200,000 barrels a day, according to a port agent report. That was unchanged from Thursday, but down from about 600,000 barrels a day before the conflict began. U.S. gasoline inventories expanded by 908,000 barrels last week, while distillate supplies climbed by 528,000 barrels to 134.5 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration. Crude stockpiles declined for a fourth week, down by 5.731 million barrels to 456.5 million barrels, the data showed. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Norske Skog: Strong shareholder support for the recapitalization

All the major shareholder groups of Norske Skogindustrier ASA have indicated their strong support for the consensual recapitalization solution between the Unsecured Committee and the Senior Secured Noteholder Committee reached yesterday. Among the 20 largest shareholders, who control about 38 % of the total number of shares in Norske Skogindustrier ASA, there are already over 75 % support for the recapitalization proposal. At the last general meetings, there have been about 35 - 40 % attendance from the shareholders, where the largest shareholders would constitute more than 90 % of the votes. The transaction will need the support of existing shareholders of Norske Skogindustrier ASA, with a 2/3 majority in an extraordinary general meeting. Among the 20 largest shareholders, there are some nominee accounts, where the shareholder is not known to the public or the company. Such nominee accounts represent almost 20 % of the total number of shares controlled by the 20 largest shareholders, and their vote is therefore unknown to the company. "We are pleased to see that all known major shareholders will support the recapitalization transaction. As repeatedly stated, all alternatives to a consensual solution will entail significantly less value for all parties and rather complicated insolvency processes. If the proposal is successful, the transaction will reduce the group's gross debt from approximately NOK 9 billion to approximately NOK 3 billion and reduce annual cash interest costs from approximately NOK 600 to 200 million", says Mr. Christen Sveaas, chairman and the largest shareholder of Norske Skogindustrier ASA. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Lecta announces a price increase for its Thermal and Carbonless paper deliveries, effective January 2nd, 2018

The price increase for both product ranges will be from 8 to 10% depending on format and country. This price movement is essential in order to offset the continuous increase in manufacturing and distribution costs. Lecta sales teams are at our customers' disposal to provide specific information on how the price increase will be applied by product on a country by country basis.
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Turn-Key Paper Mill Opportunity for Packaging Grades – Appleton Coated Paper, WI

Steven Mattes, CEO of Industrial Assets Corp., states the site has over a billion USD of investment capital put into the infrastructure and equipment at the site. The workforce is determined to keep the mill in operation with a high level of technical knowledge and work ethic. Industrial Assets and its partner, Maynards Industries, are uniquely suited to find the perfect strategic buyer, most likely in the growing packaging grade sector. This mill's infrastructure is very desirable, featuring a 50 MW Cogeneration system, which will provide low cost energy, the site includes rail service, all permits in place for an immediate restart for a domestic or foreign buyer. This 55-acre site with 1.2 million sq. ft. is ideal for running containerboard grades. The (3) paper machines have trim widths ideal to serve the corrugator converters with a customer base ready to enter into production output agreements. The Jagenberg off-machine coater laminator provides the distinct advantage to produce linerboard to the growing demand of the high end graphics segment of commodity packaging. "We have a combined ability to provide direct financing and leasing program for all size companies to take advantage of this very unique opportunity," said Taso Sofikitis, CEO/President of Maynards. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Rachael Ray Every Day Magazine Unveils Redesign With November 2017 Issue

The redesign includes a vibrant and elevated approach to photography and visuals, updated layouts and formats, and a revamped editorial lineup. The dynamic refresh offers a modern, easy-to-navigate format with an opportunity for readers to engage with Rachael on a personal level. Rachael Ray Every Day restructured the magazine, creating four distinct departments: •On Our Radar: A bitsy, beautiful front-of-book section full of news and trends spotted by Rachael herself and our team of in-the-know editors. •Real Food: A series of visually distinct recipe franchises that hit the busy person's bull's-eye—fast, easy, fresh, and delicious. •The Well: Where zeitgeist-y stories get the deep-dive treatment with lush, sumptuous food photography and spectacular design. •Real Life: All about your home and the people (and animals!) who fill it—interior upgrades, DIY decorating, entertaining, family moments, and heartstring-tugging pet stories. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Norpac: 70# Orca Offset being discontinued, 50# and 60# will continue to be important grades for the mill.

For a variety of reasons we haven’t been able to reach our targeted output when running 70# Orca. Now with the new two machine scenario coming we have a new scenario and we can’t continue making all current grades. Even though we run the risk (small) of losing some 50 & 60# Orca offset we have come to the conclusion that 70# Orca Offset needs to be discontinued. Therefore we have no future blocks of this grade in our production planning. If you do get inquiries from the market kindly inform customers that we have discontinued production of 70# Orca Offset.
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Sonoco Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

Net sales for the third quarter were a record $1.32 billion, an increase of $115.9 million, or 9.6 percent, from last year’s quarter. The improvement in sales was a result of higher selling prices, largely driven by rising raw material prices; sales added from acquisitions, net of divestitures; and the positive impact of foreign exchange. Gross profits were a record $250.9 million in the third quarter, an increase of $15.5 million or 6.6 percent, compared with $235.4 million in the same period in 2016. Gross profit as a percentage of sales declined to 18.9 percent, compared with 19.5 percent in the same period in 2016. The gross profit percentage reduction was primarily due to higher raw material and other operating costs offset by manufacturing and procurement productivity. Third-quarter selling, general and administrative expenses increased $8.7 million from the prior year to $130.3 million. This increase was driven by wage inflation and acquisition-related expenses. Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases September 2017 Containerboard Report

Containerboard production was essentially flat compared to September 2016. The month-over-month average daily production compared to August 2017 was 3.8% lower. The containerboard operating rate for September decreased from 97.2% to 95.9%, which was 0.9 percentage points lower than September of last year. Year-to-date production of containerboard for export is up 2.2%, with the September volume falling 13.6% below the same month last year.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases September 2017 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly Report

Total Packaging Papers shipments were 222,200 tons, 3.4% lower than September 2016. Bag & Sack shipments were up 3.8% year-to-date, while Food Wrapping shipments were down 7.8% over the same period. The operating rate for September 2017 was 87.9%, while the year-to-date rate was 88.7%. Inventories were 168,300 tons, down slightly since August.
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Oil Slips as U.S. Product Stockpiles Build, Traders Take Profit

Crude had risen since late last week as tensions in Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, led to the halt of production at two Kirkuk fields. The resulting export curbs pushed oil in the U.S. to a three-week high on Wednesday but Brent has failed to breach last month’s peak and dropped below $58 following the inventory data. Prices reflect “oil bulls taking profit after the supply disruption in Iraq failed to drive Brent to new highs,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S. “It’s a classic risk-off move. On balance, I believe yesterday’s EIA report was net bearish.” U.S. gasoline inventories expanded by 908,000 barrels last week, while distillate supplies climbed to 134.5 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration. Refinery utilization slipped as plants including Exxon Mobil Corp.’s Joliet refinery in Illinois were said to carry out maintenance. Click Read More below for additional information.
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BCI Hawkeye Division adds a Bobst VISIONCUT 1.6 PR autoplaten die-cutter with Power Register

In order to better serve our Customer’s needs, BCI Hawkeye completed in October the installation of a Bobst VISIONCUT 1.6 PR autoplaten die-cutter with Power Register, a state-of-the-art system for unmatched print-to-cut accuracy. This technology will support the growing need for precision die-cutting of micro flute, single wall, double wall, and litho-laminated corrugated board.
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Crown Holdings, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

Net sales in the third quarter increased to $2,468 million compared to $2,326 million in the third quarter of 2016, reflecting increased global beverage, food and aerosol can volumes, the pass through of higher raw material costs, and $38 million of favorable currency translation. Income from operations was $347 million in the third quarter of 2017. Segment income improved to $358 million in the quarter over the $333 million in the third quarter of 2016, including a benefit of $5 million from currency translation. Net income attributable to Crown Holdings in the third quarter was $177 million compared to $183 million in the third quarter of 2016. Reported diluted earnings per share were $1.32 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $1.31 in the 2016 third quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.41 compared to $1.33 in the third quarter of 2016. Through September 30, the Company repurchased a total of 6.2 million shares of its common stock for $339 million, including 1.1 million shares for $62 million during the third quarter. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Hearst Agrees to Acquire Rodale Inc.’s Global Content Business

Hearst and Rodale Inc. announced that Hearst has agreed to acquire the magazine and book businesses of Rodale, a global health and wellness content company based in New York and Emmaus, Pennsylvania. The announcement was made by Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz, Rodale CEO Maria Rodale and Hearst Magazines President David Carey. The transaction is expected to close in early 2018, following receipt of necessary government approvals. Terms were not disclosed. Upon completion of the acquisition, Rodale’s multi-platform content business will be managed by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst with more than 300 editions and websites around the world, including 20 titles in the U.S. Click Read More below for additional information.
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New Report from Smithers Pira Reveals Heidelberg Presses are Most Productive in the Industry and Produce the Lowest Cost Per Sheet

Smithers Pira’s newest report – “Real production capability of pre-owned sheetfed litho presses” – analyzes the impression count of almost 450 pre-owned sheetfed litho presses under 10 years old from five different manufacturers. Averaged across all platform sizes, the report finds that Heidelberg presses are 24.1% more productive than all other manufacturers’ machines when comparing the overall impression count of all machines in all formats. In the case of the Speedmaster XL 105/106, the press is 66% more productive than all the competitive machines. Smithers Pira costing model showed 11% lower production costs per 1,000 sheets. “When we studied the data available online for the used equipment market, we started truly understanding the reality of how much more productive Heidelberg equipment is versus our competitors,” said Global Head of Marketing, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Andy Rae. “But to have the data verified by a respected organization such as Smithers Pira, it now shows the whole industry the astounding proof of Heidelberg productivity.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces FY18 Outlook

“The progress we’ve made during the past two years has created a company that is more nimble and more focused on the solutions our customers want. We are delivering cutting-edge innovation faster than our competitors. And, we have improved our financial profile and increased shareholder value by more than 90% since we launched,” said Meg Whitman, CEO of HPE. “Going forward, we will accelerate profitable growth through a focus on higher margin services and solutions. We will redesign our company to deliver Hybrid IT and Edge innovations tailored to our services strengths.” HPE’s strategy remains focused on three key pillars. First, to make Hybrid IT simple through its data center technology, systems software, private cloud and public cloud partnerships. Second, to power the Intelligent Edge through offerings from Aruba in campus and branch networking, and the Industrial Internet of Things with products like Edgeline and the Universal IOT software platform. Third, to provide Advisory, Professional and Operational Services capabilities, including giving customers financial flexibility through consumption-based models. Click Read More below for additional information.
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eBay’s US sales grow almost 5% while global GMV accelerates the most in 3 years

The value of goods transacted on eBay Inc.’s U.S. marketplace grew 4.8% to $8.78 billion during the company’s third quarter ended Sept. 30, the online marketplace reported Wednesday. That’s up from $8.38 billion during the third quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of 2017, U.S. gross merchandise value was $26.43 billion, up 2.6% from $25.76 billion. Globally, sales on eBay’s marketplaces increased 8.1% to $21.68 billion from $20.05 billion in the same quarter a year ago. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates, global sales grew 7% year over year, eBay says. For the first three quarters of the year, global GMV grew 4.2% to $63.98 billion from $61.42 billion. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Amazon Prime members climb to 90 million, up nearly 40% from last year

Amazon now has 90 million Prime members as of Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal third quarter, which is an estimated 63% of all Amazon customers in the U.S., according to data released Wednesday by securities research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP). The number of Prime customers is up 38.5% from 65 million this time last year and up 5.9% from an estimated 85 million at the end of the second quarter, June 30. Prime is Amazon’s membership program that costs shoppers $99 annually or $10.99 monthly and offers perks such as free expedited shipping and streaming video. CIRP’s estimates are based on a survey of 500 shoppers in the U.S. who made purchases from Amazon during the July-September period. Amazon does not release exact figures on the number of Prime customers. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Metsä Group’s bioproduct mill inaugurated in Äänekoski

The forest industry continues to be a key export sector and a major employer in Finland. Its economic importance is emphasised by the fact that raw materials and services needed in production are mainly sourced from Finland. Metsä Group's Äänekoski bioproduct mill is an example of the forest industry of the new era. Its positive impacts on the Finnish economy are substantial,” Sauli Niinistö says. The forest industry continues to be a key export sector and a major employer in Finland. Its economic importance is emphasised by the fact that raw materials and services needed in production are mainly sourced from Finland. Metsä Group's Äänekoski bioproduct mill is an example of the forest industry of the new era. Its positive impacts on the Finnish economy are substantial,” Sauli Niinistö says. Pulp production at Äänekoski is increasing to 1.3 million tonnes from roughly 0.5 million tonnes. The bioproduct mill is a significant project in terms of Metsä Group’s competitiveness. It is expected to achieve its nominal capacity in mid-2018, which will make Metsä Group the world’s largest producer of softwood market pulp. With this new bioproduct mill, Äänekoski’s industrial ecosystem will develop and grow further, as the mill serves as a platform for the manufacture of new bioproducts. In the first phase, new bioproducts will include product gas, sulphuric acid, biogas and biofuel pellets. Key bioproduct development projects include lignin products, textile fibres and biocomposites. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Public consultation for new Indonesian community forest requirements

Community forests play an important role within Indonesia. Covering just 2.3 million hectares, these forests support the livelihoods of more than 3.4 million households. The Indonesian national forest certification system achieved PEFC endorsement in 2014, and since then, more than 3 million hectares of forest have become PEFC certified. However, while uptake of forest certification has been successful among large companies, it has yet to take hold in the country’s community forests. To make certification more accessible to the community forests, the Indonesian Forest Certification Cooperation (IFCC), supported by the 2015 PEFC Collaboration Fund, GIZ, and others, has developed new requirements for community forest management certification. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sappi Europe announces price increase for Packaging and Speciality Papers as of January 1st, 2018

Continuous sharp input cost rises since the beginning of the year, particularly pulp prices, have now increased to a point where Sappi can no longer absorb them . Therefore Sappi Europe today announces price increases for all Packaging and Speciality Papers with effect of January 1st, 2018. The increase will be 7 % for all uncoated grades and 5 % for all coated grades for Flexible Packaging, Label Papers, Containerboard, Silicon Base Papers and Paperboard. The price rise will apply to all European and Overseas markets. The final implementation will be discussed by Sappi’s sales team with their customers over the next weeks. Existing agreements will be certainly respected.
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PaperWorks $3 million investment in 10-station folding carton litho press delivers wide-range of print enhancements in single pass

Brand owners will now have access to enhanced folding carton printing capabilities—including exotic inks and coatings—with an improved cost profile that will heighten their shelf presence. PaperWorks Industries has invested $3 million in a sheet-fed lithographic press at its Greensboro, N.C. facility which will enable many value-added enhancements in a single pass that traditionally take two- and three-passes to achieve. These include matte and metallic inks, specialty coatings and pigments—plus seven-color printing. The capability is driven by the press' unique configuration. "Brand owners and private label packagers are constantly looking for ways to grab the consumer's attention with eye-catching package design. Traditionally, carton printers would have to run the board through a press additional times to gain the heightened visual and/or tactile effects. However, earmarking additional funds for enhanced shelf impact may not always be feasible. Our new one-pass printing capability creates visual attributes in a fast and cost-effective manner," said Brandon Clairmont, senior vice president, packaging sales and marketing, PaperWorks. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa takes another step forward in driving down emissions at Piteå Paper Mill, Sweden

Global packaging leader Smurfit Kappa has introduced innovative new trucks which have increased capacity and slashed CO₂ emissions by 20%. The vehicles, which have been pioneered at the Piteå Paper Mill in Sweden, can handle heavier loads, resulting in a 30% reduction in the number of trips annually. Smurfit Kappa, which has amassed a wealth of experience in supply chain optimisation through its SupplySmart service, examined how it could streamline the Piteå supply chain. A team of logistics and sustainability specialists used this industry-leading expertise to optimise the supply chain and make it more efficient and sustainable. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Verso Lifts Temporary Order Moratorium

The temporary moratorium on order entry of new manufacturing orders of Coated and Uncoated Freesheet Web products from Verso Corporation has been lifted. Please work with your Midland Paper, Packaging & Supplies customer service representatives as soon as possible for your Coated Freesheet Web needs. Should you have any questions, please contact your Midland Paper, Packaging & Supplies professional sales representative. Thank you for your continued support.
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Verso Corporation Announces Order Moratorium

Due to recent industry events and in order to protect the planned requirements of Verso’s existing customer base, there will be a temporary moratorium on order entry of new manufacturing orders of both C1S and C2S Coated and Uncoated Freesheet Web products. The moratorium is applicable to all Coated and Uncoated Freesheet Web, including but not limited to: Coated Freesheet Web: ArborWeb Plus®; Sterling® Ultra; Sterling® Ultra Book; Sterling® Ultra TrueJet®; Sterling® Ultra caliper; Productolith® Pts. C1S and C2S; Publishers Matte®; Publishers ThinBulk®: ArborWeb®; Influence®; Influence® Book; Focus®; Aspect®; Sterling® Ultra C1S; Sterling® Litho C1S; Ideal® Offset; Ideal® Reply Card. This temporary moratorium will be lifted as soon as practical, but could last as long as 48 hours.
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UPM Announces Price Increase on Coated Groundwood and Coated Freesheet Web Grades

Effective with deliveries on or after November 18, 2017, UPM is increasing the transaction price of all Coated Groundwood and Coated Freesheet Web grades. The transaction price of Coated Groundwood Grades will increase $1.00/cwt, including all basis weights and finishes of: Cote; Ultra; Valor; & Star. The transaction price of Coated Freesheet Web will increase $2.00/cwt, including all basis weights and finishes of Finesse.
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Logging company’s suit against Greenpeace tossed

A logging company’s lawsuit accusing Greenpeace and another environmental group of libel and racketeering for describing the company as a “forest destroyer” was dismissed Monday by a San Francisco federal judge, who said the organizations were exercising their freedom of speech. Resolute Forest Products alleged that Greenpeace and a Bay Area nonprofit called Stand had engaged in a “disinformation campaign,” starting in 2012, about the company’s logging in the boreal forest of northern and western Canada to boost their own fundraising. The company said Greenpeace had to retract its initial claim that its logging had violated the terms of an environmental agreement, and had falsely accused Resolute of endangering caribou in an area where the company did little logging. Greenpeace also labeled Resolute as a “forest destroyer” even though it logs only a small part of the forest, the company said. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Rises on Demand Signs After Goldman Flags Geopolitical Risks

Futures in New York rose as much as 0.6 percent after adding 2.5 percent in the past three sessions. An industry report showed U.S. inventories fell last week, with government data Wednesday forecast to show a fourth straight drop. Crude’s recent gains have been driven by fighting between the Iraqi government and Kurdish forces in the oil-rich Kirkuk region, which could stoke tensions beyond the country’s borders. Iraq is just one of the oil market’s geopolitical risks, with uncertainty also growing over tensions between Iran and the U.S., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said Tuesday. The Persian Gulf nation said it would support an extension of OPEC output cuts to the end of 2018 and insisted its production plans won’t be disrupted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s disavowal of the nuclear deal that’s boosted its exports. Click Read More below for additional information.
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BPM Paper Achieves Wisconsin Green Professional for Third Consecutive Year

For the third year in a row, BPM Inc., northeast Wisconsin paper mill, has received recognition as a Green Professional in the Wisconsin Green Masters Program. The Green Masters Program recognizes and assesses Wisconsin businesses on their sustainability performance in a variety of sustainability categories. “Participation in the Green Masters Program validates BPM’s continued commitment to the environment, sustainability and social responsibility,” said Jim Koronkiewicz, BPM General Manager. “It’s a hands-on tool that BPM can use annually to review areas of sustainable potential. With an increased score, the BPM team has worked hard for this impressive accomplishment.” The program is grounded in an in-depth survey where points are rewarded for a variety of actions. These actions are grouped into areas that include: Energy, Climate, Workforce, Governance, and Community and Educational Outreach. BPM has proven their dedication and commitment to sustainability through advancing in the program. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Personalization as a megatrend – Heidelberg showcasing digital printing solutions at InPrint 2017

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG will be presenting digital printing solutions for the automotive sector at stand 372 at InPrint 2017 in Munich from 14 to 16 November. These solutions help providers from the sector to offer their customers personalized, attractive products – using digitally realized designs that are in ever greater demand given the megatrend of personalization. Using the example of a smart car, Heidelberg will be hosting live demos at InPrint showing how digitization and new printing technologies enable individual small series or individual parts to be quickly and easily realized. The items on show at the trade fair will range from custom-decorated speedometer bezels and ventilation nozzles to alloy rims. The Heidelberg Omnifire 250 4D printing system will be in operation for visitors to see. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Mohawk Releases the Thirteenth Issue of the Mohawk Maker Quarterly at AIGA Design Conference 2017

Mohawk introduced the thirteenth issue of its celebrated Mohawk Maker Quarterly at AIGA’s annual Design Conference in Minneapolis. Each issue of the Mohawk Maker Quarterly relies on a single word for its creative framework. In issue thirteen, that word is disruption. Consistent with the ongoing strategy behind the publication, issue thirteen seeks to provide thought-provoking inspiration for graphic designers around the world through engaging content and well-considered design on paper. Issue thirteen may have been the most challenging issue to date. That’s because the term “disruption” is so commonly used that it’s lost its meaning. Bandied about business culture as the term-du-jour, disruption has earned more than a few eye rolls and for good reason. Despite this troublesome ubiquity, disruption’s essence of exploration, discovery and revolution are successfully recaptured in issue thirteen. To do this, the team at Hybrid Design went looking for thinkers and doers who are upending the world as we know it. These iconoclasts are reframing the way we consider such basic concepts as time, ownership and success. They’re redefining images, spaces and perceptions in radical ways. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Norske Skog: Final solution with creditor committees reached

The board of directors and management of Norske Skog are pleased to announce that it has managed to broker a consensual solution between the Unsecured Committee, the Senior Secured Noteholder Committee and major shareholders. The two bondholder committees and the major shareholders have agreed on a split of the equity ownership of Norske Skogindustrier ASA, following the recapitalization transaction that these groups will support. With this development, over 80% of the senior secured noteholders and more than 50% of the unsecured noteholders have now indicated their willingness to support such an adjusted recapitalization proposal. Therefore, the relevant boards in the Norske Skog group have resolved to revise the terms of the ongoing consent solicitation in accordance with the split agreed. The formal consent solicitation deadline is extended until Wednesday 25 October at 17:00 CET to allow adequate time for the group's noteholders to submit their formal consents. Click Read More below for additional information.
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International Print Day Aims to Trend Worldwide on October 18th

Celebrating its fourth year focusing on the original communications delivery device, International Print Day (IPD) throws open its virtual doors to the global print community on Wednesday, October 18th – and everyone is invited. Here is a chance to join a worldwide conversation without borders and share your passion for print through social media that spans all time zones and all types of print, beginning at 6 pm ET on October 17th (*11 pm GMT, 9 am AEST) and finishing 24 hours later on October 18th at 6 pm ET. There are many ways for students and artists, printers and their supply chain partners to participate. During IPD share your work, your favorite print samples and applications or simply share a moment with fellow enthusiasts using the hashtag #IPD17. Interact and network with the global print community to share your love of print. Last year, the IPD hashtag on Twitter generated an impressive 30-million timeline deliveries in just under 24 hours, so the push for 2017 is to go bigger. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sappi Announces Order Moratorium

Effective immediately, Sappi is announcing a temporary order moratorium on all items of the following: • Opus Web • Somerset Web • Flo Web • Flo Sheets and Sheeter Rolls • LusterCote C1S. Any unconfirmed orders in our system and any inquiries will be held for review through Thursday, October 19th, when we will determine which orders and inquiries we can confirm. In light of recent industry developments, this is a short-term measure designed to secure Sappi’s production capacity for the protection of Sappi’s existing customers.
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West Linn Paper Company Ceasing Operations and Winding up Business

West Linn Paper Company today annouced that it is ceasing operations and will commence a winding up of its business supervised by its second lien lender. "We are deeply disappointed to end the mill’s 128 year history, the last twenty of which resulted from a major restructuring and restart when our current ownership took control of West Linn Paper Company. The commitment and support that we received from our employees, our lenders and our owners as we sought to adapt to structural changes in our markets has been remarkable. However, several unforeseeable events have led to a significant reduction in available pulp, making continued operations impossible. As a result we will wind up our operations as quickly and efficiently as possible, beginning immediately." states Brian Konen, Chief Operating Officer for West Linn Paper Company. Company officials said that orders for stock product will continue to be accepted. Orders that have been produced but not yet shipped will be shipped. Manufacturing orders that have been accepted, but not yet produced, will be reviewed and customers will be contacted shortly with confirmations as to whether those orders will be produced. The Company will not be accepting new manufacturing orders going forward.
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Port Hawkesbury Paper Mill Update

We would like to provide an update regarding today’s announcement by West Linn Paper Company that it is ceasing operations. It is with disappointment that we learned of West Linn Paper’s closure. The mill has a proud history of 128 years, including the past 20 years since it was restarted under the current ownership. We understand that operating as a non-integrated paper mill was ultimately impossible in today’s challenging marketplace, particularly given recent events resulting in a significant reduction of pulp availability. At Port Hawkesbury Paper, it will be business as usual. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sappi North America Announces Recipients of the 18th Annual Ideas that Matter Grant

Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the ten grant recipients of its 18th annual Ideas that Matter program, where financial support is given to designers who create print integrated projects to maximize social impact. The ten projects selected this year highlight how design and creativity can help solve prominent social issues. Through communication projects and campaigns using paper and print, the winning projects focus on climate change, encourage high school students to consider urban planning, educate girls about their reproductive rights, support quality journalism, address prison reform, and explore solutions for delivering humanitarian aid - inspiring change across the country, and around the world. As an integral part of Sappi's corporate social responsibility platform since 1999, the Ideas that Matter grant program has funded over 500 nonprofit projects and contributed more than $13 million to a wide range of causes that use design as a positive force in society. The program is open to North American designers who have partnered with a nonprofit organization and developed a communication campaign that is ready for implementation. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Important Neenah Customer Announcements

1. PRICING ANNOUNCEMENT: Neenah is announcing a price increase of approximately 2% on select Commercial Brands of paper and envelopes. The list below provides information for all brands that are being increased. 2. NON-REPLENISHED SKU ANNOUNCEMENT: In our continuing effort to provide best-in-class service to you on our core brands and our high performing items, we will no longer be replenishing select under-performing skus from our portfolio. The impacted items will be available while supplies last. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Important Neenah Wide Format Announcement

Neenah is announcing a price increase of approximately 3% - 5% on several of our Wide Format brands. We’ve also taken this opportunity to better align our conVerd Board® brand pricing across the products within that portfolio. The list below information for all brands that are being increased. Wide Format - BANNER-BRITE; BLOX-LITE®; CITYLIGHT®; CONVERD BOARD® 1.5MM; CONVERD BOARD® 3.0 MM; CONVERD BOARD® 3.5MM; CONVERD BOARD® 4.7MM; CONVERD BOARD® 6.0 MM; DIGISCAPE®; DUOBOARD®; ENDURA®; EVERYDAY PHOTO; ENVIROSCAPE MURAL®; FLEXART®; GREENLIGHT® II Plus; IMAGEASE®; LUSTRÉ BOARD®; NEENAH® Photo Satin. Wide Format Brands excluded from this price increase include: CLASSIC CREST® Wide Format, ESSE® Wide Format and ASTROBRIGHTS® Wide Format. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Kruger Newsprint Price Increase

The Antidumping and Countervailing Duties cases filed by Norpac in August against the Canadian UGW industry has reached the official stage of being investigated by the United States ITC and DOC. The increasing legal costs and the incremental costs associated with the inordinate amount of our corporate personnel’s time that is associated with the efforts needed to defend ourselves from the unfounded accusations levied on our industry are staggering. We also expect to have to start depositing interim duties beginning in early January 2018. Therefore, effective December 1, 2017, we will increase our 48.8 gms newsprint transaction price by $30/MT. The transaction price for our other newsprint and UGW grades and basis weights will increase accordingly. It is Kruger’s intention to rescind this increase once the threat of the duties is lifted and once the investigation is completed.
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Pearson nine-month trading update

Sales in the first nine months decreased by 2% in underlying terms primarily due to expected declines in North America in school assessment, school and higher education courseware, and the retirement of Learning Studio. Sales in US higher education courseware declined by 1% on an underlying basis, towards the upper half of our expected range. The negative impact of lower enrolments and attrition from growth in the secondary market driven by print rental was partially offset by the benefit of increased digital revenue and a year on year benefit from the reduction in returns from last year’s unprecedented levels, helped by the actions we announced at the beginning of the year. Underlying sales in Core and Growth were in line with our expectations. Click Read More below for additional information.
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National Forest Products Week Puts Pulp, Paper, Packaging, Tissue, Wood Products Center-Stage October 15 – 21

“Pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products are interwoven through our every-day lives in undeniable ways. They and the devoted employees who manufacture them deserve a center-stage seat during National Forest Products Week – the annual celebration of our industry and its valuable contributions to society and the American economy. “In rural and urban communities across 45 states, our companies provide family-wage jobs to approximately 900,000 men and women and our industry accounts for four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Paper and wood products manufacturers rank among the top 10 employers and utilize renewable, recyclable materials in innovative and highly-efficient processes to make products we rely on today and will need tomorrow. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Expanding Amcor’s leadership in innovation, safety, sustainability

Amcor is expanding its leadership role in packaging innovation, product safety and sustainability in collaboration with customers and suppliers through membership of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). The CGF is a non-profit, global association that embraces retailers and manufacturers and is run by a board of chief executive officers – many of whom are Amcor customers. More than 400 companies from 70 countries are CGF members. With operations spanning the globe, Amcor welcomes the opportunity to continue to share our expertise and influence strategic agenda, adding the CGF to our roster of memberships with select global forums and associations.
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BillerudKorsnas: Good demand and stable results

CEO Per Lindberg comments on the development during Q3 2017: “We experienced a very strong market in the quarter, resulting in positive sales performance. Net sales were up 3% and volumes were up 1% on last year. Overall, we have had some difficulties with production availability in recent quarters, so we have established a new organisation to work proactively on both availability and quality at our facilities. I am confident that this will generate results over the coming years. Looking ahead, market conditions appear encouraging, and we see good opportunities for continued growth. In the longer term, we will have additional support from increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions. In this respect, our major investments, which will start to deliver in 2018 and 2019, will make a significant positive contribution to our growth on this market.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Rising tensions in oil-rich northern Iraq keep crude prices elevated

Oil prices continued to climb Tuesday amid fighting in Iraq that threatened production from northern Iraq and as the relationship between the United States and Iran risked more strain. Iraqi forces on Monday clashed with fighters from Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, in a continuing standoff over Kurdish independence. The violence followed a referendum late September in which the Kurds voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence, in defiance of the central government in Baghdad and other regional powers. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Expera Specialty Solutions Celebrates National Forest Products Week

In appreciation of the 57th anniversary of National Forest Products Week, forest product manufacturers and organizations through the supply chain are joining to Celebrate Forest Products (#CelebrateFP). “Expera maintains the highest of standards in managing our entire wood procurement and forest certification systems,” explained Ann Funk, Vice President of Procurement & Logistics for Expera. “Expera is leading the way to ensure responsibility not only in our systems, but those of our suppliers.” Expera is certified under the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®), and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) at all of their Wisconsin facilities. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Grainger Reports Results For The 2017 Third Quarter

Grainger reported results for the 2017 third quarter ended September 30, 2017. Sales of $2.6 billion increased 2 percent versus the third quarter of 2016. There were 63 selling days in the 2017 third quarter, one fewer than the 2016 third quarter. On a daily basis, sales increased 3 percent versus the prior year. Net earnings for the quarter of $162 million were down 13 percent versus $186 million in 2016. Earnings per share of $2.79 decreased 9 percent versus $3.05 in 2016. "Our U.S. business had strong volume in the quarter driven by our strategic pricing initiatives and an improving demand environment. We saw a solid response from digital marketing activities that began in mid-August, particularly from our mid-sized customers. We continued to streamline our portfolio with the divestiture of a noncore U.S. specialty business, which affected sales in the quarter," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer DG Macpherson. "Our single channel online businesses continued their strong sales growth and improved profitability. Our Canadian business continues to be challenged as we execute our turnaround strategy. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Strengthens Executive Leadership Team, Appoints Slate of New Talent

Global learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced changes to its executive team, with a slate of new talent and the promotion of internal leaders to support its goal of improving learning outcomes for all students. “With a passionate and talented team in place, I look forward to what’s on the horizon for HMH as we deliver on our unique ability to provide truly integrated learning solutions,” says Jack Lynch, President and CEO, HMH. “This group brings the right balance of K-12 teaching and learning experience and customer-centered innovation to the table to deepen HMH’s longstanding position as a leading core curriculum provider and to expand and diversify our portfolio in faster growing segments within intervention, supplemental curriculum and professional services.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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A Look at Commercial Printers Entering Packaging Markets

As package printers are well aware, the packaging segment of the printing industry is one of consistent growth. Meanwhile, many commercial printers that have either found their growth at a plateau, or even on a decline, have caught onto this trend and are looking into adding packaging services to their repertoires. According to Kevin Karstedt, CEO of Karstedt Partners, the folding carton market is a good place to start for commercial printers because it relies mostly on sheetfed offset printing. But before a printer can go ahead and start printing packaging jobs on an offset press, Karstedt says it’s important for them to assess whether their current equipment is up to the challenge. “If a commercial printer only has a four-color press, they’re going to be challenged for producing packaging, unless they can produce work that is CMYK oriented, and there are no special or corporate colors,” Karstedt says. “Some older sheetfed presses also don’t handle paperboard very well, so they’re not going to be able to produce folding cartons.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sonoco to premiere expanded produce packaging line at PMA 2017

"The perimeter of the store continues to experience solid growth as consumers are drawn to more fresh and natural options, with produce being the significant driver," said Sonoco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rob Tiede. "This growth is accelerating the need for brands to offer more convenient, on-the-go options that are easy to store, consume and dispose. Shoppers are also looking for ways to reduce food waste, so packaging has a big role to play in portion control and maintaining freshness." The newly expanded product line, which will be featured at the show, includes options ranging from flexible pouches and peel-reseal lidding, to rigid plastic trays, tubs and hinged containers. These formats are ideal for pre-cut produce, prepared salads and snack-packs, as well as whole fruits and vegetables. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM Raflatac introduces new labeling solutions for medical device and healthcare applications in CPhI

UPM Raflatac will launch a brand new product range for medical device and healthcare industry. New RPMD is a multi-faceted adhesive that is ideal for labeling medical devices. Selection of different face materials with new RPMD adhesive are specially designed for different medical device sub-segments such as sterilization wraps and bags, infusion bags and bottles, drug-device combinations like pens, auto-injectors and inhalers and blood donation labeling. RPMD adhesive combines excellent adhesion with a tight mandrel hold on glass and plastic and is sterilization resistant and migration safe. "In April 2017 the EU Commission formally adopted two new regulations on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices. One of the main regulatory updates is the implementation of a Unique Device Identification system (UDI) that provides a globally harmonized and consistent approach for the marking and identification of medical devices", comments Markku Pietarinen, Manager, Business Segments & Pharma, Specials EMEIA. "A UDI is a code printed on a label affixed to a device or its packaging, or even directly on the device itself, in both plain text and machine-readable format. All medical devices available in the EU must comply with the new regulations by April 2020, with the deadline for in vitro diagnostic devices falling two years later, in 2022." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Wiley Announces Brian A. Napack as President and CEO

“I am delighted to introduce Brian Napack as the 14th CEO in Wiley’s proud 210-year history of empowering discovery, advancement, and learning,” said Mr. Kissner. “After a thorough and thoughtful search, the Board of Directors unanimously agreed on Brian as the type of proven leader that can drive our continuous evolution as the trusted, innovative partner that our customers rely on to deliver the critical content, tools and services that they need to meet their goals. Brian has the deep industry experience, the passion for our business, and the leadership ability to get us there.” Mr. Napack has an extensive background as a leader and innovator in the media, education, and information industries. He comes to Wiley from Providence Equity Partners, a global private equity firm with more than $50 billion under management, where he has been a Senior Advisor focused on investments in education and media. Mr. Napack currently serves as a Director on the Boards of Blackboard, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Burning Glass, Ingram Industries, Recorded Books, myON, Synergis Education, and Zero To Three, a science-based early childhood advocacy organization. Due to the Wiley appointment, he will transition off certain of these boards. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Special Committee of Nordstrom Board Confirms Update from Nordstrom Family Group Regarding Potential Going Private Transaction

Nordstrom, Inc. announced that members of the Nordstrom family – Company Co-Presidents Blake W. Nordstrom, Peter E. Nordstrom, and Erik B. Nordstrom, President of Stores James F. Nordstrom, Chairman Emeritus Bruce A. Nordstrom, and Anne E. Gittinger – (the "Group") have notified the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Nordstrom that the Group has suspended active exploration, for the balance of the year, of the possibility of proposing a transaction to take the company private. The Group informed the Special Committee that it intends to continue its efforts to explore the possibility of making a going private proposal after the conclusion of the holiday season. The Special Committee, which is committed to protecting the interests of the Company and all its shareholders, is prepared to thoroughly evaluate such a proposal from the Group at that time, if one is made. In the meantime, the Company and its employees will remain focused on running the business and delivering the best shopping experience for customers. Click Read More below for additional information.
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McClatchy Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

McClatchy recorded after-tax non-cash charges of $230.9 million in the third quarter of 2017, leading to a quarterly net loss of $238.9 million, or $31.28 per share. The non-cash charges relate almost solely to a non-cash deferred tax valuation allowance and, to a minor extent, after-tax non-cash impairments on newspaper mastheads and certain equity investments. The loss in the third quarter of 2016 was $9.8 million or $1.30 per share. The company reported an adjusted net loss of $5.9 million, which excludes severance, impairments, the tax-valuation allowance, and certain other items in the third quarter of 2017. The quarterly results compare with an adjusted net loss of $2.1 million a year earlier. Total revenues in the third quarter of 2017 were $212.6 million, down 9.4% compared to the third quarter of 2016. The company estimates that in September, revenues (primarily ad revenues) from its East Coast operations were reduced by approximately $625,000 as a result of Hurricane Irma. Including the revenue impact due to Hurricane Irma, total revenues in the third quarter of 2017 would have been down 9.1% compared to the third quarter 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Celebrate the Sustainability of Paper from Well Managed U.S. Forests

Each year since 1960, the third week in October has been proclaimed National Forest Products Week in the U.S. It is a time to recognize the essential role that forests play in the country’s history, culture, environment and economy. Our forests are a source of clean air and water, are home to a diversity of fish and wildlife, a place to enjoy, provide us with many products made from wood and are a source of employment for people who work in and manage the forests. From houses to paper to packaging to fuel to furniture to railways, wood products are an irreplaceable part of our daily lives. But those are just the traditional uses of forest products! What about all the surprising everyday items that contain products from wood? Wood cellulose, released when wood is processed into pulp, is used to make ping pong balls, sports helmets, nail polish and synthetic fibres, which are made into clothes and towels – just to name a few. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Resolute Contributes to Relief Efforts in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico

In the wake of the destruction caused by a series of hurricanes that recently hit the Southern United States and the Caribbean, Resolute has stepped up to assist the rebuilding and humanitarian efforts with donations of lumber and tissue products, as well as basic necessities. We are donating, through Habitat for Humanity, a railcar of lumber to Houston, devastated by unprecedented flooding triggered by Hurricane Harvey. The lumber will be used to help rebuild Habitat homes that were damaged, at no cost to the homeowners, as well as for new homes scheduled for construction later this fall and during the spring of next year. The lumber will be shipped from our La Doré (Quebec) sawmill and is scheduled to arrive in Houston by mid-November. We also sent tens of thousands of packages of bath tissue and paper towels from our Calhoun (Tennessee) operation. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Darwill Continues its Inkjet Journey with Océ ProStream 1000

Chicago-based Darwill will be the first US company to install the Océ ProStream 1000. The company selected the ProStream to fulfill customer demand for high quality color applications on coated stock. Mark Deboer talks about how critical it is to have networking and peer education at events like thINK have helped them get up to speed on the evolving production inkjet ecosystem.
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Q Magazine Launches Q Legends Series With Oasis Collector’s Edition

The perfect-bound 132-page standalone issue will offer music lovers the chance to read the definitive story behind the infamous Gallagher brothers, featuring their greatest hits, classic interviews and three exclusive Jill Furmanovsky photo galleries from across her time as Oasis’ chosen photographer, with her own illuminating captions and back stories. Q Legends is a new quarterly special edition that focuses in on the biggest stars to have regularly graced Q since its launch in 1986. Using the huge in-house archive of material available, as well as new insight and rare photography, Q Legends takes an in-depth, luxurious, loving look at a career lived through the pages of Britain’s greatest music magazine. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Iraq Seizes Oil Fields as Fighting Flares Over Kurds’ State Push

Iraqi forces advanced toward the disputed city of Kirkuk, as the government sharply intensified its efforts to stall moves toward a Kurdish state by seizing the oil fields that would underpin its economy. Crude exports from the disputed area were flowing normally on Monday. State-run Iraqiya television said the military had also captured a refinery, a gas plant and a main road in Kirkuk, which has emerged as a flashpoint in the power struggle between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government. The Associated Press reported that Kurdish fighters had abandoned their positions outside Kirkuk’s airport while civilians were fleeing the city, where sporadic gunfire could be heard. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Heidelberg successfully recertified for quality and environmental management

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has successfully completed recertification to the new management system standards ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. This means that all production and development locations worldwide together with their marketing, product management, development, procurement, production and service functions as well as their support processes along the entire value chain have been successfully recertified. The audit was carried out by the well-known certification company DQS GmbH (German Organization for the Certification of Management Systems), which for its part is authorized by the national accreditation body DAkkS GmbH (German Accreditation Body) in Berlin. Certification to the international ISO standards has been part and parcel of Heidelberg’s quality and environmental policy for over 20 years. Heidelberg’s goal is to continuously improve all processes related to quality and the environment. This commitment is insisted upon and appropriately supported by the management. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Largest North American Print Show Highlights Strength of the Industry

More than 19,000 people attended the 2017 SGIA Expo (New Orleans; October 10-12) last week. The show, which took over the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, featured nearly 600 exhibitors showcasing the most innovative technologies and products in the printing marketplace. “The Expo is always exciting, and not just because it’s the largest printing show in North America,” said SGIA President and CEO, Ford Bowers. “It’s where you go to see and learn about the evolution of the print industry.” The show floor bustled with attendees and exhibitors doing business, with attendees clearly ready to make purchases and add innovation to their organizations. New attendee Nathanial Kastelic, owner of 11th Loop, was here seeking information about eco-friendly textiles and processes. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Bookstore Sales Dropped 10.9% in August

Bookstore sales tumbled 10.9% this August compared to August 2016, according to preliminary figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Friday. Sales in August were $1.39 billion, down from $1.56 billion a year ago. The decline is due in part to strong sales last summer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. August also includes sales from college stores as students start the fall semester and the decline likely reflects lower sales in those outlets. (August is typically the first or second biggest month for bookstore sales). Click Read More below for additional information.
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Royal Mail strikes called off

Embroiled in a pensions dispute since April, 110,000 Royal Mail Communication Workers Union (CWU) members were due to stage a 48-hour walkout from next Thursday (19 October) at 11am, after 89.1% of those who voted opted for strike action, the first major ballot to take place since the new Trade Union Act came into force. Royal Mail said the action would be unlawful if the CWU did not follow dispute resolution procedures and, according to the BBC, Mr Justice Supperstone, who granted the injunction yesterday (12 October), asked that the “defendant withdraw its strike call until the external mediation process can be exhausted”. A Royal Mail statement said that the High Court had ruled that the contractual dispute resolution procedures under its Agenda for Growth be followed before industrial action take place. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Set for Weekly Gain on Rebalancing Signs From U.S. to China

Futures added 1.5 percent in New York. China’s crude imports last month jumped to the second-highest on record, customs data show, while U.S. government data on Thursday showed crude inventories fell by 2.75 million barrels last week. OPEC is said to expect a global oil glut will be gone a year from now. President Donald Trump is expected on Friday to disavow a deal with Iran that helped revive its oil exports, while stopping short of abandoning it. Oil has rebounded from the biggest weekly loss since May on signs that output cuts led by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries are draining a surplus. OPEC expects the effort to succeed by the end of the third quarter of next year, said people familiar with the group’s internal forecasts. The prediction assumes that production in Libya and Nigeria will remain at current levels and U.S. shale output will expand by no more than 500,000 barrels a day next year, two people familiar with the matter said. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Hachette Shutters Weinstein Books

The Hachette Book Group announced Thursday that it is "terminating" the Weinstein Books imprint, effective immediately. The decision follows a New York Times report exposing decades of sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, his subsequent removal by the board of the company he co-founded, and scores of celebrities speaking out against him to the press. HBG took over the imprint with its purchase of the Perseus Books Group, which had struck a co-publishing deal with the Weinstein Company in late 2009, through which Weinstein Books had published about 10 titles a year. In its statement, HBG said titles under the imprint will be now published by the Hachette Books imprint, and all Weinstein Books employees will join the Hachette Books team. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Dome Goes ‘All In’ With Purchase of EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340 and VUTEk 5r Presses

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. announced that Dome, a commercial print solutions provider headquartered in California, recently purchased EFI™ VUTEk® FabriVU® 340 soft signage and VUTEk 5r roll-to-roll printers. The new high-volume inkjet printers are to be installed in Dome’s newly renovated, Sacramento, Calif., facility by the end of this year. The purchase is part of a strategic re-invention of the company that also includes merging several locations into the new facility, as well as opening new company sales offices in Chicago and Southern California. The two new presses will replace three models from various manufacturers; once installed, Dome’s superwide-format inkjet graphics operation will exclusively use EFI printers. A complete solution for high-volume out-of-home graphics “We are going into uncharted waters for our company, and we don’t need a vendor, we need a partner to help us succeed.” said Dome President Misha Pavlov. “It’s a strategic move, for sure — EFI has invested in us, and us in them.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Amid “Fake News,” Magazines Can Offer Credibility, Safer Ad Environments, Argues New MPA Campaign

The fast-paced nature of the digital media cycle (and subsequent marginalization of simple fact checking and copy editing) has raised legitimate questions about outlets placing expediency and traffic surges above taking the time to get things right—yesterday’s wave of premature reports about the death of singer Tom Petty was only the latest example. This phenomenon, coupled with rising paranoia among consumers and marketers around fake news and brand-safe environments, respectively, provides a unique opportunity for trusted and established media brands such as national magazines. At least, that’s the central message of the latest marketing campaign undertaken by the MPA—the Association of Magazine Media. Click Read More below for additional information.
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SAPPI Printer of the Year Award

Arandell has been chosen as the recipient of 2 silver awards in this years SAPPI Printer of the Year Competition. The following catalogs: CARTER’S | Oshkosh B’Gosh Back to School 2016 and Neiman Marcus | Horchow October 2016 were selected to be award winners. Sappi’s Printer of the Year awards are regarded as the world’s most respected accolade of excellence in printed communications. Click Read More below for additional information.
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EU Commission VP Maros Sefcovic visits UPM Kaukas: focus on renewable energy and climate change mitigation

UPM was honoured to welcome European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefcovic, responsible for the Energy Union, to the UPM Kaukas Mill site in Lappeenranta Finland today. The visit was hosted by UPM's President and CEO, Jussi Pesonen. During the visit UPM presented its UPM Biofore strategy designed to create sustainable solutions and new innovations from renewable raw materials that provide options to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. Pesonen called for EU regulation that ensures the right framework for companies to invest and provide innovative solutions to reduce emissions. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Walmart Announces up to $250,000 Commitment to California Wildfire Relief Efforts

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed up to $250,000 in support of ongoing relief efforts surrounding wildfires in California. This includes funding for nonprofit grants supporting the America Red Cross and Salvation Army for shelter and feeding efforts, as well as in-kind product donations to support first responders. “As with the devastating fires in Clearlake last year, Walmart is committed to supporting communities in California in times of need,” said Angela Wilson, Walmart regional general manager. “By providing product, support and donations to both first-responders and local nonprofits, we will be able to provide help in the short term and the recovery period after the fires, and we’re proud of our associates who are volunteering their time to help our community get back on its feet.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Staples Announces Stores Will Again Be Closed on Thanksgiving Day

Staples, Inc. is offering great solutions to save time and money this holiday season, and giving customers more time to enjoy. While Staples stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Staples.com will offer can't-miss deals so customers can fill their carts without leaving their homes. On Black Friday, exclusive in-store deals will begin at 7 a.m. in the majority of locations and where states allow. Visit Staples.com for the most up-to-date location and hours information. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Appleton Coated Update

On October 10, 2017, Industrial Assets Corp. completed the purchase of Appleton Coated LLC. Industrial Assets Corp. is a California-based corporation specializing in capital financing acquisition and sale of distressed manufacturing companies. Going forward, Appleton Coated will continue limited operations while working with Industrial Assets to secure a strategic buyer that plans to operate at full capacity. To that end, Appleton Coated will be taking/processing orders and has stock of its Utopia, C1S, Reincarnation and Ethos products. Our Customer Service area is available from 7:00 AM CST to 5:30 PM CST to accept inquiries and orders. We look forward to continuing to work with you and thank you for your support and loyalty to Appleton Coated. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Neenah Grows Technical Products Platform with Agreement to Acquire Coldenhove

Neenah Paper, Inc. announced it had signed a definitive agreement to purchase all of the outstanding equity of W.A. Sanders Coldenhove Holding B.V. Coldenhove is a specialty materials manufacturer based in the Netherlands, with a leading position in digital transfer media and other technical products. Coldenhove has annual sales of over $45 million with EBITDA of approximately $6 million. The company's advanced media is a critical component used in dye sublimation, a growing method of digital image transfer. The purchase price is expected to be approximately $45 million, subject to final closing adjustments, and will be financed with available cash and short term borrowings. Closing is expected to occur on November 1, and is subject to customary conditions. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Harry & David To Open Nearly 20 Holiday Pop-Up Stores

Harry & David announced it will operate approximately 20 pop-up stores nationwide this holiday season, in addition to its 46 year-round retail locations. The opening of these pop-up stores, in key market areas across the U.S., will expand Harry & David's store footprint just in time for the biggest gift-giving time of the year. Customers will enjoy an extensive assortment of gourmet food gifts at all Harry & David retail locations, including pop-up stores, featuring many fan favorites such as the iconic Royal Riviera® Pears, truffles, specialty chocolates, Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn, novelty candy, bakery items and an array of signature holiday gift baskets and towers. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Amazon Now Hiring for Over 120,000 Jobs in the U.S. This Holiday Season

Amazon announced it is creating more than 120,000 positions this season across its U.S. network of fulfillment centers, sortation centers and customer service sites. Last year, thousands of holiday positions were transitioned to regular, full-time roles after the holidays and the company expects to continue that trend this year. “We prepare year round for the holidays and we’re excited to hire for over 120,000 positions this season to help delight our customers,” said Dave Clark, Amazon Senior Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment. “We look forward to welcoming back holiday employees who return year-after-year to Amazon and welcome new faces to the team, many of whom will continue on with regular, full-time roles with the company after the holidays.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Slides Before U.S. Data as IEA Warns of Ceiling for Prices

Futures lost 0.9 percent in New York after climbing 4.1 percent in the previous three sessions. Inventories rose by 3.1 million barrels last week, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report. Energy Information Administration data Thursday is forecast to show stockpiles dropped for a third week. Global supply and demand estimates for 2018 indicate that stockpiles may not fall further, potentially capping prices, according to the International Energy Agency. “According to the IEA’s calculation, at the current level of OPEC production there will be no global stock draws next year,” said Olivier Jakob, managing director of consultants Petromatrix GmbH in Zug, Switzerland. “If the IEA is right, then markets will continue to trade in the narrow” price band seen recently. Global oil stockpiles will fall this year by 300,000 barrels a day as stronger demand and output curbs by OPEC and Russia whittle away a surplus, the IEA said Thursday in its monthly report. Still, even if the producers decide to continue with the cuts next year, surging supplies from the U.S. and elsewhere will prevent inventories dropping further. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Catalyst Paper Implements New Recruitment & Onboarding System

The new system has limited data entry requirements allowing individuals interested in a career with Catalyst to enter their credentials quickly and easily. The new system also allows the company to maintain an easily searchable database of candidates for current or future jobs. Anyone interested in employment with Catalyst or considering a job change should visit the company’s careers site (catalystpaper.com/careers) and input their credentials. For over a century, Catalyst has been an integral part of the North American pulp and paper industry. It is proud to be recognized as a leader in product technology innovation and environmental sustainability, founded on a tradition of operational excellence and personal ownership for business performance. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Fort Smith Glatfelter plant to begin production in November

Glatfelter, the York, Pa.-based global manufacturer of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials, soon will begin making its sought-after “airlaid” products in Fort Smith for the “wipes and hygiene markets.” The company announced in March 2016 it would spend $80 million to repurpose the unused Mitsubishi building at 8201 Chad Colley Blvd. in Fort Smith’s Chaffee Crossing for what has become its 13th manufacturing facility. Glatfelter is creating at least 80 new, high-tech manufacturing jobs in Fort Smith. The company projected in March 2016 it would be up and running in Fort Smith by late 2017 or early 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Heidelberg Technology and Automation Produce Industry-Leading Productivity Levels, Maximize Profits for Printers

Citing two new white papers from the Printing Industries of America, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) finds new technology when driven by the automation of processes like “Push to Stop” provides a direct link to enhanced productivity and maximum profitability. The two white papers, published by Dr. Ronnie H. Davis, PIA’s Chief Economist, focus on the roles that productivity and costs play in a printer’s overall profitability. Davis argues lowering manufacturing costs is the main way to boost profits. In fact, a 1% decrease in costs equates to a 34% increase in profits based on the industry-wide average of 2% profit. The reports show the wide profit gap ($13 for every $100 Job) between profit leaders in the printing industry and those with profit potential (Figure 1). This gap, Davis attributes, is a direct result of the reduction of manufacturing costs by the profit leaders through investment in new, technologically advanced equipment. According to PIA’s studies, customers who invest in new technology, “save more than two employees per million dollars in sales.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Huhtamaki North America Foodservice collects three awards

Wendy’s, Church’s Chicken and Taco Bell all honored North America’s Foodservice business unit with significant awards earned for delivering outstanding service and design. As three of the most globally recognizable quick-service restaurants in the industry, these are obviously great honors for our company. Wendy’s Golden Link Award - Awarded only once every two years, the Golden Link Awards recognize top supply chain partners. Huhtamaki was honored for their strong commitment to its partnership with Wendy’s and delivering excellent products at a fair price. Church’s Chicken Supplier of the Year - Huhtamaki collaborated with Church’s Chicken to globally source the paperboard used in producing the Church’s boxes and cartons. Yum! Brands/RSCS STAR Award for Taco Bell’s Packaging Supplier of the Year - During their Annual STAR Award ceremony, Yum! Brands and Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions (RSCS) chose Huhtamaki as Taco Bell’s Packaging Supplier of the Year. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Time Inc Cuts Circulation, Frequency Of Magazines

Time Inc. is reducing the circulation and frequency of a number of its titles to “sustain its print business,” focusing on its core readership with heftier issues. The goal is to attract advertisers to a more valuable audience. Time Inc. confirmed to Publishers Daily it will cut the circulation of Time and People en Español, as well as reduce the frequency of the latter, Sports Illustrated, Fortune, Money and Entertainment Weekly. Time magazine will cut its circulation by one-third, from 3 million to 2 million per issue. Its frequency will stay the same at 44 issues per year. People en Español will lower its circulation from 540,000 to 500,000 and cut two of its issues to print nine a year. Sports Illustrated will drop from 38 issues a year to 27. Fortune’s frequency will change to monthly, from 16 issues a year. Money will drop to 10 issues from 11. Entertainment Weekly will cut four issues and appear 34 times a year in 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa invests $62m in advanced and sustainable technology in the Los Reyes Paper Mill, Mexico

The PM6 machine, which has a production capacity of 100,000 tons of recycled containerboard per year, will facilitate greater integration within the Group’s converting plants and significantly increase the energy efficiency of the Los Reyes plant. The investment will enable Smurfit Kappa Mexico to produce high performance containerboard, contributing to the company's competitiveness in an ever-growing packaging market. The type of material produced by PM6 further strengthens Smurfit Kappa’s offering for the agricultural and electrical appliance sectors, where protecting products in the supply chain is key. Click Read More below for additional information.
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West Linn Paper Coated Paper Price Increase

Effective with shipments of November 1, 2017 West Linn Paper Company will be increasing prices of our coated products by 4 - 7% on all surfaces of the following products: •Capistrano •Sonoma •Nature Plus •Nature. This price increase applies to all basis weights and finishes plus all related private label grades and associated brand extensions.
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‘Readers Digest’ Publishes First Digital-To-Print Issue

Reader’s Digest is publishing a unique issue this week, curating its most successful digital health content to create a special “Ultimate Health Guide” print issue. The “Ultimate Health Guide” is available on newsstands beginning this week. It will have a circulation of about 400,000 and a cover price of $4.99. The issue features a special report on the silent symptoms that signal a potentially serious health concern and how to identify them to reduce the medical risks. The issue also examines ways that readers can deal with common health problems, such as headaches, joint pain, insomnia and stomach problems. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Don’t Look Now, But Some Newspapers Are Breaking Even

It says a lot about the state of the newspaper industry that it’s considered good news when a publisher breaks even, in light of the constant drumbeat of advertising losses, with print dollars exchanged for digital pennies. Newspaper watchers were pleasantly surprised when the Daily Mail and General Trust, the British publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, announced total revenues were up 1%. The real good news tucked inside the Mail announcement: Digital advertising revenues were up 22% or £19 million, more than offset the decline in print, down 11% or £15 million. That last development bucks the general trend in the newspaper industry on both sides of the Atlantic over the last few years. Growth in digital ad revenues has generally failed to offset print declines – at least until recently. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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American Eagle Paper Mills to Receive the 2017 Leadership in Sustainable Business Award from the Pennsylvania Resources Council

American Eagle Paper Mills has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 Leadership in Sustainable Business Award by the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), the Commonwealth’s oldest grassroots environmental non-profit organization. American Eagle Paper Mills is being recognized for its production of recycled chlorine free paper using an innovative deinking process that allows it to recycle multiple types of paper waste. PRC also applauds the mills recent Project Phoenix, which replaced the mills coal boiler and antiquated energy distribution systems with high efficiency natural gas boiler and power distribution system. The project dramatically cut GHG emissions from the mill and reduced water intake by 82%. Every year, PRC honors groups, organizations and individuals who show outstanding leadership, creativity and a commitment to protecting the environment for future generations of Pennsylvanians. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Fortress Paper Restarts Production at its Dissolving Pulp Mill

Paper Ltd. is pleased to announce that the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill (the "FSC Mill") restarted on October 6, 2017, three days earlier than previously announced in its September 27, 2017 news release. The Company has completed the necessary repairs at the FSC Mill caused by the failure of a pressurized auxiliary gas collection system and has re-commenced production of dissolving pulp. Mr. Giovanni Iadeluca, President of the FSC Mill, commented: "We wish to thank our team at the FSC Mill for their tireless efforts in resolving the system failure and achieving a restart three days earlier than originally anticipated. The FSC Mill restarted the normal ramp up of its operations on October 6th, the production and cogeneration facility are now operating in ordinary course.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Sears Canada to Liquidate With the Loss of 12,000 Jobs

Sears Canada Inc. plans to liquidate its remaining stores with the loss of about 12,000 jobs, unable to fend off the march to online shopping after operating in malls and towns across the country for 65 years. The Toronto-based chain will seek court approval for the filing on Friday and begin liquidation sales at its remaining 150 stores on Oct. 19 at the earliest, according to a statement Tuesday. The move follows a last-minute attempt by executive chairman Brandon Stranzl, backed by Blackstone Group LP, to put together an offer to save the retailer. But the company said it didn’t receive a viable bid to keep the stores operating as a going concern. Sears Canada filed for creditor protection in June with liabilities of C$1.1 billion ($880 million) and had been gradually closing its 225 stores. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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AF&PA Issues Statement on EPA’s Clean Power Plan Announcement

American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement that it plans to repeal the Clean Power Plan (CPP) and issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to seek input on a possible replacement. “The Clean Power Plan has been flawed from the start, and we welcome EPA’s efforts to provide states and ratepayers, including paper and wood products manufacturers, with relief from costly, complex and harmful regulatory overreach. The nation deserves affordable, reliable electricity, not rate hikes and competitive harm that can stem from onerous regulation. “As the EPA moves forward, we will closely examine the agency’s proposed next steps and continue to advocate for the regulatory certainty our industry needs in order to contribute to economic expansion and job creation.”
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Oil Holds Gains as OPEC Sees Recovery, Storm Curbs U.S. Output

Futures added 0.7 percent in New York after advancing 3.3 percent the previous two sessions. The global economic recovery has gained traction and oil de-stocking gathered pace in recent months, Barkindo said Tuesday. Producers in the U.S. Gulf have cut output by a million barrels a day, or 59 percent, because of Tropical Storm Nate, the Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement said. Oil has inched higher in the past few days -- following the biggest weekly loss since May -- on signs of tighter supply. U.S. crude stockpiles probably fell by 2.4 million barrels last week, according to a Bloomberg survey before an Energy Information Administration report Thursday. Barkindo, speaking in New Delhi, said the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries had boosted oil-demand estimates for this year and next. “OPEC is talking to a market which is currently prepared to listen, given the visible improvements seen during the past few months,” said Ole Sloth Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Ned Dwyer Appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Paper

Ned is an industry veteran with more than 30 years in the pulp and paper industry gained in progressively senior roles with global companies. He most recently served as Catalyst’s Chief Operating Officer. Ned is recognized for successfully leading major operational and performance improvements in cost, productivity, efficiency, quality and safety. He has a track record for successful machine start-ups and rebuilds, as well as leading product development for emerging markets. Ned holds a Bachelor of Science (Paper Science and Engineering) from the State University of New York and Syracuse University.
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EFI offers new LED, Textile and Flatbed Technology at SGIA Expo to Accelerate Competitive Advantage for Print Providers

The Electronics For Imaging, Inc. exhibit at SGIA Expo shows how signage and graphics businesses can gain productivity and profitability advantages with a broad portfolio of digital production products, including the new EFI™ Pro 24f true flatbed LED printer shown for the very first time. EFI's exhibit at the New Orleans tradeshow also includes an EFI Reggiani industrial textile digital printer making its North American debut. Plus, attendees can see a complete portfolio of production inkjet printers, workflow software and EFI Fiery® digital front end (DFE) technologies that help businesses drive a stronger competitive advantage. Complete digital offerings for new growth opportunities: The EFI portfolio shown at SGIA Expo will help customers succeed in digital markets primed for continued growth. Customer Bill Stender, general manager of San Francisco-based graphics company SF Landmark, attended last year's show to learn more about opportunities with textile-printed soft signage. That visit ultimately led him to acquiring an EFI VUTEk® FabriVU® 340 soft signage printer, an EFI Fiery proServer DFE, and EFI Digital StoreFront® technology for web-to-print ordering. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Successful trade fair in the growing labeling market

The labeling market is one of the largest growth segments in the printing industry. The demand for digitally printed labels in particular is recording extremely dynamic and sustained growth. The level of customer interest in the latest labeling solutions from Gallus, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), was thus very high at this year’s Labelexpo trade fair in Brussels at the end of September. Numerous orders for the Gallus Labelfire digital label press as well as for the new Gallus Labelmaster platform are evidence of Heidelberg’s leading role in this market segment. “The labeling market is an important part of our growth strategy,” explained Rainer Hundsdörfer, the company’s CEO. “We’re focusing on the globally increasing demand for labels, produced both digitally or in the conventional way. We’re convinced that our Gallus range will provide a great amount of potential for Heidelberg.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Mondi Group: Trading update 11 October 2017

Underlying operating profit for the third quarter of 2017 of €245 million was 8% above the comparable prior year period (€227 million). The Group benefited from higher average selling prices partly offset by higher costs and negative currency effects. Underlying operating profit was in line with the second quarter of 2017, with the positive pricing momentum seen across most product segments offset by rising costs, negative currency effects and the usual seasonal downturn in Uncoated Fine Paper. Like-for-like sales volumes were above the comparable prior year period, driven by good growth in containerboard and Fibre Packaging. Selling prices for the Group’s key paper grades were above those of both the comparable prior year period and the previous quarter as the upward momentum in pricing witnessed over the first half continued. Costs were generally higher than the comparable prior year period and the previous quarter. Wood, energy and chemical costs were higher than the comparable prior year period while benchmark paper for recycling prices were up 15% compared to the third quarter of 2016, and 6% higher sequentially. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Norske Skog: The boards’ final recapitalization proposal

The key terms of the proposed recapitalization transaction are: - Issuance of a new senior secured EUR 250 million bond loan carrying 8.5 % interest with a 2022 maturity to the owners of the EUR 290 million bond loan and the EUR 100 million NSF-facility. The new bond loan will have the same collateral security as today's secured debt. The existing claims of the secured bond loan holders and NSF-lenders in excess of EUR 250 million, including accrued interest, will be converted to equity. - The conversion into equity of all outstanding unsecured bond debt amounting to approximately EUR 500 million including accrued interest. - After such conversions, the equity ownership of Norske Skogindustrier ASA will be split as follows: a. Secured note holders: 91.0 % b. Unsecured noteholders: 6.3 % c. Existing shareholders: 2.7 % - The board will propose an equity offering by Norske Skogindustrier ASA of up to approximately NOK 500 million with preferential rights for existing unsecured bondholders and shareholders, allocated by approximately NOK 300 million to the unsecured bondholders and approximately NOK 200 million to the shareholders. If fully subscribed, this will entail an increase in their ownership interest from 9 % to approximately 28 %. The subscription price will be set at a valuation of 6x the revised 2017 GOE guidance of EUR 75 million. - Warrants will be issued for up to 10 % of the equity in Norske Skogindustrier ASA to those who have subscribed to the above equity offering. The warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for shares if the sum of the group's average net debt and market value exceeds EUR 525 million in a consecutive period of 6 months prior to 30 June 2019. The subscription rights expire worthless on 30 June 2019 if not exercised. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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American Fisheries Society and Wiley Confirm New Publishing Partnership

John Wiley and Sons Inc. is delighted to announce its selection by the American Fisheries Society (AFS) as publishing partner for its prestigious journals and magazine devoted to the research of aquatic sciences and fisheries resources. With more than 7,500 members globally, AFS is the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science, and conserving fisheries resources. Beginning in January 2018, Wiley will assume publishing responsibility for AFS’s highly esteemed journals, including its flagship title Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, the leading journals North American Journal of Fisheries Management, North American Journal of Aquaculture, Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, and its premier Open Access publication, Marine and Coastal Fisheries. Wiley will also publish the Society’s renowned magazine, Fisheries. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Valmet to supply a grade conversion rebuild for Sappi Lanaken Mill in Belgium

Valmet will supply a vast grade conversion rebuild with a wide scope of automation for Sappi Lanaken Mill in Belgium. In the project, the mill's paper machine 8 (PM8) currently producing lightweight coated (LWC) paper grades will be rebuilt to also produce lightweight and high-quality woodfree coated paper grades, which the mill will gradually start producing. The start-up of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for 2019. The project is an EPC delivery (engineering, procurement and construction) with an extensive site operation scope. The order was included in Valmet's third quarter of 2017 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The value of an order of this type is typically around EUR 60-80 million. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Verso Corporation Announces Price Increase on Coated Web Products

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of November 1, 2017 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Coated Freesheet Web and Coated Groundwood Web grades by $2.00/cwt USD/$2.70/cwt CAD. This announcement includes, but, is not limited to: Coated Freesheet Web: ArborWeb Plus® web; Sterling® Ultra web; Sterling® Ultra TrueJet® web; Sterling® Ultra caliper web; TrueJet® Book web; Publishers Matte®; Publishers ThinBulk®; ArborWeb®; Influence® web; Focus® web. Coated Groundwood Web: Liberty® web; Balance® web; New Era® Matte; New Era® ThinBulk. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.
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SGIA and NAPCO Media Enter Partnership

The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) Board of Directors has announced that SGIA, the home to professionals in the industrial, graphic, garment, textile, electronics, packaging and commercial printing communities, and NAPCO Media, a business-to-business media company, have entered a partnership that will offer print service providers and industry suppliers an unrivalled platform to connect. The platform — PRINT United, the next evolution of printing expositions in North America — combines the largest printing trade show in North America with the leading producer of multi-channel content for the print community. Over the last 20 years, the print and graphics industry has seen unprecedented changes and consolidation. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, printing establishments in the United States decreased from 35,016 in 2000 to 24,096 in 2015, a decline of 31.2 percent. At the same time, however, print shops have expanded their range of services. The Idealliance 2016 State of the Industry Report notes that in 2000 86.8 percent of print shop revenue came from lithographic (offset) print technology. By 2016, that number had dropped to 42.3 percent as print shop owners looked to new technologies — digital, inkjet, packaging, mailing, industrial — to increase their revenue and profit. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Mitsubishi HiTec Paper to increase prices for thermal and carbonless papers.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper will be increasing prices for the whole THERMOSCRIPT thermal paper range as well as the GIROFORM carbonless paper range on January 1, 2018. The level of increase will vary depending on region and application. This is due to the further increased raw material and logistics costs, as the company says in the press release received by Lesprom Network. Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH is a German subsidiary of Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd., Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty paper.
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Oil Trades Near $50 Before U.S. Data as Saudis Curb Exports

Futures rose 0.8 percent after advancing 0.6 percent on Monday, rebounding from a weekly loss. Crude stockpiles probably slid by 750,000 barrels last week, a Bloomberg survey showed before an Energy Information Administration report due Thursday. Oil last week fell the most since May on speculation rising global output may offset supply curbs led by members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The output-cuts deal is set to expire at the end of March and the group is likely to discuss an extension at its next meeting on Nov. 30. Its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, said state oil company Saudi Aramco will ship 560,000 barrels a day less than customers are requesting in November. Saudi Aramco plans to supply 7.15 million barrels a day “despite very strong demand” that exceeds 7.7 million barrels a day, the Saudi Energy Ministry said in a statement. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Glatfelter Announces a New Line of Opaque Uncoated Printing Papers

Glatfelter announced the introduction of Adena Opaque 96, a new brighter and whiter shade of paper, providing an additional cost-effective option to its growing line of opaque papers, further enhancing the ability for customers to bundle products and streamline their supply chain. Adena Opaque 96 is manufactured at Glatfelter’s Specialty Papers facilities in Chillicothe, OH and Spring Grove, PA, whose central locations enable Glatfelter to offer service that supports small orders and quick turn requests. “Glatfelter offers one of the broadest uncoated paper portfolios and has been the industry’s trusted source for book publishing and uncoated printing papers for more than 150 years. With the introduction of Adena Opaque 96, customers will have the ability to bundle nearly a dozen different product lines such as: tags, ledgers, index, inkjet, security papers, carbonless, laser MOCR and form bond, just to name a few,” said David Dickerhoof, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Glatfelter’s Specialty Papers Business Unit. “One call to Glatfelter avoids the cost and inconvenience of coordinating multiple suppliers and eliminates freight inefficiencies, saving customers time and money.”
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Klabin supports sustainable practices through issue of green bonds abroad

Sustainability is in Klabin's DNA, and to sustain its investments in these practices, the company recently (September 2017) raised funds in the international market through its first issue of green bonds amounting to around R$ 1.6 billion, maturing in 10 years. The company, which pioneered the adoption of sustainable practices, is a benchmark in sustainable development and its issue received the "High Standard" rating from consulting firm Sustainalytics. The offering drew significant investor interest, with demand exceeding the offer of green bonds sevenfold. Sustainability governance at Klabin is strongly structured and functions on four key pillars: Sustainability Committee; Sustainability Commission; Sustainability and Communication Department; and a working group on impacts of climate change, all with the mission to raise the level of transparency across the company and structure its actions. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Classic Graphics Expands Operation With New KBA Rapida 164 Hybrid UV Press

When you’re in the retail signage and point-of-sale promotion business, size, consistency, quality, and localized message matter. No matter where you live, whether you’re walking down the main boulevard in Miami or visiting a mall in any city, retailers demand eye-catching graphics to lure business into their stores. That’s the task of Classic Graphics, a leading printing, finishing, and fulfillment firm based in North Carolina and part of the Imagine! family of companies. Classic has been growing its business exponentially over the past decade and gaining a sterling reputation for its innovation and technical astuteness for its customer base of top national and international brands. But this Charlotte-based business is not content with its current status quo. Rather, the firm is increasing its footprint in the region and investing in its first large-format printing press to expand its capabilities and its reach among its customer base. Its Charlotte facility, set in a low-rise building amid an industrial park, will take delivery of a new KBA Rapida 164 64-inch hybrid UV press in December 2017. It will complement their fulfillment and production department which will move this fall to a newly-constructed facility in the Concord Airport Business Park. Classic also operates a second facility in Research Triangle Park (Morrisville, NC). In all, Classic’s business encompasses 385,000 sq ft of space and 350 employees. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Norske Skog: Update on the consent solicitation process

Norske Skog is in the process of finalizing the documentation for a revised consent solicitation proposal to the group's bondholders and shareholders. The revised consent solicitation proposal will be made public within 1700 CET, Tuesday 10 October 2017. It is very important to emphasize to our customers, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders of the Norske Skog group that the production at our seven paper mills and the other operating business of the group's subsidiaries will continue as normal irrespective of the outcome of the recapitalization process.
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France and PEFC: Strong commitment to advance certification

“I would first like to thank Stéphane Marchesi, who, after 16 years of leading PEFC France, has decided it is time to move on,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, following two days in Paris. “In these last few days I have met with senators, civil society organizations, numerous companies and the general public, and it has been fantastic to see the level of support of PEFC in France: a legacy of Stéphane’s commitment to PEFC over the last almost two decades.” Mr. Gunneberg was joined by Peter Latham, Chairman of the PEFC International Board, in Paris in late September for a special two-day program as PEFC France launched their new model. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Forest Stewardship Council General Assembly Tackles Global Challenges

"We are seeing companies step up to help protect forests, even as we all use forest products every day," said Corey Brinkema, president of the Forest Stewardship Council US. "This momentum comes not a moment too soon, as climate change puts the need for forest conservation front and center," he added. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, all transportation accounts for 14 percent of global carbon emissions, while experts estimate deforestation and forest degradation to contribute up to 15 percent. Healthy forests currently offer the best way to pull carbon out of the atmosphere. Recent research in the US Pacific Northwest finds FSC-certified forest management stores at least 45 percent more carbon than standard forestry. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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NYCC 2017: As Graphic Novels Grow In Trade, Comics Shops Struggle

Sales of graphic novels continue to grow—with kids and YA graphic novels the fastest growing segment—but the entire marketplace for comics is being "disrupted" and transformed by an influx of new readers and consumers looking for new kinds of comics content as well as new retail options. This was the main takeaway from Milton Griepp, who presented his annual white paper on the comics during the first day of New York Comic Con, held October 5-8 at Javits Center. Griepp, CEO of ICv2, a pop culture trade news site, presented his annual overview of comics and graphic sales and trends at the NYCC Insider Sessions. His presentation was also echoed by NPD BookScan executive director of business development Kristen McLean's presentation "A Tale of Two Cities." In her talk, McLean described the comics/graphic novel marketplace as being divided between a flat and struggling comics shop market and a “strong bookstore” channel. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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UPM Paper ENA introduces a game-changing paper innovation at World Publishing Expo

UPM is proud to introduce a unique paper innovation at the exhibition: UPM Impresse plus C. This pioneering SC paper is custom-developed for coldset web offset printing, offering a smooth, silky finish, solid images and a soft velvety touch. For coldset printers the paper offers an excellent opportunity to grow their core business by adding higher quality commercial titles, inserts, special-interest supplements and value-added advertising to their portfolios. The use of value-added papers in coldset printing improves print quality, meets the varied needs of advertisers and thus increases press utilisation in commercial printing. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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UPS And The International Brotherhood Of Teamsters Begin Contract Negotiations

UPS confirmed contract talks with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have begun on new collective bargaining agreements. The current five-year contract continues through July 31, 2018. “UPS and the union have many shared objectives and our intent is to negotiate in an environment of mutual respect,” said Al Gudim, UPS Labor Relations President. “We believe all parties recognize that taking care of our customers with reliable service is the key to maintaining a company that rewards our employees and provides excellent job security. We are in a rapidly changing industry and look forward to working together with union negotiators to strongly position UPS for the future.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Verso Corporation Announces Board Chairman Succession Plan

Verso Corporation announced that Robert M. Amen, chairman of the company's board of directors, has decided not to stand for reelection at the company's 2018 annual meeting of stockholders and, in connection with his decision, has resigned as chairman of the board effective October 6, 2017. In connection with Amen's resignation as chairman, the Verso board has selected Eugene I. Davis, chair of the Strategic Advisory Committee and chair of the Finance and Planning Committee of the board, and Alan J. Carr, chair of the Compensation Committee of the board, as interim co-chairmen of the board. In a joint statement, Davis and Carr said, "On behalf of the entire board, we want to express our gratitude to Rob for his service to Verso. With grace, wisdom and dedication, Rob led by example as chairman of the board. We are pleased that he intends to remain on the board until the end of his term as a director, and we wish him the best in all of his future endeavors."
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Sappi North America Price Increase

Sappi North America announces a transactional price increase of $2.00/cwt USD/($2.70/cwt CAD) on new and unconfirmed orders that book with confirmed delivery dates on or after Wednesday, November 1, 2017 on the following products: McCoy Web, Opus Web, Somerset Web, Flo Web, Galerie Web . Standard differentials and upcharges apply. The price increase includes all basis weights and finishes and all private label programs.
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Why paper catalogs still matter

The pages of the 1942 Sears Christmas catalog held much that might seem quaintly old-fashioned today. The department store retailer’s easy payment plan, which could be laid out in a simple grid, has been replaced by sophisticated retail credit cards that offer various rewards and complex terms. The wooden toy tanks and metal fire trucks featured as Christmas toys are far more likely to be made of plastic and make electronic noise today. With World War II raging in Europe and the Pacific, the catalog advertised war bonds and products that could be sent to soldiers and even devoted pages to imploring readers to save spare nails for the federal government. The mere existence of a printed Sears catalog would be just as alien to today’s consumers. The retailer axed the paper catalog in the 1990s and Sears is hardly alone. But the printed catalog isn’t gone. In fact by some measures, in some sectors of retail, it’s thriving. Retailers still mail billions of catalogs every year, and tens of millions of consumers still make purchases based, at least in part, on images and copy printed in catalogs that find their way to mailboxes. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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U.S. Postal Service Announces New Prices for 2018

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of price changes to take effect Jan. 21, 2018. The new prices, if approved, include a one cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 49 cents to 50 cents. Postcard stamps and metered letters would also have a one cent increase. Today’s filing does not include any price change for single-piece letters being mailed to international destinations or for additional ounces for letters. The proposed prices would raise Mailing Services product prices approximately 1.9 percent, and most Shipping Services products will average a 3.9 percent price increase. While Mailing Services price increases are limited based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Shipping Services prices are adjusted strategically, according to market conditions and the need to maintain affordable services for customers. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Glamour magazine (UK) switches focus to digital with end of monthly print run

Glamour magazine is to stop publishing a monthly print edition as it turns its focus to digital and becoming the “ultimate online beauty destination” for the UK, owners Conde Nast announced today. The popular women’s fashion magazine will now only appear in print twice a year. Conde Nast said these collectible, glossy issues would be the “ultimate beauty bible and style guide for the coming season”. The move to a “mobile-first, social-first strategy” is said to be a response to “the way in which the Glamour reader is living their life today, ensuring continued success across multiple platforms”. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Innovative ‘prismatic’ effect for carton packaging attracts attention and engages consumers

Jaholo, a special micro-embossing printing technology jointly developed by Janoschka and Amcor, produces prismatic and pattern movement effects which catch the eye. “Our customers want packaging that generates visual attention and engagement for their brands,” said Ilya Syshchikov, Vice President of Innovation and Strategy for Amcor’s folding carton business. “Jaholo creates a dynamic appearance, engaging consumers and enhancing their interaction with products.” By combining Janoschka’s integrated pre-press expertise with Amcor’s global printing and converting capabilities, the companies have industrialised Jaholo technology. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Oil prices stable after OPEC signals possible further action

Oil prices stabilized on Monday after one of the most bearish weeks in months, propped up by OPEC comments signaling the group and other producers may take further action to restore market balance in the long term. Oil production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico started returning to service after Hurricane Nate had forced the shutdown of more than 90 percent of crude output in the area. The prospective restarts kept price gains in check. “Oil is having trouble to find direction. Mixed signals keep investors busy changing their minds,” said Hans van Cleef, senior energy economist at ABN Amro. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Mohawk Expands Wide Format Inkjet Portfolio Several New Products to be Introduced at 2017 SGIA Expo in New Orleans

Mohawk, North America’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates for commercial and digital printing, announces the continued expansion of its wide format inkjet portfolio designed to meet the needs of the growing display graphics market. New products in Mohawk’s Wide Format Inkjet portfolio include Fine Paper for art reproduction, metallic-faced adhesives, economy canvas, and a non-skid product for floor display graphics. New items are designed to support a wide variety of printing applications. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Print Units Through September Up 2%

Despite the lack of a hot new title in the first nine months of 2017, print unit sales for the period were 2% higher than in the comparable timeframe in 2016. According to NPD BookScan, print units were 467.7 million in the January–September period, up from 460.6 million the previous year. While it is certainly possible that some fall books will ring up big numbers, the small sales gain to date has been driven by backlist titles. Only three of the year’s top 10 bestsellers to date were released in this calendar year. John Grisham’s Camino Island was the top new book, selling more than 528,000 print copies since its release in June to land at #5 on the year-to-date bestseller list. The other new titles on the top 10 list are Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 (#7) and Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (#10). The bestselling title so far this year is Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur. Released in October 2015, the book has sold more than 706,000 copies in 2017, easily outdistancing the second-place book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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WestRock Receives Top Design of the Times Award for Disney Rogue One Display

The Design of the Times competition celebrates in-store displays and digital activations, and recognizes their role in any successful shopper marketing initiative. The competition is sponsored by the Path to Purchase Institute, a global member community that champions shopper-centric thinking and practice that help define the ongoing evolution of consumer marketing and the overall shopping experience. “At WestRock, we know that packaging and merchandising play an important role in the shopper’s path to purchase,” said Pete Durette, president of Enterprise Solutions & Strategy for WestRock. “We’re proud of the recognition these awards represent. They are a testament to our commitment to combining our unparalleled industry insights with design and innovation capabilities to create solutions that drive real value for our customers.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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HarperCollins Launching a New Business Imprint

HarperCollins Leadership (HCL), a new imprint launching at HarperCollins next week, is focusing on “content designed for individuals looking for inspiration, insight, and tools to help activate their inherent leadership potential,” according to the publisher. Brian Hampton, who is also publisher and senior v-p of HarperCollins Christian Publishing’s Nelson Books division, will lead the new imprint. Jeff James will serve as v-p of marketing for HCL. The first book to be published under HCL will be Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller, author of the bestselling 2003 memoir Blue Like Jazz (Thomas Nelson) and founder-CEO of the StoryBrand marketing services firm. The book goes on sale October 10. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Midland Paper Attends thINK 2017 for 3rd Year

Next week, Midland Paper, Packaging + Supplies, one of North America's largest independent distributors of media for business communications, will be participating for a third year in a row as a Gold Sponsor in the thINK 2017 Customer Conference. This exclusive industry event will take place in Boca Raton, FL from October 9 - 11. thINK 2017 is one of the largest invitation-only, hosted summits designed for senior managers and business executives who want to understand how Canon Solutions America’s production inkjet printing technology, software and solutions will help them grow their business now and in the future. The event is sold out with over 500 Canon Solutions America customers, industry leaders and solution partners coming together as a powerful community designed to connect, collaborate and inspire. “We are honored and excited to once again participate as a founding partner of this incredibly important independent user group and industry event. Our goal at Midland is to help Canon customers across the country address their most challenging inkjet media needs with new products and solid solutions”, said David Field, Midland’s Senior Business Manager, Inkjet Technologies. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Appleton Coated sale ‘like a death in the family,’ worker says after Thursday ruling

Appleton Coated sale 'like a death in the family,' worker says after Thursday ruling Industrial Assets Corp., a used machine dealer and liquidator based in Los Angeles, will be the new owner of the Appleton Coated paper mill as of Friday. The $20 million sale, plus a $1.5 million backstop fund, was approved by Outagamie County Judge Gregory Gill in a hearing on Thursday morning. It included $2.25 million to cover employee health insurance through October and wages for about 100 employees to be recalled for a few weeks to keep the mill at "hot idle" status. That number will then be reduced to 30 employees. The new modified agreement includes the stipulation that Industrial Assets will market the mill for 90 days to see if a new buyer can be found who will restart and operate the mill as a going concern. According to the modified purchase agreement, Industrial Assets met with Appleton Coated management and “determined that the management’s projections for profitable short-term operations were not achievable.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Norske Skog: Clarification on the consent solicitation process

After the release of the stock exchange notice of today at 17:21, the company has been informed that the board of Norske Skog AS has decided to support an extension of the consent solicitation deadline for the board's recapitalization proposal. However, due to practical matters, it was not possible to make the Norske Skog AS resolution within the deadline at 17:00 CET, and consequently, the offer period has expired. The discussions with the key stakeholder groups will continue in order to achieve a consensual recapitalization solution for the Norske Skog group during the next days even though the offer period has expired. If these discussions are successful, an updated recapitalization proposal will be launched.
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Bertelsmann Completes Its Share Increase at Penguin Random House to 75 Percent

The international media, services and education company Bertelsmann now owns a strategic three-quarters majority of Penguin Random House. The two shareholders of the world's biggest trade publishing group – Bertelsmann, and the British global education company Pearson – agreed on a new ownership structure in July: Now that the transaction has closed, Bertelsmann holds 75 percent of the book group; Pearson 25 percent. Penguin Random House’s enterprise value was set at $3.55 billion for the purposes of the share increase. Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said: "Bertelsmann has the widest range of creative products of any company worldwide – and the book business has served as a core part of our identity for more than 180 years. Accordingly, today marks a strategic milestone for us in several respects. First, the three-quarters majority in Penguin Random House will increase the profit share of Bertelsmann's shareholders by more than 60 million euros. Second, we now have the ideal prerequisites for developing Penguin Random House – already number one in the book world – with a view to the long term and in continuity. And third, we now own strategic majorities in all of Bertelsmann's corporate divisions: 75 percent of RTL Group and Penguin Random House; 100 percent of all other divisions.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Crude oil prices fall as Tropical Storm Nate strengthens

Oil prices were mixed Friday as investors waited to see the potential impact of Tropical Storm Nate on U.S. Gulf Coast oil infrastructure. “As we come into the weekend, the market is focusing on the implications of Tropical Storm Nate and how big any disruptions will be” on crude production and refining capacity, said Richard Mallinson, an analyst at consultancy Energy Aspects. As with Hurricane Harvey in August, the “tendency is for the focus to be more on refinery shutdowns, which is probably more positive for product prices and probably a little bearish for crude prices,” Mr. Mallinson said. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Operating Results and September Sales Results

Net sales for the 17-week fourth quarter were $41.36 billion, an increase of 15.8 percent from $35.73 billion in the 16-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Net sales for the 53-week fiscal year were $126.17 billion, an increase of 8.7 percent from $116.07 billion in the 52-week fiscal year of 2016. The Company today also reported net sales of $12.40 billion for the month of September, the five weeks ended October 1, 2017, an increase of 12.1 percent from $11.06 billion during the similar period last year. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Vera Magazine Virgin Atlantic

The coolest British brand in the skies? Virgin Atlantic. But don’t take our word for it – the airline is regularly voted the best British travel brand in CoolBrand’s annual report. Which is why it made perfect sense for Virgin Atlantic to pair up with Ink to reimagine its inflight magazine, Vera, and manage their ambient advertising on the ground and in the air. If you’re lucky enough to be travelling onboard a Virgin Atlantic flight to the US, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East or Asia this month, you’ll get a chance to flick through the gorgeous, new-look Vera. The new magazine is packed with stories cleverly relating to Virgin Atlantic’s award-winning onboard entertainment and dazzling destinations. For the relaunch, we bagged an exclusive interview and cover shoot with English rose turned Hollywood golden girl Annabelle Wallis. Readers can watch her go toe-to-toe with Tom Cruise in The Mummy, and then read about how she deals with her high-profile relationship with rock star Chris Martin, saving us all in an Apocalypse (probably), and life lessons she learned from Madonna. And during the shoot we got to see those life lessons IRL. If you’ve seen Annabelle star in Peaky Blinders you’ll already have heard her sultry singing voice, but at London’s Claridge’s she gave us an impromptu performance of her favourite Madonna hits. We won’t forget her Like a Virgin in a hurry. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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PEFC Stakeholder Dialogue exploring SMART solutions in forest certification: Chain of Custody in the spotlight

Log tracking, dynamic data transfer, blockchain… what are the ‘must have’ technologies that can help us to strengthen trust and traceability throughout supply chains? What technologies are showing promise for transferring complex information in a useable and credible form? How can technology help certification to deliver more value to companies and customers? Where are technologies showing promise to supporting auditors to verify compliance? Technology compliments nearly all aspects of Chain of Custody management. New and emerging hardware, software, services and tools are enhancing the robustness of certification and accelerating the flow of information through supply chains. In this session, we will feature some of the latest and greatest technological developments from certified forestry supply chains. Together, we hope to inspire and re-imagine how the information flow and product assurances of certified products can continue to evolve in the future. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Stein Mart announces it will not open stores on Thanksgiving Day

After being open on Thanksgiving Day for the past three years, Stein Mart is opting to close its doors on Thanksgiving to give employees time to spend with family and friends. Last year, the Stein Mart Black Friday sale started in stores at 5 PM on Thanksgiving Day and ran through 11 PM that night. Then doors were reopened at 7 AM on Black Friday. "For 2017 we have chosen to return to our Stein Mart family tradition of not opening our stores on Thanksgiving Day. We are very pleased to give back this important time to our associates," said Hunt Hawkins, chief executive officer. "For customers who would like to shop at Stein Mart on Thanksgiving Day, they can enjoy a great shopping experience at SteinMart.com."
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International Paper to halt newsprint production in Madrid

International Paper (IP) intends to stop newsprint production at the Madrid mill in Spain in mid-September, according to Euwid. The sites PM62 will be converted to production of containerboard slated to start in the fourth quarter of this year, as planned. The company is targeting a full ramp-up of the machine for early 2018. IP acquired the Madrid mill from Holmen in mid-2016 with the aim to make it a mill for recycled corrugated case material. PM 62 has the capacity to produce 330,000 tpy of newsprint.
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New Zealand Forest Management Companies go the extra mile in world first initiative for transparency

In an effort for transparency, FSC certified Forest Managers have created a high-resolution map showing the location and borders of the forests they harvest. This is timely in a context of a broader discussion to develop spatial data, at FSC but also in the forestry sector in general. The map has come a long way. It was created according to a request from different environmental organisations, community associations, individuals and companies. As per the FSC Principles and Criteria, any stakeholder must be able to contact Forest Management companies to share any supported concerns if they think companies are not managing the land in a responsible way. Forest Managers came together to discuss the matter and agreed to provide relevant data on a voluntary base in order to create the map. Although not all companies have shared their data, we hope they will be encouraged to follow the same path. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Quad/Graphics Awarded Exclusive Agreement to Print 100% of Condé Nast Magazine Titles

Quad/Graphics, Inc. announced that it has extended and expanded its relationship with publisher Condé Nast under a multi-year agreement. Beginning in January 2019, Quad will produce 100% of Condé Nast’s titles, which include many of America’s most prestigious magazines. Quad currently prints Allure, Architectural Digest, Domino (a Condé Nast partnership with Domino Media Group), Golf Digest, GQ, GQ Style, Teen Vogue, Vogue, W Magazine and Wired. Under the new agreement, Quad also will produce Bon Appétit, Brides, Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair. Condé Nast will take advantage of Quad/Graphics’ extensive mailing and distribution services, including its industry-leading co-mailing solutions that help publishers and marketers reduce postage expenses. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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L Brands Reports September 2017 Sales

L Brands, Inc. reported net sales of $981.6 million for the five weeks ended Sept. 30, 2017, an increase of 1 percent, compared to net sales of $971.4 million for the five weeks ended Oct. 1, 2016. Comparable sales decreased 2 percent for the five weeks ended Sept. 30, 2017. For September, the exit of the swim and apparel categories had a negative impact of about 2 percentage points and 3 percentage points to total company and Victoria’s Secret comparable sales, respectively. The September hurricanes had about a 1 point negative impact to September total sales. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Recent SEC Breach Amplifies Need for Paper Options

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Proposed Rule 30e-3 in light of the agency’s recent hacking announcement. The rule would eliminate the current default requirement for financial companies to transmit information to their investors in paper form. “Government agencies have a responsibility to protect citizen’s right to choose how to receive information and services, particularly when it involves a person’s finances. The SEC’s own survey confirmed that the majority of investors prefer to receive financial information in printed form. Investors must be able to receive important financial documents easily and securely. Paper provides the broadest access to all investors, and therefore, should continue to be the default method of delivery.”
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Oil Trades Near $50 as U.S. Exports Soar, Putin Comments on Cuts

Futures added 0.4 percent after settling at a two-week low on Wednesday. Overseas shipments from the U.S. jumped to a record last week as production rose, government data showed. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin said he’s open to prolonging a deal with OPEC to curb supplies, though a decision won’t be made until the current agreement nears expiry in March. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz began a four-day visit to the nation on Wednesday. “U.S. production is almost at a record-high level, and exports are record-high,” said Michael Poulsen, an analyst at Global Risk Management Ltd. “As this U.S. production is a fundamental part of the oil market, such news weighs heavily.” Lower demand from U.S. Gulf Coast refiners that are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey in August has caused crude sellers to seek markets abroad, triggering shipments of 1.98 million barrels a day, the highest level in weekly government data compiled since 1993. The figure was about a third higher than the previous record, set the prior week. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Penguin Random House Buys Sasquatch Books

Seattle-based Sasquatch Books has been acquired by Penguin Random House for an undisclosed price. The publisher, which has a backlist of approximately 250 titles and publishes in a range of areas, was one of PW’s fast-growing independent publishers of 2016. Sasquatch has been a distribution client of Penguin Random House Publisher Services for five years. In a move to maintain the company’s editorial independence, rather than make the company part of one of PRH's publishing divisions, PRHPS president Jeff Abraham will oversee Sasquatch. Commenting on the purchase, Abraham said that when he learned Sasquatch was looking for a buyer, the prospect of acquiring the company was "enormously appealing to both sides.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Gannett Closes Majority Investment in Grateful Ventures

Gannett Co., Inc. has closed a majority investment in Grateful Ventures, LLC (“Grateful”), an online media and publishing company which focuses on building lifestyle content and monetization strategies for high-influence food and cooking websites and bloggers. This investment will expand and diversify USA TODAY NETWORK’s portfolio and audience, and significantly increase the number of Gannett’s owned and operated digital sites. As a part of USA TODAY NETWORK, Grateful will launch in 2018 into several new personality-driven lifestyle categories with long-tail content, videos, live interactions, event integrations and passion topics to create deep, meaningful connections with readers across multiple platforms. These new initiatives with Grateful will increase USA TODAY NETWORK’s advertising offerings through influencer marketing, branded content and events sponsorships with consumers who are deeply engaged. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Electric power for all: Heidelberg offers high-performance Wallbox for electric cars

Electric mobility is gaining ground worldwide, and its importance will continue to grow at a fast pace in the coming years. One of the biggest challenges in this is the rapid expansion of the charging infrastructure: today in Germany, for example, there are just 25,000 public charging points (source: statista.de, May 2017). However, around five times as many would be needed for the planned number of one million electric cars by the year 2020. It is therefore clear that there is a huge need for an extensive network of publicly available and private charging stations with the appropriate charging capacity. “We’re confident that we’re at a turning point when it comes to electric mobility,” says Rainer Hundsdörfer, CEO of Heidelberg. “Electric cars are becoming a real option for more and more drivers. We want to take advantage of this trend, and put our expertise to work to benefit from this growth market.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Koenig & Bauer Receives Contract For New MetalStar 3 Press Line

A packaging solutions supplier for large manufacturers has purchased a new four-color MetalStar 3 press from KBA-MetalPrint. The new MetalStar 3 four-color press line will include KBA UV curing, fully automatic plate change (FAPC), KBA CleanTronic Synchro for simultaneous washing of the blanket and impression cylinder, simultaneous roller wash (SRW), automatic camera register control (ACRC), sheet management system, inline Metalcoat 470 coater, and a double box stacker. The press will be installed in the first quarter of 2018. Commenting on the order, Sam Pernice Director of Sales & Service for KBA-MetalPrint in the USA said: “This particular customer is successful for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is their meticulous and professional approach when choosing their business partners. Their selection of the MetalStar 3 press is the culmination of very careful planning and due diligence. While we realize that there are other vendors from which to choose, we are honored that they have chosen to place their confidence and trust in our hands.” Pernice continued, “Coming on the heels of another order we received from them last year, we are especially gratified to receive this repeat business.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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MBE Acquires Printing Franchisor AlphaGraphics to Gain Stronger U.S. Presence

Salt Lake City-based AlphaGraphics has been acquired by MBE Worldwide (Mail Boxes Etc.), a global, third‐party logistics, printing and communications services franchise network based in Milan, Italy. The purchase of AlphaGraphics, from private equity firm Western Capital Resources, comes on the heels of MBE's acquisition this past April of the U.S.-based PostNet franchise system (which I wrote about here at the time). With the AlphaGraphics acquisition, MBE Worldwide now has approximately 2,600 locations in 39 countries and projected system-wide sales of $940 million in 2017. All three companies currently operate in the business services industry through a network of locations owned and operated by individual franchisees. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Royal Mail workers set to strike

In a landmark vote, the first major one to take place since the Trade Union Act came into force in March – requiring more than 50% of eligible union members to vote in a ballot – 73.7% of the Communication Workers Union’s (CWU) 110,000 Royal Mail workers turned out to vote, with 89% (72,872) backing a walkout and 8,954 voting against. In a CWU press conference yesterday (3 October) in Manchester, general secretary Dave Ward said the result was demonstrative that Royal Mail’s leadership, board and senior management are “completely out of touch with the workforce”. “We say to Royal Mail these negotiations that subsequently led us to this point of balloting have been going on for 18 months and unless you shift your position sufficiently and very quickly then industrial action is inevitable. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Office Depot Takes First Step in Strategic Transformation to Become Business Services Platform with Acquisition of CompuCom

Office Depot, Inc. announced it is pivoting the company from a traditional office products retailer to a broader business services and technology products platform. As the first step in this new strategic direction, the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CompuCom Systems, Inc. ("CompuCom"), a market-leading provider of award-winning IT services, products and solutions that enable the digital workplace for enterprise, small and midsize businesses. The company also provided a preliminary estimate of third-quarter financial results and a lowered outlook for Office Depot's stand-alone business for 2017. "Technology is the office supply of the future," said Gerry Smith, chief executive officer of Office Depot. "Today marks a significant milestone as we move to provide a unique business services platform for our current and future customers. Acquiring CompuCom is the first step in this new strategic direction. The combination of CompuCom's enterprise IT services with our millions of customers and approximately 1,400 distribution points gives us the credibility and scale to build a sustainable platform and stand apart from the competition. The company will create value for shareholders from a diversified revenue base with a clear opportunity to grow higher value services and business-to-business revenues." Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Clearwater Paper Provides an Update of Impacts to Third Quarter Results

Clearwater Paper Corporation provided an update on certain factors that are expected to negatively impact operating results for the third quarter of 2017 by approximately $8 to $9 million, based on preliminary results. The company is currently in the process of completing its financial closing procedures for the third quarter of 2017 and will report final results for the quarter on October 19, 2017. Several factors are expected to negatively impact the company's prior outlook for the third quarter. The planned major maintenance outage at the Lewiston, Idaho, mill is expected to cost an incremental $3 to $4 million as a result of higher than expected repair costs and lost production due to a three-day delay in the startup of the paper machines. However, the delay did not impact the new continuous pulp digester, which commenced start-up as scheduled at the end of the third quarter. Inclement weather caused by hurricanes in the Southeast delayed shipments to customers and contributed to higher transportation expenses and reduced revenues with a net impact totaling approximately $2 million. The expected relief in rising pulp prices in the latter half of the quarter did not materialize contributing to approximately $2 million of incremental expenses. Also, lower than expected case shipments of consumer products and lower converted paperboard shipment volumes are expected to negatively impact results by approximately $1 million. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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AF&PA Statement on EPA Final Rule on National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Kraft Pulp Mills

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the final rule on National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Kraft pulp mills, issued under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Residual Risk and Technology Review process. “The EPA’s final rule confirming that the 2001 maximum achievable control technology (MACT) protects public health underscores the value of our industries’ investment in and commitment to air quality and sustainability. Pulp mill operations can now move forward with certainty, knowing that investments of more than $1.5 billion in state-of-the-art, emission reduction controls and technologies are effectively reducing emissions.”
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Appvion Receives Court Approval of First Day Motions to Support Ongoing Operations

Appvion, Inc. announced that it has received approval from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware of all of the first day motions related to its Chapter 11 filing. Collectively, the orders issued by the Bankruptcy Court will help ensure that the Company continues operating its business in the ordinary course during its restructuring process. “We remain focused on operating our business as usual and serving our customers’ needs as we continue constructive discussions with our lenders on an expedited restructuring and emergence,” said Kevin Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer of Appvion. “The approval of our first day motions transitions us smoothly into our restructuring process, from which we expect to emerge with a sustainable capital structure, well positioned to compete, and primed to further invest in the innovation that has made Appvion a market leader in coated paper.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Avery Dennison Makes Capital Investment in Liquid Crystal Specialty Films Developer Gauzy

Avery Dennison Corporation said it has made an investment in Gauzy, an Israeli-based developer and manufacturer of liquid-crystal-based materials, films, applications and solutions for a variety of end markets including construction, automotive, consumer electronics, home appliances, the solar industry and more. Based in Tel Aviv, Israel, Gauzy has successfully commercialized several initial “smart glass” products, including an embedded switchable window film that can alternate from clear and frosted with the touch of a button. Gauzy is the lead provider that offers a fully warranted, integrated solution that includes window films, hardware controllers for film operation and preservation, and complete certification and training with verification tools for worldwide partners. The film is currently used in architectural applications and is under evaluation for automotive applications. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Oil Slides Near $50 on Signs U.S. Fuel Stockpiles Increased

Futures lost as much as 1 percent in New York, after falling 2.4 percent in the previous two sessions. Gasoline supplies rose by 4.91 million barrels last week, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report. That will be the biggest gain since January if replicated in government data Wednesday. Libya is gradually resuming output at its biggest oil field, people familiar with the matter said. Nationwide crude stockpiles fell by 4.08 million barrels last week, the API said Tuesday, according to people familiar with the data. Crude stockpiles at Cushing, Oklahoma, climbed by 2.08 million barrels. An Energy Information Administration report Wednesday is forecast to show supplies slid by 500,000 barrels, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Graphic Packaging Completes Acquisition of Spain-Based Norgraft Packaging, S.A.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), has announced that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries has acquired Norgraft Packaging, S.A. Norgraft is a leading folding carton producer in Spain focused on the food and household goods markets. Norgraft converts approximately 25,000 tons of paperboard annually and operates two converting plants located in Maliaño and Requejada in Cantabria, Spain. The business generated revenue of approximately $40 million on an LTM basis. "The announced transaction is consistent with our strategy to pursue acquisitions that allow us to grow our folding carton volume in attractive geographies and end-markets, improve our cost position, service our customers with excellence, and increase our mill to converting plant integration levels over time," said President and CEO Michael Doss.
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Holmen receives global sustainability award

Holmen has gained international recognition for its strategic sustainability work, with a focus on the bioeconomy and a sustainable approach to forestry. The Golden Peacock Awards jury made particular reference to Holmen’s absorption of carbon dioxide in its growing forest and the climate benefit from its products. “Being the first Swedish company to receive this global sustainability award is a mark of the quality of our long-term sustainability work. Holmen manages its forest holdings actively and sustainably, with the raw material from the forest forming a key component in society’s drive to meet the challenge of climate change. We are extremely proud to have our strategy recognised in this way,” comments Henrik Sjölund, President and CEO of Holmen. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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All Content Is Not Created Equal

Fake news is nothing new. Merriam-Webster traces the use of the term as far back as the 1890s, and the concept of fabricated stories existed even long before then. With the invention of the printing press, it became significantly easier to spread news and information. But was that news and information true? There were no editors. There were no reporters. There were no fact checkers. It was up to readers to decide what they believed, whether a story told them that the earth was round or that their neighbor was a witch. And as human beings, we are wired to automatically and effortlessly believe what people tell us. Neuroscience shows us that it takes an extra mental step to question a statement. For our brains, it’s cognitively easier to simply accept what we are told and move on. Today, we can create and widely disseminate information more easily than any other time in history. Whether it’s your 12-year-old son’s selfies, the beauty blog your mechanic started, or a new magazine launch from a century-old publisher, it is all considered content. And it all has the potential to reach a massive audience. But not all content is created equal. Consumers and marketers are beginning to fully realize that, along with the dangers associated with unverified facts, intentionally misleading information and unqualified recommendations. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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South Dakota asks the US Supreme Court to hear its case for collecting online sales tax

The state of South Dakota wants the U.S. Supreme Court to get involved in the state’s battle to require larger e-retailers to collect sales tax from state residents and remit them to South Dakota. If the high court accepts the case, its decision could determine whether online retailers can be required to collect sales tax nationwide. The state on Monday petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by the South Dakota Supreme Court in the state’s case against online retailers Wayfair Inc., No. 16 in the Internet Retailer 2017 Top 500; Newegg Inc. (No. 21); and Overstock.com Inc. (No. 30). The South Dakota Supreme Court decision lets stand a lower court ruling preventing the state from enforcing a law that openly challenges the prevailing Supreme Court ruling that absolves retailers from having to collect sales tax in states where they have no physical presence. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Mondi to showcase professional printing papers at Frankfurt Bookfair

Mondi, the international packaging and paper Group, will exhibit its wide range of professional paper solutions for book printing at the Frankfurt Bookfair held from 11 to 15 October in Frankfurt, Germany. The Mondi booth is located in Hall 4 / Booth F94. As a professional printing paper manufacturer, Mondi offers sustainable paper solutions for all printing technologies and needs. Book printing customers will find more than they expect at the Mondi booth. Johannes Klumpp, Marketing & Sales Director at Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper, explains, “We can offer the right solution for any printing technology – whether digital, hybrid, offset, HP indigo or high-speed inkjet. At the Frankfurt Bookfair, customers can explore the quality of Mondi’s design papers, tinted portfolio and our high-speed inkjet papers.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Norske Skog extends consent deadline for the board’s recapitalization proposal

Norske Skog has decided to extend the consent solicitation deadline for the ongoing recapitalization proposal from 3 October until Thursday 5 October at 17:00 CET. Norske Skog will use the period up to the new expiration deadline to speed up the continued discussions with the various stakeholder groups to try to achieve sufficient support for a consensual recapitalization solution for the Norske Skog group. The Board of Directors will continue to follow and evaluate the situation thoroughly during this period. We need some extra time to align initiatives among the various stakeholders. We believe that the extension of the consent deadline will improve the chances of reaching a solution," said Mr. Christen Sveaas, Chairman of Norske Skogindustrier ASA.
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Former Trend Offset CEO Joins Dickinson, Private Equity M&A Firm

Blackford Capital is excited to announce Aaron Day as CEO of Dickinson and its parent company, "Printing Consolidation Company" (PCC). Dickinson is the first company within PCC, specializing in the religious book printing services industry. After acquiring Dickinson in 2015, Blackford Capital realized it would need an industry seasoned CEO to run the company and continue its acquisitions efforts. "With the addition of Aaron Day as CEO of Dickinson and PCC, we are poised to recruit industry leading talent and complete acquisitions in our core Book Printing segment," said Stephen Parker, chairman of Dickinson. "We are pursuing companies with a focus in the book industry and with Aaron's leadership background over the past 25 years, we now have the experience to accelerate our M&A growth strategy," said James Cook, Associate at Blackford Capital. Before joining the company, Day served as CEO of Trend Offset Printing, a commercial printing company, headquartered in Los Alamitos, Calif. After securing Aaron Day as CEO, Blackford Capital hired John Ruther as CFO. Ruther joins after leading The Ruther Group, an international management consulting firm based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ruther brings decades of experience leading large manufacturing companies in a financial and operational capacity. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Publishers, Authors, and Agents Rally for Hurricane Maria Relief

In response to Hurricane Maria, which hit Puerto Rico on September 20, a number of agents, editors, and authors in the children’s book community and beyond have joined together to hold an online talent auction in support of Puerto Ricans affected by the storm. All proceeds for the #PubforPR auction, which runs through October 5, will go to local charity organizations, Unidos por Puerto Rico and ConPRmetidos. The cause began to take shape on September 24, when a group of five authors and publishing professionals—Nova Ren Suma, Patrice Caldwell, Mara Delgado, Carrie DiRisio, and Kara Thomas—learned of the devastation caused by the storm. Thomas, a YA author, told PW, “I had been talking privately with friends about how frustrated we were with the lack of government response to the situation in Puerto Rico.” Thomas later connected with fellow members of the children’s book community, in response to DiRisio’s tweet about starting a charity auction. “So many other writers were replying to the thread, asking if they could help,” she said. “We mobilized via email and came up with a plan for approaching agents, editors, and authors for donations. Once we reached out, the response was enormous.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Tetra Pak strengthens ice cream offering with acquisition of Big Drum

Tetra Pak has strengthened its product offering for ice cream manufacturers with the acquisition of Big Drum Engineering GmbH, a leading supplier of filling machines for the industry. The deal further extends the company’s ability to provide end-to-end solutions for food and beverage companies around the world, and reinforces its global leadership in the sector. Tetra Pak already provides a full range of ice cream equipment, including raw material storage, mix preparation, continuous freezing and inclusion systems, as well as production solutions for moulded and extruded ice cream products. The acquisition of Big Drum will strengthen the company’s presence in the “filled” ice cream segment (e.g. tubs and cones) which represent approximately half of the global packaged ice cream market. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Port Hawkesbury Paper celebrating five years of staying open

Five years ago this week, many in the Strait of Canso area breathed a collective sigh of relief when its largest single employer restarted production after a yearlong shutdown. The reopening of what is now Port Hawkesbury Paper came after a year of legal wrangling and negotiations with the various groups that have a stake in the future of the mill, formerly NewPage Port Hawkesbury, which had shut down when its parent company filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States. It’s a very different company than when it shut down in September 2011. Only one of the mill’s two paper machines — the newer supercalendered machine that produces paper for the magazine and catalogue market — went back into production, cutting the number of employees by about half to around 300. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Pittsburgh Mailing Purchases Xerox Rialto 900 Inkjet Press with Dynamic Perforator

With up to 5 million pages of direct mail each month, Pittsburgh Mailing, looked to inkjet technology to provide more speed and a full color multifaceted press that could accommodate fluctuating high volumes. The Pennsylvania-based company chose the Xerox Rialto® 900 Inkjet Press with Dynamic Perforator as it checked every box as a productive solution that could print, stack and provide inline dynamic perforation and edge trim. “Not only will the Xerox Rialto eliminate the need for mono overprint on offset shells, the new press will enable a quick transition to continuous feed inkjet products and help us compete with low-cost alternatives,” according to the president and CEO Kurt Smallhoover. Smallhoover says Pittsburgh Mailing added the production inkjet to its fleet of Xerox presses after surpassing $12 million in revenue, with monthly outputs increasing by nearly 50 percent. The high speed, small footprint and unique roll-to-cut sheet press makes the transition to inkjet affordable and is perfectly suited for the direct mail market. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Questions go unanswered Monday on Appleton Coated’s fate

Appleton Coated’s employees were left hanging Monday afternoon with no news on their mill's sale to Industrial Assets Corp., a used machine dealer and liquidator based in Los Angeles. Last Monday, Outagamie County judge Gregory Gill asked lawyers to have the modified purchase agreement complete in five business days. On the fifth day, which was Monday, the court closed at 4:30 p.m. with nothing filed. Many questions linger about what's going to be in the final documents. Will the mill still get a 45-day reprieve in which an estimated 195 workers will be called back to operate some of the paper machines? Will Industrial Assets use that time to seek a new buyer who could potentially operate the mill going forward? About 550 of the 620 employees were laid off on Sept. 19 and 20. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Sonoco Plastics increasing prices for all resin-based products in North America

Sonoco announced it is implementing a price increase for all resin-based products sold in North America. The increase amounts by formulation are: CPET/PET – 15 percent, PE – 10 percent, PP – 5 percent. The increase, which impacts thermoformed, injection-molded and extrusion-molded products, is effective with shipments beginning October 15, 2017. “With the unfortunate events surrounding Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, we are seeing a significant inflationary spike affecting the entire industry, not just Sonoco,” said Jeff DiPasquale, vice president and general manager for Sonoco’s Global Plastics division. “The unprecedented occurrence of these natural disasters has greatly impacted the North American resin supply chain in terms of both production and distribution. We are doing everything possible to minimize the impact of this disruption to our customers.”
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EFI Acquires Escada Systems — Extending Its Offering for the Corrugated Packaging Market

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (Nasdaq:EFII) announced today the acquisition of Escada Systems (Escada), a leading provider of Corrugator Control systems for the packaging market. Based in the United Kingdom and with operations also in the United States, privately held Escada brings a strong reputation for innovation and vast experience in helping packaging companies to achieve greater productivity, quality and profitability. EFI is a market leader in providing a complete ecosystem for corrugated production, that includes the EFI Nozomi C18000, an ultra-high-speed single-pass LED inkjet press powered by the award winning Fiery DFE together with leading edge inks, and the EFI Corrugated Packaging Productivity Suite, the market's first end-to-end software offering for business management and manufacturing execution, which is gaining global momentum, serving corrugated packaging companies around the globe. The addition of Escada's technology and expertise will enable EFI to expand the Productivity Suite's value to sheet feeders and full corrugated box plants, to also include comprehensive control and traceability for the entire corrugation process. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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CJK Group Bolsters Educational Book Printing With Webcrafters Acquisition

CJK Group, led by CEO Chris Kurtzman, is a largely unknown, low-profile industry conglomerate that's been methodically consolidating the book manufacturing market. But the entity can no longer fly under the radar screen as it sounds another "Bang!" ... no pun intended ... with yet another major M&A transaction. The latest acquisition by Brainerd, Minn.-based Bang Printing and its holding company, CJK Group, is the assets of Webcrafters, a 270-employee, Madison, Wis., printer that caters to the educational publishing community as a manufacturer of textbooks, workbooks, teacher and student guides, and related educational support materials. Terms of the definitive agreement reached between the two privately-held companies were not disclosed. CJK Group is the holding company for Bang Printing, a manufacturer of books, catalogs, publications and fulfillment services in Brainerd, Minn., and Palmdale, Calif., which has already acquired Hess Print Solutions in Brimfield, Ohio; Sentinel Printing, St. Cloud, Minn.; Victor Graphics in Baltimore; Sinclair Printing, Los Angeles; and The Sheridan Group with production facilities in Waterbury, Vt., Hanover, N.H., Hanover, Pa., Chelsea, Mich., and a corporate office in Hunt Valley, Md. Prior to Webcrafters, CJK Group's most recent acquisition comprised the $196.5 million, 1,000-employee Sheridan Group this past April. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Packaging Corporation of America Completes Acquisition of Sacramento Container Corporation

Packaging Corporation of America announced that it has completed its acquisition of the assets of Sacramento Container Corporation and 100% of the membership interests of Northern Sheets, LLC and Central California Sheets, LLC in a cash-free, debt-free transaction. Funding for the $265 million purchase price came from available cash on hand. PCA Chairman and CEO Mark Kowlzan said, “Completing the acquisition of Sacramento Container, Northern Sheets and Central California sheets continues to further PCA’s strategic objectives. We welcome our new employees to PCA and look forward to quickly integrating these operations into our company.”
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AF&PA Statement on Administration Regulatory Agenda

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman and Clearwater Paper Corporation President and CEO and AF&PA Board Chair Linda Massman issued the following statement after attending the White House “Cut the Red Tape” event where Vice President Mike Pence outlined the administration’s regulatory agenda. “We support the administration in its mission to achieve regulatory reform that will allow the paper and wood products industry to innovate, invest, create jobs and compete at home and around the globe,” said Harman. “Our companies account for four percent of U.S. manufacturing GDP, employ 900,000 men and women in rural and urban communities across 45 states and meet a roughly $50 billion annual payroll. When we work together to advance regulatory policies that unleash economic growth, our industry’s future only brightens.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Changing the Future at Labelexpo Europe: Sustainable options that don’t cost the earth

From new recycled paper facestock to marble-based “paper” and compostable adhesive, Avery Dennison is offering brand owners and converters an increasingly wide choice of sustainable options for their needs. “Avery Dennison is making excellent progress toward our ambitious 2025 sustainability goals we announced at Labelexpo Europe in 2015,” said Renae Kezar, sr. director, global leader of sustainability. “At Labelexpo 2017 in Brussels, we provided a detailed update on our performance against these goals, releasing our Sustainability Report 2015-2017, while also showcasing our range of sustainable products and solutions”, Kezar continues. Avery Dennison is rolling out its Forest Stewardship Council-certified Recycled Paper Facestock range. The range helps brand owners meet their sustainability targets. Next to that, label printers and converters want to differentiate themselves and increase their value in the supply chain by helping brand owners to achieve those goals. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Oil Steadies Above $50 as Libya Works to Revive Production

West Texas Intermediate futures were little changed after dropping 2.1 percent to a one-week low on Monday. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries pumped 32.83 million barrels a day in September, up 120,000 barrels a day from August, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Libyan production is set to recover from a five-month low as the nation’s biggest field restarts following a brief halt. “With news of Libyan output looking to recover back to the 1 million-barrel-a-day level, oil bulls need to hold out for another bout of news on geopolitics,” said Jens Naervig Pedersen, senior analyst at Danske Bank A/S in Copenhagen. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Lecta’s Premium Publishing Papers at the Frankfurt Book Fair

The company will exhibit its full range of premium coated and uncoated papers for the publishing industry. Once again, Lecta will attend the Frankfurt Book Fair, October 11th to 15th, bringing together professionals worldwide at the largest publishing event of the year. This year, Lecta will present its new book "Vertical", a suggestive series of photographs taken vertically from a variety of perspectives and distances. The book is printed on Lecta's premium range of publishing papers, showing the excellent print results that can be achieved on a number of different papers. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Tetra Pak publishes 2017 Sustainability Report

Tetra Pak today published its 2017 Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s annual progress and key achievements in the areas of environmental performance, social responsibility and corporate governance. For the first time since it started publishing a Sustainability report in 2004, the company has adopted Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, the most widely-used international framework for measuring and communicating sustainability performance. Chris Huntley, Senior Vice President Communications at Tetra Pak and the chair of the company’s Sustainability Forum said: “The GRI framework provides a mechanism for us to report our progress on sustainability against an industry-wide standard, improving both the clarity and transparency of our yearly reports. Perhaps more importantly, it also introduces a common methodology for identifying the environmental, social and governance aspects of our operations that are most critical to our business, to our customers and to society – helping us to ensure we give these due priority”. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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U.S. Postal Service to Issue Semipostal Stamps

The Semipostal Authorization Act, Pub. L. 106–253, grants the U.S. Postal Service discretionary authority to issue and sell semipostal stamps to advance such causes as it considers to be ‘‘in the national public interest and appropriate.’’ The U.S. Postal Service announced today that in November it will issue the first of five semipostal stamps. Under the semipostal discretionary program, the Postal Service will issue five stamps over a 10-year period, with each stamp to be sold for no more than two years. The first stamp issued will be an Alzheimer’s Semipostal Stamp, followed by a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Semipostal Stamp in 2019. The next three discretionary semipostal stamps have not yet been determined.Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Print and Paper Packs a Punch in a Digital World

The results of an international survey by Two Sides provides unique insight into how print and paper is viewed, preferred and trusted by consumers around the globe. In June 2017, a survey of over 10,700 consumers was commissioned by Two Sides and carried out by leading research company Toluna. Nationally representative surveys were undertaken in ten countries: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The results reveal a strong preference for print when it comes to recreational reading e.g. books, magazines, news, etc. 72% of global respondents prefer printed books, compared to only 9% preferring e-books. Significant country differences were also identified: in Germany, 75% of consumers prefer a printed newspaper, but in Spain, only 42%. Not only is there a global preference for print, there is also greater trust in print. 76% of all respondents believe “fake news” is a worrying trend and only 24% trust the news stories they read on social media. In addition, 63% of all respondents believe reading news in a printed newspaper provides a deep understanding of the story. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Continued growth in South America: UPM Raflatac to open new terminal in Chile in 2018

As part of its increased expansion in the Latin American pressure-sensitive label market, UPM Raflatac is pleased to announce it will be opening a new slitting and distribution terminal in Santiago, Chile in early 2018. This new terminal will allow UPM Raflatac to improve its service capabilities and offer an expanded range of paper and film products to customers in the Chilean market, particularly in the wine and craft beverage segments. Currently under construction in the Lo Boza industrial sector adjacent to Santiago International Airport, this brand new facility will join UPM Raflatac's growing Americas Terminal Network, which includes a number of facilities throughout North and South America. The new terminal will feature two meter-wide slitting capabilities and the company plans to have trimless offerings on select materials. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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