Neenah Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

"Each of our businesses delivered top line growth in the second quarter, overcoming currency headwinds and global capacity constraints as we ramp-up our new U.S. filtration capacity. Customer qualification of this filtration facility continues to progress well and start-up costs of $3 million in the quarter were in line with projections. Bottom line results also reflected a timing lag as we implement selling price increases to offset the rise in input costs in the first half of the year," said John O'Donnell, Chief Executive Officer. "With our strong financial position and continued success in targeted categories like filtration, performance materials and premium packaging, we remain confident about future investment opportunities for organic and strategic growth that can deliver value for our shareholders."
Read More

Georgia-Pacific Acquires PAX Corrugated Products

Georgia-Pacific continues to expand its corrugated packaging business with the acquisition of Ohio-based PAX Corrugated Products. PAX operates a corrugated sheet plant with more than 100 employees in Lebanon, Ohio. Terms of the deal are not disclosed. “Georgia-Pacific has had a working relationship with PAX Corrugated for many years so we knew their organization would be an excellent fit with the GP Corrugated team,” said Billy Medof, president – GP Corrugated. “The PAX team will continue to deliver quality products and service to their customers as they do today. Their graphics and converting proficiency will accelerate our growth in digitally printed sheets from our Digital Print Solutions business and their display capability will expand our growing display business.”
Read More

Rum Label Is Passport to Caribbean Culture

Project M Plus has designed the label and packaging for Atlantico rum, distilled and blended in the Dominican Republic. To elevate the product and the brand, the designers capitalized on their love of the Caribbean, taking their cues from the culture and lifestyle — including “the beautiful ceramic tiles found throughout the islands, the sun at Golden Hour, the salt on your skin to the salt on your rim.
Read More

Clearwater Paper Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

The company reported net sales of $429.7 million for the second quarter of 2017, down 1.6% compared to net sales of $436.7 million for the second quarter of 2016. Net earnings determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for the second quarter of 2017 were $8.0 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $20.9 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2016.
Read More

WestRock Reports Fiscal 2017 Third Quarter Results

WestRock Company ("WestRock") (NYSE:WRK), a leading provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, today announced results for its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2017. “Our WestRock team delivered strong earnings and cash flow, and grew our differentiated packaging business by completing the acquisitions of MPS and U.S. Corrugated, which have expanded our presence in attractive markets and increased our vertical integration,” said Steve Voorhees, chief executive officer. “We increased our daily box volumes over the prior year by 5.7%. While we continue to face a challenging cost environment, we are focusing on areas within our control – serving our customers well and driving synergy and productivity improvements across our company.”
Read More

PCA Roanoke Partners with Virginia Tech

On April 20 PCA’s sheet plant in Roanoke, Virginia, hosted 35 students from Virginia Tech’s packaging program for their annual Plant Tour and Social Day. Students toured the box plant, watched a presentation about PCA and enjoyed lunch with employees. In addition to the Plant Tour and Social Day, PCA Roanoke is proud to partner with Virginia Tech in a number of other ways. The plant has hired a number of interns from the Packaging School, some of which have gone on to become PCA employees after graduation.
Read More

The Role of Food and Beverage Packaging in Limiting Climate Change

It has been almost a year since the Paris Climate Change Agreement was adopted in December of 2015. The agreement set out a goal and initiated a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It took most of 2016 for the Agreement to be signed and ratified and the Agreement did not enter into force until November 4, 2016. Key to this process was a joint ceremony on April 22, 2016 in which President Obama of the United States, and President Xi Jinping of China signed and ratified the Agreement on behalf of their respective countries. The US and China are the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases on the planet.
Read More

Sustainably Inspirational Cities

With more than 80 per cent of North Americans now living in urban areas, the actions of city governments, residents and businesses are critical to making inroads in sustainability. We’ve found four examples of inspirational initiatives which are changing cities for the better that mirror the values that drive our sustainable manufacturing practices – from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to conserving water and using life cycle assessment to understand the environmental impact of our products.
Read More

20 Beautifully Illustrated Alternative Movie Posters

At a time when official movie poster reveals are arguably as exciting as opening weekends, it’s no wonder so many creatives are carving out time to create their own alternative movie posters—whether for a client, for self-promotion or just for fun. Similarly, it’s no wonder we can’t help but drool over all the beautiful illustrated and painterly work we’ve seen lately. That’s why we’ve rounded up 20 of our favorite unofficial posters below. You may not have seen these illustrated posters in the wild during the respective film’s marketing campaign days, but they’re just as fun to look at now.
Read More

Parents Magazine Debuts Redesign With September 2017 Issue

Parents magazine unveiled a fresh, new look with its September 2017 issue, on sale nationwide August 8. The dynamic redesign incorporates a modern logo, lively layouts and photography, and an evolved personality that reflects the candor, humor and confidence of today's mom. The September 2017 cover features Rebecca Minkoff – the fashion designer powerhouse and mother of two – as its Back-to-School Mom star with a personal interview and exclusive photos. Under the direction and leadership of Parents Editor-in-Chief Liz Vaccariello, the print redesign focuses on revitalizing the iconic brand. The magazine continues to offer readers its signature trusted content and focus on the needs of diverse millennial women in families of all shapes and sizes. Health and safety articles will advocate for every child's wellbeing, while the lifestyle coverage has evolved to reflect the millennial's unique mindset about food, home and travel. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Quad/Graphics Reports Second Quarter and Year-to-Date 2017 Results

Net earnings improved during the second quarter of 2017 to $7 million, a $15 million increase, versus an $8 million net loss in 2016, despite a 6.7% decrease in net sales to $963 million. Organic sales decreased 4.8% due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures after excluding pass-through paper sales (-1.7% impact) and foreign exchange (-0.2% impact). The organic sales decrease is consistent with the Company’s previous guidance. Diluted earnings per share improved to $0.13 compared to a $0.16 loss in 2016 primarily due to lower depreciation and amortization, and cost reductions and productivity improvement activities. Second quarter 2017 Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1 million to $97 million compared to $98 million in 2016; however, Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 10.0% from 9.5% in 2016. Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share improved by $0.21 during the second quarter 2017 to $0.24. The improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share was primarily due to cost reductions and productivity improvement activities. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

RR Donnelley Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Net sales in the quarter were $1.65 billion, up $13.4 million or 0.8% from the second quarter of 2016. On an organic basis, consolidated net sales declined 0.8% driven by volume growth in the International and Strategic Services segments and favorable changes in fuel surcharges which were more than offset by lower postage pass through sales in the Strategic Services segment, net volume declines in the Variable Print segment and modest price erosion across all segments. Gross profit in the second quarter of 2017 was $303.1 million or 18.4% of net sales versus $316.4 million or 19.4% of net sales in the prior year quarter. The decline was primarily due to unfavorable mix in several businesses, modest price pressure in all segments and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Macmillan Heads Downtown, Leaving Flatiron Building

Macmillan Publishers will be leaving its long-time offices in New York's Chelsea neighborhood in 2019. The publisher, which currently occupies all the office space in New York's iconic Flatiron Building, has signed a 20-year lease at 120 Broadway, called the "Equitable Building," in lower Manhattan. "We are delighted to be moving to 120 Broadway," Andrew Weber, COO of Macmillan, said in a statement. "The move will be great for our people and our planned growth, and the architectural heritage of 120 Broadway means we will be moving from one of New York City's great iconic buildings to another." In moving to lower Manhattan, Macmillan will follow HarperCollins and Abrams who have moved south in search of new offices. St. Martin's was the first Macmillan division to move to the Flatiron Building and over the years other divisions followed. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Barnes & Noble Announces Special Back-to-School Educator Appreciation Days Every Saturday & Sunday in August to Celebrate Pre-K-12 Teachers & Administrators

To celebrate pre-K-12 public, private and homeschool educators and administrators, Barnes & Noble, Inc. will kick off the school year with new Educator Appreciation Days every Saturday and Sunday in August. Starting Saturday, August 5, local stores will feature special discounts* including 25% off most merchandise like books, toys and games; and limited-time giveaways from Sterling Publishing, while supplies last. The offer will also be valid online at www.BN.com Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27. “We are thrilled to announce Barnes & Noble’s Educator Appreciation Days to ring in the new school year,” said Tracy Vidakovich, Vice President, Business Development for Barnes & Noble. “Educators and administrators are one of our most loyal customer bases and we want to continue to show our commitment to them with this initiative and savings on their back-to-school purchases.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Oil Trades Near $49 on Signs U.S. Stockpiles Unexpectedly Rose

Futures slid as much as 1.2 percent in New York after losing 2 percent Tuesday, the first drop in seven sessions. Inventories rose by 1.78 million barrels last week, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report. A Bloomberg survey showed nationwide stockpiles fell for a fifth week. OPEC output climbed in July as Libya boosted supply, according to a Bloomberg survey of analysts, oil companies and ship-tracking data. “Prices are under pressure as the recent gains are seen as unsustainable,” said Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. “The API is contributing to the overall situation, and should the DOE data confirm the trend, it’s likely to weigh on prices,” he said, referring to the U.S. Department of Energy figures due for release on Wednesday. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Boise Paper Wins 3M Supplier of the Year Award

Boise Paper, a division of Packaging Corporation of America, was honored with the 2017 3M Supplier of the Year Award in recognition of the company’s contribution to improving 3M’s competitiveness. This year, 3M recognized 15 suppliers – among thousands in its global supply base – for world class performance in providing products and/or services. These suppliers were identified and rated based on strategic spend, contract compliance, actions taken to improve 3M’s relevance and overall supplier performance (quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost, technology roadmaps). An awards ceremony will be held Aug. 4 at the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Adult Trade, College Material Sales Up in Q1

Sales of adult trade books rose 3.4% in the first quarter of 2017, over the comparable period in 2016, according to the latest figures released by the Association of American Publishers' StatShot program. The adult trade segment was one of three major publishing categories to see an increase in the first three months of the year, over the same time frame in 2016. The higher educational course materials segment experienced the largest gain in the period, with sales up 24.3%. Within adult trade, hardcover sales jumped 18.1% in the quarter, offsetting declines in the paperback formats. Downloadable audio had another strong period, with sales rising 23.1% in the quarter. But e-book sales continued to drop, falling 4.5% in the three-month period. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Crown Honors Three Plants for Sustainability Achievements

Crown Holdings, Inc. has recognized three of its facilities for outstanding sustainability achievements from 2015 to 2016. First introduced in 2012, the biennial Chairman’s Sustainability Awards program honors exemplary contributions made by the employees based in the Company’s international network of 146 facilities. The Chairman’s Award Program consists of three categories: Crown’s Economic Sustainability Award recognizes actions and projects that display a significant, measurable reduction in the Company’s use of resources that enhance Crown’s competitiveness, including energy, water, freight and fuel. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Benefits of Digital Printing for Packaging and Displays

Digital print for packaging and displays has many benefits and is ideal for customers who are looking for alternatives to traditional offset printing which is a plate or tooling driven process. It offers a way to professionally brand protective packaging and in-store signage and displays with custom print without the need for large production runs. Digital printed packaging, labels, and displays is a fast-growing market – and for good reason – it offers many benefits to the customer including: •Cost Effective: Digital print requires no die-cut tooling or print plates which can be an unexpected upfront expense for the customer or out of range cost for smaller businesses. •Small Production Runs: Digital print allows for production of small volume jobs and print runs. •Universal Application: Digital print has a universal application and prints on any substrate including metal, plastic, wood and corrugated paper. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

B&NE Steps Up Fight Against Counterfeiters

In another move to combat the spread of counterfeit textbooks, Cengage, Elsevier, McGraw-Hill Education, and Pearson announced an agreement with Barnes & Noble Education to implement the industry’s Anti-Counterfeit Best Practices. The best practices were developed earlier this year by the Educational Publishers Enforcement Group (EPEG) with the goal of assisting publishers and distributors looking to tamp down on the growing availability of counterfeit print textbooks. In agreeing to adhere to the best practices program, B&NE will verify the sources of its textbooks. It will also inspect inventory that has a high risk of being counterfeit, and prevent it from infecting the rest of its inventory. And, according to the agreement, when B&NE finds counterfeit books it will share information about the title and supplier with publishers. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Sealed Air Announces Price Increases for Its North American Product Care Products

Sealed Air Corporation announced that it is implementing a price increase on all products in its North American Product Care division. The increases will be effective September 1, 2017. The price adjustments are the result of escalation in resin costs of over 7% since the start of the year with over 9% of additional increases expected to be announced in the near term. Other raw materials costs have also been on the rise including chemical components (MDI/Polyol) which are up 15% since the start of 2017, and recycled paper and corrugated up with Old Corrugated Container (OCC) costs climbing more than 50% year-to-date with further increases expected. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Smurfit Kappa Group plc today announced results for the 3 months and 6 months ending 30 June 2017

Second Quarter & Half Year Key Points: *Group revenue growth of 5% for the first six months with strong demand in most markets. *Second quarter EBITDA of €292 million with increased sequential EBITDA margin of 13.9%. *Kraftliner demand robust with additional €50 per tonne price increase implemented in the third quarter. *Containerboard price increases feeding through to corrugated price recovery. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Stein Mart Announces Five New Stores Opening This Fall

Stein Mart announced the locations of its five new stores opening this fall to complete its 2017 store plan to open a total of 10 new stores this year. "We look forward to introducing our customers to these new locations where they will always find great values on the best designer and name brand merchandise, in an attractive, easy-to-shop setting," said Hunt Hawkins, CEO of Stein Mart. "With new merchandising initiatives and a new marketing campaign being launched this fall, we invite all of our customers — new and loyal — to come see and hear what's new at Stein Mart this fall." Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Book Publishers Begin 2017 with 4.9% Revenue Growth

Revenues for book publishers were $2.33 billion for the first quarter of 2017, a $108 million (4.9%) increase over the first quarter of 2016, according to the StatShot report from Association of American Publishers (AAP). Much of the growth is attributed to increased revenue in the two of the largest categories - Adult books and higher education course materials. StatShot tracks publisher revenue for about 1,200 publishers of trade (fiction/non-fiction/religious), PreK-12 instructional materials, higher education course materials, university presses and professional books. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Torstar Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results

Highlights for the second quarter: • Ended the second quarter of 2017 with $48.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and $9.1 million of restricted cash; Torstar has no bank indebtedness. • Our net loss attributable to equity shareholders was $7.0 million ($0.09 per share) in the second quarter of 2017. This compares to a net loss of $23.9 million ($0.30 per share) in the second quarter of 2016. • Adjusted loss per share was $0.03 in the second quarter of 2017, an improvement of $0.10 from adjusted loss per share of $0.13 in the second quarter of 2016. Adjusted loss per share in 2017 and 2016 included $0.24 and $0.50 per share effects of amortization and depreciation. • Our segmented operating loss was $8.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 which included $19.2 million of non-cash amortization and depreciation expense as well as $6.2 million of restructuring and other charges. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

PBS to Unveil America’s Favorite Books in New TV Series

The Great American Read, an ambitious eight-episode documentary series that PBS has just announced, will explore the place of reading in American culture. The show, which is set to start airing in the summer of 2018, will kickoff with a two-hour program that will reveal a list of America’s 100 best-loved books. The inaugural episode of the series, set for May 2018, will feature the list of 100 best-loved books, chosen by the public and by a panel of literary experts. The final program in the fall will unveil a Top Ten list of America's best-loved books, culminating in the first-ever nation-wide vote to reveal America's single best-loved book of all. Funded by the Public Broadcasting System and produced by the TV production house, Nutopia, The Great American Read will marshal the entire PBS network in a multiplatform campaign. The TV series will be supported by social media campaigns and community reading groups, in addition to testimonials and appearances by figures from the worlds of entertainment, sports, news and literature. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

O-I Reports Second Quarter Results

"With half of the year behind us, expected strong business performance through the second half and favorable non-operational tailwinds, we are raising our guidance on our full-year earnings performance." Net sales in the second quarter of 2017 were $1.8 billion, similar to the prior year second quarter. On a global basis, the 1 percent increase in price was offset by modestly lower sales volume and adverse currency translation. For the first half of 2017, the net sales increase of more than 50 basis points reflects a stronger first quarter and softer second quarter which was partly due to higher shipping days in the first quarter. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

WestRock Acquires Hannapak

WestRock Company announced that it is expanding its consumer packaging portfolio with the acquisition of Hanna Group Pty Ltd (Hannapak), one of Australia’s leading providers of folding cartons to a variety of markets, including beverage, food, confectionary, and healthcare. The acquisition will build on WestRock’s established and growing packaging business in the region. “Hannapak has built an outstanding folding carton business in Australia based on their superior capabilities and customer service,” said Steve Voorhees, chief executive officer of WestRock. “We have a strong relationship with the company and the Hanna family based on an 18-year partnership as one of our key converting partners in the region, and we are excited about the clear cultural and operational fit between the two companies. This acquisition expands our geographic footprint to better serve global and local customers, and will enable us to improve WestRock’s beverage packaging business in the region while expanding our participation to a variety of other attractive end markets.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Madison Paper Industries concluded the sale of its hydro power facilities in North America to Eagle Creek Renewable Energy

Madison Paper Industries, a partnership of UPM and Northern SC Paper Corp., a subsidiary of The New York Times Company, concluded the sale of its hydro power facilities to Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC, a hydroelectric power producer, based in Morristown, NJ, USA on 31 July 2017. The transaction was announced by Madison Paper Industries in April 2017.
Read More

Appvion Extends Its Triumph High-Speed Inkjet Paper Line

Appvion, Inc. has extended its Triumph® High-Speed Inkjet Paper line with the addition of four treated products: 9 pt. Triumph Treated Universal in rolls and sheets, 9 pt. Triumph Treated Ultra P in rolls, and 32 lb. Triumph Universal and Triumph Ultra P in rolls. “We continue to expand our portfolio of Triumph High-Speed Inkjet Papers to meet the ever-advancing demands of the inkjet printing industry,” states Scott Harman, Appvion’s director of digital products. “Appvion’s commitment is to add value to paper. With these product extensions, we are offering our customers added value through more high-quality, superior-performing paper choices—all which yield the excellent finish and vibrant color that provide exceptional results to meet their various application needs.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Oil Rises Above $50 as OPEC Trims Exports, Sets Meeting on Cuts

“There’s been some constructive developments coming out of OPEC,” Tamar Essner, an energy analyst at Nasdaq Inc. in New York, said by telephone. “The data out of OPEC has been bearish.” Oil has rebounded on growing signs that the market is coming back into balance, with futures climbing above the 200-day moving average last week for the first time since May. Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait promised to reduce crude exports. U.S. crude stockpiles have been on a steady decline and are estimated to have dropped further last week. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

MillerCoors Designates CROWN Beverage Packaging Mexico as its 2016 Supplier Of The Year

MillerCoors has named CROWN Beverage Packaging Mexico as its 2016 Packaging Materials Supplier of the Year. Crown’s facility in Monterrey, Mexico supplies MillerCoors with crowns and aluminum roll on closures for glass bottles. “CROWN Mexico has been a longtime supplier to MillerCoors’ operations in the United States, consistently providing us with excellent quality bottle crowns and great customer service throughout the years,” said Tod Galloway, Vice President, US Head of Regional Procurement, MillerCoors. “They continuously strive to innovate with us and help grow our brands, all at a competitive cost within the industry. 2016 was a particularly strong year for CROWN Mexico, and as such, they were presented our Packaging Supplier of the Year Award. We are fortunate to have such a long-standing and reliable partner.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Glatfelter Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Glatfelter reported a net loss of $5.7 million, or $0.13 per share for the second quarter of 2017 compared with net income of $2.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2016. On an adjusted earnings basis, the loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $2.6 million, or $0.06 per share compared with adjusted earnings of $2.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. Consolidated net sales totaled $387.3 million and $406.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In the Composite Fibers and Advanced Airlaid Materials business units, net sales increased by 1.4% and 4.9%, respectively, on a constant currency basis. Specialty Papers’ net sales declined 8.6% in the quarter-over-quarter comparison. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

International Paper Prices $1.0 Billion of Senior Unsecured Notes

International Paper Company announced that it has priced $1.0 billion of 4.350% senior unsecured notes due 2048. The notes were issued at a public offering price of 99.898%. The offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement. International Paper intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with available cash and other borrowings, to make a voluntary cash contribution to its pension plan in the aggregate amount of $1.25 billion by September 15, 2017.
Read More

Klabin Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Klabin, Brazil's largest paper producer and exporter, the leading manufacturer of paper and board for packaging, corrugated board packaging and industrial bags, and the only company in Brazil to produce hardwood, softwood and fluff pulp in the same plant, registered its 24th consecutive quarter of growth in financial results. The company recorded adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of R$595 million in the second quarter of 2017, which is 11% higher than in the same period in 2016. In the second quarter of the year, the company highlights in its balance sheet the strong and sustained performance of the Puma Unit which, after the annual maintenance shutdown at the end of March this year, concluded the ramp-up process and recorded pulp sales volume of 337,000 tons in 2Q17, 12% higher than in 1Q17.Of the total sales volume in the second quarter of this year, 252,000 tons were hardwood pulp and 85,000 tons were softwood and fluff pulp. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Water soluble film by Mondi reduces packaging waste and improves end consumer safety

As a result of its customer focused research and development, Mondi’s technical films business has created and introduced a water soluble film for the smart and convenient packing and dosing of powders, tabs and granulates. Dissolving completely in water, the film is ideal for single doses of dry materials, such as dishwasher and laundry tabs or bath salts. The water soluble film is an example how customers benefit from Mondi’s synergized research and development strategies having its core competencies in areas such as plastic films, packaging, paper and coating brought together under one roof. The film offers excellent sealing and deep drawing properties, provides an effective barrier to oxygen and is completely soluble even in cold water. Consumers are also protected from direct contact with the contents, which adds an extra layer of safety. Customers can bolster their sustainable credentials too, through the environmental benefits water soluble films provide compared to standard plastic films. In addition to reducing overall packaging waste, the films are also considered to be biodegradable, non-toxic and non-inhibitory. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Book Publishing Annual StatShot Survey Reveals Religious Crossover and Inspirational Books Supported Trade Book Growth in 2016

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) announced that the U.S. book publishing industry generated $26.24 billion in net revenue for 2016, representing 2.7 billion in units (volume). Books with religious and inspirational themes from religious presses and trade publishers were among the best-selling books. StatShot Annual estimates the book publishing industry’s size and scope, tracking the sales and volume data for trade (fiction/non-fiction/religious), PreK-12 instructional materials, higher education course materials, university presses, and professional books. While publisher revenue (1.5%) and units sold (2.8%) both increased for trade books, the overall publishing industry saw a decline in revenue (-5.1%.) This may in large part be attributed to a challenging year in the education and scholarly publishing markets, which together comprise about 40% of tracked revenues. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Xerox Reports Second-Quarter 2017 Earnings

Revenues were $2.57 billion in the quarter, down 8.1 percent or 6.4 percent in constant currency. Post sale revenue was 79 percent of total revenue. Second-quarter adjusted operating margin was 13.3 percent, up 0.4 percentage points from the same quarter a year ago. Xerox generated operating cash flow of $343 million from continuing operations during the second quarter and ended the period with a cash balance of $1.25 billion. The company returned $68 million in dividends to shareholders. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

InnerWorkings Forms Long-Term Business Relationship with Choice Hotels

InnerWorkings Inc., the leading global marketing execution firm, announced a new long-term alliance with global lodging company Choice Hotels International. Under a multi-year agreement, InnerWorkings will deploy an integrated solution across a broad scope of marketing channels for Choice Hotels, including direct mail, branded merchandise, signage, and other marketing collateral. InnerWorkings will also implement a custom eCommerce and fulfillment platform, delivering a comprehensive marketing supply chain solution to support Choice's extensive brand portfolio. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Next milestone achieved in sustainability – EU Ecolabel available for all UPM graphic paper grades

Following its Biofore approach, UPM Paper ENA has reached the next significant milestone in the company's sustainability journey, as now all its mills produce papers that are awarded with the EU Ecolabel. The UPM Hürth paper mill completed the full range on June 5th, when its products received the EU Ecolabel certificate. The mill achieved the needed reduction in emissions by switching to more sustainable sources of energy. "Being able to provide our customers with EU Ecolabel awarded products from all of our mills is a great achievement, which we can be proud of," says Päivi Rissanen, Sustainability Director, UPM Paper ENA. "The EU Ecolabel criteria covers all relevant environmental aspects and is a good proof of solid sustainability performance." Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Sonoco’s 2016-2017 Corporate Responsibility Report shows steady progress

Sonoco has released its 2016-2017 Corporate Responsibility Report. The report, which is available on the Company’s website at www.sonoco.com/sustainability, celebrates Sonoco’s successful projects while reporting on the Company’s significant progress toward long-term sustainability goals. In 2016, Sonoco reduced total water usage by 4.09 percent, total energy usage by 0.52 percent and total greenhouse gas emissions by 3.35 percent (all figures are year over year). Sonoco Recycling recovered the equivalent by weight of 57 percent of the product that Sonoco places into the marketplace. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

LSC Communications Acquires Fairrington Transportation

LSC Communications announced that it has acquired Fairrington Transportation, an industry leading full-service mailing and logistics provider. Fairrington’s capabilities include a complete range of logistics services from freight management to postal optimization solutions. Founder and CEO of Fairrington, Victor Warren said, “Fairrington has been providing delivery solutions that meet our clients’ needs for 36 years. We are excited that joining forces with LSC will give us the scale necessary to expand our service offerings.” Thomas J. Quinlan III, Chairman and CEO of LSC, further commented, “Fairrington’s experienced leadership, combined with the fact that publications such as magazines and catalogs are at the core of many of our clients’ businesses make this acquisition a natural fit for LSC. Our strategic focus is to continue to expand LSC’s logistics service offering in ways that add value to our clients’ traditional print supply chains, and beyond.”
Read More

Oil Near $50 as Traders Await U.S. Reaction to Venezuelan Vote

Oil gained last week to rise above its 200-day moving average for the first time since May as concerns eased that efforts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to curb output will be offset by rising production elsewhere. Police in Venezuela clashed with demonstrators after a vote Sunday to elect members of a new legislative body that President Nicolas Maduro insisted is needed to restore order after months of protests. “Depending on how the Trump administration decides to proceed going forward, of course that could have implications,” including potentially blocking imports of Venezuelan crude, said Harry Tchilinguirian, a commodities analyst at BNP Paribas SA in London. “It’s very unclear at this stage what course the U.S. administration will follow.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Cenveo, Inc. to Transfer Stock Listing to the Nasdaq Global Market

Cenveo, Inc. announced that it is transferring its stock exchange listing to the Nasdaq Global Market from The New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), effective August 7, 2017 after market close. Cenveo shares will begin trading as a Nasdaq-listed security on August 8, 2017, and will continue to trade under the symbol CVO. Robert G. Burton, Sr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated: "We are pleased to partner with Nasdaq as the new home for our stock listing. We believe Nasdaq's reputation as the leading exchange for companies launching technology solutions is consistent with Cenveo's leadership in developing product offerings such as Kadena 2.0, a cloud-based platform focused on the performance of print and mail communications, fulfillment and supply chain management for mid to large sized enterprises. Nasdaq's increased share of our stock's trading volume also makes them an ideal trading platform for our company. Additionally, the move will provide Cenveo access to a broad portfolio of tools and services to reach our investors in a cost effective manner all of which will contribute to our profitability improvement plan we announced earlier this year. We thank the NYSE for all their support during the past several years."
Read More

Virgin Atlantic signs a new deal with INK

We are very proud to announce that Ink has signed a new partnership with the UK’s iconic challenger airline Virgin Atlantic, where we will revamp its inflight magazine Vera, as well as represent all media sales. From September, we will create an upgraded magazine for Virgin Atlantic’s loyal customers, with a complete relaunch in October. The new Vera will be a dazzling entertainment and travel magazine, that cleverly connects the onboard entertainment offering with original destination tips from across Virgin Atlantic’s global network. Mark Anderson, Executive Vice President, Customer at Virgin Atlantic said: “Offering our customers a unique and memorable experience is absolutely key to us at Virgin Atlantic; so we are delighted to be working with Ink’s expert team to give our inflight magazine a total makeover. Expect a new and exciting travel and entertainment magazine from October 2017.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Koehler Paper Group Ensuring Growth with Record Investments

Following the recent decision of the Supervisory Board of Papierfabrik August Koehler SE, the globally active paper specialist will have invested approximately half a billion Euro in growth by 2020. “We’re able to do this thanks to our position of strength and exceptional business developments in the past,” explains Kai Furler, CEO of the German family-owned company. More than €300 million is also being directed to the Kehl production facility, where Koehler will be creating more than 100 new jobs over the next two years. The primary investment is going to a leading global technology in the form of a specialty paper machine with Yankee cylinder. The off-machine coater will be equipped with multiple cutting-edge coating application technologies in order to help shape attractive market segments in the sector of flexible packaging. The total capacity will be well over 100,000 tons a year. That represents a clear commitment to paper and board, says CEO Kai Furler, as well as the largest individual investment in the company’s 210-year history. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Norske Skogindustrier ASA: Update on recapitalization process

As announced on 14 July 2017, the ad hoc committee of holders of the EUR 290 million senior secured notes and the holders of the EUR 100 million NSF loan notes due 2020 (the "NSF"), who hold approximately 46 per cent. of the group's financial indebtedness (excluding local facilities), have provided Norske Skog with a recapitalization proposal. The company has shared its views on the proposal with the SSN AHC and the NSF holders and the SSN AHC and the NSF holders have shared their proposal with other creditor groups. The company has also received a short-form term sheet from the SSN AHC and the NSF holders relating to the provision of (i) a short term Euro 15 million secured facility guaranteed by certain members of the group and (ii) a backstop guarantee facility to help support the operating business of the company's subsidiaries. The company is in the process of considering these financing proposals. To allow for the conclusion of the ongoing stakeholder discussions to be reflected, the company has also today announced that the deadline for the current exchange offers and consent solicitations has been further extended from 31 July 2017 to 11 August 2017. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

What Does a 16% Decline in Magazine Ads Mean for the Industry?

Let's be honest, although many attempt to do so, there is no way to find a positive spin to the data in this industry-wide report showing magazine ads down another 16%. As an industry, we have seen negative numbers every year for a decade. Were you expecting a change? Newsstand sales of magazines have plummeted at least 50%, and periodicals run through the USPS have dropped 55% and diminish each year. Meanwhile ad sales, as seen in this report, continue on their long decline seeking a yet undiscovered plateau. We have seen associations use sleight of hand to try to change the subject and use illusory metrics, like “likes” instead of real data that show magazine growth. Has that helped? We have seen pundits declare that all is well and that print will live and be prosperous forever. Neither of those are helpful as a solution nor a recognition of the situation at hand. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

C-PAC Joins Two Sides

“Two Sides is very proud to welcome C-PAC to our growing network of Canadian member companies. We look forward to working with them to help spread the positive word about the sustainability of print and paper products,” said Two Sides North America President, Phil Riebel. “C-Pac is very excited to be a part of the wonderful work that Two Sides does. Our goal is to work together to promote sustainable papermaking practices and to identify and eliminate greenwashing claims,” said Meagan Siddall, Business Development Manager, C-PAC.
Read More

Verso Announces Price Increase on #4 Web Grades

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of September 1, 2017 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all #4 Web grades by $1.50/cwt USD/$1.93/cwt CAD. This includes, but is not limited to: Liberty® web; Balance® web; New Era® Matte; New Era® ThinBulk. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.
Read More

Verso Introduces Two Specialty Paper Selector Guides

"Verso's focused product development and innovation initiatives have resulted in a portfolio of label and release liner papers that now includes more than 60 unique products, making it the largest offering in North America," said Verso President of Graphic Papers Mike Weinhold. "Verso's breadth of specialty products makes it easy for our customers to choose the paper that best fits their unique needs, and these paper selectors now make that selection easier than ever." "These paper selectors detail the light to heavyweight release liners and multipurpose to special application facestock papers Verso has developed for our customers' pressure sensitive laminating needs," said Ed Buehler, Vice President and General Manager of Verso's Specialty Papers business. "We've highlighted end-use applications, mill locations and specifications for many of our respected brands, all in one simplified printed piece that provides customers with a convenient guide to the right Verso specialty paper to meet their needs, no matter how complex the end-use application." Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Quad/Graphics’ Ongoing Strategic Transformation Helps Clients Market More Efficiently and Effectively

Under a new multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract with National Geographic Partners, Quad/Graphics, Inc. will manage comprehensive production services, including paper procurement and management, prepress and printing management. The agreement also expands and extends the print volume Quad/Graphics supplies under contract for the publisher and its titles National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, National Geographic History, National Geographic Kids, National Geographic Little Kids, National Geographic Adventures and National Geographic Expeditions. The newly extended and expanded contract fortifies Quad/Graphics’ long-standing relationship with National Geographic Partners, which also includes books, and demonstrates the iconic brand’s confidence in Quad/Graphics as a strategic business partner. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

West Linn Paper Company Joins ColorPRO Technology Program for HP PageWide Web Presses

Sonoma® Jet, a high-speed, digital coated inkjet matte paper, is now qualified for HP PageWide web presses through the ColorPRO Technology program. The Sonoma Jet coatings are optimized for HP’s high-speed, inkjet presses utilizing pigmented inks and will give printers outstanding ink holdout, as well as improved press speeds and performance. Available in 45#, 60# and 70# matte, the Sonoma Jet paper is ideal for book printing, personalized and variable print, inserts, and transactional, healthcare, and financial documents. The Sonoma Jet grade offers excellent opacity, printability, ink mileage, throughput and bindery efficiency which results in enhanced quality, higher speeds and lower costs for the printer. Contact your Midland Paper Sales Professional for additional information.
Read More

Amazon.com Announces Second Quarter Sales up 25% to $38.0 Billion

Net sales increased 25% to $38.0 billion in the second quarter, compared with $30.4 billion in second quarter 2016. Excluding the $502 million unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales increased 26% compared with second quarter 2016. Operating income decreased 51% to $628 million in the second quarter, compared with operating income of $1.3 billion in second quarter 2016. Net income was $197 million in the second quarter, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared with net income of $857 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, in second quarter 2016. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

AptarGroup Reports Second Quarter Results

Second Quarter 2017 Summary: • Reported sales were in line with the prior year. • Excluding the negative impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, core sales increased 1% as robust core sales growth in the Pharma and Food + Beverage segments offset a decline in Beauty + Home. • Reported net income (11% of net sales) increased to $65 million (+10%) primarily due to a lower effective tax rate. • EBITDA (20% of net sales) decreased to $124 million (-7%) primarily due to decreases in business in certain markets and higher raw material costs. • Reported earnings per share were $1.01 compared to $0.91 reported in the prior year (+11%) and $0.90 in the prior year when adjusting for changes in currency exchange rates (+12%). Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Oil Surges Above $49 as Supply Draw Shows Market in Better Shape

Futures climbed 0.6 percent in New York for a fourth day of gains. Kuwait joined the U.A.E. in promising to pump less oil after Saudi Arabia called on OPEC producers to cut more supply. U.S. crude inventories declined by 7.21 million barrels last week to the lowest level since early January, according to the Energy Information Administration. The market is digesting “very strong draws in inventories across the board,” Adam Wise, who runs a $8 billion oil and natural gas bond and private equity portfolio at John Hancock Financial Services Inc. in Boston, said by telephone. “We’ve also seen comments out of Saudi Arabia supporting prices in the form of export reduction. Sentiment is finally being forced to pay attention to the fundamentals.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Hachette Sales Up 5% in First Half of 2017

Revenue at Hachette Book Group rose 5.4% in the first half of 2017, over the comparable period in 2016, parent company Lagardere reported. The gain excludes $24 million from the Perseus Books publishing division, which Lagardere bought in March 2016. Total revenue at Lagardere’s Publishing unit—Hachette Livre—increased 5.1% , to 1.02 billion euros, over the first six months of 2016. Recurring EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) rose 14%, to 41 million euros. In the U.S., Lagardere said the increase was due mainly to the performance of Hachette Nashville, home of FaithWords and Center Street, as well as to such successful titles such as The Fix by David Baldacci and The Black Book by James Patterson. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Cascades announces the sale of its equity holding in Boralex

Cascades Inc. announces that it has reached an agreement to sell all of its shares in Boralex to the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (the Caisse) for an amount of $ 287.5 million. Cascades was formerly a majority shareholder in Boralex, but has gradually had its ownership stake in the company diluted to 17.3% as Boralex has grown over recent years. Over the last several months, Cascades management has undertaken an in-depth assessment, and has evaluated the Company's alternatives with regards to its investment in Boralex. As a result of this analysis, management made the strategic decision to monetize its investment and selected the Caisse to complete this major transaction. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Domtar Corporation Reports Preliminary Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Domtar Corporation reported net earnings of $38 million ($0.61 per share) for the second quarter of 2017 compared to net earnings of $20 million ($0.32 per share) for the first quarter of 2017 and net earnings of $18 million ($0.29 per share) for the second quarter of 2016. Sales for the second quarter of 2017 were $1.2 billion. Excluding items listed below, the Company had earnings before items1 of $38 million ($0.61 per share) for the second quarter of 2017 compared to earnings before items1 of $20 million ($0.32 per share) for the first quarter of 2017 and earnings before items1 of $38 million ($0.61 per share) for the second quarter of 2016. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Expera Specialty Solutions Announces Glass Interleave Family of Brands

Expera is rolling out its refreshed line of Glass-Gard Prime™ and Glass-Gard™ papers, highlighting a diverse portfolio of specialty paper products that span a variety of end-use applications. From highly technical glass applications, to offering protection in automobile manufacturing, tough conditions have met their match. “Glass-Gard Prime™ papers help prevent scratching and particle generation on the finished glass product, which are high priorities in technical glass manufacturing,” explained Robyn Buss, Vice President Sales and Marketing for Expera Specialty Solutions. “Expera has developed proprietary manufacturing processes to remove the components that cause flaws on a finished glass product.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Retailer-opposed border-adjusted tax on imports is no longer in play

Republican leaders said on Thursday that the proposed border-adjusted tax won’t be part of negotiations on how to overhaul the U.S. tax code—delivering a victory to retailers’ groups that had strenuously opposed the measure. A statement Thursday from the so-called Big Six—which includes House Speaker Paul Ryan, Ways and Means chairman Kevin Brady, White House economic adviser Gary Cohn, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch—said due to the unknowns associated with the border-adjusted tax, the group “had decided to set this policy aside in order to advance tax reform.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Mercer International Inc. Reports 2017 Second Quarter Results

Mercer International Inc. reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017. Operating EBITDA* in the second quarter of 2017 increased by approximately 13% to $39.1 million from $34.7 million in the same quarter of 2016 but declined from $60.2 million in the prior quarter. In the current quarter, strong operating performance was partially offset by a large planned maintenance shut along with foreign exchange losses on foreign currency balances. In the current quarter, we had 22 days of annual maintenance downtime at our pulp mills compared to 21 days in the comparative quarter and no such downtime in the prior quarter of 2017. For the second quarter of 2017, we had a net loss of $2.1 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, in the comparative quarter. In the prior quarter, we had net income of $9.7 million. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Clean cities need clean wood

The forest industry – and its place in sustainable living – took a pivotal role at the 10th Making Cities Liveable Conference in Brisbane, Australia, last month. “Forestry is the oldest and best example of sustainable planning,” said Simon Dorries, CEO of Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). AFS, the PEFC national member for Australia, held an exhibit at the conference, explaining certification systems, chain of custody programs and forest management practices to delegates. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Norbord Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Q2 2017 HIGHLIGHTS: •Adjusted earnings of $1.10 per diluted share, more than double Q2 2016. •Adjusted EBITDA of $165 million, $71 million higher than Q2 2016. •North Central benchmark OSB price averaged $330 per Msf, up 25% from Q2 2016. •Capacity utilization at Norbord's North American mills up 3% year-over-year. •Repaid $61 million in temporary drawings on accounts receivable securitization program. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Tembec Shareholders Approve Transaction with Rayonier Advanced Materials

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Tembec Inc. announced that the holders of record of its common shares have approved the resolution authorizing the previously announced statutory arrangement under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act pursuant to which Rayonier Advanced Materials will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Tembec. The Arrangement Resolution was approved by 95.04% of the votes cast by Tembec Shareholders at the special meeting held earlier today. The completion of the Transaction remains subject to approval by the Québec Superior Court at a final hearing, which is expected to take place on August 7, 2017. In addition to court approval, the Transaction remains subject to other closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. It is expected that the Transaction will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Read More

Copy Express Joins Two Sides

Copy Express, Inc. has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “The world as we know it has evolved, but our passion for printing remains as strong as it was when we started in 1975. In all fairness to the digital world that surrounds us, there remains a place in our lives for print and paper. Two Sides North America understands and supports this point of view; we, therefore, choose to join them in the promotion of this environmental dialog,” said Jim O’Leary, President, Copy Express, Inc.
Read More

Glatfelter Announces Cost Reduction Measures in Its Specialty Papers Business Unit

The changes include the shutdown of Paper Machine 24 (“PM24”) at the Company’s Chillicothe, OH facility, the elimination of approximately 50 affected hourly positions at the facility, and a reduction of 70 salaried positions across the business unit. The PM24 shutdown will remove approximately 80,000 tons, or 10%, of capacity from the Specialty Papers Business Unit and reduce the Chillicothe facility’s exposure to purchased pulp. The Company plans for production to be absorbed by the remaining seven paper machines in the business unit. “The supply-demand imbalance in the printing and writing markets continues to put pressure on industry operating rates and selling prices. In light of the challenging market conditions, we must aggressively manage costs by eliminating capacity without impacting our ability to service our customers. While these are difficult decisions, we must take the actions necessary to strengthen our Specialty Papers business and position Glatfelter for long-term success,” said Dante C. Parrini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Taylor Communications to Move Hundreds of Jobs to Downtown Dayton

The Dayton city commission on Wednesday approved a $1 million development agreement with Taylor Communications — formerly Standard Register Co. — to help fund the renovation of the underutilized downtown building at 111 W. First St., the company’s new home come October. As part of the previously discussed deal, Taylor Communications will move roughly 400 to 500 of its local 700 workers to the 111 building, where they will occupy eight floors. The remaining employees will stay on at Taylor’s current location at 600 Albany St. in Dayton’s west side. According to Dayton Business Journal, the $1 million agreement includes $500,000 from the Montgomery County Economic Development/Government Equity program. Another $500,000 will come from the city of Dayton, and Taylor Communications will spend at least $2.4 million on facility improvements, equipment and other items. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Discover Financial Services Reports Second Quarter Net Income of $546 Million

Second Quarter Highlights: • Total loans grew $6.1 billion (8%) from the prior year to $78.0 billion. • Credit card loans grew $4.6 billion (8%) to $61.8 billion and Discover card sales volume increased 5% from the prior year. • Total net charge-off rate excluding PCI loans increased 52 basis points from the prior year to 2.79% and the total delinquency rate over 30 days past due excluding PCI loans increased 33 basis points from the prior year to 1.93%. • Consumer deposits grew $3.6 billion (11%) from the prior year to $37.7 billion. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

KapStone Reports Second Quarter Results

Second Quarter Operating Highlights: Consolidated net sales of $823 million in the second quarter of 2017 increased by $38 million, or 5 percent, compared to $785 million for the 2016 second quarter. Revenue growth in the paper and packaging segment resulted from higher prices and volume. The Company's average mill selling price of $661 per ton in the second quarter of 2017 increased by $37 per ton, or about 6 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to higher domestic and export containerboard prices, higher specialty paper prices and a more favorable product mix. Revenues in the distribution segment increased $8 million, mainly due to higher prices. Operating income of $41 million for the 2017 second quarter decreased by $2 million, or 5 percent, compared to the 2016 second quarter. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Meredith Reports Record Fiscal 2017 Revenue And Earnings

Meredith Corporation reported record fiscal 2017 full year and fourth quarter results. Meredith introduces an updated market positioning and logo that reflect the strength of Meredith's national and local consumer media brands as well as its expanded portfolio of marketing solutions. "We delivered record revenue and profit in fiscal 2017 as we continue to aggressively execute our multi-platform growth strategies, including rapid expansion of our highly profitable digital activities," said Meredith Chairman and CEO Stephen M. Lacy. "Additionally, we delivered strong cash flow and higher profit margins. This enabled us to continue successful execution of our Total Shareholder Return (TSR) strategy." Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

International Paper Reports Second Quarter 2017 Earnings

International Paper reported second quarter 2017 net earnings attributable to International Paper of $80 million ($0.19 per share) compared with net earnings of $209 million ($0.50 per share) for the first quarter of 2017 and net earnings of $40 million ($0.10 per share) in the second quarter of 2016. Net earnings in all periods include the impact of special items, if any, non-operating pension expense and discontinued operations. Adjusted operating earnings in the second quarter of 2017 were $270 million ($0.65 per share) compared with $249 million ($0.60 per share) in the first quarter of 2017 and $379 million ($0.92 per share) in the second quarter of 2016. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Bemis Company Reports Second Quarter Results

Bemis Company, Inc. reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2017. Refer to the reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures detailed in the attached schedule, including adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA, and net debt referenced in this release. “Total company profits were less than expected this quarter due to the impact of the challenging economic environment in Brazil. Sales volumes declined sharply in Brazil versus our run rates as consumers, retailers, and our customers reacted to the latest political instability. In our U.S. business, profits were in line with the expectations we shared last quarter,” said William F. Austen, Bemis Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “During June, we initiated a restructuring and cost savings plan to better position the Company in the current environment and for the long term. These efforts are progressing well to create a more agile, streamlined, and efficient business that continues to be successful over the long term.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Canfor Reports Results for Second Quarter of 2017

Canfor Corporation reported net income attributable to shareholders of $81.3 million, or $0.61 per share, for the second quarter of 2017, compared to shareholder net income of $66.1 million, or $0.50 per share, for the first quarter of 2017 and a net income attributable to shareholders of $36.0 million, or $0.27 per share, for the second quarter of 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company’s shareholder net income was $147.4 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to $62.0 million, or $0.47 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The Company’s adjusted shareholder net income for the second quarter of 2017 was $104.2 million, or $0.78 per share, compared to an adjusted shareholder net income of $59.3 million, or $0.45 per share, for the first quarter of 2017, and adjusted shareholder net income of $26.5 million, or $0.20 per share, for the second quarter of 2016. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Packaging Corporation of America Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Packaging Corporation of America reported second quarter 2017 net income of $143 million, or $1.52 per share and $1.52 per share excluding special items. Second quarter net sales were $1.6 billion in 2017 and $1.4 billion in 2016. Excluding special items, the $.27 per share increase in second quarter 2017 earnings compared to the second quarter of 2016, was driven primarily by higher prices and mix ($.25), sales volumes ($.09), and production volumes ($.03) in our Packaging segment, lower annual maintenance outage costs ($.05), lower taxes ($.06) and a partial insurance recovery related to the DeRidder Mill incident ($.02). These items were partially offset by higher costs for energy ($.06), fiber ($.05), labor ($.03) and chemicals ($.01), higher freight ($.02), interest ($.02), depreciation ($.02) and other expenses ($.01), and lower Paper segment prices and mix ($.01). Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Oil majors sustain profits despite crude’s slide

Three years into a dramatic slump in oil prices, big oil companies seem to have adapted their businesses to a point where they can still generate cash and reduce debt levels even at current oil prices. European oil giants Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Total SA and Statoil ASA kicked off the sector's second quarter earnings Thursday season with a flurry of reports that highlighted growing cash flow and sustained profits. Though notably better than at the start of 2016 when the price of crude plummeted to $27 a barrel, oil is still more than 50% weaker than in 2014 when prices started to fall. The supply glut that sparked the crash has proved stubbornly persistent despite efforts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major producers to limit output, prompting several large banks to cut their oil price forecasts in recent months. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Metsä Tissue to rebuild greaseproof paper machine at Düren mill

Metsä Tissue will rebuild paper machine 5 at its Düren mill in Germany. The total investment is approximately EUR 15 million and the rebuild starts immediately. The new volumes will be available on the market during the last quarter of 2018. “We expect the demand for baking and cooking papers to continue to grow during the coming years. This investment will increase Düren mill’s paper production capacity by 10.000 tons, which will help us to secure our leading position as a global supplier of high-quality baking and cooking papers”, says Mariusz Jedrzejewski, SVP Baking & Cooking, Metsä Tissue. “We have production in Düren, Germany, and Mänttä, Finland, where we increased the production capacity in 2016. Both mills play a significant role in our Baking & Cooking business. Our products are made of fresh fibre, and the wood originates from sustainably managed Northern forests. This high-quality raw material combined with our strong production expertise result in high endurance and consistent high quality products.”
Read More

A Renewed Focus on Graphic Novels at San Diego Comic-Con 2017

As more than 130,000 pop culture enthusiasts and comics fans flooded downtown San Diego for Comic-Con International, the news was all about lines—literal and literary. At the annual pop culture show, held July 19-23 at the San Diego Convention Center, the lines—the queues—for exclusive releases, signings, screenings and offsite attractions seemed even more immense than usual. The publishing news involved lines as well—new book lines, imprints, and releases. Comic-Con continues to present a growing awareness of the importance of graphic novels in an evolving comics marketplace. Nevertheless, Diamond Comics Distributors announced at its retailer breakfast that graphic novel and comics periodical sales were flat or worse for the year thus far. Graphic Novel sales are down 13% and periodical sales are down 4%, so far, in 2017. No one has been able to pinpoint a single reason for the slide, although various theories—from a lack of hot titles to the end of the New York Times Bestseller list for Graphic Novels—have been floated. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

S&P Global Reports Second Quarter Results

Highlights: Revenue Increased 2%, Reflects 2016 Divestitures and Acquisitions; Organic Revenue Increased 10%; Diluted EPS Increased 13% to $1.62; Adjusted Diluted EPS Increased 19% to $1.72; Operating Profit Margin Increased 80 Basis Points to 45%; Adjusted Operating Profit Margin Increased 330 Basis Points to 47%. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Tembec reports financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended June 24, 2017

Consolidated sales for the three-month period ended June 24, 2017, were $419 million, as compared to $376 million in the same quarter a year ago. The Company generated net earnings of $17 million or $0.17 per share in the June 2017 quarter compared to net earnings of $9 million or $0.09 per share in the June 2016 quarter. Operating earnings before depreciation, amortization and other items (adjusted EBITDA) was $59 million for the three-month period ended June 24, 2017, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $26 million a year ago and adjusted EBITDA of $54 million in the prior quarter. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

UPS Reports 2Q EPS Of $1.58 As Revenue Grows Across All Segments

For the total company in 2Q 2017: ◦Revenue increased 7.7%, currency-neutral revenue* jumped 8.9%. ◦Revenue increased in all segments and major product categories, as expanded customer demand spread across the company’s broad product portfolio. ◦Operating profit was up 8.7% to $2.2 billion driven by strong performance in the U.S. Domestic and Supply Chain and Freight segments. ◦The favorable year-over-year 2Q EPS comparison includes benefits of about $0.10, primarily from fuel and workers’ compensation. ◦Year-to-date capital expenditures to support investment strategies were $2.0 billion. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

The New York Times Company Reports 2017 Second-Quarter Results

The New York Times Company announced second-quarter 2017 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $.09 compared with $.00 in the same period of 2016. Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (defined below) was $.18 in the second quarter of 2017 compared with $.11 in the second quarter of 2016. Operating profit was $27.7 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared with $9.1 million in the same period of 2016, largely due to two special items recorded in the second quarter of 2016. Adjusted operating profit (defined below) was $67.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared with $54.5 million in the second quarter of 2016, principally driven by very strong digital revenues, partially offset by higher costs. Mark Thompson, president and chief executive officer, The New York Times Company, said, “We had another strong quarter in which we grew revenue and profitability and made significant changes within the organization to ensure that the acceleration of our digital business continues in the long term. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Deluxe Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Second Quarter 2017 Highlights • Revenue increased 7.7% year-over-year, driven by Small Business Services which grew 5.1% and includes the results of several small tuck-in acquisitions and from growth in Financial Services of 18.9% driven by the results of FMCG Direct and Data Support Systems, which were acquired in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RDM Corporation, which was acquired in April 2017. • Revenue from marketing solutions and other services increased 26.3% year-over-year and grew to 38.2% of total revenue in the quarter. • Gross margin was 63.1% of revenue, compared to 64.5% in the second quarter of 2016. The impact of acquisitions, increased delivery and material costs this year, and a favorable adjustment from an environmental reserve in 2016, were only partially offset by previous price increases and continued improvements in manufacturing productivity. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Staples, Inc. Announces Early Termination of Hart-Scott-Rodino Waiting Period

Staples, Inc. announced that on July 26, 2017 the U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act") with respect to the pending acquisition of Staples by investment funds managed by Sycamore Partners, a leading private equity firm. The termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act satisfies one of the conditions to the closing of the pending acquisition, which remains subject to other customary closing conditions, including Staples' stockholder approval.
Read More

Domtar’s Sustainability Report Highlights Progress in Long-Term Strategy

Less waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, fewer workplace injuries. Less of each of these means a more sustainable business and highlights how Domtar Corporation is working smart for the long term. The company released its 2017 Sustainability Report, detailing the company’s endeavors to take a longer term view of creating and preserving value for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities. The report focuses on the areas of Caring for People and Communities, Efficient Manufacturing, and Responsible Sourcing and Logistics. It details the company’s priorities, challenges and progress via engaging stories and stunning visuals, making the piece approachable for different audiences. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Catalyst Paper’s project would support 62 new jobs at Rumford mill

British Columbia-based Catalyst Paper Corp. projects that a $56 million investment in a tissue-making machine at its Rumford mill would support 62 full-time jobs. The Bangor Daily News reported that Catalyst has applied for a $25 million loan through the Finance Authority of Maine's Major Business Expansion and for $12.7 million in state tax credits or taxpayer cash through the state's New Markets Capital Investment program, to help finance the machine. Catalyst plans to put in $13.9 million of its own money into the project.
Read More

Resolute Appoints Patrice Minguez as President of Tissue Group

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced the appointment of Patrice Minguez as president of the company's tissue group. This is a new role, reporting to Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer. Patrice Minguez will serve as a member of Resolute's Executive Team and will oversee all tissue operations as well as sales and marketing functions. This includes the Atlas Tissue operations in Florida and the new state-of-the-art tissue and converting facilities at Calhoun, Tennessee. He will also be accountable for the company's Calhoun pulp and paper mill. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Stora Enso half-year report January-June 2017: Positive contribution from transformation projects accelerates

Q2/2017 (year-on-year): • Sales of EUR 2 528 (EUR 2 526) million increased marginally despite the divestment of paper mills. • Sales excluding the paper business increased 7.1%. • Operational EBIT decreased from EUR 226 million to EUR 219 million. This was mainly due to the impact of higher maintenance costs of EUR 15 million compared to a year ago. The operational EBIT margin was 8.7% (8.9%). • Balance sheet strengthened further; net debt to operational EBITDA was 2.0 (2.2) despite a dividend payment. • The ramp-up of Beihai Mill continues to proceed ahead of plan, and it is expected to reach operational EBITDA break-even in Q4/2017, one quarter earlier than previously forecast. • Varkaus kraftliner mill is expected to reach full production during the second half of 2017. A positive quarterly operational EBIT was achieved in Q2/2017. • Stora Enso signed today an agreement to divest its holding in the equity accounted investment Bulleh Shah Packaging Ltd. to the main owner Packages Ltd. Q1–Q2/2017 (year-on-year): • Sales of EUR 5 025 million increased 1.1%. Sales excluding the paper business increased 8.3%. • Operational EBIT of EUR 434 million decreased 8.4%, mainly due to increased maintenance costs. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Stora Enso to divest its holding in Bulleh Shah Packaging in Pakistan

Stora Enso has today signed an agreement to divest its 35% holding in the equity accounted investment Bulleh Shah Packaging Ltd. (BSP) to the main owner Packages Ltd. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017. The cash consideration for the divestment of the shares is EUR 6 million. The loss on disposal amounts in total to approximately EUR 19 million. These will be recorded as items affecting comparability (IAC) in Stora Enso’s third quarter 2017 results. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

AWPPW: Ponderay Newsprint Labor Dispute Alert

The Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW) has given Ponderay Newsprint the ten (10) days written notice of termination of the Labor Agreement. The Labor Agreement terminated in its entirety on July 24, 2017. The Company has continued to delay in meeting with the Union and has delayed in providing information that is relevant to the collective bargaining process. The Union believes that terminating the current labor agreement is an essential step in the direction of the Union's goal of achieving a new labor agreement. Termination of the Labor Agreement will provide the Union the opportunity to engage in an unfair labor practice strike to encourage the employer to bargain to an agreement in good faith. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Euro-Graph Publishes Monthly Statistics of the European Graphic Papers Industry

Total European shipments of graphic papers in May 2017 were UP 3.8% vs. May 2016 and were down 1.2% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in May 2017 were down 1.9% vs. May 2016 and were down 4.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine papers in May 2017 were UP 6.5% vs. May 2016 and were UP 3.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in May 2017 were UP 5.7% vs. May 2016 and were down 2.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in May 2017 were UP 4.9% vs. May 2016 and were UP 1.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree papers in May 2017 were UP 10.0% vs. May 2016 and were UP 0.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree papers in May 2017 were UP 2.0% vs. May 2016 and were down 0.7% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Oil prices rise for 3rd straight session after report of falling US crude stockpiles

Oil prices rose for a third straight session on Wednesday as a reported fall in U.S. inventories bolstered expectations that the long-oversupplied market was moving toward balance. Brent crude futures were up 17 cents to $50.37 a barrel by 7:05 a.m. ET (1105 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures climbed 28 cents to $48.17 a barrel. Both contracts rose to eight-week highs earlier in the session and rallied more than 3 percent on Tuesday. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Ahlstrom-Munksjö to release additional capacity in Turin to support growing demand for filtration media

Ahlstrom-Munksjö will release additional capacity at its Turin plant in Italy to meet the growing demand for engine and industrial filtration media. Fulvio Capussotti, Executive Vice President of Business Area Filtration and Performance, states: “This capacity increase aims at improving our current service level but also, more strategically, enables us to offer to our customer an industrial platform on which they can build on to further grow their business. The plan will include investments on selected assets, re organization of planning practices and additional staffing. This capacity release will be concluded at the beginning of 2018 and will significantly increase our ability to answer the current and future needs of our filtration customers”. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Solutions for Security Printing

Flint Group's security stand brought together, for the first time, the diverse portfolio of security products that exist in the company, to showcase their strong positions in currency, plates and digital printing. As the leading supplier of photopolymer printing plates, Flint Group Flexographic Products provides plates for direct and indirect letterpress printing, stencil plates, intaglio master plates and plates for coating applications. Billions of banknotes and tax stamps are printed using Flint Group nyloprint® plates, with a resolution of 10,000 dpi for highest precision of micro text and guilloche patterns. As a leading supplier of digital printing presses, Xeikon, Flint Group’s digital solution division have supplied the machinery and digital workflow for the first fully digitally printed tax stamp. The design is fully in line with the resolution (1200 dpi) of the digital press. Xeikon’s digital printing solutions offer specific security features such as variable numbers and images, microtext, guilloches and barcodes, hidden images, digital intaglio, track & trace and the Xeikon clear toners containing taggants and UV fluorescence. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Congress discusses a bill that would stop states from expanding online sales tax collection

A bill that would limit states’ ability to enforce sales tax collection laws on online retailers that do not have a physical presence in those states had its first hearing on Capitol Hill today. H.R. 2887, introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and titled the “No Regulation Without Representation Act,” went before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law this morning. The bill would prohibit states from forcing businesses that do not have a physical presence in the state to collect sales tax from in-state shoppers that buy from them. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Nordic Paper to be acquired by Anhui Shanying Paper

Nordic Paper is a leading Swedish-based producer of kraft and greaseproof paper. Three of Nordic Paper’s mills are located in Sweden, and the fourth one in Norway. A China-based pulp and paper company, Anhui Shanying Paper Industry Co., LTD (“Anhui Shanying Paper”), has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 % of the shares in Nordic Paper Holding AB from Special Situation Venture Partner lll and Petek GmbH. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

U.S. Lumber Coalition Applauds Senate Finance Committee Members’ Push for Fair Trade Agreement with Canada

In a letter today, Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) of the Senate Finance Committee urged Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to negotiate a softwood lumber trade deal with Canada that would lessen the harmful impact of subsidized Canadian lumber imports on the U.S. economy. The Senators' letter also expressed strong support for fair competition and the enforcement of existing U.S. trade laws. "The U.S. Lumber Coalition applauds the efforts by members of the Senate Finance Committee to push for a fair trade deal, especially the letter's provision calling for a clean quota agreement to hold Canada to its commitments and maintain a stable, enforceable system," U.S. Lumber Coalition spokesperson Zoltan van Heyningen said. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Walker Improves Eco-Friendliness with New Heidelberg Prepress Processes

Walker Printing LLC of Red Bluff, Calif., recently upgraded its prepress department to improve their ecological impact with a new Suprasetter A75 Gen III CtP and Saphira ND 100 plates from Heidelberg. In an effort to make Walker Printing greener, the company switched from an older, less efficient CtP device. Using the lowest heat output and energy usage in its class, the Suprasetter A75 makes a huge impact on Walker’s energy output. Additionally, the Suprasetter A75 only requires the pressroom to be below 86° F, so it does not need extra cooling to run. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Imagine! Plans Major Expansion at Classic Graphics in Charlotte

Classic Graphics, an Imagine! company, is pleased to announce plans to expand press, finishing, and fulfillment capabilities at their Charlotte, North Carolina facility. The expansion will include press and finishing equipment additions, enhanced design services, and increased fulfillment capacity, offering a complete in-market solution, production, and distribution footprint for the Southeast region. A new seven-color, 64" KBA Rapida 164 hybrid printing press has been acquired for Classic's pressroom. This large-format lithographic press will support a growing UV business with increased production speeds, fast makereadies, and precise in-line quality control. The facility expansion includes a full range of large-format finishing and kitting capabilities and triples the size of Classic's current fulfillment center, increasing secure storage options and boosting digital Print-on-Demand capabilities. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Shutterfly Announces Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Second Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights: Net revenues totaled $209.0 million, a 2% year-over-year increase. Consumer net revenues totaled $179.1 million, a 1% year-over-year increase. Shutterfly Business Solutions net revenues totaled $29.9 million, a 10% year-over-year increase. GAAP Operating loss totaled $31.8 million and Net loss was $22.8 million or $0.68 per share. On a proforma basis, which excludes restructuring charges of $4.7 million and capital lease termination charges of $8.1 million, our operating loss was $19.1 million, Adjusted EBITDA was $17.4 million, and Net loss was $14.9 million or $0.44 per share. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Silgan Announces Second Quarter Earnings; Confirms Full Year Estimate

Net sales for the second quarter of 2017 were $1,021.8 million, an increase of $147.2 million, or 16.8 percent, as compared to $874.6 million in 2016. This increase was the result of the acquisition of Dispensing Systems in April 2017 and higher net sales across all of the businesses. Income from operations for the second quarter of 2017 was $75.2 million, an increase of $7.5 million, or 11.1 percent, as compared to $67.7 million for the second quarter of 2016, while operating margin decreased to 7.4 percent from 7.7 percent for the same periods. The increase in income from operations was the result of the net benefit from the acquisition of Dispensing Systems and higher income from operations in each of the businesses. The decrease in operating margin was due primarily to the negative impact from the purchase accounting write-up of inventory of Dispensing Systems and acquisition related costs in the quarter. Rationalization charges were $3.0 million and $5.0 million in the second quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Sonoco ThermoSafe Launches Reusable Range of Shipping Solutions for Temperature-Sensitive Pharmaceutical and Biological Shipments

Sonoco ThermoSafe has launched a new range of reusable, universal solutions for the pharmaceutical and biologics markets. ChillTech® is a pre-qualified range of 2°C to 8°C PCM systems providing exceptional temperature control from 2 days up to 6 days for payloads from 4L to 40L. ChillTech® utilizes Sonoco ThermoSafe's patented Zero Bench-Time® technology, where systems can be packed-out straight from the freezer, saving customers space, time and money. Similar shippers on the market are qualified for just 4-days and typically use high-value components, which translate into higher costs for customers. These shippers also typically need time outside of the freezer prior to packing out, making Sonoco ThermoSafe's Zero Bench-Time technology a real benefit. Each ChillTech solution has the same pack-out configuration and is used year-round, regardless of season. In addition, following Sonoco ThermoSafe's philosophy to Embrace Simple®: simply change the outer insulated shipper to switch shipment duration from 48 hours to 96 hours to 144 hours. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

GLGA and Illinois Printing Industry Win the Fight to Restore Graphic Arts Sales Tax Exemptions

After three years of hard fought legislative sessions, the Great Lakes Graphics Association is pleased to announce that the Illinois Graphic Arts sales tax exemption has finally been restored. Because of GLGA’s efforts in Springfield, the Graphic Arts sales tax exemption became part of the Illinois Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment exemption. The amendment was part of the Illinois state budget bill, which was approved on July 6, 2017, by a state Senate vote overriding a veto by the Illinois governor. The law now establishes a permanent sales tax exemption for graphic arts and printing equipment, which at a minimum is equal to $6,254 for every $100,000 spent on covered equipment. Graphic arts equipment is defined in Illinois as “graphic arts machinery and equipment, including repair and replacement parts, … and includes chemicals acting as catalysts [that] effect a direct and immediate change upon a graphic arts product.” The exemption was effective July 1, 2017. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Sonoco Completes Acquisition of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc.

Sonoco announced it has completed the acquisition of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc., a family-held developer and manufacturer of flexible and forming plastic packaging films, for approximately $170 million in cash. Founded in 1969, the Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based company is projecting 2017 sales of approximately $140 million and operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Elk Grove Village and Nanjing, China, with nearly 400 total employees. Clear Lam is a technology leader in the development, production and conversion of high barrier flexible and forming films used to package a variety of products for consumer packaged goods companies and retailers, with a focus on structures used for perishable foods. Clear Lam President and CEO James Sanfilipo and other key members of its management team are expected to remain with the company. Clear Lam’s financial results will be added to Sonoco’s Consumer Packaging segment. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Ahlstrom-Munksjö half-year report January-June 2017: Good start for the combined company with solid quarterly result

April-June 2017 compared with April-June 2016: · Net sales EUR 576.9 million (EUR 561.0 million), showing a gain of 2.8%. Comparable net sales increased by 1.8% at constant currency rates. · Comparable EBITDA EUR 77.4 million (EUR 77.3 million), representing 13.4% (13.8%) of net sales. · EBITDA* EUR 75.0 million (EUR 76.0 million). · Operating result* EUR 43.3 million (EUR 42.5 million). · Net result* EUR 27.5 million (EUR 23.7 million). · Earnings per share* EUR 0.28 (EUR 0.25). · Comparable EPS excluding merger related items (PPA) EUR 0.39 (0.25). · Net cash flow from operating activities EUR 41.2 million (EUR 89.1 million). Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

UPM’s good performance and favourable market demand continued

Q2 2017 highlights: • Comparable EBIT increased by 2% to EUR 270 million (264 million in Q2 2016). • Favourable market demand continued. • High maintenance activity and seasonally higher fixed costs impacted comparable EBIT by approximately EUR -20 million compared with Q2 2016, EUR -45 million compared with Q1 2017. • Solid operating cash flow at EUR 269 million (434 million). • Net debt decreased to EUR 1,046 million (1,876 million). • UPM announced new focused investments at the Kaukas pulp mill and Tampere labelstock factory. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Avery Dennison Announces Second Quarter 2017 Results

Avery Dennison Corporation announced preliminary, unaudited results for its second quarter ended July 1, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons are to the same period in the prior year. “We continued to make good progress against our strategic and financial objectives in the second quarter," said Mitch Butier, Avery Dennison President and CEO. "LGM generated strong profitability despite a short-term moderation in organic growth; RBIS had a great quarter, with accelerated sales growth and margin expansion as our multi-year transformation delivers; and IHM continues to make progress against its strategic priorities, including the completion of two acquisitions. “We have raised our outlook for full-year earnings per share, reflecting continued strong operating performance and a reduction in the tax rate," said Butier. "We continue to remain confident that the consistent execution of our strategies will enable us to meet our long-term goals for superior value creation through a balance of profitable growth and capital discipline.” Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Oil Extends Advance to $47 as Saudis Pledge Deep Export Cuts

Futures in New York added as much as 1.6 percent after rising 1.3 percent Monday. Saudi Arabia will cap shipments at 6.6 million barrels a day in August, 1 million lower than a year earlier, said Energy and Industry Minister Khalid Al-Falih. In the U.S., Halliburton Co. and Anadarko Petroleum Corp. signaled that the investment in shale fields may finally be succumbing to the oil price slump. “Yesterday’s Saudi decision to cut exports still lingers in the market,” said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief analyst for commodities at SEB Markets. The headlines that the U.S. shale oil boom is easing are also driving futures higher, he said. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Graphic Packaging Holding Company Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Highlights: Q2 Net Sales were $1,094.7 million versus $1,103.2 million in the prior year period. Q2 Net Tons Sold were 733.9 thousand tons versus 721.9 thousand tons in the prior year period. Q2 Earnings per Diluted Share were $0.14 versus $0.24 in the prior year period. Q2 Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share were $0.15 versus $0.19 in the prior year period. Q2 Net Income was $42.0 million versus $77.8 million in the prior year period. Q2 Adjusted EBITDA was $170.6 million versus $195.2 million in the prior year period. Returned $42.8 million to stockholders in Q2 through dividends and share repurchases. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Kimberly-Clark Announces Second Quarter 2017 Results

Executive Summary ◦Second quarter 2017 net sales of $4.6 billion decreased 1 percent compared to the year-ago period, as organic sales were down 1 percent. Organic sales fell 2 percent in North American consumer products, reflecting category softness, less promotion shipments and competitive activity. Outside North America, organic sales declined 3 percent in developed markets and rose 2 percent in developing and emerging markets. ◦Diluted net income per share for the second quarter was $1.49 in 2017 and $1.56 in 2016. Results were impacted by lower sales and input cost inflation, while the comparison benefited from cost savings. Second quarter adjusted earnings per share were $1.53 in 2016, which excludes items described later in this release. ◦Full-year 2017 net sales and organic sales are expected to be similar, or up slightly, year-on-year. The company's previous estimate was for sales and organic sales to be up 1 to 2 percent. ◦The company anticipates 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 details.
Read More

Amazon resubmits paperwork on Whole Foods Market deal

Amazon is working with government officials to head off a lengthy deal investigation. Amazon will re-file documents this week seeking government approval of its planned purchase of Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion. The move will restart the process, giving U.S. antitrust enforcers more time to complete an early review of the retailers’ planned tie-up, according to the Wall Street Journal. Companies often use this tactic in the hopes that antitrust enforcers will get comfortable enough with their transaction during the extended initial review and agree to forego a longer probe. The government’s 30-day review period of the acquisition began on June 23, the Journal said. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Office Depot, Inc. Names Veteran Technology Channel Executive to Lead Copy, Print and Tech Services

Office Depot, Inc. announced that Janet Schijns, a veteran channel executive from Verizon, has joined the company in the newly created role of senior vice president, services – copy, print and tech. Schijns will lead the strategy for copy, print and tech services, focusing on execution and growth. She will also oversee the company’s regional print production facilities to support large scale printing capabilities and the delivery needs of business customers. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Carolina Container Acquires Dixie Reel & Box Company

Carolina Container LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of New-Indy Containerboard LLC, has acquired Dixie Reel & Box Company, a complete manufacturer of corrugated packaging and a provider of packaging solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dixie Reel & Box Company is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and has been in business for over 40 years, most recently operating as a division of Lone Star Container, based in Dallas, Texas. Click Read More below for additional details.
Read More

Foil & Specialty Effects Association Joins Two Sides

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “Two Sides welcomes FSEA to its growing network of members. Through this partnership we will be able to reach many more organizations and individuals in the graphic communications world. We look forward to working with them,” said Two Sides North America President, Phil Riebel. “FSEA realizes the importance of educating our members and providing information for them to share with their customers on the sustainability of print and paper,” said Jeff Peterson, Executive Director, Foil & Specialty Effects Association. “Two Sides North America has been instrumental in marketing the truth about print and paper and we want to do all we can to help with this effort.”
Read More

Salem One Joins Two Sides

Salem One, Inc. has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “Salem One is another great addition to our growing network of member companies and we look forward to working with their team to continue promoting the great environmental story and overall sustainability of print and paper products,” said Two Sides North America President, Phil Riebel. “Salem One is pleased to join with Two Sides North America, as we are proud of the sustainable message our Industry has to tell. From forest growth to paper production to print; our industry has been a major force of sustainability for well over 50 years. PRINT truly is one of the most sustainable forms of communication on the planet!” said Phil Kelley, Jr., President, Salem One, Inc.
Read More

Dutch plant to recover cellulose from used toilet paper in sewage

Talk about upcycling—a Dutch treatment plant is recycling discarded toilet paper from the sewage into cellulose, and the resulting product has already been used for a practical purpose. The facility is touted as the world’s first in recovering cellulose from used toilet paper, Energy & Environment Management reported June 15. The technology was developed by Dutch company CirTec BV, which demonstrated that it was feasible to extract clean cellulose from sewage and create fibrous or pelletized forms. The plant, opened on June 29, has a capacity of about 400 kilograms/day. The cellulose will be exported to England for use as a raw material to produce biocomposite and other products, according to a CirTec press release. In one demonstration project, a bicycle path was made of asphalt processed in part with the recycled cellulose.
Read More

Oil Rises as Saudi Arabia Pledges Deep Cut to August Exports

Futures rose as much as 1 percent in New York. Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest producer, will limit exports to 6.6 million barrels a day in August, 1 million lower than year earlier, Minister of Energy and Industry Khalid Al-Falih said after a meeting with fellow producers. The nations gathering in St. Petersburg, Russia, made no major changes to their wider supply agreement, stopping short of capping output of Libya and Nigeria. "Some countries continue to lag" in their compliance "which is a concern we must address head on," Al-Falih told reporters before the meeting ended. While other producers support the recovery in output from Libya and Nigeria "the committee, however, should monitor the impact of such growth in supply on global supply-demand balances." Click Read More below for additional detail.
Read More

Huhtamäki Oyj’s Half-yearly Report January 1-June 30, 2017: Net sales grew and profitability was at a good level

Financial review H1 2017: The Group's comparable net sales growth was 2% during the first half of the year with a positive contribution from all business segments. Comparable growth in emerging markets was 1%. Growth was strongest in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, while net sales declined significantly in India. The Group's net sales grew to EUR 1,511 million (EUR 1,414 million). Foreign currency translation impact on the Group's net sales was EUR 36 million (EUR -39 million) compared to 2016 exchange rates. The majority of the positive impact came from the US dollar, Russian ruble and Indian rupee, while the impact from pound sterling and certain emerging market currencies was negative. Click Read More below for additional detail.
Read More

Lecta to participate at Drinktec 2017

Lecta will exhibit at the Munich's next Drinktec trade fair, the world's most prestigious platform for the beverage and liquid food sector. From September 11 to 15, it will present and exhibit its innovations in specialty paper labels for this sector, within this excellent platform for launching new products and developments. Visitors will discover the exceptional quality and versatility of three of Lecta's product lines: Metalvac metalized papers, the wide range of Adestor self-adhesive materials and Creaset one-side coated papers. Metalvac, Lecta's high-vacuum 100% recyclable metallized paper, will be presented at Drinktec in the form of a new catalogue. The sample book is made up of three folders that correspond to the brand's three application segments: wet-glue labels, pressure-sensitive labels and tobacco and packaging. Each​ multi-lingual folder (ES/EN/IT​/FR) contains technical specifications and product samples in different colors and finishes. Click Read More below for additional detail.
Read More

LSC Communications Announces Strategic Equity Investment in AI-Driven Technology: Authors, Inc.

LSC Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LKSD), a leader in print and digital media solutions, announced today an equity investment and the signing of a definitive reseller agreement with Authors, Inc., an Austin, Texas based developer of machine learning and artificial intelligence applications for the Publishing Industry. With the goal of helping to increase publisher revenues, LSC will harness Authors, Inc. technology to offer new services for publishers, including intelligent editorial analysis, automated keyword enhancement and actionable insights. Machine learning and AI help make titles discoverable by recommending keywords, re-calibrating metadata dynamically based on quarterly performance, and assessing content to help predict the next bestseller. “In our continued journey to invest in new technologies, we are thrilled to be making an investment in Authors, Inc.” said Thomas J. Quinlan III, Chairman and CEO of LSC. “Machine learning and AI are positively impacting many industries and we are excited about the new products and solutions we are bringing to publishers.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
Read More

McClatchy Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Total revenues in the second quarter of 2017 were $225.1 million, down 7.1% compared to the second quarter of 2016. The sequential rate of decline is consistent with that reported for the first quarter of 2017 in the 7% range. Total advertising revenues were $125.2 million, down 11.1% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. The rate of decline in total advertising revenue slowed in the second quarter reflecting a sequential improvement of 90 basis points compared to the decline reported in the first quarter of 2017. The decline in advertising revenues continues to be due to the softness in traditional print advertising offset by improvements in direct marketing advertising and digital-only advertising. Revenues exclusive of print newspaper advertising accounted for 74.7% of total revenues in the second quarter of 2017, an increase from 70.4% in the second quarter of 2016. Click Read More below for additional detail.
Read More

Ad Market Sees Uptick, Digital Rises 11%

The U.S. advertising market grew 3.8% in the second quarter of this year -- largely due to an 11% gain in digital media. Standard Media Index says this followed a 2.8% increase in the first quarter. National TV brought down the overall results. In the second quarter, national TV advertising revenue was virtually flat -- down 0.8%. This followed a weak 0.8% gain in the first quarter. These current results came amid higher-than-expected upfront advertising revenue commitments for next year’s TV season, starting in September. Upfront revenue growth is estimated at 4% to 6%. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Congress Poised to Fund Libraries, Save the NEH and NEA

The budget battle is a long way from over, but so far Congress appears not to share President Trump’s desire to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the National Endowments for the Humanities, or the Arts. On Wednesday, the full House Appropriations Committee voted to approve FY2018 funding for libraries. By a 28-22 margin, the committee approved the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) funding bill, which proposes roughly $231 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—including $183.6 million for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) programs, and $27 million for the Department of Education’s Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program—essentially at 2017 funding levels. A post on the ALA Washington Office’s District Dispatch e-newsletter, said the “successful and extremely important" full Appropriations Committee vote represents another "major milestone" in the ALA’s Fight for Libraries! Campaign—but acknowledged there are hurdles still to come. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

L.L.Bean Rebrands to Be More Digital

L.L. Bean is stepping away from its traditional back-to-school catalog. Ad Age reports the Maine-based retailer is rolling out a new website with a digital push and three TV spots centered around its new "Be an Outsider" campaign. It's all part of an effort from the traditional catalog business to become more digital centric. "The campaign is one piece of a bigger strategy to shift us from a heritage brand, in catalogs, to a product company," said Brad Matson, senior vice president of creative for L.L.Bean. Later this year, L.L.Bean is planning on launching more robust digital marketing efforts, including in-store experiences and at least a dozen TV spots by the end of 2017. Click Read More below for more of the story.
Read More

Rayonier Advanced Materials and Tembec Announce Increase in Consideration under Amended Arrangement Agreement

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Tembec Inc. announced that they have entered into an amendment to the arrangement agreement under which Rayonier Advanced Materials has agreed to acquire Tembec for an increased consideration valued at C$4.75 per Tembec share. The revised terms were unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies. Under the Amended Arrangement Agreement, Tembec shareholders will have the right to elect to receive either C$4.75 in cash or 0.2542 shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials common stock per Tembec common share, subject to proration so that approximately 67% of the aggregate consideration is paid in cash and approximately 33% is paid in Rayonier Advanced Materials common stock. The increased consideration represents a 17% increase in value offered for the shares compared to the initial terms and a premium of 61% to the closing price of Tembec’s shares on May 24, 2017, the day immediately before the initial announcement concerning the Arrangement. Click Read More below for additional detail.
Read More

Amazon Spark: What It Is, Why It Makes Sense, and What It Means for Marketers

Jeff Bezos is taking the challenge of social selling into his own hands. Amazon has debuted an Instagram-like social discovery and selling feature called Amazon Spark, which it's been testing in beta for months, according to TechCrunch. “Amazon Spark is a place to discover things from people who share your interests,” the marketplace behemoth writes on its website. “Whether you're looking for inspiration for home décor or seeking advice for the best long-distance running shoes, Spark makes it easy to discover — and shop — stories and ideas from a community that likes what you like.”
Read More

Scholastic Results Rose in Fiscal 2017

With its trade segment posting a strong first half of the year and its education group turning in a solid second half, Scholastic reported a 4% increase in revenue in the fiscal year ended May 31, over fiscal 2016. Operating income, excluding one-time items, rose 17%. Revenue in the year was $1.74 billion, while operating income rose to $109.1 million, up from $93.4 million in fiscal 2016. Net income increased 29.1% to $52.3 million.
Read More

Sears Launches Kenmore Products On Amazon.com, Including Alexa-Enabled Smart Appliances

Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) announced today the launch of Kenmore products on Amazon.com, as well as the integration of the full line of Kenmore Smart appliances with Amazon Alexa. This marks the broadest distribution of Kenmore, America's most trusted home appliance brand, outside of Sears branded stores and related online retail platforms. Kenmore Smart connected room air conditioners integrated with Alexa are now available on Amazon.com. The distribution on Amazon.com is planned to be expanded to the full line of Kenmore home appliances in all U.S. market segments, with Kenmore, Sears Home Services, and Innovel Solutions providing white-glove service for delivery, installation and extended product protection for a full range of home appliances.
Read More

Quad Strengthens Global Print Platform with Four Heidelberg Speedmasters

Heidelberg USA announced that Quad/Graphics, a global marketing services provider, has recently invested in four new Heidelberg Speedmaster presses to support its commercial, packaging and in-store platforms. The investment reflects Quad/Graphics’ long-standing commitment to using leading-edge technology to help brand owners market their products, services and content more efficiently and effectively through print in combination with other media channels.
Read More

American Forest & Paper Association Releases June 2017 Printing-Writing Paper Report

According to the June 2017 Printing-Writing Monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in June compared to June 2016. All four printing-writing grades posted year-over-year shipment declines in June. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased one percent from May 2017. Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers decreased 3% year-over-year in June following the increase last month. U.S. imports of CFS papers increased 25% year-over-year in May and exports of CFS papers increased 12% year-over-year in May.
Read More

Avery Dennison Launches Advanced Adhesives Portfolio

Under the theme 'a grip on any challenge', Avery Dennison is launching an Advanced Adhesives portfolio that expands converters’ options with four new adhesive choices - including a clear non-yellowing hotmelt adhesive for chilled food applications; a reclosure adhesive with high solvent resistance for household wipes; a compostable adhesive for fruit and vegetable packaging; and a heat-activated adhesive for automotive textile labelling.
Read More

NEW Low-Speed Quart/Liter Gable Top Packaging Machine Introduced

Evergreen Packaging Equipment is introducing its NEW QL-30 and QL-30ESL gable top packaging machines. Designed for low-volume production capacity, the QL-30 can handle fill volumes of 6 to 32 oz (180 ml to 1 liter), and fills quarts/liters up to 3,000 cph (cartons per hour) with a single stage bottom-up fill system. Allen Bradley PLC controls and servo driven technology provide repeatable package performance and automatically controls fill volumes and profiles based on product and carton size. Infinite fill adjustments allow for less downtime with quick and easy changes in carton size or product.
Read More

2017 SFI Annual Conference

The 2017 SFI Conference is just 2 months away! This year’s conference will take place from September 27-29, 2017 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada. This year’s conference theme – Forests. A Way of Life – will highlight how we all depend on forests whether we are harvesting professionals, landowners, producers, customers, Indigenous peoples, or individuals using forests for recreation. To enjoy our shared quality of life, we need to ensure our forests are responsibly managed, so we have clean air, clean water, biodiversity, sustainable communities and forest products that improve our quality of life. We'll discuss topics of relevance to the Canadian, American and international forest sectors, so come to the 2017 SFI Annual Conference in Ottawa, Ontario and help us celebrate Canada's National Forest Week and Canada's 150th anniversary.
Read More

Oil Falls on Report Showing OPEC Deal Compliance Falling in July

Oil prices fell on Friday after a consultancy report forecast a rise in OPEC production for July despite the group's pledge to curb output, reigniting concerns the market will stay awash with crude. Petro-Logistics, which tracks OPEC supply forecasts, said OPEC crude production would rise by 145,000 barrels per day (bpd) this month, taking the group's combined output above 33 million bpd. Higher supply from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nigeria would drive this month's gains, it said.
Read More

Grainger Reports Results For The 2017 Second Quarter

Grainger (NYSE: GWW) today reported results for the 2017 second quarter ended June 30, 2017. Sales of $2.6 billion increased 2 percent versus $2.6 billion in the second quarter of 2016. There were 64 selling days in the 2017 second quarter, the same as the 2016 second quarter. Net earnings for the quarter of $98 million were down 43 percent versus $173 million in 2016. Earnings per share of $1.67 declined 40 percent versus $2.79 in 2016.
Read More

DOME to Bolster Digital Capabilities with Two 29˝ HP Indigo 12000 Presses

In a year of bold moves for DOME, this is the next great addition! DOME is welcoming two HP Indigo 12000 presses. The 29″ HP Indigo 12000 digital press produces the widest commercial application range with superior print quality, high productivity, and wide versatility. The HP Indigo 12000 is capable of 3,450 4/0 20”x29” sheets per hour of 50# text up to 18 pt.
Read More

Matrix Imaging Solutions Expands on 25-year Xerox Partnership

Overcome with an increasing influx of work, Matrix Imaging Solutions was in search of a solution that could help them handle the mounting demands of customers all while keeping costs down. The print provider turned to inkjet for the technology and to Xerox for the right inkjet solution. After a thorough search, Matrix added a Xerox Brenva HD Production Inkjet Press to their production family.
Read More

Tembec Provides Transaction Update

Tembec Inc. (TSX: TMB) ("Tembec" or the "Company") today provided an update in response to the recent public broadcast solicitation by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("Oaktree") in connection with the proposed acquisition (the "Arrangement" or the "Transaction") by Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. ("Rayonier AM") of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Tembec (the "Tembec Shares").
Read More

Sterling CPI: Positioned for Growth

Go into virtually any major grocery, drug, club, or hardware store today, and you almost certainly will come across a package that has been handled by Sterling Contract Packaging, Inc. Sterling CPI, of Moore, SC, is one of the largest providers of contract packaging services in the Southeast, providing complete turnkey solutions—from product and package procurement through to the point of distribution—for non-regulated consumer products.
Read More

Eco-Innovation at Tetra Park Featured in Circular Economy Case Study Report

A world without waste holds untold benefits for our environment and contributes to sustained protection of the world’s precious natural resources. But this concept, as embodied by the principles of a circular economy, can also unleash tremendous opportunity for growth and innovation that experts say will deliver $4.5 trillion in new economic potential by 2030. That’s because, as noted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, “a circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design, and aims to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value at all times.” To get there, companies are pushing to achieve greater productivity and eliminate inefficiencies, and in doing so, realizing the economic reward that comes from these practices.
Read More

Great Progress with PEFC Certification of New Zealand Forest Practices

It is time to celebrate in New Zealand as the first forests in the country achieve PEFC certification. Over 400,000 hectares of forest - about 20% of New Zealand’s plantation forest estate - are now PEFC-certified! “It is really encouraging to see forest managers adopting PEFC on such a scale, so soon after we were able to bring it to New Zealand,” said NZFCA Chair, Dr. Andrew McEwen.
Read More

Why You Should Care About the Product Ownership Experience

According to Liz Miller, SVP of marketing and programs for the CMO Council, customers have gotten so used to brands personalizing every step of their buyer journey that they now expect to receive that same level of personalization in the post-purchase, product ownership phase of their experience. "They're going to start expecting that same level of personalization and engagement you wooed them with to buy,” she says. “They're going to want that even more so because they're a customer.”
Read More

Oil Steady After Drop in Fuel Stocks Stokes Demand Hopes

Oil prices were steady on Thursday, holding gains made the previous session after falling U.S. crude and oil product inventories lifted the market. Brent crude futures LCOc1, the international benchmark for oil prices, stood at $49.72 per barrel at 0939 GMT, 2 cents up from their last settlement. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $47.10 per barrel, 2 cents below their last close.
Read More

Verso to Permanently Close 200,000 Tons of Annual Production Capacity at its Androscoggin Mill in Maine

Verso Corporation (NYSE: VRS) today announced plans to permanently shut down the No. 3 paper machine and associated equipment at its Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine, reducing annual coated paper production capacity at the mill by approximately 200,000 tons. The shutdown will be effective August 1 and is expected to be complete by the end of the third quarter of 2017. The No. 3 paper machine and a recovery boiler and digester that support it were idled in January of this year in response to declining customer demand that resulted in more coated paper capacity than could be filled. Most products made on the No. 3 paper machine were transitioned to lower-cost machines in other Verso mills.
Read More

Domtar’s Sustainability Report Highlights Progress in Long-Term Strategy

Less waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, fewer workplace injuries. Less of each of these means a more sustainable business and highlights how Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) is working smart for the long term. The company released its 2017 Sustainability Report today, detailing the company’s endeavors to take a longer term view of creating and preserving value for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities.
Read More

La Colombe and Crown Team Up to Help Consumers Brew the Perfect Cup of Specialty Coffee

Following the successful launch of the Draft Latte, a distinctive crafted coffee drink using Crown’s InnoValve technology, La Colombe Coffee Roasters and CROWN Beverage Packaging North America, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), have partnered again to bring another unique experience to coffee lovers everywhere. The MiniVault, a pre-portioned single-use can, delivers café quality ground coffee to consumers in a vessel that is both convenient for at-home use and extends the shelf life up to five times.
Read More

Sonoco Names Philippe Guillemot to Board of Directors

Sonoco (NYSE:SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced that Philippe Guillemot has been named to its Board of Directors. Guillemot, 58, was chief operating officer of Alcatel-Lucent SA, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, prior to its acquisition by Nokia Oyj in 2016. Before his tenure with Alcatel-Lucent, Guillemot was chief executive officer and board director of Europcar Group from 2010 to 2012, Guyancourt, France; Chairman and CEO of Areva T&D, Paris, from 2004 to 2010; group executive vice president, Faurecia SA, Paris, from 2001 to 2003; and group vice president, Valeo, Paris, from 1998 to 2000; and held several global executive positions with Michelin from 1983 to 1998.
Read More

AWC, AF&PA Support House Passage of Ozone Bill

American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski and American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statements following United States House of Representatives passage of the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 (H.R. 806). The legislation, which now moves to the United States Senate for consideration, prevents a rushed implementation of the 2015 ozone Nation Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Read More

Project Learning Tree and Sustainable Forestry Initiative Join Forces to Expand Youth Environmental Education Programs

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) and the American Forest Foundation (AFF) announced today that SFI has become the new home of Project Learning Tree (PLT). PLT is an award-winning environmental education program that uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase youth understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it. PLT’s integration into SFI provides an opportunity for the program to expand its reach and impact. And SFI’s role as a sustainability leader will be bolstered by PLT’s expertise in education, an increasing focus in SFI’s community engagement work. PLT was previously housed at the American Forest Foundation.
Read More

The Results Are In: Paper Remains the Preferred Technology for Productive Learning

Despite technology’s prominence in the 21st century, when it comes to education and productivity, students and parents still prefer the oldest technology, paper. In fact, the clear majority of parents (96 percent) feel that paper is essential to learning. The recently released, Paper and Productive Learning: The Third Annual Back-to-School Report from the Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB), reveals that 93 percent of college students and 87 percent of 7-12 grade students believe that paper is an essential part of being able to achieve their educational goals.
Read More

The Paper Coupon Makes a Comeback

“Paper coupons are cool again,” reports Marketplace, and being from the printing industry, we won’t complain. We’ve written about the rapidly growing direct mail industry and the benefits of developing print and digital communications that work together harmoniously. Now, in an article from Marketplace, which highlights the benefits that marketers are seeing from printed coupons, it’s evident that other industries feel the same way.
Read More

5 Ways Publishers Can Hyper-Target Print Like Digital Marketers

Marketers’ disgust with online ad fraud has created an opening for our industry, but we’re not ready to take advantage of it. Our out-of-date, out-of-synch approaches to magazine advertising proposals are holding us back from taking advantage of this new opportunity. Judging from my interactions with advertising sales reps, they’re seeing fewer digital-only RFPs these days and more media-agnostic ones. Marketers who were in the “print is dead” camp now seem intrigued with the ability of print to engage their most valuable prospects. But simply buying ad pages in general-interest magazines is not their idea of effective targeting.
Read More

Strong Gasoline Demand Lifts Oil, but High OPEC Supplies Temper Gains

Oil rose on Wednesday, supported by strong demand for gasoline, but rising output from OPEC producers revived concerns about a persistent overhang of excess crude. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 21 cents at $49.05 a barrel by 1204 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures CLc1 were up 14 cents at $46.50 a barrel. While U.S. crude stocks rose by 1.6 million barrels to 497.2 million barrels in the week to July 14, gasoline stocks fell by a whopping 5.4 million barrels, the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday.
Read More

North American Comics Market Hits $1.085 Billion in 2016

Combined graphic novel and comics sales in North America grew 5% to $1.085 billion in 2016, a $55 million increase over the $1.03 billion reported last year, according to a joint estimate by industry news sites Comichron and ICv2.com. Led by the continuing sales growth of book-format graphic novels (which rose to $590 million, from $350 million in 2015), the $1.085 billion figure represents the combined sales of book-format graphic novels, traditional comics periodicals ($405 million), and digital download-to-own comics ($90 million).
Read More

Indigo Eyes U.S. Expansion

Indigo Books & Music is in discussions to expand operations to the United States as early 2018, according to several high level executives at publishing houses in Canada and the United States. According to sources, representatives for the Canadian retailer were taking meetings about the potential expansion during this year's Book Expo in New York. Executives speculated that a store is being planned for New Jersey. "[CEO] Heather [Reisman] has many close relationships in New Jersey and knows the area well," said one executive. Montclair was floated as one potential location.
Read More

LSC Communications Buys Privately-Held Creel in Blockbuster Publication, Commercial Printing Transaction

In a blockbuster deal announced today within the publication and commercial printing sectors, Chicago-based LSC Communications has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Creel Printing, a privately-owned offset and digital printing company headquartered in Las Vegas. Creel’s capabilities include full-color heatset and coldset web and sheetfed offset printing, regionally distributed variable digital production, wide-format printing and integrated digital solutions.
Read More

Heidelberg Is a Reliable Partner to the Document and Plastic Card Industry

Over 120 attendees from all over the world came to the Security Day hosted by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) for the first time in Wiesloch in mid-July. Using identification document printing (ID printing) and meaningful examples from the plastic card industry, the company showed that it has been the reliable partner for these applications for many years.
Read More

American Forest & Paper Association Releases June 2017 Boxboard Report

Total boxboard production decreased 0.9 percent when compared to June 2016, and decreased 0.1 percent from last month. Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production decreased over the same month as last year and decreased compared to last month. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production increased when compared to June 2016, and increased compared to last month. The production of Recycled Boxboard increased compared to June 2016, but decreased when compared to last month.
Read More

Grief to Open New IBC Manufacturing Facility

Greif, a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announces the expansion of its Houston, Texas, footprint by making a multimillion-dollar investment in an intermediate bulk container (IBC) manufacturing facility. The existing 100,000 square foot building is located in Baytown, Texas, and is scheduled to be operational during the second quarter of 2018.
Read More

KapStone Reaching Higher In Meeting 2020 Sustainability Goals

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation (NYSE: KS) announces the recent release of its fifth annual sustainability report which shows ongoing progress towards meeting its 2020 sustainability goals. Conforming to the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) G4 rigid and voluntary standards, the report details accomplishments along with areas for improvement necessary to meet those goals. KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation CEO and President, Matt Kaplan, states: "Operating in a sustainable manner is core to doing business the right way. As we look ahead to meeting our 2020 goals, we are inspired by the great work of our employees and know by reaching higher, we will position ourselves to achieve our goals."
Read More

A Lovely Redesign from Krispy Kreme and Device Creative

On July 13, 1937 the first Krispy Kreme kitchen opened in Old Salem, North Carolina. Founder Vernon Rudolph purchased the still-used secret yeast doughnut recipe from a French chef in New Orleans and began selling the pastries to local grocery stores. The smell from the kitchen was so enticing to passers-by that Rudolph decided it was in his company’s best interest to start selling the doughnuts directly to customers on the street. So, he cut a hole in one of the building’s outer walls and started selling doughnuts directly to customers on the street. Seven years later in 1944, the doughnut display cases we’re so familiar with today were brought into Krispy Kreme stores for the first time.
Read More

FSC Introduces New Onsite Tests for Ecosystem Services

In its Global Strategic Plan 2015-2020, FSC committed to offering new tools for certificate holders to access ecosystem services markets. This is part of a broader strategy to increase the market value of FSC as ecosystem services can result in increased net revenue for forest owners. The FSC ecosystem services tools include a new procedure to demonstrate the impact of forest management activities on ecosystem services and how to access their markets.
Read More

Karen Alsop To Share ‘Story Art’ At Adobe Max

Her photographic and digitally-altered photographs are filled with anthropomorphized animals, peacefully surreal settings and a lack of physical and gravitational limitations. The portraits, part real-world representation and part imaginative adaptation are all possible because of the creativity, passion, and artistry of Karen Alsop, a Melbourne, Australia-based teacher/photographer/digital artist. Composed of bits and pieces of photographs (oftentimes just lighting, an angle, or a fraction of an image), brushes she’s created in Photoshop, repeated visits to ideal locations, and stand-ins for subjects who aren’t available, every image has one thing in common: It begins with a story.
Read More

B2B Buyers and Sellers Need to Fix Their Relationship

There's something terribly wrong with the buyer-and-seller relationship in the B2B world. Sixty-five percent of B2B buyers rank salespeople as “average” or “poor”, according to a new study by Discover.org and sales linguist Steve W. Martin. As the study's blog post notes, there's already a lot of distrust and skepticism associated with salespeople — in-depth RFPs and product demos are evidence of that. However, the study shows that the 35% of respondents who held “good” or “excellent” views were willing to take more risks, like adopt a new product or experiment with a new trend.
Read More

Oil Climbs as Firm Demand Absorbs Ample Supply

Oil rose on Tuesday as demand soaked up some of the surplus supplies from OPEC and the United States, but traders said the market was trading in a tight range and showed few signs of big short term moves. Benchmark Brent crude LCOc1 was up 70 cents at $49.12 a barrel by 1150 GMT, while U.S. light crude oil CLc1 was 65 cents higher at $46.67.
Read More

Disney Villains Take Center Stage on Forever Stamps

Tomorrow, the U.S. Postal Service will celebrate the rich legacy of the Walt Disney Studio’s Ink & Paint Department by dedicating a sheet of 20 Forever stamps featuring 10 classic Disney Villains. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan will be joined by Disney officials in dedicating the stamps. “The Postal Service is highlighting the Disney Villains and the pioneering spirit of the Ink and Paint Department that brought many of these characters to life,” said Brennan. “These Forever stamps are our way of saying Disney Villains will forever entertain us and serve as a tribute Disney’s artistry and storytelling skill.” Each stamp showcases one of 10 classic Disney Villains set against a blue background.
Read More

Well-Known Washington Journalist and Columnist Team Up To Write Book on the Spiritual Life of Donald Trump

Broadside Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has acquired World Rights to The Faith of Donald J. Trump: A Spiritual Biography for publication in January 2018. The new book, by David Brody, the Chief Political Correspondent for the Christian Broadcasting Network and Scott Lamb, the "Jesus in the Public Square" columnist for The Washington Times, draw on unparalleled access to the White House to explore the rarely discussed, but deeply important, religious beliefs and worldview of Donald J. Trump and his advisors. The deal was negotiated by Eric Nelson, VP/Editorial Director of Broadside Books, with one of the authors, Scott Lamb, who is also the Owner of Calliope Media.
Read More

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and King-Devick Technologies Partner on New Program

Global learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has partnered with King-Devick technologies, inc. to bring the King-Devick Reading Acceleration Program (K-D RAP), a new, proven-effective approach to strengthening literacy skills by teaching the physical act of reading, to students in elementary classrooms. HMH will market, sell and distribute K-D RAP to schools nationwide, while King-Devick technologies’ (KDT) specialists will provide educators with product training and technical support
Read More

Neiman Marcus Loses its First-Ever Chief Information Security Officer

A little more than two and a half years after Neiman Marcus hired its first chief information security officer, the cybersecurity lead has left the company. A Neiman Marcus spokesperson confirmed that CISO Sarah Hendrickson no longer works at the company. Hendrickson’s LinkedIn page shows that she exited the company in June and now serves as senior vice president of compliance for a company called S3.
Read More

Retail Sales Fizzle in June

The beginning of summer didn't give a boost to consumer spending as retail sales fell for the second straight month. Retail sales unexpectedly slipped 0.1% in June after being unchanged in May. Sales were up 3.2% unadjusted from June 2016, according to the National Retail Federation, and 3.9% on a three-month moving average year-over-year. (The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.)
Read More

Faller Adds Primefire 106 for Digital Pharmaceutical Packaging Production

The pharmaceutical and healthcare market is increasingly moving towards specialized medicinal products. As a result, the packaging runs for these specially developed medicines are becoming ever shorter, along with the delivery times. August Faller GmbH & Co. KG, Waldkirch, Germany, has decided to counter this trend by placing an advance order for the Primefire 106 digital printing system from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) in order to obtain one of the first machines worldwide in 2018.
Read More

International Paper’s Directors Elect Christopher M. Connor to Board

International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) announced the election of Christopher M. Connor to its board of directors effective October 1, 2017. Mr. Connor, age 61, retired as Executive Chairman of The Sherwin-Williams Company in December of 2016. Mr. Connor joined The Sherwin Williams Company in 1983 and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2000 to December 2015. Mr. Connor is Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and serves on the board of directors for both Eaton Corporation plc. and Yum! Brands, Inc. He will be assigned to join the Board's Audit and Finance Committee and Management Development and Compensation Committee.
Read More

Institutional Shareholder Services Recommends Approval of Tembec Acquisition Plan

Tembec Inc. (TSX: TMB) (“Tembec”) announced today that Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) has recommended that shareholders of Tembec vote FOR the proposed plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) involving the acquisition by Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (“Rayonier AM”) of all of the outstanding shares of Tembec (the “Tembec Shares”). In connection with this recommendation, ISS noted that: "The proposed premium offer consideration provides shareholders with flexibility to participate in the growth opportunities associated with the combined business of increased size, scale and liquidity and/or to receive the consideration in the form of cash that provides immediate liquidity (subject to proration limits).
Read More

Music to My Mouth: Studio Album Released on Beer Can

Imagine walking into the liquor store on a Friday night. You look past the brews you’ve already tried for something new. You spot a silver and gold capsule of a can, with a strange goggled figure on the label. The copy tells you this beer was formulated to fuel your journey through the multiverse, and it contains a sci-fi album as the soundtrack. To get the album, there’s a special hashtag. By tweeting it, you’ll receive a message telling you what you’re doing right now in a parallel reality, and a link to the music. Curiosity piqued, you bring it home, crack it open, take out your phone, and experience audio, visual, touch and taste in a single moment in time.
Read More

The Future of Biodegradable Paper, Bio-Based Plastics

The global biodegradable paper packaging materials market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of close to 11% from 2017 to 2021, according to a new market study from Technavio. The study covers the present scenario and growth prospects for global biodegradable paper packaging materials and also lists bioplastic packaging materials and paper packaging materials as the two major application segments, of which bioplastic packaging materials dominated the global market in 2016, accounting for 54% of the market share in 2016.
Read More

Smurfit Kappa Holds Eighth Innovation Event in Paris This Year

Smurfit Kappa held its eighth Innovation Event this year in Paris. More than 250 customers came to the “Packaging and Perspectives” event, which took a look at how packaging will be affected by supply chain and network fragmentation using a variety of media. Alongside the conference, visitors had the opportunity to participate in an interactive live session with two Smurfit Kappa design teams tasked with developing complete shelf ready packaging and display solutions in real time. The designs that were created were based on votes from the customers.
Read More

Get to Know JDI’s Summer Students–Tree Planting Auditor

Sandra Mae Watling is a second year Forestry student at the University of New Brunswick's Fredericton campus. This summer she is one of the 110 students working in J.D. Irving, Limited’s (JDI) tree planting operations. Sandra Mae is a tree planting auditor, following behind the planting crew to ensure that all trees are planted to a quality standard. The nine auditors across the company are looking for quality indicators as they check their plots. Indicators include ensuring that seedlings are spaced appropriately, planted at the correct depth and that seedlings aren’t damaged or leaning.
Read More

The Diplomat Revives Mystique of A Bygone Era

The Diplomat, a venerable outpost on the South Florida coast, has been refreshed and relaunched with the help of the Korn Design team. Principal Denise Korn says that her primary goal was to bring back the mystique and ethos of a bygone era, and reintroduce it as a vibrant hub and destination. Her solution is to a combination of “owning the beach” in the new name, The Diplomat Beach Resort, and reinjecting the entire property with a sense of “something new under the sun.”
Read More

Pentagram’s Bold Brooklyn Brand For City Point

Recently opened with great fanfare, City Point is the largest food, shopping and entertainment destination in the center of downtown Brooklyn. The 1.8 million square foot mixed-use development is poised to dramatically transform the area. Pentagram’s Michael Gericke and his team designed a bold Brooklyn identity for the project, including its brand positioning, advertising, signage and large-scale environmental graphics.
Read More

Oil Edges up Towards $49, U.S. Drilling Slowdown Supports

Oil edged up to about $49 a barrel on Monday as fewer drilling rigs were added in the United States, helping ease concerns that surging shale supplies will undermine OPEC-led production cuts. U.S. drillers added two oil rigs in the week to July 14, bringing the total to 765, Baker Hughes (BHGE.N) said on Friday. RIG-OL-USA-BHI Rig additions in the past four weeks averaged five, the slowest pace since November. Expectations that a long-awaited crude market rebalancing was under way was also bolstered by the sharp drop in U.S. crude inventories in the week to July 7.
Read More

Chicago Tribune Owner Loses Out on Sun-Times Buy

An investment group called ST Acquisition Holdings —led by former Chicago Alderman Edwin Eisendrath, about a half-dozen local investers and a coalition of labor unions, including the Chicago Federation of Labor (click here to see a list of the unionized commercial and wide-format/signage printers located in the Chicago area) and some other still-to-be-announced local unions — has acquired the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper and the Chicago Reader, a free weekly newspaper, after overcoming a competing bid from the owner of the Chicago Tribune. “A great group has come together and made sure that a genuine voice with honest and good reporting that connects with working men and women thrives,” the Sun-Times quoted Eisendrath as saying just before the acquisition closed. He is a local politician who had failed in a 2006 bid to unseat then-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Click Read More below for additional detail.
Read More

Adobe Unveils Plans for U.S. Site Growth

Adobe is growing. Over the past two years, our global employee base has grown by more than 30%. This growth includes our successful transformation to a cloud-based business, our expansion to lead the digital marketing category, and several acquisitions including advertising technology leader TubeMogul. To position Adobe for even greater success and growth in the future, today we unveiled our plans to expand our California and Utah facilities. This is a major investment in our U.S. presence and will add capacity for approximately 5,000 employees. Through construction of the new buildings, Adobe will also be able to increase the percentage of our employees in LEED/Green-certified buildings, which currently stands at 78%. Click Read More below for additional detail.
Read More
Back To Top
×Close search
Search