Closing the Gap: How Magazine Media is Solving for Print Losses

Among all the changes magazine media faces—consolidation, layoffs, digital—the one consistent trend is the decline of print advertising. Moody’s estimates that print ads will continue to fall 10% through mid-2018, providing little hope for a turnaround in the traditional revenue stream that media companies used to rely on. But, it’s also true that some companies, like New York Media and Atlantic Media, have long looked past the traditional advertising spigot, to find more reliable resources of growth. This has created some innovative strategies, where organizations have sought to use their knowledge and prestige to test new revenue streams. We take a look at three different initiatives that may not replace the advertising losses, but provide a new way of viewing the potential still inherent within media brands. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Norbord Reports Fire Near 100 Mile House, British Columbia Mill

Norbord Inc. reported that its OSB mill in 100 Mile House, British Columbia has temporarily suspended production due to the wild fires burning nearby in the region and in order to comply with evacuation orders in the 100 Mile House and surrounding areas. At the time of evacuation, the mill was secure. At this time, Norbord is assessing the impact to its production schedule. All mill employees have been safely evacuated and no injuries have been reported. The 100 Mile House mill has a stated annual production capacity of 440 million square feet (3/8-inch basis).
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Tiny Prints Opens New Home on Shutterfly.com

Tiny Prints, the leader in premium personalized stationery, is proud to share a new home with Shutterfly, its sister brand since 2011. At www.shutterfly.com/tinyprints, customers can enjoy the luxe stationery designs they have come to count on from Tiny Prints, plus seamless access to Shutterfly's free unlimited photo storage and their wide range of photo books, personalized gifts, home décor collections, all with the convenience of a single login. With a renewed emphasis on exceptional designs, today also marks the debut of Tiny Prints Limited Edition Collection, a curated selection of designs by celebrated artists, available for a limited time only. The debut collection features beautiful personal stationery from Tobias Tovera, Stina Persson and Justina Blakeney. • Tobias Tovera is an American visual artist recognized for his work in painting and the sensory surrounds of his multi-media installations. A San Francisco Bay Area local, his paintings explore color and movement, making it the perfect backdrop for luxe foil lettering. • Stina Persson is a Swedish artist, who strives to balance the bold with the delicate, creating a dynamic aesthetic that translates beautifully on paper. She has spent much of her adult life abroad and draws her inspiration from people and faces around her. • Justina Blakeney is a designer, artist and author of the New York Times best-selling book The New Bohemians. Her signature designs are seeded with botanicals and bright colors and add a fun, wild and boho vibe to everyday stationery. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Paper or Digital? Consumer Choice is Being Removed by Corporations

Two Sides releases new Fact Sheet outlining why paper-based communications should remain the default choice In an effort to reduce costs, a growing number of companies are switching customers from paper to electronic communications — without their consent. This move to make digital communications the “default” is frustrating many in the United States and Canada who want to retain a choice in how they receive information. Millions of North Americans choose not to go online or still lack Internet access, including many seniors and people living in rural areas. In addition, a majority prefer paper over digital for many of the reasons outlined in this new Fact Sheet. We hope that when companies are armed with the facts below, they’ll make the right choice for their customers.
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Dennis expands with acquisition

Publisher Dennis Publishing has added to its current affairs division with the acquisition of MoneyWeek, a leading financial title. The magazine had been published by Agora Publishing since 2003 and now joins the group’s flagship The Week magazine, along with The Week Junior, as publications within its current affairs division. MoneyWeek, which had a weekly circulation of 46,498 in the period July to December 2016, was founded in 2000 by The Week founder Jolyon Connell and its current editor-in-chief Merryn Somerset Webb, who is staying on as editor along with John Stepek. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Cox Media Group Ohio to Close Newspaper Printing Plant; 135 Impacted

The downsizing of the newspaper printing and publishing industry continues. Cox Media Group Ohio, based in Dayton, Ohio, announced yesterday plans to close its newspaper printing facility located at 5000 Commerce Center Drive in nearby Franklin, Ohio, resulting in the layoffs of approximately 75 full-time and 60 part-time workers employed there. Located in Warren County along the Great Miami River and named, ironically, after Benjamin Franklin, Franklin, Ohio, has a population of nearly 12,000 residents. The three daily publications currently printed there — The Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and Journal-News — and some weekly publications will instead be printed at Gannett’s Indianapolis newspaper printing plant, following an outsourcing agreement that has been reached between Cox Media Group and Gannett Publishing Services. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Oil Falls as Talk of Libya, Nigeria Caps Can’t Dispel OPEC Doubt

Futures were down 1 percent in New York, extending last week’s 3.9 percent drop. The two African producers, who were exempt from supply cuts because of internal strife but are now recovering, have been invited to a July 24 meeting in Russia to discuss whether their production has stabilized, Kuwait’s Oil Minister Issam Almarzooq said in Istanbul. BNP Paribas SA sharply reduced its price forecasts for this year and next because supply growth elsewhere is diluting the impact of the OPEC-led curbs. Oil in New York and London remains in a bear market amid concerns elevated global oil inventories and rising supply will offset curbs by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners including Russia. Libya and Nigeria together added 440,000 barrels a day of production in May and June as fields restarted, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It’s premature to talk about deepening output cuts, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said in Istanbul. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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3 Keys to Successful Agricultural Packaging

In order to ship summer produce like peaches, tomatoes, and berries safely, it’s important to partner with a packaging company that understands the unique needs of agricultural packaging. Each crop requires special handling and unique packaging design in order to ensure food safety and minimize loss. The following considerations are key to ensuring successful shipping from farm to store. •Ventilation: allows heat to escape and accelerate cooling •Protection: reduce loss through successful package design •Water Loss Reduction: maintain freshness by reducing the potential for water loss. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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The Rise in Print Continues

The lack of a breakout print hit did not prevent unit sales in the first half of 2017 from being 3% higher than in the first six months of last year, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan (which captures 80%–85% of print unit sales). Units for the January–June period in 2017 were 310.7 million, up from 302.8 million a year ago. Just as it was in the first six months of 2016, the backlist favorite Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss was the most popular title in the first half of this year, selling more than 482,000 copies (up from 458,000 copies in January–June 2016). All four of the major segments did better this year than in the first six months of 2016. Juvenile fiction had the best performance, with unit sales up 5%. In addition to higher sales of Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, the segment benefitted from strong sales of two editions of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, which together sold approximately 500,000 print copies. The animal category had the biggest gain among juvenile fiction segments, with sales up 21%. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Smurfit Kappa reaches new milestone with SupplySmart service

Smurfit Kappa’s SupplySmart service has reached 50,000 supply chains, taking optimisation of packaging to a new level. The industry-leading service uses evidence-based analytics and insights, to work with businesses to benchmark risk and optimise efficiency in their supply chain. SupplySmart is the first service of its kind that combines big data from over 50,000 supply chains in over 30 countries with creative solutions, expert knowledge and years of practical experience. The service enables businesses to reduce logistics costs, streamline production and lower packaging costs without compromising on performance. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Neenah Non-Replenishing Skus 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. Select skus in the following brands will be impacted: • ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers (13 sheet skus) • CAPITOL BOND® Papers (2 skus) • CLASSIC COTTON® Papers (3 sheet skus) • CORONADO® SST Papers (7 sheet skus) • CRANE’S BOND® Papers(1 sheet sku, 1 envelope sku) • CRANE’S CREST® Papers (2 sheet skus) • CRANE’S LETTRA® Papers (2 sheet skus) • ENVIRONMENT® Papers (3 sheet skus, 19 envelope skus) • EXACT® Brights Papers (4 sheet skus, 33 envelope skus) • EXACT® Index (2 sheet skus) • FOX RIVER SELECT® Papers (3 sheet skus, 33 envelope skus) • GILBERT® Cotton Papers (1 sheet sku) • HOWARD® Linen Papers (1 sheet skus) • NEUTECH® Papers (3 sheet skus, 33 envelope skus) ** The balance of the skus within these brands WILL continue to remain available. ** Please contact your Midland Paper Sales Professional for additional details.
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Oil Heads for Weekly Loss as Doubts Over Rebalancing Persist

Futures dropped as much as 2.8 percent even after U.S. data on Thursday showed the nation’s crude stockpiles dropped by 6.3 million barrels, three times as much as expected. Investors remain doubtful that OPEC-led production cuts will clear a global glut, after Russia ruled out deepening the measures and Saudi Arabia showed less commitment than earlier in the year. “Oil remains volatile, unable to hold onto gains even after strong inventory draws in the U.S.,” said Jan Edelmann, an analyst at HSH Nordbank AG in Hamburg. “While the strong draws are a step in the right direction, multiple weeks of the same are now needed for the rebalancing.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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TNT Express Operations Update

All TNT depots, hubs and facilities around the globe are open, operational and working to quickly clear any backlogs, and most TNT services are now available. TNT continues to make significant progress in resuming full services and bringing critical systems back online. These remediation efforts are being carried out methodically to ensure the integrity of TNT’s information systems and operations. Contingency plans that make use of both FedEx Express and TNT networks will remain in place to minimize impacts to customers, including offering the full range of FedEx Express services as alternatives. Some customers may continue to experience delays in service and access to package information. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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HP Inc. Commits to Enhancing Education for More Than 100 Million People by 2025

Today, HP Inc. announced its commitment to enable better learning outcomes for more than 100 million people between 2015-2025 at the 2017 Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg, Germany. The Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg falls on the eve of the G20 Summit, where leaders of the world’s most powerful countries are congregating to address inequalities and promote sustainable development. HP’s pledge supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 and aligns with the company’s goal to improve access to quality education and lifelong learning for all in the classroom and beyond, as outlined in the recently released HP 2016 Sustainability Report. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Introducing a new page-turning promotional lookbook from The Design Collection

A new page-turning promotional lookbook of unique surface design treatments — including arresting images, unconventional diecuts, spectacular printing and specialty techniques — has just been released by Neenah. The book is crafted on papers from The Design Collection, Neenah’s range of pearlized surfaces, unique textures and dramatic colors, inspired by Italy’s top fashion houses and America’s leading designers. “These are highly unique papers that naturally draw attention,” says Auburne Gahlman, Associate Brand Manager, Neenah. “With this lookbook, we set out to consider surface design in relation to these extraordinary papers. The result shows how conceptual aesthetics, through means such as line, texture, color, light, and patterning, can be alluring to both hand and eye.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Quantum Group Invests in a New HP PageWide Web Press T240 HD

Quantum Group, a trusted expert in commercial and digital printing, direct mail, and fulfillment, continues to expand its print technology leadership through its investment in an HP PageWide Web Press T240 HD. This latest technology offers a digital print engine that delivers unprecedented versatility and color-consistency combined with the agility to deliver personalized communications cost-effectively. With the ability to print 4/4 images at 500 feet per minute the production capabilities of this new printer are vast. “Today’s commercial print providers require a combination of offset-class print quality, productivity, and media versatility, along with the unique capabilities and efficiency of digital printing,” says Avi Basu, Americas director of marketing, HP Graphics Solutions Business. “Quantum’s investment will enable their clients to experience the benefits of digital printing, whether they are printing hundreds or hundreds of thousands, using Quantum’s multiple HP platforms from sheetfed Indigo to HP PageWide Web presses.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Print Units Up 3% in First Half of 2017

Unit sales of print books rose 3% for the first six months of 2017 compared to the first half of last year at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Units for the January-June period in 2017 totaled 310.7 million, up from 302.8 million a year ago. All four of the major segments had increases over the first six months of 2016, with juvenile fiction having the best performance; unit sales in the category were up 5%. The growth in juvenile nonfiction was just behind fiction, up 4%. Sales in the adult segments were less robust. Adult nonfiction unit sales increased 2% over the first half of 2016, while adult fiction sales rose just under 1%. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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The Home Depot Agrees to Purchase Compact Power Equipment, Inc.

The Home Depot® today announced a definitive agreement to purchase Compact Power Equipment, Inc., a leading national provider of equipment rental and maintenance services for $265 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the company's fiscal second quarter. As a long-term commercial partner of The Home Depot since 2009, Compact Power Equipment currently provides compact equipment rentals at more than 1,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada. The company also provides equipment maintenance services nationwide to a range of customers, including The Home Depot. By acquiring Compact Power Equipment, The Home Depot continues to invest in capabilities that uniquely serve its core customers. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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RRD Awarded an Agreement with Vizient™

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced a new agreement with Vizient™, the nation’s largest member-owned healthcare company. Effective July 2017, the new three-year agreement will enable Vizient member hospitals to take advantage of RRD’s extensive end-to-end communications offerings for forms, commercial and promotional print initiatives. Vizient first engaged with the company in a March 2017 agreement for RRD’s United Ad Label, providing its members with access to more than 4,000 stock designs and endless custom options for labels and wristbands used by healthcare organizations. RRD’s deep expertise in the healthcare industry, combined with its proven ability to create, produce and distribute effective marketing and business communications materials, ultimately led to the additional agreement. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Sonoco-Alcore to Increase Paperboard Prices in Europe

Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. today announced it will again raise prices by a further €50 per tonne (£40 / tonne) on all recycled paperboard grades sold in the Company's European regions. The price change is effective with shipments on or after 17th July 2017. "Demand for raw materials has continued to rise throughout the year as a result of China's "National Sword" initiative, new capacity within the paper packaging sector, and the European economy currently being stronger than we have seen in recent years. The resultant continued increase in raw material costs are again unsustainable and we now have no choice but to pass these increases through into the market," said Phil Woolley, Director - Paper Europe.
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L Brands Reports June 2017 Sales

The company reported net sales of $4.424 billion for the 22 weeks ended July 1, 2017, a decrease of 6 percent compared to net sales of $4.727 billion for the 22 weeks ended July 2, 2016. Comparable sales for the 22 weeks ended July 1, 2017, decreased 9 percent. For the 22 weeks ended July 1, 2017, the exit of the swim and apparel categories had a negative impact of about 7 percentage points and 10 percentage points to total company and Victoria’s Secret comparable sales, respectively. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Oil Rebounds From Biggest Slump in Four Weeks on Stockpile Drop

Futures climbed as much as 1.7 percent in New York, paring Wednesday’s 4.1 percent loss. Crude and gasoline inventories both dropped by more than by 5.5 million barrels last week, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report. Government data Thursday is also forecast to show supplies fell. Oil remains in a bear market amid concerns that rising supply from Libya to the U.S. will counter production cuts from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners including Russia. American crude stockpiles are more than 100 million barrels above the five-year average. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports June Sales Results

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $12.17 billion for the month of June, the five weeks ended July 2, 2017, an increase of seven percent from $11.33 billion during the similar period last year. For the forty-four weeks ended July 2, 2017, the Company reported net sales of $104.28 billion, an increase of six percent from $98.51 billion during the similar period last year. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Flint Group launches XCURA EVO – the new generation UV LED Sheetfed Process Ink.

Continuing the pioneering trend; first to market with new technology and breakthrough sheetfed ink formulations, Flint Group today announces the global launch of its latest version UV LED process inks, XCURA EVO. ““EVO” is short for evolutionary,” explains Trevor Amps, Global Product Management Director for Energy Curing inks. “This signals a step change from our world renowned XCURA formulations which, for the past four years, have served our customers very well as an industry leader. XCURA EVO is our next generation offer to the UV LED and low energy sheetfed market, and we are very pleased to announce its global launch today.” “More and more sheetfed press manufacturers are heading their technology development with LED and low energy curing, and we see growing numbers of retro-fit conversions from lamp providers and OEMs as well,” stated Mr Amps. “Some of the main drivers encouraging commercial printers to switch to UV LED are improved efficiency, reduced energy costs and the ability to break into new markets. XCURA EVO helps to maximise all of these with its excellent flow characteristic, superb transfer and high gloss.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Orchids Paper Products Company Receives Lender Consent For Amendment Of Credit Agreements

On June 30, 2017, Orchids Paper Products Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to its Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 25, 2015 by and among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association and the other lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement Amendment, among other things, struck the fixed charge coverage for the period ended June 30, 2017, thereby also waiving a requirement for a Cash Reserve, as defined in the Credit Agreement, to be funded by that date. Covenants for future periods remain unchanged from the prior amendment. Additionally, the Company agreed not to make any dividend or other distribution payment with respect to its equity unless the Company has achieved a Leverage Ratio of less than 4.0:1.0 for two consecutive fiscal quarters and no Default or Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) exists or would exist following such payment. The amount and timing of dividend payments otherwise remains subject to the judgment and approval of the Board of Directors. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Shutterfly, Inc. Names Scott Arnold President, Shutterfly Enterprise

Shutterfly, Inc. announced the appointment of Scott Arnold as president, Shutterfly Enterprise, overseeing the organization's Enterprise division. This new role provides dedicated executive leadership to a key area of strategic focus for Shutterfly. In this role, Scott will be responsible for developing the company's long-term Enterprise strategy to leverage its world-class digital manufacturing platform. This division comprises the industry-leading Shutterfly Business Solutions (SBS), which manages marketing and customer communications programs for some of the world's leading brands, leveraging Shutterfly's unique personalized manufacturing capabilities. Over time, Shutterfly Enterprise expects to continue to expand the SBS business, while building additional businesses that serve a broader set of customers and industries. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Sappi, farmers work together to save money (and the world)

Is the Cloquet Sappi mill the greenest in the world? While there hasn't been an official trophy awarded by pulp and paper mills worldwide, Cloquet Sappi manager Mike Schultz is quite certain we have a winner here. It always amazes local people when they find out the Cloquet mill is considered the most environmentally friendly mill in the world. Gone are the days when people used to talk about the "smell" of the paper mill that permeated the air in town — that ended when the new, more efficient pulp mill was constructed some 20 years ago, Schultz said, pointing out that the Cloquet pulp mill (which also now makes chemical cellulose) is still the newest pulp mill in North America. What began years ago as an effort to prolong the life of the on-site landfill, the Cloquet mill has turned into one of the environmental success stories of the millennium. It's been a war fought on many fronts, most of them involving reusing waste that used to end up in the landfill or the sewer, along with a shifting focus to using renewable energy as much as possible. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Stora Enso invests in cross laminated timber (CLT) production in Gruvön, Sweden

Stora Enso has decided to invest EUR 45 million in a new production unit for cross laminated timber (CLT) in connection with its Gruvön Mill in Sweden. The investment will further enhance Stora Enso’s position as a global provider of high quality engineered wooden elements and as a market leader in CLT. The production is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2019. The estimated yearly capacity of the production line will be approximately 100 000 m³ after ramp-up, subject to required approvals being in place. The investment is expected to generate annual sales of approximately EUR 50 million when run at full capacity and over time significantly exceed the Wood Products division’s profitability target, operational return on operating capital (ROOC) of 18%. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Kotkamills To Discontinue Its Operations In Imatra By The End Of 2018

The Kotkamills group has been producing Saturating Base Kraft (laminating papers) in Tainionkoski, Imatra on Paper Machine 7 (PM 7) leased from Stora Enso Oyj since the separation of Kotkamills from Stora Enso in 2010. The operations are part of the Group’s Industrial Products segment. Stora Enso Oyj has notified Kotkamills Oy that the leasing agreement concerning Tainionkoski PM7 will be terminated in accordance with its terms to expire at the end of 2018. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Crude Tumbles After Russia Said to Oppose Deeper Production Cuts

Futures dropped 1.7 percent in New York, snapping eight straight sessions of gains. Russia wants to continue with the current deal and any further supply curbs would send the wrong message to the market, according to government officials. The U.S. dollar gained, reducing the appeal of commodities denominated in that currency. While prices have surged during the past week, oil remains in a bear market after concerns that rising global supply will offset output cuts from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners. Libya and Nigeria, exempt from the OPEC-led curbs, accounted for half of the group’s production boost last month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Intertape Polymer Group (IPG®) Completes Transaction to Acquire Cantech®

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. announced the completion on July 1 of the previouslyannounced transaction to acquire substantially all of the assets of Canadian Technical Tape Ltd. (d/b/a “Cantech”), a North American supplier of industrial and specialty tapes based in Montreal. The expected aggregate purchase price is approximately $67 million (as updated from the previously-communicated purchase price of $63 million due to certain purchase price adjustments), subject to further post-closing adjustments. All amounts in this press release are denominated in US dollars. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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A whirlwind trip around Asia for PEFC’s CEO

Three weeks, five countries, countless meetings and many air miles! It has been an action packed month for Ben Gunneberg, the CEO of PEFC International. “It has been fantastic to travel around Asia this past month,” said Ben. “From meeting with our members, old and new, to highlighting the benefits of PEFC to a wide range of industry professionals and government representatives.” Ben began his trip in Indonesia, attending the Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC) Stakeholder Meeting in Jakarta. IFCC is our national member in Indonesia. Since their endorsement back in 2014, they have been working hard to increase the forest area under PEFC certification. Ben’s final destination was Singapore, where he had a packed schedule, including a meeting with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). Check out the video below to see Ben highlight why certification matters to business, during a special lunchtime talk at Eco Business. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Sappi invests in barrier technology to strengthen its Packaging and Speciality Papers offering

Sappi Limited is pleased to announce that it will bolster its Packaging and Speciality Papers Business through the acquisition of the barrier film technology of Rockwell Solutions Limited (Rockwell Solutions). The transaction will mean that Rockwell Solutions will become a subsidiary of Sappi Europe. Sappi is one of the world’s leading producers of speciality papers and carton board with a strong presence in meeting the increased global demand for sustainable barrier paper solutions. Commenting on the transaction, Thomas Kratochwill, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Packaging and Speciality Papers for Sappi Europe said “By gaining access to the barrier film technology of Rockwell Solutions Sappi will be able to accelerate the development of our own solutions and be able to offer our customers an even wider range of barrier coated packaging solutions.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Stora Enso divests the rigid paperboard business Re-board in Sweden

Stora Enso has today signed an agreement to divest the business and assets of its Swedish subsidiary Stora Enso Re-board AB, a producer of rigid paperboard for expositions and displays, to Culas AB, which is partially owned by the current managing director of Stora Enso Re-board AB, John-Åke Svensson. “Stora Enso’s focus within packaging is on developing and delivering fibre-based solutions throughout the value chain. Re-board delivers a niche product and we believe that a new owner can better give this business the attention it deserves and develop it further,” says Peter Torstensson, SVP and Head of Corrugated Nordics, Stora Enso’s Packaging Solutions division. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Silvestica Green Forest Finland acquires 6,877 ha forestry land from UPM

UPM has signed a contract to sell forest estates to Silvestica Green Forest Finland Oy. The contract covers 6,877 hectares of forestry land located in Kajaani, Sonkajärvi and Sotkamo in Finland. In addition, the parties have signed a separate long-term wood purchase and forest management agreement. Silvestica Green Forest Finland Oy is committed to certify the estates according to FSC® and to join the UPM managed FSC group certificate (FSC C 109750). For the time being the estates are PEFCTM certified. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Silvestica Green Forest Finland Oy is owned by a Swedish company Silvestica Green Forest AB, which is an investment fund for institutional investors founded in spring 2017 by SEB, the leading Nordic financial services group. Silvestica owned companies will invest in forest estates in Sweden, Finland and the Baltic countries. The forests will be managed by CRK Forest Management AB with CEO Rickard Lehmann in charge of forest activities and reporting to investors. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Oil Trades Near Three-Week High After U.S. Drilling Slows

Futures were little changed in New York after rising 8.3 percent the previous seven sessions. U.S. drillers targeting crude reduced the number of active rigs for the first time in 24 weeks, according to Baker Hughes Inc. data on Friday. Libya’s oil production climbed to more than 1 million barrels a day for the first time in four years, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. While prices surged last week, oil in New York and London still posted a monthly loss in June after tumbling into a bear market on concerns that rising global supply will counter cuts from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners. There are signs of a slowdown in the U.S., but Libya is adding more oil to the market as it restarts fields that are exempt from OPEC’s production curbs. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Independence Lost — Taxpayer Funding and Information Access Takes a Dark Turn

What happens when a leading world government on the forefront of scientific discovery holds an election, and the newly elected officials and their retinue revoke access to scientific information and important data paid for and used by taxpayers, citizens, and the general public? And what happens when these new leaders then undercut funding that could be used to close gaps in scientific and public health data that clearly led to deaths and disease? We’re finding out. Lack of access to raw data from governmental sources curtails the independence of scientists to conduct research, formulate new hypotheses, and validate results, while preventing citizens from monitoring issues of civic and scientific interest and importance. Information is power, and those newly in power seem reluctant to share either. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Expera Introduces Prepara™ Food Pocessing Papers

As a leader of innovative solutions in the specialty paper industry, Expera has continued to customize its line of food packaging and processing papers with its newly launched brand Prepera™ Food Processing Papers. Expera’s Prepera™ Papers keep individual food slices neatly separate and wrapped, while easily releasing from products that have been vacuum packaged, frozen, or thawed. Offering a breadth of performance options, Expera produces layout sheets for raw and pre-cooked applications as well as paper-based solutions designed to address a variety of needs in today’s refrigerated and frozen food categories. “Prepera™ papers are used in a wide variety of applications and they have the flexibility necessary for unique and demanding applications,” said Robyn Buss, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Expera. “Whether it’s bacon layout, or an interleave application for cheese or meat, these papers are safe, sustainable, and provide the food release properties necessary for all types of performance.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Gander Mountain to survive in scaled back fashion — and under new banner

Camping World Holdings has given an update on its plans for Gander Mountain. Camping World, which acquired the assets of Gander Mountain and boating division Overton's in a bankruptcy auction in May, said it plans to operate 57 locations — assuming details can be worked out with landlords and final acceptable leases agreed to. Liquidation sales started in May at all 160 Gander stores. The plan for the locations that have survived the cut is for them to reopen under the new brand of Gander Outdoors. The stores will feature a fresh mix of Gander Outdoors, Overton's and Camping World products and services. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Heinzel Group to build second paper machine in Pöls

The Heinzel Group has now initiated its next strategic initiative in the packaging paper segment. This will see the installation of a second large paper machine for the production of bleached kraft papers at the Zellstoff Pöls AG location in Austria. So-called MG papers are employed for flexible packaging and demonstrate above-average market growth. Kurt Maier, the Heinzel Holding CEO: “Using the new machine, we will be able to manufacture 200,000 tonnes of MG papers annually at the Pöls location. With pulp production in Pöls being expanded at the same time, this has only marginal impact on our annual market pulp capacity of 400,000 tonnes. Following our recent investments at our Raubling and Laakirchen mills, the Pöls project represents another step forward on our packaging paper segment path.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Ingram Buys NBN’s International Division

Ingram Publisher Services has added to its international capabilities with the acquisition of National Book Network International (NBNi). Located in Plymouth, England, NBNi was founded 14 years ago by the Lanham, Md.-based National Book Network and does international distribution for both print and digital books. According to Ingram, NBNi’s client services business will complement Ingram’s range of digital, physical, and print-on-demand solutions. “NBNi is a sound, established, and widely respected distributor in the British book trade with a reputable base of publisher clients, well-supported by the excellent and experienced team in Plymouth,” said David Taylor, senior v-p of international content acquisition at Ingram Content Group, in a statement. “Our plan is to build on this strong foundation and grow the business.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Global packaging leader Smurfit Kappa has announced a multi-million euro investment in technology at its Nettingsdorf Paper Mill

The project consists of building a state-of-the-art recovery boiler by 2020 and a new steam turbine by 2022. This equipment will reinforce the industry-leading position that Smurfit Kappa Nettingsdorf currently holds, by virtue of having the lowest energy consumption in the paper industry. The new boiler will produce energy out of biomass, reducing CO₂ emissions at the Nettingsdorf mill by 40,000 tonnes, which represents a 1.5% reduction in Smurfit Kappa Group’s total CO₂ emissions. Smurfit Kappa recently announced in its 2016 Sustainability Development Report that it has already cut CO₂ emissions by 23%, well on the way to meeting its 2020 target of 25%. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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